Tales From the Shoe

Adios Canada

2010-06-19T19:33:00.001-07:00

Tonight is our last night here in Halifax. Tomorrow after church we will head to Bangor, Maine. It has been a great trip and we are all really glad we came. The kids have been absolutely incredible. Tomorrow we will have been gone exactly 4 weeks, and will take the next week and a half to get back to Texas. We have lots of pictures to share and will get those up as soon as we get home. We spent a week in Prince Edward Island--where Anne of Green Gables is set at--absolutely beautiful. We then headed to Cape Breton--it too was amazing--you will see when I get the pics up :)
Justin and I have been compiling a list of our top ten likes and dislikes of Canada--the complete list will be my next post, for now here are some words they "mispronounce" here in Canada:

Mazda--with a short /a/ on the first syllable
garage--with a short /a/ on the second syllable
Home Depot--said with the "pot" not the "po"
produce--short /o/
process--long /o/
coke zero--short /e/ in zero
presbytery--presbytry

Random other things:
There is no such thing as Canadian Bacon--they all laughed their heads off when we explain what it is.

They do not put parm. cheese or peppers on their pizza--again the guy thought I was crazy.

Poutine: Canadian "delicacy": french fries smothered with brown gravy and topped with cheese curds--sounds gross, but is Y.U.M.M.Y.!

Donair: Some kind of beef rotated on a pipe and carved off in thick slices (think thick Arby's meat) served on a pita with tomatoes and onions and donair sauce--a sweet creamy sauce--again, Y.U.M.M.Y.!

There are crosswalks in the middle of the streets--not at stoplights, so you really have to pay attention!

Bears are in the neighborhood.

Nobody ever seems to be in a big hurry.

Canadian cartoons are TERRIBLE....I'm talking hand puppets....

Canadian news--I would be a GREAT anchor woman in Canada :)

The people in the church here have been AMAZING--we have been so blessed getting to serve with them and by them this past month. The kids have made great friends whom they will miss greatly. Jed LOVES hockey and is pretty good at it as well and Jadyn learned to ride a bike without training wheels.

Thanks Canada for a fantastic trip!!! It's been a great adventure! A much needed time for our family to be together after a crazy hectic 3 years of Seminary--good to have Daddy with us 24/7 for 5 straight weeks! (Although I think he's ready to go to work!)

The next week and a half we will get to visit great friends, and we are TOTALLY excited to hang out with all of them!

Montanas-73 Odyssey-1

2010-06-01T13:06:00.000-07:00

The vehicle of choice in Nova Scotia is......the Pontiac Montana!!! They are EVERYWHERE!!! Imagine our surprise! We could not GIVE away our Montana in Texas, here they are the coolest thing since sliced bread! Seriously people, from here to the store we see about 17. Guess how many Honda Odyssey's we've seen? ONE and it was super old... Maybe, we will fit in here.

But then again, maybe not! We like, I mean LOVE our network tv and cable, and I'm pretty sure I can't go more than 5 weeks without a chic-fil-a and a Target run. However, add me some Tim Horton's coffee and a Blueberry Fritter to my American life and all might be perfect! :)

The Edgar Family Adventure--Part 2 The Drive

2010-06-01T08:59:00.000-07:00

We left on Sunday after church after our wonderful Community Group sent us off with a goody bag each of cookies, candy, drinks, and prayer over our family. A sweet send off left us feeling very loved. The week was spent spending nights at several old friend's houses who have been scattered all over thorughout our years in ministry. Our first night was in Springfield, Missouri, at Ian and his wife, Harper's, house left us pretty spoiled! Only a fellow New Mexican can fix you real smothered red chile burritos. It was DELISH! Great conversation that night was followed by homemade pancakes the next morning and then we were to Louisville, Kentucky.

We spent the night with the Miersma Family--Nick and Jenn and their 3 kids, Elliot being only 4 weeks old. It was great to reconnect with them. I hadn't spent much time with them since Justin married them 5 years ago then they moved to Louisville where Nick is going to Seminary. After Nick's mom spoiled us rotten, packed us a picnic lunch and sent us on our way to Princeton, New Jersey.

Justin's graduation was in Philedelphia, PA which is only 20 minutes away from Princeton, which gave us the opportunity to spend some time with the Taylors--Tyson and Cammie. Tyson is at seminary at Princeton and we got to hang out with his sweet wife and their 2 awesome kids for 3 days. Jed and Kale had spent some time together last summer when he and Justin went to NY for a few weeks and they met up at a Yankee game and hung out for the day, so Jed was glad to have some guy time with Kale. Justin's graduation was on Thursday night (side note: Can I tell you how proud I was of him as he walked across the stage...thinking back on our decision to leave Lubbock for him to get his M. Div. all the while working 4 part time jobs, taking 14-19 hours a semester and being a fabulous Dad and husband--I don't know many people who could do all that!) and we then celebrated at a fancy steak restaurant. As Justin was parking the car, I went in and requested a table for 6, she asked if I had reservations, I said, "No, is that a problem? Can we still get in?" As I look around the empty restaurant. She responded very ugly, "I can but I have to put you at a booth"." I happily replied, "Great, we LOVE booths!" Tyson and Cammie had said the worst part about living in New Jersey is the people just aren't friendly--in other words--it's not Texas! And, YES, I must agree!

Friday we left in the morning to make our trek up to Nova Scotia. We wished we had started keeping count of how much money we had spent on toll roads and turnpikes--HOLY MOLY! I have a thing about toll roads, but have gotten use to the ease of it on George Bush in Dallas--I prefer it now...BUT we had to get on and get a ticket then when you get off you hand in your ticket and pay anywhere from $1-35. It was crazy, and we kept having to do it. Thankfully, I brought a ziplock of all my "change" for me some coffee along the way--well, no coffee was bought with it--only the privlege of driving on these wonderful Northeastern Roads.

We decided we would try to go ahead and cross the border on Friday night instead of waiting until Saturday morning since we didn't know how many people would be going in to Canada for Memorial Day Weekend. We stopped at a gas station in Maine to ask if that was wise, how long does it take to get over the "border" etc, and they thought we were crazy for driving all the way from Texas. Then they said how lucky we were because it was unseasonably warm right now--folks, it was 50 degrees--I was FREEZING! I laughed out loud, and said "Oh, this is not warm!" We get to the border and drive up to this window at midnight eastern standard time. A nice man with a thick accent asked us where we were headed and why we were going-we don't think he believed Justin when he said he was going to "preach"... Then he asked to see our DRIVERS LISCENSE....really? I asked, "Don't you want to see my passport? I got it especially for this trip?" "No, just your liscenses" Talk about being bummed! I know I need it to get back in to the US, but I won't even have gotten a stamp on it! He then counted the kids--two of which were asleep--and we were on our way. We made it to the first city and spent the night at a perfect replica of a motel you would find on any horror movie--luckily the kids were asleep so we threw them in a bed and crashed!

TO be continued.....

The Edgar Family Adventure Part 1--Planning and Preparation

2010-05-30T14:15:00.001-07:00

Last Sunday, we left Texas after church to begin our six week adventure to Philadelphia and Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. I had been preparing for this adventure for about a month. It is amazing the details that need to go in to taking a 5-6 week trip with 6 people!

Back in February, Justin came home one day and said, "Hey, what do you think about the family going to Nova Scotia for a month this summer?" I laughed and said, "Sure, why not". If you know Justin very well, you know that we (he) is ready and willing to go anywhere. He loves to travel. If it involves going out of town, he is your man....you also know that more than half the things we "plan" never come to fruition. So, he ended up emailing this pastor who had sent a message to Justin's seminary looking for someone to come fill the pulpit while he and his family go on a month long vacation. The "job" would include housing, a little bit of travel/food money, and the weeks free to travel the area. What a great opportunity for the family. We would never have dreamt of taking a family vacation to Canada. (side note, when J first mentioned Nova Scotia I really thought it was in Scotland...yeah, I know it's amazing I ever passed Geography!)

After the initial contact Justin made with Pastor Shearouse, he asked for some sample sermons, then we didn't hear from him. We pretty much forgot about it, figuring we weren't a good fit for their little congregation. Mid-March we get an email asking us to come. The timing all fit perfectly, as we had to be in Philly for Justin's graduation from Westminster Theological Seminary in May. So, the preparations began. Passports, pediatrician appointments, bills organized, money budgeted, who'd get the mail, who'd take Buster, how would we pack for 6 people-6 weeks, several different temperature changes all in our little van--details, details, details. I love them, Justin hates them.

The 2 weeks before we were to leave Justin had 7 papers and 4 finals to take. Needless to say, he was off the hook in the packing and preparing. Kathy let us borrow her HUGE suitcases which,trying to be organized, I had everybody packed and ready to go days in advance. Saturday night before we left, Justin decided to load the van--just to "see if everyone's suitcase would fit"....they didN'T. UGH, now I had to take everyone's suitcases back in and half everyone's clothes--this is when I got stressed. Seriously??? Everyone could only have 1/2 a suitcase of clothes? If we were in different circumstances I'd have had him march down to the Chevy dealership and get us a Suburban, but we aren't, and we couldn't. So, I had to make it work. Mind you we were going to be in hot, then cold and rainy, then hot weather again the next 6 weeks and to give everybody only half a suitcase was HARD! We managed. We might be wearing the same clothes over and over, but at least we won't be naked!

Texas Football

2009-10-30T21:42:00.000-07:00

It isn't any secret that Texas is serious about football, which makes this family fit right in here in Dallas. I know my next door neighbors can hear Justin yelling during a Cowboy game (Several years ago I gave up trying to tell him that they can't hear him through the tv--that didn't go over very well...and it's not "we" if it were "we'd" be a lot richer--don't tell these things to your husband, especially during a game); Jed will do any amount of homework to get to play Maddin '10, can tell you any statistic of any player who played this past weekend, and lives for his 4 hour intense practices plus a game each week; and Judson who doesn't go anywhere without a Cowboy jersey and his helmet. One would think that we were born and bred in Texas. Like I said, we fit right in.
Well, tonight as I as dropping Justin off for his last Varsity football game at Wylie Prep (he was the Jr. High coach and got to help coach the varsity team) we noticed a team having a bit of a pep rally. As we drove closer we see that it is the Colts from Jed's league. The Colts were undefeated last year, won the superbowl, and had been undefeated until the Steelers (Jed's team) dismantled them earlier this season. This DEVASTED the Colts. We later beat them again in overtime. Thus, bringing them their only 2 losses in 2 years.....needless to say, they don't care for the Steelers too much! Tomorrow, we (the Steelers) meet up with the Colts again for the third time this season. As we drove by the pavillion we see that the Colts have huge banners stating the how great they are and how they are going to win tomorrow...then we see it--a stuffed steeler hanging by its neck from the roof of the pavillion. Oh, let me tell you that got my blood pumpin'! I said, "Jed do you see that....boy you better get your game on tomorrow, you will NOT let that team beat you guys!" We drop Justin off, then turn around (it was much too cold and wet for me to be out there when one of my own wasn't playing) and I pull over and make Jed and Blakley hop out and take pics of them with my phone. I texted them to our coach--to get his blood boiling like mine is. He asks if I was sure it was a "steeler lynching" and not just a football pinata-yes, sir, I do believe it was a steeler lynching.

I have several emotions going through me about this--here are my top 2:
1) Seriously, these boys are THIRD GRADERS ya'll, let's not teach them to be so mean, angry, competitve so early in life--let them play some football and have a good time--they're not being scouted out just yet (except we ARE in Texas, so I could be wrong on this one)
2) Out of the other side of my mouth--I say, boy if you guys are going to go to that much trouble because you are so distraught about losing to us twice--then BRING IT ON COLTS~ we are ready for you!!! (Oh yeah, I forgot to mention at Tuesdays practice who showed up and practiced right next to us--the Colts. Jed said that coach changed practice so we wouldn't work on any offense since the Colts stooped low enough to practice next to them to steal our plays....) ahh, my blood is still boilin'!
Come on guys it is just football~I'll let you know how the game turns out:)

GO STEELERS!

Here's the secret spy shots me and Jed got--I felt a little sneaky, but I just couldn't believe it, no that you can even tell b/c we were shaking (from the cold and shock of it all! ) If you look super carefully in the middle you can see the doll hanging from the roof....crazy!

Hello Strangers!

2009-09-19T11:32:00.000-07:00

Wow, it has been 7 months since I've written anything here...I forgot how to post a new entry! Sad, I know. Ever since I joined Facebook, my desire to blog has gone out the window, I think it is because Facebook is so FAST, I can write 1-2 sentences about what is happening at that moment and then I'm done...This blogging takes a bit of time because, you are really writing--which I like to do. So, as I've been reading new blogs this week, I've become homesick for Tales From the Shoe. So here I am. If I can remember how to change the background that will be good, although Valentines Day will be here again before we know it! :)

2 big events happened in our house this morning. First, I ran my first 5K....I know, those who know me are in shock! I did it! I say I ran, but I'm pretty sure my fastest walk could keep up with my "run". I'm not calling myself a runner yet, when I'm more comfortable with it and feel better about it, maybe then. But for right now I'm happy with this accomplishment! My goal was to do it in 35 minutes. I ran it 34:51 which happens to be my best time yet, so we are just going to keep working on that. My wonderful friend and next door neighbor, Kathy, is a runner, and when I told her I wanted to be a runner, she immediately started running with me and told me to sign up for a race, because then I'd stick to it. She found our race we ran today, encouraged me along the way and stood at the finish line with her camera. (because she finished in 24min--yeah she's awesome!) Anyway, it makes such a difference to have a friend to tell you to get out there and do it and walk along side of you while you are wondering if this could possibly be the stupidest idea you ever had--which is what was going through my mind when we started and everyone took off at what I thought was record speed! But then I found a pace and stuck with it--along the way I saw 4 snakes and 2 frogs, all dead but a few freshly dead, I think if they had been alive I would have had a better time :) I asked Kathy if she saw them and she didn't--she must have been running too fast!

Jed had his first tackle football game today. Let me tell you, when this Mama (notice my spelling Melissa!) watches her boy do something that he LIVES and BREATHES to do, my heart just about explodes. He was SO happy out there. He played GREAT, had 3 huge tackles and covered his man beautifully (most of the time). They won 13-0! His head coach was so encouraging and it was just fun to watch Jed do what he loves to do. Silly, but I was a little proud as I watched the team line up and hold hands before the game started, the clapping and chants and the going down on one knee to listen to the coach all in precise timing--it was cool...and this is only 3rd grade football! I'm not sure how I'll be able to handle high school football--I think I'll be an emotional wreck, actually I know I'll be an emotional wreck!

A Little O' This, A Little O' That...

2009-02-08T14:56:00.000-08:00

Aren't the season's of life great?!? The last few weeks will be memorable ones for us. Nothing totally tramatic happened, but enough for me to stop, take a step back, a deep breath and remember that life is good, God is good, and God is good all of the time.

I had written about my visit to the dermatologist...well, the mole was indeed classified as melanoma, and I will go back in this Tuesday for another excision. This time they will take a football shaped portion around the original mole on my back and send it off to make sure the doctor cut out all the cancer cells. I had this same thing happen 8 years ago...however, then it didn't effect me like it effected me this time. 4 children and 9 more years with my love and best friend, got me a bit emotional about the whole thing. There is always that little thought in the back of my mind, that "what if..." how on earth could my children grow up without their mother, then my mind goes to the whole...what if Justin remarried (although I already told him that is not allowed) anyway, if I let my mind stay on it long enough the devil totally takes hold of my thoughts and then I'm a complete mess. So, this past week I focused on the fact that they got it in the early stages (we think) and on the scale it was borderline on the melanoma side, and they didn't rush me in to take care of it. So, that is what we'll be up to this week. My sweet friends in our Homeschool Group are taking care of dinner for our family the whole week--now that is exciting! :)

(The following is really long but I'm using it as a journal of my experience...don't feel like you have to read it! :)
Speaking of food... have you seen all those adds on the side bars of the internet, facebook, etc.? Well, we gave in, ordered some, then I googled them--not good stuff I found out about these "colon cleanse" companies. So, I asked my friend (my go-to for health and workout info. friend) her thoughts on them. She shared with me what she does and gave me all the info. So, in the span of one night, Justin and I committed to doing The Master Cleanse. The Master Cleanse has been around for over 50 years. The health benefits of it are amazing. I could try to tell you it all, but if you googled it, it would give you a much better picture of all the great things it does for your body. So, we jumped in with both feet. The one huge difference in this and the pills I ordered was that I couldn't eat on this one (which is probably why it works!) So, with about 80 organic lemons and a gallon of Grade B Maple Syrup, we started this adventure.

Day one I felt good--downing the 32 ounces of saltwater was a bit uncomfortable, and the shots of the homemade lemonade concoction with ceyenne pepper made my toes curl--but it was doable. Unfortunately for Justin--his headaches set in pretty much instantly. He spent all of day 1 in a dark room laying down. I laughed at him, told him to buck up, it was his idea to start this immediately....By 7:00 he gave up and ordered a pizza. It was hard to say no to the pizza, but when you have a friend on the outside who is encouraging you and checking up on you --it makes it a bit better. So that was a Wed.

On Thursday, Jed wakes up with a 103 fever. I get an afternoon appt. and take him in for a strep test. Strep is negative but flu test is positive. Great. The very first year I don't get everybody flu shots. The Dr. immediately gives me a shot and says she can give the other 3 a shot at 25 dollars a piece or I can head over to a free clinic that night and get the kids shots for free. A car ride and $75 cheaper sounds good to me. By this time my head was starting to hurt. We go home to pick up Justin then head to McKinney for some free shots. On the way there my head is about to EXPLODE!!! I have NEVER in all my life felt a headache like that. I couldn't keep my eyes open, I couldn't see straight. I was so thankful that I was not driving. But let me tell you all those not so nice things I said to Justin about bucking up, I was feeling pretty guilty about. However, my husband is very merciful and was very sweet. (mostly) By the time we got to the school where the shot clinic was, I was totally and completely out of it. I found a cafeteria table and layed my head down. I looked like I was strung out on something (not that I would know this, but I looked like what they look like on tv). Justin was doing his best to convince me that I needed to eat and I agreed with him, we would get dinner on the way home. Right before we left I got an email from my friend encouraging me to keep at it, that the benefits would be so worth it. It was then that I decided I would not eat, I was going to do this---for 10 days. Oh yeah, on the car ride to McKinney Judson came down with a fever and the nurses wouldn't give him the shot because...he already had the flu...
Day 3 and 4 were so much better, but I still had a dull headache. By the weekend all the kids had come down with the fever and symptoms of the flu. Luckily, our pediatrician is awesome, and they just called in meds for all of them. I also had to skip church on Sunday to stay home with sick kids. This was a true blessing I feel because it was First Sunday and on the first Sunday of each month we have a potluck... (and I LOVE food)
The rest of the 10 days really flew by for some reason. My friend told me to keep a journal (which is what this is) about the experience. I really learned a lot about myself and my "relationship" with food. Bottom line, I LOVE food, I love to eat. I thought about it constantly...I ate bites here and there without even really knowing what I was doing. It has been a good time to reflect on what I am putting in my family's bodies, or more importantly, what I'm NOT putting in them that they need. I have had a ton of energy, my mind has been clearer, my hair isn't falling out in clumps anymore like it was, my skin looks healthier. My "system" is cleaned out and ready to start over so to say. So, we are starting over. My kitchen is stocked with fruit and veggies. We are going off the processed food and more natural organic, good for you foods. It will be great. I NEVER thought I could go 10 days without any food, although now it's been 12. Day 11 and 12 you get orange juice (I've never been and OJ fan, but let me tell you how good it is!)Tomorrow I will bring fruit into the mix, and possibly a salad. I really want to go slow and not jump back into eating just like I was before. Food still looks so good, but my mind isn't going crazy trying to get a taste of it like it was before. I am so glad I did this. I never would have thought I'd make it, but I did. I proved to myself I can achieve things I didn't think I could. The whole experience has effected me in a number of ways, I'm glad I did it! Oh yeah, I haven't measured, but I did drop 13 pounds as of this morning and I'm wearing jeans I couldn't wear a week ago, so that is an exciting bonus!
If you stayed with me and read this "Longest Entry EVER" Thanks! If you want to know more about the master cleanse just google it and you can find all you need to know. It is really for the health of your body, I highly recommend it!

