Birthday Blessings

Well, today is my birthday. I am 40 something years old (luckily I can still fool some of the kids at school into believing that I am 26). I would like to think that I still look like 26 but it is more likely that they just don't understand age yet. My fourth graders can connect the dots and figure out that I have an 18 year old son and could not possibly be 26! In which case I say... " okay, so I am 30!" At least it makes them think about it for another few minutes.
Anyway, do I mind being 44 - no, not really at all. When I was younger, I thought that turning 40 would really bother me.. but it hasn't in the least. In fact, I am happier, more stable, and more content than I have ever been in my life. Perhaps all the turmoil and unhappiness I had in my late 20's and 30's is the reason that I feel so good now at this point in my life. Perhaps, but I believe something different. I believe it is because I found one special person who makes everything seem alright wherever I am and whatever I am doing. No, it's not my husband (though he is a big part of it) - it is God! It has only been the past couple years that I have found the peace and happiness that comes from surrendering your life to the LORD! I am speaking of complete surrender - letting God's will for me be fulfilled. I have stopped asking "why" or saying "I want this" and now just ask for God to do HIS will in my life. PEACE follows. I no longer over-analyze everything and think about circumstances that could have changed an outcome. The outcome was God's will from the start... therefore couldn't have changed! PEACE follows. Sure, things still happen that cause me to be upset (fight with hubby, C.J. leaving next year) but they are also for a purpose designated by God.
And so, with this birthday today, I thank the almighty God for His many blessings in my life.. the obvious ones being my family, friends, job, etc. But I also thank HIM for the turmoil and problems I have endured in my life for they all have a part in making me who I am today! So, I move forward in life looking forward to all He has in store for me. It may be great... it may be a difficult road... it may be a burden..it may be a very different life than I am leading right now.. but whatever it is, I pray that I handle it in a way that brings honor and glory to GOD!

Happy Thanksgiving

After a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner of pepperoni pizza and rice krispie treats (yep,it is true) at the in-laws, complete with a couple games of cards and a football game, we came home so that Jerry could put up the Christmas tree. Since he is working nights all weekend, today was the only opportunity to do it.

I would do it myself but my hubby is a bit of a perfectionist and, apparently, I don't do it correctly.



Meanwhile, Ollie watched and was very curious about this new thing in the living room.


As soon as it was put together Zack and I were able to add the ornaments.


So today, like every day, I give God thanks for everything!!! But especially for my wonderful family.

Oh The Joys of Motherhood

I remember when I was younger and my mother had to discipline me. She would say "believe me, this hurts me just as much as it hurts you." Those words are so true!. Now, I am not a big punishment giver - I would rather my children obey out of fear of God.. not fear of me! But today, I did - I had to. It has been building for a couple days - Zack has been challenging decisions I make i.e. "why do I have to get up so early, why can't I stay up later at night?" Now, I don't mind him asking those questions, I don't even mind answering those questions, it's the whining that immediately follows the explanations that bothers me. So today, he had a basketball game at 6:00 and after school he came into my room and asked to go home with his friend until it was time for the game. The problem was.. his friend doesn't go home - he goes to daycare. I tried to explain to Zack that you can't just "show up" at a daycare when you are not registered there... that they wouldn't know who he was.. what he was doing there...**insert whining**.. then I told him that we were going to the mall before the game to get a pretzel instead (which he really loves doing)**insert more whining** Finally, I let the words slip from my mouth.. "fine, then we won't go to your game at all.. we are going straight home." **Insert 15 minutes of pathetic wailing, crying, pleading, and begging for a second chance. Followed by some hugs and kisses to try to sweeten me up** Sorry kid.. not working. I felt absolutely miserable and downight sad but could not give in or my word will not mean anything to him anymore. He has to learn that I mean what I say. So, here we are at home and not at his game tonight...I am feeling awful...he has already gotten over it.

Grandparents Day at School

Thursday November 12th was Grandparents Day at our school. My parents came from Florida to be with Zack. First the kids put on a little performance for the gandparents and then the grandparents visit the classrooms. Zack's class sang two songs - one about Jesus breaking the chains of our lives, and the Voice of Truth.







My chains are gone - I have been set free by the blood of Jesus Christ!

Oshkosh Christian School Basketball Game

Zack had his first basketball game yesterday. He plays on the B team which is 5th and 6th grade boys. He didn't play much but for the first ever time playing basketball he did pretty good. His team ended up winning 23 - 20. I think they scored the last five points of the game because at one point with not much time left in the game, they were losing by two.


He was a guard and once he got into the game he picked a "spot" on offense and planted himself there. He didn't move once. What a funny kid!

Running down the court to get back on offense (back to the same "spot")

Finally he got the ball - then he passed it right back to #23. He said that is what coach told him to do because he is the "wing man." ????


Guarding an inbound pass


We are so proud of you, Zack! Keep practicing!

Happy Birthday Son

First - a look back:


November 6, 1992

1 year old

2 years old

3 years old

4 years old

about a week ago


17 years ago today, Jonathan David entered our lives at 10:08 in the morning. A little 6 pound 6 ounce bundle of pure Heaven. Throughout the past 17 years he has made me smile, laugh, cry, worry, and, at times, want to pull every hair on my head out. But what he has made me most is proud! Jonathan, I love you beyond words and am so proud of you. I am humbled that God gave you to ME! Have a great birthday and a wonderful year.

It's Baaack!

Today I woke up and am feeling the full onset of another asthma episode! The feeling of not being able to breathe and the continued and constant coughing until my head aches and my gut hurts. The only relief comes in the form of one VERY strong prescription cough medicine. So, I will have the distinct pleasure of spending the next six or eight weeks either coughing up a lung or completely zoned out on cough medicine! This is not a fun way to live and I admit I get very depressed when this occurs. And it happens an average of once a year for at least the past 20 years! I am praying that my new allergist will have some answers for me but I know that relief will not be immediate. The testing I went through last spring revealed that I am allergic to just about everything and it will take awhile to build tolerances to these things. So, I wait ....and cough... and pray.