Has it really been that long?

Since I last posted? I have been meaning to. Last week (Apr14-18) the kids had their Spring break. We went to Brian Lee's first baseball game, had fun painting at the ceramic hobby shop, went shopping where the kids used their own money to buy a webkinz each. We were able to pick up our completed projects on Saturday after they'd been glazed and fired.

This week, I had a Mary Kay party, Karah went to Chuck E Cheese's for girl scouts, had church on Wednesday, and a pack meeting for Vincent on Thursday. Yesterday was pretty uneventful, leading to today. There were so many things available for us to do today, and some we had/have to do. There was an Spring festifal at a local high school from 0900-1530, a unit potluck picnic in the park from 1100-1400, a "Funtastic" (festival?) on base from 1300-1600, Girl Scout Father/Daughter Dance from 1830-2030, and Curious George was supposed to have been at the exchange at some point in time today. Needless to say, we didn't go to all of those. We went to our unit potluck picnic, and are now getting ready for the dance. I tried to opt out of it, but Karah really wanted to go and we did already pay. So we'll go and as long as she has fun, I'll be okay (even if we aren't dressed up as nice as I'd like us to be.) Next time!

Well, time for me to get on out of here or else we'll be late. I do have pictures of the past few weeks, but in the process of straightening up the house, I have misplaced the extender for my memory card. Hopefully I can find it before I run out of room! (It is a 1GB card, but I have run out of room before) Toodles for now!

It's all about nature

The other day I had to take the trash out to the curb (the kids usually do it but had forgotten that morning) which wasn't a really big deal until I was on the way back in the house. There was dew on the ground which was no big deal, but then I actually looked down. I saw a little spider web ... but not just one. They were all over the yard - and I was in flip flops! :-s I was not very keen about that, but I carefully watched my step and grabbed the camera. The webs were small, about as big around as my fist so here's a close up of one of them. See the dew drops still on it?

Today as I was outside, I saw a couple of wasps flying around and then I looked up. And I see this ... a wasp trying to build a nest on my porch light.
After shooing the kids inside, I took a can of roach raid (it was either that or flea raid) and got as close as I dared and sprayed really quick. It flew away and didn't show signs of coming back, so I got closer to spray better. Then I took this picture of its wannabe home.

Recognition

This past week a couple special things happened with Vincent at school. On Thursday, there was the Author's Recognition - children write their own story, get it "published" in school where the PTA puts it together in a hard cover, then the children illustrate it themselves. He waited patiently for his turn as his was close to the end and after it was done read his book to me.

The paper sticking out of the book is a certificate with a coupon on the bottom. It is for a free meal at Golden Corral. I think it's great because Karah just got one last week for being the VIP in her class for the week. Since they're good until the end of the year, we will probably save them for when Brian gets back, since I know he's gonna want to go. :-)


Later that evening we built a model dinosaur. He had come home with the assignment on Monday, but we had been busy all week so we just got started on Thursday (the night before it was due!). His dinosaur was the Hypsilophodon. I had some modeling clay that one of the kids gave me as a stocking stuffer at Christmas, so I let him use it (not like I was using it or anything). The only thing I didn't realize - until after we had created the model - was that is was NON-hardening clay. So even though we used some toothpicks to put part of it together, it never hardened. The neck/head kept falling down. I tried baking it ... that didn't work. So I put it in the freezer for the night. It didn't harden, but the cold kept it from moving.


Here is the video of Vincent giving his report. He did the research at school and they had a desk set up like a reporter's desk. All the kids had a different dinosaur that they did their research & model on. I love the video, but it is kinda hard to hear - he wasn't speaking very loud. Yes, I know, very unusual for him :-)


After all the reports were done, the teacher handed out certificates and dinosaur wall stickers because she was so proud of them and how they did their research.


Vincent with his Research Award certificate.

