Where's the BLOG?

It's been three days and I love that a few of my faithful readers WANT me to post every day. ::snort::

Nothing is wrong. I am simply SWAMPED trying to get back into the routine of Bible Studies, Friendships, SCHOOL etc, after the tremendous holidays and wonderful weeks of family fun.

Mike and I realized when the girls were home that we really MISSED the fun family nights we used to have. With the girls gone, Josiah and Jamin working many nights, and Tues and Thurs nights being filled, it's become far too easy to SLIIIIIDDDE into a routine that involves the little's amusing themselves, Jared reading, Mike playing computer games and me blogging. Something had to change. We are trying to stay off the computers from dinner - 9:00 p.m. We've had GREAT evenings of games and fun. Tonight we played Pictionary - Jamin was home from work too! WONDERFUL.

In the a.m.'s I am determined to get back into a routine of in-depth Bible Study and so I've been using that two hour time block for study and exercise. No computer time there. Though I have lots of great insights to share when I have time. ::snort::

ADD to the above the fact that I had to get our first co-op order from United Foods compiled and figure out how to work a spread sheet (still learning - Poor Julie), a produce co-op order, and the aforementioned (or belowmentioned depending how you read) workshops....well....I made a vow not to get on the computer until a few jobs were done.

OK - I rashly said "no computer until I'm caught up" but I'm seeing now that that is NOT likely to happen until I'm 98 and no longer care about being caught up.

In the past few days I've loved the changes that are occuring. I've also missed blogging...and have realized that the blog is for family and friends...therefore when computer time is short, I'll do email and try to at least post a photo or two...because I know that family enjoy seeing them.

The last bit of news for the day is that Mike checked the assignment listings and found only ONE position listed this summer for his rank. In Korea. ONE. I suspect it is doubtful that we'll be moving this summer. I went ahead and ordered a beef and we are looking at a freezer too. ::snort::

You know it's been a Rough DAY.....

When the above are the only photos you have to show from your day. Dinner.....Jared attempts to convince Stacia that lemons are not as good to eat as clementines.

Tuesday -

Monday is somewhat of a blur. I was DETERMINED to get stuff done and so stayed away from the computer. I FINALLY got the bills paid, argued with the bank, got 2/3 of the way through my notes for Tuesday's Bible Study workshop....and

Tuesday I spent time typing up worksheets for week one of our Bible Study Workshop. I wanted to be sure every woman had every chance to succeed......and so I went to shop for notebooks.

Aren't they perfect for PWOC?

Each notebook has handouts, notebook paper, a pouch with colored pencils and highlighter. I had hoped to have all the handouts for all three weeks ready - but they weren't. That's THIS week's project!

Sunday School

Mike was swamped with activities and preached on Sunday. Saturday night he asked if I would teach Sunday School. The class is JUST our children at this point - this is not a big problem. However, Debbie did offer to stay in the class with me. ::snort:: Thanks, Deb.

I love this curriculum. We're using Group - and it is really fun and easy to adapt for our classes wide age range (2 - 10). We're still praying for more families at chapel.

How can they resist with fun like this. ::snort::

SURPRISE

Saturday night a local friend, Gwen, called to let us know that her dh was arriving the next a.m. from Kuwait. Yippee! We were excited. Yes, we made another trip to the airport. Zander was NOT a happy camper. After Sunday School the little ones and I ducked out to run to the airport. Mike was preaching.

We grabbed lunch and then headed for the Gospel Service.

While some of us were in the service Jamin and Josiah supervised the removal of our outside decorations. The inside ones are STILL up.

We ran home and Mike returned the trailer we had rented for guests.

We ran to Schlotskys for dinner with Debbie and boys. Mom, great news that Steve, Debbie's dh, will be returning home in mid- Jan.

Zander was upset that Stacia wouldn't "share" her 1/2 of the cookie (yeah - they only get 1/2 a cookie). He left our table and went to pout. She joined him to offer sympathy.


She even gave him a hug.


Then, thinking that NOLAN was the cause of Zander's unhappiness, she went to him and said, "You BULLY, Nolan". Um...OK now.

Glimpses of Saturday

 Airport Again






After the airport I took the younger kids to the Lake.


They played on the play structures.






They made sand tunnels and volcanoes and eventually broke through to each other




They made friends and played Red Light/Green Light


Nolan - the camel




Turn about is fair I guess....Note the red nose and swollen eyes? I did say that I gained 18 lbs in 6 weeks while eating 1200 calories and working out 4-6 times a week right? Think maybe my thyroid meds will be adjusted soon? ::snort:: Unfortunately, the weight goes on really quick when my thyroid is low but when they adjust the meds it makes me NORMAL not hyper thyroid - so the weight does NOT come off fast - just normal....::sigh:: Well, there could be far worse problems than being fluffy and I realize that. God continues to teach me to be satsified and content in this season.


I finished another journal. Wow. Before blogging I'd used the same journal for 5 or 6 years. Blogging broke something loose. I find I write more in other areas now too. Irony? My first entry in this journal contained my thoughts on having just said goodbye to the girls and my parents in Spokane. The last entry in this journal contains my thoughts on saying goodbye to the girls and my parents in TX. I ran out of space. ::snort::

Mike spent the day working on a sermon.  He came home and we went to dinner at a couple's from chapel. It was a nice evening. Vera and Kirk recently celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary. I think she is the consumate hostess. I can learn a lot from Vera. She had 6 of us over. She had conversation starters, cute Stockings for each of us.....nice evening.

Friday

 The day began with some great thoughts and reflections on Jared and the growth I've seen in his life this year! Wow - 14.

The girls sent text messages (a definite bonus over the tracfone LOL) when they got on the plane to Seattle and again on their way to WA. They called tonight (free after 7 p.m. ::snort::) to talk to Jared on his birthday.

I miss them. How the nest can feel empty and overflowing at the same time is beyond logic. ::snort::

I spent time on produce co-op. We are in the process of beginning a new co-op which will order through United Foods so that took time with phone calls and such.

I took Arielle, Mom and Stacia to visit Heather. Nice new haircuts. This was Stacia's first REAL haircut though "someone" cut it earlier. It was either Stacia, Zander or CECIL - the naughty t-rex!



She sat perfectly still and somber through the whole ordeal. ::snort::


and was rewarded with a lollipop (wow those things have shrunk over the years!)


Pizza and movies, more phase 10, visiting.....tomorrow Mom and Dad fly out.