Technology is too cool!

My amazing hubby surprised me with a "netbook" a couple of weeks ago! It is the cutest little thang, and I have named her Daisy. Hubby also installed a wifi on our computer and just finished setting up a network in our house. Now I can surf the net, work on our budget, or update this little journal and print it out all while cuddling next to Hubby on the couch! AMAZING!!

Where have I been?

Time flies when you are having fun.

Don't know where I have been the last couple of weeks, it's a blur -

• Work work work... my assistant (a problem for the last 5 years) is in jail for repetitive DUI's and no longer works for my company. Is this an answered prayer or just consequence for action? Me thinks answered prayer that nobody got hurt, consequence that he is middle-aged and will have to start over after detoxing in a concrete cell. Didn't think I'd be this sad.
• New assistant! She knows how to do almost everything in the office and is a quiet, pleasant, wonderful girl! Yay! I taught her how to use an architectural ruler today and explained how plans are scaled, the different scales we usually use, how to see if the plan is printed out to scale. Such potential!
• Beautiful Boy is 5! Happy Birthday, little man! I love you desperately!
• Birthday party at.... Chuck E Cheese !! !*#@. Ha ha. It's not so bad, easy for me, dream-party for him!
• Funeral for a wonderful Christian friend from church. He had polio as a child and lived his life in a wheelchair and didn't consider himself handicapped. Had a beautiful wife and two adult children who he loved to camp and fish with and worked for the IRS. My hubby played with the praise band at his funeral and it ROCKED! The Pastor said it was a celebration of his wonderful life and we were to rejoice for him. By the way, our new, huge sanctuary was completely full and people were standing in the back. An old friend of his played "I can Only Imagine" on the piano, making it bluesy and changed the words to "Now I don't have to Imagine!" Unbelievable, and not a dry eye in the whole place. His life was a testament to Christ Jesus. Rest in peace, and dance for Jesus, my friend. Isaiah 40:31
• Oldest daughter is now a teenager. Happy Birthday my amazingly talented, funny, intelligent young lady! How did you get as tall as me? Don't grow too fast.
• End of the year craziness for school with awards ceremonies and crazy half day schedules. I am quite proud of my kids and their awards, this is good stuff!
• Parenting Conference. Learned new strategies on how to raise these four blessings by "Parenting with Heart" www.biblicalparenting.org/startwiththeheart.asp
• Confirmation!!!! I was blessed to mentor two girls, sisters who are 12 & 14, for the last four months. Wow. They really asked some great questions and we became very close, I guess that happens when you are discussing religion, politics, teenage issues, secular world issues, and not holding anything back. I love them and can't wait to see them grow in Christ and be there for them if they ever need me (or just want Sushi or Dairy Queen!) We also spent a weekend at the UMC camp in AZ for a retreat to discuss "Prayer, Presence, Service, Gifts & Witness" with kids from all over AZ and NV. Talk about preparing them for the decision to follow Jesus! On Sunday, 18 (EIGHTEEN) !!!! teenagers were confirmed members, including my two confirmands & my beautiful oldest daughter, Rose! Go God!

Ok. That's what I was doing. I am taking off a couple of days next week to visit with my Cali-girl who is coming to her time-share to relax and play. Can't wait to get our boys (husbands & sons!) together and just watch all of the kids splash and play and eat and drink!

Beautiful Christian Sister

I have been in a real funk lately. My best friend from Cali sent me an email yesterday with this poem, by one of my fav poets, Maya Angelou. It really struck a cord because Cali-girl knew I needed a reminder that I am unconditionally loved by God, Family and Friends. Nice to hear because I am really, really tired and get bogged down by the fact that:

• Ok. Here is the obligatory bullet.
• I wrote about ten reasons and promptly deleted them.
• Gave them to God.
• I'm resting in him.
• No therapy bill.
• I feel better.
• The world doesn't need to hear me whine.
• Or know my hurts.
• God has them in the palm of his hand.
• Enjoy the poem!

