Suggestions?

any suggestions for dvd's and music for the drive?

Yes, we have decided to go for it!

4783 miles behind the windshield,
7+ nights in a tent,
stops to visit cousins,
any meds you'd like to donate too?

I've been wondering,

does anyone else get miffed when a public facility doesn't offer toilet seat covers?
It isn't really just me is it?

We got into this discussion at work because someone(employee) was complaining
that someone else(customer) was complaining,
that we don't offer them at our place of business.

I chimed in that I agreed with someone(customer).
To which my boss mentioned that toilet seat covers don't actually offer any protection anyway.
She has a Masters in Biology, so I believe her.

I did mention what they do offer though,
PEACE OF MIND!
Especially if you sit down and the seat isn't cold,
@#$%^&^%$#@
(that's my code for getting the willies)

While on the subject of public restrooms,
I think the technology needs to be coordinated.
If the soap is motion sensitive, then the faucet should be too.
Same with the paper towel machine or the dryer!
and if your going to the trouble to make sure those of us who do wash our hands don't touch anything, how about making sure I can get out of said restroom without touching the same door that all those who don't wash their hands touch?

I try not to put too much thought into this,
(obviously not successfully)
because I did go through a phase where I would cover mine and my kids mouths with their shirts when we flushed.

Monk is simply misunderstood!

Decisions

So Christopher will be graduating from Basic Training soon. We are proud of him and excited to go and support him. We miss him. I can't wait to lay my eyes on him and get my arms around him. His siblings miss him too, believe it or not, they actually do.

That's the good news.

The bad news is, we have a meager income right now. And we don't know for how long we will. A trip to South Carolina seems like an extravagance given our circumstances. Even with the plans I've made to drive and camp the WHOLE trip.(This post will have me being rather honest, so reserve judgement, I'm not seeking pity, just feedback.) I have written out a menu and I am very good at stretching a dollar. I have looked into free or nearly free camping options, coupons, hot deals, etc.

It breaks my heart to not go! I have to be there for my baby! His dad needs to be there too. That I think we can all agree on.

The cost to fly for the 2 of us, or drive with everyone is fairly comparable. I so want to take a family vacation. We haven't had one, just us, for 5 years. We went to Yellowstone for 4 days. It was fabulous and I did the whole trip on under $250.00, that's for 7 of us. Like I said it just seems like any extra expense is extravagant right now.

Here's the other thing, I've never really been glad about the times I look back and didn't go for it, in a situation like this. We've had financial highs and lows. I think we may for quite some time ahead as well. Do I always plan to "do stuff" later, when we can afford it?

Or do I take advantage of the time I still have with my youngins?

Do I knuckle down and demonstrate my Faith in the Lord or simply in the correct principles of provident living, hoping for some sense of satisfaction to compensate for the loss, or perhaps this is being "asked of us" as a demonstration of Faith, before a said blessing can take place?

Honest rambling, I'm sorry, but it is my blog, right?

How do you sort out when you are sacrificing FOR something or when you are simply doing without? I don't have a problem with sacrifice, if it's for a reason!

Useless sacrifice DRIVES ME NUTS!

Will I regret not taking everyone on this excursion in later years?

Will I regret taking everyone by summer when we are out of money?

Will Hubs get a job next week? Next month? Next Year?

What factors would you consider in making this decision? Am I putting too much thought into this?

Be kind, be honest, and be annonymous if necessary:)

UPDATE!

Dieter has discovered PEEPS!
and surprisingly doesn't care to take off the wrapper.

Geoffrey recently broke up with his girlfriend, Kennedy,
by walking by her desk on the way back from sharpening his pencil
and pronouncing, "You're dumped!"

Annie is loving fitting into ladies size shoes,
wearing dangling earrings,
and sneaking make up past her Dad.
She also got to spend Spring Break with her cousins! Heaven!

Seth is thoroughly 13!
Do I really need to expand on that?
Actually, he's still a cuddle bug, but didn't appreciate my showing up at the mall to hang with him and his friends.
SURPRISE!

