Monday, February 27, 2006

My little man

My little man
My little man,
originally uploaded by Misty Jorek.
This is Josiah wearing Caleb's dirty old baseball cap.

Love, love, love this quote

This is from the book The Creative Homemaker written by Mary LaGrand Bouma.

If we choose not to do this very special job (homemaking), it will simply not get done; the mothering, the nurtuting, the comforting and caring that fills the committed homemaker's day will simply be lost, and society will be impoverished. Children will not get the spiritual guidance they need. Lonely teenagers will not be listened to. Many people with problems will not be ministered to, many sick folk will go unvisited. A special human quality will disappear from our culture. Women can give up their jobs as clerks, engineers, sales people, doctors - other people will step in and the world will go on as smoothly as before. It will be business as usual. The groceries will still be sold, trucks loaded with merchandise will still roll across our highways, and Wall Street will carry on. Not so with homemaking. We are the special people into whose hands the country and the world have been entrusted. When we leave this job the world does not go on as before. It falters and begins to lose its way. We homemakers are indispensable.

This is a subject very near and dear to my heart. Unfortunatley many women don't feel like Titus 2 appilies to us today. How incredibly sad.

Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips, nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, that the Word of God may not be dishonored. Titus 2:3-5

This tells me that my behavior as a women can indeed dishonor the Word of God. If I am the opposite of those qualitites listed, then what am I doing? I guess I am considered an "older woman" now. The problem is the "church" doesn't have many older women exhibiting the qualities in Titus 2. Mary Pride in the book All the Way Home says, "Every new Christian woman reads Titus 2:3-5 and goes on a search for an older woman who will train her...I know, because a large number of them write to me complaining that such a female is not to be found. The older women are all busy with new careers or retirement plans. They have no time for their daughters' babies, or to give housecleaning lessons, or to hold a new couple's hands while they adjust to married life..." So true, so true. I can name on one finger (that means I only know one) woman who I could consider a Titus 2 woman to me. Just one. All the other "older women" are working outside the home and don't have time to be true to the calling of Titus 2.

If I made you mad with my post, I'm sorry. I just believe the Bible says what it means and means what it says.

Sunday, February 26, 2006

The Biggest Loser

Cheri and I were talking today about getting together some people for a Biggest Loser challenge. I think $$ will motivate me!:) Cheri says I will win just because I want to show everyone else that I am better than they are. She knows me so well.

I picked up some free clothes for Grace and Josiah today. A woman on my homechool e-mail loop said she had freebies to give away. I got clothes from her last year too and they were really nice. They are in the washing machine right now. They are summer clothes.

This weekend has been fairly lazy. We did a little shopping yesterday and today Olaf did some yard work. He let me sleep in today but I should have known better. He is always grouchy when he lets me sleep in. I'm not sure why, but it has been that way for 10 years. (Ever since we started this ritual after having children) We usually take turns. I sleep in one weekend morning and he sleeps in the other. And by sleeping in I mean 8:30 or 9:00 am. But I think the reason he was mad today is because I didn't get up until 9:45!!

Please continue to pray for my friend Karen. She is going through so much trying to starve this cancer of the much needed estrogen. They are trying to put her body into menopause and it's not the funnest thing in the world to go through.

Our Disney trip is approaching. We have been going to this website a lot. I am looking forward to the trip. It will be so much fun to watch the children enjoy themselves. We are using our tax refund to pay for the trip. We have been planning it for an entire year now. In case you have forgotten, or are new to my blog, a very nice woman gave us her time share for the week. Well, we had to pay $200 for the entire week. Not bad at all.

Camille's birthday is just a week or two away. I cannot believe she is going to be ten! I now have two children in double digits. We are planning a trip to the mall with her best friend. I think most of the time will be spent in the bookstore knowing my daughter. We will also probably hit Build-A-Bear, The Disney Store, and Claire's.

Have a great Sunday!

Thursday, February 23, 2006

Can you deal with more American Idol stuff?

Because I really think Taylor Hicks did a great job last night! I called and got a busy signal for a good hour after the show. I did get through a few times in that hour. Maybe four times. I originally didn't think he'd make it to the top 12, but I do now. The boy will be in the top four I think. He most definitely will have a recording contract after AI is finished. And pretty boy Ace...blech! I can't stand it when guys look into the camera like that. Remember Constatine?? Yuck. Yeah, we all know why Ace chose the song he did. To sing those sexy lyrics while staring at the camera. Can you say teenage (and desperate housewife) votes?? Smart man.

