The Demise of Kitchen Carpet...

My Kitchen ~ This picture comes from last June - Jesse's graduation ... Some of my favorite women are here:

Vanessa...Heather...Colleen...Rachel and Christina...

Vanessa was mad at me then...but she got over it...with us - anger disapates...and love remains...Heather...was pregnant...wowowowow...now a Mommy to Liam...Colleen...didn't know she was going to BE pregnant...big surprise...Rachel...acting like she is working...we all know better...and Christina...knowing that my bright idea of a Turkey dinner on Graduation Day was waaayyy more than I bargained for.

My kitchen has been a work in progress - when we moved in - the walls had blue/purple crazy flowered wallpaper with blue/purple plaid border...whoever did it must have been high - or colorblind. The cupboards were an ugly finish...and there was carpet on the floor.

I hate carpet on kitchen floors. There should be a law against it. I hate carpet on kitchen floors...

But first - we had to strip the wallpaper - to paint. It wasn't easy...it sucked actually. I would watch these home improvement shows and it always looked really easy. But for us - it was LABOR. Then I had to talk Gordy into painting the cupboards.

He doesn't have my vision. But once he began to see the end result - he got into it and painted into the late late night.

But for 2 years more - we haven't done anything with the floors. I have pushed - ever so gently...well really I nagged - let's just pull it up...it will be soooo cool. And anyone who knows Gordy - knows that he is a LITTLE anal about floors...so I finally got the section in front of the door - it looked like hell for about 2 months...then last weekend - we just pulled it all up...The first layer of carpet - then the second layer of carpet - then the first layer of linoleum...followed by 2 more layers...then wood floor...heavy sigh...

But now - I am looking at getting the 'uckumpucky' that was beneath the linoleum.

The kids are helping...they are putting in requests for their own tool belts...but some of it - I am doing by myself...on my knees...

You can do alot of praying when you are on your knees for another purpose...I find myself praying 'without ceasing' right now...

It's interesting watching the floor come to life - under the uckumpucky...I have a feeling that it is going to be a week of change...in many ways...

'The need for change bulldozed a road down the center of my mind.' ~ Maya Angelou

Get Reappointed...

All of us become disappointed when we have plans that fail, hopes that don't materialize and goals that are not reached. When this continues for a while, we become discouraged, a condition that can lead to depression if not handled properly.

When I get discouraged, I must make a decision to adapt and adjust, to take a new approach, to just keep going despite my feelings. That's when I must remember that the Greater One resides within me and decide I won't let discouragement keep me from realizing my dreams and goals.

When I feel discouraged - it is sometimes difficult to be positive. That's when I must rise above the discouragement through Him who lives in me. He is always available to help me find renewed direction and hope. I try to remember - 'When I'm discouraged, get encouraged ~ and when I'm disappointed, get reappointed.'

'Look, the Lord your God has set the land before you; go up and possess it, as the Lord God of your fathers has spoken to you; do not fear or be discouraged.' ~~~ Deuteronomy 1:21

Those Days ~ These Boys ~ These Days

Those Days - were so predictable. Jesse and Joe were always ready for fun and adventure. They are the boys in between everyone else. These pics are from our trip to Edmonton way back when.

Here we are again - celebrating another 'birthday weekend' with the boys. Only now 'these boys' are young men ~ 19 and 16.

Cool Joe - with Ryan. I love those eyes and that smile. We always say to live a day in Joe's world is a good place to be. Joe sees nothing bad in anything - people, circumstances, food (haha), music...etc. Joe really is the 'baby' of the family - he would still have us tie his shoes for him - if we only would. I am so proud of his calm, centered self. Isaiah 26:3 tells you when you keep your mind on the Lord, you will have 'perfect and constant peace.'


Patient Jesse - with Ben. Jesse is such a personal perfectionist ~ so very patient and justice minded - and loves his family desperately. Jesse is the 'golden one' ~ the one that God poured all the talent, creativity, agility, atheletism and IQ into. On the cusp of becoming a wonderful, wonderful man - that even he can't fully realize yet. Don't be so unforgiving of yourself... Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Psalm 27:14


For my absopositively wondermous sons on their birthday weekend: Sometimes you may feel discouraged, miserable and depressed. In those times you need to take a close look at what's been going on in your mind.

By focusing on the goodness of God and waiting, hoping and expecting Him to encourage you and fill you with His peace and joy, you can overcome negative thoughts that drag you down.

Think and speak positively. Begin believing right now that you are about to see God's goodness in your lives. Wait, hope and expect His blessing to be abundant in your lives.

My Girl

My girl...from a shy, quiet little one - who just wanted to be included in everything her brothers did...to a confident young athlete...then to over coming enormous obstacles that would have put many people down for the count.

