LOOK MOM, NO HANDS!!!

 

Zach's birthday gift.

Zach on his new bike. We bought him a bike for his birthday. He then got some $$$ in the mail. He decided to get a new "trick bike". So we took back the one we purchased and this is what he picked. Pretty neat huh!

What started the "trick" bike thing. Well, Austin and Jordan both decided that they'd start saving their allowance and then when they get their birthday $$ they'd get new "trick" bikes. So, of course Zach had to keep up with his brothers. Well, what I find amusing about this whole thing is that, I have 3 boys, 12, 9 & 7 (all birthdays this summer) and they'll all have the same size bikes. Crazy!!! But, they'll all have cool "trick" bikes. 

A....B...C...

Accent: used to be northern (Chicagoland area), now I guess it would be Indiana (kinda southern)
Bible book I like: Galatians
Chore that I don't like: Toilets (I have 3 boys)
Dog or Cat: Dog--which I can't believe I like my dog so much
Essesntial Electronic: Computer
Favorite Cologne: don't know
Gold or Silver: Gold (wedding ring) now, I think I prefer silver
Handbag I carry most often: Whatever one I own at the time, I'm not a big purse person. I don't usually own more than 2 at a time.
Insomnia: I do enjoy night time more than morning
Job Title: Mom/Wife
Kids: 3 boys
Living Arrangements: House, with husband, 3 boys and a dog
Most Admirable Trait: friendly/outgoing
Naughtiest Childhood Trait: talk back--mouthy
Overnight Hospital Stay: 3 babies, and a gall bladder surgery
Phobias: bugs (works great with boys everywhere)
Quote: No favorite---not a big quote rememberer
Religion: Christian---follower of Christ
Siblings: 3 brothers and 2 sisters (one of which is a twin of mine)
Time I wake up: Depends on the need of the day---never earlier than necessary
Unusual talent or skill: I remember numbers (like phone numbers, and account numbers) Okay, does that count as a talent or skill? Hope so.
Vegetable I refuse to eat: Peas
Worst habit: Changing subjects mid conversation, maybe more than once (most definately more than once) and never really finishing a thought. I definately drive myself crazy with this one.
X-rays: broken collar bone in 6th grade
Yummy stuff I cook: deserts-any kind
Zoo Animal I like: Monkeys


Okay, now it is your turn: Karen, Heather and Ronda. Have fun.

$433.00

Back in like January Rob went to the doctor and had some routine blood work done. It was all fine. However, the insurance that Rob had evidently decided not to pay for the work. Okay, well, I just kept putting it off, and figured I'd call after a month or so, sometimes it seems they say "no", then the doctor resubmitts it and it gets paid. Well, no such luck with that.

Well, when Rob lost his job, he also lost his insurance. I also missed the deadline for open enrollment for insurance through my employer. We don't make much money, and Rob takes a medication daily, and therefore he has to go to the doctor periodically. Not good without insurance. Well, the medication, the doctors office will give us samples whenever we run out. That is good. Okay, so I applied for financial assistance through the hospital system here. We were given a sliding fee scale of 80/20. Not bad. It is reasssuring to know if one of us gets sick we can go to the docotor without much worry. Okay, back to the bill. The blood work was $433.00 dollars, of which we were now responsible. UGH!!!! Today the lady from the billing department called and said they'd written off the entire bill. When she told me that, I just responded, "Praise the Lord". What else could I have said. Oh, yeah, I did thank her also. Okay, at any rate, I was so excited, and I know that God provided this little miracle for us.

Just had to share my exciting news for the day. I'm sorry if my thoughts are all over the place, sometimes it is just how I think. Have a blessed day.

14 things about my Mom

Thanks Heather. Here goes.

1.) She loves to eat the green candy in packages of things like M&M's or jellybeans
2.) She is a mother of 6
3.) She loves to quilt
4.) She loves to redecorate
5.) She has 6 grandchildren
6.) She loves to shop
7.) She was a secretary at the High School I attended
8.) She enjoyed sewing clothes when we were younger
9.) She is diabetic
10.) She gets up REALLY early
11.) She goes to bed REALLY early
12.) She was raised Catholic
13.) She graduated from a Catholic School
14.) She doesn't like to drive in the snow

Some days I'd just like to be a pagan

I've read a few devitionals this week that have been so convicting. They are all from my Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers. If you feel lead, read the one listed below (I inserted some of it). Let me tell you, sometimes Rob and I joke with each other and say, "some days I'd just like to be a pagan." We are totally kidding, however, it is rough to realize how unworthy and ungodly we really are, but I praise God for the convictions.
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http://www.rbc.org/utmost/index.php?month=05&day=04&year=06

Spiritual stubbornness is the most effective hindrance to intercession, because it is based on a sympathetic "understanding" of things we see in ourselves and others that we think needs no atonement. We have the idea that there are certain good and virtuous things in each of us that do not need to be based on the atonement by the Cross of Christ. Just the sluggishness and lack of interest produced by this kind of thinking makes us unable to intercede.

