I learned how to add pictures. I just need to remember to put them in reverse order or end up dragging them around. lol
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Saturday, May 22, 2010
A new position
Funny how life changes. Sometimes quickly and other times slowly, without even a notice.
After Easter, I started subbing full-time as a Teacher's Aide till the end of the school year. It was a big change to having to work full-time. I hadn't done that for the last 15 yrs. Okay, I know being a SAHM is a full-time job, but you get the picture.
The school year has now ended and I was offered the position for next Fall. I signed my contract last night. I am so excited about this adventure. I am able to work with all the kids in the school and not just one age group. I'll be working with the Kindergartner's a lot and then a couple days with the Jr/Sr high kids.
So this summer I need to get myself organized around the house so that I won't be as disorganized come next fall. There is cleaning and weeding out that I want to accomplish around here. My figuring is that if I have the house organized by the time school starts up again, 3 of us will not be here all day M-F, sooooo that one person that is left had better keep things in order. I know, it's pobably doubtful that all that will happen, but a girl can dream, right?!
Today is the first day of vacation and I slept in. I just needed to catch up on all that sleep I lost over the last 6 weeks from getting up early. lol I'm looking at Monday to really hit the work around the house hard. Hopefully the kids will help out too....okay, so I'm still dreaming. Just don't wake me up. I kind of like this dream. lol
After Easter, I started subbing full-time as a Teacher's Aide till the end of the school year. It was a big change to having to work full-time. I hadn't done that for the last 15 yrs. Okay, I know being a SAHM is a full-time job, but you get the picture.
The school year has now ended and I was offered the position for next Fall. I signed my contract last night. I am so excited about this adventure. I am able to work with all the kids in the school and not just one age group. I'll be working with the Kindergartner's a lot and then a couple days with the Jr/Sr high kids.
So this summer I need to get myself organized around the house so that I won't be as disorganized come next fall. There is cleaning and weeding out that I want to accomplish around here. My figuring is that if I have the house organized by the time school starts up again, 3 of us will not be here all day M-F, sooooo that one person that is left had better keep things in order. I know, it's pobably doubtful that all that will happen, but a girl can dream, right?!
Today is the first day of vacation and I slept in. I just needed to catch up on all that sleep I lost over the last 6 weeks from getting up early. lol I'm looking at Monday to really hit the work around the house hard. Hopefully the kids will help out too....okay, so I'm still dreaming. Just don't wake me up. I kind of like this dream. lol
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Through It All
I've learned to trust in Jesus. I've learned to depend upon His Word.
That about sums up the last two months for me. So much has happened and changed in my life and my family's life. When I am going through a difficult time or situation, I sometimes do not stop and see what God is actually doing in that situation. It is not until things have settled and I look back, that I can see how God was working things out. While I'm in the middle of things, I am very confident that Jesus is walking right beside, helping me get through things. I just need to stop and take it in then and not wait until later.
My parents were able to spend Easter with us. They arrived the Wednesday before so we had a couple of fun days to just visit before the Easter weekend. Easter Sunday I planned to have a single gal from church and the pastor's family out for dinner and an egg hunt. Planned is the word here.
On Good Friday, we went to visit my husband's mother in the nursing home. She wasn't doing good at all that day and hardly talked to us. We didn't stay long. On Saturday, we got a call from the nursing home saying that she was going fast and the family should come. So my dh and his dad drove over at 10 am and the BIL made it down here about 3 pm. It was a tough day for the guys. I had cancelled the plans for Easter Sunday. We went to bed at 11:30pm. I couldn't sleep that night and laid in bed praying. The phone rang at 12:30 am. My first thought was "who was calling at that time of night" and before I could even finish it, I thought "oh, no" and was headed for the phone. Sure enough, it was my FIL calling to say that Roger's mom had passed away.
Easter is to be a joyous day. And in a way it was for us. We were saddened that we didn't have her with us anymore, but very glad that she wasn't suffering any longer. We attended our church's Easter service and the kids had a small egg hunt in the house. The next three days were a whirlwind of planning a funeral, something my husband and I had never done before. But we made it through. My parents stayed until after the funeral and my aunt and uncle came up for it and stayed through till the weekend, just to visit with us.