If it continues to rain, then we will not be able to go riding tomorrow. We missed last week due to rain too. I really don't want to take Caleb anyway. He is too hyper to take to someone else's home and it makes me nervous. To top that off he has a nasty snotty nose.

Need more coffee. Need to grade a math worksheet. Need to go! Have a great day.

Wednesday, February 22, 2006

Kitchen Questionaire

Stephanie tagged me with this Kitchen Questionaire. Just FYI...I am so not queen of the kitchen!

1. How many meals does most of your family eat at home each week? How many are in your family?
There are 6 in my family. We eat out a lot. Too much. During the week we eat all meals at home except dinner. Olaf buys take out of some sort at least twice during the week. On the weekends, it varies. We usually eat out at least twice on the weekend.

2. How many cookbooks do you own? How often do you refer to a cookbook each week?

Too many to count! I refer to a cookbook a couple times a month.

4. Do you collect recipes from other sources?
Sometimes I will find a recipe in a newspaper or magazine.

5. How do you store those recipes?
I clip them and put them in my Longaberger Recipe Basket.

7. Is there a particular ethnic style or flavor that predominates in your cooking? If so, what is it? FRIED!

8. What’s your favorite kitchen task related to meal planning and preparation?
Planning the meals, making my grocery list and organizing that kind of stuff.

9. What’s your least favorite part?

Washing greasy pots and pans. Olaf does it for me.

10. Do you plan menus before you shop?
Yes! It has helped immensely in saving money and easing my frustration about what to make for dinner.

11. What are your three favorite kitchen tools or appliances?
My food chopper from Pampered Chef, wine glasses, and wine.

12. If you could buy one new thing for your kitchen, money was no object, and space not an issue, what would you most like to have?
A nice new top of the line stove/range.

13. Since money and space probably are objects, what are you most likely to buy next?
More wine:)

14. Do you have a separate freezer for storage?
Nope, but I want one.

15. Grocery shop alone or with others?
I coupon shop so I go ALONE!

16. How many meatless main dish meals do you fix in a week?
Ummm...none.

17. If you have a decorating theme in your kitchen, what is it?
My appliances are all black and I have a lot of Longaberger Baskets all over. Other than that...nothing.

18. What’s the first thing you ever learned to cook, and how old were you?
Grilled Cheese Sandwich. I was about 9 or so.

19. How did you learn to cook?

I'm still learning.

20. Tag two other people to play.
I tag Misty and Bedky.

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

OK, I'm going to be completely honest. Today was one of those days where I didn't find my joy in being a homeschooling mom. I know you are surprised at my candor! Yeah, right! I still am battling the same problem I have battled for four years now. I am a perfectionist and my daughter is...well...not. I cannot stand it if my letters are not perfectly spaced and my math page must look like it just came out of teachers answer book. Camille, on the other hand, erases and re-erases and leaves half the original markings there and...OH! It just kills me! When I was her age if I didn't get 100% on my work, I was devastated. Camille is thrilled when she "only misses four!" WHAT? You've got to be kidding me! YOU MISSED FOUR!!! That is NOT perfect my little friend! Granted, ABeka math is advanced. It is much more advanced than Saxon Math. I looked at the book Camille would be in if I were to switch next year and she has already done almost all of it this year. Needless to say, we will stick with ABeka. Yes, I know most of you homeschool moms don't like ABeka and all the "busy" work but I think Camille is way ahead of the game when it comes to math thanks to ABeka. I think I am going to test her again in a few months from Hewitt Homeschooling Resources. I tested her last year through them and really liked the way the test was untimed and less stressful than a typical standardized test. Here I am rambling. My point in all of this is I had a stressful day. Caleb is home all week too which makes things more stressful than normal. To top that off my monthly friend showed up uninvited! I so want to be pregnant. [insert loud scream right here!] Maybe tomorrow will be a better day. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day. No, tomorrow WILL be a better day.

Sunday, February 19, 2006

Curious George

Olaf took the girls to go see Curious George today. Caleb and Josiah didn't want to go, so I stayed home with them. It turned out to be very productive for me. I cleaned both bathrooms and did every stitch of laundry in the house. I even took the little knobs off the bath water spouts and cleaned them out. I washed the bath toys and cups, scrubbed the tubs and toilets, washed the vanities and mirrors, swept the floors (but didn't mop)...it was good.

