Our children all took the free swimming lessons at the Y this year. Our middle child seemed to get the most enjoyment out of it, learning rapidly, so we purchased her some weekly lessons. She just finished and is most of the way through the long list for Progressive 1. She's done very well. We are so happy for her. She wanted to take the surfing class, so I figured we ought to start with learning to swim first. LOL She's like a fish in water, which is not surprising since she loves animals of all kinds and tries to emulate them. She got to dive, ride in a canoe and learn swimming safety. With all the swimming she's been doing for the last 2 weeks her new swimsuit is very faded.
Friday, June 27, 2008
SUMMER CLEANING?!?!
So the school year was coming to an end. We had just got back from the Brewster camp out. The laundry was finally caught up, and then we got a 24 hour inspection notice. Needless to say our apartment wasn't quite as clean as it could be. We explained our situation and assured them that we would be working on it over the weekend and it would be clean by Monday morning.(HUD inspection day) Sure enough it was clean by Monday morning with freshly mopped floors and all.
We waited for the notice on our door or in the mail because of it not being ready the 1st time the manager and maintenance man came in. It didn't come, thank God..... Well when they came in on that Monday they replaced the doors on our hall closet, and inside storage. Our hot spots for clutter. The doors we kept closed even when we swept and mopped. Our coffee table seemed to be in the way at one point and I offered to move it. No they said, it was Ok.
Well about 2 weeks ago we got a 30 day notice to move if we didn't have things cleaned up by the 1st of July. The notice was for the day that our apartment was clean.....so I was trying to rack my brains over what the problem could be. My husband even asked the manager and she just said some general stuff and to look at our agreement. The notice said access filth, clutter, and unsanitary living conditions. All we could think was that we needed to get rid of some extra items (the coffee table went for one). By the time we got the notice the inside storage had already been cleaned out, so we did the hall closet. We found our rental agreement and sure enough it said nothing about "clutter".
I asked a dear Mother in the Faith to come and help me rearrange my furniture (She's very good at that). I was in the middle of washing down my dining room chairs when she arrived. With love, compassion, and charity she said, "Let's tidy first, arrange the furniture and then clean." When she left we had tidied and arranged the dining room, living room, and kitchen. And guess what it looked clean.......... Even if we knew it hadn't been deep cleaned. She told me to finish tidying up and then get in there and clean after everything was tidied. I felt sooo much better about it.......And I hope and pray that that's what they're looking for.
Another dear Mother in the faith came yesterday with her steam cleaner and helped me steam clean 2 of the carpets that needed it. She was so patient to go over the bad spots many times slowly, with one of us getting the scrub brush after some of the tougher spots.
Well, what I hadn't mentioned yet is that my own dear Mother came last Friday on a mission to help me clean. She washed down my 2 littlest ones bedroom walls, and the upstairs hall walls. Using up at least one, I'm thinking 2 of those magic erasers. Our walls are textured and my baby has finally got out of the "coloring the walls" stage. She would do it any time I was busy schooling the older 2, or any time she thought she wouldn't be caught.
So today and tomorrow I'm having a yard sale and everything that doesn't get sold will be donated or put on Ebay later. But only one small box of Ebay stuff.
So that is what I've been busy doing since school has ended. We had planned on "Spring Cleaning" gradually over the summer. I guess we just had to get it done in a shorter amount of time.
I'm so very thankful for all of the "Mothers" I have in the faith.
My husband and I decided when our 1st child was ready for school to home school. At one point I lost a nights sleep on 2 different occasions wondering if we where doing what was best, if they would get the education that they needed. At some point after that I asked my dear husband what he thought. He said that he felt that homeschooling was the right choice. Just as matter of factly as anything, with no doubts. I've tried to do my best with some short fallings along the way. One of the big things is the housework.. It has been strongly suggested that I think about sending my children to Public school so that I can better take care of my home and so that my daughter can get the help that she needs. This fall my daughter will finally be getting the help that she needs, and I'm afraid I will be fighting another 2 years to get her the help that she needs, while she gets further behind. My son is at the age where he can get up of a morning and get his chores, and shower in about half an hour. When he applies himself he can really get his schoolwork done in short order. I'm afraid that he'll go to school, be a "good 'ol boy" and bring all his work home to do anyways.
