I sat next to a father this morning at a soccer game. It was 7:50 in the morning when he mentioned that there was six minutes left while looking at his watch. He said he would have been in the Pentagon sitting in an office with a friend at the time the building was struck if he hadn't had to change his schedule and gone to another building first. He and his friend, at the pentagon, would have been sitting in the office catching up on old times when the plane would have struck his office wall.
Since he wasn't there sitting with his old friend catching up on old times, his friend wasn't in the office either. His friend was down around a corner or two of the building getting breakfast. Their lives were spared. The father was taking pictures of his young twelve year old son playing soccer on a wet field as the sun rose in the east over the trees to illuminate the players. It was a blessed morning.
Loving God, blessed to homeschool three boys with my wonderful Army husband of almost 20 years.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Thursday, September 8, 2011
How about another job?
It doesn't pay worth a hoot ( I will get a polo shirt and a t-shirt to wear). I'd probably spend more on gas traveling back and forth . The boys will have to be more diligent about getting their work done earlier in the afternoon. I can't quit the cashier job at Price Chopper - I need to make some money. But to coach - to coach track and field - to coach track and field at a small university - too cool. The job hasn't been posted yet, so there's no holding the breath. I met with and liked the head coach and assistant cross-country coach, and they seemed to like my back ground.
Prayers that this works out for the good of the family and school and doesn't become a thorn in our side.
I LIKE TO COACH.
You can also pray that the school gets equipment and a track someday. For now we will be using local high school tracks and the one on post.
Prayers that this works out for the good of the family and school and doesn't become a thorn in our side.
I LIKE TO COACH.
You can also pray that the school gets equipment and a track someday. For now we will be using local high school tracks and the one on post.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Prayer Warrior for our boys - What are we aiming for?
If you are joining me for praying for your boys, this is from the Warrior Prayers ebook.
This one hit home. As I was reading this page, one of the boys walked in holding his shoulder where a brother had just whacked him. The brother was shouting that it was an accident, he didn't mean to hit him hard. Yet, he must have meant to hit him, because he made contact 'hard' with his brother's shoulder.
The third child at this time was doing an adverb page in English for the third time. UGHH! BOYS!
We definitely have to keep praying for them. I highlighted a few points for myself.
What Are We Aiming For?
___________________________________________________________________________________________
“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove
the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my
Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.”
~Ezekiel 36:26-27
I swear--young boys are a whole different breed of human. Mothers of girls often glare at me as if to say,
“Do they act that way all the time?” I often want to glare right back and say, “Yes! They do!”
Parenting my sons is my greatest joy and my greatest challenge. I love them to the ends of the earth and
back, but honestly, sometimes they suck the life out of me. I get so discouraged when it seems that even
my best efforts to reach their hearts miss the mark. I have all the right books (and I’ve actually read
them--some several times!). Each day I target the hearts of my boys, aiming high and taking my best
shot. But so many days I fall short, or my aim is off, or I’m just too weary to pull the bow back far
enough for the arrow to have the strength to pierce the heart. I go to bed those nights exhausted physically
and emotionally. But in my weakness, He is strong.
Perhaps the best place for a weary mom to be is physically and emotionally exhausted and on her knees.
With each day that passes, I’m more convinced that I have absolutely no power to change the hearts of
my boys. Oh, I can change their behavior if I try hard enough. Anyone can do that. But I know that
what’s in the heart eventually comes out. I know that if their knees are ever to bend to Jesus as Savior,
their hearts must bend first. And that’s God’s business.
I’m praying that you’ll grasp this concept so clearly that it will bring you strength and peace in the midst
of your wildest storms. You cannot change the hearts of your boys. You can’t. Period. It’s not your job.
It’s so important that you get this, friends, because you’re going to want to be able to change their hearts
more than anything in the world. Days, months, maybe even years of endless toil and labor for the sake
of your sons will go by with no apparent fruit. Night after night you will cry out to the Lord for change.
Day after day you will parent intentionally seeking the heart of your son. But until the King of kings and
Lord of lords turns his heart of stone to a heart of flesh, your son’s actions will be motivated by what is
pleasing to himself rather than by what is pleasing to the Lord.
As we journey into this process of praying for our sons, let’s remember this foundational concept: the first
and most important thing we must do is pray that God will change their hearts of stone to hearts of flesh.
These verses from Ezekiel thirty-six have become the theme of my parenting. I pray them for my sons
most every day. Because I know that until their hearts are softened by the Lord, to the Lord, nothing else
matters all that much.
www. warriorprayers.com
This one hit home. As I was reading this page, one of the boys walked in holding his shoulder where a brother had just whacked him. The brother was shouting that it was an accident, he didn't mean to hit him hard. Yet, he must have meant to hit him, because he made contact 'hard' with his brother's shoulder.
