. . . Yadda, yadda, yadda . . .Seriously!

New Blog Address!

2012-01-06T16:21:00.001-06:00

http://beingjoyfulitsachoice.blogspot.com/

Hmmm

2011-09-29T12:17:00.000-05:00

Being reflective

..of my trip to Detroit as I sit in the airport, going through photos and listening to music.

Made some good choices?

Made some bad ones?

Cemented some friendships and fractured a few others...

Trying to figure out who am I really, seriously? At age 36 I am still trying to figure this out? Do others do this? Trying to figure out how to make what I think, line up with what I do, or more correctly, making what I do line up with what I think. Screw it...lol Trying to figure out if I want my life to be what I think, or what I do...That's the truth...

Some soul searching and goal setting is in my future for sure. Maybe some time at the cabin by myself just being reflective and honest...I am honest with others to a degree, but not sure if I am really honest with myself at all. Yes, a trip to the cabin. It will happen, and soon!!

Thoughts

2011-09-26T11:40:00.002-05:00

Just a few random thoughts that I want to expound on at some point:

Sitting at my longest best friends work as she does 'her thing'...people watching and wondering about their stories and experiences.

Dealing with raw emotions, past loves, new friends, and letting go.

Balancing what is expected of me vs., what I am willing to give.

Handling my Vikings 0-4 losing streak...LOL (Okay, this isn't that deep really, it just makes me sad).

Expounding on my faith, what it really means to me, and how to allow my children to feel as if they have a choice.

Listening to others talk, really listening and not trying to find a place to be heard.

Excited about loving the people that are in my life and giving of myself to those that deserve that part of me, but at the same time distancing myself from those that don't 'sharpen' me, or make me feel like they are adding to my life in some manner.

Reading a couple books: "Losing Friends" by Digby Anderson, "Safe People" by Cloud/Townsend, and "Dummies guide to Scotland" (it is going to happen someday, and I want to be ready!)

Wanting to be the kind of person that isn't known for extremes, yet still being intentionally extreme in areas of my life.

Balancing work, kids, friendships, me time, family, hobbies and trying to work dating into the mix...

I have had a good trip in Detroit. More to come I am sure. Just didn't want to forget some of these things bouncing around in my head.

Have a great week!

A new beginning?

2011-09-20T11:25:00.004-05:00

I don't suppose I have many readers anymore due to the fact that I haven't blogged in over a year, and the year before that was spotty at best.

I have been thinking about why I don't blog anymore, it was such a big part of my life. I came to a few realizations:

1) I was always dubbed the 'fun mom', and I don't feel like I am such a fun mom since the divorce.

2) I had time, nothing else to really worry about, and I am short on time now and full of things to worry about.

3) Facebook has over taken me...This is a difficult one. I have potential to be a deep thinker, and I enjoy that as well, but facebook status' keep people up to date in my life and I don't have to go into detail. I don't have to be introspective and that is a comfort to me at times. Not beneficial usually, but comforting to not have to deal with 'me'.

With that being said, I feel like I have some things that I need to get off my proverbial chest and I may do that in a private blog, sort through it and then delve deeper into some of the issues for you guys to weigh in on. A lot has happened in the last two years, I have made some good decisions, some not so good decisions and dealt with situations that in the past I would have handled differently, but am trying to make positive changes.

I am still 'choosing Joy', that is the core of me, that will most likely never change. Looking forward to getting some of this stuff out of my head!

Freaky Friday . . .

2010-07-08T21:53:00.002-05:00

I know this is supposed to be 'Faithful Friday' . . .but this is mostly just to freak out a very special friend that has been a faithful reader of nothing for the last 7 months. . . .Here is to you LeAnn! I plan to be back in full force!!!

On a 'Faithful' note . . God has been answering prayers for me left and right, and it blows my mind how amazing His grace is! Looking forward to sharing . . .

XOXOXO

~sarea~

In keeping with theme . . .

2009-12-17T00:55:00.002-06:00

Truthful Thursday . . . since technically it IS Thursday.

Truthfully I have been staying up too late again.
Truthfully I am at a good place right now.
Truthfully I have some great friends that love and support me (and some that I want to hit with Menu's occasionally)
Truthfully I have really opened up my mind to a lot of different things this year, some good, some bad, but I have also realized a lot about myself in the process.
Truthfully I want to be in the middle of everything, but left alone. . .(yeah, I can't explain it either)
Truthfully I wish I could give my kids a better Christmas this year, but at the same time I want them to realize what Christmas really is about, what better way than to have nothing else to do but talk about it?? lol
Truthfully I don't deserve how great my family is to me. . . My mom and dad, my sister and her husband . . .They watch my kids, feed them and look out for me. I get teary eyed when I think about it.
Truthfully it was a little weird sending out Christmas cards this year with a picture of just me and the kids. (I didn't send very many, just seemed not good timing I guess).
Truthfully, blogging again is nice . . .I've missed it.

More later.

Okay . . .

2009-12-14T23:28:00.004-06:00

Here it goes. . .

I am divorced. As of December 2nd, it was final. I moved out in May, and didn't rush into anything. I have peace about it, and stand by my decision.

I don't want to hear "I'm so sorry" . . .You don't know my situation.

I don't want to hear "Congratulations" . .because no matter how bad you think it was or wasn't, that is still 14 years of my life that is over.

I don't want to go out and celebrate it, because I don't feel like it is something that should be celebrated.

I don't want to have to explain it to everyone 800 different times, and re-live it over and over again. . . I am divorced, that is it. It didn't work out between us (and even though that sounds trite, you will not find me trash talking the father of my children).

I look forward to blogging again on a regular basis, I have missed it and I think it might have missed me a little too!

Since today would have typically (and since it is only 11:30 pm, it is still technically) a Manic Monday, I will proceed in that fashion!!

