So, it's been a hectic few days here. Can't say they've been hectic "good", either. I *really* wish I could. :(
School has me so stressed out. I have the online class that feels like a 24/7 class, with our online tests and our once-a-week in-class tests. That was stressful enough. But now I have this A&P class I'm taking and it's every day for 6 hours with tests every Monday. I only have to take this one for four weeks but after week 1 I feel like I need to be committed.
The kiddos start school in less than a month (August 1st) and I've been having to get their school stuff bought so we're not rushing around at the end of the month. Plus, for Ashley's cheer team I'm having to help organize a golf tournament on July 23 and that is stressing me B.I.G.T.I.M.E!! There are just not enough of me to go around these days.
On a side note, the stress is really getting to me physically, as it tends to do, and I've noticed a huge increase of my RLS episodes along with an increase in the heart palpitations that often go along with that. They are mostly at night when I'm at home but sometimes happen when I'm in the car or at school. I guess at all the stressful places or doing the stressful things? Without any health insurance, though, I can't really run out to the neurologist and get looked at, kwim? Soon, soon.
I'm pretty sure I've come to a decision on some important issues in my life. Most of them I've been sure about for a few months but then felt kinda wishy-washy. But some things recently came to light that really just spelled it all out to me and reaffirmed what I'd been leaning toward doing all along. I wish I could say that I prayed diligently about it and really felt God's pressure to go one way or the other. I can't. Because I haven't. But I do feel like I'm doing what I should be doing, so that's kinda feeling God's hand on it. *sigh* I just know that I cannot deal with this particular issue for one.more.day. I just can't - I don't have it in me anymore. I feel like I will seriously lose myself in a sea of nothingness if I don't make this change.
Your prayers are definitely coveted...
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Friday, July 4, 2008
"Oh Say Can You See..." that this year is 1/2 over?
Wow! It's here, the 4th of July, 2008!! Can I just start out by saying that I cannot believe how fast this year has gone by? My goodness, I can clearly remember celebrating Valentine's Day like it was yesterday and now we're more than halfway through the year. Time truly flies, only making it more and more clear that the time we have now needs to be used wisely. Last year we were in Disney for the holiday and Ashley was in Savannah with the church youth group at SuperWow. It'll be nice that we are all together for the holiday this year.
We are planning on getting together with friends for a cookout at the lake. Lots of people are going to be there, but many of them drink and after a long day of golfing and hanging out (all drinking activities around here) I'm not sure how it will go. Hopefully it will be an enjoyable day and evening but I'm definitely not opposed to coming home early and lighting sparklers in the front yard, if need be. I'll keep you posted on that!! (edited to add some pictures...)
Brooklyn and the lake dog
Tommy and Preston, waiting on the food
Blake fishing - so much for the 4th of July shirt I bought him!
Ash and Brooklyn, trying their hand at fishing
Brooklyn making her way around to
everyone's plate, now eating off mine
So since the program the other day, I've had a couple of days to reflect on what this holiday really means to me. I've always had a patriotic spirit, even so far back as 5 or 6 years old. I can remember getting very emotional hearing the fireworks go off on the 4th of July as a child and feeling like I needed to tell every soldier I knew that his/her work was appreciated so much. If I believed in former lives, I'd say that I was likely a service member myself previously!!
I think it's so important that each one of us realizes how extremely privileged each one of us is to be living in our country. No matter what party line you associate yourself with, no matter what religion you congregate with, no matter where you live - we are all blessed to be free, in every sense of the word. We are such a blessed nation, so much more than we all realize at times. It's so easy to take these kinds of freedoms for granted, after all. But these freedoms don't come easily, nor do they come free. It's important to also give great thanks to all of those who've made the sacrifices necessary to ensure our continuing freedom. With that comes the importance of giving great thanks to the One who made the biggest and ultimate sacrifice - that of Jesus Christ. Without His perfect offering of Himself, we would be free here on earth but would live in bondage and suffering for eternity.
