Making time to spend time

Oh my! i just noticed that it has been almost exactly a month since my last post! WOW!
Well, I guess I should explain myself.
It has been going on probably the third month now that my husband has been working for ChemDry, a carpet cleaning company. He works both the morning and evening shift. I continue to work full time as well as an educational interpreter for the deaf for the local school district. Since a change in my schedule I have been working an hour over time every day, which will continue through the school year. Also my husband has begun to assume more responsibilities at work, which means going in earlier to work. All this translates to better income for the family. Which is what we have been praying for. There are goals that we have been unable to achieve, such as getting out of debt or supporting the deaf ministry. And to also be able to have a future for our family and not sit on the edge of the 'poverty pit' for the rest of our lives. But this comes at a price. Every thing costs either time or money. So there is a delicate balance in our home right now. When I come home, dinner is almost ready and by the time we are done eating, hubby leaves for work. Some days I arrive and he has to leave immediately . And with our kids entering public school for the first time it has been a challenge to adapt. I realize this is the norm for so many American families and it may be where you are at yourself. But I challenge you as I am myself to guard your family and the time you spend together. Because once your children are grown there will be no going back.
Slow down your day and go to the library together or find if you have a dollar theatre in your area. We found our local dollar theatre and it has been a very special treat for the whole family. Make time to spend time. On that note, I'll go , because it's the little things and the little people in our lives that count!

Pusgetti...yum!

From my 4 year old, when I asked her what she ate for lunch at preschool.....

"We had pusgetti and it starts with Nnnn...Nnnn...pusgetti."

Well, maybe the N was thrown in there because that was the letter they learned today?

Go figure!

editors note...pusgetti=spagetti

I'm Invisible...please read!

***I received this e-mail and I just had to share it! This is for all you moms. It is a little long but so very worth it!***

I'm invisible.
It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store.

Inside I'm thinking, "Can't you see I'm on the phone?"Obviously not. No one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all.
I'm invisible.
Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this? Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, "What time is it?" I'm a satellite guide to answer, "What number is the Disney Channel?" I'm a car to order, "Right around 5:30 , please."
I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude -but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again.
She's going ... she's going ... she's gone!

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England . Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; it was the only thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled up in a banana clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in it.
I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, "I brought you this." It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: "To Charlotte , with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees."
In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work:
* No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names.
* These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. * They made great sacrifices and expected no credit.
* The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.
A legendary story in the book tol d of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, "Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it."
And the workman replied, "Because God sees."
I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, "I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become."
At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on.
The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree. When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, "My mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table." That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want himto want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add,"You're gonna love it there."
As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.

Middle Name Meme

THE RULES:1. You have to post these rules before you give the facts.

2. You must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of your middle name. If you don’t have a middle name, use the middle name you would have liked to have had.

3. When you are tagged, you need to write your own blog post containing the middle name game facts.

4. At the end of your blog post, you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged!

So here it is....

R....Rarely do I get the chance to post a blog or have the brain power to figure out what to post about. Unless someone is interested in reading about my errands. Going to work, to the store, drop off and pick up my 4 kids from school/Pre-k/daycare, going to bank..etc.. Somehow, I think it is not that exciting.

O...Often I stay up way to late. During the summer this could be as late as 1:30 or 2:am. But is more of an average of 12:30ish. This is because that is when the house is quiet. I feel like I have a whole other 1/2 day ahead of me when kids go to bed! But as school starts up (and I go back to work for school district) all this will change...dramatically!!

B...Before we moved to Texas about a year and a half ago, we were missionaries in Mexico (to the deaf). Oh what a difference a year and a half makes! Michelle and I were 'neighbors'. I do miss y'all and my family in CA.

I...I decided after having 4 kids (3 of them C-sections) to go ahead and 'tie the tubes. This was my Dr's advice. But it is true that every once in a while I wish I could have more.

N...New to me is the fact that my husband and I will both be working full time and our 2 older kids will be going to public school for the first time and the 2 younger ones will be in Pre-K/Daycare.

So there it is!

Yeah, I don't think I'll have much luck finding someone to tag, since, like I said I have not been posting enough...

