Labor Day Weekend

We had not been down to St Simons Island yet this season and decided to go down there and enjoy Labor Day weekend there. Na, Rashai, the girls and I went. The weather was perfect.......not too hot but warm enough to enjoy the water and not get a chill. Danielle finally has warmed up to the water and now fits into the rest of the family who adore the water. No more screaming when she sees it.....in fact honey...now we have to watch her as she is like Zoe and takes off to go into the water as soon as you let go of her hand. I literally had to go back to get her three times while packing up to leave at 7pm. I figured 5 hours at the beach was plenty but she did not. In fact no one really wanted to leave but I got tired of having to move our stuff as the tide kept coming in farther and farther. Here are some pics......

Mustard Seed Faith

Two days ago I spoke of still having faith but not feeling God close. I still kinda feel that way but need to dig deeper or divulge more. I do have faith at least as much as a mustard seed although I feel it is more than that without boasting too much. God has proven himself to me and sent people my way the last few days that would seem unimaginable to some. Only God could have done that. My role model growing up was a young Christian singer named Evie Tornquist. She was VERY popular long before Amy Grant, Rebecca St James, etc... My family was aware of her at the start of her career as my Dad took the photographs for her first albums. I adored her. I remember being this little bitty thing riding my spring loaded toy horse in the basement singing to her albums. I am sure I slaughtered her Norwegian album as I sang along with her in my own way but it also was one of my favorites. I sang along with all the albums....each one of them for many many years........until the lp's became no more and her albums could no longer be found (even on cassette) as she had moved on to being a wife and mother and other ministries. This past winter even her Christmas album got eaten by my vehicle's stereo system. But guess who popped into my email with a encouraging note. She responded to a fan mail blog I wrote about her on some website and personally responded. Someone I really have never had personal one on one contact with yet she wrote to me! My Dad had contact obviously with her but that was many moons ago..maybe 30 years??? She was so instrumental in helping develop my young relationship with God by attending her concerts, watching her everytime she was on TV and listening to her albums over and over and over. Just when I needed it most, I heard words from her that were very encouraging. I once again stand amazed and in awe of how God works. The faith of a mustard seed can move a mountain. I have many mountains that seem to be in my life at the moment.......none that stand between me and my final goal of obtaining a life on the streets of Heaven but some that seem to be blocking my view and bringing me closer to my final goal than I would really like to be at this point. The scenarios of what if's still run through my head but until all test results are back I feel I am stuck...........with the feeling of not progressing........and that I guess is where the stand quiet, be still and listen comes in. I do not like to stand still..I always have 15 things going and enjoy that tremendously. I do not like that I need to sleep in the middle of the day EVERYDAY. Thank goodness for nap time and that my littles are little enough to do this. It is so very much needed these days. But with my mustard seed faith, I leave it all in His hands and know he has a plan and trust that whatever it is he will see us all through it.

God turned out the lights

In order to get Zoe to go to bed at night and stay in bed in the morning I came up with this saying. She finally understood that when it got dark out her friend Andrea had to go in to go to bed....she is older and in First Grade now whereas Zoe is only 3. This going in at dusk thing brought up many questions......... Well after many discussions on the sun going down and when/why it does...Of course all this in simplified 3 yr old terms. The next time she asked once again as only a 3 yr old can drive you nuts in repeat questioning..... I simply said God turned out the lights......he said it was time to go to bed. She marched right upstairs and got ready for bed and even slept in her own bed. It was amazing. Why did I not think of that sooner? So then when she got up early (ahem 5am) I told her look outside Zoe....God has not turned on the lights yet. Go back to bed...........and she did. So now as it is getting dark she reminds me to look outside Mommy it is time to get ready for bed. So far this has worked wonderfully. I just hope we are not stationed in Alaska next or she may never go to sleep or sleep all the time. and what am I going to do when it gets dark at 6pm? Well it is working for the moment and I must say her quick ability to obey God was refreshing as she is not so quick to obey me. she likes to question me as to why.......but at least she knows and respects that God is the final authority.

Don't leave the lights on

Lights - 2 cents an hour
Television - 3 cents an hour
VCR - 1 cent an hour
Pool pump - 44 cents an hour
Water Heater - $68 a month
Range - medium: 6 cents an hour, high: 28 cents an hour
Oven - 34 cents an hour
Computer - 4 cents an hour
Refrigerator - $36 a month
Washer - 42 cents a load
Dryer - 70 cents a load
Freezer - $22 a month (15 cubic ft.)
Vacuum - 22 cents an hour
Crock pot - 3 cents an hour
Microwave - 34 cents an hour
Breadmachine - 18 cents an hour
Dishwasher - 75 cents a load
Fan - 2 cents an hour
Sewing Machine - 2 cents an hour
Stereo - 2 cents an hour
Toaster - 42 cents an hour
Iron - 12 cents an hour
Coffee Pot - 4 cents a pot
Toaster oven - 46 cents an hour

In considering ways to cut our budget some. Or in ways we can go "greener" which is limited since we are renters and military and transients. I also found this info on state to state costs. I feel sorry for those in Hawaii. Those in Idaho have the best prices. This is just a simple reminder for me and the fam to lets not leave the lights on unnecessarily.