This suggestion was made out of concern for us losing our home, the only one that we can afford. Also out of concern for my daughter who is having difficulty with reading. She's at least 2 years behind.
I feel confident that this year is the one that will really work for school, especially when we get our schedule down over the summer. We've lived here for over a year so we know when the HUD inspections are. Right at the busiest times for us of course. With prevention and maintenance, staying on top of every aspect of the housework we shouldn't have a problem there either. Also if the one maintenance guy comes over to work, (the one that we get written up after), I may ask for a few minutes to tidy up. Its hard though because he is older and I hate to ask him to wait.
It is so embarrassing and humiliating to be found short in your housecleaning. Its not easy on your pride to ask for help, advice, or guidance.
We need prayers that we could seek God's guidance. We want to do his will above all else. I'm most certainly not perfect and I'm afraid that my short comings will be a detriment to my family.
We waited for the notice on our door or in the mail because of it not being ready the 1st time the manager and maintenance man came in. It didn't come, thank God..... Well when they came in on that Monday they replaced the doors on our hall closet, and inside storage. Our hot spots for clutter. The doors we kept closed even when we swept and mopped. Our coffee table seemed to be in the way at one point and I offered to move it. No they said, it was Ok.
Well about 2 weeks ago we got a 30 day notice to move if we didn't have things cleaned up by the 1st of July. The notice was for the day that our apartment was clean.....so I was trying to rack my brains over what the problem could be. My husband even asked the manager and she just said some general stuff and to look at our agreement. The notice said access filth, clutter, and unsanitary living conditions. All we could think was that we needed to get rid of some extra items (the coffee table went for one). By the time we got the notice the inside storage had already been cleaned out, so we did the hall closet. We found our rental agreement and sure enough it said nothing about "clutter".
I asked a dear Mother in the Faith to come and help me rearrange my furniture (She's very good at that). I was in the middle of washing down my dining room chairs when she arrived. With love, compassion, and charity she said, "Let's tidy first, arrange the furniture and then clean." When she left we had tidied and arranged the dining room, living room, and kitchen. And guess what it looked clean.......... Even if we knew it hadn't been deep cleaned. She told me to finish tidying up and then get in there and clean after everything was tidied. I felt sooo much better about it.......And I hope and pray that that's what they're looking for.
Another dear Mother in the faith came yesterday with her steam cleaner and helped me steam clean 2 of the carpets that needed it. She was so patient to go over the bad spots many times slowly, with one of us getting the scrub brush after some of the tougher spots.
Well, what I hadn't mentioned yet is that my own dear Mother came last Friday on a mission to help me clean. She washed down my 2 littlest ones bedroom walls, and the upstairs hall walls. Using up at least one, I'm thinking 2 of those magic erasers. Our walls are textured and my baby has finally got out of the "coloring the walls" stage. She would do it any time I was busy schooling the older 2, or any time she thought she wouldn't be caught.
So today and tomorrow I'm having a yard sale and everything that doesn't get sold will be donated or put on Ebay later. But only one small box of Ebay stuff.
So that is what I've been busy doing since school has ended. We had planned on "Spring Cleaning" gradually over the summer. I guess we just had to get it done in a shorter amount of time.
I'm so very thankful for all of the "Mothers" I have in the faith.
My husband and I decided when our 1st child was ready for school to home school. At one point I lost a nights sleep on 2 different occasions wondering if we where doing what was best, if they would get the education that they needed. At some point after that I asked my dear husband what he thought. He said that he felt that homeschooling was the right choice. Just as matter of factly as anything, with no doubts. I've tried to do my best with some short fallings along the way. One of the big things is the housework.. It has been strongly suggested that I think about sending my children to Public school so that I can better take care of my home and so that my daughter can get the help that she needs. This fall my daughter will finally be getting the help that she needs, and I'm afraid I will be fighting another 2 years to get her the help that she needs, while she gets further behind. My son is at the age where he can get up of a morning and get his chores, and shower in about half an hour. When he applies himself he can really get his schoolwork done in short order. I'm afraid that he'll go to school, be a "good 'ol boy" and bring all his work home to do anyways.
