We are in the process of a getting a new van. Well...new to us. After driving around the current van with its broken rear tail light, interior lights that come on whenever you turn a corner or go up a hill, weird brake sounds, doors that don't close unless slammed, cup holders that won't hold cups anymore, etc. (what can I say it is 9 years old and we drive cars until they literally fall apart), we are super excited. We didn't think it would be possible right now, but due to a deal we are getting from my parents (it's their van) and the bank, we can do it now. That being said..... here are Jack's thoughts on it yesterday morning...
Jack: "I don't think we should buy MaMa's van."
Me: "Why not? It's a nice van."
Jack: "I think we should buy a Mustang. A blue one with no lid on it. They are way cooler and faster than a van."
Me: "Well, the van has a DVD player in it so you can watch movies."
Jack: "Still not as cool as a Mustang."
...such a boy.....
Friday, February 13, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
Doing the Snow Dance
As the rest of the country sits under a blanket of snow and ice, we here down in Hotlanta have barely had a cold day, much less a Snow Day. It is the prayer of every child in the south to see just one day of snow each year. We don't need a lot, just a bit. There is a slight (very slight) chance of snow to come through tonight. So following old folklore, we decided to partake in the age old Snow Dance.
You have to put on pajamas, wear them inside out, dance like crazy and scream into the freezer 5 times "Snow, Snow, Snow, Snow, SNOW!!!!!!!!"
For purely documentation purposes, and to prove we did our part to try and have a snow day (and thus a day off from school!) here is our version of the Snow Dance.
Jack decided to not just put his pajamas inside out, but backwards too! (can't hurt!)
Caroline and Jack dancing together (to a song from Happy Feet - seeing as the movie took place on the snow and ice!)
Screaming into the freezer!!!
We'll let you know tomorrow if it works!!!
Biggest Blessing Blog - Week 3 - Po Puppy
I'm a week behind.. Oh well that is the kind of weeks we've been having.
My biggest blessing this week is our sweet new puppy, Po.
What a joy this sweet pup is. So playful, fun, cuddly and darn cute to boot! He has already added a lot to our family and I look forward to him' being a special part of our family. I love the giggles and laughter that come from my children as Po nibbles their toes. Not a better sound anywhere....
My sister, Heather and her family, were so generous to let us have one of their dog's sweet puppies for not much more than a song and a dance. We are very grateful to y'all!
Here are a few of the 100 or so pictures we've taken of Po (got to document for posterity!)
My biggest blessing this week is our sweet new puppy, Po.
What a joy this sweet pup is. So playful, fun, cuddly and darn cute to boot! He has already added a lot to our family and I look forward to him' being a special part of our family. I love the giggles and laughter that come from my children as Po nibbles their toes. Not a better sound anywhere....
My sister, Heather and her family, were so generous to let us have one of their dog's sweet puppies for not much more than a song and a dance. We are very grateful to y'all!
Here are a few of the 100 or so pictures we've taken of Po (got to document for posterity!)
With Jack
And Caroline
Learning to shake?????
Why chew your new chew toy, when perfectly good shoes are lying around.
Now if we can just get him house trained....
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Biggest Blessing Blog - Week 2 - My Fun Kids
My entire life I always wanted to be a mom. It was something I dreamt about, thought about, planned for. I went through my 20's without a husband or children. So when I finally met my James and shortly after we got married, I was blessed to become pregnant, the awesome journey being a mom began. To have some really fun kids has been great too. It is my biggest blessing this week!
There are a lot of things that I will probably focus on with my kids over the course of this 52 week blessing blog - but this week... I want to focus on how fun my kids are. Looking back over the course of this blog at all the fun things we do together I am truly a blessed mom. Both Caroline and Jack have wonderful imaginations and it is a joy to watch them interact with each other. They say funny things, play well together and love to hang out as a family. Here are some things that happened just in the last 24 hours.....
Playing Rock Band with James....
