What a difference...

a year makes.

Last summer was NOT my favorite summer.

My husband had just been "unhired".

We were living in limbo.

We were dealing with some kid struggles.

Major struggles.

As in dreading to wake up every day struggles.

I felt like a prisoner in my own house.

Fast forward to this year...

Hubby owns his own company.

Okay, in some ways, it is like limbo.

We don't have that set paycheck.

But he is doing what he loves to do.

And our bills are paid.

It isn't perfect. 

Lately we have had a lot of "expenses".  It is easy to panic a bit. Or a lot.

But still, God is faithful.

(Just for the record, He was faithful last summer too...just feeling it more this year I suppose)

And the kid struggles?

Well, with four kids, there will always be struggles.

But so far our summer is off to a great start.

The kids are getting along.  Even playing together.

Meltdowns (both child and mom) have been pretty nonexistent.

And I have even run a few errands, leaving the oldest in charge.  When I come home, NO complaints.

I am actually looking forward to this summer.

So many other things have changed in the past year...

Our eating habits.

My weight.

Our house (though it is still a work in progress).

Our children.  (I am going to do a special post about them this week)

Our health (both good and bad :).

Who knew what a difference one year could make?

Reba

Thankful Thursday...Hello Again!

I know, I know.

It has been a while.

My friend Randy asked about it not long ago.

"Thankful Thursday?"

I haven't forgotten.

I think of it actually every Thursday.

All I can say is this time of year, I am in complete survival mode.

The end of school is about as hard (and maybe AS hard but in a different way) than the beginning of school for teachers. So much to do.

In fact, I have been "out" one whole day now and I am STILL not done.  That is after working most of Memorial Day weekend on school stuff.

No pity parties here, just 'splainin my self.

I will admit, thankfulness has been a bit more difficult lately.  Nothing major, just seems like every time we turn around, there is another unexpected expense waiting to be paid.  And just the craziness of life.  And the challenges of parenting.  And the restless spirit of mine confined to the house with these crazy people.  You know, that kind of stuff.

But I think I can find a few things to be thankful for...

• School's out!  Okay, not completely since I still have to finish my classroom. But I am 80 percent of the way done. :)  
• No lunches to pack, homework to check, papers to sign!  For a couple months anyway.
• The alarm is OFF.  I can sleep in every morning if I want. I won't because my body automatically wakes up but I can linger in bed if I want.
• A possible raise.  
• A good end to the year for all four kids.
• Miss Marley.  We went for a hike last weekend (which she LOVES to do).  Unfortunately, when we got home, we realized that Marley's harness had rubbed her raw under her "arms", and she was COVERED with ticks.  For a few days, she was very reclusive. She would hide under the bed, not eat or drink much of anything, just lay there.  Yesterday I was ready to take her to the vet/doggy hospital but they couldn't get her in until Friday.  I came home for lunch feeling defeated; we somehow lured her into eating.  And since then, she has transitioned back to her normal self.  I am still keeping an eye on her though.
• Safety.  Two times now in the past couple of week we have had severe weather in our area.  And thankfully, both times it has passed us (as I write in the midst of one of those storms :).
• T-ball.  Coming to an end.  Don't get me wrong. I love watching my little guy play.  And he really enjoys it.  I am just ready for some lazy evenings.  This is the one time of year we don't have a bunch of activities going on at once (other than some v-ball camps for child 2).  I like the slower pace.
• These cooler days.  It has not been the warmest May. In fact, most days it has been near perfect.  High 70's, low 80's. And once the sun sets, the temps drop even more.  Last night I went for a walk with the girls around the neighborhood. It was perfect out.  Not too hot, not too cold, a nice breeze. I love it!
• A prescription card.  My insurance has decided not to pay for a monthly prescription that one of us uses.  But thankfully that medicine's company is having a "rebate" type of special for the rest of the year so that we pay a minimal amount.  At least until December.  Then I may be selling plasma or something to pay for it... :)
• Time with cousins. My sister's kids are visiting right now. They are staying with my mom but we get to see them every now and then.  My kids want to see them ALL of the time. :)  We try not to overdo it.  But I love that they all have so much fun together.
• A calm dog in the midst of storms. Doesn't faze her at all.
• The imagination of child 4.  He keeps us in stitches (if he doesn't have us crying :).
• The helpfulness of child 3.  She will just decide to unload the dryer and will fold clothes just because.
• The patience of both child 1 and child 2 who have been so helpful with their younger siblings while I have dealt with school things.
• Surprise sweet texts from the hubby during the day
• A fixed ice maker/fridge.  And we figured it out all by ourselves! (with the help of FB friends and Google)

I am sure there is more but I am ready to get a little sleep.

It is good to be back!  Hopefully with the carefree days of summer, I can get here more often. :)

Reba

Expect Nothing...

and you will never be disappointed but you might be pleasantly surprised.

My mom used to say that to me.  A lot.

For good reason.

I tend to plan and think and hold ideas about how things will go.

And they rarely do.

At least how I think they will.

My first years of teaching.

My engagement.