But...

R..read it and weep if your name starts with R.O.B.I. or N.
O..Oh, well if it's not I'll
B..be satisfied
I..in the end it's just a game so....
N..never mind!

Dear Michelle

I am so glad I have a faithful follower.....of 1!! Ok I may actually have 3 who read my blog and I am so greatful!

Thanks Michelle for coming back day after day, week after week, year after....oh, year and a half.

You could probablly consider this blog your own private window to my life.

So with that said...I'll get on to my next post.

Which is..surprise, surprise...another meme from you.

Keep on taggin'!

What it means to be 33

What being 33 means to me.... Or ...On what great wall will my picture hang?

I have lived in 3 different states but traveled through more than a dozen.

I have lived in 2 different countries and traveled through at least 3.

I have 10 brothers and 0 sisters but only 1 is %100 full blood 'mine'.

I have been married once (whew!) and have 4 kids by that wonderful husband.

I am fluent in 3 languages and a 4th I am knowledgeable and a 5th I once aced but have long since forgotten.


There are no "Great Accomplishments" but simply a starting point...this is just a mile marker for me....for I am barely 1/3 of the way there!

The 'Great Wall' on which my picture will hang?

Well, I guess that would be my living room wall...along with my husband and kids!

5 Things I dig (love) about Jesus Meme

This post goes out to my dear friend Michelle in MX!
This is a long overdue Meme...I actually owe you a few. I hope that doesn't make me more in debt!
Hey I have four kids so I always have a good excuse for messy house, forgotten things, procrastination...etc, right?

Well this is the "5 Things I Dig (Love) about Jesus Meme"

1...I can talk to Him any time of the day or night....Any!
2...I can talk to Him any where...(shower, library, store.....)
3...He still loves me and forgives me, even after I got upset with my kids.
4...He 'chose' to love me!
5...Even when I've done stupid things and I feel like an idiot, He gently calls me back to Him, and tells me I'm not.

Yeah...my list could go on too...
He is just so awesome...

The Buzz!

My husband and I have arrived at a new level in our marriage. I am not sure if it is a step up or down....maybe it is sideways!
Over the years (almost 10!) I have offered to help my husband out by cutting his hair. I do not have any formal training. Just being witness to my mom buzzing my 5 younger brothers hair. That counts for something...I was an accomplice?
Well he has ALWAYS said "NO WAY!" In order to preserve our marriage, he would not let me touch his hair!
Well he came to the place where he did not want to spend the money on the haircut ($8-$10+tip). You know when you get to the bottom of the barrel, $10 is alot of mulla.
So he got out his beard trimmer he uses for his goatie and put it to his head!
Aaah!! I told him if he's gonna do that..please let me help!
So I gave him what we affectionately call, the "Lonnie" cut. It is your basic buzz. But it has been named after a friend. I'm sure he'll be honored...maybe?
I spent a long time buzzing, trying to get it just right. But in the end it looked like I spent less than 5 minutes! Then our son decided it was 'Awesome' and he wanted a buzz like Daddy! I was feeling pretty proud of my guys...they looked real good with some gel in there hair...real stylin'!

Oh, and by the way....our marriage is doing great!

And our pocket book doesn't get thinner!

How Nice....

I picked this didy up over at Laurel Wreath's...




Well isn't it nice to know you can come and bring your kids to read my blog!
But I think the few intimate friends that really now me, know that that rating is WAY off!

Some thoughts

Recently I have been talking with either a family member or friend about marital problems. Not mine though. I have just been thinking about how so many people see divorce as an option. That if there was just some way for people to see that marriage is not the wedding and you're done. But that it is a whole new beginning. And it is actually one of the biggest challenges of your life!
I have come from a broken home and know the pain of it. I have also seen strife in the home from discontented Christians. Unfortunately there is no magic potion or easy answers. It just starts with making priorities, and interestingly enough, your spouse is one of them. I am saying all this, I guess mostly to remind myself I suppose. That today I need to take the time and tell my 'Man' that I love him. But to not only say it But to also show it through my actions throughout the day.


Reminder to self...go tell him!

A Compendium of Pontifications ...