Well, I am still homeschooling the kids in the mornings and working part time Mon-Thurs from 2-6:30 at the local chiropractic office. My sister watches the kids on Monday's, my mom watches them Tuesday's and Wednesday's and my mother in law (can't bring myself to call her my ex mother in law, she means too much to me to do that) watches them on Thursdays. They are all very supportive of me working part time and have been so helpful and loving to me and my kids! I enjoy my job, but it has been crazy because I have been working full time for the last three weeks. The only other woman that worked there with me quit quite suddenly and left us high and dry . . .My boss is amazing though and we made it through. We have hired another lady and she seems to be doing fine so far. I have realized though that I am not a good teacher, I want people to get it as fast as I do, and understand it as quickly.

I just taught a CPR class to the local canoe club and that was fun! A great group of people and I am excited about maybe joining them on some of their adventures! I am going to post some random pictures of the last few months to catch you up to speed. . . Enjoy!

The kids and I on Halloween, dressed as football/baseball players!

Ethan just being . .well . . . Ethan! (I can't believe that he is going to be 7 next month!)

Garrett loved rock climbing, but I think he enjoyed rappelling much more!

Madison had a great time at Lincoln Lake with the homeschool group learning to rappel, rock climb and even got in a little bit of kayaking!!

So . . .

2009-11-25T20:33:00.002-06:00

It's been awhile since I have written . . .I think I am ready to explain why. . . (but I reserve the right to change my mind at any time I so choose.)

Oh, wait . . First of all, HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! I have much to be thankful for:

3 beautiful children (that I currently want to beat)
an amazing, supportive and loving family
friends (both old and new) that listen to me, love me and make me laugh
Sonic ice (if you haven't tried it, don't knock it)
My Lord that loves me unconditionally (I might feel a need to say this one twice)
my Arbonne consultant (I love their product!)
not having cable (although I miss Football, UFC and The Discovery Channel)
my super nintendo (I love OLD SCHOOL video games)
my air popper (for the best popcorn EVER!)
since I said that . . Butter and Salt too!
wood heat (I am loving my wood stove)
my job and a great boss
music (it fits every mood I am in!)
and I was right . . My Lord . . .I so need to cling to Him more!

So anyway . . .I am going to wait on my reasons for not blogging as to not take away from being Thankful right now in this moment!

HUGS TO ALL!

My life...

2009-10-29T01:04:00.001-05:00

Baptist . . .

2009-09-13T11:53:00.004-05:00

So today was my first Sunday back to church in quite some time. I had been wanting to go back for a while, but was really feeling 'blocked' for many reasons. Thankfully the kids jumped on board and we did it together!! We attended "First Baptist of Prairie Grove", which was where I was going when I first moved here, but due to some issues I had with others in the church, I quit.
I had some reserves because of the "Baptist" label, but I was actually very pleasantly surprised.

Let me just tell you . . .

The worship music was updated, (although I do love hymns).
The atmosphere was relaxed and comfortable.
There were the perfect amount of people, not so few you feel like an obvious guest, but not so many you get lost in the shuffle.
The kids loved Children's Church.
It was nice to see some familiar faces.

Now, let me say a little something about the 'sermon': (which was VERY interesting to me, and not typical, even for this church, as they are in the middle of a 'sermon series')
These are some of the things said, and people quoted today
(It was on "Jesus Among Other Gods")

"Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda, Buddha" (pronounced correctly)
Ravi Zacharias was quoted.
Jesus Christ was quoted. (no brainer)
Buddha was quoted.
GK Chesterton was quoted.
"nirvana" was talked about
Nirvana(and I mean the band)

And some great points were made. I like the kind of service that is educational instead of hell and damnation. A double bonus?? We did NOT sing "Just as I am" as the closing song!

P.S. We will be going back. . .

Backtracking . .

2009-09-11T09:24:00.002-05:00

Apparently, it is too overwhelming to think about blogging about everything that I have missed so far. . .so starting Monday I will start fresh! Looking forward to doing this again! ;-)

Behind . . .again . . .

2009-07-06T00:54:00.002-05:00

. . . Story of my life.

Mostly I read other peoples blogs and think "they are so funny", "they are so smart", and I don't even compare, so why bother? But then I remember that I do this for me, so it shouldn't matter (but it does). Ugh.

Here are the things that I need to blog about:

My trip to Detroit
My sisters progress on the new house
the end of ball season
taking my first on line class
Dad's Surprise 60th birthday
4th of July
5th of July (with some explanation)
Giving swim lessons

Wow . . I need to get busy!

Um wow . . .

2009-06-28T22:19:00.001-05:00

So, Detroit was fun . . .I am exhausted . . . I have been reading all my old journals and feeling sorry for myself . . .and I have a TON of stuff I want to write about and just don't have the time! I might have to schedule 'blogging time' from now on, just to get it done. . .

Miss updating all of you people that never comment on my life . . .hee hee . . .

Tid Bit Tuesday

2009-06-16T11:20:00.004-05:00

I leave for Detroit in the morning.
I won't be back until Sunday afternoon.
I am excited to see old friends.
Garrett is in a baseball tournament.
We played 2 games on Saturday.
We played 1 game last night.
We may play up to 3 games tonight.
Did I mention that I leave for Detroit in the morning . . .

Until I return (and I will have plenty to post, I am sure) . . .Don't miss me too much!!

slb

Saturday

2009-06-14T08:53:00.002-05:00

Well, we got to Oklahoma around 11:30 am . . .it was already pretty hot (with NO shade). Thankfully a friend invited us to sit under their pop up gazebo . . .it was heaven! We are totally going to get one!

The boys were ahead most of the game, but then it was tied. We entered overtime and scored one run . . .they got up to bat and ended up getting 3 runs to beat us by 2 runs. The boys were bummed, but not for long! We had a 15 min. intermission and got them in the shade for a bit and hydrated again . . . and we played game two! We ended up winning that game 12-2, and Garrett had a great ground hit into centerfield (short stop missed it). He was very excited!! Now we play again today at 3:30 pm and if we win that another game at 5!

I did get some sun on my arms and legs and hit the tanning bed after that. I fell asleep in the tanning bed, which is nice, UNTIL you are rudely awakend by the warm light going off and the cold fan still blowing on you. (Not to mention the loud click when the lights turn off!)

