Sniffle--hack--cough--wheeeeeze!

The unthinkable has happened at our house. I, the mom, have actually had the audacity to get--brace yourselves--SICK!!!! Ugh, I feel lousy! Not feverish, heaven forbid that, but the whole schebang other than that upper respiratory wise.
As I was losing my voice last night and my beautiful children were blissfully oblivious to the fact, I finally snapped. EVERYTHING irked me! And they STAYED oblivious! Aaaargh! So as they're asking me for the bajillionth time for, you fill in the blank, I hollered (not too effectively, mind you, no voice, remember?) "I am NOT feeling well, and YOU have to go to bed so I can go to bed!" When I finally did bed down for the night, sleep evaded me. So I woke up tired and hacking all the more. Great. We'll see how today goes, its a full one! But then, what day isn't at our house anymore?

For all those with daughters...and sons

I receive the iMom comment each day, and today's pointed me to this. This campaign by Dove is wonderful. But make sure your daughter sees this video to realize that "beauty" in magazines is not what is real! And have your sons watch it, too, they need to know that their "ideal" girl isn't what she seems!

No one said this would be easy...

Sigh. Hanging in there and waiting is a tough game. We never expected unemployment to be easy, and it most definitely is not. Opportunities for discouragement abound. We have no idea how long it will be before the Lord shows us the right fit. It could be just around the corner, it could be days or months away. We wait on the Lord's timing...and hope it isn't going to be 40 years like it was for the Israelites...

Kids Kamp Drill Team Video

And now for a word about Peter

Hannah was in charge of the camera the other day and managed to snag this great shot of Peter during his basketball game...

It was a fun game to watch--Peter is steadily improving on his team-playing skills--he's a GREAT defender! We're proud of him.

Would you like to play a game?

The other day I went downstairs to check on my kids and found them on the couch like this...



It took me a little while to realize that not only was I looking at my kids, I was also looking at Leah's rabbit...can you find the bunny in this picture? Isn't it cute? Dandelion is so tame and cuddly he just loves to hang out on Leah's lap when she's watching TV. She's always been a lover of all that is cute and cuddly--the Beanie Babies aisle at the store is hard to tear her away from--but this takes the cake!

Daddy-Daughter Dance

Last night's basketball game was a lot of fun...especially half-time when it was time for the much anticipated Daddy-Daughter Drill Team Routine. The Dad's were all good sports, and had fun with it, I won't try to point out Mark, but here it is...

The Balancing Act of Dieting

I don't own it, but I DO like this pillow...if only it really worked that way!

Of course, then there's the sentiment I saw on a t-shirt once that said, "Eat right, live right, exercise...die anyway!"

Sorry, Carey, bad attitude? I'm trying to behave, but I can say that the exertion department is VERY lacking. Wish it wasn't so blasted cold!

And for those of you looking in to check up on the job situation, sorry, there's nothing I can report. We do covet your prayers, however. For those of you who are praying and continue to do so--thank you! I can feel God's peace in all this, even though the situation is difficult.

Day by day

The weekend was all right. Got a little work done had fun watching football playoffs with friends. Sunday was nice, the kids of our church had their program--Peter played the part of Punchinello the Wemmeck who learns that it doesn't matter what others think of you, what matters is what your creator thinks of you.
A good lesson for all of us to remember on a daily basis.

I know, I'm pathetic

I can't bring myself to do anything today! I'm just wallowing in self-pity about Mark's job loss. Nothing is getting done, and sadly enough, though I'll pay for it later, I don't care. Would it be so hard to throw in a load of laundry? Would it be so hard to wash a few dishes? Would it be so hard to get something done?
Maybe tomorrow will be better.
We'll see...

I've quoted these before here, but there are scriptures you just go back to again and again. Today is one of those days. Mark lost his job yesterday.

Psalm 143
A psalm of David.
O LORD, hear my prayer,
listen to my cry for mercy;
in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief.
Do not bring your servant into judgment,
for no one living is righteous before you.
The enemy pursues me,
he crushes me to the ground;
he makes me dwell in darkness like those long dead.
So my spirit grows faint within me;
my heart within me is dismayed.
I remember the days of long ago;
I meditate on all your works (Lord, you've brought us through tough times before, I know that)
and consider what your hands have done.
I spread out my hands to you;
my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.
Answer me quickly, (I'd prefer yesterday, to be honest!) O LORD;
my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me
or I will be like those who go down to the pit. (I feel so mired down)
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.
Rescue me from my enemies,
O LORD, for I hide myself in you.
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God;
may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
For your name's sake, O LORD,
preserve my life; in your righteousness,
bring me out of trouble.
In your unfailing love, silence my enemies;
destroy all my foes, for I am your servant.

Habakkuk 3:17-19
Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
( even if we become completely without resources)
yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to go on the heights.
(I will praise you in this storm!)

Pet Peeve

I went to the store today to pick up some chili beans for tonight's supper. As I walked past the apples, a bag of red delicious caught my eye so I bought them. I just had one. Flavor wasn't bad, but it was mealy. Ugh. I finished it because the flavor wasn't bad, but the texture was terrible, and now that it's over I wish I hadn't eaten it--I hate mealy apples. But I'm too Dutch to dump it!

New Year, Old Routine

We're back to the routine of school and practices and early mornings...it feels good. That doesn't mean I'm ready to go back to work, I could use a few days at home without having to have "mom demands." (grin) Oh, well.
Its a bright sunny day today, and I'm thankful. God is good, and I trust him for whatever he brings our way this year...and I pray for the grace to handle it.