Sunday morning fort
Playing in the fort
Hanging out with my fun kids - My blessing for this week!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Biggest Blessing Blog - Week 1
Some friends of mine were talking about doing a weekly scrapbook page of those things that were their greatest blessing week by week over the course of the year. At the end of the year, you would have 52 things to look back and reflect on that were a blessing to them. I love the idea, but not being a scrapbooker, I decided to do mine in blog format and at the end of the year, I'll make a blog book! If you would like to join me in blogging about your greatest blessing week-by-week, that would be awesome! Let me know if you do, I'd love to read about what is blessing you!
New Beginnings
New year, new goals, new relationships, new beginnings. The biggest blessing I have experienced this week is getting a fresh start, a new start, a new chance to try again, a New Beginning!
I love the first day of January, when you pull out a brand new calendar for the upcoming year. Nothing on it. Empty. Full of promise, ideas, plans, dreams....new! New Beginnings.
It has been a blessing for me this week to start getting up and exercising. Not that I like doing it or have really enjoyed it at all. (I am not an exerciser by nature). But, having gotten up at 5:15 am to exercise is a blessing to me. I like feeling those sore ab muscles and thigh muscles that let me know that my early morning rising has not been in vain. That my muscles are strengthening and stretching. Renewing my good eating habits after a couple of weeks of indulgence during the holidays. A new beginning on an old goal, to keep pushing and striving towards my plan to become healthy and lose the remaining weight that I want to shed. New Beginnings.
To be reminded about the the new beginnings that comes from forgiveness when we do something wrong or hurt someone. I was shown forgiveness this week and it was a wonderful reminder of how much I am loved. I also had the opportunity to show forgiveness and that is a huge blessing as well. That forgiveness allows for a new beginning ~ a fresh beginning on a current relationship/friendship. Jack and I talked this week about how when we do something wrong and ask for forgiveness that the Lord remembers it no more, He doesn't hold it against us or remind us "Remember you did this two weeks ago, and I forgave you then, why can't you get it straight." We get a total do-over, a chance to try again. New Beginnings.
New Beginnings....My Biggest Blessing this week!
New Beginnings
New year, new goals, new relationships, new beginnings. The biggest blessing I have experienced this week is getting a fresh start, a new start, a new chance to try again, a New Beginning!
I love the first day of January, when you pull out a brand new calendar for the upcoming year. Nothing on it. Empty. Full of promise, ideas, plans, dreams....new! New Beginnings.
It has been a blessing for me this week to start getting up and exercising. Not that I like doing it or have really enjoyed it at all. (I am not an exerciser by nature). But, having gotten up at 5:15 am to exercise is a blessing to me. I like feeling those sore ab muscles and thigh muscles that let me know that my early morning rising has not been in vain. That my muscles are strengthening and stretching. Renewing my good eating habits after a couple of weeks of indulgence during the holidays. A new beginning on an old goal, to keep pushing and striving towards my plan to become healthy and lose the remaining weight that I want to shed. New Beginnings.
To be reminded about the the new beginnings that comes from forgiveness when we do something wrong or hurt someone. I was shown forgiveness this week and it was a wonderful reminder of how much I am loved. I also had the opportunity to show forgiveness and that is a huge blessing as well. That forgiveness allows for a new beginning ~ a fresh beginning on a current relationship/friendship. Jack and I talked this week about how when we do something wrong and ask for forgiveness that the Lord remembers it no more, He doesn't hold it against us or remind us "Remember you did this two weeks ago, and I forgave you then, why can't you get it straight." We get a total do-over, a chance to try again. New Beginnings.
New Beginnings....My Biggest Blessing this week!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Midnight Angel by: Caroline Statzer
Following is a story Caroline wrote yesterday afternoon. I thought she did a great job and wanted to share it. The spelling and punctuation are hers.
Midnight Angel
Once upon a time in a faraway land call Issrial there was an angel named Elijah. He was a midnight angel, wich means he goes out to people who need help, but he could only do it at night (midnight). So this is were my story begins.