The week before Easter, I had received an email from the Elementary School Principal asking if I would be able to sub as an aide in the Resource Room until the end of the school year. I had emailed her on that Saturday before Easter and told her I could start on that Tuesday. Then I had to email her back, telling her I could start a week later. It all worked out in the end. So, I have been working full-time, 5 days a week for the last month. That is something I haven't done since I got married. It has been an adjustment for everyone, but we are managing pretty well. The ironic thing is, I had applied for this position a year ago and didn't get it. Now it is looking like I may be able to continue in this position next year too.
I've learned that God's timing is not the same as ours. His is much better. I don't know that a full-time job a year ago would have worked as well for my family. I think the opportunity to sub at the school and seeing if this was a position I would enjoy full-time helped in the decision. I enjoy working with the kids a lot and it seems that they enjoy me.
Waiting on God takes a lot of patience too. I've found that out over the last 2 months also. And there again, His timing worked everything out just fine. I'm so thankful I was patient enough to wait on Him and not jump the gun and try to do things on my own. I probably saved a good friendship by doing so.
That about sums up the last two months for me. So much has happened and changed in my life and my family's life. When I am going through a difficult time or situation, I sometimes do not stop and see what God is actually doing in that situation. It is not until things have settled and I look back, that I can see how God was working things out. While I'm in the middle of things, I am very confident that Jesus is walking right beside, helping me get through things. I just need to stop and take it in then and not wait until later.
My parents were able to spend Easter with us. They arrived the Wednesday before so we had a couple of fun days to just visit before the Easter weekend. Easter Sunday I planned to have a single gal from church and the pastor's family out for dinner and an egg hunt. Planned is the word here.
On Good Friday, we went to visit my husband's mother in the nursing home. She wasn't doing good at all that day and hardly talked to us. We didn't stay long. On Saturday, we got a call from the nursing home saying that she was going fast and the family should come. So my dh and his dad drove over at 10 am and the BIL made it down here about 3 pm. It was a tough day for the guys. I had cancelled the plans for Easter Sunday. We went to bed at 11:30pm. I couldn't sleep that night and laid in bed praying. The phone rang at 12:30 am. My first thought was "who was calling at that time of night" and before I could even finish it, I thought "oh, no" and was headed for the phone. Sure enough, it was my FIL calling to say that Roger's mom had passed away.
Easter is to be a joyous day. And in a way it was for us. We were saddened that we didn't have her with us anymore, but very glad that she wasn't suffering any longer. We attended our church's Easter service and the kids had a small egg hunt in the house. The next three days were a whirlwind of planning a funeral, something my husband and I had never done before. But we made it through. My parents stayed until after the funeral and my aunt and uncle came up for it and stayed through till the weekend, just to visit with us.
The week before Easter, I had received an email from the Elementary School Principal asking if I would be able to sub as an aide in the Resource Room until the end of the school year. I had emailed her on that Saturday before Easter and told her I could start on that Tuesday. Then I had to email her back, telling her I could start a week later. It all worked out in the end. So, I have been working full-time, 5 days a week for the last month. That is something I haven't done since I got married. It has been an adjustment for everyone, but we are managing pretty well. The ironic thing is, I had applied for this position a year ago and didn't get it. Now it is looking like I may be able to continue in this position next year too.
I've learned that God's timing is not the same as ours. His is much better. I don't know that a full-time job a year ago would have worked as well for my family. I think the opportunity to sub at the school and seeing if this was a position I would enjoy full-time helped in the decision. I enjoy working with the kids a lot and it seems that they enjoy me.
Waiting on God takes a lot of patience too. I've found that out over the last 2 months also. And there again, His timing worked everything out just fine. I'm so thankful I was patient enough to wait on Him and not jump the gun and try to do things on my own. I probably saved a good friendship by doing so.
"I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry."
Psalm 40:1
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Guess It's Been Awhile
A lot has probably happened over the last month and a half, but at my age, I only remember a few things. lol So, I'll try to tell you all about those.
My MIL hasn't been doing very well lately. She has been in the nursing home for a few years now. At Thanksgiving, she fell and broke her arm and then three days later suffered a stroke. It's been hard ever since. She is slowly going downhill.
A friend of my husband's went and got himself engaged on Valentine's Day! Only goes to show you that love can hit at any age! We are so happy for him. I'm just glad to have another gal around to do things with when the guys get together. This is his first marriage and it has been funny watching him help plan the wedding. He definately has some ideas.