Make it up meal

After we got home from our brief stop at church. The kids and I were hungry and had our Angel Food special box of fresh fruit and veggies. In it was a cabbage. hmmm. What to do with that thing? My kids will not eat anything like boiled cabbage. They do like coleslaw...........but I have two heads of the stuff. What can I do with it? So I proceeded to make up a meal and the kids loved!!! I mean each including the neighbor went back for more. I always cook leaving leftovers hopefully enough for the next lunch but not enough was left this time for that........
here is what I did.
browned in olive oil a package of smoked sausage links. cut in bite size pieces. After browned I added beef stock. I then shredded some cabbage and threw it in to wilt. Then I added some cut up carrots and potatoes, then an onion and garlic and some green pepper from the garden. I threw in some oregano, black pepper, basil, and sea salt. I allowed this to simmer and cook up. When the carrots and potatoes were very tender. I told the kids it was time to eat. They asked for more for dinner tonight........ next time we will serve with some type of yummy warm home baked bread, dinner rolls or corn bread. I felt that this was missing and would have made this warm belly filling yet light meal better. I had no sugar issues from this meal at all.

What color????????

Your Blog Should Be Purple

You're an expressive, offbeat blogger who tends to write about anything and everything. You tend to set blogging trends, and you're the most likely to write your own meme or survey. You are a bit distant though. Your blog is all about you - not what anyone else has to say.

What Color Should Your Blog or Journal Be?

Isn't that what blogging is all about? Listing my thoughts and feelings? Recently someone told me I hurt their feelings (and no it was not my hubby-He likes reading my blogs even when it is negative about him as sometimes he finds things out or understands me better by reading it.) ok back to what I was saying they said I hurt them by blogging my thoughts but I had not mentioned their name and not a sole knows of whom I referred. Now they are no longer friendly with me. They disagreed with my actions in a situation and turned their backs on my family. It amazed me and floored me. I already was having a tough time. I now feel I can share with everyone what all was going on. The surgeon refused to do my surgery just days before as I was critically anemic (a flat 7 with a 28) whatever that REALLY means. The only good thing was my blood clotting numbers were normal. He said he was amazed I was mobile and not passing out. I had too many white blood cells and my red blood cells were abnormal looking. He thought I may have cancer--of the spleen, lymphoma or leukemia. Tests so far have not confirmed any of that. I am still glad he chose not to at that point. We just did not know. At this point, I may just have an infection or something going on with my spleen. They have given me extra b12 shots and I seem to be absorbing my iron pills better with those. I have actually gone up 2 points in 2 weeks. I am still awaiting my appt with a hematologist but the PCP is working with me in the meantime. The surgeon said no way am I cutting you open at this point. The hematolgist will have to clear you and your numbers be up into the normal range first. Hubby was home when I got this news but I knew he would not be here whenever the diagnosis would come. But so far it does not appear to be cancer and I am going to think positive about it. After losing Christina, my best friend from college, a year ago to cancer....it really threw me for a loop. I think it would anyone who has children and an absentee husband. Believe me he is an absentee only cause he is deployed. Otherwise he is very hands on. But this is his career and we have to deal........
Along with this news we also had two new additions, our foreign exchange girls joined our family and we were all trying to get to know each other and find our way. To get settled in a routine, etc. But seemed to have too much outside interference at first. Cell phones and internet can be great things and at other times damaging. We attempted to limit this and things were going great. Friendships were being made and relationships were starting to develop. Then a message received via email. "Call a face to face discussion needs to happen within the next 2 days...I cannot express how imperative this is." 12 hours before my husband headed back to war we were forced to make a decision or felt we were at that time. We made one (a rash one but with our time restraints it had to be) and I guess that decision forever damaged my relationship with this friend. Christian compassion is nowhere to be found even though the stress on me was tremendous at that moment brought about by one too many things thrown at me in rapid fire. I am just numb about it all. I am struggling with dealing with other Christians at this point. Everyone is suspect. How many are true, how many are fake? Do people truly try to live out their faith or is it just an act on their part? Is there such thing as Christian charity or compassion or does everyone judge another? I know at times both John and I have fallen into that trap but usually not at the same time and we call each other out on it. This month has really thrown me for a loop...not at all what August was supposed to be like.
every other rough time in my life I have felt God there......amidst the chaos and strife. This time I don't feel him but am hanging on to the faith that he is there. Gotta tell ya......it's harder to pray when you are hurting and when you see kids hurt. He has proven it to me before.........answered prayers many a time. I know he is there, I know he understands, I know he forgives, I know he heals, I know these things thankfully...... just wish I could feel them this time. I guess it is just going to take some healing time before I do. I covet your prayers. We still are awaiting a diagnosis and I still would LOVE my surgery. I was so looking forward to not carrying this tire of skin around or these bhb's (basset hound boobies) as I have so lovingly nicknamed them. So my purple blog is all about me........but isn't that who you logged in to read about? Me and my thoughts? If not you logged in to the wrong blog. But thanks for reading and please pray for me anyway. It would be much appreciated. as I am having such a difficult time doing that these days on my own. I have been able to joyfully say the prayers with my girls still but my private one on one time has been rather dry.......

