Happy Birthday, Tim!

Today is my brother's birthday.  Actually, it's his golden birthday.  He lives in Pennsylvania, so I only get to see him once or twice a year.  This October, he and Sara are getting married!  I'm so excited for them.  They are not having your typical wedding, and her dress is too cute!!  I can't wait. 

This picture is a few years old.  Tim has hair now, and my girls and Bradley are 3 feet taller!

Wordless Wednesday: Wacky Weather

10:00am- 40 degrees and outside for recess

5:00pm- stuck in the library due to thunderstorm and downpours

10:00pm- 35 mph winds, snow, and single digit temps

Our screened-in porch.  Oh,the joys of living in NWI.

A Mountain of Figs

Have you ever read something or heard something that hit you like a two-by-four upside the head? Well, I have. More times than I'd care to admit. Usually, these are lessons that have been presented to me in various ways at various times, yet I was too dense to pick it up and make it my own.

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Anger Management

It is really hard to blog responsibly when you are grumpy and irritated (ok, just plain old mad!)  I never wanted this site to be about "bashing" anyone, so I'll refrain from talking about why I'm mad. 

On happier topics, the girls had their basketball games this morning, and they both played well.  Alisha played with her sprained finger, and did just fine.  Apparently I was over reacting when I took her in for x-rays.  Rebekah got her first basket, and was very excited about that.  I talked with some of the other parents on the bleachers, and realized how selfish I've been with myself.  Since basketball started, I have pretty much kept to myself.  It takes effort to be nice and make conversation, and lately I just haven't felt like it.  This week I learned some things, and was reminded of some others, and basically, how I'm "feeling" doesn't matter.  Really, if we did everything we "felt" like doing we would never get out of bed in the morning, and never do any work.  I can't say I had any great conversations today, but it's a start to sharing who I am again.

On our way home we stopped at Walmart and Target. The girls had gift cards they got from Grandpa and Grandma Mongold for Christmas, and it was time to spend them.  If you have kids, you know how long it can take for them to choose something.  They did pretty well.  They already knew what they wanted, and all we had to do was find them.  It's all about Club Penguin right now, so they bought themselves 6 month membership cards.  Which brings me to an interesting phenomenon in our house.  At this moment my children are happily and peacefully playing with each other, and they are all in different parts of the house.  Alisha is on the living room computer, Rebekah is on the downstairs computer, Marissa is on the computer in her room, and I'm in the dining room on my laptop.  How ridiculous is that?  Four computers, and we're all online.  They are "visiting" each other's homes, and having sled races in the snow; all on the computer.  What's funny is that they use our phones as intercoms to talk to each other while they play (so if you can't get through on the land line, call my cell.)  Maybe that's the key to banishing sibling rivalry...keep them in separate rooms, and let them "virtually" interact.  Just kidding. 

This post is getting long.  Just to let you know, if you look to the left, you will see "My Library."  I love to read, and am always reading a book.  Mostly fiction.  Although, right now I'm reading a great non-fiction book.  I think I might actually make it to the end of this one!  That's big for me.  In My Library I will post books I've read or am currently reading, and let you know what I thought of the book.  I've always wanted to be in a book club, but most of them read books I don't care to read.  I guess this will do.  Leave me a comment and let me know if you've read any of the same books, and how you liked them.  Happy Saturday! 

I've cooled off now.  Blogging is great therapy!

Happy Birthday, Chrissy!

Hey everyone!  Today is my friend Chrissy's birthday.  She is the one who taught me about boundaries, being true to who God made me to be, and taught me that exercise is a good thing (I'm still working on that one.)  So, head on over to rip, runnin', & roarin' to wish Chrissy a very happy day.

"What's for Dinner?" and the Eternal Cry of Youth: "I'm Hungry"

Today I am in a much calmer state of mind than yesterday.  It could have something to do with the 2 hour nap I took.  Yep, totally blew my afternoon by sleeping through it.  I crawled in bed mostly to stay warm (it's single digits again), thinking I would rest for a bit.  Next thing I know the garage door is opening and Phil and the kids are home. 

Now I am faced with the inevitable daily dilemma.  What to make for dinner?  I really can't stress enough how much I hate to cook.  I know for some of you this is such a foreign concept that you can't relate.  I've heard all the reasons why moms and dads should have a meal on the table for their kids.  I've beat myself up numerous times because I don't see "feeding my family as a way to show them love and nurturing."  Oh please!  If you know me at all, you know I am not a huggy, mushy type.  I see it as we are hungry and we need food.  All the better if I don't have to make it! 

I think longingly back to our best vacation ever.  On the Disney Cruise, everyone could get what they wanted, and it was good food.  My family likes to go to Ponderosa Pondergrossa for the same reason.  They can all get foods they like.  "They" meaning everyone but me.  Why don't I make dishes I like?  Well, I would be the only one eating them.  Our tastes are that different.  The one thing we all agree on: pizza.  Who doesn't love pizza?  It's even Patches' favorite.  He gets the crusts.  Unfortunately, we have no pizzas in the freezer and the piggy bank is such that take-out is not happening right now.  So, I'm back to what to make for dinner when you really want pizza?  Last night I morphed two recipes together into what I called "Creamy Chicken and Vegetables" served with biscuits.  Sounds pretty good, right?  It got a "nasty" from one child, "the chicken is chewy" from another, and the third wisely kept her mouth shut.  Phil liked it. 