If You Give A Judson Some Milk

2009-02-06T10:51:00.000-08:00

If you give Judson some milk,
He's gonna want it warmed up.
As he's watching it in the microwave,
he will see it going around and around in a circle.
This will remind him of a game,
and he'll ask you to play ring-around-the-rosey.
When the microwave beeps,
He'll want it shaken up.
After it is good and shook,
Judson will enjoy his ba-ba of milk.

The Doctor

2009-01-15T13:24:00.000-08:00

So, the girls in my family (me, my sisiter and mom) have forever had "issues" with our skin. I consider myself lucky that I never had an acne problem, but I was at the dermotolgist from my toddler years with excema (sp?), then in gradeschool to have big moles (my mother referred to them as "birthmarks") removed. After I got married my husband suggested I have some moles checked out before we moved to Atlanta for a new ministry position for Justin. Well, turned out all those summers of baby oil and tanning beds got me. I had Melanoma. I frieked myself out, but hindsight I guess it wasn't as bad as it could've been. They were able to take care of it all in two outpatient dr. visits. That began my road to getting my body (every...tiny...millimeter of it) checked by a "stranger". Humiliating, huh?!? Since then, each time I go in I preface my inspection by telling him to take off any remotely suspicsious looking spots. Well, since we have moved to the DFW area, I have drug my feet about finding a new derm. I mean, seriously, who wants to seek out a new "stranger" to "inspect" EVERY part of your naked body....not me! Well, a few months ago, I had a mole on my back that began to itch. I dismissed it thinking that my bra strap was irritating it. In the back of my mind, I've had a nagging thought to find a derm., but also in the back of my mind, there is always (at least with me) that "oh, but it could be bad...." thought. Anyway, recently a friend of ours mom was diagnosed with (a very long name) of super aggressive breast cancer that had spread thoughout her whole body. Apparently, she started having back pain in Aug. found the cancer in Nov. and has since spread in several places (please pray for her healing). Praying for her, brought me to call a dr. yesterday afternoon. They wanted to see me at 8:00 this morning......
So, me and my TomTom head to the Dr.'s office amidst rush hour Dallas traffic this morning. The dr. was my age or younger (ahh...how does that happen???) but so kind. I told him before the humiliting inspection about the one on my back itching....he immediately said that was a cause for conern...great. He checked my limbs first--all looked good there. Then to the back, within a nano-second, he says, "Oh, I see one that we need to get off today." I say, "Is it this one?" reaching back and putting my finger on the itchy one....."yes". Great. So a few minutes later, it is gone, he tells me that a great thing about living in DFW is the technology available. He gave me info on this body scanning/picture that takes these super pics of your whole body so that dr.s can see what is going on with all your moles (btw--I don't like that word--moles) he tells me I am a great candidate for it, and if I could afford it (b/c insurance does not yet cover it) I should get it. Yeah, I'd love to doc. but my husband's a seminary student...'nough said. Oh yeah, he also circled three more on my back for Justin to "watch closely" over the next few months. I asked him to just go ahead and take them all off, but he wouldn't.
So, dr.'s gone. The nurse is filling in my chart and says, "oh, you must have been born in New Mexico because your Social Security number starts with ---."
"Yes, Albuquerque."
"I'm from Los Lunas, but was born at Lovelace."
"I was born at Lovelace Hospital too!"
"Where did you go to high school?"
"I went to Hope"
"I went to Temple Baptist Academy."
"NO WAY, my husband graduated from there!"
Turns out she is a year younger than Justin and thinks she had a crush on him! As she is telling me this I can totally picture Justin's head getting bigger with pride! Anyway, we then spend 10 minutes talking, she gave me her phone number, and hugged me goodbye...how crazy is that??? I mean, different city, different state, and 20 years later (yes, I said 20 years :)...that's crazy. Plus, Temple is like teeny tiny--Justin had a whole 8 people in his graduating class...
So, as I drove home my mind went in a billion different directions....if you know me this does not surprise you one bit. Thoughts from: why did our "paths", if you will, cross at this point---is it because something will come up in the biopsy? Or, is it just that small of a world?
My hope is that it is the last one.

Hello Out There

2009-01-12T12:47:00.000-08:00

Hi, so it has been quit awhile since I personally posted. ( I don't think my sister would let me take credit for my last post!) It has been a fun filled Holiday Season around here and I feel like I am just now starting to get back to a "normal" routine. We've been back in town a little over a week, and we finally started our schedule today! We have put Jed on a "stricter" schedule. He has to set his alarm, get up at the same time each day, read his Bible (our friends showed us this great Day by Day Bible for Kids--read through the Bible in a year), pray, exercise, make bed, chores....you get the idea. Today was our first day and he has done awesome! I was watching from his doorway right before his alarm was to go off, and he already woke up. Even though there was a bit of resisitance, he stayed on task and has thus far kept up with his schedule. Now if we can just stay on it long enough to make it a habit!

Our big thing right now is that we are getting bunk beds for the boys. This is more bitter-sweet than I thought it would be. We have had a crib/bassinet/pack-n-play in our house for the last almost 8 years. So the fact that there is no more babies around is wierd, but also a bit exciting. I'm not saying there will never be another in our house (who am I to know what the Lord holds for us), but right now, I am liking getting all the big bulky toys away and am looking forward to bringing back some of our "adult" decorations!

Well, hopefully I'll be around more often. I miss blogging, it is our family's "scrapbook" so to say. See you soon!

Thanksgiving 2008

2008-12-03T20:01:00.001-08:00

Why re-invent the wheel??? Below is my sister's post on her blog about our Thanksgiving...I would say the same thing...but she already has.....:)
It looks like the Pics will not copy and paste...bummer, becuase they were pretty good! You can check out the pics at www.mom22boyz.blogspot.com
------
Traditions
I guess once you do something for six years it becomes a tradition -- no matter how far from different it is to when you grew up! Instead of spending Thanksgiving cooking and cleaning and hanging out at grandparents homes, we head to Abilene and stay in a hotel!! It is not too much of a stretch to say the Blakley women are not all into that cooking stuff and my dad doesn't like that cleaning up stuff -- so about 7 years ago, my sister and her family, my family, and our parents decided to start meeting somewhat halfway.

Abilene is a sweet, old, laid-back town with a great all-suites hotel that serves a good breakfast and a great Thanksgiving buffet. The kids love playing in the swimming pool, playing in the game area -- video games, ping pong, pool tables, shuffle board -- and throwing the football around outside in a big grassy area. They love going to Happy Hour every night to get a coke and maybe a snack. And the kids also depend on Aunt DD to bring the crafts to take up the extra time!

The day after Thanksgiving has been one of "discovering Abilene". We have been to the zoo, Children's Museum, parks, movies, and bowling alleys. It has been a nice, relaxing way to spend a holiday together without all the work that goes with it!! And, for my husband, who loves all the cooking, he only has to wait a few short weeks for Christmas to have a true home-cooked feast!

Craft time!

Waiting to eat!

Connor ate seven plates of food!

Working off all that food!

A tradition that will never change -- naptime!

Posted by Mom22Boyz at 3:04 PM
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2008-11-22T12:01:00.000-08:00

This video made me and Justin laugh....remember this is NOT our family. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VM6uqj0_jQc

Happy Weekend everyone!

My 2 Cents

2008-11-12T20:21:00.000-08:00

Seems like so many people (not that that is a lot) that I have been around the past few weeks are so worried and burdened by the outcome of the election--what is going to happen to our country.... I'll admit that who I voted for was not elected and I was sad, but the ultimate truth is we are not in control. God is. He knew Obama would be President before Obama was born. God has a plan, a perfect plan. Maybe Christians in America need to be sanctified. We need to remember who we are, what we believe, and what we are here for. It is obviously way to easy to be a "Christian" here. Maybe, through this, God is calling us to step up, walk our talk, be real. (that's just my 2 cents)

I encourage you to watch the following video from The Girl Talk Blog. In this video, John Piper gives us a Biblical Perspective of how we should be feeling. We (Believers) are not part of this world. As he says, this world will fade away. We have one foot in heaven and one foot on this earth. Our job, while we are here, is to spread the gospel for His glory. Take a minute and check this out:

http://girltalk.blogs.com/girltalk/2008/11/we-dont-live-fo.html
(you may have to copy and paste)

Lyrics and Such

2008-11-12T20:01:00.000-08:00

I've posted about them before, and I'm doing it again. Tonight was the Country Music Awards. I grew up watching these. The only music allowed in my house was country. Back then there was no "Christian" music on the radio--except Stryper...and for sure that head banging stuff wouldn't have been allowed. Country Music is and will always be part of me. My kids enjoyed it being on as well. Judson would come in dance with a goofy look on his face, the girls LOVED the dresses and even Jed had a few comments in there. He said (while Kenney Chesney was singing)<, "Mom, that guy has "son" in all his songs--When the Sun Goes Down and this one too." Yup, he's one of my smart ones.
Speaking of Kenny, the song he sang goes like this, "everybody wants to go to heaven, nobody want to go now." As the song ended Jadyn and Jed argued about what he was saying. Jadyn says, "Mom, tell Jed that the song says everybody wants to go to heaven, nobody want to go to the pound". Jed then says, "No Jadyn, it's nobody wants to go to hell". I just start giggling...How sweet that she thinks nobody wants to go to the pound!
This brought back memories of when I would get lyrics wrong (I know Justin--I still do) but when I was Jadyn's age I was sure that it was Kevin who came down and glory filled my soul, instead of Heaven that came down to fill my soul with glory.....like mother like daughter!

Where Have I Been...

2008-11-01T16:40:00.000-07:00

Several of you (ok, 3 of you) have wondered if I'm done with the blog thing... I am not, I love blogging and I have a ton of ideas to blog about, but time seems to not be on my side lately. One thing that truly bugs me is when people talk about how "busy" they are. Oh, please, no one is ever too busy to do the things they REALLY want to do. However, I find myself eating my words. I REALLY want to blog, but, well, I've been just too busy. My friend asked me what has got me so busy...hmmm, well I'm not really sure, I haven't started any new projects. So, here's a run down of what us Edgar's have been up to.
I spent 10 days in Albuquerque helping my mom while she recovered from chemo and her stem cell transplant. My in-laws kept the kids. I was able to spend a great deal of time with my sister and parents. Even thoguh we were not able to shop and run around like we usually do, it was great to be just our little family of 4 for awhile.
Once we got back, I think it took me about 2 weeks to get back in the groove with school work. I LOVE the flexibility of homeschooling, but I really do need structure as well! So, since we have been back we: do school each day, ballet, soccer practice and games, football practice and games, pe with our homeschool group, church and church activities, our homeschool moms group, gymnastics, an on-going wiffle ball game with the 6 boys in our cul-de-sac, and all this Halloween prep--decorating, pumkin patches, costumes, pumkin carvings, and somewhere in there I think I may have mopped once and done a few loads of laundry...which is still piled in a basket in my room. I told Justin this morning that the God created Daylight Savings Time (we gain an hour tonight) so that I could have an hour to fold and put away this heap of laundry in order to do more laundry cause the kids are runnin' out of undies!
The funnest thing I've been doing is that I had a friend of mine come over one day and go through my fridge and pantry. She spent 3 hours here--wrote down 9 pages of notes and 13 recipes. My friend has studied nutrition for 10 years, and has a great grasp of balanced eating. I was nervous at first, but it has been so much fun. I had NO idea how bad all the preservatives and such are that go into our every day food...like grated cheese. I bought it all the time to save time.....not any more! I have learned all sorts of new words like nitrates and nitrites=bad! And I have found that cooking is fun --as long as I stay on top of the dishes! I've been cooking 3 meals a day, so I do feel like that has taken up a ton of time. No more cereal/potarts, frozen nuggets, taco bueno....so, maybe that is where all my time has been going. The kids have been great about it, and I truly feel like I am doing my part to keep them more healthy!
So, there you have it, that's where I've been! How about you? Where have you been?

Who Are You, And What Have You Done With My Son?

2008-09-26T13:10:00.000-07:00

Last week Justin was questioning what all I was teaching Jed. Then the conversation came up about his reading. Last year, reading was hard for him. It didn't come easily, and his 20 minutes a night of reading was like pulling teeth with no toothfairy money to look forward to. Jed's curriculum has a LOT of reading in it, so even though in the back of my mind I was thinking he needs to be reading books, I figured he was reading a ton--to me and silently--that he was doing "enough". Well, after J and I conversed over Jed's "schooling" I started googling books 2nd graders like. Over and over again The Magic Treehouse series came up. I remember my neighbor mentioning she had #1 her daughter had gotten as a present and wasn't able to read it yet, so I called her, she brought it over, and within 24 hours he had read the whole book. I also found a website that has activities and tests over each book with a "passport" he can earn if he passes the comprehension test (kinda like Accelerated Reader Points). He took the first test, passed and printed out his "reward". Since then (one week) we have been to the library, gotten him his very own library card and he has read #1-5 and passed all the tests! In one week! This little guy is on fire! Today, we returned the books he's read and checked out the next 6 books in the series. I am hoping this will last us a couple of weeks, but at the rate he's going, we'll be back at the library by Monday!
Who is this child, and what has he done with my son??? :)

Wondering Where I've Been???

2008-09-22T14:44:00.001-07:00

I did it, I really did it...after months of using my husbands, I finally have my own...I joined FaceBook. I have been avoiding it because I know how much blogging I do and others that I read takes up so much of my day, I knew if I added facebook (or if you are cool you refer to it as fb) I would be sucked in...and I am. I have already caught up with so many old friends. Do you know how good it feels to look at your "friends" and see that number grow bigger...silly but it is quite the confidence builder! I am seriously going to have to put a time limit on my "fb"ing like my kids time limit for tv...but I don't think that will be long enough...
So, if you don't hear from me in awhile check out my fb page, and if you are not my friend yet, I'd love for you to be :)

10,000 Steps and Other Randomness

2008-09-15T19:20:00.000-07:00

I am a random person...
Here's some of my randomness tongiht:
*My favorite Body Blast teacher and friend has been on vacation for the last 2 weeks, last Thursday Justin asked if I wasn't going to go back to the gym until she got back...ouch! So I drug my tired body up Friday morning, picked up another friend and headed to class at 5:30 AM...of course, we had to stop at Starbucks afterward...one should not get up at 5am without some kind of reward! Well, I went to my normal class today thinking that I would at least get 2 workouts in before my friend got back....wrong...she was back...very tan...and very excited to work us out!

*Justin and Jed are very actively watching Monday Night Football...Cowboys and Eagles...need I say more? I bet if you listen you can hear them yelling, I mean cheering, all the way to your house.

*Jadyn starts ballet on Thursday...that makes 75% of our kids in an extracurricular activity...they all happen to practice on Thursdays...fun times ya'll!

*Ike hit my sisters neighborhood badly. My sister and fam were lucky, only a few trees down and thankfully none hit the house. When you have 67 trees in your backyard, a few are likely to fall! They will not have electricity for at least 3 weeks...talk about roughin' it!

*My mom is in the hospital...she's had 5 of her 6 intense chemo treatments...she is a rock, she is feeling good, and her voice is strong and normal! Wednesday she will have the stem cells put back in ..what I've read online about it is that it is comparable to a bone marrow transplant. This is when she will probably not feel well, I am going to stay with her the first of October--while my wonderful in-laws take the kiddos for a week..love in-laws!

*Our Neighborhood Homeschool Group is having our 1st annual Back To School Bash/Olympics Friday night...yes, I am making my family matching t-shirts :)

*For some reason I get emails from Payless Shoes...tonights email was: "Ankle Boots A Must Have For Fall" UUHHGGG! I guess I won't be hip this fall!

*The weather today was incredible...we took a nature walk after school work was all done...we all had a ball!

*Oh yeah, 10,000 steps....so if you've read previous posts you know all about my catastrophic experience with my yummy spinach shakes...so, I've decided to just get back to the basics...eat less and move more...which led me to buy a pedometer to see how many steps I take in a normal day. Everything I've read says to strive for 10,000 steps a day. 6,000 steps for health and 10,000 for weight loss. So, I got a pedometer and started tracking last Friday. Let me tell you, 10,000 steps is a TON...I had about 4,000 and thought I did a lot of walking...So, now I hop on the treadmill and get my 10,000 in no matter what. And guess what, I feel more energized. We walked to the park today, and I wanted to run around and play, not sit and watch...so, how many steps do you take in a day?

I guess that's all my randomness for the day...guess I should go fold some laundry...yuck!
Catch ya'll later

My Life

2008-09-08T15:21:00.000-07:00

My friend just posted this poem...it is my life! :) Check out The Potter's Hand (over on the right--under my list of blogs I read) and you will get a glimps of my day-to-day life! And I'm most certain it will reflect some of your days as well, or at least a memory of them!

Boys...

2008-09-05T17:18:00.000-07:00

I just found my 7 year old boy making all the Barbies naked....
hmmm...

Homeschooling

2008-09-02T19:47:00.000-07:00

It is 9:47pm.
My kids are playing games.
Very loud.
Very happily.
They are getting along.
Lots of creativity is flowing~
"Singing Chairs" instead of Musical Chairs.
I think I just heard something about forming a band....
We don't have to be anywhere early in the morning.
Or dressed for that matter.
I love homeschooling.

Jedidiah

2008-08-31T19:49:00.001-07:00

Sometimes kids are just too funny. Jed has become so funny lately. First, Justin and I thought it was nerdy homeschool boy...but he really is funny.

Tonight we took a movie back that we had rented for the girls, then on to Braum's for the kids to use their "free ice cream" coupons for memorizing their verses in Sunday School. The following are bits and pieces of the car ride:

1. Jed talking on the phone to Papa..."What? Papa I can't hear you..." "mom, something is wrong, I can't hear pa...oh, maybe it's because I have the phone upside down" (he was not even trying to be funny which makes it more funny to me)

2. On our way home from Braum's had top 40 songs on from 2006. Number 1 song comes on...Sexyback by Justin Timberlake. Judson starts dancing and me and Justin start singing (even though I really don't know the words) Jed goes, "Hey, I LIKE this song!"..."I wish I could snap"
at the end of the song JT says "are you ready" Jed enthusiastically replies, "YEAH, I'm ready!"

He said a lot more funny things today--on our way to church, but I can't remember them now, I guess I was still thinking about those 10 pounds and how I couldn't breathe in my pants!

WARNING WARNING WARNING

2008-08-31T13:13:00.001-07:00

Ok, so there is a reason I am not a nutritionist....After a week of my yummy spinach, peanut butter shakes....I weighed this morning....gained 10 pounds...yes, 10...couldn't find a thing to wear to church...

I have numerous theories about why, but probably the most important one is the fact that I failed to take in to consideration the amount of calories. I added them up this morning and one of my shakes was roughly 500 calories. Eaten 2 times a day...plus at least one meal...yup, folks..adds up quick. I was only looking at all the health benfits, not the calories. AND as Jillian and Bob say, "It all comes down to calories in and calories out."

I think Bob and Jillian should just move in with us!

