Football season has begun!
I LOVE this time of year. I love the cool weather. Football on the weekends.
Snacky foods for "lunch" while watching the games.
I look forward to the holiday season. Wearing jeans and soft, comfy sweaters. Well not so much the sweaters now that we are in South Florida where our seasons fall into one of two categories - REALLY FLIPPING HOT and Not quite so HOT. However, I have been known to crank up the A/C just for the chance at wearing my sweaters or sweatshirts.
We are starting school on Monday. I am really looking forward to it this year. We start our Classical Conversations Co-op on Friday. Miss Thang is beside herself with excitement. One of the biggest hurdles we faced with going from public school to homeschooling this past school year was how much she missed the social aspect of school. I think that with the co-op we have sufficiently addressed her concerns.
My biggest concern for this year though would be my Little Man "the TWO YEAR OLD". First, I CAN NOT believe he is going to be two. The thought of him being TWO blows my mind.
I feel prepared going into the school year though. His birthday presents are my preparation supplies. Playdough, Mr. Potato Head and accessories, crayons, Crayola New Beginning products (these things rock), a smock to wear over his clothes, drawing paper, books, puzzles, blocks, one of those wooden boxes that you push the shapes into. All of these things will be kept in a box and ONLY come out during school time.
I prayerfully hope that this all goes as I have planned and doesn't end up as one of those things in life that NEVER works like we have planned. At the very least I have a feeling that this year of homeschooling is going to give me plenty of blogging moments.
On a final note. Little Man received an early birthday present from us tonight. A potty seat. He didn't know about the early birthday present part but he is very excited to have his very own seat in the downstairs bathroom. He has yet to actually go potty in it BUT when he does oh it will be a joyous day because we did not just buy any potty seat - OH NO - we decided on the one that plays a little song when "our little one makes a contribution". Oh yes we did :)
Now on a REAL final note.... Alabama is currently STOMPING some Clemson backside! Oh yes they are!
Love, Cara
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Wrong Number, Right Person
So I took a job several weeks ago. The job was truly an answer to prayers. I needed a job that could be done at home in the evening after the kids go to bed. Something that would allow tons of flexibilty with DH's inconsistent sschedule. Something that gives me the chance to be home with the kids and to homeschool.
When we were still stationed in Texas, I had gotten information for a teleservices company. The employees take calls right in their home. The training is done online and all of the work is done online. It was not something that was right for me at the time. When the need for me to get a job came about, I found the information again and re-applied for the job. Eveything went right through and I started work last week.
About half way through the training process I realized that the job was not exactly what I *THOUGHT* the job would be. I thught I would be taking calls for a specific shopping channel.
Yeah, Not so much.
I moved past my surprise, finished with the training and started work. It truly is the easiest job. The people calling have no way of knowing who I am. I do not know them. I take their order, tell them to have a nice night and move on.
There are some I.N.T.E.R.E.S.T.I.N.G peoples in this world. FOuR REAL!!! What people are willing to buy, blow my mind. The questions people have crack me up! Some parents are just cruel in what they choose to name their children. Some people have NO imagination when it comes to prank calls. I mean, if you are going to take the time to prank call me. Make it GOOD!
A couple days into taking calls though, I received a call for a product I was NOT okay with taking an order for. After fumbling my way through the order, the customer ultimately hung up.
Fine with me.
Then I received another call for the same product. This time I hung up on the customer.
I received a few more calls and after fumbling my way through, I ultimately had to hang up on the customers.
Today, I was talking to the hubby and said, I know the job is something we need right now for some extra income. I just need to come up with a way to handle the calls. I will not process those orders, I will not sell the item. I just need to figure out a way to handle the calls. The calls only make up a very very small percentage of all my calls.
So tonight I logged in and started taking calls. Before taking the first call, I bowed my head and said, Lord please let those calls not come to me. If they do, please give me the words to say.
The phone rang.
I heard a ladies voice. She said, "I need urgent prayer". Not sure I heard her right, I repeated my information and asked her for her zip code. She said, that she was calling because the guy on TV said to call this # for prayer. I looked at the number on my screen it said she called, and it was not the number she had tried to call.
It was definately a wrong number.
I know I should have immediately been all cool about it and just prayed. I was really unsure what to do though. I thougt, Okay God this isn't what I had in mind but it is obviously what YOU had in mind. So, I let her know that I had to tell her the call may be recorded. I asked her for her first name.
Then I asked what might be the DUMBEST question I have ever asked. E.V.E.R. and yes, I have asked some pretty stupid questions in my time.
Her name was Patty. I said," Patty, You do want me to pray to God, right?"
I guess I was just thinking I want to make sure that on top of everything else she isn't expecting me to say a prayer to Buddah or Allah or something.
She said, oh yes, Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior and I am just in need of some urgent prayer.
I prayed for her need.
I have never been comfortable praying out loud in front of others. This was BEYOND BEYOND BEYOND out of my comfort zone.
Lord, thank you for your faithfulness. Thank you that you are truly in EVERY detail of our lives. Lord thank you for letting those calls pass by me. Thank you for providing a job for me that fit the needs of my family. Lord, I lift that caller up to you tonight. Her and her husband. Lord, you know the details of their needs. Lord, touch their hearts. Lord, thank you for blessing me tonight through praying for one of your children. Amen.
Love, Cara
When we were still stationed in Texas, I had gotten information for a teleservices company. The employees take calls right in their home. The training is done online and all of the work is done online. It was not something that was right for me at the time. When the need for me to get a job came about, I found the information again and re-applied for the job. Eveything went right through and I started work last week.
About half way through the training process I realized that the job was not exactly what I *THOUGHT* the job would be. I thught I would be taking calls for a specific shopping channel.
Yeah, Not so much.
