Silly Sue

She definitely has Daddy's eyes!

Tempted to Leave

Burger King is less than 2 minutes from my house, and I came so close (well, not really) to just leaving all 3 kids at home while I made a quick run. Of course I didn't give in to temptation and do such a stupid thing, but the thought was ever present in my mind. In just 3 short years it will be legal for me to do this. Wow, that reality is staggering!!!

All I wanted was a coke. To relieve some stress. Yes I know, the end result usually means more stress--faster heart rate, jittery nerves, insomnia, etc. But while the drink bubbles down oh-so-smooth, it feels good for the moment. I am sure that if I was a smoker, I would have already inhaled 3 packs since Monday. (I am so thankful I have never even taken 1 drag of those filthy wads of nicotine!) So for me when stress surmounts, I crave a soda, as I now say since moving out west. ;)

If desperation had completely overtaken me, I guess I could have thrown them all in the car and gotten myself a carbonated beverage for goodness' sake, but then I would've had to illegally drive my 3 year old since I don't have a car seat in the airless car. Plus, I would've had to endure the complaints of three ragamuffins about how unbearably hot it was to ride in a car without air in 100 degree heat. And then they would have all whined about not being able to get a drink, too.

So, with all that in mind, I figured I could do without. (I am pretty good at that by now.) And you know what else? I tried to reassure myself that if I had gone, it would have been the day that 20 cars were ahead of me in line, the day that the drink machine broke down and the day that a car seat inspector would have pulled in right behind me in the drive-thru lane. Yep, I am sure that is exactly the way things would have turned out--all for a coke!


And why am I so stressed and in need of a pick me up? My kids have just come down from a vacation high. A vacation without mom. While I am overjoyed that my family is home, the reality is I am the one who has to dish out the dirty work, get them back on a home school schedule, which they have not taken kindly to, make them do chores, get them to bed at a decent hour, blah, blah, blah.

Daddy incessantly praised their behavior (most of the time) while he had them all by himself for 8 days. Why, I ask, why do children have to drag their mothers down until they explode like a volcano or melt down into the floor like the wicked witch of the west?

Well enough venting for now. I need to sink myself into the Word before rest time is over, which is in 6 minutes. I know-- I should have been doing that instead of this.

8 Days of Separation

Right now I am waiting for my family to come home.

I kissed my family goodbye last Saturday at 4:30 in the morning. While they have been enjoying a vacation in Colorado, I have been enjoying a vacation right here in my own home. It's been fabulous, really fabulous.

I did break down after my family pulled out of the driveway, but ten minutes later I was fine. I knew this break was something that I desperately needed. Rest, relaxation, and mind renewal were just a few things on my agenda.

First, though, I started off the weekend spending quality time with my mom. We had so much fun painting, going to Starbucks, eating out and renting a movie. She even spent the night with me. Bright and early Sunday morning, before the sun even came up, we walked 2 miles in my neighborhood. Then I went to church with my mom and Darrell and he treated us to Chili's afterwards. After shopping at Sprouts with my mom it was time for me to finally start my week at home all by myself.

I have loved every minute of the peace and quiet. Just being able to get my whole house clean all at once has been a real treat. I have made huge progress on Shiloh's baby album and even managed to paint a couple more walls in the house. Not having to cook, empty the dishwasher, and launder clothes on a daily basis has been really wonderful. A break from home schooling has been nice, too. A break from mothering from dawn till dusk has been quite refreshing. Blaring my worship music and singing praises to God with no one else around was exhilarating. I truly have no regrets that I stayed behind.

I think having the opportunity to miss my kids and have them miss me has been very good for us. It was neat to hear about all of their adventures when they would call me at night. And of course Mark sent me loads of pictures every day. The pictures and goodnight wishes have been great, but now I am ready to wrap my arms around each and every one of them!!!

Should only be about 7 more hours...

Dear Mr. Obama Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG4fe9GlWS8

I love my country and am so thankful to all who have served and who are serving to protect America and make the world a better place.

It will be an honor to vote for a man who knows first hand the cost of freedom.

Back Burner Blogging

Good, my blog still works. It's been a while since I've stopped by.

Starting another year of home school and dealing with the Chicken Pox for a month has taken up quite a lot of time.

There just isn't enough time during the day or enough stamina gifted to me to be able to do all of the things I want to do. I have to believe there is enough time allotted to me to do the things I need to do, though, or I could simply go crazy.

Home school eats up a huge chunk of my 24 hour day. Sleep does, too. After that, there's entertaining a 3 yr. old, sports, housework, laundry, cooking, grocery shopping, etc. Doesn't leave much time for the fun things I like to do like blogging, facebooking, scrapbooking, reading, writing, gardening--just to name a few.

Anyway, I guess I said all that to say, I won't be blogging as much as I used to. Other more important things demand my attention. I'm definitely not giving it up--just slowing down a bit.

Soon I would like to post about our experience with the Chicken Pox, and I know I need to post some pictures. I haven't even uploaded in weeks.

Hope to post more very soon...