Chandler is "planning" several senior trips.
I love the optimism of being 17.
Everything is possible and must be free?
He is loving his college Medical classes.

Christopher is still plugging along.
His legs are feeling a little better,
his spirits are still soaring,
and he was nominated for "Soldier of the cycle"
Kind of like a valedictorian.

(you have to understand and remember how infrequently
I can mention actual accomplishments by my children.)

Chris is not enjoying being "retired".
I reminded him the kids only have 6 or 7 weeks of school left,
and then the WHOLE summer off.

I am still enjoying my job,
but still not juggling things all that well.
I must say thank you to those of you who are certainly keeping me in your thoughts and prayers.
I have felt "buoyed" up on several occasions and can't thank you enough.

Especially, you, who left the diet coke on my porch!

Okay, this was supposed to be fun, but now I'm getting sappy,
I really am soo grateful for such good people around me.
Even you guys,
whom my kids call,
"My imaginary friends"

Caution!

Do not invite your children to take an IQ test as a "family night" activity,
unless you have a cheat sheet.

Yes, I got the lowest score in the house.

Okay, technically, Dieter got the lowest score.
That's supposed to make to make me feel better!

My cup runneth over...

on any typical afternoon
this is what I find.
Dieter eating anything .
Yes, he can open the doors to the cupboards and unscrew the lids off of
peanut butter, milk jugs, butter, sour cream and cottage cheese containers.
But today, he was clearly moved by a higher power.

He was found actually eating just his BONE!

Believe!

He lives and has made it possible for us to live,
really live,
with peace in our hearts and love in our homes.

Last night while shopping at Target, I vascilated between doing Easter for my kids or not.
You may all remember, we have a very limited income these days.

I didn't actually think about doing nothing,
I was just feeling stressed about how little I could do.
Not that my kids would complain,
they aren't the type for that.
But it was another of those times,
when as a parent you feel bad that your kids are counting on you.
I realize how blessed we are,
really I do,
I just really wanted to get Annie an Easter dress,
and have something special for the day.

I had come to peace with giving my children my undivided attention,
and heartfelt testimony of Christ.

With a little chocolate of course,
when a dear friend walked up to me,
gave me a hug,
and handed me a Target gift card.

Humbled and speachless,
I wept.

Filled with love,
knowing that He knows my heart these days,
and He is with me always!

He knows your heart,
and He is with you too!

Happy Easter!

Does anyone else's husband...

suffer from touretts syndrome while watching certain people on tv?

Other "triggers" of his episodes can be wal-mart's new "green" commercials,
Brad Pitt,
and anytime spent watching Chelsea Lately.
Don't get him started on Keith Urban,
although I can't imagine why he has a beef with him...

Thankful Thursday!

Christopher (4) and Chandler (2) Spring 1994

I have much on my mind today.
Much I'm grateful for.

I'm grateful to Keith for getting the relationship Chris and I share and being so ok with it.
His new album is filled with songs that remind me how in love with my guy I am.
Chris is my guy, btw!

I'm also grateful to be 40, I know it sounds crazy, but I'm happy to be over all that second guessing myself.

I do still second guess my looks, and my hair, and my cooking,
but not mySELF so much anymore.

I'm grateful for that big sloppy pooch.
Yes, THAT one!
We all deserve having someone that happy to see us everyday.

I'm grateful for my job, and the great people I work with.
I'm grateful to be doing something I enjoy (crazy kids).

I'm grateful for healthy kids, whom I really enjoy spending time with.
Although I do wish we spent less time together with "authorities".

I'm especially thankful for just happy memories.
I"m turning into the crazy lady who remembers her children as absolutely wonderful.
And I swear I would do it all again,
and probably have added a few!

Inquiring minds want to know...

I mentioned we had a court appointment for this yesterday,

we'll be enjoying 60 hours of community service,
$23.00 for restitution,
and writing a letter of apology.

FYI!