Here I am again...

Still trying to learn to balance it all...and only half way succeeding!  My friend Danielle over at The Writing Life  used to blog in a "Daybook" format.  She gave little snippets of her thoughts, ideas, and life in general each day.  I've decided to take a spin on that format and start my own "Daybook" of sorts.  I am changing Danielle's headings to be relevant to me and my crazy life.  Here's my first attempt:  

Today I'm thankful for:   My church.  Our mission is to be in the world 360 degrees both locally and globally.  This weekend we spent time in the community at a festival giving out free water and doing kids crafts.  Then I had the pleasure of hearing my DH fill in for our Pastor today.  I love hearing him preach and am thankful that our Pastor allows him to do so occasionally.  

On the "Family Front":  DSs 1, 2, and 4 have been helping me with my new "Couch to 5K" running plan (see below).  I love it that they're so supportive of their Mother!  

DS 3 and I went to a concert together last night.  The concert was an "experience"...and I enjoyed the singer we were there to see.  But I enjoyed laughing with my DS 3 even more!  We had a fun time taking in the entire experience including his "phone's" ability to navigate us to and from the concert (with an ice cream stop on the way home).  I treasure those moments.  

My Educational Journey:  Did you know I'm back in school?  I am adding a 2nd Master's Degree in Educational Leadership.  (My first was in Curriculum.)  I'm telling you, my learning curve is STRAIGHT UP!  But I'm enjoying the experience overall. 

My Running Notes:   And while my learning journey continues, I decided that I also wanted to do something to get back in shape and challenge myself a bit.  I AM NOT A RUNNER!  I never have been.  But, I was challenged recently by our local radio host, Carmen Brown's  running journey.  She did a "couch to 5K" and then decided to do a half marathon for her birthday only a few months later.  I was inspired and decided to give it a try.  

I got my shoes...which I am starting to realize is SO IMPORTANT....and, I'm beginning week two.  Tonight I added time to the "run"...which is only up to 90 seconds on and 2 minutes off.  I love that it's doable and that I'm feeling a difference in the run already.  

What I'm Reading:  I'm in the middle of a book that is speaking to me in unbelievable ways:  "the gift of an ordinary day" by Katrina Kenison .  Wow!  This memoir of a time in Kenison's life when she reassessed her family life, the schedule, the busy-ness that often defined them, and then ended up turning it completely upside down.  I have almost commented on this book several times mid-reading here on my blog as I've been deeply impacted by this woman's writing.  BUT I usually reserve my book reviews for the end of the book.  I just realized that this "daybook format" will allow me to share the nuggets as I go and when they occur!  I like that!

On my Mind:  Praying for four families who tragically lost teens in car accidents in our area last week.  One accident took four lives and left one family childless as they lost both of theirs in that crash.  Another took the life of a young football player with a promising future ahead of him.  So sad.  

Inspirational Quote or Thought for Today:

I found this quote on Katrina Kenison's website (see "What I'm Reading").  On Feb. 13th Katrina wrote this following:   I've been thinking of this quote all week. It is really what the gift of an ordinary day is all about: "The little things? The little moments? They aren't little." -- Jon Kabat-Zinn

Can't say every post will be "Daybook" format, but I like having the option on those days when time seems short.   

Thanksgiving Reflections

I'm so thankful for my amazing family!  We had a fabulous day yesterday celebrating one another and Thanksgiving together.  My family came down from Tampa and DH's Mom and Dad joined us as well.  It was a lovely day...even though it was kind of hot!

Then, today, we carried out what is becoming a Black Friday tradition.  DSs 3 and 4 and I loaded up the car and left the house at 2:10am to go to Starbucks to get 500 cups of coffee to hand out at Best Buy and the Mall. Our church starting doing this as part of its outreach program three years ago.  It is absolutely an amazing event!

My job is to shuttle between the three locations and make sure everyone has coffee, creamer, and the fixins they need.  I told DS 4 that I think I did the "Mall 200" today!  After we finished (around 7am) I came home and took a nap.

When Sunday Seeps into Monday...