The third child at this time was doing an adverb page in English for the third time. UGHH! BOYS!
We definitely have to keep praying for them. I highlighted a few points for myself.
What Are We Aiming For?
___________________________________________________________________________________________
“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove
the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my
Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.”
~Ezekiel 36:26-27
I swear--young boys are a whole different breed of human. Mothers of girls often glare at me as if to say,
“Do they act that way all the time?” I often want to glare right back and say, “Yes! They do!”
Parenting my sons is my greatest joy and my greatest challenge. I love them to the ends of the earth and
back, but honestly, sometimes they suck the life out of me. I get so discouraged when it seems that even
my best efforts to reach their hearts miss the mark. I have all the right books (and I’ve actually read
them--some several times!). Each day I target the hearts of my boys, aiming high and taking my best
shot. But so many days I fall short, or my aim is off, or I’m just too weary to pull the bow back far
enough for the arrow to have the strength to pierce the heart. I go to bed those nights exhausted physically
and emotionally. But in my weakness, He is strong.
Perhaps the best place for a weary mom to be is physically and emotionally exhausted and on her knees.
With each day that passes, I’m more convinced that I have absolutely no power to change the hearts of
my boys. Oh, I can change their behavior if I try hard enough. Anyone can do that. But I know that
what’s in the heart eventually comes out. I know that if their knees are ever to bend to Jesus as Savior,
their hearts must bend first. And that’s God’s business.
I’m praying that you’ll grasp this concept so clearly that it will bring you strength and peace in the midst
of your wildest storms. You cannot change the hearts of your boys. You can’t. Period. It’s not your job.
It’s so important that you get this, friends, because you’re going to want to be able to change their hearts
more than anything in the world. Days, months, maybe even years of endless toil and labor for the sake
of your sons will go by with no apparent fruit. Night after night you will cry out to the Lord for change.
Day after day you will parent intentionally seeking the heart of your son. But until the King of kings and
Lord of lords turns his heart of stone to a heart of flesh, your son’s actions will be motivated by what is
pleasing to himself rather than by what is pleasing to the Lord.
As we journey into this process of praying for our sons, let’s remember this foundational concept: the first
and most important thing we must do is pray that God will change their hearts of stone to hearts of flesh.
These verses from Ezekiel thirty-six have become the theme of my parenting. I pray them for my sons
most every day. Because I know that until their hearts are softened by the Lord, to the Lord, nothing else
matters all that much.
www. warriorprayers.com
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Casey, arrow, sprinkles, table
Happy Labor Day weekend. Sprinkles can smile too! (Sorry it is so blurry). I was adjusting the lens then 'Hawk' decided to move his hand.
This is what happens to you when you are short, hairy, four legged and come into the house dirty.
Can you see the arrow pointing down toward the left corner? 'Hawk' did this with a PVC pipe and darts from about 10 feet out.
This is the table I built last year using the legs from a previous school room table. The only problem was that the legs were about a foot in from the corners. the two chairs couldn't slide under. I sit back left and had to straddle the table leg. Bought the wood this morning, screwed it together painted it, and then switched the table top to the new legs. I always have fun doing wood projects.
Thanks for stopping by.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Big foot
No we didn't have a sighting in the area. Commander took me to Cabela's to try on hiking boots. You should have seen the look on the clerks face in the men's department when I asked for a size 10. He glanced at the Commander, started to point to the women's department....
Commander spoke up and told him, "Yeah, she has a big foot and needs a man's boot."
"I just wanted to make sure." He sheepishly sunk away to get the shoes.
I got a nice pair of Merrell Mid-high Kangaroo/Boa hikers. Just like a kid, I've been wearing them around the house.
After our walk today, I used an old recovery technique from the training days. ICE BATH. I pulled the metal tank, that we had used as a brooder for the chicks, out of the garage, cleaned it out, filled it half with water and emptied the ice container into it. It wasn't as cold as they use to keep them in the training rooms, but it sure felt good. Dipped in all the way to the chest so I could get the arm and shoulder into it. I actually had goosebumps by the time I crawled back out.
When I was training, the ice would be floating on the water. We would switch after five minutes from a cold whirlpool to a hot whirlpool and then back again for a twenty minute cycle. Can you tell I'm enjoying the training again?
Now, if I could just find a way to write on my stories while I'm walking. I'm open for your ideas.
Commander spoke up and told him, "Yeah, she has a big foot and needs a man's boot."