My honeymoon.  (The wedding was actually what I pictured for the most part :)

Motherhood.

Mother's Day.

I really don't try to dream up stuff.

It just happens.

My mind is always going.

And I am a romantic at heart.

Gifts is one of my love languages.

So when I knew Mother's Day was this weekend, I had in my mind how it was going to go.

A hiking trip away, planned by anyone but me :). (We have hiked a lot of the trails here; there are others around the state I am itching to try) With or without kids.

Maybe a new camera.

Instead, yesterday late morning, hubby asks, "Wanna go for a hike today or tomorrow?'

My heart sank.

Don't get me wrong, I like hiking.  It just wasn't a weekend away.  And it wasn't planned.

To top it all off, one child wasn't sure she really wanted to go and seemed to be going just because she felt like she had to. Another one rolled out of bed right before we left and insisted there was no reason to go.  And the ones who did end up in the car with us argued. A lot.

Happy Mother's Day to me.

I actually said at one point, "Let's give up and go home..."

But we didn't.

We drove out to the middle of nowhere.

And we hiked.

And it was nothing like I had pictured for "my weekend".

Nothing at all.

But I was pleasantly surprised.

We had fun.  (A post/tons of pics to come)  One child, after claiming to not be a "girly girl", fell into the mud...right at the beginning of the hike.  Another one, tripping over a tree branch or his own feet, hopped up and said, "I am okay!" and took off running.  Marley pup had a ball.  She is fearless on a hike.  Rocks, water, logs...they don't stop her. Oh, and she can outhike us (even with legs mere inches long) any day.  The kids got along MOST of the time.  In fact, it was one of our better hikes.  We even decided to do one more hike and there were no complaints. I think we got about 4 miles in all together.

It was a beautiful day.  We were surrounded by beautiful scenery. And we saw no snakes.

When we got home, we grabbed some pizza from one of my favorite places.  And devoured it.

This morning, Child 2 brought me breakfast in bed.

Child 3 gave me a beautiful booklet all about me.

I think Child 4 had a gift for me from school; I just haven't seen it yet.  He will think about it in a few days.

We got to have dinner with MY mom and dad which is always a treat.

And then Child 1 bought me a shaved ice.

Oh, and I got a gift certificate for a pedicure. 

Nothing like I had "planned" or expected.

But I was pleasantly surprised.

Maybe those moms know a thing or two after all...

Reba

Wishful Thinking...

I had all intentions of doing a Thankful Thursday post.

I got as far as the title.

Not that I am not thankful...though maybe not as much this week as some weeks.

I just fell asleep.

Besides, I have been more in "wishful" thinking mode recently.

I probably should stick with thankfulness.

I wish...

• that I could wear flip flops. SOOO many cute flip flops.  But, alas, they kill my feet.  I cannot stand for that strap to be between my toes.  So I am in the not as cute slides for the summer, should summer ever arrive.
• sometimes I could just buy food without reading the label or checking a list.
• sometimes we could just have a spontaneous meal out that required no planning on my part.
• I could find more time to blog.  Too many thoughts swirl through my brain endlessly.
• we would have a nice weekend for either hiking or cleaning out the garage.  Hiking sounds more fun.
• I could get "caught" up on life.
• we had a family counselor always on call for the many parenting moments I have where I wonder, "What on earth do I do now?"
• one child would be more humble, another more positive, another softer spoken, and another respectful...
• I could visit some of the waterfalls around Arkansas.
• my tooth would stop hurting...I don't have the time or money for a root canal.
• it felt like spring.
• avocados weren't so high in fat and calories (I know it is a good fat but it is still high cal).
• I could Zumba without having to stop every few minutes to deal with a wayward child.
• I could spend an hour or two snuggling with my parents' new pup.  It is like therapy in a little ball of fur.
• insurance companies were easier to deal with.
• my family was more in tune with my needs and wants (without me having to spell them out). 
• I could figure out how to cook hashbrown potatoes correctly.
• that flour were low calorie.
• my house always smelled like homemade bread.
• I could sleep in.
• people could spell and use "lose" and "loose" correctly.
• I were better about my quiet times.
• our shower wouldn't drip.
• I weren't using heated seats in the month of May.
• my former students knew how much I cared...doesn't matter how old they get.
• my eyesight wasn't changing (for the worse).
• my sister lived closer.
• we could have a big beach vacation all together (parents, sister/family, us).
• I could get caught up on laundry.
• I had a compost pile AND a little garden.
• I had a green thumb.
• that more foods were "natural".
• my attic were organized.
• my snaggletooth children would lose their other front tooth. I love toothless grins.
• I had a swimming pool (which would require a much bigger yard).
• some days that time would speed up...other days I want to stop it.
• I knew why some friendships just end without warning.
• I could sing...on key.
•  I wish I had a normal life.  Please, no comments about "What is normal anyway?"  I grew up living a fairly normal life. The life I have right now is not so normal.  

I am sure I could wish away the night but I must get a little sleep.  (refer to the one above about not being able to sleep in :)

What are you wishing for these days?

Reba

My Delights...