This suggestion was made out of concern for us losing our home, the only one that we can afford. Also out of concern for my daughter who is having difficulty with reading. She's at least 2 years behind.
I feel confident that this year is the one that will really work for school, especially when we get our schedule down over the summer. We've lived here for over a year so we know when the HUD inspections are. Right at the busiest times for us of course. With prevention and maintenance, staying on top of every aspect of the housework we shouldn't have a problem there either. Also if the one maintenance guy comes over to work, (the one that we get written up after), I may ask for a few minutes to tidy up. Its hard though because he is older and I hate to ask him to wait.
It is so embarrassing and humiliating to be found short in your housecleaning. Its not easy on your pride to ask for help, advice, or guidance.
We need prayers that we could seek God's guidance. We want to do his will above all else. I'm most certainly not perfect and I'm afraid that my short comings will be a detriment to my family.
Friday, May 16, 2008
End of School Year Busy
I haven't posted in a while because it is the end of the school year and portfolios are due. Both of my children will be going on to the next grade, however they will have extra help and support in the areas they need to work on. My son's teacher called yesterday and we were able to clear some things up and find a way to simplify the writing process for him. This is great since the hold up on his writing is him not wanting to take the time to write all of his thoughts down. He has a wonderful imagination and has done very well on his poetry writing this week. A 10 year-old boys poems can be very interesting to say the least. I think he really likes that they can be as silly and nonsense as he likes.
My daughter has struggled in her reading all along. She is going on to the next grade because they don't believe it will help to hold her back again. I called Sis Lori P and she gave me some wonderful advice. It is working very well, Thanks so much!! Sometimes I just need to remind myself that her reading may bloom later and that it will be as well with her than as it could be now. She loves stories and has a very inquisitive mind and great comprehension. I just can't wait for the day that the light bulb comes on for her. I see flickers of it from time to time so I'm sure the day is nearing ever closer.
Well back to the school day..............
My daughter has struggled in her reading all along. She is going on to the next grade because they don't believe it will help to hold her back again. I called Sis Lori P and she gave me some wonderful advice. It is working very well, Thanks so much!! Sometimes I just need to remind myself that her reading may bloom later and that it will be as well with her than as it could be now. She loves stories and has a very inquisitive mind and great comprehension. I just can't wait for the day that the light bulb comes on for her. I see flickers of it from time to time so I'm sure the day is nearing ever closer.
Well back to the school day..............
Monday, April 28, 2008
SADNESS AND REJOICING
We made a trip to California this weekend to try and be a comfort to some dear friends who lost a son and brother. He was hit head-on on his way home from work. It was so unexpected he left a wife and little daughter. His life was full of many things, however he hadn't been baptized or going to church. He figured he had plenty of time. Two brother's in our church preached at the funeral. It had to have been hard since they knew him real well. He was a good man and had many friends. Their was somewhere between 300 and 500 people present at his funeral. The saddest part to me was that he had done so much with his life, but neglected the most important part.
Sunday at church they preached on getting busy on doing the things you want to get done since you don't know how much time you have. Also on choosing what you want to accomplish in your life. Some of the family was there and there were some testimonies about the brethren being there for you during the hard times. The times when you just don't understand the why or reason for things. The man that died had so much time ahead, or so it would have seemed.
The rejoicing came some during the meeting but more so afterwards. A young lady gave her hand to the father of the man who had died. Their was a long moment of silence with Joy written on every ones faces. Tears of Joy were rolling down the faces of everyone. At the waters edge the brother who had lost his son said that this was the first step in helping him in the loss of his son. After the baptising, laying on of hands, and dismissal prayer another young lady gave her hand to the 1st young ladies dad.
We rejoiced so much!!! We went to be a comfort, just making a last minute decision to do so. And the treasures that we have stored up from the time spent with our brethren. Sharing in their sorrow and joy. I felt that we had made another payment or 2 on that home up in heaven. I also felt that we had built up, shored up the building blocks of our children's faith. It is so wonderful to hear the same things preached from assembly to assembly. The same things taught on the floor that we teach in our homes. It seems that lately the things that have been on our minds, that we've discussed with our children, have been brought forth in the meetings we have set in.
