Jacey: Mommy?
Mommy: Yes?
Jacey: I just want to listen to the song.
Translation: Mommy, stop singing now.
Showing posts with label life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label life. Show all posts
Thursday, November 06, 2014
Saturday, August 09, 2014
Summer bucket list
Tatums summer bucket list included shopping for school supplies and a special 'date' with me to Chick-fil-A. I am more than happy to oblige.
We survived Wal-Mart on tax free weekend, and the school supply list for a 2nd and 6th grader complete.
Tatum pointed out that next year I will be school shopping for three kids. Three. I think I need an entire year to prepare myself for that reality.
We survived Wal-Mart on tax free weekend, and the school supply list for a 2nd and 6th grader complete.
Tatum pointed out that next year I will be school shopping for three kids. Three. I think I need an entire year to prepare myself for that reality.
Saturday, June 28, 2014
Sweet dreams
Jacey: Good morning, Mommy!! Did you have good dreams?
Me: Hmmm??
Jacey: Did you dream about ME?? (smiling sweetly)
Me: Hmmm??
Jacey: Did you dream about ME?? (smiling sweetly)
Thursday, September 05, 2013
Life with a 3-year old
Daddy: We need to get a new calculator
Me (pondering what our now 5th grader is doing in math that might necessitate the need for a more intensive calculator....): What kind of calculator?
Daddy: One that hasn't been in the toilet.
Oh such is life with a rambunctious 3-year old!
Me (pondering what our now 5th grader is doing in math that might necessitate the need for a more intensive calculator....): What kind of calculator?
Daddy: One that hasn't been in the toilet.
Oh such is life with a rambunctious 3-year old!
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Well done
His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant!
Matthew 25:21
It's what we strive for, right? The knowledge that our work on earth has meaning - that we're not just doing good....we're trying to do the BEST...making a difference for the kingdom of God in the lives of others. Being faithful with the talents God has bestowed upon us and doing with those talents what He wants us to do.
At 11:02 AM today, I believe that Dr. Royal Benson heard the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" from the ultimate master, and although my heart is so heavy for those he has left behind in his whirlwind illness, his life truly made a difference.
I am completely and 100% confident that my God could have healed him here on this earth. But He didn't.
I don't know why.
It would have been miraculous.
It would have been awesome.
It would have been glorious.
But apparently, it wasn't the BEST.
I don't know how this fits into God's plan. My perspective is that of a pinhead compared to His. I have tunnel vision and I can barely see beyond the pain of those whose lives are hurting because of this loss...including mine.
I mean...I was just his patient. And I called him my friend. He delivered Matt and I's three precious children....Well, if you want to get technical, Matt was the first person to touch and deliver all three kids. He had asked Dr. Benson if we would get a discounted rate if he delivered the kids. After a laugh, Dr. Benson asked how many kids Matt had delivered...after Matt recounted the 'where's' but not the 'how many's' of the delivery's, Dr. Benson's response was, "Good answer,", followed by, "It's up to her" and left the decision up to me. (Sidenote: I did say yes with the requirement that he had to coach until delivery time)
So we had three "Royal deliveries", with him and his staff. I love that. Such a celebration of life.
I don't want to stop and think about what it would have been like to have a doctor who may not have taken me as seriously when I said something just 'didn't feel quite right'....I mean...three deliveries with prolapsed cords, despite all precautionary measures? One with an additional perfect knot in the cord? Diagnosed oligohydramnios (that's low amniotic fluid for those of you not aware)? The roller coaster of twins, losing one, and the emotional turmoil that the remainder of the pregnancy was with each ultrasound after...still wondering, hoping...maybe, just maybe...Twin B was just hiding? Celebrating life and mourning all at the same time...And he never once made me feel silly for any question I asked. In fact, he seemed to love it when I would bring in my notebook with questions already lined out and write his responses down - 'model patient', he would call me. "I did pregnancy well", he would always say, although I never agreed with him. :)
And then dealing with postpartum depression...what doctor reshuffles their vacation because a babbling postpartum patient calls the office and can barely speak the words, "There is something really wrong with me....I can't keep doing this..." After being on hold for just a few minutes, I was told to come into the office immediately - that he was making a special trip to the office to see me. What doctor does that?
Dr. Benson. He does.