I moved past my surprise, finished with the training and started work. It truly is the easiest job. The people calling have no way of knowing who I am. I do not know them. I take their order, tell them to have a nice night and move on.
There are some I.N.T.E.R.E.S.T.I.N.G peoples in this world. FOuR REAL!!! What people are willing to buy, blow my mind. The questions people have crack me up! Some parents are just cruel in what they choose to name their children. Some people have NO imagination when it comes to prank calls. I mean, if you are going to take the time to prank call me. Make it GOOD!
A couple days into taking calls though, I received a call for a product I was NOT okay with taking an order for. After fumbling my way through the order, the customer ultimately hung up.
Fine with me.
Then I received another call for the same product. This time I hung up on the customer.
I received a few more calls and after fumbling my way through, I ultimately had to hang up on the customers.
Today, I was talking to the hubby and said, I know the job is something we need right now for some extra income. I just need to come up with a way to handle the calls. I will not process those orders, I will not sell the item. I just need to figure out a way to handle the calls. The calls only make up a very very small percentage of all my calls.
So tonight I logged in and started taking calls. Before taking the first call, I bowed my head and said, Lord please let those calls not come to me. If they do, please give me the words to say.
The phone rang.
I heard a ladies voice. She said, "I need urgent prayer". Not sure I heard her right, I repeated my information and asked her for her zip code. She said, that she was calling because the guy on TV said to call this # for prayer. I looked at the number on my screen it said she called, and it was not the number she had tried to call.
It was definately a wrong number.
I know I should have immediately been all cool about it and just prayed. I was really unsure what to do though. I thougt, Okay God this isn't what I had in mind but it is obviously what YOU had in mind. So, I let her know that I had to tell her the call may be recorded. I asked her for her first name.
Then I asked what might be the DUMBEST question I have ever asked. E.V.E.R. and yes, I have asked some pretty stupid questions in my time.
Her name was Patty. I said," Patty, You do want me to pray to God, right?"
I guess I was just thinking I want to make sure that on top of everything else she isn't expecting me to say a prayer to Buddah or Allah or something.
She said, oh yes, Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior and I am just in need of some urgent prayer.
I prayed for her need.
I have never been comfortable praying out loud in front of others. This was BEYOND BEYOND BEYOND out of my comfort zone.
Lord, thank you for your faithfulness. Thank you that you are truly in EVERY detail of our lives. Lord thank you for letting those calls pass by me. Thank you for providing a job for me that fit the needs of my family. Lord, I lift that caller up to you tonight. Her and her husband. Lord, you know the details of their needs. Lord, touch their hearts. Lord, thank you for blessing me tonight through praying for one of your children. Amen.
Love, Cara
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Alone but not lonely…
So this weekend is/was the Siesta Fiesta. The Hubby and I were fully planning on going. However, because of bad choices on my part, we did not get to go to San Antonio. It was a huge disappointment for both of us. To be honest, he had no clue about the Siesta Fiesta part of the weekend, but he was willing to spend a weekend with me and to attend a Beth Moore event.
As this weekend approached, I found myself crying over everything! I realized that, even as an adult, disappointment HURTS. Consequences are not fun. In the midst, of my pouting, God was quick to remind me of all I did not lose. He reminded that by letting go I am able to keep hold of the things that are most precious in life.
The hubby still took his leave from work and was off this week and will be off for the next two weeks. Today we had made plans to go and see his Aunt and Uncle who live just an hour from us. When I woke this morning though, I just felt like I needed a day alone. I told hubby the one thing I knew would work….
Honey, I have cramps.
Why don’t the kids and you just go.
I packed all their swimming supplies and the diaper bag. They were off.
Silence.
I then did what any other person would have done. I considered reading a book and taking a nap. I considered reading random blogs. I flipped through channels on the TV. I finally settled on playing the Wii.
Super Mario Party to be exact. I won.
I showered and dressed and did the one thing, I had no intentions of doing today. I cleaned house.
As I was cleaning, I found myself needing to talk out loud to God. I realized that as I was cleaning - it was incredibly symbolic of my life currently. Reminded me of all I learned from the Kelly Minter, No Other Gods bible study. My “house” has been in need of some cleaning. Deep cleaning. A spring cleaning, so to speak. The kind of cleaning where you go room to room and throw out all the unnecessary extra’s. You scrub the floors, wipe down the baseboards, scrape the crayon markings off the walls. You even clean out the microwave. It isn’t the type of cleaning that is done in a day though. It takes time. It takes endurance. There are days where you just find it hard, you want to stop, place items in neat piles - call it good and go on. It is worth the fight though. The promises of Christ are worth the fight. He helps us to clean house. As we empty out all that keeps us from Christ- he fills the empty spaces.
Today I spent the day alone. I was anything but lonely though. I even managed to feel a bit bonded to my fellow Siestas tonight as I ate my Lean Cuisine Mexican dish for dinner.
The family just walked in the door. I can’t wait to share my clean house with them!
*edited to add* The little man has been home less than five minutes and all toys have been pulled back out! YES!!!
Love, Cara
As this weekend approached, I found myself crying over everything! I realized that, even as an adult, disappointment HURTS. Consequences are not fun. In the midst, of my pouting, God was quick to remind me of all I did not lose. He reminded that by letting go I am able to keep hold of the things that are most precious in life.
The hubby still took his leave from work and was off this week and will be off for the next two weeks. Today we had made plans to go and see his Aunt and Uncle who live just an hour from us. When I woke this morning though, I just felt like I needed a day alone. I told hubby the one thing I knew would work….
Honey, I have cramps.
Why don’t the kids and you just go.
I packed all their swimming supplies and the diaper bag. They were off.
Silence.