Olaf has tomorrow off for President's Day. You know you have a cushy job if you get President's Day off. Caleb is out on "Winter Break" for the entire week. They just had a Winter Break at Christmas time, but I guess this is part deux. I read in our local paper today that is costs $6,700 per year for each student to go to public school. Is that insane or what?? I could send my children to a private school for less than that! To top it off, Georgia is at the very bottom of the 50 states as far as SAT scores goes. Hmmm...sounds like we're doing something wrong.

We rented the newer version of Freaky Friday. Against my better judgment I let Camille watch it with us without previewing it first. That was dumb. Anyway, I thought the movie was cute, but it has behavior in it that I certainly wouldn't want my almost 10 year old daughter to see. I think most of it went over her head (except the bad attitude on the girls' part) but it ended sweet. Any movie that has teenagers kissing is off limits in this house. Olaf and I watched The Legend of Zorro the other night. I thought it was dumb. Pride and Prejudice is playing at the dollar theater, but I doubt we'll be able to go. I'll have to wait for it to come out on DVD and buy it. If you have any movie suggestions leave a comment!

I talked to my mother today on the phone. That is always an adventure. I think I'll start posting a little about my family. One family member at a time. I cannot do more than that because 1. I don't have that kind of time and 2. I'd scare you off! I'll start with my brother, Rick. Rick is 44 years old and is a drug addict. When he doesn't live with my mother he is homeless. He used to be married and has three children. The oldest of his children is 22 and she just had a baby out of wedlock (surprise, surprise). His youngest is only 5 years old. My brother and his ex-wife lived a life of partying and drugs. They never held a job longer than a few months and have been evicted from almost every home they have been in. I specifically remember when my sil was pregnant with her first baby (the now 22 year old) she would smoke pot all the time. That continued in the home the entire time the children were growing up. A typical "white trash" family. Trash begets trash and both of their older children are following nicely in their parents footsteps. I just feel incredibly sorry for the 5 year old. In 10 more years that child will be just like her mother and father. Guaranteed. Sadder still is my brother "claims" to be saved. Anyway, Rick and his ex are now divorced. His ex is always in some state of drug induced semiconscienceness and the 5 year old makes her own breakfast and wakes her mother up only in case of an emergency. When her sister is sober she will get her ready for school and put her on the bus. If not, she stays home and watches TV all by herself. They are in the process of being evicted yet again. They have no idea where they will go this time. The middle child, a 19 year old son, has his druggie friends in and out at all hours of the night. He cannot hold a job either. I mean, why would you want a job when you can be on welfare...right? Medicaid will pay for all your prescriptions, food stamps can buy all the cold cereal your 5 year old can eat, and some dealers will even take food stamps for payment. Sweet. My brother is addicted to meth right now. Weed used to be the drug of choice 20 years ago, but it no longer does what it is supposed to do. He is also an alcoholic. All of his money (when he gets it) is spent on beer and drugs. Lots of beer and drugs. Oh, and poker machines are legal in Oregon so he loses money in those too. Rick is my only full sibling. My mother has been married three times and has children from two of those marriages. She wasn't a great role model either, but somehow, in God's sovereignty, here I am! Praise the Lord for great things He hath done!

Friday, February 17, 2006

Taylor Hicks

That's the grey-haired guy's name on American Idol. You can listen to some of his original songs here. He released a CD prior to AI independently which is linked from that website as well if you want to purchase it. The three songs available for download are really good. I am impressed.

Thursday, February 16, 2006

A Double Shift

Olaf worked a full day today and just went back in to work the midnight shift. Ah the joys of being a manager of three shifts!:) I hope he is OK on the drive home. That part scares me a bit. I love my hard working man!

I missed Bible Study tonight because Olaf attended an informational meeting about starting a Challenger League baseball program in our county. Right now we drive to another county for Caleb to play baseball and we would really like to stay local. We'll see what happens.

Camille has been doing at least two math pages everyday. We only have 25 more days of math for the school year. I'll have to keep her busy through April though. I really don't want to start 5th grade math until next school year. She is learning so much. She can add, subtract, and multiply fractions. She can find the least common denominator, reduce fractions to lowest terms, change improper fractions to proper and vice versa. We will be starting decimals within the next few days. I am so blessed that I really don't have to teach her. I can introduce the concept and she pretty much gets it. She just thinks she doesn't get it. Her brain goes on overload and she immediately starts to get nervous and cry. Our new motto is, "Try, Don't Cry!" Once she calms down though...no problem. She whizzes through it like it's the easiest thing she has ever done. She is not nearly as gifted in her vocabulary though. She loves to read and devours books, but her vocabulary is limited. She retains what she reads but if there is a word in there she doesn't know she skips it and doesn't think twice about it. She read seven library books in 14 days. Six Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys and one Little House on the Prairie book. It is time to go back to the library. Maybe we can do that tomorrow. She will love that. Last time we were there I got the book by Dr. Dobson called "Bringing up Boys" or something like that. I actually got to page 20 before I disagreed with him and his pop psychology. I couldn't finish it. Oh well...maybe I'll find something tomorrow like a DVD on how to crochet or knit.