Am I stubborn or substituted? Am I spoiled or complete in my relationship to God? Am I irritable or spiritual? Am I determined to have my own way or determined to be identified with Him?--
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Okay, let me tell you this morning I wanted to sleep in, then get up and clean. Rob had a meeting to attend from 8-12 this morning, and we let the boys stay up late hoping that they'd sleep. I know, crazy, it never works, but it was a try. Well, of course Austin was up bright and early. And he is a child you can not leave up alone for any length of time, he is a "wild child". At any rate, I got up, well, then it just seemed they were all extremely needy this morning. I was horribly grouchy with them. Then Jordan, stomped out the door and said "I'm getting out of this house, anything is better than this!" Wow, that is horrible. I called him back and he didn't go anywhere. I had to do some quick re-evaluation of myself at that moment. It was all because things did not go MY way, and I was not happy about it, and I decided that everyone else would have to suffer also. WOW, the Holy Spirit had put a check in my life today. It was totally inexcusable behavior, just downright selfish, I was idolizing myself, and was most definately not bringing glory to God with my behavior. I was being irritated not spiritual. I quick repented of my evil ways, and then the day was fine.

Rob decided to take the boys fishing, and I considered staying home to get some things done. I had one quick errand to run, before he could take them, and when I was out, Zach picked up the bathrooms, made my bed for me and even "cleaned" the toilets, just so I could go with them. What a great family I have. I praise God that he has so much grace and mercy on me, even though I am so unworthy. I'm glad he has chosen me as one of his, and holds me in his hand. My prayer is that I nevet get content to just be the way I am, but to be constantly growing in his grace. I am determined to be identified with Him.

To God be the Glory

I've lost 9.5 pounds. Yeah! I'm pretty excited about this. I've also pretty much redefined my goal. It is now to only loose about 20-25 more pounds. I don't have a desire to be to entirely skinny, as I have never been. I've lost a pant size, which is great for me. So, to get to the desired size, I need only loose 20-25 pounds more. At least, that is what I'm guessing. I'm pretty pleased with the progress that I'm making also, I didn't want to loose to quickly, I really was aiming at a change in lifestyle. I feel God has definately helped me so much with my attitude towards food. I feel it is an addiction, just as smoking or anything else. God has helped me in this way. I really consider what I'm eating and when I'm eating. I've been eating when I'm hungry, and not much eating just to eat. Now, let me tell you that I'm not perfect with this, however, it is much better than before. I used to eat a candy bar, just becasue I wanted to, not for any other reason. I had such an addiction to things such as candy and sweets, I was buying them everytime I was in the grocery, just because they were there. That is horrible, I was wanting to satisfy my carnal self, and this was definately not bringing glory to God. Well, I do feel that God has helped me so much in this area of my life, to God be the glory for this.

We've decided.....

to start attending the church in New Castle. Today, my friend took Jordan and I. Rob had a prior commitment, and the 2 younger boys spent the night with my sister, so they went to church with her. It was a good service. The message was great. Very biblical. I think we will learn alot from this church.

Rob talked to the pastor of the church we'd been attending. He was wonderful. He said he knew we wouldn't be there forever, and that he was glad that we'd been there while we were. That church was also great for us. We needed some place to go to church, and we learned alot from them also. God has a great big plan for us, and of course we can't see the end, we are just taking one step at a time as He leads.

Today in the service the pastor made this comment. "The better you think you are, the less you think of Christ." Ouch!! Isn't that the truth. Unless you admit that you are a sinner, each and everyday, you will forget how AWESOME that the sacrifice that Christ made is. To me the comment meant, and this is from my experience. The better I think that I am, the farther away from Christ I am. He said lots of "wow" things this morning, at least for me.

You will love this one. This is not really a spiritual thought, but I've just got to share it with you. I had a coupon for Lane Bryant, for $15 off a $15 purchase. Now, I get coupons all the time, but usually they are like $25 off a 75$ purchase and stuff like that. Okay, that is not that great, so when I got the $15 coupon, I had to use it. Well, it was going to expire today, and I had to work this evening. Well, my husband offered to go to the store for me and use the coupon. I gave him my size, and an idea of what I wanted. I just wanted jeans capris or something like that. Well, he did it. He said the ladies in the store were amazed at him, because "their husbands wouldn't even dream of doing that for them." Well, he purchased 2 pairs of the same style crop pants, just 2 different sizes. It was great, I was able to get new pants, and use my great coupon. What a great guy! Are you jealous?! JK! Have a blessed week.