I love this first picture...running away from the waves...testing the water's edge ~ to...


Running fast and furious - full sprint into the ocean. Fearless ~ to...
Laughing and being carefree in the face of it all.

These 3 pictures - for me - signify her caution and strength and happiness...

'Those who hope in the LORD wll renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.' Isaiah 40:31

Wow

Wow - we just got done watching 'Lord of the Rings' triology. It is interesting explaining it to the little ones. I don't really think I am even qualified to explain 1/2 of the shows...but I try. I hope that they don't repeat my interpretations to anyone.

But the network ran the shows with 'limited interruptions'...meaning fewer commercial breaks. After all the intense battle sequences - I was thankful for the happy touchy feely sequences towards the end of the show...then came this odd commercial.

The commercial cuts back and forth from a white collar worker sitting on a toilet in a public restroom 'rigging himself up' to inject some drug...to Christ being nailed on the cross and crucified. It was really odd. In the end - it was a commercial for a local church - stating 'Christ died for you so you wouldn't have to.' My kids were stunned. From the sunny glowing touching wrap up of Lord of the Rings - to a guy shooting up and Christ's being crucified. It was an odd in your face interpretation of the parallel between turning to Jesus - unfortunately - not very well done.

Wow....now I am all jazzed up to begin about my takes on media literacy...but for now - I have Jesse wanting the laptop....

Superbug ~ Links

This is Joe - cool Joe. This was taken last weekend - BEFORE the MRSA took over his life.

Typical interaction with Joe: My leg hurts. Me - Did you hurt it when you feel longboarding? Joe - No, it's my other leg that hurts. Joe leaves the room.

20 minutes later: Jesse brings Joe to me - to see his leg. Joe's back right upper thigh is swollen the size of a softball - very red, very hot and a large sore in the center.

Jump up - get dressed - go to the ER - trying to decifer from Joe - how and when this might have happened. Joe can't pinpoint the event that made his leg look so angry.

At the hospital - the Dr to Joe: Dude - how long has this been like this? Joe is uncertain. Joe has a fever and they begin to lance the wound - pack and dress it. Even though it looks extremely painful - Joe at times, giggles - he is ticklish.

The wound is diagnosed a MRSA - a superbug. After 4 trips to the ER for continuing treatment - 2 antibiotics, pain medicine and 4 missed days of school - Joe is better and can enjoy his spring break now...

And I am very proud of myself for this new discovery. I figured out - by myself - how to add links on my blog page. That is so cool to me. I always wondered how that was done and I tripped over the page that walked me through the steps...very cool.

When will the snow go away???

Baskets ~ Bubbles ~ Bad Boys II ~ Passion

Today is Easter Sunday.
Resurrection Sunday.

How do I accomplish teaching my little children the importance of our walk with Jesus? To walk towards Him and turn our backs on the world. To be in the cool, refreshing presence of our Lord.

First - we buy mega amounts of candy and bubbles and a little stuffed animal - put it in a basket - 'the Easter Basket'. The goodies in this basket - suffice for breakfast - accompanied by a big glass of milk - I'm certain it is as nutritous as Apple Jacks cereal.

Second - we attend church. The children are taught about Jesus' death and resurrection. Information that they hear often - not fully grasping the importance of the history.

Third - Go eat lunch together as a family - not anything atypical about our family time.

Then we come home - Easter Baskets are revisited - sorted through - grazed on.

I'm still feeling like I need to use this day for further expansion on the wonderment of Jesus resurrection with the little children.

The Gospel Channel has a commercial free Easter - which means ongoing videos, no commercials - we have it on - sing - dance..well okay - I'm the only one dancing - gotta love Mary Mary 'Shackles'. Then we catch the end of Godspell. I explain to the kids how it is like a 'hippie play' about Jesus. We catch the part when Jesus is in Gethsamane and then Judas and then crucified. Finally - 'The King of Kings' comes on. While it is an old movie - it hits all the key points. The kids watch - ask - and learn.

I wanted to watch 'The Passion of the Christ'. Gordy won't watch it again - it is too tough for him. I am always amazed how people can watch a movie with multiple, multiple killings - but when it comes to 'The Passion' - it either offended people with it's 'violence' or made them uncomfortable.

The piece of 'The Passion' that is so important - is that it makes us CRITICALLY think about one death. We are lulled into complacency watching movies like 'Bad Boys II' that exploit multiple deaths and laugh at the antics of Will Smith and Martin Lawrence as people die - or those already dead are strewn about a highway...but cannot stomach watching a depiction of our Saviour being led to his death. ONE DEATH...means everything...then His resurrection...completed everything.

Gotta go...I have an Easter Basket that is calling me :)