So, with a grateful and pride-filled heart I say:
Thank you, thank you, thank you, to all our service members - past and present - who have offered their lives to the country they love so much. Thank you for your service, for your spirit of sacrifice, and for your love of this land (and all who share her with you). And thank you Jesus, for the sacrifice that you made - for the sacrifice that could never be repaid and for not requiring it to be repaid, but for only requiring us to believe you did it for us.
We are planning on getting together with friends for a cookout at the lake. Lots of people are going to be there, but many of them drink and after a long day of golfing and hanging out (all drinking activities around here) I'm not sure how it will go. Hopefully it will be an enjoyable day and evening but I'm definitely not opposed to coming home early and lighting sparklers in the front yard, if need be. I'll keep you posted on that!! (edited to add some pictures...)
Brooklyn and the lake dog
Tommy and Preston, waiting on the food
Blake fishing - so much for the 4th of July shirt I bought him!
Ash and Brooklyn, trying their hand at fishing
Brooklyn making her way around to
everyone's plate, now eating off mine
I think it's so important that each one of us realizes how extremely privileged each one of us is to be living in our country. No matter what party line you associate yourself with, no matter what religion you congregate with, no matter where you live - we are all blessed to be free, in every sense of the word. We are such a blessed nation, so much more than we all realize at times. It's so easy to take these kinds of freedoms for granted, after all. But these freedoms don't come easily, nor do they come free. It's important to also give great thanks to all of those who've made the sacrifices necessary to ensure our continuing freedom. With that comes the importance of giving great thanks to the One who made the biggest and ultimate sacrifice - that of Jesus Christ. Without His perfect offering of Himself, we would be free here on earth but would live in bondage and suffering for eternity.
So, with a grateful and pride-filled heart I say:
Thank you, thank you, thank you, to all our service members - past and present - who have offered their lives to the country they love so much. Thank you for your service, for your spirit of sacrifice, and for your love of this land (and all who share her with you). And thank you Jesus, for the sacrifice that you made - for the sacrifice that could never be repaid and for not requiring it to be repaid, but for only requiring us to believe you did it for us.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
One Nation Under God
That was the name of the program we put on at the Civic Center yesterday. Basically, it was a coming together of 4 choirs from various churches throughout the county and doing one big show for everyone. It was A LOT of work - lots of practices (especially for someone who doesn't have a whole lotta extra time to throw around these days) and having to really baby my throat (just hasn't been the same since being sick the week of VBS). After each practice I was really hoarse. I wasn't even sure I'd fit in with the sopranos by Weds at that rate!!
Those who know me well know that I'm a pretty emotional singer anyway. But throw in some patriotism mixed in with some reminders of all that God has done for us, and I'm a sobbing, blabbering mess!! Which then leads me right to Weds performance... :)
It was WONDERFUL! It went so much smoother than Tuesday's rehearsal but I'm pretty sure that a terrible last rehearsal/practice means everything will go great. (It always did when I was coaching cheer, anyway...) I got emotional at all the places I thought I would and in some that I didn't. It's hard to contain all those feelings of pride and thanks when you are facing an auditorium full of past and present servicemen and servicewomen.
At this point, though, I'm really really really glad it's over. Not because I didn't enjoy it but because it was draining me. A six hour school day, with an hour drive there and back, and a two hour rehearsal two days in a row does NOT = a restful Stacie. :)
Those who know me well know that I'm a pretty emotional singer anyway. But throw in some patriotism mixed in with some reminders of all that God has done for us, and I'm a sobbing, blabbering mess!! Which then leads me right to Weds performance... :)
It was WONDERFUL! It went so much smoother than Tuesday's rehearsal but I'm pretty sure that a terrible last rehearsal/practice means everything will go great. (It always did when I was coaching cheer, anyway...) I got emotional at all the places I thought I would and in some that I didn't. It's hard to contain all those feelings of pride and thanks when you are facing an auditorium full of past and present servicemen and servicewomen.
