I Love Days Like This!!

~Psalm 118:24

This is the day which the LORD hath made;

we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Today was a wonderful day and I just have to tell everyone about it!! I have to first off say that it didn't start out that way! I had most of the day off, but it was spent studying and testing. I woke up at 6:45 this morning and went straight to the computer to read as much as about the history of insurance as I could. I have been studying since July, so it wasn't like I was cramming for this test, but I was hoping that I wouldn't forget anything if I had just read it. So, 10:15 came around (quite fast, I might add) and it was time for me to leave for the test. I got to the place where I thought I was supposed to be only to find out that I was not at the right address. Thankfully, it was just across the street so I wasn't late. I got to where I needed to be and I felt like I was trying to board an airplane. I had to turn my pockets inside out, pull up the sleeves of my sweatshirt, and show them behind my ears. (That was the strangest part of my day) So, then I finally get seated to take my test, and for the most part, I felt really good about it. When I had answered all the questions, and decided to review my answers, I started getting worried. Finally, I decided to go ahead and let them know I was done. I told the guy that I didn't want to know the results. I didn't want to cry in front of him if I failed. He handed me my results, and my ID's and I began heading over to the locker where I had all my personal belongings stored. As I put the key in, he said, "Oh...Congratulations!!" I turned and looked at him and he was just grinning at me! It was all I could do not to jump up and down!

The last part of my day was spent at my daughters school for parent teacher conferences. She called me this afternoon and sounded like she really didn't want me to go. Of course, that sounded my "Mom Alarm" and I made sure I was there!  I was pleasantly surprised! All of her teachers said that she was a joy to have in class. They of course said she was very "social", but I have been hearing that since she was in kindergarten. I am very proud of both of my kids. They have been working very hard this year to keep their grades up, and I thank God everyday for them!

The Payphone

I have to tell you a funny story that just goes to show how old I am. (Not that I think 34 is old!!!) My son and I went to the public library a few months ago and as we were walking in, he just stopped. I couldn't figure out what was wrong and why he wouldn't go into the library. At first, I was a little annoyed because I just wanted to find the books I was looking for and go home. Finally, he pointed to a payphone.....YES, a payphone! He was so excited about that. He said "Mom, I don't think I have ever actually seen a payphone up close" I couldn't help but laugh out loud.   It was too bad that I hadn't brought any change with me. Can you imagine how excited he would have been to actually use one?

This story popped into my head for some reason last night as I was trying to go to sleep. I realized just how many things have changed since I was his age. Sure, we had a phone, but it was attached to the wall. We didn't call our friends and family that were out of town very much because it was expensive to call long distance, so we wrote letters to them. I remember writing countless letters to my uncle who was in the navy. These days, of course, you see people driving down the street talking on the phone. Most cell phone companies offer free long distance, and letter writing has all but ceased. It is so much faster to just text. My father in law is in New Zealand for a few months and I had a full conversation with him through text messaging last night.

I just have to wonder what life will be like for my grandki....kids' kids. (It felt wierd calling them my grandkids)

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23

You try so hard to teach your children right from wrong. You take them to church to ensure they know what the Bible says, and yet, as they turn into teenagers, they begin to rebel. They do things that they know are not right such as sneaking out, drinking, smoking and so on. “Why?” you ask them. The response: “because everyone else is doing it. I just want them to like me.” Frustrating, right?
Peer pressure is extremely difficult to handle as a teenager. Adults have a hard time telling their friends no, but for teenagers, it is worse. So much is changing with them and that is awkward. The only thing they want is to be accepted. Unfortunately, that means they do things they know are wrong. Remember that the Bible says in Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” No one is without sin. You sinned, your parents sinned, and your kids will sin. The important thing is to help them understand what they did was wrong and help them to ask God for forgiveness. Show them that ours is a loving God, who knows our human weaknesses and loved us so much that He made a way for us to escape death and Hell, even before we served Him.

If your teenagers are going through this stage in their lives, pray for them, and help them pray for themselves. Show them in a loving way that what they’re doing is wrong and make sure they understand that you discipline them because you love them and you want to help them. Remind them that their actions will always have consequences good or bad, and you only want the very best for them.