And now he's gone.
He welcomed you with, "And how are you today, friend?" or asked about Matt and the kids, or my parents, etc. I don't think I ever saw him without a smile on his face in over 12 years.
And from my pinhole perspective, he lived life well, and served the Lord with the talents that God gave him. And he certainly made a difference in the lives of others. He was a staunch pro-life supporter, which is one of the things I respected about him and that resonated with me - especially when he took some heavy public fire for his stand.
Well done, Dr. Benson. Well done. You will be missed. Your wife and daughter will be in my prayers as they learn to navigate life without you.
Matthew 25:21
It's what we strive for, right? The knowledge that our work on earth has meaning - that we're not just doing good....we're trying to do the BEST...making a difference for the kingdom of God in the lives of others. Being faithful with the talents God has bestowed upon us and doing with those talents what He wants us to do.
At 11:02 AM today, I believe that Dr. Royal Benson heard the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" from the ultimate master, and although my heart is so heavy for those he has left behind in his whirlwind illness, his life truly made a difference.
I am completely and 100% confident that my God could have healed him here on this earth. But He didn't.
I don't know why.
It would have been miraculous.
It would have been awesome.
It would have been glorious.
But apparently, it wasn't the BEST.
I don't know how this fits into God's plan. My perspective is that of a pinhead compared to His. I have tunnel vision and I can barely see beyond the pain of those whose lives are hurting because of this loss...including mine.
I mean...I was just his patient. And I called him my friend. He delivered Matt and I's three precious children....Well, if you want to get technical, Matt was the first person to touch and deliver all three kids. He had asked Dr. Benson if we would get a discounted rate if he delivered the kids. After a laugh, Dr. Benson asked how many kids Matt had delivered...after Matt recounted the 'where's' but not the 'how many's' of the delivery's, Dr. Benson's response was, "Good answer,", followed by, "It's up to her" and left the decision up to me. (Sidenote: I did say yes with the requirement that he had to coach until delivery time)
So we had three "Royal deliveries", with him and his staff. I love that. Such a celebration of life.
I don't want to stop and think about what it would have been like to have a doctor who may not have taken me as seriously when I said something just 'didn't feel quite right'....I mean...three deliveries with prolapsed cords, despite all precautionary measures? One with an additional perfect knot in the cord? Diagnosed oligohydramnios (that's low amniotic fluid for those of you not aware)? The roller coaster of twins, losing one, and the emotional turmoil that the remainder of the pregnancy was with each ultrasound after...still wondering, hoping...maybe, just maybe...Twin B was just hiding? Celebrating life and mourning all at the same time...And he never once made me feel silly for any question I asked. In fact, he seemed to love it when I would bring in my notebook with questions already lined out and write his responses down - 'model patient', he would call me. "I did pregnancy well", he would always say, although I never agreed with him. :)
And then dealing with postpartum depression...what doctor reshuffles their vacation because a babbling postpartum patient calls the office and can barely speak the words, "There is something really wrong with me....I can't keep doing this..." After being on hold for just a few minutes, I was told to come into the office immediately - that he was making a special trip to the office to see me. What doctor does that?
Dr. Benson. He does.
And now he's gone.
He welcomed you with, "And how are you today, friend?" or asked about Matt and the kids, or my parents, etc. I don't think I ever saw him without a smile on his face in over 12 years.
And from my pinhole perspective, he lived life well, and served the Lord with the talents that God gave him. And he certainly made a difference in the lives of others. He was a staunch pro-life supporter, which is one of the things I respected about him and that resonated with me - especially when he took some heavy public fire for his stand.
Well done, Dr. Benson. Well done. You will be missed. Your wife and daughter will be in my prayers as they learn to navigate life without you.
Monday, January 28, 2013
The sickies....
So the sickies invaded our house. I think we might have finally stopped the invasion, but not before taking some heavy fire.
Jacey was the first to fall. In the middle of a restaraunt. Right before we were to celebrate a suprise birthday party.
I don't think that was the suprise the friend had intended.
Needless to say, we left. (Tatum and I eventually went back and celebrated, but not before another wave of attacks occurred on the way home. It was a brutal attack).
She had an evening and a night's worth of the sickies, laid around for the remainder of the next day, then was fine. Luckily, her attack fell over a long weekend, so we had the Monday off to recover. Tuesday was the first day back for everyone, and everyone went to school, feeling fine.
