1, 2...(Time to make a decision)

This weekend has been very challenging for me. Jake has been gone since Friday morning and I have been a "single parent" for about 36 hours now. I want to first of all say... hats off to EVERY single parent out there. I can't imagine doing it by myself 24/7!!

Anyway, these challenges have been not only parenting alone...but also staying by myself at night. Which I might add I've adjusted to well! Today, I went shopping with two of my sister-in-laws...and 5 little girls...8 and under!! CRAZY, right?! So, during lunch I look over at Halle, who is smooshing her noodles in her hands and making a complete mess out of her fettucine, and I start to count.1....2...and she stops. See I have this "teacher look" that I use with my 2nd Graders. All I have to do is give them "the look" and they know that I'm not happy and they better straighten up and make me happy very fast!! Well this "look" also works with my two year old...most of the time. Although usually I have to give the look and say 1....2.... Come on parents...you know you've done it! So, one of my sister-in-laws says, "That doesn't work for me...Abby would just say 3!!" That made me do some reflecting (because that is what we do as teachers). Why does Halle always stop after 2? Is it because she knows she has a limit? What happens after 2? Thankfully, my 2 year knows that if I say 3 it usually means either time out...which she hates...or a spanking...which she hates even more. It doesn't usually get that far. But I can say this...if she pushes me to say 3...I follow through.

One thing I learned in my years of taking education courses was that you must follow through! If you promise something...follow through...if you threaten something...follow through! Otherwise your students (or your own kids) will know there is nothing you can do that is really ALL that bad. I like to get my bluff in on Day 1 with my 2nd graders!! he he I also have my bluff in on my 2 year old...and I'm hoping it will last for at least the next 16 years!!

So, if you are a "counter" in your parenting...like me...just make sure you decide what will happen after 2. Be consistent and follow through. :)

Five Question Friday...because I'm bored!!

My friend, Jessica, sometimes posts a 5QF on Fridays and I love reading them from her blog. I'm rather bored tonight because my hubby is off on a Boys Only camping trip. Me and the Hal-Bug are winding down. I decided to put her in my bed tonight because I'm a little freaked out in this big house by myself. This is the first night I've stayed here by myself...unless you count the night my husband pulled an "ALL NIGHTER" on me! But, I won't go into that...it still makes me mad!! :(

1. Do you collect anything?

I used to collect Coca-Cola stuff for my kitchen. My kitchen was decorated in Coke in Steelville and in Park Hills. I was pretty tired of looking at it so it now serves its purpose in our "wet bar" area since we aren't alcohol drinkers! LOL


2. Name 3 celebrities that you find good looking.

In no certain order...Matthew McConaughey,Ryan Reynolds, and Bradley Cooper




3. Do you have any scars? If so, what's the story behind it (them?)?

I have two scars on my face. One closer to my ear...(a dog attacked me) and the other is on my chin...my brother and I were shopping at Kroger (back when my daddy worked there) and we flipped the cart over and I fell out and hit my chin. Where was my mother? LOL

Then, I have another awful scar on my leg from a mole that had to be removed. Yuck!! And on my knee I have scars from falling down all of the time as a kid.

Oh and I can't forget the cigarette burn on my wrist. That was from my dad when I was six weeks old. During a nighttime feeding...everybody smokes with their tiny infant, right? Uh, NO!! Yeah, I'm thinking my parents weren't so great...What do you think? LOL The only good thing about that deal was...he stopped smoking shortly after that incident.


4. What is a food that you like to eat, but others might think it's gross or weird?

I really can't think of anything gross or weird that I like to eat. Call me boring!!


5. Have you ever seen a tornado in real life?
I've never seen a tornado...but I was most definitely in one!! I was going to college at MOBAP at the JeffCo campus when those tornados came through. It went right over the top of us and hit DeSoto. Then, I preceeded to drive home in it!! It was one of the scarier times I can remember in my life!! And most definitely one of the dumbest things I could have done!!

Well, I guess that is it for 5QF! Did you learn anything new about me?

Life is NOT a Snapshot

If you have been following me at all this summer you know that I have not had the best summer of my life. It all started out with my car (which, by the way, I still don't have back...we are one day shy of 7 weeks) Then, went on to my air conditioner($1100)...Family issues...and now Life issues. It has been pretty horrific!

As bad as it has been I've still enjoyed spending my summer with Halle. I guess I have always been an optimist. I try to look at the good things in life and realize that "This, too, shall pass!" Thank God..."Life is not a snapshot"...because if you took a snapshot of my summer, you might think that I lead a very depressing life! :)

Fortunately for me...I can see the bigger picture...no matter how bad things go in this life...I do know how it will all end. I will spend eternity with my savior, Jesus! What more could I want, right? I mentioned this quote that I heard on a video earlier..."Fighting the fight until I see His face." I can't seem to shake that from my mind. I feel like life struggles are a constant fight but the ultimate gift will be seeing His face!! I can not imagine trying to live this life without faith.

So, here is to "Fighting the fight until WE see His face!!"

Fighting the fight until I see His face...:)

This is for my dear friends Courtney and Jacob...




