Loves of My Life

My Dear Hubby - 20+ terrific years of marriage in addition to the 3 years we dated, during which he had my heart, even though he didn't know it. I am incredibly blessed to be his wife. He's ever so thoughtful, caring, selfless, and loving. Even when we were first dating, I was blown away by his kindness towards me. Never before had anyone treated me so beautifully. While we've had our ups and downs, they were always external - our relationship has remained strong regardless of what came our way. I look forward to many more grand adventures that the Lord has in our future.

Oldest Son (SLH) - He's an amazing young man. It's been a tremendous joy over the past year and a half, during which time I've been homeschooling him, to see his growth in the Lord. He has a very tender heart towards God and is in tune to the Holy Spirit. I pray that he continues to follow the Lord's leading in his life. He's very creative, intuitive, and thoughtful. It's a privilege to be his mom.

Youngest Son (SLSM) - What an exhuberant young man he is! He has incredible zest for whatever he's doing or interested in. He is very sweet, has an hysterically fun sense of humor, and cares greatly for people. He's always thinking, always coming up with cool ideas, and always wants everyone to be happy. I'm never at a loss for hugs and kisses when he's around. It's an honor to be his mom.

JESUS - He loved me before I existed. He loved me when I was a sinner, caring nothing about Him, living however I pleased. He loved me so much that He died on a cross to forgive me my sins and offer me salvation. I am truly blessed beyond measure and blown away that He loves me. My love for Him grows every day and what a glorious day, indeed, when I will see Him face to face!

Even I Was Duped

We were at the local RV & Sport Show today (hubby works for an RV dealer), and while cruising around with the boys, my brother-in-law, and nieces, we came across one of those gimmicky kid toys. Naturally, the vendor was more than happy to give us his one minute demonstration, complete with fast talking lips, fast moving hands, and the cutest little fuzzy worm. The kids were hooked after the first 10 seconds. My brother-in-law and I were intrigued, thinking it ran around via static or something along those lines.


(this one is named Brock)

Now you have to understand that I am not that gullible. In fact, I tend more towards cynical when it comes to anyone trying to relieve me of my money. Maybe because I really didn't know how they worked and because the kids were so excited to have their very own worms, I caved.

Well, they got me this time - it wasn't at all what I thought. But since they do ask that you not tell anyone the "secret," I guess this is as far as it goes. On a happy note, the kids have had a wonderful time with their fuzzy little worms. Each of them (except my 2 year old niece) has worked diligently to learn how to be as smooth as the guy selling them. It's definitely kept their attention - all afternoon, in the truck, out at dinner, before bedtime, etc. So maybe it wasn't such a bad purchase after all!

The Incognito Air Hockey Table

Many thanks to Sprittibee who was kind enough to offer me some blogging tips after I posted about my blogging pity party. I'm taking advantage of one of her useful tips as I utilize Photobucket for uploading photos. I took this recently and was intending to use it for a post about feeling terribly scattered.

I am now beyond scattered mode, but after reading Barb's post about deep cleaning her house, this picture kept coming to mind. I'm not sure why - it certainly does NOT represent a clean house. It's more a representation of the catch-all family room where decisions are regularly postponed. Underneath all that stuff (and the red table cloth) is an air hockey table. We don't get to play much these days it would seem.

On a happy, repurposing note (don't you just love the crazy new vocabulary?!?), the kids all LOVE to play underneath said hockey table in conjunction with the foosball table. It makes a very cozy, secret little hideout for them, their friends, and cousins. You can't see the sides of the table, but there are plenty of boxes and paraphernalia to block the sides and completely enclose their lair. I've learned that when I can't find any children in my house, I should go look under the air hockey table. After all, isn't that where everyone keeps their kids nice & quiet?

On A Happier Note . . .

Homeschool is going better. I don't get as much strife and grief as ealier this (school) year. My youngest son, who gives me the most trouble, is coming around. I think he's finally realizing that all his fussing doesn't change a thing - he'll have to do his work, whether early in the day or after dinner or somwhere in between. The later in the day means less free time. Maybe he's finaly getting it. I sure hope so.

I also realized recently that my oldest son is doing so well cooperating and having a good attitude about school. That's a tremendous blessing after all the battling we did last year. Usually he'd storm off to his room and I'd go sit in my reading corner and pray. Fortunately, he's sensitive to the Spirit's leading, and more often than not, he'd come out with a repentant heart. It's pretty awesome to see him maturing! What a blessing to this mom's heart!

Sorriest Blogger Award

I am pleased (NOT!) to announce that I have awarded myself The Sorriest Blogger. I'm enormously frustrated with myself - the more I want to blog, the less I seem to do it! Good grief! On a relatively happy(?) note, I doubt that anyone reads my blog anyway. If they did, they'd quickly realize that I'm not keeping up so well and not bother to come back. I think I've only told one friend about my blog anyway (besides my honey).

I am always encouraged by the blogs I read and want to be as cool a blogger as Sprittibee or Barb at A Chelsea Morning. Both women inspire me in blogdom, along with a number of others I pop in to read here and there. I hope to be of such caliber one day.

Okay, enough of the pity party. It's off my chest and time to go post something more upbeat!

p.s. - looks like I'll be posting without the image since it doesn't seem to be working tonight. Oh well. Sigh.