Starbucks and Me

2008-08-28T18:38:00.000-07:00

I have no idea if the title is giong to have anything to do with what I'm about to write...but oh well. I've been back in the workout groove for a few weeks now, and can honestly say that it's kinda frusterating when you work your tail off (believe me, my friend Lindsay works our tail off in BodyBlaster class 3 times a week--I mean think about it, the class is called Body Blaster for a reason). My body has not changed in any way shape or form. I have kept within my weight watcher points for 6 weeks straight and nothin' (except the 6 pounds that came off immediately when I had my IUD taken out--that's another post all together.)So, two weeks ago, during class, Lindsay was talking about a new drink at Starbucks, the Vivano has 21 grams of protein, 6 grams of fiber and it is chocolate and banana. Me, being the loyal friend I am head straight to Starbucks after class and get me one of these...YUMM-O! During class she was also talking about how she had been dragging lately, so she set up some appt. to talk with a girl who does nutrition classes at our gym. She said that she was amazed at how much she didn't know about nutrtion and folks, she has been studying nutrition for the last 10 years! She is so fit and I know eats so healthy. So, as my mind is pondering all this...how if she needs to change her eating habits, then my eating habits need to be thrown out the window! So, I go through my Weight Watcher Journal and (ya'll this is embrrassing) I had not eaten a fruit or a vegetable in 3 weeks!!!! YIKES! That means my kiddos haven't eaten veggies in 3 weeks either--they love fruit and have it everyday. So, even though I was staying in my points, it was all processed Weight Watcher food--nothing natural, from the ground, grown fresh--the way we are supposed to eat. So, (I know this is a rambling entry)So, this week I've started an experiment. I'm eating a ton of fruits and veggies. I found a nutrition blog and the writer posted about shakes she makes. She said that spinach added to any shake will not alter the taste....hmmm--SPINACH??? So, I made up a shake, and I love it! It has a serving of fruit and a serving of vegetable in it, I also added a bunch of other healthy stuff. I am also drinking V8 Fusion--vegetable and fruit juice (which my kids like a lot). So, added to what little veggies I make, I'm getting a ton more than what my body has been used to. We'll see how this experiment goes. I eat 2 of these shakes a day--one for breakfast and one mid afternoon or for supper...I'm also doing BodyBlast 3 times a week and tonight am going to do a yoga class a couple of times a week off of FIT TV.
Here's my recipe if any of you dare want to try a spinach shake (I promise it's pretty good, and if you think about how healthy spinach is for you --it is labeled a "super food") it tastes all that much better! :)

Spinach, PB, Banana Shake

*1/2 cup or so of crushed ice
*1 cup of fat free milk (I have to use lactose free)
*1 banana
*1 scoop of chocolate protein powder
*1 tablespoon of Skippy Natural Creamy Peanut Butter
*1 tablespoon Hershey's Cocoa (naturally unsweetened, has antioxidents)
*2 tablespoons ground flax seed (has fiber, ALA, Omega-3's, good for heart health,beautiful hair, skin, and nails, and phytonutrients--which can have a balancing effect on your hormones--this will make hubs happy!)
*large handful of spinach leaves

Blend in a blender and enjoy! :)

Some Days...

2008-08-22T13:31:00.000-07:00

Well, I was literally in the midst of writing a post titled: "Crypto...the Super Bug" because my kiddos have come down with this parasite that has taken over the DFW area pools the past 6 weeks...BUT THEN...

Jadyn was working on her art project (hand flowers) when she announces, "Mom, I'll be right back, I have to throw something away."

I thought nothing of it...except I was proud that she was cleaning up her messes before I had to ask her to....

THEN....I throw something away and find this:

hmmm, "Jadyn, come here please"
"No thanks"
"Jadyn, what did you do?"
"......YES MOMMY IT IS MY HAIR"
"Well, WHY is it your hair?"
"I AM NOT ANSWERING THAT QUESTION!"

About 15 minutes later, "Jadyn, come here for a minute I want to hold you."
"no mom, see I don't look like a boy"
"That's fine, I just want to look at it and see where it came from."
"I AM NOT ANSWERING THAT QUESTION!"
ok....

In all reality, this is the first haircutting incident..not too bad! Maybe she can cut my hair!

Happy Friday ya'll!

A Straw and A Kiss...

2008-08-15T16:58:00.001-07:00

So, we are driving home from the Chic-Fil-A drive thru. Jed (who now sits in the front seat with me because the air bag turns off) takes a long drink of his soda and then very excitedly exclaims, "Hey! I get it. Straws are to help you practice your kissing!"
I asked, "How so?"
"Well, see how I have to put my lips."
"Ahh, interesting."
I think I will be monitoring how often he "practices"! :)

A Dream I Once Had...

2008-08-14T06:42:00.000-07:00

There were many things I wanted to be while growing up...a veternarian, Rodeo Queen, and in the 80's a gymnist. If you knew me or have seen pics of me growing up, this should cause your side to hurt from laughter. God did not bless me with a gymnists body! I remember Mom buying me a pair of Mary Lou Retton High-Top Sneakers at Ross after the Olympics. I was sure these would magically cause me to finally be able to do a cartwheel....nope, still have never done a cartwheel to this day. Then for a birthday present I received an exercise mat that included a baton with "streamer" (sorry I don't know the 'lingo') for a "Rhythmics" routing. My aspirations of being a "Mary Lou" shriveled up and died, however watching gymnastics this year has brought up those old feelings of wanting to fly through the air with impressive twists, turns, flips, and "sticking it" at the end. So, here I am living out this dream...enjoy! :)

http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/dQBC7yBBqoMK100Y

)You will need to copy and paste into the address window)

Lessons I'm Learning

2008-08-13T18:52:00.000-07:00

I daily read "Girl Talk" a blog by Carolyn Mahaney and her daughters, focused on Biblical Womanhood, being a Godly wife and mother--what that looks like and how to live it out day to day. This past week I have been gearing up for homeschooling. I am honestly, truly excited to be doing this. However, sometimes in the back of my mind a little voice creeps in telling me how much easier it would be to send them off to school, I'd have free time on my hands, I will go crazy with 4 kids 24/7...you know all the things people say to me when we tell them we are a homeschooling family. But then, reality comes back, I remember why we first chose this path--time and influence. Where are my children spending most of their time and who/what is influencing their lives. Will it be in a desk for 7-8 hours with a teacher who may or may not like her job, who may or probably not know Jesus, who typically won't give them the individual attention they need to do and learn the best they can. Will they spend their day in a room full of children who will influence them to talk a certain way, dress a certain way, act a certain way--absolutely. Will that time and influence be a solid foundation built on Jesus and the gospel? Not if I'm sending them to a public school. Therefore, if Justin and I desire our children's lives to be based on Christ, then who better to lay that foundation for them? Afterall, my children were specifically chosen for me...to love, care, nurture, and teach. Which brings me to today's "Girltalk" blog entry. It hit home with me, because I know that "my heart is easily captivated by the hollow and deceptive philosophies of a godless culture. (Col.2:8)" Here's the entry...enjoy :)

August 13, 2008
A Daughter's Heart for the Home
As we talk about training future homemakers, I must clarify that this isn’t all we are training our daughters to do. There are many vital aspects of our daughters’ education and character development that are important for their future. But we’re focusing exclusively on homemaking this week for two reasons: 1. It should be a priority in every daughter’s training (because it is a biblical priority) and 2. Sadly, it is an oft-neglected priority in the church today. Oh, and I almost forgot a third reason we picked this topic to discuss—because so many of you humble moms asked us to!

These thoughts from Tedd and Margy Tripp put the importance of our homemaking training in perspective:

“Life is a classroom. It truly is. Teaching and learning are in process twenty-four hours a day. Here's the danger! In the absence of biblical formative instruction, secular formative instructors take over. Our hearts are easily captivated by the hollow and deceptive philosophies of a godless culture (Col.2:8). The majority culture interprets life through unregenerate eyes and promotes its conclusions through various means, from advertising to education. It is like the air you breathe; you breathe it in without noticing it! So do our children! The formative instruction of our secular culture is a frightening reality. How can parents compete with the world for the minds and hearts of their children?” (Instructing a Child's Heart)

What an urgent question! How can we as mothers compete for the minds and hearts of our daughters with a world that shows (as one author put it) “a disdain of domesticity and a contempt for housewives”?

The answer: We must pay close attention to what captures our daughter’s heart. For, as it says in Proverbs 4:23, “from [the heart] flow the springs of life.”

We must ask “What is my daughter most excited about? What captures her imagination? What are her desires and dreams for her future? Is she more eager to be with friends than to be with family? Would she rather pursue activities outside of the home rather than endeavors in the home? Who does she admire more—faithful homemakers or worldly women?”

As moms it is our job to carefully monitor our daughters’ hearts. If we sense their enthusiasm for family and home waning, we must skillfully reorient their affections back toward family and home.

There were certain seasons I observed this happening with each of my daughters during the teen years. So we talked about it. In fact we had many conversations about this topic. Long conversations.

I asked my daughters questions (like those listed above) about their hearts. Then we looked at what Scripture had to say about the importance of the home. (Books and resources were very helpful here.). Then there were more loving yet probing questions about what they learned from Scripture and how it applied to their own hearts.

Over time, with much talking, I saw each of my daughter’s heart for the home and desire to be with our family grow and flourish. But it took more than just talking. Tomorrow we’ll consider some practical steps to train our daughters to be homemakers.

Posted by Carolyn Mahaney on August 13, 2008 at 02:52 PM in Homemaking | Permalink

13 Years

2008-08-11T06:16:00.000-07:00

Hey Babe! Hopefully you'll get this as soon as you get off the mountain. Happy 13th Anniversary! It's been an incredible 13 years, I wouldn't change a single thing, I love you with my whole heart.

Jadyn wants to watch our wedding video and see us kiss. Jed responded with "gross" and said, "the only good thing about weddings is the cake". I said," Well, I smeared cake all over your Daddy's face" in which Jed responded, "COOL!" I told him that you did not think it was very cool, especially 3 days later when you still had cake in your eye...sorry about that (again).

I love you!

D

Vacation, Cancer, and VBS

2008-07-15T19:54:00.000-07:00

So, it's has been a couple of months since my last post. Day to day, life seems to pass so slowly, but when I read my last entry I realize that SO much has happened in two months. The first week of Summer Break, Jed ended up going to The Woodlands to spend the week with my sister and her family. He had a BLAST, however, momma was stressed out the entire week. My face broke out so bad, I looked like a pizza-faced middle schooler...not a pretty picture, mind you!
We met my sister half way and picked Jed up on a Friday, we got home then an hour later he was off with his friend from school to a church function at his friend's church. Justin and I looked at each other and realized that we have entered into a new era--our oldest is starting to "hang out" with friends---and not in a 'play-date', mommies supervising way....wierd!!!
The Next morning we left for a 23 day vacation. Yes, a 23 day Road Trip! I was prepared, each kid had an accordian folder of activities to do. We only allowed one movie per day in the car, and had read alouds, books on cds, and art projects--all in the van. It was truly really fun. I hope it is a memory at least the older ones will remember. My favorite was the foil sculptures we made of the desert as we drove from Tucson to Albuquerque. Jadyn was fascinated with all the "cacti". Our 23 days took us from home, to Jacksboro for a family reunion of my Dad's side, then to Lubbock (Justin spoke in church about his year at seminary), to Las Cruces to visit friends and eat at our all time favorite restaurants, Tuscon--more dear friends, Albuquerque for a night then to the Family Cabin in Colorado, back to Albuqerque to be "home" with family and friends, back to Lubbock to spend the 4th with friends then finally home--3,000 miles later and a whole lotta money spent on gas! :)It was a fabulous trip, but we were all glad to get home in our own beds--especially Judson--about day 15 he was DONE in a pack 'n play! Thankfully, Kristen let him sleep in Hallie's crib while we were in Lubbock--he was very grateful, I could tell :)As soon as I get our photo album of the trip done on J's mac, I'll post a link---maybe...

On a different note, our first week home was rough. My mom who has been cancer free for about 7 months, found out her cancer was back. This has totally taken me (and I think the whole family) for a whirlwind of emotions. For two straight days I was going to puke at any given moment, I threw myself a good ol' pitty party. At the drop of a hat I was either crying or angry. Of course I am sad, but I also have feelings of anger--angry that she has to go through, not only chemo again, but this time a much more aggressive path of treatments--that will include taking out stem cells, and a stay in the hospital. Angry that she was seeking to use what she had gone through to help other cancer patients by beginning a ministry at her church for cancer patients/survivors and now that will have to wait. Angry that my Dad has literally worked his tail off his whole life and knowing my Dad will keep working his tail off to pay the medical bills, when I really want him to just slow down and not have to worry. As I was telling my feelings to Justin, he reminded me, well, actually he told the kids when we were praying for mom, that God loves Mom more than we love her, and He is in control which is FAR better than us being in control. Although this was a comfort, I am still having feelings of anger and selfishness. Anyway--if you could please remember my family in your prayers, we so appreciate it. I'm sure I will continue to post on how everyone is doing.

Which leads me to this week. The kids are going to Vacation Bible School. The theme is "Power Lab--focusing on God's Amazing Power". It is a science based--experiments....anwyay, the focus on "God's Amazing Power". Well, at home we have been teaching the kids how to pray these last 2 weeks--using the ACTS acronym--adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication. We go through each letter and the kids take turns praying that letter. Last night I was praying with Jed by himself and we got to supplication. Here is what he said (all on his very own): "Dear God, You have such amazing power. Please, Please use all the power you have to heal Grandma. Amen." Can you see the tears that were streaming down my face? The prayers of a child...need we say anymore--

Counting Down

2008-06-02T18:13:00.000-07:00

We have officially began counting down! Today was the LAST MONDAY I may ever have to drag Jed out of bed (not literally his bed, because he always ends up on the floor in our bedroom by morning) to go to school. YEAH! What is sad to me though is that he will only be a 1st grader for 2 more days. He will then be a second grader. Somehow, second grade seems much older to me. My boy is growing up and there is nothing I can do about it, but enjoy the time I have right now. I have purposely been trying to enjoy the kids these past few weeks. Honestly, it makes parenting so rewarding to slow down and really, truely enjoy them. We've had some good times! :)

I officially ordered our homeschool curriculum this morning! Not turning back now! And I even ordered Jed curriculum, yes we are officially a Home School Family! We are all excited about this, I feel so relieved making this decision and not going back and forth anymore. This is it, this is who we are and what we are about. Family. Molding, shaping, influencing, teaching.

One more piece of good news---we caught the mouse in our house! :) YIPEE! I found him on the stickey pad under our kitchen sink, that little stinker lived for 3 weeks as an unwelcomed guest in our house. I am crossing my fingers that we will have no more furry guests...

If you get a chance, head over to Justin's blog and library to check out recent pics of the kiddos and what we are doing. He wrote a recent post on what we are using and doing for discipleship with our kids. Of course, I am biased, but it's good stuff ! :) Here's the link:

http://web.mac.com/jedgar11/iWeb/Site%202/Blog/Blog.html

http://web.mac.com/jedgar11/iWeb/Site/Library.html

Happy last week of school folks!

I Was Country...

2008-05-18T20:18:00.000-07:00

"Just goes to show you can take the girl out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the girl."

That is what Justin just said to me about 5 minutes ago, when I finished watching the American Country Music Awards, and exclaimed, "that is why I love country music".

How awesome was that? I missed the first hour because of Jed's birthday party, but the last 2 hours were so entertaining. Here's my highlights:

*Taylor Swift--how cool was that?!? She started off in a black hoodie and jeans then 2 guys pulled these strings and viola she was in a black dress, THEN she sang under "rain" and was soaking wet--way cool!

*Sugarland--at the end of their performance they "nestea" plunged backwards off the stage--very cool!
*Trace Atkins--yes, I cried about his song on "your gonna miss this"
*Keith Urban--that girl in the the back doing the "music" with her mouth--crazy, I was out of breath just watching her.
*Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley's tribute to what's his name. She looked beautiful.
*Leeann Rhimes--I couldn't understand a word she sang but I'm a fan, so I thought it was great, she looks all grown up, which makes me sound really old!
*Reba--a great host
*Kelly Pickler--she seems so fun! Justin saw her in the airport awhile back.
*Many shots of George--worth watching just for that. Even my husband commented that he is way too handsome to be as old as he is! He's classic, Love him!
*Love Rascal Flatts and Kenny. Sara Evans looked good.
I know--not a very entertaining post, but I love the awards shows and had to share my enthusiasm.

I will soon have a post about Jed's birthday--he turned 7--unbeleivable. I remember being 7, so this is really crazy for me. He had a 2 week long celebration--Grandma was here 2 weeks ago, so we celebrated with her, then with just us on his real b-day last Monday and tonight we had his friends party at Peter Piper Pizza. All had a great time and he had a blast with all his friends.

Some quick updates:
Justin will be done with his semester officially on Wed! YEAH!!!
Justin shaved both boys heads today--they look like twins--Judson is looking like a big boy!
I am officially going to homeschool the girls in the fall--I'm really excited about this. I spent a day with friends at a Homeschool Convention and have all my curriculum picked out. I just need to get it ordered. We are still praying through Jed for next year. I could go either way with him....Hopefully it will be clear where he should go soon.
Jed, Blakley, and Jadyn are in swim lessons--they are doing well. Jadyn LOVES it! She smiles from ear to ear the whole lesson!
Jed finished his spring football season. He was an amazing player (I'm just a bit biased) but he really did do well. He got several "best defense" awards. He even got to play quarterback the last two games. He LOVES football.
Blakley finished soccer last week. She really is a talented soccer player. She is really learning how to move the ball around and cut and weave. She scored 6-7 goals most games. By the end of the season, Coach was making her pass the ball so that other girls could get a chance to score.
Jadyn is loving summer time, she loves to play in the backyard, and helps me water flowers everyday. She is really excited to start school in the fall and is doing excellent in the "Manners" book we are going through right now.
Judson is running, dancing, and laughing a lot! He is starting to talk in sentences and it is adorable. He is also loving "coo-coo's" which are cookies, he would eat them all day long if we'd let him.
Well, that is a quick update on us Edgar's. I have many pics to post of Jed's b-day, swim lessons, and such...if I could find that cord I need....maybe tomorrow!

Happy Country Music Awards night ya'll!

Oh yeah, AND we caught 5 baby mice in the garage in one afternoon--it was sad and disturbing at the same time...that's a whole post in itself--I have pics of them. Blakley cried and cried, Jed lectured Justin about killing God's creation....it was quite an event around here....no, we never caught the one in the house, but I also haven't seen any "signs" (poop) anywhere either...I'm hoping it is gone far far away...I'll let you know :)

A Tale from the Shoe

2008-04-20T20:10:00.001-07:00

My story tonight is why my blog name is what it is, for tonight we have quite a tale. I guess I should start from the beginning. Bear with me, it's kinda long. Last week Justin was in Kentucky all week for a Together For the Gospel Conference. Usually, by week's end I am at my end, but the week went rather smooth--I completely cleaned out the kids closets and dressers, got totally caught up on laundry--not even a pile to be hung up, which is quite a feat at my house. And I read through and pretty successfully, might I add (at least at the moment), implemented some discipline structure from Growing Kids God's Way. I also... had to take 2 kids to the doctor for regular visits, take dinner to a friend who just moved in our neighborhood, Community Group, a soccer practice, Jed's 1st Grade performance, Bible Study, laundry...Thursday we are leaving to go to soccer practice and Jed's performance when I have Blakley run to the side of our house to get a football that went over the fence. As she's coming back our neighbor challenges her to a race. Blakley cannot say no to a race (just ask her, that is exactly what she told the nurses at the doctor's office)and totally biffs it on the driveway. Her knee and whole right side of her face are completely raw. You would have thought she broke every bone in her body. We FINALLY leave for practice, go to Jed's performance, then to get Frosty's at Wendy's for a treat--by this time we all needed one!