I celebrated my birthday on February 24th. If you want to call it "celebrating". My husband and I went to Bismarck to pick up the camper we bought on the 20th. So, he went around telling everyone that he bought me a camper for my birthday. Hmmmm, wonder what he'll buy me next year to top that gift?! lol
So, now the camper is home and I'm getting the camping fever. I'd post some pictures, because it truely is a nice camper, but I haven't figured out how to get the pictures posted on here. Each blog site seems different and my friend, Megan, wasn't able to come and show me while she was home on Spring break. Hopefully she'll stop in before Summer starts.
Oh, back to the camper. It's a Cougar X-Lite 27SAB 5th wheel. I really think we are going to enjoy it. I know I will not miss packing a cooler each time we go out. Our first trip out this year will be in May for our friend's wedding. The kids will each have their own bunk. And yes, they're arguing over who gets which bunk. Typical. I've been visualizing where I am going to store everything too. As soon as it dries up outside, I'll be working in the camper.
I filled in at the school for my friend who is a Teacher's Aide. I really enjoy it. This time I ended up getting sick and not being able to work the last two days. I went home on a Tuesday with my voice sounding terrible. Only to wake up at 5 am with a 101.1 temp. I knew my sinuses had kicked in a few days earlier, but not so bad that I should run a temp. I ended up going to the clinic on Thursday since I had two days with a temp. I ended up having sinus and ear infection and a little bronchial stuff thrown in the mix. I got my Zpak and cough syrup and headed home. On Friday, I slept most of the day. I have been taking naps just about every day since. If I over do in a day, I either need to get to bed early or take a nap. I'm chalking that up to being sick and not my age! hehe
We've had WAY too much fog lately. I can't remember the last time I saw the sun. We've had some rain too, which has helped in getting rid of the snow. And of course, now we have MUD. That's the part of Spring that I really don't enjoy. Probably because we have gravel in our yard. And with kids, and a husband, the entry starts to look messy. I'm just thankful we live near the highway and don't have to travel gravel roads all the time.
Well, I think that's all that has happened. I really need to learn to post pictures on here. Have a Happy Spring!
My MIL hasn't been doing very well lately. She has been in the nursing home for a few years now. At Thanksgiving, she fell and broke her arm and then three days later suffered a stroke. It's been hard ever since. She is slowly going downhill.
A friend of my husband's went and got himself engaged on Valentine's Day! Only goes to show you that love can hit at any age! We are so happy for him. I'm just glad to have another gal around to do things with when the guys get together. This is his first marriage and it has been funny watching him help plan the wedding. He definately has some ideas.
I celebrated my birthday on February 24th. If you want to call it "celebrating". My husband and I went to Bismarck to pick up the camper we bought on the 20th. So, he went around telling everyone that he bought me a camper for my birthday. Hmmmm, wonder what he'll buy me next year to top that gift?! lol
So, now the camper is home and I'm getting the camping fever. I'd post some pictures, because it truely is a nice camper, but I haven't figured out how to get the pictures posted on here. Each blog site seems different and my friend, Megan, wasn't able to come and show me while she was home on Spring break. Hopefully she'll stop in before Summer starts.
Oh, back to the camper. It's a Cougar X-Lite 27SAB 5th wheel. I really think we are going to enjoy it. I know I will not miss packing a cooler each time we go out. Our first trip out this year will be in May for our friend's wedding. The kids will each have their own bunk. And yes, they're arguing over who gets which bunk. Typical. I've been visualizing where I am going to store everything too. As soon as it dries up outside, I'll be working in the camper.
I filled in at the school for my friend who is a Teacher's Aide. I really enjoy it. This time I ended up getting sick and not being able to work the last two days. I went home on a Tuesday with my voice sounding terrible. Only to wake up at 5 am with a 101.1 temp. I knew my sinuses had kicked in a few days earlier, but not so bad that I should run a temp. I ended up going to the clinic on Thursday since I had two days with a temp. I ended up having sinus and ear infection and a little bronchial stuff thrown in the mix. I got my Zpak and cough syrup and headed home. On Friday, I slept most of the day. I have been taking naps just about every day since. If I over do in a day, I either need to get to bed early or take a nap. I'm chalking that up to being sick and not my age! hehe
We've had WAY too much fog lately. I can't remember the last time I saw the sun. We've had some rain too, which has helped in getting rid of the snow. And of course, now we have MUD. That's the part of Spring that I really don't enjoy. Probably because we have gravel in our yard. And with kids, and a husband, the entry starts to look messy. I'm just thankful we live near the highway and don't have to travel gravel roads all the time.
