I have been away for a long time, but the other two bloggers that I follow have inspired me to get back in the saddle. The fact that the two toddlers in my home are sleeping doesn't hurt either. Since my last blog, I have cut my work hours in half, starting next week, and I couldn't be happier! To confirm that I have definitely made the right decision, Quinn has had a low grade fever for the last 3 days and leaving her to go massage people has completely sucked. I feel like I'm committing treason every time I peel her warm little body off me to run out the door.

So much has happened recently, and I am feeling a bit melancholy. Several people that I know have suffered losses, and it just makes me so sad. The most recent was a 5th grader who died in a dirt bike accident. It makes me want to hole up with my family. None of my children will be racing dirt bikes, but no one is exempt from death, or house fires, or freak accidents. So what can I do? I guess LOVE THEM as well as I can.

I can totally identify with Kathy about Bryn graduating and not wanting her little boys to grow up so fast. Lynsi moved to Williamsport this past weekend and I already miss her. She has been on her own before, but not so far away. I know it is not THAT far, but it feels really far...

Christian turned 15 on Monday, and he is growing up so fast. I know we all have special kids, and they are special in their own way, but to me, he really is "special". He is so smart and athletic, and motivated. I really think he could do or be anything. He cares about doing well, and works hard. It makes me wonder if he's really mine:)

In retrospect, I feel gratitude, I am one of the most fortunate people I know. I have made a plethra of mistakes in my late teens and early twenties and some how God has seen fit to really bless me.

To church or not to church

Well, we did it. Sunday morning, in spite of over sleeping, the sreaming meanie I call "angel", and the lack of a proper breakfast, we made Sunday school and church. This is no small thing. I somehow have been given the title of wardrobe manager, maid, and timekeeper.

I always have a mini meltdown finding my own clothing to fit over my ever-expanding behind, then I end up in charge of my husband who seems to have the same issue, except his issue is his growing tummy.

But we made it... on time... We get in and get settled, say hi, and I get to talk to my favorite person there. Okay, not so bad. Wouldn't you know it, Quinn starts to fuss, as Donnie and I are scrambling to quiet her down and not create a scene, that fricken ___ walks by and says loudly, "heh! like mother, like daughter!" After that, I honestly cannot recall anything that was taught in Sunday school. This is not his first offense with me. I guess wherever there are people involved, there is a ___, but I can't help but wonder how they get to be a leader. Why are they in charge of certain things, and given authority to make decisions? How many people just leave because he or those like him have hurt and offended them? This fella is not Hitler or anything, just someone who is consantly picking at several folks, including me. This was not the first time ___ has embarrassed myself or Donnie. He has provoked several women to tears and frustrated many men.

The sad part is, the Pastor is pretty good. He walks his talk, and has a real passion for the things of God. There are not a lot of churches that would meet our needs as a family, so I probably should just suck it up. But I need a little wisdom here, so any advice is welcome advice.

Trouble in Paradise 2

Sorry Kathy, I thought my blog posted, but I guess it didn't. It was mostly whining anyway!

Here is the jist of it, though: I am a terrible decision maker. I come to that conclusion honestly, and justly I think. Throughout my life I have made many poor decisions, and probably half of those were made with the best of intentions.

This next dilemma is a work decision. I am finding that with the boys back in school, and the loss of my babysitter, working is becoming more and more of an issue. I appreciate and enjoy my job for the most part, but I am working mostly evenings, today will be til around 7pm, Tues. and Thurs. til 5ish and Fri. is an early day, but then I go to my other job (which pays well) for a more few hours.
I got the nerve up to talk to the Doctor that I work for about some of the problems I was having with the work schedule. She was very understanding, she is allowing me to bring Quinn to work a couple of days a week, and said she would look at the schedule, and asked me to be patient with her.

I am not sure how patient I need to be. I tend to be very impatient, coupled with being kind of a peace keeper, which could lead to me just giving notice that I am leaving. I know that if the Doctor gives me better hours it means someone else getting crappier hours. So there is bound to be conflict, and hurt feelings. Then again, why should I be the one left working the hours no one else wants? I do a great job, the patients love me and request me to work on them. The Doc has stated that she doesn't want to lose me, and the money really helps us financially. So what do I do? Should I ask her about it periodically, or just wait and see how it shakes out? I have a feeling it would stay exactly the way it is, if I do. Ahh, I hate making decisions!

trouble in paradise?