Wednesday morning didn't go the same.
I took some heavy fire. It was a slightly different army than the one that had attached Jacey, but a vicious one, nonetheless. Daddy suggested I stay home. I didn't argue. Daddy headed off to work.
Then the army that had attacked Jacey doubled back in, trying for the kill. It was almost successful.
Thursday's attack was directed towards Tatum, and luckily it was just the same army that had attacked Jacey the weekend before (since the other army was still attacking me).
Friday we licked our wounds and assessed our damages, trying to recover and build back up our gear. Friday night, the attack landed on Kellen. It actually stayed on Kellen longer than the girls (but not quite as long as on me), and he fought for a little longer than I anticipated he would. The weekend progressed and so did the battle lines.
By Sunday afternoon, we we gotten a dose of fresh air, some playground adventure, and our first real meal since the attack had begun.
Now it's Monday, and everyone is back at school and work, and I think the sickies are gone. The battle grounds have been cleaned, and there is no longer signs that a battle even took place at our house last week (I mean, except for the empty Lysol containers, half-empty bottles of Purel).
I don't want to fight that battle again any time soon, although if I could bottle the end product of the few days of it, I might have a best-selling diet aid on my hands.
Jacey was the first to fall. In the middle of a restaraunt. Right before we were to celebrate a suprise birthday party.
I don't think that was the suprise the friend had intended.
Needless to say, we left. (Tatum and I eventually went back and celebrated, but not before another wave of attacks occurred on the way home. It was a brutal attack).
She had an evening and a night's worth of the sickies, laid around for the remainder of the next day, then was fine. Luckily, her attack fell over a long weekend, so we had the Monday off to recover. Tuesday was the first day back for everyone, and everyone went to school, feeling fine.
Wednesday morning didn't go the same.
I took some heavy fire. It was a slightly different army than the one that had attached Jacey, but a vicious one, nonetheless. Daddy suggested I stay home. I didn't argue. Daddy headed off to work.
Then the army that had attacked Jacey doubled back in, trying for the kill. It was almost successful.
Thursday's attack was directed towards Tatum, and luckily it was just the same army that had attacked Jacey the weekend before (since the other army was still attacking me).
Friday we licked our wounds and assessed our damages, trying to recover and build back up our gear. Friday night, the attack landed on Kellen. It actually stayed on Kellen longer than the girls (but not quite as long as on me), and he fought for a little longer than I anticipated he would. The weekend progressed and so did the battle lines.
By Sunday afternoon, we we gotten a dose of fresh air, some playground adventure, and our first real meal since the attack had begun.
Now it's Monday, and everyone is back at school and work, and I think the sickies are gone. The battle grounds have been cleaned, and there is no longer signs that a battle even took place at our house last week (I mean, except for the empty Lysol containers, half-empty bottles of Purel).
I don't want to fight that battle again any time soon, although if I could bottle the end product of the few days of it, I might have a best-selling diet aid on my hands.
Monday, October 08, 2012
Play doh Fun
We celebrate all kinds of sensory things around here.
Including Mommy deciding that we would get out the play doh.
On a school night.
Whoa buddy.
Are my kids going to remember that they were in bed 'on time' every night? Maybe
Are they going to remember special nights of playing play doh and creating masterpieces on a sheet in the living room? I certainly hope so.
Including Mommy deciding that we would get out the play doh.
On a school night.
Whoa buddy.
Are my kids going to remember that they were in bed 'on time' every night? Maybe
Are they going to remember special nights of playing play doh and creating masterpieces on a sheet in the living room? I certainly hope so.
Wednesday, August 08, 2012
Content in my season
I came across this poem among some papers I was going through tonight. Oh Lord, help me to be content in my season of life - whatever season that may be - and count the many blessings you have bestowed upon me! It is so easy to want to fast forward, rewind, pause even at times... or to speed through a particular season (terrible two's or torrential threes, anyone?), but they are all so vital for growing into the person I am supposed to become and for fulfilling God's plan for me this side of heaven!
It was spring but it was summer I wanted; the warm days and the great outdoors.
It was summer but it was fall I wanted; the colorful leaves and the cool dry air.