I then did what any other person would have done. I considered reading a book and taking a nap. I considered reading random blogs. I flipped through channels on the TV. I finally settled on playing the Wii.
Super Mario Party to be exact. I won.
I showered and dressed and did the one thing, I had no intentions of doing today. I cleaned house.
As I was cleaning, I found myself needing to talk out loud to God. I realized that as I was cleaning - it was incredibly symbolic of my life currently. Reminded me of all I learned from the Kelly Minter, No Other Gods bible study. My “house” has been in need of some cleaning. Deep cleaning. A spring cleaning, so to speak. The kind of cleaning where you go room to room and throw out all the unnecessary extra’s. You scrub the floors, wipe down the baseboards, scrape the crayon markings off the walls. You even clean out the microwave. It isn’t the type of cleaning that is done in a day though. It takes time. It takes endurance. There are days where you just find it hard, you want to stop, place items in neat piles - call it good and go on. It is worth the fight though. The promises of Christ are worth the fight. He helps us to clean house. As we empty out all that keeps us from Christ- he fills the empty spaces.
Today I spent the day alone. I was anything but lonely though. I even managed to feel a bit bonded to my fellow Siestas tonight as I ate my Lean Cuisine Mexican dish for dinner.
The family just walked in the door. I can’t wait to share my clean house with them!
*edited to add* The little man has been home less than five minutes and all toys have been pulled back out! YES!!!
Love, Cara
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Saturated Saturday
It is raining....
It has been raining for what seems like FOREVER. Our yard is a big mud pit. Our pool is not swimmable from all the rain water.
I never understood the idea of constant rain making people sad. I so get it now. The constant rain is just depressing. There is so much rain, it just has no where to go. The ground is too wet to soak anymore up. There was flooding a few weeks ago.
Just when you think the rain situation can't get worse.....enter Tropical Storm Fay.
Yep, so far they keep showing it heading right up the west coast of Florida, with the eye sitting on top of us Tuesday night.
I have lived in Florida off and on all my life and have grown very accustomed to hurricanes, I still do not like them.
There are two that stand out in my mind. One is Hurricane Opal, that did devastating damage to the Florida panhandle. More than ten years later, it still is not the same. It just never will be. The other storm, actually bordered between tropical storm and category one hurricane. The problem was it moved so S. L. O. W. that it stopped once it got on land. Flooding was just awful. For that storm my parents house became "bunker central". After about day 5, I couldn't take it anymore. A person can only play so many card games with the fam. SERIOUSLY! I went home to my water damaged apartment and turned on fans to start drying out the carpets. My bedroom was spared and that was good enough for me.
If Fay sees fit to head this way, I hope she arrives very weak and, yet, fast moving.
Love, Cara
It has been raining for what seems like FOREVER. Our yard is a big mud pit. Our pool is not swimmable from all the rain water.
I never understood the idea of constant rain making people sad. I so get it now. The constant rain is just depressing. There is so much rain, it just has no where to go. The ground is too wet to soak anymore up. There was flooding a few weeks ago.
Just when you think the rain situation can't get worse.....enter Tropical Storm Fay.
Yep, so far they keep showing it heading right up the west coast of Florida, with the eye sitting on top of us Tuesday night.
I have lived in Florida off and on all my life and have grown very accustomed to hurricanes, I still do not like them.
There are two that stand out in my mind. One is Hurricane Opal, that did devastating damage to the Florida panhandle. More than ten years later, it still is not the same. It just never will be. The other storm, actually bordered between tropical storm and category one hurricane. The problem was it moved so S. L. O. W. that it stopped once it got on land. Flooding was just awful. For that storm my parents house became "bunker central". After about day 5, I couldn't take it anymore. A person can only play so many card games with the fam. SERIOUSLY! I went home to my water damaged apartment and turned on fans to start drying out the carpets. My bedroom was spared and that was good enough for me.
If Fay sees fit to head this way, I hope she arrives very weak and, yet, fast moving.
Love, Cara
Friday, August 8, 2008
Time to go home...
We are packed up and ready to head back home. I have really enjoyed this week though with friends and family.
I was debating staying a few extra days so that I could see my Mom and stretch out vacation just a little longer.
The debate was over though after me, MissThing and Papa Jay had a talk tonight about going home in the morning.
The talk went like this....
Me: We need to get in the bed so we can get up in the morning and head home.
MissThing: I don't want to go home tomorrow. I want to stay with Nanna and Pappa Jay.
Papa Jay: Your daddy sure is missing you and really wants to see you.
MissThing: We have a webcam.
We are headed home in the morning. It is time for vacation without Daddy to be over.
Love,
Cara
I was debating staying a few extra days so that I could see my Mom and stretch out vacation just a little longer.
The debate was over though after me, MissThing and Papa Jay had a talk tonight about going home in the morning.
The talk went like this....
Me: We need to get in the bed so we can get up in the morning and head home.
MissThing: I don't want to go home tomorrow. I want to stay with Nanna and Pappa Jay.
Papa Jay: Your daddy sure is missing you and really wants to see you.
MissThing: We have a webcam.
We are headed home in the morning. It is time for vacation without Daddy to be over.
Love,
Cara
Monday, August 4, 2008
Cheeeeese!
I can not believe it is already August.
This summer went entirely too fast. It is crazy to think another school year is upon us. I am starting to prepare. Gathering curriculum and planning our weekly schedule.
We are going to be doing two co-op's this year. I am excited to have this opportunity! Miss Thang is also looking forward to being back in a type of classroom setting.
In an effort to enjoy the last days of summer though, the kids and I packed a bag and headed to my parents for a week. We were just here right after the 4th of July, but it was a really short trip and we didn't have time for the annual portrait session at Sears.
I am not really sure when it became a tradition.
