Someone's Christmas present

Pretty crocheted dishcloths...made of soft cotton yarn...how delightful!

Birthday gift for a friend

Well...what to do. A birthday celebration and no money to buy a gift for a friend. So I ventured into the cluttered basement and found material scraps and a pattern. This is what I came up with:

I thought it turned out okay!

Good times and bad times....

...they all go on at the same time it seems.  Here is the good:

• Darcy is doing really well with her driving.  She's driven almost everyday since she got her license and I'm learning to worry less with each trip she completes successfully.
• My new job is going pretty well and our family life hasn't had to undergo any major changes with my working mornings.
• I recently had a birthday and I don't feel older...so that's good
• We are making progress on paying down debt.  Hoping in less than six months we'll be totally debt free.

Here is the worrisome:

• my dad has been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer that will require a complicated surgery and weeks of radiation treatments.
• a friend was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer.
• I had a disasterous sleep study with no results but over $1,000 in hospital and doctor bills.
• my husband is still working reduced hours which means reduced paychecks but I'm trying to be content...some days I'm better at it than others

Hebrews 10:38 says:  Now the just shall live by faith: but if [any man] draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

I trust Him...I will not draw back...I want Him to be pleased with me.

Change is a coming...

and I'm a little fearful.  My daughter, Darcy turns 16 soon.  That means a driver's license is imminent.  AAAAGH!  How'd did she grow up so fast...she did it while I wasn't looking.  This is just one more step towards her independence.  Not that she's going to be turned loose to go wherever and whenever she wants.  But this milestone has put me in a reflective mood, of how much life will change in the next 5 to 10 years for her and for us.  She'll be an adult, making her own choices and starting her life apart from us.  That seems impossible but I know it's true.  I'm wondering have we prepared her enough...I hope so.  Will she stick close to home or seek adventure in the unknown?  All we can really do is to entrust her to our Saviour's care...for He loves her evenmore than we do.

It's been something...

almost every day here lately.  So here is my latest news as best as I can remember from the blur of the last few weeks:

• the children started school.  it's taken awhile to get back into the routine but I think the worst is over.  so far no one is behind.
• my dad became quite ill.  about 6 weeks ago he fell off a horse and hit his head and developed a subdural hematoma.  during the preparation for the surgery to fix the hematoma, they discovered a tumor.  we're still waiting to hear whether the tumor is malignant or benign.
• i now have a part time job outside of the home as a church secretary.  i work for four hours and then go home and start my mother and wife duties.  please pray that i can be more efficient than i usually am.  i desire to do both jobs well so as to bring glory to god.
• my health has declined.  my blood pressure is really high...i just started a new medicine and i hope it brings it under control.  i'm also having to undergo a sleep study because my husband believes i have sleep apnea, which i probably do.  all i know is that  i wake up a lot and never get a truly restful sleep.

All is not negative though.  God is on the throne and He orders my day.  Nothing has entered my life without His permissive will.

I'm a soldier...

image courtesy of peacocksandlilies.com

so are you if you're a Christian. Huh? Read 2 Timothy...just four chapters...for all the details. You'll be blessed!

I'm so proud...

My oldest and dearest friend in the world has written an e-book and started a blog. She is a talented lady...always has been. Please go visit her...I think you'll love her site!

her e-book site

her blog

She's been a blessing to me since we were thirteen years old and I know she'll be a blessing to all of you!

Oh really???

Drowning out opposing views is simply un-American.

said by Nancy Pelosi

I agree with you Madame Speaker. So the next time people express their conservative and religious views with you, I'll expect you to be all ears and mouth buttoned. Unlikely in my opinion. No matter to you that conservative and biblical views are being stifled more and more each day....that is an acceptable "drowning out" to you, I suspect.

Well, I'm a lot disgusted

Was watching the news before starting my day and I saw a story on misspent stimulus funds... you know that $787 billion spending fiasco. The National Endowment for the Arts got something like $50 million and they have spent some of that money on PORNOGRAPHY! Yikes! I couldn't be more upset and repulsed.

See the story here but be advised...there's a graphic photo accompanying the story.

Wow...I haven't posted

in two months? Can't give you any excuses...none that are any good really. I just needed to slow down and reevaluate some things. Now for updates:

• We suffered a family loss on June 29th when a dear loved one passed away. When something like this happens to you personally, you are stopped in your tracks and forced to do some evaluation and ask yourself some hard questions.
• Our school year was finished up successfully. I'm proud of both my scholars.
• My kiddos went to church camp and had a great time. One of their friends was awakened to his need for the Lord and they are excited they have gained a brother.
• My gardening efforts have had mixed results...some successes, some failures. The weeds have been relentless this year.
• My husband still has a job (grateful for that) but reduced hours which has had an impact on us. As the family accountant, I've had to become the "NO" lady which makes me oh so popular.
• My son turned 14, my brother turned 40 and my momma turned 65.

Things that are coming up:

• My daughter is going to another camp before she starts school, to work for a week. I think she'll find this to be an eye-opening experience.
• My son will be starting high school on August 3rd.
• I may be getting a part-time job...but we'll see. This situation would be ideal for our family but will have to wait and see if this is God's will for our family. I had to put together a resume which I haven't done for 16 years...so that was a task in itself.

What's the deal? Will I continue to blog? Well, one of my original intents when I started this blog was to keep a family diary. So from this perspective, yes I probably will. I just may not be consistent about it. I know I cannot do daily...I just don't have the ideas or opinions. But once or twice a week...I hope I can do this. Life has just been a little overwhelming as of late and I had to drop the unnecessary and just get through each day. But such is life with two busy and social teenagers. I'm sure one day, I'll be complaining about how boring everything is. So you see, I'm rarely content with my situation! Anyway, looking forward to catching up with everyone. Bye!