I started a "Sunday Seven" yesterday as a quick update on life in my world.  But, I never went back to it.  It's not that I didn't have the time.  I did.  I just didn't make that my priority.  Then, when fatigue hit early last night, I just let it hit and suddenly found myself planted squarely in Monday without a blogpost!

Since there are no numbers that go with "Monday"...except maybe "Monday Million"---which we all know isn't going to happen---I decided to do my Sunday Seven on a Monday.  Is that OK?  Of course it is cause it's my blog.  And that's the good thing about blogging.  It's a little like Outback Steakhouse:  "No rules.  Just right."
So here's my seven...

1.  My brother, Greg, spent last week in the hospital with acute pancreatitis.  His is diet induced and he knows he's got to change it drastically.  I am thankful that he is OK and home now.  And I'm thankful that he can make the changes and step firmly on the road to better health.

2.  Last week was our first official week of school.  It rained for the first few days of parent pick-up.  That is NOT FUN!  Heck, it rained for the first few days period.  Anyway, we muddled through the puddles and made it through the week without incident.

3.  Saturday was a great day.  Our church, in keeping with its outward focus, threw a "Breakfast for Belize". A local restaurant owner kindly made breakfast burritos for $10 and the proceeds go to support our orphanage in Belize.  I LOVED watching my DS 3 serve the tables.  Here he is practicing.

4.  After the breakfast, I went up to Tampa to see DS 2 and his GF.  We made a trip to IKEA!  It's one of my favorite places and we had a BALL shopping for his apartment.  He is sharing one of those apartments that has four locking bedrooms with a common area.  His roommate is not the neatest person, so he spends a lot of time in his little room.  We measured and searched for storage solutions.  And I think we succeeded.  The only thing I FORGOT was to bring the CAMERA!

5.  DS 2, A, and I took my Mom out for supper Saturday night.  It was a lovely evening that was filled with good food, conversation and laughter.

6.  Church energized me yesterday!  I love our church.  It's so focused on reaching out to others both locally and globally.

7.  After church I ran errands.  Alone.  I liked that.  It felt good to just be out and stroll through stores and the mall by myself.

So, there ya have it.  My weekend in the Sunday Seven format.

Thank God it's Friday!  I love my job, but getting back into the swing of things is just plain difficult!  I am simply an eight hour girl.  I am just downright cranky when I don't get a full night's sleep.  I think it's also been a different kind of week because I am learning to navigate our new leadership at school.  That is not a bad thing, it's just different.  It's kind of like those first years of marriage when you're really on your toes trying not to cause rough waters, you know?  It can be draining.

My brother is in the hospital with acute pancreatitis.  This is not the first time he's been admitted with it.  He is diabetic and has some other health issues that have caused this to flare up.  Primarily they think it can be controlled with diet and medication.  But, if you've ever tried to completely shift your diet from whatever is your norm, it can be very tough!  I am still requesting prayers for him.

Guess what I am doing tomorrow???  First of all, I am going to go to the Breakfast for Belize for our church. One local business owner is going to be making Mexican breakfast burritos for $10.  All proceeds are going to support our church's children's home in Belize.  It should be a great time.

But then...after breakfast is done...I am heading up to Tampa to see DS 2 and his GF.  We are making a trip to IKEA!!  I LOVE IT!  And the fact that DS's GF has never been makes it even more fun.  I can't wait.

OK, I have got to get ready for work on this fine Friday.  I hope you all have a wonderful day and an even better weekend!

The Chicks and the Nest and the First Day of School

Yesterday was the first day of school for three of my children.  It's at this time of the year that I really feel the need for the "chicks to be in or near the nest".  Of course, with two of them somewhat "out" of the nest, it makes it a bit harder.  I thought I'd give a first day of school update on all five of them to try and fill my need to connect with each of them...yeah, yeah, it IS about me sometimes!  ;-)

DS 1 has moved back home for a semester.  He is being sent to several "schools" through the Army.  Right now he is away in SC for 15 days to get some kind of warrior training.  Let me say this definitely shows my "female-ness" cause my DH and the other boys all know exactly how to describe this training in very macho sounding terms.  One thing I do know is that this will promote him to a Sgt.  I am so proud of him and happy that he's going to be able to get some of these experiences under his belt. 