It was fall but it was winter I wanted; the beautiful snow and the joy of the holiday season.
It was now winter but it was spring I wanted; the warmth and the blossoming of nature.
I was a child but it was adulthood I wanted; the freedom and the respect.
I was twenty but it was thirty I wanted; to be mature and sophisticated.
I was middle-aged but it was twenty I wanted; the youth and the free spirit.
I was retired but it was middle-aged that I wanted; the presence of mind without limitations.
My life was over but I never got what I wanted.
-Author Unknown
It was spring but it was summer I wanted; the warm days and the great outdoors.
It was summer but it was fall I wanted; the colorful leaves and the cool dry air.
It was fall but it was winter I wanted; the beautiful snow and the joy of the holiday season.
It was now winter but it was spring I wanted; the warmth and the blossoming of nature.
I was a child but it was adulthood I wanted; the freedom and the respect.
I was twenty but it was thirty I wanted; to be mature and sophisticated.
I was middle-aged but it was twenty I wanted; the youth and the free spirit.
I was retired but it was middle-aged that I wanted; the presence of mind without limitations.
My life was over but I never got what I wanted.
-Author Unknown
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Sweet sisters
Since they rarely do this, I thought it was worth memorializing. Books tonight were read while sitting on Jacey's bed. Then Tatum (not Jacey, which was really the shocker) wanted to lay down and snuggle with Jacey.
After reading our two books for the night, they decided they wanted to sleep in the same bed tonight, so I obliged (again, a rarity around here except for when everyone manages to end up in our bed by morning). I only had to go in to settle them down and get everyone (read: Jacey) back in bed twice (that might be an all-time record!) before they were both out.
And by 8 PM.
My sweet princesses. My goodness they're so adorable sometimes I just can't stand it.
After reading our two books for the night, they decided they wanted to sleep in the same bed tonight, so I obliged (again, a rarity around here except for when everyone manages to end up in our bed by morning). I only had to go in to settle them down and get everyone (read: Jacey) back in bed twice (that might be an all-time record!) before they were both out.
And by 8 PM.
My sweet princesses. My goodness they're so adorable sometimes I just can't stand it.
Tuesday, May 01, 2012
April Running Recap
Um...so, ok. This will be a really quick post. Because I didn't run a lap at all in the month of April. Nada. Zilch. Nothin'.
April was me dealing with bronchitis and a sinus infection...and finally throwing in the towel and getting medicine (and it really must have been bad, because when I called to schedule an appointment the nurse on the phone asked me some questions, then told me she would call back after speaking with the doctor and when she did, she simply called in the antibiotic). So after a z-pack, I thought I was feeling better, but I never did get rid of the cough or ever really get my energy back. All.month.long.
I'm really going to have to kick it into gear tomake up for three months of crappy mileage. Yikes!!!
2012 Recap:
January total = 31.24 (31 days) [MET GOAL]
February total = 9.26 (29 days)
March total = 12.4 (31 days)
April total = 0 (30 days)
April was me dealing with bronchitis and a sinus infection...and finally throwing in the towel and getting medicine (and it really must have been bad, because when I called to schedule an appointment the nurse on the phone asked me some questions, then told me she would call back after speaking with the doctor and when she did, she simply called in the antibiotic). So after a z-pack, I thought I was feeling better, but I never did get rid of the cough or ever really get my energy back. All.month.long.
I'm really going to have to kick it into gear tomake up for three months of crappy mileage. Yikes!!!
2012 Recap:
January total = 31.24 (31 days) [MET GOAL]
February total = 9.26 (29 days)
March total = 12.4 (31 days)
April total = 0 (30 days)
Friday, April 06, 2012
Fun Family Day
It was a fun family day...and we totally needed it! It was a nice and relaxing day...one without much of a schedule. We don't get those that often!
So we headed to Independence in search of bluebonnets, then headed to Brenham to the park for a late lunch/early dinner and to play at the park. We headed back to town a different path, stopping along the way back for a nice milkshake treat (which was interestingly the only out-of-pocket expense of the day).
We had a blast. And we have the pictures to prove it (some are better than others, but hey...the memories are priceless!). Here are some of the better ones from today.
I'm glad I took the day off today. Happy Good Friday.
Remember...the cross is for you. No matter who you are! Thank God that the cross was for me!