At this point, though, I'm really really really glad it's over. Not because I didn't enjoy it but because it was draining me. A six hour school day, with an hour drive there and back, and a two hour rehearsal two days in a row does NOT = a restful Stacie. :)
Sunday, June 29, 2008
5th Sunday Fun
Today was the 5th Sunday and our church does something special on those 5th Sunday nights either during service or in place of service. With the 4th of July holiday just a few days away, we had a Family Fun Night cookout. They had a huge blowup waterslide, a dunking booth, a softball game, kiddie pools and sprinklers set out for the little ones, and lots of food (including a cotton candy machine and homemade icecream contest!). It was a ton of fun!
Much to the surprise of many church friends (and myself!), Tommy actually came. It was nice to have him there, though I wish it wasn't such a rare event. The weather didn't seem like it was going to cooperate but after about a 30 minute storm, it cleared up enough to enjoy the outdoor festivities. I didn't think the outdoor stuff was going to still be on so I totally didn't have my kids prepared with swimsuits and towels. I don't know what I was thinking; I should have at least brought them, just in case. You'd think after all these years of momhood I'd have learned to be prepared!!
While we were sitting down eating, some great guys from the church (Stacey and Clay) came over and invited Tommy to come outside and play softball. Without that little bit of encouragement, he'd probably have left after eating. I think he had a good time; the food was good and there was lots to do (even if it was just watching the kids ride the waterslide for the umpteenth time!!) so fun was in abundance. I just wish he'd come for the regular services and get "fed" that way. I have to just leave that in God's hands, though. I realized a LONG time ago that I can't change him; it'll have to be a "God thing". That's really the only way it will bring Him any glory, anyway.
I'll include some pictures of the night when I get them uploaded. My second summer semester class starts in the morning and I still haven't printed out the notes, much less gone over them!
Much to the surprise of many church friends (and myself!), Tommy actually came. It was nice to have him there, though I wish it wasn't such a rare event. The weather didn't seem like it was going to cooperate but after about a 30 minute storm, it cleared up enough to enjoy the outdoor festivities. I didn't think the outdoor stuff was going to still be on so I totally didn't have my kids prepared with swimsuits and towels. I don't know what I was thinking; I should have at least brought them, just in case. You'd think after all these years of momhood I'd have learned to be prepared!!
While we were sitting down eating, some great guys from the church (Stacey and Clay) came over and invited Tommy to come outside and play softball. Without that little bit of encouragement, he'd probably have left after eating. I think he had a good time; the food was good and there was lots to do (even if it was just watching the kids ride the waterslide for the umpteenth time!!) so fun was in abundance. I just wish he'd come for the regular services and get "fed" that way. I have to just leave that in God's hands, though. I realized a LONG time ago that I can't change him; it'll have to be a "God thing". That's really the only way it will bring Him any glory, anyway.
I'll include some pictures of the night when I get them uploaded. My second summer semester class starts in the morning and I still haven't printed out the notes, much less gone over them!
Friday, June 27, 2008
Do they sell "Me" days on eBay? I'll pay top dollar!!
*sigh* Whew! What a long two days this has been. I feel like my old pet hamster, Fluffy, running in the wheel as fast as possible but getting nowhere. Well, I am getting somewhere just not as fast as I need to (or is it want to?). Hmm, so maybe it's not like Fluffy in the wheel but Fluffy in the ball, you know, the one that you can put him in and let him run around on the floor? Yeah, that's more like it. I run around going in every direction, often running into the wall, crashing into the legs of chairs, and getting stuck in a corner. When it's all over and done with, I'm just tired and in need of a bath. :)
Yesterday was a packed day. I'd decided that I needed a "Me" day to catch up on studying and working a module from last week (since I'm behind...again) for this Patho class. Then I had planned on running a few errands for myself that I've been putting off because of my schedule and then take a nice nap with Brooklyn later in the day. Hahahahahaha........um, no. Didn't quite work that way.