Psalm 1:1-3

Blessed is the one
    who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
    or sit in the company of mockers, 

 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and who meditates on his law day and night. 
 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
    which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
    whatever they do prospers.

Today in Sunday School (also called Bible Fellowship), we read through some of the Psalms.  

One of the questions posed to us was "What delights you?"

My children immediately came to mind.

They can frustrate me to no end.  But they also delight me with their giggles, their stories, their hugs, their zeal.

Next to mind- my job.  I really do love it. It is a challenge some days (not so much with the kids but with the other parts) but my students delight me.  Watching them think, talk, learn, grow...it brings joy to my heart.

And of course, my husband.  He delights me.  His love, his humor, his hard work, his hugs, his encouragement...just seeing him delights my heart.

Oh, and my God.  The God who loves me in spite of myself.  Who forgives me for everything I do.  Who blesses me daily beyond what I can fathom.  

What else delights me?

• sunsets...beautiful sunsets with bright colors dancing across the sky
• waterfalls
• dark chocolate
• a Sunday nap
• hiking in the woods with my family
• Saturdays with no plans
• dinner with my family
• my little furry pup (currently curled up on my feet)
• a warm shower
• the music on my ipod
• a good workout
• a clean kitchen
• empty laundry baskets
• summer vacation
• a walk on the beach
• homemade bread
• e-mails from friends and family
• hearing from former students
• freshly cut grass
• butterflies and ladybugs
• sunshine
• answered prayer
• time with my parents/sister
• dinner out (a rare treat)
• shaved ice...Hog Wild, of course
• new recipes (that work)
• jeans and tennis shoes
• a hike in the woods

Well, that is just my short list. :)

What delights you?

Reba

Five Minute Friday: Jump

I was just reading my friend Bonnie's blog.  She has just started participating in something called Five Minute Friday. 

I used to love to write.  Still do. But I often find myself pushing it (as in blogging in these times) to the side to do things like cook, clean, exercise.

Yet I always have thoughts in my head. I "write" blog posts there all of the time.

So when I read about Five Minute Friday, I thought it sounded perfect. I can write for five minutes.  Maybe not interrupted in this family but for five minutes, surely I can.

This week's theme:  Jump.

When I hear the word, after I get the Van Halen song out of my head, I remember how when our kids were little.  They would be standing on something.  They would call to Daddy, close their eyes, and jump.  Not a care in the world.  They knew.  They knew he would catch them.

And that is what we need to do.

Some days life seems more stressful than I ever imagined it could be. 

My kids' behavior. 

Bills.  Bills.  More bills.

Work stress.

Illness and death.

That strange sound the van makes when it is idling.

Our crazy schedule.

On those days, I want to crawl into bed.  Pull the covers over my head.  Go back to sleep.

But instead, I need to be like my children.

I need to stand there, on the edge.  I need to close my eyes, take a deep breath, and jump.  Jump into the arms of my Father.

And I need to know He will catch me and hold me tight.

More soon,
Reba

Thankful Thursday, Once Again...

I really need to finish up my Easter posts.

But today is Thankful Thursday.

And even in this midst of testing, rain, and extreme fatigue, I have a lot to be thankful for...

(That being said, I fell asleep before I could post. Maybe I should start trying to post Thankful Thursday on Tuesdays so that it might actually post by Thursday :)

Anyway, what am I thankful for this week?  (Ironically it has NOT been a fun day today so I am really going to have to test my memory from the week...)

•  One week of testing down, though next week is the MAJOR testing week.  (My students don't actually test but last week I was pulled out to small group test and this week our schedule will be completely different due to testing).
• A very happy Easter
• Shaved ice (my hubby made a special trip to bring it home to me :)
• Hearing from a child's teacher about how much they have matured this year
• Listening to my youngest child read books to me
• Finding storage containers for sugar and flour at a discounted price
• Finding the salad/cereal bowls I use (and am short of) at a store just down the road
• Warmer weather...finally!
• Sunshine and outdoor recess (most of the week)
• A husband who helps (as his schedule allows) pick up and transport kids after school on my Zumba day
• Zumba with my co-workers...fun and exercise all in one!
• Brownie cupcakes with peanut butter frosting. Yum.
• Attending my first "CAP" conference (for my almost freshman son)
• The last volleyball tournament of the season.  It has been fun but now that the weather is nice, I want weekends OUTSIDE.
• My parents have returned from their vacation. I am always nervous they won't. :)
• Watching my students just blossom academically
• Hugs from my former students (mostly the first graders)
• Sweet snuggles from my fluffy pup
• Tax refunds
• Less pain in my tooth (and less sensitivity too)
• Conversations with my kids
• Watching my girls slowly become friends
• My determined third grader who went out to run the track the other day...she ran a 5K. Just because she could.
• A cold Coke after a long day 
• Sushi dates with the hubby
• Having our Swim Ranch dates/times secure
• A friend who helped transport my kids so I could secure those Swim Ranch dates
• A friend who helped transport child 3 to a community service event this morning
• Afternoon naps

What are you thankful for this week?

Reba