When Miss Thang was born she was the first grandchild. We have LOTS of photo's. I am pretty sure every family member has her life documented moment by moment and every moment is framed!
Seven and a half years later, there are four kids. Miss Thang (7 1/2), my two neices (6 1/2 and 5 1/2) and Little man (almost 2).
Oh they were such joy today! That studio obviously had no clue what had descended upon them when instead of giving us a seasoned photographer - we had the lady in training.
It was NOT good.
We knew it was going downhill when she started off by asking us what poses we wanted. Ummm I am not a photographer and have no clue how to pose four kids. So she started flipping through a training manual for ideas!
About 20 minutes into it, the kids were doing great! There was enough cheeeeeese in that room to start a dairy club. When suddenly she left us! She went to go finish with the customers that she had been working with before she started our photos.
OH. MY. WORD. We were left for about 25 minutes to entertain 4 kids and keep them happy and clean and pretty.
We did what any parent would do. They had a pose off. I do not remember the last time I laughed so hard. Little Man held his own! He can pose with the best of him and he can WORK those hips and pout those lips.
When our photographer finally came back the kids were done. Well, the girls weren't. They were ready to put on their butterfly wings and boa's and take the fun picture we always let them take as the last photo. Little Man however WAS done! He would lay down if we tried to get him to stand. He would stand up and scream when we tried to get him to lay down.
Somehow we did manage to put some pictures together and I think all grandparents will be happy.
After all that hard work Mom and I decided to shop! I think we woke up and took a stupid pill this morning because ,I mean seriously, who in their right mind would have shopped the mall with the same four kids who just spent nearly two hours in the portrait studio of Sears. We were obviously not in our right minds. Maybe shopping is a left brain activity?
Love,
Cara
This summer went entirely too fast. It is crazy to think another school year is upon us. I am starting to prepare. Gathering curriculum and planning our weekly schedule.
We are going to be doing two co-op's this year. I am excited to have this opportunity! Miss Thang is also looking forward to being back in a type of classroom setting.
In an effort to enjoy the last days of summer though, the kids and I packed a bag and headed to my parents for a week. We were just here right after the 4th of July, but it was a really short trip and we didn't have time for the annual portrait session at Sears.
I am not really sure when it became a tradition.
When Miss Thang was born she was the first grandchild. We have LOTS of photo's. I am pretty sure every family member has her life documented moment by moment and every moment is framed!
Seven and a half years later, there are four kids. Miss Thang (7 1/2), my two neices (6 1/2 and 5 1/2) and Little man (almost 2).
Oh they were such joy today! That studio obviously had no clue what had descended upon them when instead of giving us a seasoned photographer - we had the lady in training.
It was NOT good.
We knew it was going downhill when she started off by asking us what poses we wanted. Ummm I am not a photographer and have no clue how to pose four kids. So she started flipping through a training manual for ideas!
About 20 minutes into it, the kids were doing great! There was enough cheeeeeese in that room to start a dairy club. When suddenly she left us! She went to go finish with the customers that she had been working with before she started our photos.
OH. MY. WORD. We were left for about 25 minutes to entertain 4 kids and keep them happy and clean and pretty.
We did what any parent would do. They had a pose off. I do not remember the last time I laughed so hard. Little Man held his own! He can pose with the best of him and he can WORK those hips and pout those lips.
When our photographer finally came back the kids were done. Well, the girls weren't. They were ready to put on their butterfly wings and boa's and take the fun picture we always let them take as the last photo. Little Man however WAS done! He would lay down if we tried to get him to stand. He would stand up and scream when we tried to get him to lay down.
Somehow we did manage to put some pictures together and I think all grandparents will be happy.
After all that hard work Mom and I decided to shop! I think we woke up and took a stupid pill this morning because ,I mean seriously, who in their right mind would have shopped the mall with the same four kids who just spent nearly two hours in the portrait studio of Sears. We were obviously not in our right minds. Maybe shopping is a left brain activity?
Love,
Cara
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
It's been a while
Since the hubby came home it has been one crazy rollercoaster ride. I have had what seems like a million different things to blog about but just couldn't bring myself to blog about light funny things when nothing going on in my life has been light or funny.
The Lord has his hands all in this though and things are being worked through and worked out.
I think God is just the coolest and how he reveals himself to me just blows my mind constantly!
Monday morning the door bell rang and it was a lady who had stopped by about a year ago. We have all had these knocks on our doors!! I don't remember anything specific about when she came by before but when she came by Monday morning, the scripture she shared made me just LAUGH.OUT.LOUD. not because it was funny but because it was an answer to all that I had poured out to God the night before.
God reveals himself in so many ways. Yes he literally knocks on our doors!
Psalm 55: 22 Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.
The Lord has his hands all in this though and things are being worked through and worked out.
I think God is just the coolest and how he reveals himself to me just blows my mind constantly!
Monday morning the door bell rang and it was a lady who had stopped by about a year ago. We have all had these knocks on our doors!! I don't remember anything specific about when she came by before but when she came by Monday morning, the scripture she shared made me just LAUGH.OUT.LOUD. not because it was funny but because it was an answer to all that I had poured out to God the night before.
God reveals himself in so many ways. Yes he literally knocks on our doors!
Psalm 55: 22 Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Photo Op
This is the poster MissThang designed for her Daddy!
These following pictures are of the Little Man that I found on my camera when I took the poster pictures off of it. He had been sad and crying but when he finished there was one tear that just rested on to his lashes and would not fall.
Just now as I posted these pictures I had a thought. Aren't we sometimes all like this tear. The crying is over. The moment has passed. Perhaps apologies have been made. We say we have moved on but really we hold onto one tiny part of it. One tiny tear.
Love,
Cara
Sunday, June 1, 2008
No maid? Really? Darn!