So we headed to Independence in search of bluebonnets, then headed to Brenham to the park for a late lunch/early dinner and to play at the park. We headed back to town a different path, stopping along the way back for a nice milkshake treat (which was interestingly the only out-of-pocket expense of the day).
We had a blast. And we have the pictures to prove it (some are better than others, but hey...the memories are priceless!). Here are some of the better ones from today.
I'm glad I took the day off today. Happy Good Friday.
Remember...the cross is for you. No matter who you are! Thank God that the cross was for me!
Sunday, April 01, 2012
Godsend
Let me go on the record and say it. My in-laws are a Godsend. Completely and totally.
They totally saved me this weekend.
I am sick. With what, I'm not sure, but I'm sick. I am congested, have a runny nose, am sneezing, and am coughing. A lot. And it hurts. (I'm guessing bronchitis and a sinus infection, but haven't gotten that confirmed).
But my ailments didn't stop the weekend from coming.
For some, the weekend might be a good thing. For me, for this particular weekend, it wasn't a nice and relaxing weekend. Matt was at an event I place a high priority on him attending - a men's retreat with our Sunday school guys. Tatum had her first soccer game scheduled. It was Parents Weekend in Aggieland and consequently, I had a work luncheon, and Kellen had his opening ceremonies for Little League.
It was gearing up to be a FULL weekend. Even more so than usual for us.
Matt was going to come back and forth so he wouldn't miss Tatum's first soccer game, but the recent rain caused the opening weekend games to be canceled. She was devastated. Mommy and daddy were less than devastated.
Maw Maw and Paw Paw managed to make it over so that I could get to my luncheon, and played with the kids and did spring-time activities all day so that even when I got home, I was able to take a much-needed nap. I say much-needed because unfortunately by that point in time, I had also managed to acquire a migraine on top of everything else.
After my nap was over, my migraine had, despite my 'good' medicine, taken full root. So we took the kids to the new Chick-fil-A to get a quick dinner and some caffeine in me to help kick the meds in even more (one can dream) before the opening ceremonies.
While we were there, we realized that Jacey really likes ice cream. Even asked for it after she saw the other two kids turn in their kids meal treat for it.
With me not being completely (or at all) on my game, we managed to leave the house without her lovey or a sippy cup. These were not good things for us to be without.
We managed. And the caffeine helped the medicine to kick in some and I was able to tolerate the opening ceremonies.
I liked the way they did them this year....we were able to actually see the teams since they came around the front of the stadium.
And afterwards, Maw Maw and Paw Pawassisted with the bedtime routine put the kids to bed so that I didn't have to do it all myself.
Godsend.
I would not have made it through the weekend without them. Well, I might have, but I wouldn't have included such fond memories as ice cream pictures and sweet boys enjoying their opening ceremonies.
Absolute Godsend.
They totally saved me this weekend.
I am sick. With what, I'm not sure, but I'm sick. I am congested, have a runny nose, am sneezing, and am coughing. A lot. And it hurts. (I'm guessing bronchitis and a sinus infection, but haven't gotten that confirmed).
But my ailments didn't stop the weekend from coming.
For some, the weekend might be a good thing. For me, for this particular weekend, it wasn't a nice and relaxing weekend. Matt was at an event I place a high priority on him attending - a men's retreat with our Sunday school guys. Tatum had her first soccer game scheduled. It was Parents Weekend in Aggieland and consequently, I had a work luncheon, and Kellen had his opening ceremonies for Little League.
It was gearing up to be a FULL weekend. Even more so than usual for us.
Matt was going to come back and forth so he wouldn't miss Tatum's first soccer game, but the recent rain caused the opening weekend games to be canceled. She was devastated. Mommy and daddy were less than devastated.
Maw Maw and Paw Paw managed to make it over so that I could get to my luncheon, and played with the kids and did spring-time activities all day so that even when I got home, I was able to take a much-needed nap. I say much-needed because unfortunately by that point in time, I had also managed to acquire a migraine on top of everything else.
After my nap was over, my migraine had, despite my 'good' medicine, taken full root. So we took the kids to the new Chick-fil-A to get a quick dinner and some caffeine in me to help kick the meds in even more (one can dream) before the opening ceremonies.