On Friday morning my husband emailed me that he had just been in earthquake. Then Jed was sent home sick by lunchtime. I decided it best if I went ahead and took him in to get a strep test since it was Friday and didn't want to get stuck taking him to a clinic on Saturday. I got him in right after lunch, and asked if they could go ahead and test Judson because they share a room and last time Jed had strep, Judson had it as well. So, they do a flu and strep test. Judson's came back positive for the flu and Jed's came back positive for strep. This was totally wierd because Judson had NO symptoms--we had to stay there for 2 hours because Jed fell asleep twice on the examining table and the doctor was waiting for the Tylenol to take effect before swabbing his throat. He was a pitiful site. We finally get home 2 and a half hours later and Justin finally drives up after us--he was supposed to get in at 8:15 that morning, but an earthquake and mechanical problems on his American Airline flight delayed him.

Saturday, Justin takes Blakley to her game, then came and took snacks to Jed's football game. He then decided to go to Lowe's and buy me my Mother's Day present--screen doors! I want these for a couple of reasons. One, many people come knock on our door, and it will give me a bit more protection to have a locked screen door, and two, when the back door and front door is open a nice breeze goes through the house....well, J gets home with them and they go straight into the garage. He's not sure that he can install them.

So, that leads me to today. Of course, I was stuck home with sick kids, and it was a beautiful day outside, so I put of the baby gates in the front and back doors. We had a nice breeze going through all day. This evening, we are getting ready to go to the grocery store and I walk out of the kitchen and through the corner of my eye I see this ball of grey run under the door of the coat closet from the entry way. I SCREAM, Justin questions if it is a mouse or a giant spider, I assure him whatever it is is BIG. So, my manly husband gives Jed a broom and tells Blakley to start taking stuff out of the coat closet, they start and all of a sudden the mouse runs across Blakley's foot and into a corner behind Jed's backpack. We are all SCREAMING including Judson, Justin runs inside from the garage, I tell him it's behind the backpack and he starts beating the backpack with the broom, the mouse runs down the hall into the girls room....the kids literally tear apart the room (remember I had just cleaned it all up) looking for this mouse. Blakley has the broom ready to punce on it, Jdayn dancing around screaming, and Jed has the dustbuster. I guess he thought he could suck it up! (Davedda, doesn't this remind you of the ONE time we got to stay home while mom and dad were out of town and we thought someone was breking in so we locked ourselves in the bathroom and one of us had the aerosol hairspray and the other had the curling iron cord--we were going to spray his eyes then strangle him....my kids are brave like we were! :) )We can't find him, so we call our Landlord...he offers to come sometime this week (I pray it is tomorrow) and put out some bait and also volunteers to help Justin install the screen doors. We head to the grocery store and get home--(Meanwhile Jed and Blakley start having tummy problems--a sign the dr. told me to look for in case they get the flu too...) I have the kids start cleaning the girls room assuring them the mouse is in the kitchen or Mommy and Daddy's room and no the mouse cannot climb into beds I assure them....please don't comment otherwise. I go into the girls room and see the mouse leap over a toy...I SCREAM again slam the door shut and jump up and down, shouting for Justin to bring me something to put under the door so he could not get out. He just stands there staring at me with a huge grin on his face. He finally gets me a blanket that I cram into the opening as tight as I can make it, HOPING it will stay in that room. The girls are now sleeping on our floor in our room--yes, that mouse better stay in that room and not run all over my girls tonight. The ONE time I have all the laundry done and actually put away, BUT we are not going in there to get anything! Looks like the girls will be having pajama day tomorrow...don't ask me what we are going to do now, I have no idea.
I've said it before there is never a dull moment around the Edgar household! I'll keep you posted on our mouse hunt!

Independence Day

2008-04-17T10:50:00.000-07:00

Today Judson has declared his independence....Yes, he said that little, tiny two letter word to me--3 times even--"no, no, NO!" Of course, if you know my son, you know he also said it with a twinkle in his eye and an hornery grin on his face, but never the less, he said it. Where do we go from here? You'd think him being the 4th child I'd know exactly where we go--but I guess I have blocked it out of my memory, which is fine, I'm thoroughly enjoying him and this stage of life.

I love this age. He is so much fun! He has got personality bubbling over. He sings, he dances, he flirts, he giggles, he teases, he says "hut hut" and puts his hands up as to catch a football, he calls me "mimmy" (with a short'i'), and calls J "daa daaa", he thinks every animal is a horsey or a doggy, one of his favorite things to do is sit on top of Blakley's head when she is laying on the floor watching tv, when he wants something he sounds like Curious George talking, he says 'I Love You' which sounds like I-uuuuv-UUUU! (just precious), he loves baths, and getting into the car, he pulls Buster's hair and yesterday brushed Buster's teeth with his own toothbrush, he threw his bottle into the toilette (and yes, it did have a poopy in it--thanks sissy) and he LOVES his big brother--follows him around like a shadow. Jed gives him a controller to the playstation that is not plugged in and they sit there and "play" together, every few minutes Jed will say "good job Judson"--it makes my heart melt!

Someone was talking last night at our Community Group how they questioned if they could love the 2nd child as much as the first, I had those exact same feelings. Let me just say that YES, you can love each child just as much as the first, your capacity to love grows and grows and grows, as does your appreciatin for each stage of life. I am so loving 18 months, I just hope that I will still love and appreciate it tomorrow!

My Yard and Nightstand

2008-04-02T06:06:00.000-07:00

It is 8:07 and there is a variety of humming,cutting, and blowing noises going on outside the office window. I love it! This means that my yard will be looking good soon--as soon as the fertilizer kicks in and the sun shines to make the grass green. There is nothing like a manicured lawn to make me ready for summer. Growing up our yard was always meticulous. If Dad didn't have time to do it (my Dad's days start anywhere from 2:30am-4am) we had somebody do it. My husband doesn't have the time or desire to do it, we just like the end result--it's our one vice. We could take 6 months to pay for a good lawnmower, or we could pay someone to do it for 6 months--Justin chose the latter.

On a completely different note, my friend emailed me yesterday wanting to know if I was reading any good books, she was in the mood for a good book. Unfortunately, I couldn't give her anything stimulating. My bedtime reading has been focused on my debate to homeschool my girls next year, so my nightstand consists of "What Every Kindergartner Should Know" (a whole language approach), and "Teach Your Child To Read in 100 Easy Lessons". Stimulating, huh?!? So, for the 5 of you (whom I know of )who read this, what is on your nightstand? Leave a comment of your good reads! I'd love to get a great read to take me away for a little bit each day!

Easter, Ironing, Makeup, and Memories...

2008-03-23T18:28:00.000-07:00

My in-laws are here visiting with my neice and nephew. My neice turned 14 yesterday--I can hardly believe it, it seems like yesterday that she teeter-tottered down the aisle at our wedding. She is almost all grown up with make-up and everything. Blakley and Jadyn adore her. After all, who wouldn't love a cousin who wears cool jewelry and glittery makeup. So, Blakley and Jadyn have been very attentive to Karissa this week, especially when she is putting her makeup on and Karissa (who is a GREAT cousin)happily puts some on the girls as well. Unfortunately, this morning Daddy would not allow Blakley to have makeup on as he reminded her she is a little girl and little girls do not need makeup because they are already as beautiful as God created them to be. Blakley did not buy this, she stamped her foot down, put her hands on her hips and screamed "I AM NOT A LITTLE GIRL!!!" I'm afraid we will have many more mornings in her life that this same scene will play out before church!

Last night, my father-in-law had to iron his shirt for this morning. (Yes, he has to iron his own clothes!) I took out the iron and board and he got to work. As he was ironing I was French braiding Jadyn's hair so that it would be curly this morning. She turned around and took a long look at Papa Bill and just had this perplexed look on her face. Finally, she said,"Mommy, what is that, and what is Papa doing with it?" I totally started laughing....you see, around my house, if it has to be ironed, it goes to the cleaners, so Jadyn has never been around the iron before. It was so funny!

In previous posts I have shared how my Grandpa was the worship leader at my church growing up. My foundation of worship is strongly based on what he taught me all those years growing up. Easter was always a big deal growing up, as it should be. For some reason this morning all those Easters growing up flooded my memory. You see our worship time this morning had my Grandpa's voice all over it. It didn't cross my mind that we would be singing these particular songs, because at our church we sing a lot of songs that Drue, our worship leader, has written himself, so I was so caught off guard. The first song we started with, I hung on strong because we sang it with a different melody, but as soon as the chorus came up on the screen, I felt Justin look at me through the corner of his eye, and I completely lost control. Tears flowed like they haven't flowed since I sat as my Grandpa's funeral. We began with ..."Up from the grave He arose" we then continued to sing several songs that I grew up singing every Sunday. I could even see my sister playing the piano for him. I thought I had pulled it together when we finally started singing "In Christ Alone", although it is my absolute favorite song, it was not in my Grandpa's time. So, during that song, I pulled it together, unfortunately, we then went right into "Because He Lives" and it started all over again. I was silently hoping we would conclude with a song I didn't know, but we ended with "How Great Thou Art" which is appropriate, because that was Grandpa's favorite. Today's worship was a tribute to my Grandpa, I am so thankful for him and his love for Christ. I want my kids to know these hymns, I know that they aren't the "cool" worship songs that we sing today, but they are solid and the memories that come when I sing them are so special, I hope my kids will have memories like those.

I Love You

2008-03-13T18:27:00.000-07:00

***I promise it is way cute, we just can't seem to get the video to download off our camer. He says "mama, I love you. Dada, I love you. Sissy, I love you. Jed, I love you. Jadyn, I love you" It is heart warming~ I promise!***

Here is our sweet boy with his new trick!
How cute is he...

Mom's Good Ol' Home Cooking

2008-02-26T16:11:00.000-08:00

My two boys have come down with a dreadful case of strep throat. Both got sick Sunday morning. I knew immediately that Jed had strep because he always gets that "smell", and he had that "smell" stronger than ever by Sunday night. Well, sure enough, tests were positive--it seems like everyone in our town has something, as I dropped off prescriptions at 11:00am and did not get them until 6:00pm. Well, this evening Jed finally decided he could eat something other than a chocolate milk shake, he asked for mac n cheese, I happily obliged. But he thought it was too cheesy. So, then I make the girls their dinner, Jed asks for some of it, so I make him a small bowl. He scarfs it down. A little later he comes into the office, climbs his long, lanky body onto my lap and says, "Mom, can I have some more? I love your cooking." pause..."I think you should have show on the cooking channel, your cooking is so good."
"Thanks Jed, Mommy puts a lot of love into the meals I make you. I'm glad you liked it."
"yeah mom, I love your cooking."
This warms my heart. I would really love to be a great cook, I love the cooking channel! However, my children really only love my cooking when it is premade, in a can. For tonight their dinner was Spaghetti O's and Meatballs. Thanks to Chef Boyardee, my kids think I am a gourmet chef~and I wouldn't have it any other way! ;)

Bunco Craziness!

2008-02-15T19:50:00.000-08:00

So, I just returned from our 3rd bunco group. Let me just say that I am so excited that so many women want to give up their Friday night to roll dice! Bunco was a staple in my life in Lubbock--every 1st Thursday of the month was bunco, Justin knew it and was always home or had a sitter scheduled for me to attend. He knows that I need an outlet to go and be with girls to laugh, talk, and breathe for at least 2 hours without kiddos around. I always come home refreshed. Women need women. So, when we moved here, one of the first things I wanted to do was get into a bunco group. Our church didn't have one, so I mentioned it to the women in our Community Group, talked about it to a neighbor, and started one. We have done it for 3 months. Let me tell you, word has gotten out about us girls--the first 2 months we had 12, then 10, and tonight we had 19! We had at one point 25 that wanted to come, but you know there are always those that cancel at the last minute. We ended up with 5 tables--it was so much fun! What is so great about bunco is that you are forced to rotate tables and have different partners--so you have to be social--I met women I would never have met anywhere else. We have a handful from church who bring their friends, then the rest live in our devlopment--I love meeting these women, there is such potential for us to be on mission, to develop realtionships--it just thrills me.

Anyway, I get home and a frozen pizza is on the stove (cooked of course) and the whole fam is laying on the living room floor watching Indiana Jones...so, I took the opportunity to sneak in the office and post--since I was chastised tonight for taking so long to post! :) Here's to you ladies and the fun we had tonight! Hope all your children sleep really late in the morning so you can too! :)

Doin' It

2008-02-02T09:57:00.000-08:00

Ok, this might be way too much information for anyone who is reading this, but it was too funny to me and Justin to not get it down in writing.
Last week my mom was here, we took the kids to Bounce Town to burn off some energy. On the way there, out of no where, Jed asks, "Mom, do you know what sex is?" Grandma starts giggling, my mind races to figure out the correct way to respond, "Well, yes, what do you know about it?"
"Well, ____ talks about it to _____ at school."
"What does _____ say about it?"
"Mrs. Ivy said that we don't talk about it at school."

Ok, so mental note to tell Justin about this and give him a heads up that this particular subject is definitely his territory.

Fast forward a week. Last night we let the kids camp out on our floor (they think this is really cool) Jed also lost is front top tooth yesterday, so he was anxiously awaiting the tooth fairy to come, and therefore, had trouble falling asleep. Justin and I were fighting to stay awake, because if we fell asleep before Jed the toothfairy would certainly NOT come. So, we are watching Jay Leno and he is telling this joke about Hillary and Barrack--and shows this scene of the waist down of two people and underwear falls to the ground. All of a sudden, Jed asks, "Is that sex?"

Whoa...suddenly our sleepiness goes away. Justin sits up, has Jed come up and sit with us in bed. Justin does this incredible job of telling Jed that sex is something that God created for Mommies and Daddies to share their love and ultimately glorify God.....(of course, I am fighting off the giggles)... he explains that as he gets older that Daddy will share more of what it is, and that it is not something we talk about with our friends, if he wants to talk about it or has questions about it to talk to Daddy...Jed is nodding his head quickly. Justin explains that when Mommy and Daddy's door is shut and Jed wants to come in that we are "sharing our love" and that is why Daddy gets mad at him, that he needs to wait until we are done...
It gets quiet, then Jed asks, "so what if when we move to another house and your door doesn't have a lock on it, and you and mommy are...doin' it?"
Justin and I can't hold it in..we lose it. Justin assures Jed that he does not need to worry about that. And off Jed goes back to his sleeping bag to wait for the toothfairy.
Oh my gosh, where did he learn the term "doin' it"? And, when did he get so big that we are having these conversations with him?
Wow, our little boy is growing up way too fast. Our prayer and hope is that he will come to us with any questions he has about everything and not look to his buddies for answers. I just didn't know it would happen so soon. Lord, help us to be prepared for this parenting thing!

Sweet Randomness

2008-01-22T14:27:00.000-08:00

A few little stories I want to get written down before they are gone from my memory!

*Last week we were driving home from school and Jed says that he doesn't want to go to school tomorrow. I tell him just 2 more days then he will have a 3 day weekend. He says, "Oh, yeah, it's that King Juniors birthday." I say, "Yes, Martin Luther King Jr. Do you know what he did?" Jed replies, "Uh, he used big words and had a dream." I burst out laughing, "yes, he did." We later explained a bit more about why we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. On Sunday night, he wanted to know how we were going to celebrate Martin Luther King's birthday...sorry buddy, no birthday cake at our house!

*Blakley is totally infatuated with horses, so Justin rented her "Flicka" the movie with Tim McGraw. Well, I was getting ready to go to bunco Friday night and she was watching it in the playroom when all of a sudden she comes running to me sobbing. I thought she was hurt or sick, and through her sobs she tells me that Flicka was killed by a Mountain Lion. She was SO upset. Justin walks into the kitchen and I scolded him for getting her that movie. Well, it turned out that Flicka did not die, and recovered, so Blakley was then able to finish it. I love that she is growing and maturing and able to have these emotions that she understands when something is sad.
Our best friends came to visit us from Lubbock this past weekend for Blakley's birthday. Emmy and Blakley are best friends, they played so great this weekend. Usually, they end up in some kind of argument or wrestling match on the floor. Not this weekend they played and giggled and talked...when it was time for them to leave both girls cried. It was so sweet.

*Today we were walking down an aisle at Walmart, trying to get all on my list--which is quite a task with my sweet little Jadyn roaming around in her own little world she made some intellegent comment, then said, "Am I smart?" Justin said, "yes, you are." then Blakley chimes in, "Jadyn got her talent from me" Justin and I giggled over that.

*Tomorrow my little girly girl turns 5. I can't believe it. 5 years ago tonight we had our friends Tim and Carrie King over to eat pizza and watch American Idol auditions. As I did not go into labor with Jed (just induced) she was explaining to me what it felt like to actually go into labor. When they were leaving I stood up and swear I felt a contraction.....Carrie predicted I would be going to the hospital that night. Well, I didn't. The morning came and I woke up with a terrible urge to clean out Jed's closet. So, there I am in my comfy clothes. I bend over to pick up a box of outgrown clothes and a gush comes pouring down my leg. Justin is at work. I kinda go, could this be my water breaking? I call my doctor first, asking if this indeed is my water breaking. The nurse assures me it is, and instructs me to get to the hospital. Well, I hadn't showered, I hadn't eaten any lunch (and experience from Jed told me I needed to eat before I get there, because they certainly weren't going to let me eat). I asked the nurse if I could quickly get ready. She advised against it, but I did anyway. Then I called Justin at the church office. Well, he was not as excited as I was. The staff was walking out the door to go eat lunch at PF Changs--which had JUST opened (This is a big deal for J --PF and Pei Wei are by far his favorites!) So, this is how our phone conversation went:
"Hello"
"Hey, you need to come home"
"Why"
"My water broke and we need to get to the hospital"
"Right now? Can't you wait an hour or so? I'm on my way to PF Changs"
"WHAT? NO IT CANT WAIT AN HOUR OR SO, WE ARE ABOUT TO HAVE A BABY!"
"Are you sure?"
"YES, I ALREADY CALLED THE DOCTOR!"
"OK, I'll be home in a bit"
Hang up....call mom to pick up Jed...head to the hospital, mom takes Jed to my inlaws and meets us at the hospital. Later my mother in law, Justin's aunt and grandmother, my mom and dad all show up. We hang out in the room, time to push and I make everyone leave the room. One push she's out. Everyone files back in.
Blaley's birth was special in that it was the only one of our four kids that was born in Albuquerque. The only birth that we got to have our families there with us. It was a blessing. Very fitting that Blakley was born with my Dad present--he did not have any sons to pass on the family name, but this little baby girl would carry the name on.
I can't believe it's been 5 years--time has literally flown by. She's growing up, getting big girl feet,heading off to kindergarten in the fall. My, it will be soon when she will be having her own baby....wow.
Happy Birthday Blakes, I love you!

That's Just What I do

2008-01-15T05:40:00.000-08:00

It is 7:40 am. I got Jed off to school, the girls a poptart, and my one year old is strutting around in an almost too full diaper (and I think I am starting to smell a stinky in it) BUT instead of getting him the tub--which is the plan-- I had to first go on Webkinz.com and feed Freddy. Freddy is Jed's virtual frog. We got him and my nephew one. They are stuffed animals that you register on this website then it is your, ( I mean the child's) responsibility to earn money to decorate his room, keep him happy, and his tummy full. Well, the past few days when Jed goes to get on the website, it is down, so this morning as he's running out the door to the neighbors house (my WONDERFUL neighbor takes him to school for me!) he looks up at me with the sweetest blue eyes that look just like his Daddy's and says, "Mommy, I think Freddy might be dead. How long can a frog last without eating?" So, what do I do? The front door shuts, I jump on the computer and feed Freddy breakfast. I'm not sure he liked my choice of granola cereal, as Jed likes to feed him what he would like to eat, but at least he is not dead! Hey, I'm a mom, that's just what I do.