Pray for your child to see the error of his/her ways, and when he/she does, be prepared to pray with him/he for forgiveness. (It’s important to add your child's name where you can, since you are praying a faith prayer over your child.)

Father, I know that what my child did was wrong and I ask your help in showing him/her that. I know that I have to discipline him/her according to your word in Proverbs 13:24. Reach out to my child and show him/her your ways, and help me to be ready to pray with him/her when he/she is ready to receive. Guide me as I go through each day so that I am better prepared to handle the situations that I am faced with concerning my child, in Jesus name. Amen

How Fast Kids Grow Up!

Ok, so just 2 days ago, I was in the hospital holding my newborn baby girl. Yesterday, I was holding my newborn son. OK, so not literally of course. They are 13 and 14 years old!

I remember, not too long ago, taking the day off work on Shai's birthday. We went to the store and bought "A Goofy Movie" I think we watched it about 20 times that day. She was just about able to say the words as it played in the VCR. She was 4 years old and celebrating her 1st birthday. (She is a leap day baby)

It seems like yesterday that my son was at baseball practice. He was struggling getting the ball to hit the bat. As I stood there wondering why he was having such a problem, it dawned on me that he was holding the bat wrong. After practice, I went to his coach and said "He is holding the bat wrong". His coach, of course, said no he's not. I handed his coach the ball and said "Toss it at him". I told Caalab to hold the bat like he does at home. He put his left hand on top of his right faced the other direction. The coach threw the ball, and Caalab hit that ball well over the guys head. You should have seen the look on his face. He came up to me and said "I have never coached a left handed kid before. I am sorry I doubted you".

My daughter is starting High School this week, and my son is in his last year of middle school. I just can't believe they are old enough for all this! I find myself very nervous for Shai. She can't possibly be "big" enough to walk the halls of NCHS. It's such a big school.

Beartrap Festival Day 2

The family went up to the mountain again this morning for day 2 of The Beartrap Summer Festival. This morning was very cold. Thankfully, we had some sweatshirts in the back of the car. We took the dogs with us this time and they did surprisingly well with all the people and other dogs that were there.

Travis was working the festival today, but he made time in between driving Patty Loveless around to hang out with the family! What a great guy I have!!

Caalab had a great time in the inflatable maze they had there. They were doing races to see who could get through it first. The other kids were younger than Caalab, so he let them win more often then not! He's such a nice kid! These are his feet....he was moving to fast to catch the rest of him! ----------------------->

<---------When my most active child and both dogs fall asleep, that means it is about time to head back home. We had a great time this year at Beartrap and I look forward to next years Festival.

Beartrap Summer Festival

Ahhhh.....Beartrap Summer Festival!!! We got up to the mountain around 10:15 this morning. The weather was perfect. There was a slight breeze that cooled us off just enough when it started getting too warm. We decided to go get some food. There were a variety of different kinds of food, but it was quite pricey! We decided on Frito Pies and Philly Cheese Sandwiches.

We went walking around and Shai decided to get a tattoo. NO!!! It wasn't real. It's called a "Henna Tattoo". It is a paste that temporaraly dyes your skin. It is supposed to last for 2-4 weeks. We'll see!! This is just after she got it done ------------------>

<---------This is after it started peeling off and you were able to see the results. They guy said that it will darken a little bit more than this.

Well, we had a pretty good time. I look like a lobster and I am hoping I won't be in too much pain tomorrow since we will be headed back up there again! I suppose I should go buy some sunscreen, huh?!?!?!

New (again) to a Blog

I had a blog about a year ago. I stopped using it for some reason and it disappeared, so I decided to start fresh. I am planning on using this blog to document things that are happening or have happened in my life that I want to remember. These are the best times of my life and I don't want to miss a moment of it!

This is me:

I am a Christian wife and mother. I have been married to my wonderful husband since 1995 and I have 2 amazing kids. As of 7-28-10, my daughter is 14 and my son is 13. I recently started a new job at an insurance agency and I am currently studying to become a licensed agent. I also am a Virtual Assistant. Insurance is completely different from my past jobs, but I am really liking it.

The words that follow are my life! I hope you enjoy them.