While we were there, we realized that Jacey really likes ice cream. Even asked for it after she saw the other two kids turn in their kids meal treat for it.
With me not being completely (or at all) on my game, we managed to leave the house without her lovey or a sippy cup. These were not good things for us to be without.
We managed. And the caffeine helped the medicine to kick in some and I was able to tolerate the opening ceremonies.
I liked the way they did them this year....we were able to actually see the teams since they came around the front of the stadium.
And afterwards, Maw Maw and Paw Paw
Godsend.
I would not have made it through the weekend without them. Well, I might have, but I wouldn't have included such fond memories as ice cream pictures and sweet boys enjoying their opening ceremonies.
Absolute Godsend.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Not my smartest Mommy moment
Last night I hosted my Meal Swap I mentioned earlier this week. In preparation for this, I got the house picked up, had Tatum help me prep brownies, and while my pizza pasta was cooking, I gave the girls a bath.
You know, to get a jump start on bedtimes.
I never thought that dinner would result in something that looked like this.
And Jacey got not one, but TWO baths last night. (After she ate THREE bowls of this pasta...and Mommy did an extra HAPPY DANCE for her eating!!)
So much for my attempt at being organized and efficient. I would call that a big fat Mommy fail. Or....perhaps if I spin it another way, we just practiced her sensory input as it related to baths and bathing.
Yeah...I can spin that.
You know, to get a jump start on bedtimes.
I never thought that dinner would result in something that looked like this.
And Jacey got not one, but TWO baths last night. (After she ate THREE bowls of this pasta...and Mommy did an extra HAPPY DANCE for her eating!!)
So much for my attempt at being organized and efficient. I would call that a big fat Mommy fail. Or....perhaps if I spin it another way, we just practiced her sensory input as it related to baths and bathing.
Yeah...I can spin that.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Perspective when your kiddos are strong-willed
I have spoken a lot about my strong willed children. Those children who just so happen to come from two strong willed parents.
They never stood a chance.
I have to remind myself that their strong wills will come in handy some day when they are faced with peer pressure and all sorts of other 'things' and I hope and pray that the messages they are learning now will stick.
So it was refreshing to read this devotional about that very same thing. I absolutely love the mothering perspectives she lists...
They never stood a chance.
I have to remind myself that their strong wills will come in handy some day when they are faced with peer pressure and all sorts of other 'things' and I hope and pray that the messages they are learning now will stick.
So it was refreshing to read this devotional about that very same thing. I absolutely love the mothering perspectives she lists...
- Don't take too much credit for their good.
- Don't take too much credit for their bad.
- Don't try to raise a good child. Raise a God-following adult.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Monday, March 12, 2012
When a door closes....
I frequently ask the Lord to give me direction not in the form of quiet whispers, but in flashing billboards and signs.
I don't do well with subtle. The Lord made me. He knows this. It's not a shocker to Him.
But I ask anyway, because I know myself. Typically He answers that particular prayers and gives my flashing billboards and large signs.
I appreciate this very much.
Last fall, I applied for a PhD program in the College of Education and Human Development, within the Department of Educational Administration & Human Resource Development here at Texas A&M University. The program itself was human resource development. It would have taken me a while, as my plan was to take a class, possibly two, at a time.
I have been talking about applying for my PhD for...oh...about 11 years now. Yup. Since I finished my Masters. But a little thing called the real world managed to get in the way. You know...the first 'real' job, a couple-three-kids, just life in general. And despite the fact that I'm surrounded by people continuing their education (with my advice and assistance) and by professors, I hadn't taken the plunge.
Until last fall. My co-worker was applying for the very same program, and that was the motivation I needed. Matt and I prayed about it, and we decided that things seemed like they were lining up for me to apply for the program. If God didn't want me in the program at that time, I simply wouldn't get accepted.
The individuals I asked to write my letters of recommendation were thrilled to do so, one of them even submitted the recommendation letter before I had a chance to submit the application or any supporting materials. All three of these professors felt incredibly confident that I would be admitted, and to tell you the truth, so did I. And so did my co-worker. And so did most of the other people that I told I was applying.
The decision was supposed to be made (I thought) by the end of February. The end of February came and went and I didn't hear anything. I did; however, get a text from another friend who had applied to the same program the evening of March 1st. She basically told me to check my email. I had been busy that afternoon in meetings and hadn't had a chance to check it. So I did.