Happy Tuesday ya'll!

Edgar Home Tour

2008-01-09T08:54:00.000-08:00

I did not participate in BooMama's Tour of Homes, but here is a tour of my home after Christmas--notice there is not any pics of the outside of my house because our Christmas lights are still up....I know it bugs me too! :) Most of my presents this year were to decorate my house. Money and gift cards were all used for the house decor. I still have a lot I want to do, but a little at a time, huh?!? My most practical gift I asked for was my dustbuster--this is a MUST HAVE for every house with kids--I use it constantly! And the kids like to use it as well--a great thing to have! I wish I had a before pic of the playroom--you gotta love IKEA, we spent a good part of New Year's Day there. The kids are in no hurry to ever go back!
Enjoy the pics, if your ever in the neighborhood, stop by for a Diet Coke!

Good Bye 2007

2008-01-04T16:17:00.000-08:00

Taking a que from my sister, here is the Edgar's life in 2007. Davedda did it so she doesn't forget, I am doing it out of guilt that I do not have any up to date scrap books, poor Judson, not even a baby book yet....there's a resolution for me!

JANUARY: Justin always went with our youth group skiing over the break. This year, he took Jed and Blakley with him. After a ton of hours in the van to get from Albuquerque to Lubbock because of a HUGE snowstorm, they made it about 6 hours before they got back on the road to come back up north on to Colorado. The kids loved skiing, Blakley was, of course, a natural. But the best part for them was the hot chocolate and spending quality time with Daddy!
Blakley turned 4 on the 23rd. We took cupcakes to "school" and had a special lunch with Mommy and Daddy.
Justin began Seminary at Westminster Theological Seminary in Dallas. Over the course of the semester he traveled to Dallas a few times a month to take classes. Still new and exciting, the wear and tear hasn't effected the family yet!
Justin's mom received results about her thyroid. She will have to have her thyroid removed.
Continued homeschooling Jed...

FEBRUARY: Justin was out of town 13 days for seminary classes and planning team meetings for Fun in the Son Camp in Padre. Trips to the Science Spectrum with Jess and Ami,Kids Night Out at Church, Covenant Meeting with the girls, Couples Small Group, and Bunco filled up the month while Justin was in and out. My Nanny turned 80.
Oh, the funnest adventure was "Girls in the Know"! Many of us wives "suffer" through Fantasy Football, well, this is for us girls--a fantasy league with celebrities. We drafted our celebrities at Leslie and Brenna's and saw sides of our friends that we had never seen before! :) What fun it was, I had Justin Timberlake and through him I took a strong second--only because Jess had that rapper dude with those ring tones....:)
Went to see Beth Moore simulcast at a local church--much needed revival...
Blakley continued with ballet lessons at the community center.

MARCH: March began relaxing with a massage! If I was rich I'd have one at least once a month--so worth it! We celebrated Ami's baby shower and the coming of little Gracelyn. Justin was again back and forth to Dallas, Spring Break Mission Trip to New Orleans. And on an extremely sad note, we witnessed a heartbreaking loss of a father and husband to a dear family in our church. No other death has affected me as much as this one did, we were certain God was going to heal him, ultimately He did, but to see a wife and children without their father/husband is heart wrenching.
Jadyn turned 3 on the 9th, we celebrated with a party at Jumpin' Jungle for both the girls with all their friends--much fun!
Put our house on the market...a move to Dallas was inevitable, as the traveling has taken its toll on Justin, Danette and the kiddos.
Justin discovers Providence Community Church in Plano. His first visit and knows this is where we will be serving when we move to Dallas.
Lots more trips to the Science Spectrum, library, Chic-Fil-A, and McDonalds to pass time while Daddy is away.
My mom is still going through many tests and different doctors to find out what is wrong with her.

APRIL: Justin was in Dallas a lot! We filled the month with: Tuesday School, Jed getting tested for Speech Services, Children's Choir at Church, Science Spectrum, Jumpin'Jungle, Small Group, Weight Watchers, and keeping the house picked up (as much as possible with 4 kiddos!)and way too many hours on the internet looking at houses in the DFW area. At the end of the month the kids and I traveled to Albuquerque. I dropped off the kiddos at my wonderful in-laws and my mom and I spent the weekend at Living Proof Live Conference with Beth Moore. We were privileged "greeters" which gave us first row seats. Beth was literally in my face at one point during her first session....exciting and again, much needed personal revival! Still didn't know what was going on with my mom, but she was a trooper and did great for the weekend of early morning and late nights!

MAY: Dead Day and Finals week at Tech was emotional for Justin--last pancake breakfast, having to say goodbye to many students who were going home or on missions for the summer. Goodbye parties started early...
Jed finished up kindergarten--not sure how I did as a home school teacher--:)
Jed turned 6 on the 12th--celebrated with Will Mitchell at the Mitchell's with a Spiderman party--
Justin's aunt passed away and his Grandmother had a big birthday. Unfortunately, they happened too close together.
Went to see Dr. Lawrence on last time--amazing how attached you get to your ob/gyn, I've convinced myself to travel to Lubbock once a year to keep him as my doctor!
FINALLY, Mom is diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkins Lymphoma. A blessing to know what it is, and now chemo begins...through it all Mom and Dad were incredible.
Graduation and goodbye parties filled up the month--oh, and I think there was a juice fast in there some where! :)

JUNE: Crash Course in Hodgkins Lymphoma and chemo. Lots of internet searching and praying, and another study through "Believing God" but this time with a whole different perspective.
More dinners, lunches and playdates with friends, squeezing in as much "friend" time as possible, more keeping the house picked up and my last Bunko--appropriately at the Barron's.
VBS filled a half a week, then me and the kiddos trekked back to Albuquerque. Again, my wonderful in-laws took the kiddos, and I met Justin in Dallas to house hunt--Stayed with the Moores--our pastor and his family. Had a great time, rained the whole weekend, and found our house--yippee!. Back to Albuquerque, to spend some quality time with my parents, and my sister and Colby. Celebrated Mom's 60th, Dad's 62nd, and their 36 or 37th? anniversary (yes, all this happens on the same day every year--and on the 13th!)Judson gets some major spoiling with all his grandparents!
Justin preached his last sermon at WPC and a staff party followed--bitter sweet....

JULY: the big month, we are moving whether the house sells or not, but not to fear, an offer comes in and the timing is PERFECT--isn't God incredible?!? Schedule the Uhaul, set date for garage sale and FINALLY, the house can be a mess again! This is when you know your tried and true friends. Barron's, Mitchell's, Holtzman's all sacrificed lots of time to help pack, babysit kiddos, and take down a swing set. (Same one they put together 3 years prior)The take apart swing-set cookout is one of my best memories, I think because I purposefully tried to remember details. Ami and Kristen packed the girls room, Brooke and I got dinner ready, Holtzman grilled, and the guys did the manly stuff with the big tools! Holtzman's also announced the comming of Holtzman Baby #2!!!
We scheduled to pick up the Uhaul in Clovis because it was $300 cheaper then picking it up in Lubbock. When I called to confirm they said that Clovis did not have the size we needed, but would be getting a phone call where the closest place was to pick it up. Low and behold, the closest place to pick it up was in Lubbock--again a reminder who is in control! What a blessing. Another blessing was my wonderful mother-in-law came down the weekend of the move and worked her tail off--cleaning and packing and taking care of kiddos. Don't know what I'd have done without her.
By the grace of God, SEVERAL friends, a last minute jaunt to the Uhual place at 5:00 Sunday night to get the biggest trailor to pull behind the biggest Uhaul we are loaded and ready to go. Sleep deprivation (and Jadyn puking all night -- as we slept on the floor of our empty house one last night--nothing to clean throw up up with was a little blessing as I could somewhat keep it together as we closed on our house, said good bye to Kristen and pulled out of Lubbock--yes, I sang "I thought Happiness was Lubbock Texas in my rearview mirror, but my momma kept calling me home..." Get to Wylie (oh yeah, Brian locked the keys to Justin's car in the trunk, spare set packed away...so we left without him) a crew from Providence is waiting to unload us--another blessing. Got unloaded, pizzas ordered and everyone fed my nightfall. We are here, a new beginning...bummer all 4 kids threw up all night our first night--no towels unpacked, no washing maching hooked up,....us Edgar's make sure everything we do is memorable :)

I turned 32 somewhere in there!

AUGUST:Justin took his first Greek class....every morning...his practicing at home was humorous for the rest of us! Unpacking and getting settled was how we spent the month. Meeting neighbors, and getting to know my way around.... Back to Lubbock for Whitney and Andrew's wedding, Blakley was flower girl and Justin did part of the ceremony.
Jed started public school...getting into the groove
Spent Labor Day weekend with Wes and Jama and their family. Then spent the night in Ft. Worth went to the museum and Stock Yards--really fun, but what is up with the humidity!?!?!?
Blakley started playing soccer--a natural.
Jed started playing football--a passion has been born!
J and I celebrated our 12th anniversary, and J turned 36!

SEPTEMBER: School, soccer, football, community group, church....this is what we did.
Justin had a small stint working at UPS, but the 3:30 mornings were too much on him and the family.

OCTOBER: Judson turned one on the 13th!!! A small cookout we had with a few friends to celebrate Judsy-BOys 1st b-day. Not walking yet...doesn't like to eat, didn't care much for his b-day cake!
Scool, soccer, football, community group, church, and Halloween! Halloween brought Dorothy, the Wicked Witch, and the Cowardly Lion, and Harry Potter to the Edgar Household. Good old Trick or Treating was in full force in our neighborhood, we hung out in our front yard with neighbors and enjoyed the warm fall weather. Kids had a blast.
Justin started working at FedEx--great job, just gone every evening--no family dinners....

NOVEMBER: Thanksgiving took us to Abeline for the annual Blakley/Marshall/Edgar Thanksgiving Getaway. This is where we all meet at this suite hotel, hang out, eat this amazing dinner that we didn't have to cook or clean up and sit around and catch up with everybody. This year we got several inches of snow, unfortunately, nobody brought their snow gear to play in it! We took a family portrait--guess there can't be anymore additions to the family for awhile! :)

DECEMBER: Results are in: No cancer cells can be found in my mom's body! Praise the Lord! Thank you Jesus for healing mom.
Wow, already Christmas--we stayed in Wylie, my parents came--it was great! Laid back, no traveling with kiddos, presents,...nice. Just missed rest of the family.

Wow, that was a long year--lots of things happened--lots of life lived. Lots of changes took place. God has blessed.

Happy New Year!

Edgar Snowball Fight

2007-12-23T19:29:00.000-08:00

Don't send a lame Holiday eCard. Try JibJab Sendables!

Little Blessings

2007-11-19T12:07:00.000-08:00

Sunday afternoons are usually my alone time to grocery shop or run anywhere I would like to by myself. Yesterday, Justin played football after church and I brought the kids home for lunch and down for naps. I patiently waited for J to come home so that I could run to Old Navy. We are doing a family portrait with my side of the family over Thanksgiving, and what better reason to buy everyone a new shirt?!?! By the time he got home, it was 4:00 so I decided to forego Old Navy and go straight to Walmart for a few groceries and to look at their ballet flats--my sister gave me a heads up about that one. I was reminded that I am on a budget and cannot run out and buy new shoes and 6 new shirts on a whim, so here's what I did. I have had a return to Old Navy for awhile now, so I justified my new shirt then I got online and printed a coupon off for an even better deal. Then for my shoes, I have had a handful of gift cards that have been sitting in my wallet with incredibly small amounts on them (I just forget to use them--one had 16 cents on it!) I got online and looked up the gift card numbers. I added up all the cards and had almost $11.00! So, there you go, I just about paid for the shoes! So, as you can see, I was chomping at the bit to get going and get my new stuff.

Justin finally got home (mind you, he could barely walk. A 36 year old man who rarely exercises and has a bad knee, should know that he can't hang 3 hours with the young fellas on the field) I helped him wrap his bad knee and opposit hamstring with ice packs and headed off to Walmart.

I have my shoes in the basket with my other essentials on my list and am looking at black shirts for Jed and my phone rings. By the time I dig it out of my purse, I have to call Justin back. He picks up and says, "You are going to have to come home now."

My heart stops, "Why?"

"Jed's been hurt and it's bad."

"Bad enough that we need to go to the hospital?"

"Yeah, maybe"

"OK, should I leave my basket or go pay?"

"Leave it."

Then he hangs up! No more details.

My head starts spinning, I start shaking, and my mind (you know that mind of mine) starts imagining horrible things. Prayers start flowing.

As I make it home in record time of 7 minutes, I am thinking I will find ambulances in the driveway. No ambulances, just all the neighbors and kids. Justin is holding Jed.

Finally, I get to him, praise God he is breathing (because you know my imagination).

I get the story: He was riding the neighbor's razor scooter and fell off on our sidewalk (no helmet) split his head above his right eye, at the hair line. Apparently, when Justin called it had been gushing. There is a trail of blood up the sidewalk to our front door. By the time I got there he had stopped frieking out and the bleeding was under control. After I cried and held him awhile, thanking God over and over, he asked if he could go play football with his friends. So, for the next 30 minutes he played, blood dripping down his forehead.

After I bathed him and got it all cleaned up we saw it was much deeper than we first thought, so I call the 24 hour nurse, who tells us we need to go in, so Justin and Jed head to the ER at 9:30pm. After I get the others settled into bed and all is quiet, I breathe.

How thankful I am for my 4 kids, yes, we are blessed--4 healthy kids, but even if they were sick we would still be blessed. I was reminded that God is good. Even if Jed had been seriously hurt that God is still good. I am thankful for this little reminder of how wonderful my children are. I have been short with them this week, not very loving or fun. I need to stop and think before I speak to them in a harsh tone. I want them to know how much I love them by the way I treat them. The season is starting when we will be rushed and frazzled with all there is to do for the Holidays, but I will be mindful to stop and put my kids and their needs above picking up toys, sweeping up crumbs, nagging them to clean their rooms, and getting on them to hurry up. Life is good--the good, the bad, and the ugly. I am thankful for my little blessings!

By the way, Jed did great at the ER. They wanted to put in a few stitches, which would require a numbing shot in his forehead. J asked if they could possibly glue it together and they did. The neighbor across the street told him now he really did look like Harry Potter (who he was for Halloween) which got him all excited and now he is telling everyone he IS Harry Potter....

So, today I went back to Walmart. I went to get another pair of shoes and had to settle on a different pair, I just couldn't believe someone else wanted my shoes. So, I decided to walk back where I left my basket last night and guess what? It was still there with all my stuff in it! (Luckily I didn't have milk or meat in it!) How long do they let those baskets sit unattended? Hmmm... Anyway, I got all excited and switched out my shoes~yeah!

Happy Thanksgiving All!

MySpace

2007-11-14T18:21:00.000-08:00

Ok, so this isn't going to be about a "MySpace" account, but it is about My Personal Space. I am typically not a touchy, feely person so I guess you could say I like my personal space. Today, at Turbo Kick Class we had a few new women there. (disclaimer: this is great, I want new people to commit to exercising and getting healthier) Unfortunately, these 2 women-one right in front of me and one to the right of me, had no clue how to follow directions. You really ARE supposed to follow the instructions of the teacher. If she tells you to move up with your front kicks, then guess what--MOVE UP! I was constantly right on these womens rears. It started to drive me nuts....What then got me really frusterated is that one had no idea that she was not doing it. She did not even look like she was trying to do the moves--she literally danced around in her own little world. Now I'm all for dancing around and being in the "groove", but don't come to a choreographed class to do this--it will just get you lots of dirty looks and people like me running over you because I am so focused on the teacher, I am not paying attention to those around me. My hour at the gym is MY time to decompress and focus on me--not what is going on around me, I do that the other 17 hours of my day! I really do hope these women continue their workouts, hopefully they will start to understand that it is a class, not a dance session.
If you read this, thanks for letting me vent, if you can't tell I'm a bit "pms-y", but now I feel better and tomorrow at Turbo Kick, I will look around before I pick where I am going to stand (which is a bummer, because I have "my space" on the floor, and would hate to give that up!)
Happy Exercising Everyone!

The Next Adonirom Judson

2007-11-09T07:06:00.000-08:00

These pictures say it all.

Daddy wanted to name him Adonirom Judson after the missionary. I couldn't bring myself to calling my son "Adonirom". Afterall, he wanted to name Jed (Jedidiah) that 6 years ago, and I was completely against it then because A.)I couldn't even pronounce it and 2.) who names their kid Adonirom??? So, when we found out #4 was a boy, he again started in on the name Adonirom. (I don't even know if I am spelling that correctly.) He reread his biography and had me read it as well, and I have to admit I was tempted after reading about his life and the impact he had on so many by taking the Gospel across the world. But still, in the year 2007--Adonirom....? So, we settled on Judson and his middle name would be Alexander after my Grandpa whose life was an example of Christ as well.

This morning after I checked my email in Justin's office (which is FULL of all his seminary books and 10 years of books from being in ministry) I turned around and found my little Judson Alexander doing a little light reading from "The New Dictionary of Biblical Theology". I think we named him correctly! :)

Happy Friday ya'll! Hope you will be able to do a little light reading of your own soon!

Halloween Pics

2007-11-04T19:51:00.000-08:00

We love Halloween!

You can see all our Halloween Photos here:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=18842&l=24cd5&id=579916306

and here:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=18846&l=c29b0&id=579916306

http://www.facebook.com/album.php

Shall We Lay Hands On It?

2007-11-04T15:51:00.000-08:00

When I was in high school our school purchased a brand new bus with our walk-a-thon money. This was a big deal, I went to a small private school--which I loved and am very thankful for all the sacrifices my parents made in order for me and Davedda to be able to go--Go Hope Huskies!--it was quite a fancy bus. Being as I played volleyball, basketball, and softball, I personally spent a lot of time on the school bus--many late nights driving back from small Indian Reservations where those girls would run us into the ground. Anyway, not long after we got this brand spanking new bus it was torched! We all arrived at school one day to find the shell of this bus a crispy, charcoal mess. We were all outraged--how could this happen.....Long story, but the school was later able to get another bus, but this time the whole school went outside during chapel and laid hands on the bus (we had a charismatic principal!) To my knowledge, that bus is still taking the Huskies to far away games.
Fast Forward 12-14 years....I was reminded of this today as I was driving home from Walmart. Our mini-van has begun to have some issues. A little over a week ago, the alarm started going off in the garage--mind you I was just getting out of it and it kinda startled me! Later that night we were at football practice and I was getting the stoller out of the back and again the alarm started going off--randomly, it went off throughout the hour and a half practice. I tried everything--resetting the locks, alarm, locking it with the key only..this van had sprouted a mind of its own. I knew Justin wouldn't believe me, he thinks I imagine the cooky stuff that happens around here (a lot of kooky stuff happens with us) but it began doing it with him as well that weekend. Then the rear air decided that it should be on full blast all the time no matter what number I have it set at. The poor girls are either blown away with hot air or cold air. Friday I got a great spot at the gym-right in front of the door. As I was getting my towel and water, still sitting in the front seat, the alarm and hazard lights started going off. EMBARASSING, so what do I do? I give up my perfect spot and go park far, far away and hike us into the gym. Same thing at the doctors office Friday afternoon (Judson is sick--possibly the flu, but it was too early to tell the dr. said) as the alarm was ringing and the lights were flashing Jed says to another mom in the waiting room--"yup, that's our van". Again, EMBARRASSING! I've had 2 appointments to take it in, however, with Justin's new job and school, I am dragging my feet because I don't want to be at the dealership all day with 3 kiddos and they won't give me a loaner...so as I was driving home from Walmart, I remembered the school bus we laid hands on and thought........worth a try! I doubt my husband will go for it though!
So, if you hear an alarm going off--it's probably just me!