DS 2 moved to Tampa to go to school at USF.  He hit a snafu in his plan last night after meeting with an advisor.  It's at these times, when they face hurdles, that you really get glimpses into their character.  DS 2 is doing his best to come up with an alternate plan and keep moving himself forward at the same time.  I love what my DH told him, "This little blip on the screen does not define your life."  It does, however, further define the man he is becoming.  Today, I'm praying for an extra dose of direction and favor for him.  

DS 3 started his Junior year of HS yesterday in the POURING rain!  Their school starts at 7:20, so he is up and out early.  I thought he was going straight there (in his new car) yesterday...but he texted me to tell me that the kids in his Bible Study met at someone's house first to pray.  Yes, I said PRAY!  They met together to pray for their year.  Pray for the school.  Pray for their strength to be lights on the campus.  I LOVE IT! 


DS 4 started middle school.  Middle school.  It's so hard for me to believe that he's there on one hand.  But on the other hand, we've been waiting a long time for it!  He came home ready to organize notebooks, did his homework, and was excited about his day. I find this age is the time I am praying more and more for their experiences, their friends, and the adults that will be part of their village.  Speaking of his village, he is in a multi-age program that the older boys also were in.  He will have the same four teachers for his entire middle school program and he is in class with 7th and 8th graders.  I love this.  They know our family.  They know our older boys.  It just makes it a bit less mysterious.  


LG started 3rd grade yesterday.  She LOVED it!  Her teacher is such a bright spot at our school and I KNOW she'll be a bright spot in LG's life.  She also taught at least one (if not both) of LG's brothers, so she knows her biological family...which helps too.  LG came home and told me all about it.  And then as she'd remember a new detail, she'd add it later on.  I have to say this is where girls are so much different than boys.  The boys kind of ooze details in slow motion if they give them at all.  Girls, though, tell you every. single. detail.  


So, there you have it...they may not all be in the nest, but they all report IN to the nest and for that, I will be forever grateful!  

Sushi Anyone?

DS 3 got his license yesterday. We enjoyed a family dinner at our local sushi restaurant where it's "all you can eat". They put away some sushi. And we were surprised by DS 2's visit to celebrate! I love it that our whole family was around the table together celebrating DS 3. There's nothing else to say except that's the way it's supposed to be!

More "Where We've Been..."

And for part II of our time away, the kids and I headed over to Ohio to celebrate my Grandmother's upcoming 90th birthday! On our way over, we stopped to pick up my Mom and DS 2.
We had a lovely "pizza buffet" out at my Aunt Sandy's our first night in town. I'm telling ya' this crew can put away some pizza! It's always so fun going out there and hanging out at her place in the country. Relaxing and filled with fun and laughter.
DH flew his own plane up on Friday to join us. He spent time taking everyone who wanted to go for a short ride around the city and country. Here you see DS 3 and my brother SQUEEZED into the back ready for flight!

Here's the crew meeting the plane after a flight. I think in all there were four flights that day filled with happy passengers!

And later that evening, we gathered back out at Aunt Sandy's for Hot Dog cookout and more visiting.

Now one of the things we love to do when visiting our hometown is to go to the cemetary. It's just so inviting and interesting. We visit the graves of our family members that have gone on before us. This year, we found something new waiting for us there...DSs 2 and 3 thought it was a HOOT and decided to model the sign for us. For those of you who can't make this photo bigger, let me tell you the sign says: "Special Offer: Buy one grave, get the second grave free." So here the boys are showing you who ended up with the FREE one:

On Sunday, we met at a local park for the picnic to celebrate my Grandmother's upcoming 90th birthday. Here is a picture of her immediate family with children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren....This is only a fraction of the people who attended this special event for this very special lady.
Here's my grandmother, in the chair with her sister.
Here is another treat we got over the weekend...we got to my brother Dan's new GF. It's so neat to see the two of them enjoy each other and be so happy!

So there you have it....Parts 1 and 2 of "Where We've Been...". Hope all's well in blogger land!