13 Things to do on a Rainy Day t13-Week 8

With Faye breathing down our backs, the sun has not visited in several days. No outside playtime affects not only my little ones but me as well. I love to be outside. It also affects the condition and cleanliness inside my home as the two littles just do not pick up well behind themselves yet. What am I talking about....not even my 10 yr old is great at that yet. so I am thinking up a list of organized things to do

1. bake cookies and allow the littles to decorate
2. watch a movie
3. paint with water colors (maybe even collect the water from the rain)
4. read a good book (any suggestions?)
5. practice A B C's using a pan of sugar
6. straighten up the bookshelf
7. play trains in the garage with the girls
8. make a crockpot meal that is warm and filling....to counter being cold and damp
9. bake bread....the smell is so family friendly and homey
10. write a letter that you have just been meaning to do but never get around to it
11. Devotions- sometimes these rainy days could be God's way of getting us to pay more attention to Him.
12. cuddle with your family. Time goes by so quickly and they grow so fast before you know it they are out of your house with kids of their own. The cuddle times will soon be over.
13. Send some letters or packages or homemade goodies to a deployed soldier. They love getting mail!
I can provide some addresses if interested!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have tried 50----I am half way thru the list!!!!!!!!!!!
Andrew, who co-runs Very Good Taste, has made a list of 100 things he thinks every omnivore should eat at least once. It looks like I still have quite a bit of eating to do....... I am not opposed to at least trying pretty much anything on this list, but something about insects and roadkill doesn't sound all that appetizing to me and I would not want a food to possibly kill me so fugu is out. That is just way to SCAREY!!!!!

Here's what to do:

1) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten.
3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating.

The VGT Omnivore’s Hundred:

1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile
6. Black pudding
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari
12. Pho
13. PB&J sandwich
14. Aloo gobi (this sounds great. I love cauliflower)
15. Hot dog from a street cart several time on the circle in Indianapolis
16. Epoisses
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes
19. Steamed pork buns
20. Pistachio ice cream
21. Heirloom tomatoes
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foie gras
24. Rice and beans
25. Brawn or head cheese
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper
27. Dulce de leche
28. Oysters
29. Baklava
30. Bagna cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam Chowder in Soudough Bowl
33. Salted lassi
34. Sauerkraut
35. Root beer float
36. Cognac with a fat cigar yuck!!!
37. Clotted Cream Tea
38. Vodka Jelly/Jell-O
39. Gumbo
40. Oxtail love it as do all 3 of my girls!
41. Curried goat
42. Whole insects
43. Phaal
44. Goat’s milk
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth $120 or more
46. Fugu (why risk it?)
47. Chicken tikka masala (I don't think I have but it's on my short-list to try and I know I will love it)
48. Eel
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut
50. Sea urchin
51. Prickly pear
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone
54. Paneer
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal
56. Spaetzle
57. Dirty gin martini-yuck
58. Beer above 8% ABV-yuck can't stand the smell
59. Poutine
60. Carob chips
61. S’mores
62. Sweetbreads
63. kaolin
64. Currywurst
65. Durian (this is a toughie...it's just so unappetizing)
66. Frogs’ legs
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake (all of them, thankfully! :)
68. Haggis
69. Fried plantain
70. Chitterlings or andouillette
71. Gazpacho
72. Caviar and blini
73. Louche absinthe
74. Gjetost or brunost
75. Roadkill
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie (these were my favorite when I was young)
78. Snail
79. Lapsang Souchong
80. Bellini
81. Tom Yum
82. Eggs Benedict
83. Pocky
84. 3 Michelin Star Tasting Menu
85. Kobe beef
86. Hare
87. Goulash
88. Flowers
89. Horse
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam
92. Soft shell crab
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish
95. Mole poblano
96. Bagel and lox
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee
100. Snake (another toughie, but I'd try it)

For you Deb!