A day of fun

Yesterday we went to Knoebles. I haven't been there in a long time, and I don't remember liking it all that much. If memory serves, it involved an overheated, crying baby, a cranky spouse, and constant worry that we might overspend.

Well, we had a great time! We took two of my boys, and Donnie's son and met up with my sister-in-law and her daughter's family. The boys behaved really well! They didn't stop at every game and shake us down, they didn't beg at every concession stand, they were pretty content with the picnic lunch we brought and dippin' dots.

I think part of the enjoyment for me was the being able to talk to my husband on the ride with no ringing phone, or our littlest darlin' needing something.

I did discover the spinning rides don't agree with me anymore, but oh well! The trip was worth the fudge alone!

The bachlorette

I usually don't get sucked in by reality tv, but lastnight I made sure I caught the tail end of the Bachlorette. I haven't even watched the show this season, but my brother-in -law is religious about watching, so I was intrigued.
My husband had been downstairs for 3 hours with the furnace guy helping him clean and service our furnace. I was feeling a little brushed off because I have not spent more than 10 minutes of quality time with my husband since some time in June (or so it seems).
Finally around 10:30 Donnie comes upstairs to hang out for a few minutes and we are talking about the show. Some how we get on wedding proposals, and he tells me that he never proposed to his first wife. He said he bought her a ring for Christmas because he felt pressured after a 3 year relationship.
Wow! I guess I kinda knew that, but when he proposed to me, it was a complete surprise, he picked out the ring, he was on bended knee, and he was shaking like a leaf! He also told me he's always loved me, he just "didn't know it yet".
How lucky am I? I want to learn to always count my blessings. I am truly blessed.

The older woman

My oldest son, Christian turned 14 in March. He has always been a good kid. Good grades, good at sports and kind for the most part. In sixth grade I noticed he had a real interest in girls. They almost seemed to have magic powers in his mind. I had tried the "no dating" thing with the girls. Leighann never did car dates(to my knowledge) until she was atleast 16. Lynsi did a car date at 15 to a prom and her sister was with her. Now Christian at 14 just doesn't see what the big deal is.
I'm sure you're thinking, Christian can't drive, he's only 14. Well, Christian's new friend, Ashley is 16!! At the end of the school year he broke up with his age appropriate g/f Liz, telling me that it's summer, he wouldn't see her, so what's the point? (I was actually proud of him, thinking it would get his mind off the chicks for a while) Not 2 days later he is on the phone with Ashley. Then he asks if he can go swimming with her at her step-dads house. So I start my investigation, who will be there... How would you get home... I want to speak to an adult who will be there. As I am digging for clues I find out Ashley would be bringing him home. No wait, DRIVING him home. She is going to be a senior this year! So of course the answer is NO. We proceed with the whole talk on the importance of abstinence. God has someone for you when the time is right. You are likely in two different places in your life as she is so much older.
Of course he tells us everything we want to hear, I went away feeling a little better.
Well, a few nights ago, he asks if he can go to the movies with her. She would be driving. I am chewing a bloody hole in my tongue, choking on "Hell no!" But manage,"Let me think about it". In an attempt to not alienate my son, I decide a good compromise would be for her to come over and watch a movie downstairs with all of us here.
With the news of our house guest, my daughter Lynsi shows up. She wanted to check out the cradle-robber. We are quietly talking back in forth about what she would look like. Is she a heavy girl with a "nice personality" or a "butter face" as Lynsi says. Nice girl, nice physique, but her face...when she arrives.
She is driving a car nicer than mine(not a big stretch, but geez) and she is sweet, and pretty! She did have a few green streaks in her blonde pony tail, but it was a school spirit thing.
So what is she doing with my 14 year old son? So any of you Mom's, this is a cry for help. I don't really know what to do, besides limit their time together. It is very hard to be objective when it's your kid, and he hasn't really done anything wrong. I will be anxiously waiting for any words of wisdom. And prayer please<3