Bottom line: people are hungry and I don't want to cook, but I am mom, so I will suck it up and go figure something out. 

What's up with Wednesdays?

Once again I tried to scan a picture to post for Wordless Wednesday, and once again I could not get the stupid thing to work.  It kept telling me there was a connection problem.  It runs beautifully when Phil does it.  That's it, the thing just hates me. 

So, the one week ordeal is officially over.  It was all very confusing and has left me thinking I need to find a new doctor's office.   Today I got the "letter" saying the results of my mammogram were negative, which is good.  Today the ultrasound tech said the same thing.  All is well.  I knew that, but why the pain.   Hormones they say.  Blame it on the hormones.  Ok, whatever.  It's done.

Do you have any pet peeves?  Well, I have a few.  They are strange, but drive me to lose it like nothing can.  One: chewing loudly.  Especially by my ear.   I will yell at you if you do this!  Two: looking over my shoulder while I'm typing.  Especially when working on my blog.  Let's just say at this moment I am going to explode if "someone" does not very quickly walk away!! 

Well...

That seems to be all I can say lately.  Life is just very interesting to process right now.  Not bad, just interesting.  Things are the same, in fact, probably better than usual.  The girls are getting along and showing that they can be responsible.  Work is just work.  I had 2 students leave the program, and my 2 new students (who were on the waiting list) started today.  It went well.  The thing is I'm thinking about things differently.  Hopefully it can be called growth.

Things got thrown for a loop today.  Alisha jammed her finger at basketball practice last night.  No big deal, she's done it before.  Only this time, she woke up unable to move it and it was very swollen and lovely shades of purple and blue.  The only appointment they could give me was before my class let out.  Ericka is still recovering, so we were already down by one teacher.  It worked out, and she had x-rays done on her finger.  The doctor doesn't "think" it's broken.  Of course, they can't just look at the x-ray and tell me.  It has to be sent out to a radiologist.  Come on!  What do they teach them in med school these days? 

I'm a little frustrated with this place as it is.  I got a phone message Marissa took for me last night.  Some lady called and wants me to call her back to make an appointment.  Ok?  She thought it was for my Lasik, and she took down the number.  No problem.  I get home today and there is a voice mail from the same lady.  Only, it's for the imaging place.  Weird.  I call them and they want to know when I can come in for my ultrasound.  What ultrasound?  Apparently the mammogram showed something, or didn't, or who knows.  This is the first I've heard anything since it was done last week.  Apparently this is how they let you know.  

Don't worry, because I'm not. (Philippians 4:6)

A New Look

Thank you to my web designer!  He did a great job giving me a new look for the Sunny Side.  It was time.

Bargains and Bangs: 2 Days at the Mall

Thank God for 3-day weekends!  I have totally neglected my house and the laundry, to hang out with my recovering friend and shop.  Yes, I have spent more money than I care to admit.   Although, I am a discriminative shopper.  If it wasn't on clearance for 70% off, we weren't getting it.  It was nice to let my girls pick some new clothes out.  I get so sick of having to tell them that we can't buy things.  I may regret it when I go to figure out how much is left for groceries, but there are always ramen noodles!    

I think it's funny how at the bottom of your receipt it tells you how much you saved with the sales and discounts.  Apparently I saved $713.67.  I swear, this is what it says.  This is what my girls pointed out to my husband as we walked in with all the bags.  He was not impressed.  Yesterday when I took them to JC Penney's for all these great deals, we never even got out of the girls' department.  I wanted to look for me, so of course I had to go back today.  I did not feel like trying anything on at the store, so now I have to take some things back.  I am the Queen of Returns!  My favorite purchase is a red, wool car coat I have been wanting for a few years.  I have always wanted a red coat!  It was not the most practical purchase as I already have 2 coat that suffice, but I made that last minute decision at the register, and not it's mine, all mine!  (with the option to return it)   I'm justifying it with the fact that I can't keep my short, black, wool coat looking clean, and my long, purple, wool coat is really 2 sizes too small. 

While at the mall, Bekah also got a haircut.  She refused to let me take a before picture, and wouldn't get out from under the blanket (I don't blame her it's only 7 degrees here) to get a good "after" picture, but it's a cute cut.  Her hair has been an issue for a few weeks now.  Messy with lots of knots.  She did not want to get it cut at all, but I said it get's cut or you get grounded.  That ended that.  She now has "swoopy bangs", and lots of layers.  Hopefully this will help with her thick hair and the knotting.  As soon as we left the salon she said, "It's too puffy!" and proceeded to smash it down as much as she could.  She's never really been a girly-girl.  Maybe tomorrow she'll let me take a picture, and if I decide to keep the coat, maybe I'll let her take one of me.