Faithful Friday

2009-06-12T23:36:00.004-05:00

I have recently started reading several books by CS Lewis (Clive Staples Lewis that is) . . .I am reading "The Essential C.S. Lewis" and "The Great Divorce" (which incidently has NOTHING to do with divorce as we know it). I am enjoying it, as they are forcing me to use my mind which I feel has atrophied a little bit due to lack of use. . . (Let's just keep that little comment to ourselves)

Things have been crazy around here, what with everyone coming and going, but it is such a relief to know who really is in charge! I look forward to sharing more of what I read in the near future!

On a totally different note, here is the newest addition to the family. . .

Marbles

Isn't he adorable? He is a 6 week old blue heeler pup . . .Madison is ate up with him and the boys love how cute he is. If only I could create a drug to keep puppies . . .well, puppies! LOL I would be RICH!!

Here are a few of the pictures I took of an amazing sunset the other night . . .It was storming and it was beautiful!

We have a ball tournament for Garrett all day tomorrow and then a birthday party at the pool. The kids will be worn out! (Thank goodness!) LOL

Tid Bit Tuesday

2009-06-09T22:54:00.006-05:00

Couldn't resist this . . .

I just started reading two new blogs and wanted to share them with you guys!

This First One is especially for LeAnn, and any of my other 'crochet friends' . . .I have only read three of his entries, but I am totally HOOKED!!

The Second One is for my fellow book readers . . .It is called Flannelgraph and it is a pretty catchy site! Go to the bottom and read about its origins . . . seems like a pretty great group of folks too, and there aren't like 500 of them or anything (YET) so now is a GREAT time to get on board!

P.S. We now have a new member of the family, a blue heeler that Madison has named "Marbles" . . .He is adorable and I will post pictures tomorrow! ;-)

Sunday . . .Where the time has gone . . .

2009-06-07T19:44:00.003-05:00

So, here are a few of the reason that I haven't been blogging as much . . .

Mom and Dad got 44 chicks . . .they were adorable! However, we lost over 20 of them in a three day span due to a raccoon (that met a bitter end, but that is another story in and of itself!). They were grabbing them and pulling them through the chicken wire! It was crazy! They need to be fed morning and night and watered every couple of days. . .

Summit and Grandma took a look the day that we got them!

Harmony bought several puzzles at a yard sale (three to be exact). Here is one of them, but Mom and I ended up putting 3 puzzles together in 4 days! Click on the picture to enlarge it so that you can see just how crazy the pieces are, it was a real doosey! . . .Shhh . . . .don't tell Dad! LOL

Finally, I love to crochet (makes me feel less lazy while watching movies at night after the kids go to bed). Mom needed a few for some upcoming weddings, and I have a few that I did for some friends that just got new houses . . . I think they will like them!

So needless to say, I have been busy! However, I did start a baseball blog today and should have it finished and able to post for tomorrow!! Stay tuned!

My summers then vs. my summer now. . .

2009-06-07T17:02:00.011-05:00

I had been managing the Prairie Grove Aquatic Park for 7 years, and my time was pretty much consumed from early April until the beginning of September every year. Last year was my first year to have a 'free summer' and it was nice. I taught private swim lessons for a little money on the side and the kids and I enjoyed just being lazy. (They missed non stop days of going to 'work' with mom, but managed somehow!)

The Good Ole' Days . . .Ethan, Nate and Garrett (back in the day)

This summer was my first foray into the craziness call Ball Season (that most families around here are VERY aware of). It was $50 per kid with a maximum of $100 per family. Since Garrett and Madison were going to play for sure, I thought "What the heck, let's sign up Ethan too, it won't cost any more!" Wow! Every Monday for the last 5 weeks (minus bad weather) all three had games, at three different ball fields, and sometimes in different towns! Thank goodness for grandparents that were willing to step up to the plate! It has been quite a ride, but the kids have had a blast!

Garrett is on a kid pitch baseball team and plays outfield. He just recently connected with the ball for the first time!! He was so excited and has improved by leaps and bounds since that first hit! He loves playing and just being part of the team!

Garrett is in the front row, farthest on the right.

My number 99 (the year he was born).

On 2nd base, getting ready to steal 3rd. Man, does he love sliding into home!! LOL

Madison plays fast pitch softball with some of her cousins and just loves it! She plays right field and 2nd base. . . she aspires to be a picture one day. She is the youngest on the team at age 8, but wants to move up with the girls next year when they move to the 12 and under league. Mark helps assistant coach her team and has really enjoyed it also!

My number 21 . . .(the day she was born!)

Team Photo: Mark is in the back row on the right and Madison is in the front row first one on the right!

Ethan plays tee ball and has played several positions but his favorite is pitcher and short stop. Watching his games is always entertaining as the kids are all over the place!

Look at that form! My number 6 . . .(the day he was born!)

Hitting is one of his strong points . . .

I have a 'ball bag' that is equiped with a first aid kit, bug spray, sun screen, my camera, the 'baseball bible', extra pony tail holders, sunglasses, sunflower seeds (just the regular ones, non of that 'ranch' or 'dill pickle' flavored stuff for me!), and an insulated tote with drinks and snacks.

At Garrett's games, I like to visit with Sharon Martin, she is refreshing, funny and wise. She also homeschools her children and is a valuable resource (with interesting tidbits of information, I might add!)

Mark and Sharon Martin . . .

At Madison's games, I have several people that I enjoy visiting with, but by far my top favorites are LeAnn, Lucy and Angie. LeAnn and I acutally visit and yell together, while Lucy makes fun of me for my ball bag and my sayings . . . ("Chin up young person!") LOL

LeAnn is on the bottom and Lucy is on top! Angie was missing this day . . .

At Ethan's games Crystal is always entertaining, as is Rachel and Dakota (the coaches mom and niece). No pictures of them yet, but I will get some soon!

I have a great time no matter where I am at, but trying to keep 3 sets of rules seperate and trying to remember all the names of the kids on 3 different teams can be taxing! I wouldn't change it for ANYTHING, and even though this is the last week of regular ball, I am already looking forward to next years craziness!!

Yes, I know . . .