OK Everybody, FALL IN!

This afternoon we got word that LG is one step closer to being ours forever. We were waiting for one more paper to be signed before we can begin our process with a great deal of certainty. Today it happened. I had her out and said, "I think Dad needs to take us out to celebrate tonight. And I think it needs to be a nice dinner where we can get dressed up." It didn't take her long to chime in and agree. (This picture is not from tonight, but I thought you'd be able to see the big brown eyes that were about to ask a Daddy for something.)

When we arrived home, she quickly announced to DH that she and I had something to ask him. He knew it was trouble from that moment! She asked me to start. So I said, "LG and I think we need to celebrate the fact that she's so close to being able to be adopted into our family." She continued, "And so we need to go out to a FANCY dinner. And you have to take us!"

He said, "Who's idea was this?" And she said, "Well....Mom thought of it and I just fell in it!"

HUH!?!? She "fell in it"???? I laughed so hard! That girl cracks me up.

Then he said, "Well, where do YOU think we should go that's fancy?" She said, "Golden Corral". Let me tell ya' the Golden Corral is NOT fancy...but where LG has spent most of her life, it IS a fancy restaurant. So we chuckled a bit and said we wanted to up the ante a bit (ok a LOT). So then she tells DH that she wants something "Da Ru Ma-ish". Let me explain. This is the name of one of our Japanese steakhouses where we spent Valentine's Day dinner. I just thought it was funny that she added the "ish" to her description.

Anyway, DH settled on The Melting Pot, which we LOVE! LG had no idea what to expect but loved each course and the whole experience!

Let me tell you...

DH suggested it and she "fell in it"...that's for certain!

The children are nestled all snug in their....

I know it's the wrong season for that, but that's how I feel tonight. Today I took DS 4 to church camp for the first time. He's never been away from us for a week when he wasn't staying with an extended family member. So this is a new experience for him (and for me).

It was interesting because it was a little like trying to separate a spider web from your body after walking through it! I took him and his friend Matt up and got them all signed in and ready to go. We made their beds. I unpacked their clothes. I told them "goodbye" and DS 4 wasn't quite ready for me to go.

We walked back to the common area and he hooked up with some other kids playing four square and then basketball. Then he was happy as a clam to let me go! Now I just pray that all is well tonight and the remainder of the week for him.

DS 1 is away at 2 weeks of training with the Army. Of course, he isn't living here right now, so his absence isn't felt as much. He does, however, text with DH quite a bit when he's not out training. So we'll still miss him.

DS 2 is at school finishing up some summer classes. He, too, is primarily a "texter". I'm sure we'll hear from him as the week progresses.

DS 3 left this morning with 24 or so other kids and chaperones to go to Daytona Beach for Student Life Camp. He will have the pleasure of sitting under the teaching of Louie Giglio and the worship of Chris Tomlin for the entire week. Last night he announced to us rather matter of fact that he has finished reading the Bible. Can I just say that he started around Sept. or Oct??? I haven't even done that. He is an amazing kid and I'm so proud of him.

Of course, I'm proud of all of them!

LG is doing dance camp for another week. This will be her fourth week in a row. She loves it!

This means that my days will be quiet and uncluttered. It'll be a week to recharge my parenting batteries. I love that!

Saturday, I will leave with my brother and three of the kids (DSs 3, 4, and LG) to head to Indiana/Illinois and Ohio. It'll be a great trip as we meet the rest of my family in Ohio for my Grandmother's 90th birthday celebration.

I love my kids and my family more than I could ever say...but I know that we are better parents when we take the time to breathe and relax occasionally. So I'm going to enjoy the peaceful moments that I know this week will bring.

A Weekend Recap...

So, here's my DS 3 sans a lot of hair! He got it cut on Friday and decided to go ahead and go short. I like it very much. He's practicing his "chicken-neck" model pose here.

He, LG and I headed up to my hometown on Saturday for a little July 4th fun. It was great seeing the parade and enjoying the hometown feel of celebration.

We met my brother, SIL and their kids along with the grandparents and headed up to the golf course to stake out our seats.