He. His. Coming. Home.
I am beside myself with excitement. I have SO MUCH TO DO! Not much time to do it all.
1. Find lawn service - DONE!
2. Find maid service - None in area - BOOHOO!
3. LAUNDRY- may finish sometime after the next deployment.
4. Buy Food - will do tomorrow.
Lord, give me strength to stay busy and occupy my mind over the next days. Please be with my husband and those traveling with him, that they each make it home to their family and friends safely. Lord be with those that replaced them. Be with their families as you have been with us during our time apart. Thank you Lord for your faithfulness.
Love,
Cara
I am beside myself with excitement. I have SO MUCH TO DO! Not much time to do it all.
1. Find lawn service - DONE!
2. Find maid service - None in area - BOOHOO!
3. LAUNDRY- may finish sometime after the next deployment.
4. Buy Food - will do tomorrow.
Lord, give me strength to stay busy and occupy my mind over the next days. Please be with my husband and those traveling with him, that they each make it home to their family and friends safely. Lord be with those that replaced them. Be with their families as you have been with us during our time apart. Thank you Lord for your faithfulness.
Love,
Cara
Friday, May 30, 2008
What if this... What if that...
The past few days I have had a lot on my mind. I have debated whether to blog about the thoughts or just keep them to myself. I realized though, when I put my thoughts somewhere out of my mind I generally stop obsessing over them. I suppose it does help also that I really don't know who, if anyone, is even reading these posts.
There is a false sense of security in that thought.
The other reason I decided to go ahead and put these thoughts out there is because if you were to call me or talk to me in person for more than five minutes I would probably unload it all onto you anyways. You would probably start backing away and be gone before I realized it but I just need to TALK about it.
The hubby will be home soon. I am excited. I am elated. I am anxious. I am nervous. I am worried. I also have a MAJOR to do list. 1. Call lawn service. 2. Call Merry Maids. 3. Buy Food.
Before he left, our marriage was rocky at best. During this time apart though, God has done many works on us individually and on us as a couple. So why worry? Why can't I just trust and be excited.
I do not doubt all God has done within us. I do not doubt that he will continue to work out issues within us personally and as a couple.
My fears come from whether we will take what God has done and go forth with it. Or will we stay so stuck on the past that we will forget that "our future is before us and not behind us." (Thank you Beth for sharing that with me/us in Jacksonville!!)
These past months have been huge, life changing months. I am in awe of the answered prayers and the revelations God has shown me. I feel like now I am being called to act on them and well, what if I can't. I realize *I* can't. What I think I mean is what if I don't. Then I think what I mean is, what if the hubby doesn't. I find it ironic that my biggest fear is worrying about him when that is the one thing that I think I have learned more than any other. I can't fix him or make him do anything. I can only, through Christ, fix me and then trust that He is working it out with the hubby.
I feel like we are coming back together as new and changed people, but I suppose my worry really lies in what if we don't see that in each other.
I hate the "what if's" game. It robs me of the joy I should be experiencing.
Love,
Cara
There is a false sense of security in that thought.
The other reason I decided to go ahead and put these thoughts out there is because if you were to call me or talk to me in person for more than five minutes I would probably unload it all onto you anyways. You would probably start backing away and be gone before I realized it but I just need to TALK about it.
The hubby will be home soon. I am excited. I am elated. I am anxious. I am nervous. I am worried. I also have a MAJOR to do list. 1. Call lawn service. 2. Call Merry Maids. 3. Buy Food.
Before he left, our marriage was rocky at best. During this time apart though, God has done many works on us individually and on us as a couple. So why worry? Why can't I just trust and be excited.
I do not doubt all God has done within us. I do not doubt that he will continue to work out issues within us personally and as a couple.
My fears come from whether we will take what God has done and go forth with it. Or will we stay so stuck on the past that we will forget that "our future is before us and not behind us." (Thank you Beth for sharing that with me/us in Jacksonville!!)
These past months have been huge, life changing months. I am in awe of the answered prayers and the revelations God has shown me. I feel like now I am being called to act on them and well, what if I can't. I realize *I* can't. What I think I mean is what if I don't. Then I think what I mean is, what if the hubby doesn't. I find it ironic that my biggest fear is worrying about him when that is the one thing that I think I have learned more than any other. I can't fix him or make him do anything. I can only, through Christ, fix me and then trust that He is working it out with the hubby.
I feel like we are coming back together as new and changed people, but I suppose my worry really lies in what if we don't see that in each other.
I hate the "what if's" game. It robs me of the joy I should be experiencing.
Love,
Cara
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Life Lessons
We are trying to bring our school year to an end and today was just a battle. Work that should have taken minutes took hours. It was as if on this morning everything MissThang has ever learned just fell out of her head and we had to start at the beginning.
Because I put MissThang and Little Man to bed at the same time, she often gets to watch a movie since she is older. Tonight that was NOT going to happen and she knew it.
Yesterday I had picked up a small chocolate cake but she also lost the chance for a special dessert tonight.
After dinner tonight, I sent her to my room for her shower and just hoped that she was done testing her boundaries. While she showered, I changed Little Man, gave him his milk and we read a book before carrying him up to bed. Once I got him tucked in, I walked into my room to make sure she was done with her shower. What I saw instead was that she was in fact DONE testing her boundaries, for the day.
She had made my bed.
She cleared off all the books and papers that have become my sleeping companions. She lined the pillows up just so.
She came in and told me the sweetest words... "Mom, I know my actions today made me not deserve a movie or a special treat, but for putting up with my actions today you deserve to have your bed made."
In that moment I had a decision to make. Do I take her down and chat with her over cake and milk or do I tell her Thank you and that I am sorry she made poor choices today. I thought about all the laundry currently needing folding and put away. I thought about all the toys needing to be picked up. I wondered if she would feel led to do those things if she knew they would get her consequences changed.