Thankful

2007-11-03T12:39:00.000-07:00

My sister says it all, nothing more I can add. Please read about our mom at http://www.mom22boyz.blogspot.com/

Have a great weekend folks!

Oh yeah, guess what is now up and functioning in my backyard....a great swingset!!! Thanks guys for spending your Saturday morning at the Edgar's house my kids and I are truly grateful :) It only took an hour and a half--boy the more it gets moved the faster it becomes to put back together, or maybe the poor swingset was tired of being in pieces all over the yard that it helped put itself together :) Anyways, just glad it's up and now my creative mind is working for some shade back there....

Is Being "Deceptive" Sinful, Even When It's Delicious?

2007-10-23T08:33:00.000-07:00

Hey there all, I know it's been a couple of weeks, and I have a ton to update everyone on, like Judson's first b-day; figuring out how to get my husband to do all my "honey-do's"--just give him a big test the next day and he will do pretty much anything I want him too to keep from studying. EXCEPT put up a swing set in 40 degrees pouring rain and 30 mph winds. But everything else that has been lingering since moving here is pretty much done--except a few boxes in a closet I need to go through. My sister will be very happy to know that a certain picture is now hung across from the coat closet and it looks good! Both cars are now in the garage--that was one I wasn't even counting on! Bikes are hung on hooks and off season clothes are tucked away in the attic--yesterday was quite productive for my hubs! Late last night and all morning has been spent crashing for his test--luckily J thrives on deadlines and getting things done at the last minute--I think it keeps him sharp!

Back to what I want to talk about--being deceptive but delicious! I am a Fair Weather Oprah fan--particularly when Dr. Oz is on-I am there, any other time--not so much. Anyway, Dr. Oz and Jessica Seinfeld were on a few weeks ago promoting her new cookbook "Deceptively Delicious". Basically, she was tired of hounding her kids to eat their veggies--ME TOO! So, she created these recipes that have pureed vegetables in them and no one is the wiser--I had to get my hands on this book! Walmart was sold out so, off to Target I went and grabbed the last one. The next Sunday I had my list in tow and off to the grocery store I went. I was buying veggies I didn't even know what they looked like! Luckily they were labeled! After the kids were tucked away in bed and snoring sweetly, I got to work--steaming, roasting then pureeing. Labeling 1/2 cup portions in zip locks, freezing a lot for later use and refrigerating those I would use that first week. Monday came the test--grilled cheese with butternut squash--guess what? They ate it right up! Brownies have been the biggest hit--with spinach and carrots! Two weeks into it and I am hooked! My family has eaten more veggies these two weeks than they've eaten in their lives! The recipes are good--brownies, blueberry lemon muffins, spaghetti pie, mac n cheese, chicken nuggets, burgers, chocolate chip cookies, pancakes--all food that my kids love--but so much healthier. I'll tell you what, after making my own nuggets out of chicken breasts, I will be hard pressed to put another frozen nugget on their plates--talk about eye opening! (I know that is probably a no brainer--but still!)

So now, the wives in our Community Group at church are coming over on Sunday night and we are having a Pureeing Party--us mom's are on a mission to get our kids (and husbands!) to eat their veggies!

I highly recommend this cookbook, it also gives charts on what each vegetable is good for--what it does for your body and how much of each a child needs at their age. Very informative!

Ok, my girls have been running around in their undies for an hour --waiting to go through the "winter clothes" bucket from last year to see what still fits--if anything!

Happy Veggie Eating!

Oh yeah, and I have volunteered to host the Thanksgiving Feast for our playgroup at Church--therefore Justin has until November 17th to get the swing set up and running--because 31 kiddos just aint gonna do inside the house!!! (Hopefully, finals will begin about then :) )

Jesus Paid It All

2007-10-09T18:49:00.000-07:00

I just finished reading my sisters blog (http://www.mom22boyz.blogspot.com/) and of course was bawling as soon as I read the title. As I was writing my comment--I ran out of room---so was going back to shorten it, my wonderfully, now mobile, but cute- as-ever, almost one year old pulled the power plug--so I had to reboot and figured I would just put my comments in my own blog (even though I have a ton of things I want to talk about) this is in the front of my brain right now.

Davedda talked about memories of our Grandpa singing. He was the worship leader at our church growing up (which would be the reason why my first duet with Chrissy Sciarrillo happened on stage at the First Baptist Church when I was like 7. And come to think of it--funny that I haven't been asked to sing since Grandpa has not been a worship leader, guess he heard only the good notes!) I also knew that "Kevin Came Down and Glory Filled My Soul" when I was like 3, much to my dismay I was later told that it wasn't Kevin, but Heaven that came down to fill my soul with Glory! Amen.

As soon as an old Hymn is playing my eyes (as well as my sister's, and I'm pretty sure my mom's) well up with tears. We immediately can hear Grandpa belting out the words (and many times a different word if the right word didn't come to him quick enough!) They are powerful memories of which partly define who I am today.

My sister reminenced over "How Great Thou Art" ~ a favorite of Grandpa's. Justin and I have taught our kids "Jesus Paid It All" another one that just by hearing the intro, we immediately hear Grandpa singing. I treasure the fact that it is my girls favorite song. I actually, have it on a Passion CD that is currently playing in the van and, ironically, just tonight as we were driving back from football practice it came on and I turned the volume way up and we all belted out from the top of our lungs, "Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe, sin had left a crimson stain he washed me white as snow, Oh PRAISE THE ONE WHO PAID MY DEBT AND RAISED THIS LIFE UP FROM THE DEAD....." It was a sweet moment worshipping Jesus with my children. Tears flowed down my face as I thought of how Justin and I are striving to instill Jesus and the Gospel into our children, just like Grandpa instilled it in me. I'd like to think that Grandpa was there worshipping with us, knowing that the seeds he planted in his daughter, my mom, have been fruitful in the generations to come. My children will never know Grandpa, as he passed away almost 4 years ago when Jed was only 2, but I hope to pass on the passion that he had for worshipping our wonderful Savior.

Kristen

2007-09-20T10:26:00.000-07:00

Today is my friend Kristen's birthday. Happy Birthday! It is not very often that you find a friend that you know beyond the shadow of a doubt will stand beside you no matter what. Kristen is that kind of friend. We met 4 1/2 years ago when we both moved to Lubbock. Her husband was the new youth director and my husband was the new college director at the church. She doesn't know this, but at first I was a bit intimidated by her. I was in need of new friends and a new start, had a 2 year old, a 5 month old and just found out we were expecting Jadyn, I was excited to move to Lubbock and make all these great new friends. Then I hear about Kristen. She had grown up in that same church, her parents were very active there and to top it all off, she supposedly had this amazing voice that Nancy Foster claimed gave you goosebumps whenever she would sing a special. Oh yeah, and she is beautiful! Instead of being excited about the possibility that we could be friends, I was jealous. Here I was the new staff wife, I was supposed to get the attention and they had to hire a youth guy whose wife was already "Miss Popular". Well, it did not take long at all for me to get over the jealousy and see Kristen for who she is. She is amazing. She is giving, kind, generous, funny, and all those other nice things people say about you. Serving in "ministry" together we were able to spend a lot of time together. I know I am a better wife because of her example. She is incredibly forgiving, she has been an example of Christ that floors me.

Kristen and I spent a weekend in Austin a few years ago. I don't think I have ever talked so much in my life, or grown so much in a 3 short days. I hope we will have more of those girl weekends.

One Christmas, our husbands were on a ski trip and we had a staff wives Christmas dinner. It started to snow--and the roads were really icy. I do not drive in snow--I'm a coward. So, I made her drive in a snowstorm 8 1/2 months pregnant and she is still my friend.

Kristen loves my family--not too many people can be friends with your whole family! She (and Josh) love our kids, care for our kids, and we love theirs. We have been priviledged to live in community with them the past 4 years. Now that we are in DFW area, we miss that community. Now we have to be intentional to spend time together. But that is ok.

Kristen is a hard worker--she sells Mary Kay, takes care of her Dad's business, and is a up and coming realtor. Yes, she was our realtor, and she had lots of patience when I would freak out over things. She was kind and bit her tongue when she probably wanted to tell me off about my dirty carpet, chipped base boards, or grass that desperately needed a good mow. (Oh yeah, and they are still friends with us after Justin broke her Dad's riding lawn mower!) She is a wife and a great mother.

She is one of my biggest supporters. She always encourages my crazy new ideas! She has stood by me during juice fasts, protein diets, working out and even joined Weight Watchers with me.

Most importantly, she challenges me and my walk with God, she prays for me, and she is not afraid to ask me the hard questions that I could easily do without. I love that we can cry with each other and for each other. I know my husband is thankful for her--he knows the value of friendship. I am thankful that he has that with Josh, her husband. They are not afraid to speak truth to us.

Kristen, I hope you have a great day today! I will miss taking you to lunch with the girls! Hope it is a fun and relaxing day!

Thank you for being my friend! I love you!

D

I Wanna Be A Rockstar

2007-09-18T08:46:00.000-07:00

My favorite new store--Steve and Barry's. I had heard about it on Oprah when Sarah Jessica Parker was introducing her new line of clothes and talking about them only being at Steve and Barry's. Living in Lubbock, I quickly dismissed the thought of actually ever being able to shop there. But now we are in the Big City! (well, not THE Big City, but the city nonetheless) And in the Big City you have opportunities that you don't have in small college towns--like cool new stores!

Last week the fam went to visit my father-in-law in Burlison, which is really far from where we live, so on the way home we stopped at a mall in Arlington and the first store we come to is Steve and Barry's. I immediately remember Oprah and Sarah Jessica Parker, but more importantly I remember that this store is extra special because--ready--NOTHING is over $20.00. The store has everything, all very hip, lots I'd never wear, but cute hip stuff.

I immediatly roll the stroller in and the rest of the crew follows, reluctantly, since we actually just stopped to grab some supper. And we (I mean I) go crazy! I'm already thinking of what I want to ask for for Christmas, vowing again to lose 30 lbs before the Holidays and also vowing that I will be a hip mom of 4 kids.

After 1 1/2 hours of trying on clothes, shoes, headbands, Texas Tech sweatshirts...we emerge, now STARVING. Justin bought me a pair of huge white sunglasses....very hip...very cool....something I'd never buy...enter the rockstar...

I LOVE these sunglasses--me and Sarah Jessica Parker---BFF wearing the same sunglasses, meeting for iced coffee at the corner Starbucks... laughing over the crazy things our kids did this morning, before we left them with the nanny to take them to their gymboree class....(remember I told ya I had quite the imagination!)

The first day I wore them I felt a little 'loud', but as I dropped Jed off at school, the air was crisp and the windows were down. The song "Rockstar" came on. I turned up the volume and sang as loud as I could. Thinking in my head that I was NOT in my workout clothes headed to the gym, NOT in a minivan with 3 kids laughing at me thinking their mom had gone nuts,....hence my love for the sunglasses blossomed.

Fortunately, I have satelite radio in the van, so whenever I need a quick pick me up, I can usually find "Rockstar" and don my celebrity sunglasses and in no time I am rockin' away...."I wanna be a rock star.....where we all stay skinny cuz we just won't eat......." (I really don't know all the words..probably a good thing I don't!)

Randomness

2007-09-17T09:26:00.000-07:00

Here are a few random thoughts that I've been thinking about posting but haven't had enough time, so in no particular order here it goes:

1. I have been FAITHFULLY working out the last 2 weeks--3 days a week of an hour of cardio (in my zone) and 2 days a week doing weights. I'm feeling pretty strong, even uped my weights, but somehow have gained 5 pounds....yeah yeah, muscle and fat...blah blah blah, but seriously, come on. So, today it is out with those carbs (that I could live on) and in with the protein. That means no more chocolate crock pot cake! (YUMM-O!) If you want the recipe to that check out http://www.babybangs.blogspot.com/ and read the comments from her crock pot purchase! (baby bangs happens to be Amanda's blog --Beth Moores daughter.)

2. My son has used the term "nuts" to talk about his male parts. RED FLAG for public school--when I asked Jed if someone at school taught him that term he looked at me wierd and said, "No mom, Colby says it all the time." Thanks cuz! Did he learn it from public school or his great big brother?!?!?!

3. Call the scouts! Blakley is a soccer natural. She is AMAZING! I am not just being a proud mom either-- I promise. She scored 5 goals on Saturday. The coach (who for the record played soccer in COLLEGE) came up to me during the game wanting to know what drills I've been practicing with her at home--I laughed because the only sport that has been playing around here lately has been football. I told coach nothing, but would be open to some suggestions, and he replied that there are no drills to teach what she is doing, it is all natural--I then (being as Daddy was out of town) told him that she gets her athletic ability from me! She was stealing the ball from the opposite team and dribbling it ALL THE WAY down the field and scoring--it was awesome! She also had time (while on the field) to come to the sidelines and tell me that she and another player had made plans to go to the movies on Sunday after church--that's my girl!

4. Judson is into EVERYTHING! He is very curious since he figured out how to crawl. However, he cannot for the life of him figure out how to chew. He gags on the smallest of anything. Last night I fed him some of my mashed potatoes (see told ya I love carbs) and he started "choking" on a TINY piece of potato, that when finally came up I easily smooshed it with my two fingers....we are counting down to his 1st b-day (Oct. 13th) and I'd really like him to be able to actually eat some cake, but it is not looking good!

5. Jadyn is still in her own world most of the time. I have been giving her cranberry juice because she is constanly dancing around having to go potty like every 15-30 minutes. Sometimes complaining that it hurts, so we are trying to nip it in the bud and not have to go to the dr. about it. She likes her "special juice".

6. I am on the 3rd Harry Potter book. Yes, I am hooked. I read 1 and 2 then watched the movies--books are definitely better. If you know me and know my imagination--you won't be surprised that I can only read them when Justin is home--not that is is practicle in any way, but I'm weird like that!

7. My mom only has 3 chemo treatments left! Praise God this has been a bearable adventure. My mom has been a rock --she is amazing. God is so faithful. Her levels are continuing to raise--all by themselves, she has not had to have a shot to up the levels in quite a while. Her white blood count is actually in the "normal" range which makes us think that the cancer cells are gone from bone marrow. We will find that out after all the chemo treatments are done. We are so proud of mom and her endurance and faith--not much more I can say without the tears flowing!

That is all I can think of right now---I'm sure there is more, but will have to wait til another day....I have ravenous girls waiting to eat something--don't know what yet--something with lots of protein! :)

Daddy's Blood

2007-09-10T10:34:00.000-07:00

Last night Justin went to the Cowboy game and then spent the night with a buddy in the City, so that he could get 3 hours of sleep instead of 2 hours before having to be at his new job at UPS at 3:15 this morning. Whenever Justin is gone, Jed loves to sleep with me--that is our special "thing". Anyway, if you've read previous posts you know Jed is now all about football and ALL ABOUT the Dallas Cowboys, so I promised him if he took a good Sunday afternoon nap I'd let him lay in Mommy and Daddy's bed and watch the game. He did, so about the 3rd quarter, I walk in to tuck him into my bed, and notice that the sheet and blanket are at the bottom of the bed and the comforter is up covering him. I explain to him that this could very well be one of my biggest pet peeves (right up there with leaving cabinet doors open) and I showed him how to keep all the covers neat and orderly. He listens then grins and says, "Mom, does Dad mess up the covers like I did"? "

"Yes, he does and it drives me nuts!"

"Then I must have Daddy's blood!"

yeah son, you do, and I'm realizing you have a lot more than I thought you did! :)

Fall Is In The Air...

2007-09-05T13:48:00.000-07:00

In hopes for fall being in the air, I have decided to change my background to fall colors. Maybe it will help speed up cooler temperatures!!hee hee

Jed's 1st Day of School Pics

2007-08-28T09:50:00.001-07:00

Getting loaded up--he has a special place for his lunchbox, and I did not put it in the right place!
Monkey Bread

Outside his classroom door Locker inside the room

His desk--happens to be right next to the teacher (do you think she already knows something?!?)

Monday August 27, 2007

2007-08-28T09:19:00.000-07:00

6:30am: "Jed, it's time to get up Buddy. Today's your big day!" says Daddy as he rubs Jed's back to awaken him out of his deep slumber.

"What, now, this early?" Jed replies moaning.

"Yes, now, it is time. From here on out--school or work--probably the rest of your life--you'll be getting up early," Daddy sweetly replies.

Jed sits up, rubs his eyes, looks toward the window that shows no signs of sunlight coming through yet and states, "I just don't understand it. It can't be time, why do we have to go this early?"

Mommy and Daddy giggle, they don't understand it either. They would rather still be in their cozy bed as well....

Thus began the first day of school. Jed's first real get up, dressed, teeth brushed, breakfast ate, and out the door day of school. This was a big day for us Edgar's as I home schooled him last year for Kindergarten (which I loved by the way--but through circumstances felt he was to go to public school this year).

We began the day with fresh Monkey Bread (because his classroom is decorated as a safari theme and his name on the classroom door happens to be on a monkey--so why would we NOT have Monkey Bread.) Then vitamins, and a family prayer--which is when my tears began to well up--my little boy.
Jed and I loaded his lunch and backpack in the van and off we went. After finally finding a parking place (as each parent of the 800+ students escorted their child in this morning) we walked in to the great school, everyone a flutter with the first day of school jitters. Many moms with cameras, Dads with video cameras, and children dressed to a tee, hair all neatly in place, new shoes squeaking down the halls, big smiles, and wide eyes ready for a new year of learning, growing, and making memories with friends yet to be made. My tummy jumped as I walked in, a fraction of my heart longs to be there-teaching, but only a small fraction as I would not trade my time at home with my kids for anything--I have plenty of time for teaching later.
Jed's class has already left the gym, so we quickly walk to his room where he puts his backpack and lunch in his own locker (so cool--lockers acually inside the classroom!) takes his water bottle (insulated, so that it does not sweat on the desk), sits down and quietly gets to work on his seat work--my heart swells with pride. I quickly snap a few photos, and go to kiss him goodbye. As I tell him 'bye, have a great day, I will miss you, can I have a kiss goodbye....' He bows his head shaking it 'no'. And there it is--my little boy just grew up a bit, too embarassed to kiss Mommy goodbye. As I walked out of the classroom, one more quick photo of the whole room, I am at peace. He is going to have a great year, with lots of new friends and a lifetime of memories of First Grade!

The girls and I made him a Pencil Cake that said Happy First Day of 1st Grade for his afternoon snack, you can tell by the pics that the icing melted fast, but he obviously loved it. He had a great day, smiled big when we asked if he made friends, then asked if he could buy chocolate milk for lunch the next day. He fell fast asleep by 8:00 and still didn't understand this morning why school starts so early....

Our Weekend!

2007-08-28T08:54:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we were in Lubbock to celebrate our friends Whitney and Andrew's Wedding. Blakley was a flower girl and Justin preached at the Ceremony. It was a beautiful wedding and super fun reception at the Texas Tech Football Stadium. The girls danced the night away. I had to hide Blakley's dress on Monday morning as she had worn it from Friday at 3:00 to Sunday night around 10pm! It was starting to smell! She had a blast and loved being pampered at the spa~she's a true girly-girl! We enjoyed connecting with friends and just being around all the people we had spent the last 4 years living life with. It was a great weekend, and we are so thankful we were able to be a part of it!

Getting her first real manicure!The lady was very impressed with how still she sat~hey, she's a natural!
Can't move until we're all dry

Posing for pictures with Will and Lorelei The Bride and Bridesmaids
Getting all primped up!

Dancing away at the reception

Daddy, Judson, and Whitney
Blakley and Lor getting some quick ballet lessons before the wedding
Daddy and his Princess

Who Would Have Thought the Edgar's Would Be Raider Fans!!!