I only had Brooklyn here with me but I might as well have had the entire future class of 2021 here in my living room! This girl is a H.A.N.D.F.U.L!! She is the exact opposite of Ashley when it comes to playing. Ashley was independent and fine to play off by herself, read to herself, etc. Brooklyn is very high maintenance, dramatic, feisty, strong-willed, and stubborn. She should have been a Taurus. Wait! I'm a Taurus. She's not just like...I'm..not..like...naahhhh!!!
Anyway, back to yesterday. I'm doing this module and Brooklyn's tearing up the place. Ok, I'll just add that to add to my "Reasons Why I Need A Maid And Nanny" list. Check. Then it dawns on me: today is Thursday - karaoke Thursday!! Woohoo, I'm going out and having a good time singing for the first time since, gosh, my 30th birthday party....over two years ago. Yes! That's a total "Me" activity. I didn't get up to Mom's to get Ashley so now I'm in a predicament I don't usually find myself in: needing a babysitter. Thankfully, Ashley's friend Taylor (with her little sister Abby) jumped in to save the evening. Ok, so I've got the kiddos covered. Now I have to finish this module, clean the house, get ready, and warm up the vocal chords (well, technically this happens on the way with Shania Twain blasting in the car, lol). Looking good so far (especially since I promised myself I'd finish the module on Friday)!!
Fast forward a few hours. I'm ready. Tommy's ready. We head off to get some friends and they were not ready. Tick tock, tick tock. I am feeling the precious karaoke minutes passing by. I'm tapping my very pointy, stiletto heeled shoe loudly in the living room, hoping it would put some pep in their step. Nope. Either they were totally oblivious to it or they had bets on who would be the first to adorn said shoe in on their backside...
We were late getting to Cypress Grill; it started at 9pm and we got there around 10pm (for once, it was NOT my fault!). Of course, wouldn't you know that the karaoke system broke down just a few minutes before we arrived and they couldn't get it back up and running. OMG, you have NO idea how aggravated I was!!! It took me about 45 minutes to stop steaming, even though it was no one's fault, because I had really been looking forward to this. Here I am in my hamster ball getting stuck under the table and crashing into the chair legs again...why do the "Me" things never seem to work out?
After my steaming stopped, I had a good time. I actually did get to sing, too; the DJ/KJ started to let people sing over the regular cd's if they knew the words. So, it wasn't a total loss for the night. Plus, Tommy's friend Glen took me for a little spin out on the dance floor. He's such a nice guy and I'm glad he's got friends like Glen to hang out with when he's out. He's definitely the kind of man you can trust won't be a negative influence.
We finally got home at *gasp* 2am! I had to be up this morning at 7:15am to babysit some kids (I know, I'm nuts!) so there wasn't much sleep for me at all. So here I am, running on almost zero sleep, like maybe 24 hours worth in the last 9 days; watching a 21 month old, two 7-yr olds, a 9-yr old, and a very moody 12-yr old; trying to do homework, laundry, and meal-planning; washing dishes and Ga red clay off children who just played in the ditch with a water hose; and then get all the kids to church for VBS leaves me feeling just a wee bit exhausted.
I would say I'll take a "Me" day tomorrow but that's what I said about Thursday. And somehow those "Me" days turn into "Everybody BUT Me" days. I think I'll just give in to it all in hopes of being able to barter for a "Me" hour-long bath instead...
(oh, and Fluffy? Wherever you are, I'm sorry I tortured you by putting you in the ball. :) )
Yesterday was a packed day. I'd decided that I needed a "Me" day to catch up on studying and working a module from last week (since I'm behind...again) for this Patho class. Then I had planned on running a few errands for myself that I've been putting off because of my schedule and then take a nice nap with Brooklyn later in the day. Hahahahahaha........um, no. Didn't quite work that way.