Sunday at church they preached on getting busy on doing the things you want to get done since you don't know how much time you have. Also on choosing what you want to accomplish in your life. Some of the family was there and there were some testimonies about the brethren being there for you during the hard times. The times when you just don't understand the why or reason for things. The man that died had so much time ahead, or so it would have seemed.
The rejoicing came some during the meeting but more so afterwards. A young lady gave her hand to the father of the man who had died. Their was a long moment of silence with Joy written on every ones faces. Tears of Joy were rolling down the faces of everyone. At the waters edge the brother who had lost his son said that this was the first step in helping him in the loss of his son. After the baptising, laying on of hands, and dismissal prayer another young lady gave her hand to the 1st young ladies dad.
We rejoiced so much!!! We went to be a comfort, just making a last minute decision to do so. And the treasures that we have stored up from the time spent with our brethren. Sharing in their sorrow and joy. I felt that we had made another payment or 2 on that home up in heaven. I also felt that we had built up, shored up the building blocks of our children's faith. It is so wonderful to hear the same things preached from assembly to assembly. The same things taught on the floor that we teach in our homes. It seems that lately the things that have been on our minds, that we've discussed with our children, have been brought forth in the meetings we have set in.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Tea Please
A friend sent this to my husbands email. I thought it was funny.
One day my mother was out and my dad was in charge of me. I was maybe 2 1/2 years old and had just recovered from an accident. Someone had given me a little 'tea set' as a get-well gift and it was one of my favorite toys.
Daddy was in the living room engrossed in the evening news when I brought Daddy a little cup of 'tea', which was just water. After several cups of tea and lots of praise for such yummy tea, my Mom came home.
My Dad made her wait in the living room to watch me bring him a cup of tea, because it was 'just the cutest thing!' My Mom waited, and sure enough, here I come down the hall with a cup of tea for Daddy and she watches him drink it up.
Then she says, 'Did it ever occur to you that the only place that baby can reach to get water is the toilet?'
One day my mother was out and my dad was in charge of me. I was maybe 2 1/2 years old and had just recovered from an accident. Someone had given me a little 'tea set' as a get-well gift and it was one of my favorite toys.
Daddy was in the living room engrossed in the evening news when I brought Daddy a little cup of 'tea', which was just water. After several cups of tea and lots of praise for such yummy tea, my Mom came home.
My Dad made her wait in the living room to watch me bring him a cup of tea, because it was 'just the cutest thing!' My Mom waited, and sure enough, here I come down the hall with a cup of tea for Daddy and she watches him drink it up.
Then she says, 'Did it ever occur to you that the only place that baby can reach to get water is the toilet?'
Saturday, March 1, 2008
LIFE, FAITH, & GOD'S MERCY
God knows just what we need and often supplies it before we even ask.
Travis' check about a month ago was about $400 more than it should have been.
When Travis showed this to his bosses they said it was a company mistake and not to worry about it. So Travis' mom calls about this same and is coming out. She wanted us to take her to Prosser so that she could spend some time with her brother, Bro. Benny Easter. The children and I were able to take her up there and the following weekend we went back up and spent some wonderful time with her as a family. We took her back to the airport on Wednesday after she spent a couple days with us. Uncle Ben died on Friday and Travis' mom headed back down right after attending her best friend, Sis Twila's funeral on Saturday. She left at 5:30 Sunday morning. This time it was by car and a quick trip. We were able to go back up to Prosser for the funeral and spend a little more time with her and the family.
It seems that a lot has happened in our lives lately. The children are quite a bit behind in school work but catching up. Its at times like these when I'm thankful that we home school and are able to go and do these things. We just need prayers that we can get caught up and back on track.
Travis has taken it upon himself to set up a list for brethren to stay up with Eric at night. A brother from Harrisburg and him are making a list, each assembly taking 3 nights at a time since both of our assemblies are small. Travis has been sick and unable to go see Eric much less sit up with him for about 3 weeks now. He is really looking forward to sitting up tomorrow night since it has been so long.