But God said, "No." Or at least, "Not right now."
I didn't get accepted into the program.
I certainly won't lie and say that I'm not disappointed, because I am. But I'm trusting that this is God's very large, flashing billboard directing me away from this path at this particular moment. Those who I have informed of this have been shocked for me, which I appreciate. But I'm trusting that this was/is God's will for me right now. Perhaps He is saving me from myself, since I do have a tendency to take on more than I need to at any given time.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path. - Proverbs 3:5-6
I don't do well with subtle. The Lord made me. He knows this. It's not a shocker to Him.
But I ask anyway, because I know myself. Typically He answers that particular prayers and gives my flashing billboards and large signs.
I appreciate this very much.
Last fall, I applied for a PhD program in the College of Education and Human Development, within the Department of Educational Administration & Human Resource Development here at Texas A&M University. The program itself was human resource development. It would have taken me a while, as my plan was to take a class, possibly two, at a time.
I have been talking about applying for my PhD for...oh...about 11 years now. Yup. Since I finished my Masters. But a little thing called the real world managed to get in the way. You know...the first 'real' job, a couple-three-kids, just life in general. And despite the fact that I'm surrounded by people continuing their education (with my advice and assistance) and by professors, I hadn't taken the plunge.
Until last fall. My co-worker was applying for the very same program, and that was the motivation I needed. Matt and I prayed about it, and we decided that things seemed like they were lining up for me to apply for the program. If God didn't want me in the program at that time, I simply wouldn't get accepted.
The individuals I asked to write my letters of recommendation were thrilled to do so, one of them even submitted the recommendation letter before I had a chance to submit the application or any supporting materials. All three of these professors felt incredibly confident that I would be admitted, and to tell you the truth, so did I. And so did my co-worker. And so did most of the other people that I told I was applying.
The decision was supposed to be made (I thought) by the end of February. The end of February came and went and I didn't hear anything. I did; however, get a text from another friend who had applied to the same program the evening of March 1st. She basically told me to check my email. I had been busy that afternoon in meetings and hadn't had a chance to check it. So I did.
But God said, "No." Or at least, "Not right now."
I didn't get accepted into the program.
I certainly won't lie and say that I'm not disappointed, because I am. But I'm trusting that this is God's very large, flashing billboard directing me away from this path at this particular moment. Those who I have informed of this have been shocked for me, which I appreciate. But I'm trusting that this was/is God's will for me right now. Perhaps He is saving me from myself, since I do have a tendency to take on more than I need to at any given time.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path. - Proverbs 3:5-6
Saturday, March 10, 2012
March goals....
In looking at this month...and considering that I'm feeling like God's current instruction and discipline includes asking telling me to slow down and begin to take better care of myself, I think I'll concentrate on the following:
1. Continue my running goal (average 1 mile/day) [nevermind that I haven't run at all this month because of said back]
2. Continue with February's purge goal
3. Continue with date nights with Matt (once a month minimum)
4. New this month....SELF CARE!
I'm off to a late start this month with solidifying this goals...but here we go.
1. Continue my running goal (average 1 mile/day) [nevermind that I haven't run at all this month because of said back]
2. Continue with February's purge goal
3. Continue with date nights with Matt (once a month minimum)
4. New this month....SELF CARE!
I'm off to a late start this month with solidifying this goals...but here we go.
Friday, February 03, 2012
Couponing
So I have a few goals for my couponing/thrifty endeavor...
The most obvious goal is to save money on things my family already buys. In case you don't know it, expenses for a family of 5 can add up!
Another goal is to create a stockpile. I have a vision of our garage shelves lined with toilet paper, paper towels, diaper wipes, toothpaste, easy mac, and enough cereal in stock for my kiddos (among other things, of course) to last for 3-6 months. I'm learning, so I have no illusions that I'll get there next week, or even next month, but I'm trying, which is really what counts. (In case you're wondering, I don't find this goal in conflict with my declutter goal....I want to stock up on things we as a family love and use....so there are fewer stressful moments when we realize that there is no more toilet paper in the house. Not that I have experience with that or anything...)