1. I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. Then it hit me.

2. Police were called to a daycare where a three-year-old was resisting a rest.

3. Did you hear about the guy whose whole left side was cut off? He's all right now.

4. The roundest knight at King Arthur's round table was Sir Cumference.

5. To write with a broken pencil is pointless.

6. When fish are in schools they sometimes take debate.

7. A thief who stole a calendar got twelve months.

8. A thief fell and broke his leg in wet concrete. He became a hardened criminal.

9. Thieves who steal corn from a garden could be charged with stalking.

10. We'll never run out of math teachers because they always multiply.

11. When the smog lifts in Los Angeles, U C L A.

12. The professor discovered that her theory of earthquakes was on shaky ground.

13. The dead batteries were given out free of charge.

14. If you take a laptop computer for a run you could jog your memory.

15. A dentist and a manicurist fought tooth and nail.

16. What's the definition of a will? It's a dead giveaway.

Girls...Girls...Girls

Well summer is on it's way! Yay..which means more time to spend with my kids. I'll be working during the summer too but not full time and not the whole summer. These past few weeks have been such a whirlwind.
My eldest daughter turned 9 and she had a slumber party. We kicked my son and hubby out.My daughter invited 9 friends and I invited one of the moms to help me out and keep me sane. I Came to realize though that the total body count was 16! My daughter+9 friends+my friend+her 2little ones+me and my 2 little ones= One fun and crazy slumber party. We watched Princess Diary 1 and 2 and ate pizza and popcorn. Then decorated cupcakes. The next morning was muffins, bananas and oj. Notice how I didn't cook anything? (except for the cake). Then when the girls left on Saturday we left to0 visit my Grandparents and Aunt, who live 3 hours away and spent the night at their place. Needless to say...we came back tired. But it was a fun weekend. I think this weekend we will spend at home...the whole time!


I want to thank you all for the prayers for my brother. Please...please continue to pray for him. This has been such a trying time for him and the whole family. Please be praying for his two boys as well. Thank you.

Thanks

Thank You all for your support and prayers. My brother is out on bail and his arraignment has been postponed for a little while. He was able to visit with the family over the weekend (the week before last). They are interviewing lawyers at this time and have hired a private investigator to look into a situation where there could have been 'foul play'.
We are confident that God is in control of this situation. And that many good things will come from this. I know my brother is in the palm of Our Father.
On a side not..but a happy one...my family in California had a nice surprise the same weekend this brother was visiting. One of my other brothers has been away for a year (Iraq). He showed up the same Saturday that the family was together. I could not be there, but my heart was with them.

Urgent prayer request

Thank you for your prayers. My Mom arrived safely and we are enjoying her stay. But I have a critical prayer request to ask.

My brother in CA just got in a very serious car accident and killed the other driver(70 yr old man). He was in ICU, but his injuries are not life threatening. He will be eventually transferred to the county hospital.

He is under arrest at the hospital because he was driving under the influence (alcohol). He was driving down the wrong way on a one way street.

He has two young sons (ages 11 and 9). He has always been responsible and cautious. A young man with a big heart. All this has really shook him up. We are certain there will be jail time. We just don't know how much. His arraignment is set for about three weeks.

Please be praying for God's mercy in this situation. And for His strength and comfort as well.

Thank You.

Vacuum cleaner contest!!

Hey for all who need to, love to or just vacuum as a hobby. This contest may be of interest to you! 5 Minutes for Mom is having a contest.... it is for a new Dyson Slim Vacuum! Go on over and check it out...what have you to lose. The only thing to lose is a clean floor!
We all love good clean fun!

Prayers

Hey Y'all, I need to ask for prayer for my mom. She is leaving today from California and she is on her way out here to Texas. She will be stopping to visit my Grandparents (her mom and dad who live about 3 hours from us) on her way.

She will be driving by herself. I know she is capable of driving it but it is such a long way, ya know!

On top of this, her sweet basset hound, Clover, just had to go into the hospital. This caused her time of departure to be delayed and has made leaving more difficult. She is not sure what the result of Clovers' blood test will be. It has also cut her money back that she would have used for the trip.