A Bro. Mark from Boise Idaho called this morning and felt like coming up and being of some help with and to Eric. When he called, Travis was at work but I called him back, invited him to dinner and encouraged him to come on if that was what he felt like doing. Bro. Bill Hays joined us for dinner and we were able to sit in heavenly places, talking on faith and God's mercy. I think maybe something controversial may have came up in the beginning. However my husband quietly said that we could "nit pick over the word and pick each other apart or not" both Bro Bill and Bro Mark agreed and they then proceeded to talk on Faith, Miracles, & God's Mercy.
I feel that if nothing else we have been blessed by Bro Mark's visiting in our home. It never ceases to amaze and astound me how God works in each and every one of our lives.
One time a young college student studying to be a minister came by and asked Travis and I some questions. It was for a school assignment. I'm not sure how we got on the subject of miracles but we did. This young man, about the same age as we were at the time, said that the miracles written about in the Bible died with the apostles. I said, "Oh how sad". I don't remember if I elaborated or not but knowing me I probable did. I know I didn't go into much detail though. But how blessed are we, who take it for granted, that the miracles spoken of in the bible still happen today?
To be able to call upon the Lord and in an instant be healed, or have the pain leave our bodies. To see the dead rise and breath again. It seems like now more than every we are in need of these miracles, and they are there for the asking, if we only have faith and believe.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Sara and her husband have been staying with us for a few weeks now. We've really enjoyed having them. I've been able to get up with Travis and go walk in the Mall early in the morning. They will be leaving us however to get things ready for the baby. We will surely miss having them in our home. They plan on being around a few weeks after the baby comes and then head back home to JD's family. We will really miss them then.
We were able to sit in a wonderful meeting in Eugene Wednesday evening. It lasted nearly 3 hours with talks, ministry, and testimonies of God's goodness. How that the brethern are different from the world. How that we will drop everything and be there for a comfort, support and any way that we can. I could tell that Sis Brandi was having a difficult time. I was very proud of how she had her children in church. She testified close to the end of meeting. She said that she prayed for words to speak to her children. She felt that what went forth that night was just what her children needed to hear. She also said that it was 4 months to the day and she'd almost didn't come to church. She surely still needs our prayers.
Eric has had his pills destroyed and is not doing well now. He's asking for prayers that he will have peace. It seems there is so many who need prayers, and again so many that God has been with. My dad is doing much better. I think one of these days he's going to get sick and not get better. It seems that each time is worse. So as you can tell the meeting that we set in was just for my benefit as anyone elses. Travis's uncle from Oklahom made a talk about the seeds and the sower. He also instructed us to look into our hearts, that we knew what our work was and to be up and about it.
Travis just got a prophecy about a week ago. It was very short but told him what his work was. That he'd been asking. I told him if he'd asked me I could have told him, but I guess we need to hear from the father. It did make me think of how I need to work on being a better helpmate to him and what I could do to encourage him and help him.
Please keep us in your prayers and we'll continue praying for all of you.
We were able to sit in a wonderful meeting in Eugene Wednesday evening. It lasted nearly 3 hours with talks, ministry, and testimonies of God's goodness. How that the brethern are different from the world. How that we will drop everything and be there for a comfort, support and any way that we can. I could tell that Sis Brandi was having a difficult time. I was very proud of how she had her children in church. She testified close to the end of meeting. She said that she prayed for words to speak to her children. She felt that what went forth that night was just what her children needed to hear. She also said that it was 4 months to the day and she'd almost didn't come to church. She surely still needs our prayers.
Eric has had his pills destroyed and is not doing well now. He's asking for prayers that he will have peace. It seems there is so many who need prayers, and again so many that God has been with. My dad is doing much better. I think one of these days he's going to get sick and not get better. It seems that each time is worse. So as you can tell the meeting that we set in was just for my benefit as anyone elses. Travis's uncle from Oklahom made a talk about the seeds and the sower. He also instructed us to look into our hearts, that we knew what our work was and to be up and about it.
Travis just got a prophecy about a week ago. It was very short but told him what his work was. That he'd been asking. I told him if he'd asked me I could have told him, but I guess we need to hear from the father. It did make me think of how I need to work on being a better helpmate to him and what I could do to encourage him and help him.
Please keep us in your prayers and we'll continue praying for all of you.
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