Busy, Busy, Busy

OH MY GOODNESS!   Somewhere in the near past,  I remember talking about how calm and peaceful I was this Christmas.  And would you believe,  the calm stayed,  the peaceful fluctuated in and out depending on my praying and faith,  but it was so BUSY.  My mother-in-law came down very early for some Dr.s appts and I took her to most of them.  We were sick for some of the days,  and our church began work week Monday.   I see people write about Christmas "vacation"  and I wonder where they found that.  Being a homeschool family,  I have the children with me 24/7 so them coming home and us doing things we don't normally doesn't work here.  Then our church is on adrenaline IV's and we have potlucks,  recitals,  Christmas programs,  more eating,  decorating,  birthday celebrations,  New Year's talent shows and all night treasure hunts.  Where is the vacation?   I need one desperately!!  There are Christmas books we haven't read,  ginger bread houses we didn't build.  ( I did let go of the guilt on this one,  took all the stuff back to the store and told them someone brought this home and we need to return it.  They wanted to know who brought it to our house,  and I had to confess it was me.  I think they think I am crazy.  How close they are!) games we didn't play,  some house cleaning that needs doing.  And "vacation" is almost over.  Just want to thank who ever reads this for reading all the outpouring's of my brain.  I am sure if I ever reread these,  I would delete the whole thing and change my name.  You are all too kind.

thanks for reading,

Reb 

Countdown

Random and varied thoughts.  That's all I have today.  So much going on.

1.  Two more vomiting bodies here.  Is there a disinfectant that's mists like that Glade mister scent thing?  We need one in every room,  possibly every outlet.

2.  Relationships are hard.  People can be difficult.  I told one of my kids if they didn't want to be part of a family, go find the nearest cave.  I will be looking for one tomorrow.

3.  Church is amazing.  God's people are amazing.  Maybe I will just move in at the church.

4.  We have a friend  whose husband has been gone 5 months and he got to come home on Christmas Day...and we got to cheer him in..on..to..home.  It was ffffuuuunnn...but cold.

5.  Do I have to have 10 of these thoughts?  Can I have so many thoughts that I run out because they are cancelling each other...like positive and negative numbers?

6.  I have a rogue thought.  I have to start planning  school for next week.  How..When...What...

7.   Our church is beginning work week tomorrow.  I don't know whether to feel bad I can't go because of sick kids...or thank the kids. 

8.  Cancel last statement.  I love work week.  The food, fellowship,  and fun people. 

9.  We sang a song at church tonight about Jesus being my Peace.  I needed it.

10.  I am hooked on Cake Boss...but I can only see through season 2 cause that's all my netflix to tv thing has.  I want cake all the time now. 

thanks for reading,

Reb

Out of the mouth of 6 year olds

Big Sis:   "I can handle snake and spiders, but not slugs,  and I just stepped on one.  EWWW!   Abigail:  "I can handle slugs.  I've been handling slugs since, like, forever!  I'll get it for you."

  Mommy:  "What did the three wise men bring to Jesus?"  Abigail:  "I know, I know!   Gold and, let me think....  oh yeah Frankenstein and Murrh!  I knew it!"

Abigail after opening stocking stuffers:  "I can tell this is going to be the best Christmas ever!" 

Doing lots of baking for tomorrow.  Will post Momma Nell's Pound Cake recipe with pics.  Still haven't learned to upload pics,  hopefully next week.  Did I say that last week?  Hope you forgot about it. 

thanks for reading,

Reb

We is Sick

We have sickness going on around here.  Rumbling tummies,  hugging the potty,  lots of washing going on.  And it seems our washer decided she had had enough.  One to many blankets and pillow cases.  We looked yesterday for a new washer,  boy the decisions and choices.  Too many for one visit.  So we came home.  D posted on some board online about wanting a Consumers Report article about washers, and a friend offered their used washer for FREE.   We were not anticipating buying such a large object now and I was really stressed about it.  But our GOD is GREAT and KIND, and LOVING, and GRACIOUS, and just WONDERFUL.  He offered us through a friend what we needed. 

I had great plans for this week,  which have not been brought to fruition.  I am working through great disappointment and feelings of inadequacy,  feelings that my kids are going to  be so disappointed on Christmas morning,  feelings that this Christmas has not been focused on the Lord as I have wanted.   Feelings that living with....well living is stressful.  I had not been reading my advents readings, or any Bible for a couple of days and I was feeling it.  So I got out the dusty book,  pulled up the reading list and began going through the days readings.  God is AMAZING,  He's a GENIUS.   He knows what we need,  how we need it,  and how to bring all things to completion.   If you are feeling stressed,  overwhelmed.  depressed,  get out God's Word,  and begin reading about who He is,  what He has done,  and how much He loved us.  It is sure to put some things in perspective.  Praise Him for these things, and go on about your day. 


thanks for reading,

Reb

The Concert of the Year

Christmas music,  Classical pieces,  Country,  Mountain,  Jazz,  Where can you go to get all this in an 1 1/2 hrs?   You really want to know?   Well,  you missed it.  But it will come around again.  I'll try to let you know sooner.  Last night our chillin's held a concert recital at our church.  It was fantastic.   If someone had told me I had to listen to almost 2 hrs of amateur music playing I would normally run very far.  In fact,  we had to feed and pay our friend/cousin Kevin to come and listen.  I mean,  what else would an 18 yr old male want to do on a Friday night?  Friends?  No way,  family first,  man!!

It was outstanding!!   I will be trying to post a clip here of my kiddos playing.  Not PROUD or anything.  And really,  all I did was yell,  scream,  spank,  encourage them each day to play well.  All the kiddos at the recital did well,  but I have to give credit where credit is due. Without my crew it would have been a good time,  but with my crew.....let's just say they made the evening a success.   A big HURRAH  to Haley, Noah, and Rachael. 

So here is to all the parents who don't give up on there kids,  who cheer them on,  who make them practice,  who buy all the pieces to repair the instruments that get dropped,  kicked,  plucked too hard,  mistuned, who plain want there kids to do better and be better than they are.   KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!


This one is my son and a great young man from church accompanying him.  http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/video/video.php?v=10150146612602818&comments

Next we have my eldest accompanied by our lead instructor.   http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/video/video.php?v=10150146608942818&comments

My psaltry player,  who rocked out those songs.  http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/video/video.php?v=10150146601877818&comments


ENJOY!!
thanks for reading,

Reb