Well, I think that's all that has happened. I really need to learn to post pictures on here. Have a Happy Spring!
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Winter
My first winter on the prairie, after I was married, was one that I will not forget anytime soon. (Actually, I have pictures and video to remind me.) The winter of 1996/1997, left us with a lot of snow. I remember being without power for 3 days and the blizzard blowing around outside left us housebound. Talk about going stir crazy.
One thing I learned during that time was that I had no trouble entertaining myself...playing the piano, reading, doing counted cross stitch, and playing games...I even survived the 3 days of solitude. Well, it wasn't actually solitude...my husband was stuck in the house too. I also learned something about him...he doesn't have anything to entertain himself...no interest in books, at all. If he can't work in the shop, he goes stir crazy. And a person can only sleep so much in 3 days.
At that time, we didn't have a generator to use. We had a back up fuel heater that wasn't fun to clean up afterwards. Once the kids came along, we decided to invest in a generator. At least we can have lights and some warmth. Cooking ends up being sandwiches at time, but we have fun.
There always seems to be snow. Lots of snow. That first winter left us with so much snow that I haven't seen that much since then. We could take the snowmobile and drive it up a snowbank. When we got to the top and got off, the tree tops were chest high. No lie. I probably should find the old pictures. Some of our little feed buildings were under snow too. It was unbelieveable.
So, yesterday, we once again had a snow storm. It snowed all morning and we lost power during the afternoon. Now we have a generator so it makes life a little easier. The temp was around 33 degrees too so it was "warm" by our standards. After cleaning the house all morning, the kids and I decided to go have some fun. We made a snow woman and then we went sledding down the back hill. The snow was the right consistency for snowballs too. We came in very wet and tired. Since we had no power, everything had to be hung up in the basement.
We have power again but we are still staying at home. The wind has come up, blowing snow across the road and the visibility is getting less. It really is no fun driving on ice when you can't see the ditch.
It's fun to be out and about with other people, but it's also nice to just stay home with family. Winter is a time to rest. When we have our blizzards, I feel like God is telling me to slow down and reconnect with family. I can take that time for crafts, playing games, playing the piano, reading and resting. God really does know my needs before I do.
One thing I learned during that time was that I had no trouble entertaining myself...playing the piano, reading, doing counted cross stitch, and playing games...I even survived the 3 days of solitude. Well, it wasn't actually solitude...my husband was stuck in the house too. I also learned something about him...he doesn't have anything to entertain himself...no interest in books, at all. If he can't work in the shop, he goes stir crazy. And a person can only sleep so much in 3 days.
At that time, we didn't have a generator to use. We had a back up fuel heater that wasn't fun to clean up afterwards. Once the kids came along, we decided to invest in a generator. At least we can have lights and some warmth. Cooking ends up being sandwiches at time, but we have fun.
There always seems to be snow. Lots of snow. That first winter left us with so much snow that I haven't seen that much since then. We could take the snowmobile and drive it up a snowbank. When we got to the top and got off, the tree tops were chest high. No lie. I probably should find the old pictures. Some of our little feed buildings were under snow too. It was unbelieveable.
So, yesterday, we once again had a snow storm. It snowed all morning and we lost power during the afternoon. Now we have a generator so it makes life a little easier. The temp was around 33 degrees too so it was "warm" by our standards. After cleaning the house all morning, the kids and I decided to go have some fun. We made a snow woman and then we went sledding down the back hill. The snow was the right consistency for snowballs too. We came in very wet and tired. Since we had no power, everything had to be hung up in the basement.
We have power again but we are still staying at home. The wind has come up, blowing snow across the road and the visibility is getting less. It really is no fun driving on ice when you can't see the ditch.
It's fun to be out and about with other people, but it's also nice to just stay home with family. Winter is a time to rest. When we have our blizzards, I feel like God is telling me to slow down and reconnect with family. I can take that time for crafts, playing games, playing the piano, reading and resting. God really does know my needs before I do.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Quiet Stillness
After having the kids home for two weeks over the holidays, I didn't realize that I had adjusted to the noise level during that time. Well, I realized it after they left for school yesterday morning.
The house was....peaceful. As I sat at the table drinking my coffee and gazing out the window, I enjoyed the sight of soft fluffy snowflakes fluttering to the ground. It gave me the feeling of just wanting to curl up in the recliner with a blanket, hot coffee and a book. A roaring fire would have set the mood too, but I am not fortunate enough to have a fireplace. I suppose I could have thrown in the DVD we have of the crackling fire and background Christmas music.