There was this man who was poor, weak, all scratched up an only a blanket to sleep on. Then one night on December 24, Elijah came to help. The poor man herd Elijah say, "Get up I have a surprise for you." So the poor man got up grabed his blanket and followed Elijah. The next morning the poor man woke up in a beautiful house. He prayed and asked God into his heart and he said, "God how can I ever repay you." The man could hear God say, "By telling other people about me". The man said "OK"!
So from then on the man became a preacher at a church called Holy Lord. Then about a month later the man died, but he became a midnight angel!
The End
Midnight Angel
Once upon a time in a faraway land call Issrial there was an angel named Elijah. He was a midnight angel, wich means he goes out to people who need help, but he could only do it at night (midnight). So this is were my story begins.
There was this man who was poor, weak, all scratched up an only a blanket to sleep on. Then one night on December 24, Elijah came to help. The poor man herd Elijah say, "Get up I have a surprise for you." So the poor man got up grabed his blanket and followed Elijah. The next morning the poor man woke up in a beautiful house. He prayed and asked God into his heart and he said, "God how can I ever repay you." The man could hear God say, "By telling other people about me". The man said "OK"!
So from then on the man became a preacher at a church called Holy Lord. Then about a month later the man died, but he became a midnight angel!
The End
Saturday, January 3, 2009
The Year Ahead - 2009
What is it about the beginning of the year that always makes us take stock of our lives and look ahead to set our goals? It is that time of year again, setting goals for the upcoming year. I am not fond of resolutions as to me they imply that you haven't been doing anything at all. But I think goals are important as they help keep us focused on things we are doing and where we go from here. Here are some of the things on my list for 2009.
Spiritual
This past year, I was faithful to spend some time each morning praying before school. I'll admit it was often in the car on the way to work, but still I enjoyed that time in prayer each morning. I really liked that part of the time was Jack and I praying together each morning outloud as we drove to school. I love to hear him pray. This year, I really want to be more consistent with reading my Bible. I just do not do it as often as I would like and I really want to make that more of a priority.
Physical
I am really excited to be 40 pounds lighter that I was this time last year. But I still have a ways to go. Over the holidays we weren't as strict on our eating as we normally are, so that is back on now. (all candy and cookies are being thrown out today!) But the biggest thing I need to do is start exercising. I messed my knee up pretty good back in August playing volleyball and that really took a toll on my exercising, but I need to get back to it. (even though exercising is one of my least favorite things to do!). My goal is to do interval training (cardio) 3 days a week and do strength/flexibility training 3 days a week. We got a Wii Fit for Christmas and that will help a lot with the strength/flexibility training. My goal is to do it 30 minutes each day to start and work up from there.
Relationships
Last year we put into place Family Movie/Game Night on Friday nights and that has been so much fun. We all look forward to it and it is great to have a night when we just hang out as a family. I'd also like to make more time each evening for a family devotional. We've been sporadic at doing this at best, but I think it is very important that this become a priority this year.
This year, James and I are making an effort to have Date Night one night a week as well. Most of the dates won't involve us leaving the house as we don't have the money to pay for THAT many babysitters, but we will have a 'date' at home. Watching movies, talking, play games, etc. after the kids go to bed. The difference this makes in our marriage is amazing. I am really realising how important it is to make time for just us to talk and hang out.
Professionally
This is the one area I'm just not sure what to do. I am currently scheduled to start school in August to get my Ed.S. degree in educational curriculum. I just wish I knew for sure if that is what I am to do. I've also been playing around with the idea of going back to school to get certified in Nutrition and start working with children and families who have weight issues. I'm still praying about it and hope that the Lord will direct me soon. I have asked to not teach Pre-K again next year. I have enjoyed it, but it is time to move on, especially if I want to move up and do more administratively in the school system. I'd love to loop up with my class or possibly teach 2nd grade next year. So we'll see what happens there in the next couple of months.