Another goal is to {once again} cook in bulk and store meals in my freezer. I had been doing this for a while - and had even been organizing meal swap parties for the Sunday school class - and it makes dinners and meal planning so easy. {Quick realization is that I didn't host a single solitary one of those meal swaps during the fall semester...and I don't think I had one in the summer either. Shame on me!} So if I combine the freezer cooking with buying some of the ingredients in bulk and on sale, I'll be one happy mamma.
Of course, a lofty goal that I have is to hit the deals so that I ultimately get various toiletries for free (because apparently that is possible), but I know that's lofty and it will probably take a while before I'm ever at that point, so whatever.....any savings is good!
My final goal is to use the money we're saving from being thrifty and couponing and put it to good use. Whatever that good use might need to be at the moment. What I don't want to do is save money in this area and have this effort and those savings amount to nothing in our grand scheme of finances. What a waste that would be.
It's the start of a new month, which means most of the online coupons just reset. Who is on the couponing bandwagon with me??
The most obvious goal is to save money on things my family already buys. In case you don't know it, expenses for a family of 5 can add up!
Another goal is to create a stockpile. I have a vision of our garage shelves lined with toilet paper, paper towels, diaper wipes, toothpaste, easy mac, and enough cereal in stock for my kiddos (among other things, of course) to last for 3-6 months. I'm learning, so I have no illusions that I'll get there next week, or even next month, but I'm trying, which is really what counts. (In case you're wondering, I don't find this goal in conflict with my declutter goal....I want to stock up on things we as a family love and use....so there are fewer stressful moments when we realize that there is no more toilet paper in the house. Not that I have experience with that or anything...)
Another goal is to {once again} cook in bulk and store meals in my freezer. I had been doing this for a while - and had even been organizing meal swap parties for the Sunday school class - and it makes dinners and meal planning so easy. {Quick realization is that I didn't host a single solitary one of those meal swaps during the fall semester...and I don't think I had one in the summer either. Shame on me!} So if I combine the freezer cooking with buying some of the ingredients in bulk and on sale, I'll be one happy mamma.
Of course, a lofty goal that I have is to hit the deals so that I ultimately get various toiletries for free (because apparently that is possible), but I know that's lofty and it will probably take a while before I'm ever at that point, so whatever.....any savings is good!
My final goal is to use the money we're saving from being thrifty and couponing and put it to good use. Whatever that good use might need to be at the moment. What I don't want to do is save money in this area and have this effort and those savings amount to nothing in our grand scheme of finances. What a waste that would be.
It's the start of a new month, which means most of the online coupons just reset. Who is on the couponing bandwagon with me??
Sunday, January 15, 2012
I think she likes it!
I don't have many pictures of Jacey with food faces...we work really hard around here to get her to eat. So it was with great joy that I realized she liked Hamburger Helper Cheesy Enchilada. I paired it with Ranch Style Beans and she was loving this dinner.
Now, if only I could get all three kids to agree to like the same meal.....
Friday, December 30, 2011
Aggie's Ball!!
Is a common phrase at Aggie Basketball....which the kids got to experience.
And Jacey got to experience it for the first time!! I actually think this may have been her first Aggie sporting event (actual sporting event...the Yell practice doesn't count...and I'm racking my brain to think of an Aggie sporting event we have taken her to before now, but I'm coming up blank).
And, despite having a start time that was 30 minutes past when she's normally in bed, Jacey was remarkably well behaved and interactive. She was a little overwhelmed to start things off, but then played with us all and ran between the seats and was enjoying playing peek-a-boo with Maw Maw.
Tatum wanted to play her leapster almost immediately.
Kellen was into the game for quite a while. Considering that he's playing basketball right now, I think he really enjoyed watching the guys play - and WIN!!
And Jacey got to experience it for the first time!! I actually think this may have been her first Aggie sporting event (actual sporting event...the Yell practice doesn't count...and I'm racking my brain to think of an Aggie sporting event we have taken her to before now, but I'm coming up blank).
And, despite having a start time that was 30 minutes past when she's normally in bed, Jacey was remarkably well behaved and interactive. She was a little overwhelmed to start things off, but then played with us all and ran between the seats and was enjoying playing peek-a-boo with Maw Maw.
Tatum wanted to play her leapster almost immediately.
Kellen was into the game for quite a while. Considering that he's playing basketball right now, I think he really enjoyed watching the guys play - and WIN!!
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