2009-06-07T00:27:00.001-05:00

I am very behind in my blogging, but it is too late tonight to get into it . . . Ball games have been crazy (future blog about that), I started paper journaling again (future blog about that), and mom and I have been putting puzzles together like crazy (future blog about that too!) Right now I am really looking forward to my trip to Detroit on the 17th! Can't wait to see and catch up with old friends!

Wacky Wednesday

2009-05-20T16:33:00.004-05:00

Today I am going to entertain you with a story about how I met a certain "Goonie" buddy. . .

Rewind . . . let me think how far . . . about 6 years ago for me and about 3 kids ago for her . . . lol.

I was Managing the local aquatic park (PGAP), and this beautiful red-headed pregnant woman was having trouble with her young son because he was upset that they were leaving. I stepped in and knelt down in front of him saying "Did you have fun today?" He nodded yes as he wiped his nose. I replied "I can't let you come back if you throw a fit for your mom when you leave ... it is a rule here, you have to be nice to your mom if you want to come back." He looked at me wide eyed, and I smiled at him saying "We would love to have you back soon, so put a smile on!". I looked up at his mom (not sure how she was taking this) only to have her smile down at me over her belly and mouth the words "thank you" to me. . .

Now, fast forward about 4 hours . . .I had been at the pool all day and I was exhausted. Dealing with teenagers for employees as well as patrons is enough to suck the life out of anyone! (p.s. I loved my job and the kids that worked for me.) There was a man that was swimming laps, so a lifeguard and I had to stay until he was done. . . As he finished up and walked out the gate, I locked it behind us and then I noticed that there was a little boy sitting outside the gate on the steps. I asked him if he was waiting for a ride and he said "yes". The man said that he would wait for him, but I wasn't really comfortable with that so I said "Let's go back in and call your parents." I asked the lifeguard to stay with me (the man didn't leave and was starting to make me nervous. . .) I walked to the gate, unlocked it and the man kept chatting with me. I don't even remember what he was saying, I was nervous and couldn't get the key in the door to the office. . . I remember him saying "Are you sure that you work here?" We called the kids parents and they arrived very shortly to pick him up. The man and I were walking to our cars (the lifeguard had left after the child got picked up) and we started talking about who knows what . . .I was still doing the nervous chatter and mentioned that I was the coordinator for the local MOPS (Mothers of PreSchoolers) group and did he have a wife and kids? LOL I was searching for ANY reason not to panic . . .He replied that he did and that he thought I might have helped her that afternoon with a little red headed boy. . .I was relieved at that point . . .I knew if that was his family that I had nothing to worry about! I ended up giving him my phone number and email address so that she could contact me, and she did!!!

Just a few funnies about her/the family/us:

She joined the MOPS group and we became pretty great friends.
I found out her husband actually worked for the government in one of those "I could tell you, but then I would have to kill you" jobs . . .(so my uneasiness wasn't uncalled for! LOL)
We found out we both loved the movie "The Goonies" and could quote all of it . . .we have only watched it together once, but we will consider each other a "Goonie buddy" for life!
I was able to be with them through the birth of one beautiful child, as well as the loss of another beautiful child.
She has ministered to me in several ways, she is such a servant and wonderful mother . . .

Anyway, I am seriously thinking I need to call her up and make a date for me, her, "The Goonies" and 2 Route 44 Vanilla Dr. Peppers!! ;-)

Tid Bit Tuesday . . .

2009-05-19T15:07:00.001-05:00

Baseball . . .Won

Softball . . . Lost

Teeball . . .Not Sure . . . LOL

And so goes the rest of my life . . .

Sunday

2009-05-17T10:28:00.004-05:00

Well, yesterday my intentions were to run a 5K (or walk rather since I had done NO prep AT ALL), and then hit the library to get a few books recommended by a friend . . .This did not happen.

I ended up doing the 'yard sale' thing with my mom, sister and Kel. . .Now, let me just give you an idea of what that means for US:

You get up and leave the house by 6 AM (it doesn't matter if the sale doesn't start until 7 AM or later) . . . you don't want to miss the good stuff!
No time for doughnuts or coffee shops . . . you don't want to miss the good stuff!
If the driver doesn't think the sale is worthy of our viewing, she will slow down long enough to give someone else the chance to yell out "yeah stop", but if you aren't quick enough, we are off to the next one . . .you don't want to miss the good stuff!
If it happens to be a neighborhood sale, my sister can navigate the Tahoe through traffic better than you could a scooter (I guar-an-tee!) We don't want to miss the good stuff!
Also, if it is a neighborhood sale, the chances of me getting left behind are greater because I am the ONLY one that looks at EVERY book in the box (I got left behind quite a bit so I am guessing that I almost ran a 5K by myself) . . .I don't want to miss the good stuff!
My BIL is better at this than any of us, but still we try to make an offer on what we want . . .don't want to pay 'too much' for the good stuff!
By 7:30 AM (when most people get around to the yard sales) we already have our vehicle loaded down with . . . you guessed it . . .

THE GOOD STUFF!!

No one laughs/makes fun of each other/laughs/cracks up/runs/hits the gas station to pee/laughs/eats nasty CORN NUTS/laughs/parks jacked up, or laughs as much as we do when we go to yard sales. It is so much fun and chaos crammed into 2-3 hours, and you couldn't even begin to afford that quality entertainment!!

Now on a more serious note . . .Did YOU get any good stuff???? Hee hee . . .

P.S. I am hitting the library today! Can't wait!

Truthful Thursday . .

2009-05-15T07:18:00.002-05:00

. . has come and gone, so I am not able to share what I planned this week! ;-)

So, that brings us to Faithful Friday!
The verses that have been coming to mind and giving me peace this week are:

II Corinthians 10:5B . . ."Take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ"

and

Romans 12:2 "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind . . ."

This world (as well as other people) make it so difficult to keep your focus on what is " . . .his good, pleasing and perfect will." My life choices are mine, and I live with those (as do my children when those choices affect them). The only thing you can truly do for someone else is to pray for them and trust that God will take care of the rest!

HOWEVER . . .I must admit that a few of my pet peeves are:

Those people that casually say "Oh, I will pray for you." and don't follow through (I am guilty of this on more than one occasion unfortunately, but have resolved NOT to allow this to happen anymore, Lord willing.)