Financially
We've gotten better about watching our spending and staying on top of our finances. But having read Dave Ramsey's book, we are talking about starting that program. The class is being offered at our church, we just aren't sure if it is something we can commit to time wise. We might just do it ourselves without doing the class. But we definitely want to be saving more and being as lean as we can in our spending.
One thing that I know I am going to have to do to make all this happen (especially the spiritual and physical aspects of my goals) is to go to bed earlier so I can get up earlier. I am bad about staying up for no good reason watching stupid TV shows or surfing the Net. So this year, I will be heading to bed much much earlier. That way I can be up at 5am, reading my Bible and exercising. I know this will be the hardest part of making this all happen. But what do they say about habits? 21 days of doing something and it becomes a habit. I sure hope that is true!
What about you? What goals have you set for yourself this year?
Happy New Years everyone!
Spiritual
This past year, I was faithful to spend some time each morning praying before school. I'll admit it was often in the car on the way to work, but still I enjoyed that time in prayer each morning. I really liked that part of the time was Jack and I praying together each morning outloud as we drove to school. I love to hear him pray. This year, I really want to be more consistent with reading my Bible. I just do not do it as often as I would like and I really want to make that more of a priority.
Physical
I am really excited to be 40 pounds lighter that I was this time last year. But I still have a ways to go. Over the holidays we weren't as strict on our eating as we normally are, so that is back on now. (all candy and cookies are being thrown out today!) But the biggest thing I need to do is start exercising. I messed my knee up pretty good back in August playing volleyball and that really took a toll on my exercising, but I need to get back to it. (even though exercising is one of my least favorite things to do!). My goal is to do interval training (cardio) 3 days a week and do strength/flexibility training 3 days a week. We got a Wii Fit for Christmas and that will help a lot with the strength/flexibility training. My goal is to do it 30 minutes each day to start and work up from there.
Relationships
Last year we put into place Family Movie/Game Night on Friday nights and that has been so much fun. We all look forward to it and it is great to have a night when we just hang out as a family. I'd also like to make more time each evening for a family devotional. We've been sporadic at doing this at best, but I think it is very important that this become a priority this year.
This year, James and I are making an effort to have Date Night one night a week as well. Most of the dates won't involve us leaving the house as we don't have the money to pay for THAT many babysitters, but we will have a 'date' at home. Watching movies, talking, play games, etc. after the kids go to bed. The difference this makes in our marriage is amazing. I am really realising how important it is to make time for just us to talk and hang out.
Professionally
This is the one area I'm just not sure what to do. I am currently scheduled to start school in August to get my Ed.S. degree in educational curriculum. I just wish I knew for sure if that is what I am to do. I've also been playing around with the idea of going back to school to get certified in Nutrition and start working with children and families who have weight issues. I'm still praying about it and hope that the Lord will direct me soon. I have asked to not teach Pre-K again next year. I have enjoyed it, but it is time to move on, especially if I want to move up and do more administratively in the school system. I'd love to loop up with my class or possibly teach 2nd grade next year. So we'll see what happens there in the next couple of months.
Financially
We've gotten better about watching our spending and staying on top of our finances. But having read Dave Ramsey's book, we are talking about starting that program. The class is being offered at our church, we just aren't sure if it is something we can commit to time wise. We might just do it ourselves without doing the class. But we definitely want to be saving more and being as lean as we can in our spending.
One thing that I know I am going to have to do to make all this happen (especially the spiritual and physical aspects of my goals) is to go to bed earlier so I can get up earlier. I am bad about staying up for no good reason watching stupid TV shows or surfing the Net. So this year, I will be heading to bed much much earlier. That way I can be up at 5am, reading my Bible and exercising. I know this will be the hardest part of making this all happen. But what do they say about habits? 21 days of doing something and it becomes a habit. I sure hope that is true!
What about you? What goals have you set for yourself this year?
Happy New Years everyone!
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