These are pics taken while on the Grand Opening tour of the new stadium. Massive, impressive......ENJOY!!!!!!! photo credits to my Dad........professional photographer Ken Pace

another day

Well hubby has arrived back in the sandpit...........not all the way back but way too far from home. He is at stop three with two more to go. He visited Ireland on his way back this time. His flight was good but leaving all the turmoil behind has not helped him return to WORK at all. I worry about him more now. The next 6 months will not be relaxing for any of us.
Kendra had a hard time in school today and brought home two F's. She could not concentrate and I can understand that. Beside getting laundry done (washed and folded, but not put away) All the laundry...........towels from the beach, the vacation clothes and 6 beds.......nothing else got done. There are not dishes in the sink, but the carpet needs a once over but I am tired. Physically, emotionally drained. I really feel like someone has put me through the spin cycle in the washing machine and hung me upside down to dry. Then beat me with a broom.

Life is horrible................

Well upon returning to the room after the awesome morning we had.......we find an email from the academic coordinator........The girls via their families and Northwest have tried to strongarm us to move the girls to their own room...well it is not going to happen. Two beds will not fit in that room nor does the bunkbed as we tried it already. We even had to go buy them extra dressers (which will no way fit in there)as their stuff did not fit into the two we had emptied for them before their arrival. Then they wanted us to hold the girls until Wednesday. Nice............. my husband heads back to war tomorrow. I cannot handle two different separation times. I will not have my girls deal with just getting over Daddy leave then have to deal with the girls also. This sucks. We or rather John is going to deposit the girls with the academic coordinator within two hours. Quick and final break. Kendra and Zoe are so upset Zoe is throwing up. Adrienn does not want to stay if Anne does not. We have tried so hard with them but will not be strongarmed to move my baby out of the room that only holds her crib and nothing else. She needs that extra sleep and can only get it there. Since Kendra has returned to public school and gets up at the crack of dawn (530am) as her bus comes before 7 in the morning........she cannot stay in the same room with the bigger girls. Zoe can sleep thru a train wreck but Dani who blinks at the first creak of a floor board cannot. I cannot do it and need to think of my kids first I guess. Kendra was willing to sleep on the futon and move out but where would Zoe go? Into my bed I think not .....not after fighting so hard to get her out of there. We have asked the big girls their opinions on everything we have done or......... taken in their opinions before making any decisions and almost feel used at this point. Especially with the vacation and fun stuff we have done...even food choices. We have catered to them including purchasing an electronic dictionary to help at school and posters they like for the walls. I had no idea who Renaldo was until they arrived. (a soccer player). Life sucks. I hate this. my girls are so upset, I am so upset and John has cried too. Supposedly Northwest is insisting on it. Well I guess they have two girls on their hands then........as John will not let me deal with this beyond his departure. We tried to have the girls call their Mom to see what was up as they claimed they wanted to stay but Anne's Mom did not want to talk with her about it. Anne seemed to be under the impression at first that she was going to the academic coordinators to talk only....I impressed upon her to leave us since she was not allowed to stay in a room with my kids. The girls have said their goodbyes, Kendra has now thrown up. Zoe has thrown up......I have a killer headache and just want life to stop and let me off for a bit.
Thanks to someone I thought I was sharing a confidence with as to why my surgery was cancelled ..it has become part of the decision to remove the girls from our home. VERY PREMATURE and should not be an issue at this point at all as no test results have uncovered anything. My husband says thanks so much for keep bringing it up as if he is not having a hard enough time returning to Iraq for the next 6 months! Only when the test results are given do we know what is going on.......No worries until then.

Leg 2 Splash in the Boro

This morning we got up after spending the night at a very nice hotel....everyone having their own rooms. Kendra and Rashai, Anne and Adri and the littles with parents. Ate breakfast together then took off for Statesboro. We spent several hours there before heading back to the hotel for a rest. Then off for more good times before hubby departs.......

On the go

Since John talked to Urbany and he decided since John leaves so early on Day 2 of his visit. They decided to postpone our time together until his return from Iraq. So John decided we were going to take off..........
LEG 1 off to Tybee Beach and hotel
We actually stayed a bit longer than planned....it was dark when we left. BUT the really cool thing was we swam with the dolphins. No not close enough to touch them but they popped up within 15 feet of us! Despite our attempts at pictures we were unable to get any. But we sure did try!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!