She went to bed with no cake and no movie but after some time talking to me she sleeps knowing tomorrow is another day.
Love,
Cara
Because I put MissThang and Little Man to bed at the same time, she often gets to watch a movie since she is older. Tonight that was NOT going to happen and she knew it.
Yesterday I had picked up a small chocolate cake but she also lost the chance for a special dessert tonight.
After dinner tonight, I sent her to my room for her shower and just hoped that she was done testing her boundaries. While she showered, I changed Little Man, gave him his milk and we read a book before carrying him up to bed. Once I got him tucked in, I walked into my room to make sure she was done with her shower. What I saw instead was that she was in fact DONE testing her boundaries, for the day.
She had made my bed.
She cleared off all the books and papers that have become my sleeping companions. She lined the pillows up just so.
She came in and told me the sweetest words... "Mom, I know my actions today made me not deserve a movie or a special treat, but for putting up with my actions today you deserve to have your bed made."
In that moment I had a decision to make. Do I take her down and chat with her over cake and milk or do I tell her Thank you and that I am sorry she made poor choices today. I thought about all the laundry currently needing folding and put away. I thought about all the toys needing to be picked up. I wondered if she would feel led to do those things if she knew they would get her consequences changed.
She went to bed with no cake and no movie but after some time talking to me she sleeps knowing tomorrow is another day.
Love,
Cara
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
And the winner is .....
It has been a long, rather uneventful season of American Idol....until tonight! The Finale was fantastic. I actually really liked George Micheal at the end.
The highlight of course was who won!
David Archelletta was expected to win, everyone knew he would win. Everyone was WRONG. For once the people of America got it right and David Cook is the newest American Idol. Both of the finalists deserved to be there and they both deserved to win, but David Archelletta could only sing the slow songs....sometimes we want to get up and dance and he couldn't deliver that.
Love,
Cara
The highlight of course was who won!
David Archelletta was expected to win, everyone knew he would win. Everyone was WRONG. For once the people of America got it right and David Cook is the newest American Idol. Both of the finalists deserved to be there and they both deserved to win, but David Archelletta could only sing the slow songs....sometimes we want to get up and dance and he couldn't deliver that.
Love,
Cara
It's a small world and God is GOOD!!!!
Two totally cool things happened today.
While MissThang was at gymnastics I sat and talked with a friend. We discussed the upcoming Homeschooling convetion and we also discussed my trip home. There was a new kid in the class and that meant a new Mommy to talk to! She over heard my conversation about my trip home and shared that her family just moved here from my hometown. After talking to her for a while, it turns out that our husbands worked together at the base they just came from. That just made my day. I love and appreciate all branches of military without question but there is some comfort in meeting a fellow Air Force wife.
It is moments like that when I am reminded how small this huge world is. I look forward to getting to know this fellow Air Force wife.
Today I also received a phone call from my sister-in-law. After discussing details of our July 4th weekend. We got the opportunity to chat. For me the highlight of the conversation was when we talked laundry. It absolutely made my day to know that another family out there often dresses in the living room because that is where the laundry baskets of clean clothes waiting to be folded are. Laundry for me is something I could wash and dry all day but the folding UGH!
The final, but by far the most wonderful and important, thing today that made me Praise GOD with a HUGE WOOHOO was that the hubby e-mailed me and said that he is completely better. He has been dealing with kidney stones for nearly a month and yesterday all the pain was suddenly and instantly GONE. There was no passing of the stones just all symptoms were gone. No pain left- nothing! Instant relief.
Thank you Lord for hearing our prayers. Thank you Lord for answering them as only you can with complete and total healing.
Love,
Cara
While MissThang was at gymnastics I sat and talked with a friend. We discussed the upcoming Homeschooling convetion and we also discussed my trip home. There was a new kid in the class and that meant a new Mommy to talk to! She over heard my conversation about my trip home and shared that her family just moved here from my hometown. After talking to her for a while, it turns out that our husbands worked together at the base they just came from. That just made my day. I love and appreciate all branches of military without question but there is some comfort in meeting a fellow Air Force wife.
It is moments like that when I am reminded how small this huge world is. I look forward to getting to know this fellow Air Force wife.
Today I also received a phone call from my sister-in-law. After discussing details of our July 4th weekend. We got the opportunity to chat. For me the highlight of the conversation was when we talked laundry. It absolutely made my day to know that another family out there often dresses in the living room because that is where the laundry baskets of clean clothes waiting to be folded are. Laundry for me is something I could wash and dry all day but the folding UGH!
The final, but by far the most wonderful and important, thing today that made me Praise GOD with a HUGE WOOHOO was that the hubby e-mailed me and said that he is completely better. He has been dealing with kidney stones for nearly a month and yesterday all the pain was suddenly and instantly GONE. There was no passing of the stones just all symptoms were gone. No pain left- nothing! Instant relief.
Thank you Lord for hearing our prayers. Thank you Lord for answering them as only you can with complete and total healing.
Love,
Cara
Monday, May 19, 2008
I had planned on posting about my trip and about being home but after making "dinner" tonight I felt compelled to write instead about an alternative list of food groups. This list does not apply all of the time. I find that it applies best when husbands are out of town.
Cereal- It is not just a breakfast food. It also does not neccessarily include milk. In fact when serving it to a child I find they often it prefer it plain, no milk please. Cut up a banana to healthy it up!
Spaghettios - I mean really is there any better way to bring back childhood memories.
Goldfish- They just are their own food group. I love those little fish that smile back at me.
Breakfast- but only when served for dinner. Maybe it is only my husband but he refuses to consider pancakes or eggs or french toast a dinner option.