My peaceful day ended at 4 pm. That's when the bus arrived in the yard, depositing those two little angels I sent off earlier in the day. Bedtime couldn't come soon enough for me. Just because you love each other so much and didn't get to see each other much during the school day, does not mean you can start "loving" each other after you get home. I felt like I had put on a zebra suit and was thrown into the middle of an All-Star Wrestling match. The daughter did everything in her power to ignite her brother with madness. It took us forever to finish up the mounds of homework he brought home because she wouldn't leave him alone. My ears were actually hurting at one point from all the "love" in the room.
Finally, peacefullness once again decended upon my household. Around 10 pm. Luckily, I wasn't tired enough yet and could sit in the quiet for a few minutes before retiring to dreamland myself.
Ah, but that dreamland only seemed to last a few short hours when I was so so rudely awakened by my daughter demanding that I get out of bed and get her breakfast for her. Now, mind you, any other time this 9 yr old, very independent child, can fix herself anything from scrambled eggs to mac-n-cheese in the microwave, so cereal for her is very simple. But not this morning. It seemed that she didn't wake up in time to get her own breakfast and eat it and thought mom could do it faster. This was at 7:25 am and the school bus arrives in our yard any time after 7:50 am. She wanted to argue the point with me instead of going and getting her breakfast.
I eventually put everything on the table for her. I figured she could pour her own stuff and eat it because I really didn't want to eat that kind of cereal this morning. It seemed like every little thing was irritating her this morning, well, everything her brother did. And he was just getting himself ready for school and then tried playing the piano which really set her off again. I think tonight will be an early to bed night....I hope the kids can get their own supper and don't disturb me while I'm sleeping.
So, now...here I sit, once again...at my table with a hot cup of coffee. Gazing out the window watching the snow fall peacefully to the ground again today. I have the feeling of wanting to sit in my recliner, snuggled under a blanket, reading a good book and listening to the crackle of a fire. Ah, the quiet stillness of having your children go to school.
The house was....peaceful. As I sat at the table drinking my coffee and gazing out the window, I enjoyed the sight of soft fluffy snowflakes fluttering to the ground. It gave me the feeling of just wanting to curl up in the recliner with a blanket, hot coffee and a book. A roaring fire would have set the mood too, but I am not fortunate enough to have a fireplace. I suppose I could have thrown in the DVD we have of the crackling fire and background Christmas music.
My peaceful day ended at 4 pm. That's when the bus arrived in the yard, depositing those two little angels I sent off earlier in the day. Bedtime couldn't come soon enough for me. Just because you love each other so much and didn't get to see each other much during the school day, does not mean you can start "loving" each other after you get home. I felt like I had put on a zebra suit and was thrown into the middle of an All-Star Wrestling match. The daughter did everything in her power to ignite her brother with madness. It took us forever to finish up the mounds of homework he brought home because she wouldn't leave him alone. My ears were actually hurting at one point from all the "love" in the room.
Finally, peacefullness once again decended upon my household. Around 10 pm. Luckily, I wasn't tired enough yet and could sit in the quiet for a few minutes before retiring to dreamland myself.
Ah, but that dreamland only seemed to last a few short hours when I was so so rudely awakened by my daughter demanding that I get out of bed and get her breakfast for her. Now, mind you, any other time this 9 yr old, very independent child, can fix herself anything from scrambled eggs to mac-n-cheese in the microwave, so cereal for her is very simple. But not this morning. It seemed that she didn't wake up in time to get her own breakfast and eat it and thought mom could do it faster. This was at 7:25 am and the school bus arrives in our yard any time after 7:50 am. She wanted to argue the point with me instead of going and getting her breakfast.
I eventually put everything on the table for her. I figured she could pour her own stuff and eat it because I really didn't want to eat that kind of cereal this morning. It seemed like every little thing was irritating her this morning, well, everything her brother did. And he was just getting himself ready for school and then tried playing the piano which really set her off again. I think tonight will be an early to bed night....I hope the kids can get their own supper and don't disturb me while I'm sleeping.
So, now...here I sit, once again...at my table with a hot cup of coffee. Gazing out the window watching the snow fall peacefully to the ground again today. I have the feeling of wanting to sit in my recliner, snuggled under a blanket, reading a good book and listening to the crackle of a fire. Ah, the quiet stillness of having your children go to school.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)