Stay tuned for scenes from next week's episode

It was great to hear those words tonight at the end of NCIS. NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Service) is a show on CBS that Brian & I first saw when we were in 29 Palms, but never really watched regularly. When we got here, we watched an episode and it almost seemed like the first time we had seen it, but we got hooked. Don't know if it was the mystery aspect, the character interaction, or the military association, but we loved it! From then on, it's something we have watched together. And while we like watching the CSIs, NUMB3RS, Criminal Minds, etc, those days are filled with other activities. But NCIS days have become "our thing". Usually bed time is 8pm for the kids, so after tucking them into bed, we'd settle down on the couch to watch it. We have since bought the seasons as they came out, and it became our lunch thing. He'd come home and we'd watch an episode during lunch, working our way throug the series. Because of the writer's strike, there hasn't been a new episode in quite a while, and tonight was the first new one since the strike. At the end of the show, we know if there will be a new one the following week or not based on if they say to stay tuned or not. So, it was very exciting to hear it said tonight ... that'll be two new episodes in a row! :-D The only thing missing is him. Guess that means we'll have to buy season 5 when it comes out so we can watch it together when he gets home!

Letter from God to Women

I received this in an email from my uncle, and thought I would share. While I was searching for a picture to accompany this post, I came across this blog entry with a great post about being a Helpmeet. Please click here to enjoy it!

Letter from God to Women

When I created the heavens and the earth, I spoke them into being.

When I created man, I formed him and breathed life into his nostrils.

But you, woman, I fashioned after I breathed the breath of life into man because your nostrils are too delicate.

I allowed a deep sleep to come over him so I could patiently and perfectly fashion you. Man was put to sleep so that he could not interfere with the creativity.

From one bone, I fashioned you.

I chose the bone that protects man's life. I chose the rib, which protects his heart and lungs and supports him, as you are meant to do. Around this one bone, I shaped you ...

I modeled you. I created you perfectly and beautifully. Your characteristics are as the rib, strong yet delicate and fragile.

You provide protection for the most delicate organ in man, his heart.

His heart is the center of his being; his lungs hold the breath of life.

The rib cage will allow itself to be broken before it will allow damage to the heart.

Support man as the rib cage supports the body.

You were not taken from his feet, to be under him, nor were you taken from his head, to be above him.

You were taken from his side, to stand beside him and be held close to his side.

You are my perfect angel ... You are my beautiful little girl.

You have grown to be a splendid woman of excellence, and my eyes fill when I see the virtues in your heart. Your eyes ... don't change them. Your lips - how lovely when they part in prayer. Your nose, so perfect in form. Your hands so gentle to touch. I've carressed your face in your deepest sleep. I've held your heart closet to mine. Of all that lives and breathes, you are most like me.

Adam walked with me in the cool of the day, yet he was lonely. He could not see me or touch me. He could only feel me. So everything I wanted Adam to share and experience with me, I fashioned in you; my holiness, my strength, my purity, my love, my protection and support.

You are special because you are an extension of me. Man represents my image, woman my emotions. Together, you represent the totality of God.

Another year has passed

On April 7th, some years ago at 2:00pm Central time I came into this world. Sometimes it doesn't seem like that long ago when I was just a young girl with not so many worries; other times it already feels like a lifetime has gone by. Sometimes I wish things had gone differently as I look back, but I know that everything happens for a reason. So while my life hasn't been perfect, I do know that "The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me..." ~ Psalm 138:8



Here are some pictures (that I have on this computer) of me at various stages in life.

Here is a 4 generation picture of me (in the stroller, in case you couldn't tell!), my mom, Grandma White, and Great-Grandma Skaggs.



A few years down the road. The top picture is my sister and I with my Grandma & Grandpa. The other pics are me :-)



This is me and my friend around April 2002 ... we were waiting for the field op to start.




Here's me, Karah, and Vincent also around April 2002. This was such a fun shoot.



Here is Brian & I on our wedding day - December 18, 2003






And here we are present day - well, "present" being March 24, 2008, with Brian & myself, Karah, Brian Lee, & Vincent.



Brian was able to call me today (my birthday, I should say) - twice as a matter of fact. Once was a little befor 2am and then again at about 10:30am (EST). It definitely made the day go much better. Along with a couple from church that were kind enough to take me out to a birthday lunch at Cracker Barrel. Of course, what fun is it to go to a restaraunt on someone's birthday and not embarrass them? None at all! So I got sung "Happy Birthday" to and had a chocolate cobbler (Oh my goodness! Soooo yummy!). So I did have some birthday cake and ice cream and a good time of fellowship.