Leftovers- that one meal a week you do manage to make can LAST!!! (see chicken below).
Salad- for when the guilt sets in.
Take Out- for those times in between grocery shopping trips. I find trips are a little further apart from each other when you realize that there really is something to be made with cream of "whatever" , hamburger meat (pay no attention to the freezer burn, just consider it extra protein), and tater tots.
Chicken- This might not sound like the perfect the husband is away food. But really you can do a MILLION things with it and a bottle of marinnade. Okay maybe you can do one quick thing with a million different marinades. Pour the marinade on and bake for 30 minutes. Goes well with Uncle Ben's 90 second rice.
Love,
Cara
Cereal- It is not just a breakfast food. It also does not neccessarily include milk. In fact when serving it to a child I find they often it prefer it plain, no milk please. Cut up a banana to healthy it up!
Spaghettios - I mean really is there any better way to bring back childhood memories.
Goldfish- They just are their own food group. I love those little fish that smile back at me.
Breakfast- but only when served for dinner. Maybe it is only my husband but he refuses to consider pancakes or eggs or french toast a dinner option.
Leftovers- that one meal a week you do manage to make can LAST!!! (see chicken below).
Salad- for when the guilt sets in.
Take Out- for those times in between grocery shopping trips. I find trips are a little further apart from each other when you realize that there really is something to be made with cream of "whatever" , hamburger meat (pay no attention to the freezer burn, just consider it extra protein), and tater tots.
Chicken- This might not sound like the perfect the husband is away food. But really you can do a MILLION things with it and a bottle of marinnade. Okay maybe you can do one quick thing with a million different marinades. Pour the marinade on and bake for 30 minutes. Goes well with Uncle Ben's 90 second rice.
Love,
Cara
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Eat, Elmo, Eat !!!!
The little man in his Banana float!!!
She is practically toothless!!!
We have had the BEST time with family! Lots of playing, visiting, and swimming.
Today some good friends of ours came over for a cookout by the pool and we got to see their newest little baby. I got to hold and cuddle her- I would love to have one more of my own to cuddle but we will see. The little man was soooo stinkin' funny when I was holding her. He did not get jealous or anything. He thought the baby was the coolest thing and was sooo gentle with her right up until he squeezed her foot, then he squeezed her hand. I realized in that moment we really need to re-think electronic toys because he was trying to make her "do something" by squeezing her hand and her foot. I think he thought she was going talk or giggle at him like Elmo!!!
Also, the little man has added another word to his vocabulary. Seeing how his list of words is summed up in Momma, Dadda, Milk, and Hey... this new word is possibly the most important word ever and I think it will serve him well in life..... EAT. The boy can say EAT!!!!
Can't forget about Miss Thang.... her tooth FINALLY fell out. She is currently missing three teeth. As I am watching them come in though I cringe at the orthodontist bills I see in my future. They are anything but straight. She is so fearless (except when it comes to eating weird southern green food) and I LOVE that about her. She is swimming like crazy and has no fear of the water.
We still have the week ahead of us and I am already not looking forward to it ending.
She is practically toothless!!!
We have had the BEST time with family! Lots of playing, visiting, and swimming.
Today some good friends of ours came over for a cookout by the pool and we got to see their newest little baby. I got to hold and cuddle her- I would love to have one more of my own to cuddle but we will see. The little man was soooo stinkin' funny when I was holding her. He did not get jealous or anything. He thought the baby was the coolest thing and was sooo gentle with her right up until he squeezed her foot, then he squeezed her hand. I realized in that moment we really need to re-think electronic toys because he was trying to make her "do something" by squeezing her hand and her foot. I think he thought she was going talk or giggle at him like Elmo!!!
Also, the little man has added another word to his vocabulary. Seeing how his list of words is summed up in Momma, Dadda, Milk, and Hey... this new word is possibly the most important word ever and I think it will serve him well in life..... EAT. The boy can say EAT!!!!
Can't forget about Miss Thang.... her tooth FINALLY fell out. She is currently missing three teeth. As I am watching them come in though I cringe at the orthodontist bills I see in my future. They are anything but straight. She is so fearless (except when it comes to eating weird southern green food) and I LOVE that about her. She is swimming like crazy and has no fear of the water.
We still have the week ahead of us and I am already not looking forward to it ending.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Grease is the word...
So we made it to Mom's house. Only left our house a few hours late. Took lots of pics that I will post later. What trip in the south is complete without a meal at Cracker Barrell- and shopping at Cracker Barrell? Cracker barrell is NOT a restraunt- it is an experience. We first sat on the rocking chairs and took pictures. The kids played a quick game of giant checkers (for the camera). We entered the doors.... it is a sea of the most wonderfully, beautiful stuff you must have but never knew you needed. After a quick look to see what areas to shop after eating we approached the hostess and were shown our seats.
Then there she was! I could not stop looking. It was Sandy from Grease!!!! Not the sweet Sandy. The bad girl at the end. With the tight sexy black top and the tight sexy black pants and the heels and THE HAIR. I have never seen anything like it. I just kept waiting for the perfect photo moment of the kids so I could get her in the background to show people- but seeing how I don't think the people sitting next to us liked the little man chucking chicken and dumplings on their table, I figured it probably wasn't the best idea not to bust out flash photography. So ya'll will just have to trust me on this... It was so her------------ at 75!!!!!!!! Seriously, there needs to be fashion laws we sign as we hit each age group. Things we agree to no longer wear. There just does.
I love me some Cracker Barrell. Emily tried her first bite of turnip greens and pepper sauce. She also took her last bite of turnip greens and pepper sauce. I think more and more she is just not southern and I really don't know where I went wrong.