Those people that say "I am praying for you" but include the tone and voice inflection that REALLY says "This is NOT the right thing in my opinion for you to do, so I am going to manipulate you by saying this and making you feel like there is NO possible way for you to call yourself a Christian and follow through with this choice!"

The most effective way to allow someone to make good choices is to actually pray for them (and not necessarily tell them that is what you are doing) and say "I support you even if I don't always agree with you, and I am here if you need anything" To emulate God's unconditional love is one of the most difficult things to do, but so necessary to allowing others to see what our God is capable of!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!

Missed . .

2009-05-13T08:41:00.004-05:00

a few more days . . .but my laptop is up and running again!

Monday was definately MANIC! Madison and Ethan both had games (so did Garrett, but he went to a fishing "Meet the Pro's" thing with my dad!

Tid Bit Tuesday is like . . .we went to the library . .

Today things are a little more settled down, but still crazy . . .give me about a week to really figure out what is going on and I will share!

Sunday

2009-05-10T21:29:00.001-05:00

Well, Happy Mother's Day to all of you out there!

LeAnn, I am so sorry that I haven't blogged in 3 days! It has been a crazy few days and I will be back on Monday in full force!

Looking forward to getting you caught up! ;-)

Truthful Thursday

2009-05-07T13:43:00.001-05:00

Just a short one today . . .

Truthfully, I am emotionally and spiritually drained . . .

This too shall pass.

Prayers are appreciated!

Tid Bit Tuesday

2009-05-05T07:52:00.002-05:00

I said, "He is not breathing, but he has a pulse" . . .
the reply . . .
"Rescue Breathing, One breath every 5 seconds" . . .

Manic Monday

2009-05-04T23:09:00.000-05:00

Going to get this posted just before midnight . . . My weekend was pretty uneventful.

Sunday, Madison and I went to Fall Creek Church and listened to Josh Vickery preach. (Mark's cousin whom I graduated with). He does a good job, and I am proud of him. I really like the church because it is just a one room, still sing out of the hymnals kinda place. There weren't very many people there, but I would love to see it full! I think we will start going there for now. . .

Sunday afternoon the kids and I headed to Harmony and Brian's to hang out. (I will do a post and put some pictures up soon of the house in progress.) We had mac and cheese, grilled venison and fried potatoes for supper, it was really good! It was a relaxing weekend, even though it was rainy, we still had a good time!

A good site . . .

2009-05-03T12:48:00.000-05:00

I really enjoy this site . . . I was first introduced to it by some really great, creative and funny guys that used to run a website called "Popcorn" . . . I miss those guys. Anyway, it is a great site and I have purchased several things from here and never been disappointed! Tuesdays are Two for Tuesdays and shipping is always only $5. They also have a side related site called Shirt Woot, there is a link on the right hand side of the page, check it out, they have had some great ones, but this is one of my favorite!! You need to read the descriptions all the way to the bottom, these guys crack me up! Anyway, just one of the sites that I visit on a regular basis . . .ENJOY!

Sanity Saturday

2009-05-02T21:38:00.000-05:00

Well the number one thing that I am thankful for is the fact that my amazing MIL watches all three of the kids from 9-1 every Saturday! What a blessing! I get to just hang out at the house just me! I try to have most of the cleaning done so that I can just relax. Being able to run errands by oneself is something I do NOT take for granted!

Today I was able to have lunch and dinner with a friend! It was very relaxing and much needed!

I will leave you with a few pictures of one of the things that I do to keep my sanity . . . ~CROCHET~

And a little close up for your viewing pleasure . . .

I made this for Mark's cousin's Milton and Londa (Vickery), it is their anniversary and I think they will really like it! I have also made a few for my mom for some upcoming weddings . . . I enjoy doing it while watching TV or movies so I feel less like I am just waisting time!! ;-)

Faithful Friday

2009-05-01T10:43:00.000-05:00

This verse has given me a lot of peace over this week:

Psalm 34:18 (NIV)

¹⁸ The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Seriously, raise your hand if you aren't crushed in spirit or brokenhearted . . .This applies to everyone, whether it is your own poor choices, or things out of your control that put you here, the Lord is close . . .that is so comforting to me.

. . .and this verse is one of the reasons that I always come back to what I know in my heart is true . . .

Thank you Lord!

Truthful Thursday

2009-04-30T13:24:00.000-05:00

Well, I am just not sure how 'truthful' I really want to be today . . .

I cleaned alot yesterday, and TRUTHFULLY, I should be cleaning the kitchen instead of blogging.

TRUTHFULLY, I didn't school the kids today (or yesterday, but I had a reason not to school them yesterday, and TRUTH BE TOLD, I did have a class called "how to rearrange furniture without having to move any pictures on the wall" and "how NOT to organize" and maybe could have had one called "Things you shouldn't find in the couch"), but instead I have spent more time on the computer than I would like to admit and played some Wii with the kids . . .I am going to go now and prepare something for supper and read to Ethan (he loves that). He also just told me to 'tickle his epidermis' . . .he is only 6, so I am doing something right!!

P.S. He followed that up by saying "How many layers of skin do we have?" and when I replied 3 (I think that is right: UPDATE: It is, Epidermis, Dermis and Hypodermis (also known as Subsomething)) his reply was "You look like you have a lot more than that" . . . I just decided, we are having Ethan for dinner!! LOL

Truth: I need to lose some weight

Picture post update from Wacky Wednesday . . .

2009-04-29T19:38:00.000-05:00

Living Room Before (from the boys' room)

Living Room after (from the boys' room)

Living room before (from the kitchen)

Living Room after (from the kitchen)
The biggest deal was to get the desktop computer moved from the bedroom into the living room . . .I am not super excited about having it next to the television, but it will work for now . . .

Another shot of the living room from the kitchen to show off the deer mounts (Mark would appreciate that)
This is embarrasing . . .
The Master Bedroom before

The Master Bedroom after

Oh, I am exhausted, so I called the hubby and had him bring Sonic home for dinner . . .I will work on the kitchen and the bathrooms tomorrow!