I exercised today but I also ate like a fool. I guess they cancel each other out.

Off to start my Bible Study and then read a bit. I always buy whatever books are in the Dollar Tree and I got one called Paige by Paige. You know, the Trading Spaces gal? Anyway, it's a fun read. I also bought the book that Pope John Paul wrote. I am anxious to read that one as well. Have a great weekend everyone. Mine starts after Olaf gets up tomorrow! Woo Hoo!

Wednesday, February 15, 2006

I just got through watching American Idol. I am so happy that gray haired guy with the harmonica made it through. I really like him. I don't think he'll make it to the final two or anything, but he's fun to watch. I also like that little blonde from the South. She is so sweet. It should be a good season.

I bought a cute notebook to put by my computer. Over at wah there are several prayer requests posted on a daily basis and I really want to remember to pray for all of them. So I bought this cute little notebook/journal thing for a buck at Michaels. I write down the prayer requests so I don't forget to lift my sisters up to the Lord.

I need to exercise. I fell off the wagon when we went to NY. I need to get started again. I feel so much better when I do it on a daily basis.

I stopped by Charity's tonight to pick up my milk and Amish butter! She drives 2.5 HOURS to Alabama to get milk from this dairy. AND, she does it with three small children in the car. Can you say CRAZY? Her children are in the car almost the same amount of time that it takes to drive to Orlando from here only they don't get to get out and go to Disney World! Sucketh. However, I am so glad she went because now I have really good milk and butter. Oh, and cheese too. Dawn has a great idea for butter. We like our butter at room temperature for easy spreadability. Dawn puts her butter in a mug and then sticks a small wooden spreader like this one in the butter. Needless to say, we have incorporated her idea into our home. It's much easier than a butter dish and a whole lot less messy. Thanks Dawn!

I also stopped by Misty's new house. It is gorgeous. Too big for just two people though. I am praying the Lord blesses them with a baby soon. ::writing that in my notebook by computer right now::

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

Happy Valentines Day

Beating Heart The day of LOVE! Valentine's Day isn't a huge day in my house. My husband is very sweet and usually buys me something, but since our anniversary is January 23rd I'd rather have something romantic then. Of course, I love chocolate.
Chocolate Valentine
Sees Bordeaux's would be good right now. Leonida's Belgian Chocolates would be better. Fran's chocolates would be fabulous. Call me a chocoloate snob but I do not like Godiva. Simply overrated.

Have a wonderful day! Go give your husband (or wife) a kiss and tell them how much you appreciate them!

Monday, February 13, 2006

On a Whim!

If you listened to the post below, you know my family spent the weekend in Syracuse, NY. The story goes something like this... Thursday Dawn calls me to chat a minute. I only know Dawn through Women at Home and, up until this weekend, had never met her in real life. While we were talking on the phone her husband suggested that we fly up to play in the snow as they had just gotten about 6 inches. So, I talked to Olaf and we decided to try it. I am so glad we went. The trip was fabulous from start to finish! When we arrived at the Syracuse airport Dawn was there WITH BELLS ON (really!) to welcome us. She has a Suburban so she was able to transport us to her home without us renting a car. Her precious girls gave up their room so the Jorek's could take it over. The children got along superbly as did Olaf and Scott. Of course Dawn and I hit it off from the get go. This picture is in the airport. There are bells hanging from that woman's neck!
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Thank you, Dawn, for a terrific weekend! I don't think it could've been any better!

Sunday, February 12, 2006

Tuesday, February 07, 2006

Heart Maker

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To make your own candy heart go here!

I did it!

I actually worked out this morning. I am NOT a morning person at all and this is so not fun for me. Yesterday, Charity and I decide that we would hold each other accountable to exercise every morning. Since we are both busy mama's we made a committment to work out before the children got up. So, I put Caleb on the bus at 6:30 and popped in the DVD. I had to do a modified version of the FIRM because I am so out of shape that I cannot keep up. Honestly, I will never be able to do all the ab work those women do. I switched back to Weight Watchers Points yesterday. A week on Atkins and I lost nothing. However, it was good for me. My sugar cravings have dropped drastically. But then I received this from my husband yesterday. My Valentine's Day present arrived early.

