Housework = the flu (kind of)

"Hey mom?"

What.

"You know that kind of feeling you get in your mouth right before you get sick?"

What??

"Well, I'm not going to get sick, but you know what I'm talking about? The kind of gross feeling you get in your mouth right before you get sick?"

Yeah, I guess. Why?

"Cause that's how dusting make me feel. Taking everything off the dresser, dusting it, and then having to put everything back on again. Ugh. My mouth just feels sick."

Merry Christmas!

This past spring, our family visited Independence Hall, Gettysburg & the Statue of Liberty. We learned a lot about the price others have paid for our freedom. But no one ever paid a higher price for freedom than Jesus Christ as He died on the cross to free us from our sin. This Christmas, as we celebrate His birth, we are reminded of and thankful for His sacrifice.

Have a Merry Christmas!!

American Community Survey

Never heard of it?? Be thankful. I hadn't either before a couple weeks ago. Now I'm mad. And I don't say that lightly.

Some governmental body thinks it is completely ok to ask me weird questions like "does this house have a flush toilet" and "which fuel is most used by this home" to just plain intrusive, "what is the monthly rent or mortgage payment on this property" , "About how much do you think this house and lot...would sell for if it were for sale" and "because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition, does this person have serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions?" YES I AM SERIOUS!!

I am SO not ok with this!! It also asks, "Is this person currently covered by any of the following types of health insurance or health coverage plans?" and then it lists a bunch of options. On the ACS website it tells me the government needs to know this information so it can better plan federal programs to assist me.

WHY DO THEY THINK I WANT THEIR ASSISTANCE!??!

The worst part of this whole thing is that I also got a letter stating that I am required by law to answer all 28 pages (28!!) of their survey or face penalties.

Can you imagine if George Washington would have gotten one of these things??? OR what about Patrick Henry??....I feel a "Give me Liberty or give me Death" coming on.

You know you've been studying WW2 too long when...

You set up the nativity set and a few days later you overhear this:

Timothy, watching Kayla, Lucas and Alyssa dig around in the Christmas tree - "Guys, what are you doing??"

Lucas - "We're trying to find Mary and Joseph."

Timothy - "Why?"

Lucas - "Because we're hiding them from the Germans."

Timothy - "huh?"

Lucas - "The Germans are chasing them because they're Jews."

Sometimes it's hard to come home...

Ok, I'll be honest - most of the time it's hard to come home. I LOVE MY VACATIONS. It always blows me away when people either say they don't really take family vacations or they're so happy to come home at the end of them. I love my home, but vacations are a slice of heaven for me. Andrew is around 24/7 & we get to visit places and play with our kids all day long. What could be better???

Our most recent trip was to Florida. Swimming in the pool, spending time with my mom and dad, going to the beach, swimming some more, hiking in Big Cypress Preserve - and seeing a boatload of alligators :), going on a fantastic boat ride with friends where every kid caught at least one fish, playing mini-golf and eating out at some fun restaurants.

Makes me wish I was back there. Yet, if I was actually in Florida all the time, it wouldn't be vacation - Andrew would have to work and we couldn't just spend everyday at the pool or other fun places.

So, today while I listen to Lucas whine about doing math (again), I get to work on being content where I am...and look forward to our next trip :)

Burnin' a hole in his pocket

Over the past few weeks, I've come to understand the meaning of this

Seriously, every time I turn around, Lucas has been making a bee line for the computer to look on-line for bows and arrows and playmobil stuff. "I'm just lookin, Mom." Well, I finally put a kabash to that by locking down the computer when it wasn't in use so he couldn't constantly try to "look."

This past Sunday, as I was heading out the door for church, he came into the kitchen carrying a wad of cash.

"Lucas, what in the world are you doing" - as the slightly agitated words flew out of my mouth, Andrew shot me a 'cool it' look and I put down my purse.

Then, in a matter of fact voice that got less matter of fact and more emotional as he spoke, he looked at the money and replied, "It's my spending money. I need to take it to church, mom. I realize I've been spending too much time thinking about toys and stuff. I've been thinking about them more than I've been thinking about God. In fact, sometimes when I've been praying I've really been thinking about toys and not really meaning it, I've just been saying 'blah, blah, blah' like it doesn't really matter."

His moist eyes look at me to make sure I'm really listening - I am.

"So, I figure if I give it to God, that will take care of the problem."

Jesus - thank you for a son who has a tender heart toward you.
And Lord - help his mommy to learn from him.


Matthew 6:33 - But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Love is consuming

On Saturday, Jordan Schroeder entered the heavenly gates and stood in the presence of His Lord. Before he did, he and Katelyn gave everything they hoped and dreamed of to their Heavenly Father. Read their post - http://jkschroeder.blogspot.com/ - When I am weak, then am I strong. 2 Cor 12:10

This morning is his funeral. As I was going about the house praying for Katelyn and their families this morning, I heard this song on the radio:

“You Can Have Me”
by Sidewalk Prophets

If I saw You on the street
And You said come and follow me
But I had to give up everything
All I once held dear and all of my dreams
Would I love You enough to let go
Or would my love run dry
When You asked for my life

When did love become unmoving?
When did love become unconsuming?
Forgetting what the world has told me
Father of love, You can have me
You can have me

If You’re all You claim to be
Then I’m not losing anything
So I will crawl upon my knees
Just to know the joy of suffering
I will love You enough to let go
Lord, I give you my life
I give you my life

When did love become unmoving?
When did love become unconsuming?
Forgetting what the world has told me
Father of love, You can have me
You can have me

I want to be where You are
I’m running into Your arms
And I will never look back
So Jesus, here is my heart

When did love become unmoving?
When did love become unconsuming?
Forgetting what the world has told me
Father of love, You can have me
You can have me

When did love become unmoving?
When did love become unconsuming?
Forgetting what the world has told me
Father of love, You can have me
My Father, my love
You can have me