P.S. Still looking for that VERSE ONE WOMAN! (She wasn't under the couch . . hee hee)

Wacky Wednesday

2009-04-29T10:41:00.000-05:00

Okay, so I am supposed to 'gripe' about something today . . .(according to my previously laid out blogging plan, which I reserve the right to change at any given moment BTW)

I could blog about the slow driver driving slow just to make me mad this morning . . . or the chanting softball team we played last night. . . or about the way my husband talked to me earlier, but honestly, I can't do anything about those things! Seriously, who would want to read about them anyway? My April 28th resolution is to only gripe about things I can change!! (Baby steps, baby steps) . . .

SO, with the New Resolution in place, the only thing I have to gripe about today is (DRUM ROLL PLEASE) . . . the state of my living room and master bedroom . . .ridiculous really. I am a stay at home mom, and there is NO reason that my house shouldn't be top notch at any given moment, right??!!?? Okay, I don't believe that either (and if you do, we probably wouldn't get along really well LOL). I do believe though, that I have let my priorities get a LITTLE out of whack . . . (okay, fine, a lot, but let's just keep that to ourselves!) I have such good intentions, but everything really is futile if you aren't doing it for the right reasons, or with the right attitude.

Proverbs 31 Woman. . .BLAH, BLAH, BLAH . . . Someday, but right now I am okay being just a Proverbs 31 VERSE 10 WOMAN: "A wife of noble character who can find?" . . .lets just start there and look for her . . .(remember, baby steps) . . .I am going to start looking for her under the couch (this might take awhile, be patient with me) I will update this post with before and after pictures . . .mostly just to embarrass myself and then to get the expected praise at how great I did from you guys later!

Don't disappoint . . . ;-)

Tid Bit Tuesday

2009-04-28T08:08:00.000-05:00

So I said ". . .$1.00 a pill? I don't care" . . .and I popped 2 of them!

Manic Monday

2009-04-27T08:54:00.001-05:00

Well, this post is going to be kinda short and sweet . . .Mark was off work since Tuesday afternoon, so the week ran into the weekend.

Thursday we took the kids on a 2 hour four wheel ride, they loved it!

We had a ball game Thursday night, Garrett did well and got on base (by a walk). I told him the first base hit he got I would buy him batting gloves, so he is very excited about that.

Friday one of my good friends came over and brought her girls and they stayed for a few hours. It was nice to catch up with her and visit!

Friday night, nothing.

Saturday night I watched Kuffs for the 50th time . . .I love Christian Slater in that movie! I also watched Donnie Brasco, with Johnny Depp for the first time and really liked it.

Sunday we hung out at my parents for lunch and played some ball in the yard with the kids.

Today I start exercising and changing my thought process on alot of things, I am looking forward to some positive changes in my life . . .

2009-04-23T10:27:00.000-05:00

Okay, here are my ideas . . .

Manic Mondays: An update on my crazy weekends

Tid Bit Tuesdays: Just a teaser for a later story . . .(thanks to my SIL for the idea)

Wacky Wednesdays: My grip day . . .if you don't read on Wednesdays, I will totally understand!

Truthful Thursdays: I bare my soul . . .(as much as one will on line for everyone to read. I may just pull from my private blog with editing for this one)

Faithful Friday: A favorite verse from the week and my thoughts on it!

Sanity Saturdays: Whatever I need to write about (or choose NOT to write) to keep my sanity!

Sundays: . . .Well, this may be a day of rest most of the time, but it might be misc. depending on how I feel . . .Or I may promote a website or a blog that I partake of and think you might like!

I am open for suggestions or ideas and plan on starting this 'format' on Monday!!

I'm back . . .

2009-04-22T09:08:00.000-05:00

. . .and I am going to be blogging on a more regular basis again! I have missed it (and my sanity). It may take awhile to get back in the swing of things, but I have some ideas that I think are going to be pretty good . . I will post them later! Hugs to all!!

Ice Storm 2009

2009-02-02T12:38:00.001-06:00

Okay, so the Ice Storm of 2009 hit NWArkansas Tuesday morning early. We lost our electricity at 7:30 am, and it looked bleak as to when it would return . . . We only ventured out to grab a bit to eat and pick up some groceries. I was very glad that my husband was off work to help out. We still managed to get our homeschooling done that morning. The next morning we got school done and then ventured out to see what had happened to our yard. . .

Here is Garrett, I love this face!

Thanks to all of our camping supplies I was still able to have light and cook a decent breakfast. (Skillet breakfast, eggs, sausage, potatoes and cheese) Yummy!

Here is Ethan checking out the ice!

Madison was enjoying the jaunt down the driveway (our cars weren't going in or out at that point!)

Here is what the driveway actually looked like . . .completly impassable. We had to get the chainsaws and the tractor to help clear the way.

The swing set didn't look nearly as inviting to the kids as it had two weeks earlier! LOL

We did alot of card playing and looking at each other. As you can see on the far right, we were heating with propane (a no-no I know). We all slept in the living room and kept the doors closed to the other rooms. . . Wed. morning our guinea pig (to the left) was acting wierd. I immediately thought carbon monoxide poisoning and took him outside for fresh air . . .it didn't help, and he ended up passing away. Madison was so upset! She cried for about 2 hours . . .it was horrible. We decided to head out to my mom and dad's because even though they didn't have electricity, they had wood heat. So my family and my sisters family all hung out there on Wed. and Thursday. . .

Tree damage . . .it was EVERYWHERE!

Here are the guys helping us clear the driveway . . .trees took down fences all over the property!

We got a generator on loan from a family member that didn't need it (Thanks to Jimmy and Betty!), so Thursday was much better! We had heat and the fridge worked, as well as a lamp and the TV! The kids were about to go stir crazy!!!

Still no electricity on Friday morning (my birthday), but my girlfriends and I were headed to Hot Springs to celebrate! I felt better leaving knowing that the family had the generator to keep them company!

An update on my birthday weekend and the continuing saga in a few days!!

Time . .

2009-01-23T08:11:00.001-06:00

Where does it go? I am baffled that January is almost over . . .and although I have a great birthday weekend with the girls planned for Hot Springs next weekend, it makes me sad that this month is already over and so much has happened ...