Then there she was! I could not stop looking. It was Sandy from Grease!!!! Not the sweet Sandy. The bad girl at the end. With the tight sexy black top and the tight sexy black pants and the heels and THE HAIR. I have never seen anything like it. I just kept waiting for the perfect photo moment of the kids so I could get her in the background to show people- but seeing how I don't think the people sitting next to us liked the little man chucking chicken and dumplings on their table, I figured it probably wasn't the best idea not to bust out flash photography. So ya'll will just have to trust me on this... It was so her------------ at 75!!!!!!!! Seriously, there needs to be fashion laws we sign as we hit each age group. Things we agree to no longer wear. There just does.
I love me some Cracker Barrell. Emily tried her first bite of turnip greens and pepper sauce. She also took her last bite of turnip greens and pepper sauce. I think more and more she is just not southern and I really don't know where I went wrong.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Homecomings part 1
The bags are packed (mostly), the house is clean (mostly), the kids are sleeping (except for the one still up and crying). Apparently when about to lose a tooth- the room must be fully lit so that the tooth can see?!?!
The kids and I are going home for a couple weeks. When in the military you often do not get the chance to be stationed near family. I can not praise HIM enough that we are back near family. The hubby will be gone a lot while we are stationed here so having support from friends and family is EVERYTHING. This deployment has been very different. It hit me harder than any deployment ever has. What I realized and learned though is that God is using it to HIS GLORY. He is using this time to heal a broken relationship. To mend hearts. To remind me and to show me that he hears us and answers us. That he is still a PRESENT GOD, an ACTIVE GOD, and HE IS WORKING IT OUT!
Isaiah 65:23-24, "They will not toil in vain or bear children doomed to misfortune; for they will be a people blessed by the LORD, they and their descendants with them. Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear." Yes, He hears and answers BEFORE you finish your prayer to Him.
Going home is comfort. It is family and old friends. People who know you good and bad. Sometimes I wish they didn't know so much.
The emotional process of a deployment is strange. When a deployment is a regular rotation you know months ahead of time when it will happen. Suddenly you live your life in moments leading up to "THE DAY". For this deployment the last big "thing" was Christmas. I would not agree to take down any decorations once Christmas was over. I felt like it would make his leaving come sooner or something. We started to lovingly call the Christmas tree our Easter Tree. I finally relented and it all came down (before it actually BECAME the Easter Tree). Once the day comes though and they leave it is almost relief because then you can live your life in moments leading up to their return- their homecoming.
The kids and I going home tomorrow is the last big thing before his homecoming.
The kids and I are going home for a couple weeks. When in the military you often do not get the chance to be stationed near family. I can not praise HIM enough that we are back near family. The hubby will be gone a lot while we are stationed here so having support from friends and family is EVERYTHING. This deployment has been very different. It hit me harder than any deployment ever has. What I realized and learned though is that God is using it to HIS GLORY. He is using this time to heal a broken relationship. To mend hearts. To remind me and to show me that he hears us and answers us. That he is still a PRESENT GOD, an ACTIVE GOD, and HE IS WORKING IT OUT!
Isaiah 65:23-24, "They will not toil in vain or bear children doomed to misfortune; for they will be a people blessed by the LORD, they and their descendants with them. Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear." Yes, He hears and answers BEFORE you finish your prayer to Him.
Going home is comfort. It is family and old friends. People who know you good and bad. Sometimes I wish they didn't know so much.
The emotional process of a deployment is strange. When a deployment is a regular rotation you know months ahead of time when it will happen. Suddenly you live your life in moments leading up to "THE DAY". For this deployment the last big "thing" was Christmas. I would not agree to take down any decorations once Christmas was over. I felt like it would make his leaving come sooner or something. We started to lovingly call the Christmas tree our Easter Tree. I finally relented and it all came down (before it actually BECAME the Easter Tree). Once the day comes though and they leave it is almost relief because then you can live your life in moments leading up to their return- their homecoming.
The kids and I going home tomorrow is the last big thing before his homecoming.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Firsts
So I finally figured out how to set this blog thing up and all that is left is that I should write my first post. It seems like it needs to be something profound but honestly not sure I have anything profound to say.
I want this blog to be a way to record my thoughts, my daily life happenings, and all the things about my kids I always say I will write down but have yet to actually write them down.
Since this blog is a first why not make a list of some firsts....
Today ~
I want this blog to be a way to record my thoughts, my daily life happenings, and all the things about my kids I always say I will write down but have yet to actually write them down.
Since this blog is a first why not make a list of some firsts....
Today ~
- I took Emily on a ride all over town in search of her first Starbucks "coffee". This might not seem important BUT if she grows up and owns her own coffee shop one day I bet it has a drive-thru and it will be because of the tears she cried on this day!
- My little man fell off the couch! Being the boy he is though he got right back up on the couch and started jumping again!- apparently Mommy hugs really do make things all better. He is going to be the reason I get gray hair! Which reminds me, I need to make a hair appointment.
This week ~
- Acquired 3 hermit crabs as our family pets! Emily named them Peter, Paul,and Mary.
- Buried a hermit crab. Peter went on to be with the Lord. I am wondering how it all worked out though because Paul ate one of his claws...hope he is crawling around all right up there! So now we have Mary and "Paul the cannibal hermit crab."
This Month ~
- My little guy had a back and forth conversation with me! He is almost 2 but has speech difficulties and I just LONG to hear his sweet little voice. I long for him to converse with me. A couple weeks ago though I realized he was finally calling ME MOMMA! Not just random babble but walking up slapping my leg and saying MOMMA. Then I asked him if he wanted his cup of milk and rather than just nodding he looked at me and said YEAH! Grabbed the cup and then growled like a monster LOL! I'll take that! I was so filled with joy!
So there you have it "The Inaugural Post".
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