The girls just got up and I need to go check on Josiah. Have a great day!

Friday, February 03, 2006

Not fair, not fair, not fair!!

My husband has lost FIVE pounds since Monday. FIVE! Me? I have lost 0. Yes, that is a big fat ZERO. It's just not fair I tell you!

I got such a treat today. I was IM'ing Cheri through MSN Messenger when all of a sudden we were speaking to each other! How fun is that? We were talking instead of typing! I was tickled pink. If anyone else has MSN Messenger let me know. I'll add you to my contact list. Maybe we can talk online sometime!

I have done nothing today. Absolutely nothing. Nothing productive that is. I need to get supper started soon. Well, I take that back. I did do school with Camille. That is productive. I talked with Cheri. I consider that productive. I looked up flights for Dana. That was semi productive. She decided she didn't want my buddy pass afterall!:) My friend Jeannie stopped by with her newborn baby! I held him. That was productive. Hey, I did a lot today.

I am so glad it is Friday. My husband is home with me. I miss him during the week. He still gives me butterflies in my tummy when I see him when he comes home from work. He really does.

Have a great weekend!

Thursday, February 02, 2006

Quick Update

The Bible Study ladies went out to eat this evening. I stayed on Atkins even though they ate cheesecake in front of me. I am telling myself it will be so worth it in about 8 weeks! And I can do ANYTHING for 8 weeks. I got through Basic Training in the United States Air Force, I can certainly stay on Atkins for 8 weeks. Christy told me about a diet very similar to Atkins called Protein Power. I just bought the book off Ebay but it sounds very similar to Atkins. One of the differences is you can have 7-10g of carbs per meal. Basically that is 10 more grams of carbs per day than Atkins. And I'm ALL about more carbs.

It's late. Olaf is making egg salad for lunch tomorrow. We watched Survivor tonight. It's going to be a good one. I am rooting for the older men to win.

And one prayer request...a friend of mine in New Zealand is looking into the claims of Christ. She is seeking and wondering if Christianity is the real deal or not. Would you please pray the the Lord would make Himself so real to her that she cannot back away from it? Her name is Wilm.

Blessings...Peace Out!

Wednesday, February 01, 2006

Thankfulness

I am so utterly thankful to the Lord for the blessings that He has poured out on me. The absolute biggest blessing has to be my husband. Do you know what that man did? He washed the pan he made eggs in before he even left for work so I wouldn't have to. Is that not the most thoughtful thing in the world? He usually never eats eggs in the morning, but since we are on Atkins I figured I'd have more dishes to clean. I woke up Monday morning fully expecting to find a frying pan with egg debris, but there was nothing. I figured that he changed his mind and ate something else for breakfast. But NO! That man cooked his eggs and then washed the pan and put it back in the cupboard! I almost cried when I found that out. That means so much to me. He loves me. Of course next on the list are my children. Children that I never thought I would have. The Lord has blessed me with three pregnancies and births that, quite honestly, I never expected. Going through years and years of infertility kind of dampens any expectation of actually conceiving. Then to be able to give birth at home and nurse my children for extended periods of time was just icing on the cake. There really isn't anything more empowering than giving birth. I cannot describe it, but if you are mother you know what I'm talking about. The Lord has also blessed us all with health. Yes, Caleb has epilepsy and his mental challenges, but we are not dealing with any major medical problems. I cannot imagine what it is like to be in Karen's position or the thousands upon thousands of people that are dying of one disease or another. Or worse yet, watching your children suffer. When I ponder things like that I have to place my trust in the sovereignty of God. I cannot go where the Lord has not called me. He never gives us grace to speculate about the future, He only gives us the grace in our time of need. And one more blessing I just have to mention, and that is the blessing of friends. My online buddies and my real life friends. I have made some awesome friends over at Women at Home. I don't know how it is possible to make friends via this keyboard, but I have done it! I can sit here all night and name blessing upon blessing but I won't bore y'all. I'm going to go to bed and snuggle with my men. Yes, plural. My hubby and my three year old that still sleeps with us. Thank you Father God!

Word Cloud



I found this link at Angie's site. It's a website that looks at your blog and grabs words from them to make this little word cloud. I thought it was pretty cool. If you want to try it go here. Once it makes it for you right click to save it. If you continue you end up buying a T-Shirt! I found that out the hard way! LOL!