We are finishing the first month of 2009.

We inaugurated our newest FIRST African American President.

My baby turned 6.

I got addicted to Bejeweled 2 AND Balloon Invasion! LOL

I also got addicted to and finished Seasons 1, 2, 3 and almost 4 of the show "24" (and that is actually only in the last week and a half.)

My kids are whizzing through their school!

I am going to be 34 in 8 days . . .

It just blows my mind . . .really . . .I sometimes feel so isolated in my life and everything that is going on around me and it makes me feel selfish. I have so many friends and loved ones that are struggling daily to survive (physically and mentally) and I really don't have it all that bad at all. It is easier to wallow in self pity (over the littlest things) and really lose sight of what and who is important. I am not exactly sure where that puts me in the scheme of things, but I do know that (are you ready for this . . .)

. . .this too shall pass . . .(I am pretty sure I didn't say it even ONCE yesterday! LOL)

Wondering . .

2009-01-20T09:13:00.000-06:00

If anyone even reads this, or if I should head back over to xanga . . .of course I really just blog for myself, but at this point I have several blogs and probably just need to stick with one or two. I feel like I am neglecting this one, but this is where I like to blog pictures and things going on with my family, and I haven't had much of that lately . . .hmmm . . .we'll see . . .

Random Update . . .

2009-01-16T09:36:00.000-06:00

Sorry that I have no pictures to post, but my camera got messed up over Thanksgiving and Best Buy has yet to return it to me! ;-)

So far the new year has been pretty good to me . . .I have had some good girl time, my baby turned 6, I am going to be 34 in a few weeks, and everyone in my family is healthy and happy!

Feeling blessed as of right now . . .hopefully 'this too shall NOT pass' . . . hee hee

2009-01-07T08:23:00.000-06:00

I realize that if we are 100% honest with ourselves, everyone in this world is jacked up (except my dad) and I just feel sorry for those people that don't have someone that they can be 'real' with. I think it is rare and very special to find that person, that 'other half' (not to be confused with soul mate) that allows you to be yourself.

And why is it that we feel like we need someone else to 'allow' us to be ourselves?? Why don't we just allow ourselves?? I will tell you . . .I think it is because we can't handle our 'real' selves by our self. I think if you put me and my real self in a room by ourselves we would either self destruct or go crazy. . .which explains why there are so many people in this world that are crazy and self destructing!! I know that sometimes the 'masks' that we would wear (and still wear around some people) make us feel safe and they are familiar. They also protect us from those people who are so scared of their 'real selves' that they are critical and judgemental about us being real, but in the long run, they hinder us from being what we are capable of being.

So now my dilemma is this . . .how to teach my children to be real and comfortable with their real selves without making them open to judgement from others. Maybe the point is to make them comfortable enough with who they are that the judgement just rolls off their backs like water . . .OR have them find out that their real selves are not about themselves at all, but rather about their Creator who makes them realize what their true selves are about . . .

. . .and so on that note . . . I leave you here to go 'home school' my children, not just reading, writing and arithmetic, but about . . . LIFE . . .

A new year . . .a blank slate . . .

2009-01-01T16:01:00.001-06:00

Family Pictures . . .A first since 1995

2008-12-08T09:48:00.000-06:00

We haven't had a family picture made of the ENTIRE family since 1995 . . .I should scan the last one in, but I can't find it. Mark and I were just newly married, and Harmony and Curt were only engaged . . . No grandkids and Ben was still a kid himself!

Here we are in all of our glory! God has really blessed us with an amazing family, and for that I am VERY thankful!

I am going to include all the individual families so that you know who belongs to who!

Here is mom and dad (Dennis and Bonnie) Married for 35 years.

Mark and I (married 13 years)

Here we are with the kids, Madison (8), Ethan (5.5) and Garret (9)

Harmony and Brian (married in Feb 2008)

Here they are with thier kids Kelsey (18), and Nate (11) and Lexi (9)

Here is Ben with his wife Heidi (married 6 years) and Summit (almost 2!)

Here are a few more of my favorite shots . . .

2008-11-30T14:08:00.001-06:00

Okay, so Madison's birthday was a big success! Except for being on the coldest day of the year as of then, everyone had a great time and enjoyed themselves!
Mark had the tractor and trailer all set up and gave several hay rides, and he also had a nice fire in the fire ring to keep everyone warm as well as assist in the cooking of the hotdogs and marshmallows for smores!

Nate took this picture of Mark and I together . . .I thought it turned out nice!

Hayride Riders . . .LOL

Madison's Horseshoe cake . . .and we had cupcakes too! Plus, Mark made some amazing chili and it was ALL gone (He made 2 crock pots full!)

Here is Madison with Julie and Tess . . .Madison LOVES animals so she was really happy that Julie brought Tess!

I made 'Ho-bo' bags for all the kids that had glo sticks, candy, pencils and erasers in them . . .they got a big kick out of those!!!

Time to get serious again . . .

2008-11-26T14:18:00.000-06:00

Okay, it is the time of year when I decide to get serious about blogging, losing weight and exercising . . . I will let you know how it all turns out. I am going to start blogging here on a regular basis instead of xanga (but you can go there to read previous posts). I will make this more personal as time goes by, but make sure and check out the other blogs that I read because there are a TON of people that are WAY more interesting than I am!!

My weekend ... pictures at the end if you make it there!

2008-02-26T19:49:00.001-06:00

Okay, Friday night was pretty uneventful, we headed over to Brian and Courtne's to play Jokers and lasted until about 9:00 pm before we decided we needed to head home. (Mark had to be at work at 5:30 am Saturday morning).

Saturday started out kind of lazy, just bumming around until 9:00 am when I take the kids down to my mother in laws. She watches them every Saturday morning from 9-1 to give me a break, and visit with the kids. They do ALL kinds of things at Granny's. They get to eat junk food, drink pop, burn things, throw things, cut things (all of this is done SUPERVISED) LOL

While they were gone, I started getting ready for a yard sale. I want my life more simple, and the only way it is going to get that way is if I (THAT MEANS ME ONLY) do something about it! I have three boxes of stuff so far . . .I had 7 cake pans . . .SEVEN! Who needs seven cake pans? I saved one and am getting rid of the rest. Coffee mugs that never get used, tupperware that never gets used, but that I have kept 'just in case'. It is ridiculous. I am almost ashamed. I was able to clean out an entire cabinet to store my candle stuff in!! I was very proud!