Pray for angels to surround her her entire trip and for Clovers recovery from whatever is causing her sickness. That God would give her peace and comfort on her journey. And for her finances.

Our whole family is looking forward to her arrival on the 6th of April (and my dad coming the following week for a few days).

We have not seen my family in a year and are anxious for their safe arrival.

Thank you!!

Wordless Wednesday

A little bragging

This is a bragging post. I realize I have not spoke much about my son. He just turned 7. And he has three lovely sisters surrounding him in age, helping to mold him into a well rounded young man. Well, his sister who is two years older than him has been taking ballet lessons for just about 5 years. When we were living as missionaries in Mexico is when she first started. The picture here is of one of those recitals. Now that we have been stateside, she has been taking a combanation class of ballet/jazz/tapp. Ever since she started, he has wanted to learn to dance as well. She had even tried to teach him a little herself. But back in Mexico it is really not the 'macho' thing to do. So when she signed up for classes here, he followed suit. Their spring recital is coming up. And I just received an e-mail from his teacher. This is what she had to say about him."...By the way, he is doing incredibly well in class - and I love having him there. He is a natural dancer and you should be very proud...."

So can you tell? I am very proud! I am also very proud of his older sister who has inspired him to dance. She is a beautiful dancer. I am very proud of both of them!

Weekend Reflection

Well considering this has been Spring Break and I work for the school district, I was off for the whole week! As you may already know. I must stop and actually ponder my week.

--Hubby worked on garden out front with kids. Eldest daughter (Miss A) planted seeds she bought with her own money.

--My son (Mr. C) had his 7th Birthday on Thursday. I had different plans I was thought about doing but time and money said otherwise and we ended up having it at the park with a bunch of moms and kids from church....it was great!

--My daughter (Miss A) bought my son a Bionicle (Lego made toy) for his birthday with her own money. I just love that my kids learn to save their own money and buy their siblings gifts!

--I aspired to do a lot of cleaning...but got only some done. I will have to be happy with what I accomplished. I did get the kids rooms cleaned and vacuumed. That was no minor feat! I did not do the cleaning...I only guided. There are only two rooms.

--I started walking more and taking the kids on walks more (this includes going to the park). I intend to keep this up for two reasons. 1..because I work full time and some overtime...so it is good for me and the kids and gives hubby a chance to be at home alone (although he may be cooking dinner at the time) and 2..because at the school district where I work they are having a "Biggest Loser" contest that I joined! Yeah, I can lose weight and win money...I'm not sure which is better? So the extra walking is a needed routine!

--My hubby and I have been spending more quality time together. This has been very good. At the same time it brings things to the surface which is good but can sometimes be painful. But the end result is good.

--Went kite flying for the first time with my kids. Like I said..we are going to make the park a bigger part of our routine.

--I may have finally gotten smell of cat pee (male) out of Mr. C's room! This is a very big thing and my elder female dog has leaking problems when she sleeps too! So these are serious issues, you can understand I'm sure, for those of you with pets. I would keep them out all the time if weather permited. But we let the cat stay in because he is not fixed yet. And let the small dog stay inside because he is old and the biggest dog stay inside at night because we feel safer.

All in all the week has been good. I honestly did plan and want to get more done. But I need to learn to bite things off in small bites. So I will have to pick an evening when the kids are asleep (cause that is when I can be most productive) and pray for energy and tackle one of my projects.

Spring Break

I am so happy for me that spring break is here! But my poor kiddos still have school such is the life of a homeschooler. Oh the cruelty! Yeah well, when your kids are 'graduating' 6th grade mine will be graduating high school. Right? Ok, Maybe not.
The real reason they are still schooling on vacation is...
1.They need the routine for the sanity of the family
2.My mom is coming out for Easter break from California and we will cancel school for a week to enjoy her visit. We are really looking forward to it since we haven't seen my family in almost a year. My dad might even decide to join her, last minute!

So I am trying to make the most of my week by doing some faux 'spring cleaning' AND do my son's 7th birthday AND enjoy time home with my kids!
Has anyone figured out yet how to get more hours in a day?
I've tried just about everything and staying up late at night doesn't work!