2007-08-22T13:56:00.000-07:00

Saturday was the first of MANY football games that the family will be going to to cheer Jed on. You can tell by this pic that he is totally in love with football. His Flag team is the Raiders, so me and Daddy bought Raider shirts (something I would have never imagined doing before) and dressed the girls up in all the black and white they had. We headed to the field and cheered our hearts out for this little 6 year old! It was just a scrimmage, but it felt like the Super Bowl. I was a bit emotional, my little baby out there on the field, I can already imagine how torn up I will be the last game of his senior year. I love this little guy, and he loves football (well today at least!) and his Daddy LOVES football, so it has been quite a bonding experience for them and an emotional experience for me, as he holds less to Mommy and tips his toes into big boy sports with his Daddy.

All decked out--he looks like a football player! Being ready at all times!
Intimidate 'em!

GO JED!!!

Look at this little stud!

Could I be more proud?!?!
Getting a play from Coach
Getting a pep talk from Daddy
Bring it on!
Let me just say this is so much more fun than 2 years of T-Ball!

The Move...part 2

2007-08-22T13:44:00.001-07:00

The girls new beds--Thanks to Aunt DD and Uncle Chris! YEAH, no more bunk beds!!!Our new living room, waiting for some couches!
The play room, unfortunately it does not stay this neat and tidy--Oh well, the kids love playing with their toys!
Judson is a big boy in his highchair!
Hmmm, where is all this stuff going to go???
On loading day, Judson learned how to "put his guns up"! GO TECH!
Our first night in Wylie, Jadyn found a spot and fell asleep
Judson helping Daddy unpack or something

The Move...

2007-08-18T18:43:00.000-07:00

What would a girl do without girlfriends??? The biggest Uhaul made!
Jed's ready to load 'em up!
And there goes the swingset, the section of fence that had to come off and the Uhaul that had to go down the alley! Just shows how much my man loves me and how valuable our friendships are! Thanks guys!

The party before the loading--taking the set apart proved very easy, and the kids all had a ball!

Holtzman manned the grill, while the wives packed the girls bedroom and the rest of the guys took the swingset apart.

Well, we have been here almost 4 weeks and we are starting to feel almost settled! We have loved every second--our new church family, the people, the town, and our house. Oh yeah, and Justin thinks he aced his Greek midterm which happened to be this past Friday--also his 36th birthday! What a birthday present, huh?!? Each night Justin and I sit in our living room and are repeatedly blown away how God has continued to bless our family. He has provided in ways we didn't even think we needed provision over, He has brought incredible people into our lives through Providence Community Church, super nice neighbors, several kids the same ages as ours, and a Community that we feel we can settle in and be a part of and already have a heart for reaching. We are starting to see several opportunities to reach out -- the families on Jed's football team, our neighbors, Blakley's soccer team, and our Community Group at Church. We are really excited about this, and are praying boldly that God will use us--where we are at any given moment, for the Gospel.

Here are pics of the big move--sorry they are out of order, but incredible that I actually got some posted! :) Thanks to all our wonderful friends in Lubbock who took a few days to help us pack, take down the swing set, load the truck, clean the house...and just bless us with their friendship--we already miss them, but thankfully will see them all next weekend at Whitney and Andrew's wedding! You will see that we rented the biggest Uhaul possible, however, you do not see that Justin had to RUSH back to Uhaul 5 minutes before they closed to get the biggest trailor to pull behind the biggest Uhaul, and we still ended up giving our neighbors a TON of stuff--mostly backyard toys. Who would have thought that 1382 square foot, one bathroom, one car garage house would hold so much crap---I mean stuff! When we got to our new house we had a crew of men already here, the A/C turned up, pizza's ordered and ready to unload~ it took them about an hour to unload. If you ask me they got the better end of the deal, since it took 5-6 hours to load it!

We are pretty much settled, Thank goodness for attics! We have a TON of stuff stored up there--JUST in case I ever go back to teaching. Justin has the garage pretty organized and the van is parked in there--nice and cool, it has been so GREAT to park in the garage!!! Any given moment a different part of the house is my favorite--closet space, garage, kitchen, playroom, but probably the most wonderful is 2 toilettes!!! It has been so nice and peaceful doing "business" without kids yelling they have to go potty!

Enjoy the pics--they are all pretty self explanatory!

6 Years And A Whole Lotta Life Later

2007-05-12T09:10:00.000-07:00

Today Jed is 6 years old. I know that 6 really isn't that old in the grand scheme of things, but when Justin teasingly said that 1/3 of his life living at home is gone, I couldn't help but get sad. 6 years has flown by. Since Jed's birth we have lived in 3 states, 5 houses/apartments, 4 jobs and have had 3 more children. That's a whole lotta life right there! What is sad is that it feels like we have slowed down a lot, but the fact is, life is just now starting to "happen"! We are gearing up for another move (thankfully in the same state), new jobs and back to school for Justin--sometimes I feel we are moving backwards instead of forwards.

Back to Jed: this week he got his first loose tooth, and I cried. He has been anxiously waiting for this huge milestone in his life to happen (all his friends have started loosing teeth--hence the anxiety) When I asked them what they thought the Toothfairy does with all the teeth, Jed thought she builds her castle with them, Jadyn thinks she keeps them all in a buried treasure. Then I asked how much money they thought she leaves, Jed was absolutely certain she leaves $1,000.00. However, Jadyn thinks she only leaves 5 pennies. I tried to convince them that a dollar would be a great amount--Jed was stuck on that thousand though! (oh, will he be surprised!) He has grown up into a boy. His long, lean frame shows no more signs of chubby, cuddly baby fat. His facial features are distinct, and his sense of humor is sadly maturing. He now loves to stay up late and watch "that funny show" with Daddy. (thankfully, he doesn't get why everyone laughs, but just enjoys laughing when everyone else laughs--I remember doing the same thing watching Johnny Carson in my parents room when I was his age) He is now at the age that he will make memories--he will remember where we lived, certain friends, places we go....This makes me want to make thoses memories happy ones for him--as they will be a part of who he grows up to be. How I need to remember that his experiences and the words I choose to use, or more important the tone I chooseto use, will all be a part of how he is molded into the man he will be. By the grace of God, I pray for my oldest son: that he will be a man of Godly character, a man of integrity, a heart to love even the unlovely, to give above and beyond what is expected because he desires to bless those around him, a man who values what God values who has a passion for the lost, one who has an incredible relationship with his family, his brother and sisters, who will honor and love his wife above all other earthly things; and will have a heart to love and have a relationship like no other with his children.

Happy Birthday Jedidiah! I love you!
Mommy

Obedience Brings Blessing, Disobedience Brings Consequence

2007-05-07T11:41:00.000-07:00

This little saying was spoken by Travis Cottrell at the Beth Moore conference I attended last weekend. He talked about how his wife reminded their 3 little ones this on a recent trip to Walmart. I liked the saying, so I stole it! I have been repeating it to the kids off and on this past week, and today was able to put it into full practice. I had been trying to explain what the saying meant by telling them about different ways blessings and consequences happen. I didn't think they quite understood, but today, I am convinced that they understand and hope that their memory will serve them correctly in the future.

After Jed's speech session this morning, I decided we could run to Walmart and pick up just a few things we needed (mainly potting soil for the flowers I purchased on Saturday, but ran out of soil...and milk). Jed convinced me that we should drive the extra few miles to the new Walmart because it was so much nicer and cleaner, and of course because the friendly Spiderman is at our neighborhood Walmart. (the boy watches too much tv!) So, I am happy to oblige, because yes, it is in fact way nicer then the old one. I remind them all that with obedience comes blessing--which today just might be a donut, but with disobedience comes consequence = no donut. 1/2 mile into the trip Jadyn starts interrupting my conversation I am having with Jed. This brings a great opportunity to talk about obedience--doing what I ask her to do by not interrupting. This is followed by a melt down. Blakley then decides to start "bugging" her brother in the back seat, which leads to brother being irritated and frustrated, which leads to pushing, threatening, pinching, and whisper yelling (you know the yelling you do so that mom and dad don't hear you.) As we pull into the PERFECT parking space I inform them that their disobedience in the car has led them to consequence and no one will be getting a donut. I instruct them that they need to all stop crying because the consequence is a direct action of their disobedience in the van. As we get out of the van, standing outside in the parking lot I turned and looked at my beautiful blessings all still crying at the top of their lungs so, we climb back in the van, buckle up, and head home. So much for my perfect parking space. No potting soil for my flowers, no milk and no friendly Spiderman at our neighborhood Walmart. Instead, we had a lesson in obedience and disobedience, sometimes you just gotta teach the lesson instead of what my flesh wanted to do. My flesh wanted to grab my kids by the arm, "whisper-yell" threats into their ear that they better be quiet and obey in the store or they will "get it" when they get home. The silence all the way home, the apologies each of the kids made to me (on their own--no prompting) and the attitude they have had since being home shows me that lessons learned are possibly inconvenient and take time, but isn't a lesson learned better than a threat made out of frustration and anger?

So, guess what I get to do tonight after Justin gets home, dinner is made, eaten and cleaned up, baths are given, Bible stories are read and nightlights are all on--Yes, I think I have a date with our friendly Spiderman at our neighborhood Walmart!

Sign Language

2007-05-01T20:24:00.000-07:00

Well, I mentioned it last week and sure enough this week wasn't any different--just a different kid. Monday morning Jed woke up not feeling well. We had just got back in town--the kids spent the weekend at my in-laws and I figured that he was just totally worn out from playing outside for 4 days with his cousins. By noon his fever was high and he was obviously really sick. Of course, the doctor was closed for lunch so at 1:15 I got a hold of the nurse who I was hoping would just send a prescription in for me (as I thought he had a sinus infection), luckily, she thought Dr. Gray needed to see him, so I texted Justin (who was in staff meeting) and he snuck out during prayer in order that I would not have to wake 2 of the other 3 from their naps to haul them all in to the dr. office. At this time, Jed was moaning and very convincingly telling me that he could in no way walk and would need to be carried. (this put no doubt in my mind that he IS his father's son--I felt like I was taking care of Justin when he is sick--praise God Justin is rarely sick because it literally WEARS me out!) I get Jed to the Dr. and he is broken out in goosebumps and is hovering at a 102.9 degree fever. The nurse immediately gives him motrin and has him lie down to bring the fever down. We finally see the Doctor, go down stairs to get the throat culture--which I already knew was going to be positive because Jed gets a very distinct smell when he has strep and I smelled it carrying him (all 50 pounds I found out when he was weighed) through the parking garage,up the elevator to cross the skybridge, in the elevator back to the 2nd floor, and down the hall to Dr. Gray's office. So, we have the prescription sent to Walgreens, get back to the van and head to Sonic (a tradition after a visit to the doctor). Later that night, Jed's ear starts causing significant pain. I call my best friend at 10:30 pm (who else would you call at 10:30 at night?) and she leaves ear drops in her mail box, being as her daughter just had an ear infection. So, I send my wonderful husband--who snuck out of his staff meeting early, to Kristen's house at 11:15 at night (we had a couple over that we are conducting premarital counseling with) to retrieve the ear drops so that Jed would not be screaming all night. As I was holding Jed on the couch with him every few minutes grabbing his ear and moaning, he looked up at me and in his most calm voice and matter of factly he says, "Mom, I guess I am going to have to learn sign language." After a little giggle that he would think of such a thing, my heart broke. He was so calm and in his little mind he thought that he was never going to be able to hear again and he was ok with that. That's my boy~such a tender heart, so brave and strong. It is days like this that I am proud to be a mom. To comfort, love, and hold--when all they want is to be held (or carried) by their Mommy--life is good, God is good, I am blessed.

Rollin' Rollin' Rollin'

2007-05-01T20:09:00.000-07:00

Jed did it at 3 1/2 months. Who knows when Blakley and Jadyn did it, because I: 1.)never even got a baby book for Blakley and 2.) even though I did purchase a baby book for Jadyn, never got past the guest list from her shower, so I don't have any real records of the girl's "firsts". I know I am a horrible mom when it comes to this kinda thing. So, anyway, I was thinking he was never going to do it--I mean he will be 7 months in 12 days--what was the hold up. Is it because he is the baby, my sweet, sweet boy who may possibly be my last baby? or Because I rarely let him play on the floor due to the fact that his brother and sisters love to play with pennies and marbles, therefore, I am constantly picking them up and I have a fear of him choking? Probably. Well, since being back in town after seeing my cousin's son, Noah, who is 3 days older than Judson roll and roll and roll, I figured it was time to spread his wings and let him "roll". It only took 2 days, and once he got the hang of it-he rolled and he rolled and he rolled and he rolled! It was so cute! Now I am feeling better in the mom category--now we just got to work on him sleeping all night!!! Did I mention that Jed also crawled at 7 months and walked at 9 months---we are far behind, but that is ok, because Judson is so precious and sweet and easy going--he may be 18 months before he decides to get up and walk.

Shooshi and Nachos

2007-04-24T17:40:00.000-07:00

Great news~Judson slept ALL NIGHT! He has been hit and miss with this for a few months now, however, as soon as we start to see a pattern, we do something crazy like go out of town. Easter--out of town, and sure enough--up at 2am every morning. Now, in 2 days we are leaving town again--so I am kind of distraught about leaving. However, I didn't mention that ALL 4 kiddos are going to my in-laws for 4 DAYS!!! Which kinda makes me think, oh well, I will get to sleep all night for 4 DAYS regardless if Judson does or not, and my wonderful mother-in-law will get to experience 2am feedings again!

Unfortunately, I did not get to sleep all night even though Judson did. You see, I think God didn't think I needed a full night's sleep last night. Blakley woke up at 4:30 puking. Got her all situated then Jadyn woke up because the closet light had been turned off, after I layed down with her for awhile, Blakley was up again--this time both ends. A great start to my day. Too bad someone always has to get sick on School Day. Blakley got to hang with Mommy today. After I explained to her that I wasn't sure she was really sick or if the Sushi Daddy had given her last night was what made her tummy not feel good, she was convinced it was the SHOOSHI that made her sick.

Blakley has a wonderful vocabulary for being only 4 years old. Occasionally, she says things like, "Mommy, can I wear my Nachos today?" I desperately tried to figure out what outfit she has that looks like nachos, smells like nachos, has had nachos spilled on it....after MANY questions, I realize it is her favorite pair of pants --gauchos!

So, Blakley here's to you and your Shooshi and your Nachos! I hope you feel better, baby and sleep ALL NIGHT tonight!!!

Tunnel Rat does it....

2007-04-20T15:05:00.000-07:00

My son goes through phases about as often as our family of 6 goes through toilette paper. I think it started with Buzz Lightyear when he was 2 years old. EVERYTHING was Buzz. He dressed like Buzz, talked like Buzz....then on to Spiderman, next was Batman, Peter Pan, Captain Hook, Hans Solo (don't even know if that's how you spell it), Darth Vader, Spider Man again, Batman again, Jack Sparrow, Ninja Turtles (thanks a lot McDonald's!) and now G.I. Joe. Today, he is Tunnel Rat--whoever that is. I find myself no longer worrying if who he is pretending to be is a good guy or a bad guy, because I know tomorrow it will be on to a new character. There was a time that I stressed over Jed wanting to be a bad guy, or even worse wanting a figurine that was one of the bad guys. I particularly remember a conversation with Justin about this. I was very distraught over Jed's begging for a Green Goblin Figure at Target. He assured me that it was fine for Jed to have the bad guys, because he had to have someone to fight and be a superhero for. (oh, the joys of boyhood) I realized that, even though I didn't like it, he DID need someone to conquer.

This afternoon, as I was feeding Judson, Jed came running in from the backyard with sweat dripping EVERYWHERE. He had that lovely sweaty boy smell, that could make you nautious if you got too close. He was in shorts and a t-shirt, but also adorned a camoflauge ski mask and spy glasses. Mind you, it is over 80 degrees here in Lubbock today. As I stared at him for the split second he ran through the living room, I yelled out something to the effect of --"JEEEDDD". His response, "Mom, Tunnel Rat does it!" (whoever THAT is!)

Never a dull moment at the Edgar House!!!

Happy Half Birthday

2007-04-13T21:52:00.000-07:00

Today is Judson's 1/2 year birthday. At 6:13 this evening he turned 6 months old. The kids and I sang to him, although, he just looked at us with his sweet eyes and sly grin like we were all nuts. Justin called around 5:45 to check up on us and I immediately assumed he was calling to wish his baby a happy 1/2 birthday, he too thought I was nuts. Grandma actually did call just to wish him a Happy 1/2 Birthday, so I am not the only one who is nuts! (So, I guess you could say that the nut doesn't fall far from the tree ?!?!) If I could learn to post pics, I would put an adorable picture of him in his "Johnny Jumper" laughing while holding his favorite ball. He has this ball with these holes all in it that he has become very attached to. It now goes everywhere with him. I have to pry it out of his hands when I am changing his clothes. He loves that thing. I actually put it in his crib last night--just within reaching distance for him---AND he slept ALL NIGHT!!! When I went in to get him this morning he had his grip on that colorful ball. So, YES, the ball is in there with him again tonight, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this is his "security blanket" that will help him sleep (at least 10 hours a night!!!). Happy Birthday my sweet precious baby, Mommy loves you!

Life goes by...

2007-04-12T21:51:00.000-07:00

Not that I am one to have ever been known for having it all together, under control or even, dare I say, stable....I feel like I am (at least today) somewhat together. Saying that, things are sure to start falling apart. However, I have a new found urge to post on my blog (yes, it's been a LONG time) It seems like so much has happened, yeah, I know, it's called... life! A quick and incredible vague recap of our life in the past 6-8 months includes:

the birth of our 4th child. Judson Alexander was born on October 13th, 2007.
my grand plan to have my son attend a University Model School came to a screeching halt when he was not accepted...which led to him being homeschooled full time, by me. This in and of itself should have its very own blog, but I might get in trouble with the Homeschooling gods or something when I bare my soul and confess my, sometimes, unprofessional teacher role.
Our family is uprooting! If you know us, you are giggling, because uprooting would be considered an oxymoron for us since we really haven't stayed anywhere long enough to have roots to be upllifted! We have moved a ton, but this is the longest we've been somewhere (4 years), thankfully because I LOVE our city. Justin has accepted a scholarship to attend seminary full time instead of classes here and there while trying to hold down his sometime 60 hour a week job as college minister at our church. We will be moving to the Dallas area when our house sells. Jed believes the whole reason we are moving is so that Daddy can go to his Cowboy games and not have to watch them on TV. This is a bittersweet move, as I have INCREDIBLE friends here, the kids have great friends, and we love the people at our church. But God has evidently called us to do this, and we are VERY excited to see how He is going to provide during these next few years.
I am way too excited for a new house with more than one toilette!!! That too could be a blog by itself--life with 4 kids, 2 parents, 1 dog and 1 toilette! Therefore, I spend most of my precious free time looking for houses in DFW and dreaming of living in a particular house, becoming best friends with the neighbor who just happens to have kids the same age as mine and just how perfect life will be if we could live there----if you haven't figured it out yet, I am a HUGE dreamer!!!
With the arrival of Judson, we purchased a mini-van. This is kinda embarrassing, but I LOVE the van!!! I'd always thought I'd be a Suburban girl, but the Mini-van is so perfect for our little family. All I wanted was automatic sliding doors and a DVD player--I got it and I can even start the engine from inside the house with the remote--way cool for cold mornings to get the heater going! Funny how as you grow up your ideas change. Before kids, Justin and I laughed hysterically at anyone who had or mentioned maybe possibly getting a mini-van. Oh yeah, and homeschooling--are you kidding, we would NEVER homeschool, we wanted our kids to be accepted and popular--not nerdy homeschoolers! Here we are 5 years later and yes, I am a proud owner of one mini-van and one incredibly cute homeschooler!