Crazy Mom

Okay, you'll not believe this. I thought Zach's birthday was yesterday and it is actually TODAY!!! Now, let me tell you why I have such a problem with this birthday. Zach was due on May 3, and the enitre pregnancy I thought: "I'm going to have this baby on April 28". I did go into labor on the 28th but didn't deliver him until the 29th. Okay, so can you see my confusion. I know, I know, absolutely no excuse right!? At least I don't think it is later that it is, that would be real bad. So, today, on his birthday we are having a little party. I just had to share this commical story. I guess it is true also, that you DO in fact loose brain cells with each pregnancy.

Random thoughts of the day

What beautiful weather we've been having. I love the spring. It does affect my allergies, but hey, it is beautiful. The grass is green, the trees are budding, and the magnolia trees are at their peak. What beauty in God's creation. It makes me think of why all things were created, and that is to bring glory to God.

I can't believe that Zach will be 7 on Friday. Wow!!! To think that 7 years ago I was walking miles and miles each day to prompt labor to begin. I think I walked more in the month of April that year, than ever in my life. It sure made delivery somewhat easier. If easy is even a word you can use about delivering a child. What a joy that day. I'll be honest and say I was worried about having another boy, because I did want a girl, and I'd heard so many stories of people have severe depression when they'd have the 3 same sex child. Well, all my fears were wiped away when they showed me the beautiful baby boy #3. He was perfect. I didn't have a name for him, but not a moment of sadness came over me when he was born. God knew I needed another boy. How blessed I am to have 3 boys. Our heavenly Father is so wonderful and knows just what we need and when we need it.

We have had some wonderful devotional times with the boys. We are reading the book of John right now. It is quit fun. They all love to follow in their Bibles, and read aloud Gods word. It is fun when a verse jumps out at them and they grab a highlighter and mark it in the Bible. What a great sight to behold.


Today I rode in the car with my manager and another employee for 4 hours (round trip) to go to a "Rewards Luncheon". It was a nice time. I was sad to me though, they are both unbelievers and their philosophies about life are so "wordly". It just was sad to me at times. Now, they were not vulgar, or hateful or anything like that, it was just such a "its all about Me" thought process. Not even that they are completely self centered. It just made me realize how blessed I am to be "born again", because if it were not for the Grace of God, I'd be the same way. Now, I don't say that in a prideful way by any means, I just thank God that he chose me. I don't deserve it any more than the next person, but I'm sure thankful for it. I pray that I can show them Christ each day, and they'd be drawn to Him. Enough rambling about that, I am having a hard time expressing my thought on it.

Tonight we went the the church we visited on Sunday. (see my Sunday post for it's website if your interested in checking it out). It was a great Bible study. We definately STUDIED the Bible. My mind didn't wander at all (which is a miracle for me). They boys enjoyed the classes they had and they learned some great stuff. We are still praying about the decision we need to make.

Well, I really need to get up at 5 a.m., so tata for now.

Airborne Jordan and Zach

On Monday Rob bribbed the 2 little ones to clean their room before I came home from work. He told them if they got it done, we'd have a "picnic" outside. We ate outside. We enjoyed the evening with the boys enjoying the beautiful weather. I even jumped with them for a while. Not long, I'll tell you, but I did it. I couldn't help but laugh and then I felt like I'd wet myself. (thanks to 3 kids) It was great fun though. 

Airborne Austin

 

Jordan with his bass

Jordan loves to fish. He caught a bass in the pond at the park. It was a great time spent with the boys. They love fishing and playing at the park. 

Austin---what a hunk!

 

Toad driving boat!

This boy at the park was playing with a remote control boat, and they all decided to stick the toad in the boat and ride it around the pond. It was quit commical. To the children and the adults alike. 

Close up of Toad

 

Zach and his toad

This toad that the boys caught just suctioned itself onto Zachs hand. He wanted to bring it home. Sorry, not that nice of a Mom. 

Zach in the weird swing at tha park

 

Spinning Zach

WE spent the afternoon on Saturday at the Greenville park. This is one of the new amusements for the kids. It was this "thing" (love the technical term) that just spun around and around once you got in it. Zach sat in that thing for at least 10 minutes just spinning and giggling. What fun. 

Zach spinning