"I just wanted to make sure." He sheepishly sunk away to get the shoes.
I got a nice pair of Merrell Mid-high Kangaroo/Boa hikers. Just like a kid, I've been wearing them around the house.
After our walk today, I used an old recovery technique from the training days. ICE BATH. I pulled the metal tank, that we had used as a brooder for the chicks, out of the garage, cleaned it out, filled it half with water and emptied the ice container into it. It wasn't as cold as they use to keep them in the training rooms, but it sure felt good. Dipped in all the way to the chest so I could get the arm and shoulder into it. I actually had goosebumps by the time I crawled back out.
When I was training, the ice would be floating on the water. We would switch after five minutes from a cold whirlpool to a hot whirlpool and then back again for a twenty minute cycle. Can you tell I'm enjoying the training again?
Now, if I could just find a way to write on my stories while I'm walking. I'm open for your ideas.
3 hours of walking
Commander and I complete 10.5 miles this afternoon through the streets of Leavenworth. Only had to make short stops for the feet, and water refill at a park. I'm pooped.
Ready to look for hiking boots for the walk, though. That's how good the walk was today. Will be glad when I can get my rings off my fingers, forgot to wear my lymphadema sleeve. Won't do that again.
Happy Labor Day Weekend.
Ready to look for hiking boots for the walk, though. That's how good the walk was today. Will be glad when I can get my rings off my fingers, forgot to wear my lymphadema sleeve. Won't do that again.
Happy Labor Day Weekend.
walking and boys
Tonight was my first night back at the track with Commander. We did 24 laps in just over 2 hours. I walked with ten extra pounds strapped around my waist and then the camelbac on top. Only a few twinges in the right foot, but adjusting some cushioning in the shoe seemed to help. If I can make a LSD trip (yeah, man) tomorrow (LONG SLOW DISTANCE is all it means) then I'll start shopping for a pair of desert hiking boots. I'm excited. The distance came out to 6 1/2 miles because we were in the 6th lane of the track.
Boys arent' very good about keeping time when they are suppose to be in bed. T12, though, is great at knowing what day it is, especially, the first day of the month, which he claims is for buying sprinkles for his ice cream and one bag of chips each. The only problem T12 has with the first of the month is that the sprinkles don't last more than the first week with the three of them decorating their ice cream. He cringes on the night they sprinkle the last few drops - "it's so terrible for the rest of the month. Woe is me!" Can't you just hear him. Another item they only get at the first of the month is a fridge pack of soda. Twelve soda's between three boys one allowed every other day, doesn't last long. Wait until next month boys.
THree weeks of schooling done, and I have to make an adjustment to my schedule, not the boys. I need more individual time with each of the boys, so we will try to do it by blocking hours. That really means I have to roll out of bed earlier, since Hawk starts when Dad leaves for work. And here I am at midnight blogging.
Have started another writing project to go along with everything else. I'm not sure what to title it, so I'll just say it is about enjoying the fruit around the pit - with the pit being cancer. I'm writing it like a Dairy and focusing on the funny stuff in life that got us through along with the Biblical passages that spoke to my heart and soul.
I feel like my brain needs to be defragged while trying to remember things in order. Commander says as long as I don't have a blue screen of brain death, I'm okay. Thanks Commander. I love you too.
Boys arent' very good about keeping time when they are suppose to be in bed. T12, though, is great at knowing what day it is, especially, the first day of the month, which he claims is for buying sprinkles for his ice cream and one bag of chips each. The only problem T12 has with the first of the month is that the sprinkles don't last more than the first week with the three of them decorating their ice cream. He cringes on the night they sprinkle the last few drops - "it's so terrible for the rest of the month. Woe is me!" Can't you just hear him. Another item they only get at the first of the month is a fridge pack of soda. Twelve soda's between three boys one allowed every other day, doesn't last long. Wait until next month boys.
THree weeks of schooling done, and I have to make an adjustment to my schedule, not the boys. I need more individual time with each of the boys, so we will try to do it by blocking hours. That really means I have to roll out of bed earlier, since Hawk starts when Dad leaves for work. And here I am at midnight blogging.
Have started another writing project to go along with everything else. I'm not sure what to title it, so I'll just say it is about enjoying the fruit around the pit - with the pit being cancer. I'm writing it like a Dairy and focusing on the funny stuff in life that got us through along with the Biblical passages that spoke to my heart and soul.
I feel like my brain needs to be defragged while trying to remember things in order. Commander says as long as I don't have a blue screen of brain death, I'm okay. Thanks Commander. I love you too.
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