Before the Morning-Josh Wilson

Do you wonder why you have to
Feel the things that hurt you
If there’s a God who loves you where is He now

Maybe there are things you can’t see
And all those things are happening
To bring a better ending

Someday somehow you’ll see you’ll see

Would you dare would you dare to believe
That you still have a reason to sing
Cause the pain that you’ve been feeling
It can’t compare to the joy that’s coming
So hold on you gotta wait for the light
Press on and just fight the good fight
Cause the pain that you’ve been feeling
It’s just the dark before the morning

My friend you know how this all ends
You know where you’re going
You just don’t know how you’ll get there
So say a prayer

And hold on cause there’s good for those who love God
But life is not a snapshot
It might take a little time but you’ll see the bigger picture

Once you feel the weight of glory
All your pain will fade to memory

It’s just the hurt before the healing
Oh the pain that you’ve been feeling
It’s just the dark before the morning

Angry at God...

I think sometimes it is o.k. to be angry at God. I think we are "allowed" these moments where we ask Him "Why?" I'm having one of those moments...unfortunately it won't be just a moment...it will be more like months.

My best friend is being faced with one of the most HORRIFIC things I could ever imagine. I honestly can't wrap my mind around it. She is 5 months pregnant and was told today that her baby has a disease that is not compatible with life. She has the choice to either terminate...which she doesn't feel comfortable with...or continue to carry this baby until she is 34 weeks. The baby may only live minutes in this life.

I have to believe everything happens for a reason...but I hate when people tell me that. Yes, I know it...but when I'm hurting (and I am hurting...for my friend) I don't want to hear that there is a reason this baby was created only to take it away from this loving family. I'm so mad at God.

Please join me in prayer for this family. They need strength, understanding...but most of all PEACE!!

Summer Thoughts...

Fourth of July wasn't the same this year. But, we all had a great time! Some of the Wilson family came over...I think we only managed to have about 20 this go round...it's usually more like 45ish...Adults are WAY outnumbered by kids. That is a really scary thought! After our BBQ, slip n slide and washers game we all went to watch the Farmington Fireworks. I've never seen their display. It was really good. But, I have to say the shortest display I've ever been to. We sat in the parking lot waiting to get out longer than the actual "show." It was still fun...and Halle loved them! It was great watching her face light up!!

Today the Wilson brothers and wives went to the river. We had a lot of fun...but I am DRAINED. I had every intention of going to the gym to spin this evening. But, I don't see that happening. I'm so glad I atleast ran this morning. I should have listened to Annie...and got it over with this morning!! ;)

I was told this morning that my classroom was finished. I cringed at the thought. The funny thing is I actually complained once this summer wondering when it was going to be done..."WHY, on Earth would I have done that?" Now that it is done I feel the "need" to go work. YUCK!! I'm always so excited to get a new class of students. But, once I get started...summer vacation is over...:( I don't stop until it is done! I sometimes wonder why I didn't become a Middle School teacher (I am NOT that crazy)...or even better...High School. There is SO MUCH MORE PREPERATION for the Elementary teachers. It is crazy and sometimes "it's not fair." :)

I am just waiting for Wal-Mart to put their back to school stuff out. I didn't go today...but I'm betting it is already in the works! NOOOOOO!!!!

Family Tradition

I have to say that the 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays. I'm not really sure why. As a teacher it marks the halfway point of my summer vacation...which means it is all down hill from here...YIKES!! I guess I love it so much because I enjoy spending time with my family. BBQ, yard games, swimming, fireworks, and a whole lot of sibling competition...what more could you ask for? Well, this year is different. I was talking to my sister-in-law, Amber yesterday and I said, "I'm just sad this year." See, my parents decided to go on vacation this year over the 4th. Which means two things for me. One, no 4th of July celebration at their house...:( and TWO, I get their 3 dogs...(YAY, me!! Unfortunately I am the only kid with a fenced in yard! WOO-HOO!!)

I would consider my family very traditional. You never have to ask where we will spend each holiday. I know that the Saturday before Christmas will ALWAYS be spent with my Aunt Linda. I also know that Christmas Eve will be spent at my parents house...Easter we have lunch at my Grandma's house...and so on!! 4th of July is ALWAYS at my parents house...EVERYONE comes out and we have a great time!! Not this year...But, I'm a big girl and I'm going to try not to pout about it. Ha ha...

I am very glad that Mom and Dad get to go on vacation. They are in Williamsburg. On the agenda that I know of...Washington D.C. & Virginia Beach. I'm sure there is more too. They will have a great time. Funny thing is...when they go away...they aren't like normal people. (Check the mail...feed the cat, etc.) No, they spent the whole evening before delivering dogs, a duck, and duck eggs.(Yes, I said DUCKS!!) They have a MASSIVE garden that has to be watered and three cats to be taken care of.

I'm determined to have a HAPPY 4th of July this year and I hope everybody else does too. We'll be spending this year at our house with all of the Wilson's. Should be a lot of fun..:)

I guess I better get off here and start preparing!!