Mark calls and decides to come home early and wants to go eat lunch. I was glad to spend time with him, but it was 'throwing off my groove'. LOL I also got a call from my upline director in Partylite, and she had a show that she wanted to dovetail to me because her son ended up being in the basketball finals that night. No problem, I had a show scheduled at 3 pm in Springdale, and hers wasn't until 6 pm in Lincoln (40 min away). PLUS, the kids had a birthday party in Rogers at Chucky Cheese at 5 pm!! My friends stepped up and took the kids for me, they are so awesome!! The kids were really excited about it and didn't want to miss it (and Mark wasn't about to take them! LOL) I was running late to the 3 pm party, and she didn't have a table for me to set up on (I really need to start asking that in advance), so we used the floor and the kitchen table and it worked out pretty good. They helped me get packed up quick and off I went to my 6 pm show. I stopped and grabbed a chicken sandwich and got some gas and made it in time to be a little bit relaxed at my next show. It was a great group of people, they were cracking me up!! Plus, one of the girls wanted to book a show and wanted to know if she could 'request' me. (since originally someone else was supposed to do the show, she wanted to make sure that I would be the one doing hers). It made me feel good. And even though I don't care what people think about me, I do want people to like me, but who doesn't?

I didn't get the kids back until 9:30 pm and we had ice cream at the local gas station (don't laugh, it is good ice cream!)

I was hoping that Sunday was going to bring time to relax, however, someone had other plans. We got a phone call about 9 am from a neighbor that noticed one of our cows was down and the newborn calf was running around. We all got dressed super quick and went to check on her. The momma was dead, she prolapsed. When we saw the calf, we completely understood how it happened, he was HUGE!! Mark and I picked him up and put him in the back of the truck and took him to the barn where we unloaded him and then rushed to Tractor Service Supply to buy colostrum and milk replacement so we could feed the little one. We got back, and it took me an hour to get the bugger (affectionately named Skid Row) to eat 4 pints of colostrum. Mark finally headed to the house with the kids and let me finish up by myself (he just doesn't have the patience for it). I got to the house, fixed lunch and we put in Lonesome Dove to watch. For 2 hours I was relaxed, then we had to check on all the cows/calves again, everyone was doing fine. Mark's cousin's called and we ended up heading to Fayetteville with them to eat at the Golden Corral. . . that place is so busy all the time, and the food isn't all that great, but I was happy to not have to cook. Got back home around 6 pm and went to feed the calf again. Madison came with me, she just loves animals and she did a really good job too! I got him to drink only 2 pints, but by that time, we were all exhausted!

This morning at 7am, I headed down to the barn again with Madison in tow (the boys wanted to watch tv instead which was FINE with me!) I got him to drink 3 1/2 pints before I got tired of wrestling with him . . .He is super sweet though and still a little unstable on his feet, but I think he is going to be just fine!

Here are the pictures I took from the first feeding . .

Mark trying to teach him how to suck . . .

He was finally getting the idea, but it was still a struggle, and the kids jumping all over the hay bales was very distracting!

His first few steps in the barn . . .He is VERY big for just being a few hours old!

So, meet Skid Row!
(Mark wanted to name him Lucky, but I told him we couldn't call him that and still sell him to the feed lots when he hits 500 lbs.! LOL)

Lovin' me an author!!

2008-01-25T14:54:00.000-06:00

So, this author T.L. Hines messages me on myspace about a year ago wanted me to 'add' him as a friend. I reply "I am not in the habit of adding people I don't know to my friends list, but I will read your book and let you know what I think." (In retrospect, I was a total SNOB, but not intentionally. In my defense I had just gotten a ton of stupid requests from girls and bands . . .yadda, yadda, yadda). So, about two weeks later I was at the local library (PG Library that is) and they didn't have a copy, so I forgot about it until about 2 weeks after that when I was at the Fayetteville Library. They had a copy and I grabbed it. Literally, it took me like less than a day to read it . . .It was great "Waking Lazarus". (check it out seriously) I got on myspace and humbled myself, adding him as a friend and letting him know how great I thought his book was. He was gracious and kind. I joined his website (see link above) and became a 'volunteer publicist' for him. I didn't do a whole lot, blogged about it on my blogs, added it to my fav. books, played the video on my sites and talked about it to everyone I knew. Lo and behold, I get an email from him (en masse) that he is going to share his earnings from the book with the 'top publicists". I was one of them, not super high up on the list, but I still received $10 from the author into my paypal account! I was so impressed. I was fairly active on his blog and website, met some really neat people too. I took the $10 and bought another copy of "Waking Lazarus" (after I returned it to the library, I went and bought a copy, and I hope to have it signed by him in the future!) and donated it to my local library (PG)! He has since written another novel titled "The Dead Whisper On", equally amazing!! I just got a personal email from him this week that read (and I quote)

"Hi, Sarea -

I've finished writing my third book, called "The Unseen," and sent it to the publisher. I've named a character after you--if you're groovy with that. I'll put a note in the "acknowledgments" section of the book, along the lines of "Thanks to Sarea Brockman, who graciously allowed me to use her name fictitiously in this novel." If you'd rather not have your whole name in there, or have your name used at all, let me know. I'm kinda sorta trying to revamp my website sections to integrate the whole thing into one cohesive whole, and I'll announce your name by the end of this month, I hope.

TL Hines
Noir Bizarre Tales
www.tlhines.com"

Seriously, HOW COOL IS THAT??? I was so excited, and he is such a neat, down to earth guy! Anyway, check out his website, and his myspace and I would be tickled pink if you guys picked up a copy of any of his books, but especially this new one with my name in it! I will remind you when it gets closer!

Well . . .

2007-12-15T18:47:00.000-06:00

I have a blog over at Xanga and you are more than welcome to check that out, I will think about posting over here, but for now, I really love xanga.