Beautiful Christian Sister
by Maya Angelou

A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ
That a man should have to seek Him first to find her.
When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not shouting "I'm clean living,"
I'm whispering "I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven."
When I say... "I am a Christian" I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.
When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not trying to be strong.

I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not bragging of success.

I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not claiming to be perfect,

My flaws are far to visible, but God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I still feel the sting of pain...

I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say "I am a Christian" I'm not holier than thou,

I'm just a simple sinner who received God's good grace, somehow!

_______________________________________________

P.S. I became a Christian in 2002. If you are a family member, you have my letter sharing my story. If you want to hear it again, I'm willing and I've grown in faith abundantly since I wrote it, it's all much more concise now. Love you all.

School Days

I registered the little guy for Kindergarten last week. Can't believe he is that old already, he will be five (5!) on May 26th. He was all ready to go to school, so I had to explain to him that we were just signing him up, we still need to play all summer and THEN he will go to school.

So, next year I will have the following:

• 8th grader (middle school)
• 5th grader (elementary school)
• Kindergarten (elementary school 1/2 day only)
• Daycare

4 kids

+

2 schools

+

1 daycare

=

4 schedules

_______________

1 Daddy on night shift

+

1 Mommy who is very grateful to have such a flexible job so she can do drop off / pick up duty!

=

PARENTS. The toughest job you will ever love.

Wait. We still have to get through this school year.... one month to go.

Then splish-splash through the summer months with lots of slushies by the pool!

I am going to live in the moment and enjoy these kids while I have them in my arms for this season in life!

Run, Forest, Run!

Best 5k time ever yesterday! I must say, it was AWESOME! My friend, who is currently training for her first Triathalon and has run several 1/2 marathons, gave me a Runner's World beginners guide to running and it had some great tips. I followed the advice to have an energy-giving snack an hour or two before the run. I had a 1/4 cup of nuts and a banana... yummy fuel! I ran the whole 3.1 miles without walking (a first, please applaud!) and finished in 33 minutes. "11 minute miles" wooo hooo! getting better!

I am attempting to re-create my i-pod playlist, as I had it on shuffle and need desperately to remember what songs I ran like lightening to!

• Breakfast, Newsboys
• Author of Life, Phil Joel
• Bet on it, Zac Efron
• Watching You, White Tie Affair
• Panama, Van Halen
• Return, Needtobreathe

Good, but not long enough for me, I like to FF to the next song when I get bored...

Here is my actual Running Playlist as well;

• Welcome to the Jungle, Guns n Roses
• By Myself, Linkin Park
• Survior, Destiny's Child
• Rehab, Amy Winehouse
• Have a Nice Day, Bon Jovi
• Cheap and Evil Girl, Bree Sharp
• Fighter, Christina Aguilara
• Hollaback Girl, Gwen Stefani
• Kickstart my Heart, Motley Crew (my favorite when I need a push!)
• In Better Hands, Natalie Grant
• Smells like Teen Spirit, Nirvana
• Crushcrushcrush, Paramore
• Author of Life, Phil Joel (funny that this would come up on my shuffle list as well :)
• Funhouse, Pink
• Breakin Dishes, Rihanna
• Shake It, Metro Station
• You are my King, Newsboys

Well, there 'tis. I run best to the Newsboys or any worship music... something about focusing on what's important ya know!

Give me fuel

Give me fire

Give me that which I desire

beat, beat, beat, beat..... 160 beats per minute... I feel a run coming on...

WHAT???? There's no Metallica on my playlist. That's just wrong, man.

Spider Ranger

My son is the cutest little man I have ever met! He loves video games, cars, and all things "manly" - so much different than my three girls! Duh...
So he informed me the other day that he is a "Spider-Ranger". He loves Spiderman and the Power Rangers, so in his little mind, he can be whatever he wants, so why not be both?
I love that little dude.

Hot Baths & Coffee

My Father used to say there were two things that he had to do every day that he hated to do:

• Get up in the morning
• Go to bed at night

It seems that this is definately one trait that this "night owl" has inherited from him. Here is my remedy:

• Take a hot bath at night
• Drink coffee in the morning

Cuppa Java to ya! :)