The simple things in life

Today I actually went out of the house - by myself - for a little while. I went to Books-A-Million to look around and talked to some of my former co-workers. It was a good visit and a nice break away from the house. Later, I let the kids each choose a packet of Kool-Aid to make ... they had fun!

Vincent made invisible Watermelon-Kiwi



Karah decided on Lemon-Lime


The rest of the evening is being spent watching a movie (or two) together. While I was checking my email, I got an email from my uncle with a great link in it. The video says a lot to me ... what does it say to you?

*cricket, cricket*

Well, that's not really what I hear, but it's close. The tv is off, the kids are in bed, and (most) all is quiet in the house. Usually about this time I'd be talking to my sister via messenger, but she had to work tonight so I am all by myself. Which does give me time to update my blog :-)

Not too much has been going on these past few days. On Tuesday, I picked the kids up from school early, since I was pretty sure they would've beaten me home otherwise. I had to run to the px to pay my cell phone bill and then to the commissary to grab the groceries we desperately needed. When we were walking to the px, we heard a chirping and finally found where it was coming from ... the "R" in this sign. Yes, it's a bit hard to see unless you make it bigger, but as I was zooming in with the camera the bird flew away! But the kids really enjoyed seeing it!

After we got home, we put away groceries and then ate real quick before heading to the bowling alley. My troop was meeting there, so Karah & Vincent came with me and were able to bowl as well. Although you may not be able to tell from this picture, Karah actually bowled almost a game and a half. She was (and still is) small enough to fit in this little cubby for coats. Guess I'd better enjoy it while I can before she hits another growth spurt and outgrows all her clothes again!

This picture is from yesterday. In between getting dinner prepared, I looked over and saw this. I just couldn't resist. Karah was being the big sister reading to her little brother. (I had to get a picture because you know it's hard to come by these types!) :-)

Today was a bum (ie lazy) day, which was good since Karah came home telling me she got sick at school. She fell asleep almost right away and took a nap. When she woke up I gave her some tylenol, and then started on dinner of chicken nuggets, baked beans, & chicken noodle soup (for Karah). She's feeling better now, and while we ate dinner we watched "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe". I love that movie! A day or two before Brian left, I saw a trailer for the next one coming out - in May! :-D I think that will be a late birthday present for me, early present for the kids. Might as well do them all at once!

Well, I suppose I should try to get some sleep at a decent hour for once (since Saturday night) ... at least enough so that I can hear the phone if it rings. :-)

I must tell it to Jesus

No, I didn't get the title mixed up ... it is just a good combination of two songs that just keep coming to my mind right now: "I Must Tell Jesus" and "Tell It To Jesus".

So why do I keep thinking of them? Without a doubt I have been through worse things, although for me, I do know that I wasn't right with the Lord at the time. Could that be the difference? Maybe. And it's not like I have anything to be really sad for, he's alive and well and in the Father's care. What better place could he be? (don't answer that!) I would say it's a mental thing, since I wasn't quite this upset when he went to Louisiana, but that doesn't make it any less so. So what's a girl to do?

I must tell Jesus all of my trials; I cannot bear these burdens alone;

In my distress He kindly will help me; He ever loves and cares for His own.

I must tell Jesus all of my troubles; He is a kind, compassionate friend;

If I but ask Him, He will deliver, Make of my troubles quickly an end.

Tempted and tried, I need a great Savior; One Who can help my burdens to bear;

I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus; He all my cares and sorrows will share.

O how the world to evil allures me! O how my heart is tempted to sin!

I must tell Jesus, and He will help me; Over the world the victory to win.

I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus! I cannot bear these burdens alone;

I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus! Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.

Are you weary are you heavy-hearted? Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus

Are you grieving over joys departed? Tell it to Jesus alone

Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus, He is a Friend that's well known

You've no other such a friend or brother, Tell it to Jesus alone

In the end, that's all we can do ... tell it to Jesus!

I did some searching in the Bible and came across a few verses that touched my heart, and I hope they are a blessing to you as well.

John 14:18 ~ "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you."

II Corinthians 1:3-4 ~ "Blessed be God, even the Father of ourLord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God."

This is a test of the mobile blogging system. This is only a test. In a real blog, this would be followed by detailed events. This ends the test.