I only had Brooklyn here with me but I might as well have had the entire future class of 2021 here in my living room! This girl is a H.A.N.D.F.U.L!! She is the exact opposite of Ashley when it comes to playing. Ashley was independent and fine to play off by herself, read to herself, etc. Brooklyn is very high maintenance, dramatic, feisty, strong-willed, and stubborn. She should have been a Taurus. Wait! I'm a Taurus. She's not just like...I'm..not..like...naahhhh!!!
Anyway, back to yesterday. I'm doing this module and Brooklyn's tearing up the place. Ok, I'll just add that to add to my "Reasons Why I Need A Maid And Nanny" list. Check. Then it dawns on me: today is Thursday - karaoke Thursday!! Woohoo, I'm going out and having a good time singing for the first time since, gosh, my 30th birthday party....over two years ago. Yes! That's a total "Me" activity. I didn't get up to Mom's to get Ashley so now I'm in a predicament I don't usually find myself in: needing a babysitter. Thankfully, Ashley's friend Taylor (with her little sister Abby) jumped in to save the evening. Ok, so I've got the kiddos covered. Now I have to finish this module, clean the house, get ready, and warm up the vocal chords (well, technically this happens on the way with Shania Twain blasting in the car, lol). Looking good so far (especially since I promised myself I'd finish the module on Friday)!!
Fast forward a few hours. I'm ready. Tommy's ready. We head off to get some friends and they were not ready. Tick tock, tick tock. I am feeling the precious karaoke minutes passing by. I'm tapping my very pointy, stiletto heeled shoe loudly in the living room, hoping it would put some pep in their step. Nope. Either they were totally oblivious to it or they had bets on who would be the first to adorn said shoe in on their backside...
We were late getting to Cypress Grill; it started at 9pm and we got there around 10pm (for once, it was NOT my fault!). Of course, wouldn't you know that the karaoke system broke down just a few minutes before we arrived and they couldn't get it back up and running. OMG, you have NO idea how aggravated I was!!! It took me about 45 minutes to stop steaming, even though it was no one's fault, because I had really been looking forward to this. Here I am in my hamster ball getting stuck under the table and crashing into the chair legs again...why do the "Me" things never seem to work out?
After my steaming stopped, I had a good time. I actually did get to sing, too; the DJ/KJ started to let people sing over the regular cd's if they knew the words. So, it wasn't a total loss for the night. Plus, Tommy's friend Glen took me for a little spin out on the dance floor. He's such a nice guy and I'm glad he's got friends like Glen to hang out with when he's out. He's definitely the kind of man you can trust won't be a negative influence.
We finally got home at *gasp* 2am! I had to be up this morning at 7:15am to babysit some kids (I know, I'm nuts!) so there wasn't much sleep for me at all. So here I am, running on almost zero sleep, like maybe 24 hours worth in the last 9 days; watching a 21 month old, two 7-yr olds, a 9-yr old, and a very moody 12-yr old; trying to do homework, laundry, and meal-planning; washing dishes and Ga red clay off children who just played in the ditch with a water hose; and then get all the kids to church for VBS leaves me feeling just a wee bit exhausted.
I would say I'll take a "Me" day tomorrow but that's what I said about Thursday. And somehow those "Me" days turn into "Everybody BUT Me" days. I think I'll just give in to it all in hopes of being able to barter for a "Me" hour-long bath instead...