Well, now that I am back I will post more interesting stuff. My favorite blog to read is "In the Midst of It" and she has given me back my bug for the blog! Thanks Sarah!

good night!

Danette

Meet Junior

2006-05-26T11:35:00.000-07:00

Yes, our household seems to have adopted a new pet. In my mind, our next pet would be a froo-froo dog that would stay in the house all the time, get to go with me on errands in the car, get to go to the beauty shop at least once a month, and wear a cute rhinestone collar around its neck. Unfortunately, that is not the case. You see, Jed and Blakley happened upon this tiny, black, helpless animal this morning. It seemed to be abandoned by its mother and was wondering aimlessly in---our kitchen. Yes, this small (hopefully harmless) bug found its way into the hearts of a 5 and 3 year old. They immediately named him Junior (I am not sure who the Senior is), and have been inseperable with it since. We had to run some errands, so they found a"cage" for him--in the girls play kitchen oven. I knew Junior would be long gone by the time we got back, and was hoping the kids would forget about him. Not the case! As soon as we pulled into the driveway they ran in to check on Junior, and low and behold he was still there waiting for his new masters to come home. I am not sure how long Junior will last in the Edgar Home, I certainly hope his newness runs out before he dies or disappears!!!

Have a great 3 Day weekend!
Danette

The Edgar's Summer Schedule

2006-05-22T11:36:00.000-07:00

Today is the first day of our Summer Vacation. The past few weeks have seemed like a nonstop rollercoaster. Which in turn left our lives, our house, and our diet in total upheaval (is that even a word??). We feel that we are totally out of control with how we are managing the kids. In desperation I began to RE-read Creative Correction by Lisa Welchel. I highly recommend this book--it has practical advice on how to deal with each age group and the negative behavior. Anyway, as I came across her daily schedule from when her children were toddlers, she mentioned that sticking to a schedule allowed her to see if her kids negative behavior was from being bored, hungry, tired, or lack of attention. I copied her daily schedule, posted it on the fridge and today is our first official "Edgar Summer Schedule Day". So for, it has been great! We have definitely had a few rough starts--Blakley did not want to stay in her room for her individual play time--so she spent much of the time screaming instead of playing in the room. Jed loved it. The best part is that I feel I am totally engaged with what they are doing, but still am getting stuff done (granted I have not showered yet!) There are a few blocks of time that I set the kids up with stuff, like individual play time and the 1 hour of Sesame Street that I can actually get things done. I have yet to lose my temper and they have only watched 1 1/2 hours of tv!!!! A big bonus from what they have been watching lately. I know I have been a total slacker of a mother because most mothers have already figured this out -- and are already totally engaged with their kiddos, I am a bit late, but hope to catch up! The kids and I have had a lot of fun today!

Random thoughts:

Jed turned 5 last week--crazy!!! He really does look like he is a big boy now. We attended our Family Meeting for KPA, the University Model School we will be sending him to next year. It was exciting, but seemed to come to fast. He is so excited for kindergarten, and I am glad that we found this school--he goes Tuesdays and Thursdays. The other 3 days I will homeschool him with material his classroom teacher sends home. I am excited about the fact he will have a class, friends, parties..., but we will still be partnering with his education/molding him into the person God desires him to be. I remember when I taught, I became a "mother" to most of the students because I was the one who spent the most 'awake' time with them. The parents missed out on so much.
Justin and I were able to go on a date last Thursday night--thanks to Max. We had a great time, except 3 hours after dinner (Chile's cheeseburger, fries, and ranch dressing) I was on the toilet, hugging a trashcan. 9 hours and 8 times later, I called my OB and they prescribed a pill that proceeded to knock me out most of the day. This seemed to help though as I was able to keep a piece of toast and a glass of Sprite down. This episode forced Justin to stay home with the kids. He decided to clean out the play room--a HUGE job. It took him 8 hours Friday and I finished the job on Saturday. The result is: 1. a lot of toys are now gone (!), 2. A realization how spoiled our kids are and the definite need to stop buying them things, and 3. An organized area, which led to the rest of the house being picked up. It is so wonderful to come home or wake up to an organized house--it's been nice!
June 1st we are headed for vacation!!! We are dropping off the kids in Alb. with grandparents and heading to Scottsdale with another couple for a week of rest, relaxation, quietness, and, oh yeah, golf for the guys! This will be a great down time, we are looking forward to it!!!
My sister has returned from a vacation with her hubby to England. maybe if she reads this she'll give me a call sometime!!! HEE HEE--just kidding, I can call you too!
Hopefully Justin will teach me how to post pics on this, that would be much more interesting for people to look at!
June 12th we have our sonogram--21 weeks--hopefully we'll be able to tell what this little guy/gal is!

I think I better utilize my down time a bit better--clothes to fold, laundry to wash, perhaps a shower!!!

Have a great Monday!

We Made It!

2006-04-28T20:39:00.000-07:00

Well, tomorrow my single parent adventure ends (Lord willing). I will be extremely thankful that I will have my husband home--if I can get over the bitterness that is eating inside me of his having a sort of 10 day vacation, so to speak, from everyday life. I have been quite cranky with him the last few days. I am worn out emotionally, physically, and spiritually. I have a nagging headache that has been hovering over me the last 4 days, I am tired of everyone screaming, pushing, nagging, and whining over the littlest of things. Blakley woke the whole family up at 5:40 this morning by yelling from her top bunk that she had something she wanted to tell me. So, I took all three kids, sat them on the couch, covered them with a blanket, turned on Playhouse Disney, and told them not to ask for milk or breakfast until I woke up again. This lasted well for 45 minutes then they were all up chasing each other and yelling. So, we had an early start.

Tonight was Parents Night Out at church--what a blessing! I had 4 hours of quiet solitude! The kids had a blast eating pizza, making crafts and watching a movie. We were all in great spirits when we all got home. I spent some money we probably can't afford at Kohl's in the maternity section, we'll see if I will keep them.

Tomorrow is Jed's last Soccer Game. I am kind of sad, it has been a fun experience--much better than T-ball, which we start again in 3 weeks.

Jed turns 5 in two weeks, I can't think about it too much because I get sad. It has gone so fast, just like everyone said it would----he is so excited about his GI Joe party we are planning, hope it turns out fun!

Jadyn was playing in the kitchen today while I was doing laundry, and she dropped something and yelled at the top of her lungs, "OH, PISS!" trying not to laugh, I asked her where she learned that word (I hate that word, I prefer OH, CRAP!) She smiled and said, "Grandma Kathy." Thanks Grandma for teaching her that word during your visit last week!

I think I have figured out a way to not go to Sonic twice a day. If you do not know, I go to Sonic twice a day for a Route 44 ice water with extra ice and a lemon. I drink so much more water this way and go many days without a diet coke! Well, my children are absolutely sick of going there multiple times a day, so today I picked up several lemons at Market Street, bought gallons of water (Lubbock water is nasty!) and proceeded to Sonic where I bought a bag of Sonic Ice! It cost me a little over a dollar for a big bag of their ice, which is what I love about Sonic---let's see if this works. I know they will miss seeing my blue Explorer pulling up everyday to spend 38 cents for my daily fix, but my kiddos should be much happier!!!

That's all my random thoughts for right now, have a great weekend!
D

Day 5 and Counting

2006-04-24T18:48:00.000-07:00

Well, it is day 5 of being a single parent and it is beggining to look up. It seems that my usual 24-48 hours of adjustment took 4 days this time. Today was actually good and I found myself enjoying the kids instead of counting down to bed time. Sad I know. My weekend was a bit stressful. Saturday I found out that my cell phone had stopped working. We do not have a land line phone as that is something we chose to cut out when we began our "strict" budget. It would not have been a big deal except that the thought occurred to me that if I had an emergency, I would have no way of getting a hold of anyone. This freaked me out--if you know our history of drama when Justin is out of town (including ER visits, strep throat, my Grandpa passing away, etc.)--you would be freaked out a bit as well. I emailed my mom and gave her a heads up in case she needed to get a hold of me it would have to be through email. I really thought she would be a bit more concerned than she was--her response was that she thought it was comical and didn't seem concerned at all. All the while, on Saturday the kids were at each other constantly..... Sunday brought some solace as I sat in church enjoying my "quiet" time in worship, Sunday School brought adult conversation that I had been lacking with Justin gone and no phone to talk to anyone.

Our Small Group Sunday night was exactly what I needed--time with friends, encouragement, and discussion on how God is and needs to be the Head of the House--not my spouse. Even though I know this and proclaim it, it is good to visit it again because I find myself, all too often, totally relying on Justin to fulfill my needs. I don't mean to do this nor do I want to put him in that position, it is my human nature to rely on Justin for our security and provision. I really notice that I do it when he is out of town. My prayer life triples when Justin is gone. I am continually praying for patience, guidance and protection. However, when he is home, I do not worry about our protection, I assume that Justin will protect us, when in actuality only God can do this. I want to remember this....I want my prayer life to continue to be tripled no matter where my husband may be in the world. I want to totally rely on God, for He is our security and provision--not my husband.

Ok off my soap box. Today we had Children's Day Out. A good time for the kids to be with their friends. Our wonderful Max (one of our college students) came over this evening for a couple of hours and gave me a break--I was able to go to Sprint and get a new phone, run to Home Depot and buy flowers, and eat a quiet dinner of Chic-Fil-A in my car before coming home to my babies. It is amazing what a couple of hours break can do for you. I feel refreshed and peaceful. We had fun running through the sprinklers when I got home, a fun bath time (which is amazing for me--I hate to give baths!) and read books, prayers and blessings---a good end to the day! Tomorrow, we will plant flowers, and hopefully get to go to the Science Spectrum if things hold up so well! Let's hope so! I'll let you know!!!

Deal or No Deal

2006-04-21T19:48:00.000-07:00

One of our favorite TV Shows, as of late, is Deal or No Deal. Justin and I are yelling right along with the audience and telling them to take the deal or not. I have found that the 3rd offer is always a pretty safe deal--usually a good amount of money especially if you are not a gambling kind of guy. Tonight I was watching while my 2 year old, Jadyn, played with her dolls and stroller. She picked up on the guys name and kept yelling his name and then yelling NO DEAL to the tv screen. I was very entertained watching her give her Curious George a bath with a wipe and yell at the TV. Then two thoughts hit me:

1. Do I/Could I/Should I play Deal or No Deal with the kids? It could be a great reward/consequence thing if I could get all the details ironed out in my head. But, I could also use it just as a manipulation tool--which I do not want to do. I'll have to think this through some more.

Number 2. How many times to I play Deal or No Deal with God? God gives me a deal and I say NO DEAL--waiting for a bigger and better offer. I find myself daily struggling with material possessions. I am constantly looking on the internet/paper/tv for the perfect house for our ever-so-growing family, and checking out websites for a newer suburban or a mini-van. Although, when I look at what this family has and what God has blessed us with I am in ashamed of my lack of satisfaction. We have a reliable car--no car payment, we do have a great house--2 blocks from church(where Justin is the College Minister), a big backyard that the kids love, and we have been able to do ministry here. It is a place that people feel comfortable coming to and not worry about spilling or messing something up. That is awesome. When I think about what we do have--what God has offered me materially (not to even get into salvation, mercy, love, redemption...that's a whole other entry--with much more respect and reverence) I want to slam my hand on the button and scream DEAL!!!

Have a great weekend!

Chaos and Single Parenting

2006-04-20T19:51:00.000-07:00

Today is the first of 10 days that I will be a "single mother". I always find that when Justin is out of town the first 24-48 hours are completely out of control. The kids seem to always test me to my limits~and 98% of the time I tend to lose my temper. After the first 2 days, we all seem to settle down and live life like normal (whatever that is!) Jed will stay up with me the first night and cuddle, then sleep in our bed. About 5am Blakley will wonder in with a leaky diaper, and 20-30 minutes later Jadyn will begin to cry for milk or a light on. All I would like is for everyone to sleep --in their OWN beds-- until 8:00am, that would make for a great beginning to a day!

Today has been no exception. We woke up to cloudy skies, so I sent them out pretty early so they could get at least some energy out before the "down pour". Blakley and Jed have begun this wrestling thing that I thought only older siblings did. Constantly, they were pushing and bugging each other, and of course, Jadyn could not be left out. So, I think someone was crying at any given point in the day. I think I "threatened" them with everything they own or want. I have gotten pretty good at tuning them out, however, I don't want to be one of those moms who is totally out of touch with the going-ons of their kids.

Let's hope that tomorrow will bring sunny skies, happy hearts, and sisterly and brotherly love!

Gotta go, I thought they were all tucked away sleeping, but the youngest is now crying and about to wake the other 2!

Gold Fish and Red Jelly Beans

2006-04-18T18:48:00.000-07:00

Science was NEVER my strong point in school. In fact, I dropped Biology 110 twice in college before painfully taking Chemistry 101 (the summer after my last semester) to fullfill my Science requirement. Science was always the subject I chose to "skip" when time ran out during my 7 years of teaching 4th and 5th grades. So, having an almost 5 year old boy who LOVES to figure things out has been quite eye-opening for me. Since Spring, Jed pretty much lives outside. He disects bugs, studies different flowers (weeds!), and likes to figure out how things work.

Easter afternoon, the family--my in-laws were in town--was enjoying the beautiful afternoon out on the back deck. The kids had finished their hunt for eggs and were enjoying the jelly beans hidden inside. Jed was in and out of the house doing this and that. As I stepped into the kitchen to grab my water, my eye caught the fish bowl sitting on top of the microwave. Interestingly, the water was bright red. I immediately called for Jed and demanded that he give me an explanation for why the fish's water was red. He explained that he just wanted to know if the fish liked jelly beans as much as he did. Instead of laughing (which is probably what I should have done) I overreacted (which I tend to do a lot) and told him to say goodbye to his fish because he just killed him. Jed said, "ok, bye fish" and was not too sad. After calming down, and my husband and in-laws thinking that was funny, I began to feel guilty, went back in the kitchen and proceeded to "save" the fish. I changed the water quickly, and said a quick little prayer that the fish might live. Yes, the fish is still alive today, I think it might have enjoyed its sugar-rush from the red jelly bean. After all, red is my favorite jelly bean, why would a fish not like it? So, if you ever need a Science Experiement--I recommend Gold Fish and Red Jelly Beans.

Growing up in the 70's

2006-04-17T10:11:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine sent this to me, and I laughed out loud the whole way through. Memories swarmed my head of me and my sister growing up, I wonder what our children will write about when they are 30 years old!

If you were a little girl in the 70's...

If YOU WERE A LITTLE GIRL IN THE 70'S...
1. You had that Fisher Price Doctor's Kit with a stethoscope that actually worked.
2. You owned a bicycle with a banana seat and a plastic basket with flowers on it.
3. You learned to skate with actual skates (not roller blades) that had metal wheels or if you were lucky to have the plastic wheels for the rink they had a big fluffy ball on the laces
4. You thought Gopher from Love Boat was cute (admit it!)
5. You had nightmares after watching Fantasy Island or BattleStar Galactica.
6. You had rubber boots for rainy days and Moon boots for snowy days. YEAH!
7. You had either a "bowl cut" or "pixie," not to mention the "Dorothy Hamill" because your Mom was sick of braiding your hair. People sometimes thought you were a boy.
8. Your Holly Hobbie sleeping bag was your most prized possession.
9. You wore a poncho, gauchos, and knickers.
10. You begged Santa for the electronic game, Simon.
11. You had the Donnie and Marie dolls with those pink and purple satiny shredded outfits.
12. You spent hours in your backyard on your metal swing set with the trapeze. The swing set tipped over at least once.
13. You had homemade ribbon barrettes in every imaginable color. or better yet, the Hello Kitty hair twists in every color
14. You had a pair of Doctor Scholl's sandals (the ones with hard sole > & the buckle).
15. You wanted to be Laura Ingalls Wilder really bad; you wore that Little House on the Prairie-inspired plaid, ruffle shirt with the high neck in at least one school picture; and you despised Nellie Olson!
16. You wanted your first kiss to be at a roller rink.
17. Your hairstyle was described as having "wings" or "feathers" and you kept it "pretty" with the comb you kept in your back pocket.
18. You know who Strawberry Shortcake is, as well as her friends, Blueberry Muffin and Huckleberry Pie.
19. You carried a Muppets lunch box to school and it was metal, not plastic. With the thermos inside!
20. You and your girlfriends would fight over which of the Dukes of Hazzard was your boyfriend.
21. Every now and then "It's a Hard Knock Life" from the movie, "Annie" will pop into your brain and you can't stop singing it the whole day.
22. YOU had Star Wars action figures, too!
23. It was a big event in your household each year when the "Wizard of Oz" would come on TV. Your mom would break out the popcorn and sleeping bags!
24. You often asked your Magic-8 ball the question: "Who will I marry. Shaun Cassidy, Leif Garrett, or Rick Springfield?"
25. You completely wore out your Grease, Saturday Night Fever, and Fame soundtrack record album
26. You tried to do lots of arts and crafts, like yarn and Popsicle-stick God's eyes, decoupage, or those weird potholders made on a plastic loom. Pot holders - I believe they were called loom loopers.
27. You made Shrinky-Dinks and put iron-on kittens on your t-shirts!
28. You used to tape record songs off the radio by holding your portable tape player up to the speaker
29. You couldn't wait to get the free animal poster that came when you ordered books from the Weekly Reader book club. Double score if it was a teddy bear dressed in clothing.
30. You learned everything you needed to know about girl issues from Judy Blume books (Are you there God, It's me, Margaret.)
31. You thought Olivia Newton John's song "Physical" was about aerobics.
32. You wore friendship pins on your tennis shoes, or & nbsp; shoelaces with heart or rainbow designs.
33. You wanted to be a Solid Gold dancer.
34. You had a Big Wheel with a brake on the side, and a Sit-n-Spin.
35. You had subscriptions to Dynamite and Tiger Beat.
36. You spent all your allowance pop rocks and dr. pepper to see if your mouth would explode. 37. You drown yourself in Love's Baby Soft - which was the first real perfume you owned!

Remember that when we dress our kids today and think they are so cute and "trendy" that one day they will look back on their pictures and laugh about how goofy they look!

Are you Using Your Honoring Voice???

2006-04-16T20:12:00.000-07:00

As I was reading a blog from another mom, she had a top 10 list of random topics--one topic being "the top 7 things I say most often". The one that struck me was "are you using your honoring voice?" I immediately looked at my husband and said that is what we need to be asking our kids (as they seem to have become quite the whiners lately). However, the thought struck me that it is quite possible that I might too should be asking myself if 'I am using my honoring voice?'. As I look back over the day, what I remember most is the nagging, harsh tone, and dare I say "yelling" at the kids to pick up this or do that or don't do that...Are my whining kids picking up bad habits from mom? My goal for this week is to stop and make sure I am using an honoring voice--a voice that honors my God, my husband, and my children.

Other random thoughts:
Today is Easter. My husband and I struggled on how to down play the secular/Easter bunny stuff. Although in our heads it was quite easy to say--no Easter Bunny, no egg hunts....but we still gave them a "present" just from us and we did color and hide/hunt for eggs in the backyard. I feel like we gave-in so to speak, but when I think about Christmas, I am not sure if I am willing to give up "Santa" and all that....why is my heart in the wrong place? Why is it so hard to be different in this culture??? Something to think about.....

First Post

2006-04-16T19:35:00.000-07:00

My blog title is obvious to those who know me. I am the youngish old woman who lives in a "small - sensible" shoe with 3 kids 4 AND UNDER, and 1 on the way!!! - more than I know what to do with. Fruitful seed and fruitful soil!!!! Enjoy my thoughts on life and parenting and chaos, that's really what it is - my thoughts on my chaos...ordered by a grace-filled and humorous God.