It was fun to watch LG enjoy the parade. It's

not the first parade she's ever attended, but I am pretty sure it's the first fourth of July parade she's ever attended.

We had fun buying matching shirts to wear and preparing for the day. She helped me make pasta salad, strawberry pretzel dessert, beer bread and artichoke/ranch squares to take up there.

It was also fun seeing people that I haven't seen in years. And some I've seen but known for what seems like forever.

Here's one example...Keven, aka Uncle Sam, and

I have known each other since we were 4 years old.

We met in 1968 when we moved to the area. We lived only a few doors apart from his family. One of my early memories of Keven and his family is of his Dad, who's now gone, dressing up like Uncle Sam at the annual July 4th festivities.

I think it's neat that Keven is carrying on the tradition started so many years ago.

My Mom still lives in the area, as do my Dad and Stepmom. This is how I keep up-to-date with the goings on there.

After the kids caught all the beads they could handle (and then some) and bagged up their candy prizes, we headed back to my Dad's for a little swimming, food and relaxing until the fireworks.

DS 1 and DH came up and joined us for food. It was fun having DS 1 there since he hasn't really been around the entire family since Christmas! He has been home for the week and I've loved having him here.

When we headed out to the fireworks, I had to find somewhere I could watch them from the car. I cannot handle the loud noises. It's pretty embarrassing being 45 and sitting with your ears

plugged! So we parked ourselves on the golf course and were able to see them perfectly!

In fact, here's a shot that DS 3 got from INSIDE the car while we watched:

It was a perfect ending to a very fun day!

Planning for Balance

By nature, I am not a planner. I've learned to be, and become, less spontaneous over the years thanks to my DH. I CAN plan when I need to. And some people might be surprised to hear me say that I'm not a planner by nature.

When I married my DH, it was obvious that he is our financial guru. I don't want to have to worry about it. I trust him implicitly with this task in our marriage. So over the years he's done it for us and done it well.

While he does the day-to-day finances, I am particularly referring to those long term financial decisions that every couple should be making. It's been hard for me in my 20's, 30's and 40's to be thinking about our retirement. DH loves it though.

Recently he's been meeting with a financial planner and making some decisions about our future. It's interesting to note that he started meeting with us more than 18 years ago when we were newlywed and poor and really had little or nothing to plan WITH!

As they've revisited our plans, DH has kept me in the loop---even when I only listen with one ear! He's asked me if I want to sit down with them. I don't. He's asked me if I care if he plans one way or another. I don't. (This is primarily because I know he's not going to do anything crazy or outrageous.)

These two have literally spent HOURS together pouring over the numbers, the possibilities, the options in recent weeks. It makes my head spin just to see the materials that have been produced while planning for our future. There is now a 200 page document in our house with all of it recorded for us. I glanced at it. It's pretty and colorful and, I'm sure, interesting. DH dug in, though.

Today the planner dropped by for a meeting unannounced (which I find a little funny). It appears this visit is in response to an email from my DH regarding the planners thoughts/ideas in said 200 page document. I'm listening to them rehash some of the plan and finding myself SO thankful that I don't have to "do" this part in our family.

It's another glimpse into the ways that DH balances me. We will be married for 23 years in a few weeks. 23 years. And I am still so thankful for him and his presence in my life. We could have spent more time planning our eventual lives together before getting married. We could have started out more financially intact. We could have entered our relationship more methodically. But we didn't. Still, it's worked. I'm pretty certain it's because God had, and has, a plan.

Just like I'm thankful for DH's planning, I'm even more thankful for God's plan! It simply doesn't get better than that!

When Summer comes...

May 12th was the last time I blogged. I don't know what is wrong with me. Well...I do know some of it. I'm busy. Life is changing. Nothing horrible or life-changing...just changing and I guess I don't deal as well with change as I used to. Anyway, it's not an excuse...My DS 3 gives me the "nudge" every so often. And I really WANT to catch up on it. So here's my first summer attempt to do so:

Although life is changing at home as the kids grow and change and as we prepare for LG's adoption, the biggest change for me this year is at work. My boss, who I have worked with for the past 9 years, will be working at a different school in the Fall. I've known it since March when he announced it, but June brought with it a reality that was very hard to take.