(oh, and Fluffy? Wherever you are, I'm sorry I tortured you by putting you in the ball. :) )
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Wonderful Merciful Savior
I just cannot get enough of this song. I don't know of a song that has had such an impact on me, though most music will touch me in some way or another. It's lyrics are just so beautiful. You can hear the music to it here: http://jacobsrock.webs.com/SONGS/01 Wonderful Merciful Savior.mp3
Wonderful, merciful Savior
Precious Redeemer and Friend
Who would have thought that a Lamb
Could rescue the souls of men
Oh you rescue the souls of men
Counselor, Comforter, Keeper
Spirit we long to embrace
You offer hope when our hearts have
Hopelessly lost the way
Oh, we've hopelessly lost the way
You are the One that we praise
You are the One we adore
You give the healing and grace
Our hearts always hunger for
Oh, our hearts always hunger for
Almighty, infinite Father
Faithfully loving Your own
Here in our weakness You find us
Falling before Your throne
Oh, we're falling before Your throne
Precious Redeemer and Friend
Who would have thought that a Lamb
Could rescue the souls of men
Oh you rescue the souls of men
Counselor, Comforter, Keeper
Spirit we long to embrace
You offer hope when our hearts have
Hopelessly lost the way
Oh, we've hopelessly lost the way
You are the One that we praise
You are the One we adore
You give the healing and grace
Our hearts always hunger for
Oh, our hearts always hunger for
Almighty, infinite Father
Faithfully loving Your own
Here in our weakness You find us
Falling before Your throne
Oh, we're falling before Your throne
If that's not a song full of beautiful promises, I don't know what is...
Monday, June 23, 2008
Long day on the road
Today I ventured up to Atlanta. It was a long day, much longer than it's seemed in the past. I don't know if it was the crappy Atlanta rush-hour traffic, the never-ending construction on the interstates, or the fact that Brooklyn was not as excited about this trip as I'd hoped she would be.
It's crazy to see how much it's all changed and I was just up here a few weeks ago!! I took Ashley over to her friend Stephanie's house for a few days of hanging out. I'm sure they'll have a good time; it's been forever since they saw each other. I got a tad bit lost on the way to her house because I was going on a "feeling" from the last time I was there. And since that time, I swear it seems like 40 new subdivisions went up on the main road.
Being up in the Kennesaw/Acworth area made me miss it, though. I hate going up there because I know I'm going to wish I still lived there. As much as I've enjoyed the people down here and the friends I've made, my heart is still up in Atlanta. Rightly so, I guess; I lived in metro Atlanta for over 2/3's of my life!
When I finally got on the road to head back home (had to pick up some louvers for Tommy first), that was, of course, when Brooklyn was ready to start playing. She did not want to have any part of sleeping, remaining harnessed in her seat, or just letting Mom have a nice, quiet 2.5 hour drive. Oh no! I had to stop the car at Burger King and let her loose on the playplace for a little bit. I wish more places had play areas because it TOTALLY did the trick on her. When we got back in the car, she was out to lunch in no time!!
I'll head back up to get Ashley on Weds (or Thursday, not sure yet) and pick up some more louvers. I'm thinking I'll let Brooklyn sit this trip out....
It's crazy to see how much it's all changed and I was just up here a few weeks ago!! I took Ashley over to her friend Stephanie's house for a few days of hanging out. I'm sure they'll have a good time; it's been forever since they saw each other. I got a tad bit lost on the way to her house because I was going on a "feeling" from the last time I was there. And since that time, I swear it seems like 40 new subdivisions went up on the main road.
Being up in the Kennesaw/Acworth area made me miss it, though. I hate going up there because I know I'm going to wish I still lived there. As much as I've enjoyed the people down here and the friends I've made, my heart is still up in Atlanta. Rightly so, I guess; I lived in metro Atlanta for over 2/3's of my life!
When I finally got on the road to head back home (had to pick up some louvers for Tommy first), that was, of course, when Brooklyn was ready to start playing. She did not want to have any part of sleeping, remaining harnessed in her seat, or just letting Mom have a nice, quiet 2.5 hour drive. Oh no! I had to stop the car at Burger King and let her loose on the playplace for a little bit. I wish more places had play areas because it TOTALLY did the trick on her. When we got back in the car, she was out to lunch in no time!!
I'll head back up to get Ashley on Weds (or Thursday, not sure yet) and pick up some more louvers. I'm thinking I'll let Brooklyn sit this trip out....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