As I've processed my career and the people I've worked with and for, he's definitely at the top! I've worked for 11 principals in 25 years. That's a lot of personalities and people. Since I've done it before, then it should be "no big deal"...but, at our school, we are a family. So it's kind of like a family member moving away and preparing for one that you don't know. As I've reflected over the past nine years, I can honestly say I've grown more professionally than ever before under his leadership. For that, I will remain forever grateful!

In other "start the summer" news...DS 4 graduated from 5th grade. Here he is...my long haired lover from Liverpool(Can anyone else hear Jimmy Osmond singing that song?)...seriously, he's my soon-to-be-middle-schooler. To say it's hard to believe is an understatement. I'm proud as a peacock of all my kids and so glad this one has hit this milestone! On the LG front...her Mother has surrendered her rights and we will begin the process for adoption very soon. This is a little different than it is in some states. We will maintain contact with her family even as she becomes a part of ours. This means navigating the waters is quite interesting.

Her summer started off with an exciting event...her first dance recital! Here she is ready to go. It was fun to watch her on the stage! She LOVES IT! Her Grandmother and bioMom were there to watch it with us. I think she liked that. Honestly, though, I think nothing pleases her more than having DS 3 watch her. These two are like two peas in a pod. They think alike. They process alike. They have some of the same quirks and the same sense of humor. It's fun to watch them develop their sibling relationship. Here they are after the recital...

The day after the recital, DS 3, LG and I headed up to Panama City (a 7 hour drive from here) for a week on the beach with 14 members of our family. We were happy to see DS 2 and his GF up there (even if it's only for a few hours). These two are spending this week in Nicaragua on a mission trip. This is their second time in Nica in just over three months. To say their hearts beat for this place is an understatement. DS 3 and I will go pick them up Thursday at the airport. It will be exciting to hear the latest update on their work there.

I forgot that I had a LOVELY "Girls Night Out" with two of my dearest friends, Debra and Sandy. We went to see Comedian Chonda Pierce. She's an absolute riot! We laughed. We cried. We enjoyed our time to escape a bit...I'm so thankful for all of my friends who bring me such joy on a regular basis!

Back to "beach news"...this trip was with my Dad, StepMom, two Brothers, SIL, two nieces and a nephew, my Mom, and my crew. DH flew my Dad up on the second day. He stayed with us a few days and flew back to work. It was very relaxing and "tar-ball" free...as all week long people were worried about the oil spill hitting the beach. The best part was our nightly trek out to the sand to watch the sunset. BEAUTIFUL! And relaxing!!


Seven days later, we came home. No one was lobster-looking thanks to the 200 cans of Sunscreen we purchased!

It was fun to see DS 1 (who was unable to join us) on the way back. We stopped and had lunch with him and retrieved my Mom's dog. He was an awesome dog-sitter for the week.

As summer has ramped up into full gear...I find myself reflective. I am counting my blessings!

I hope this summer you find time to also count yours!

Happy Mother's Day...

Wow! It's definitely been a Mother's Day Celebration to remember! DS 3, LG and I went to Tampa last night to take my Mom out to celebrate. Here we are at Outback Steakhouse...one of my favorite places:


LG wanted us to take this picture outside....I thought it was sweet!

When I got back home, DS 4 surprised me with this cake he decorated just for me. He and DS 2 worked together to get up to the store where they were decorating them and have it done. I LOVE IT!

Since I forgot to take a picture of DS 4 WITH the cake...here we are at church this morning...


Here is LG giving me her sweet gift...a decorated pen and holder that I will treasure. It came with a beautiful card that she made. So very sweet!

And here's DSs 2 and 3 and I at church together this morning.



It took us a couple of tries to find a restaurant since a couple of our favs were closed...but we met DS 1 at Red Lobster and had a lovely meal together.

DS 3 and I finished the afternoon with a trip to Goodwill (where he picked up some "new" vinyl records and I searched for treasures) and then Target.

I'd say it rounded out pretty well! I love my guys and my gal so much! It's a treasure to be their Mom!