Feels Like Home--by Chantal Kreviazuk
From the movie How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
"Somethin' in your eyes, makes me wanna lose myself
Makes me wanna lose myself, in your arms
There's somethin' in your voice, makes my heart beat fast
Hope this feeling lasts, the rest of my life
If you knew how lonely my life has been
And how long I've been so alone
And if you knew how I wanted someone to come along
And change my life the way you've done
It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me
It feels like I'm all the way back where I come from
It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me
It feels like I'm all the way back where I belong
A window breaks, down a long, dark street
And a siren wails in the night
But I'm alright, 'cause I have you here with me
And I can almost see, through the dark there is light
Well, if you knew how much this moment means to me
And how long I've waited for your touch
And if you knew how happy you are making me
I never thought that I'd love anyone so much
It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me
It feels like I'm all the way the back where
I come fromIt feels like home to me, it feels like home to me
It feels like I'm all the way back where I belong
It feels like I'm all the way back where I belong
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Friday, December 29, 2006
17 years and counting
Dec. 30th, the day that Jay and I promised, no vowed before God, family and friends that we would love, honor, and cherish each other come what may.
17 years ago, we were young starry eyed and "in love". Today, the starry eyes see a little clearer now but we still love each other.
I have learned alot over the past 17 years. Here is one example for each year we have been married.
1. Love is a verb--the feeling has faded from time to time. That is when you reflect on what you vowed. In good times and in bad. In sickness and in health, etc. Still, even when you don't FEEL like it--you do it anyway.
2. Most people don't change. People can grow/mature but they tend not to change.
3. If you are quiet long enough, they will talk to you. This one has been hard for me!
4. Discounting him infront of the children, seriously hurts his self esteem and standing in the children's eyes.
5. After 17 years, he still can't see what is right in front of him.
6. After 17 years, he will still ask you where the pitcher is, even though you have kept in the same place since you have moved in.
7. After 17 years, he will always need to be reminded that the trash goes out on Sundays and Wednesdays.
8. Put him first. He came before the kids did and even when the kids come along, he still needs to be first.
9. Always have a date night. No matter if it once a week or once a month. Always have a date night. We tend to save our gift cards that we collect thru the year to use on these nights.
10. pray together. Even if you are disagreeing, pray together. What you hear from his lips reveals so much to his heart.
11. For every negative thought you have about him. Then verbally say 2 positive things. This keeps the heart from growing cold towards him.
12. They are still young at heart. This comes true when your children get a cool toy, like a playstation 2 or a psp or guitar hero! They play it all the time!
13. Always take your anniversary to reflect on where you have come from and where you want to grow together.
14. Use "I" statements when talking to them. That way you are not accusing them of anything.
15. I had to teach Jay how to do laundry and mop the kitchen floor when we were first married. These are skills that I am now teaching Alex to do....that and wipe the toilet rim when he is done! His wife is gonna love me!
16. When the snoring starts, buy ear plugs! They are cheap and keep you from having negative thoughts!
17. I am blessed because after 17 years, he wakes up every morning KNOWING that he loves me and that we were meant to be together.
17 years ago, we were young starry eyed and "in love". Today, the starry eyes see a little clearer now but we still love each other.
I have learned alot over the past 17 years. Here is one example for each year we have been married.
1. Love is a verb--the feeling has faded from time to time. That is when you reflect on what you vowed. In good times and in bad. In sickness and in health, etc. Still, even when you don't FEEL like it--you do it anyway.
2. Most people don't change. People can grow/mature but they tend not to change.
3. If you are quiet long enough, they will talk to you. This one has been hard for me!
4. Discounting him infront of the children, seriously hurts his self esteem and standing in the children's eyes.
5. After 17 years, he still can't see what is right in front of him.
6. After 17 years, he will still ask you where the pitcher is, even though you have kept in the same place since you have moved in.
7. After 17 years, he will always need to be reminded that the trash goes out on Sundays and Wednesdays.
8. Put him first. He came before the kids did and even when the kids come along, he still needs to be first.
9. Always have a date night. No matter if it once a week or once a month. Always have a date night. We tend to save our gift cards that we collect thru the year to use on these nights.
10. pray together. Even if you are disagreeing, pray together. What you hear from his lips reveals so much to his heart.
11. For every negative thought you have about him. Then verbally say 2 positive things. This keeps the heart from growing cold towards him.
12. They are still young at heart. This comes true when your children get a cool toy, like a playstation 2 or a psp or guitar hero! They play it all the time!
13. Always take your anniversary to reflect on where you have come from and where you want to grow together.
14. Use "I" statements when talking to them. That way you are not accusing them of anything.
15. I had to teach Jay how to do laundry and mop the kitchen floor when we were first married. These are skills that I am now teaching Alex to do....that and wipe the toilet rim when he is done! His wife is gonna love me!
16. When the snoring starts, buy ear plugs! They are cheap and keep you from having negative thoughts!
17. I am blessed because after 17 years, he wakes up every morning KNOWING that he loves me and that we were meant to be together.
Friday, December 22, 2006
God bless us everyone!
good things about today--
1. Got my house picked up and cleaned
2. Got my haircut and highlighted and got $60 off the total bill--don't ask, I think the lady made a mistake
3. Chelsea made National Honor Society
4. Baked for Jay's employees
5. went to the new cold stone creamery! yum-o!
6. got to spend time with jay for the first time such a long time!
bad things about today--alex started throwing up at about 5:30 p.m.--i think it is food poisoning from lunch at school. it coculd be a bug...we will see....by the way, he has yet to amke it to the bathroom!
good thing--we have a little green bissel machine!!!
Merry Christmas everyone! count your blessings and name them one by one!
1. Got my house picked up and cleaned
2. Got my haircut and highlighted and got $60 off the total bill--don't ask, I think the lady made a mistake
3. Chelsea made National Honor Society
4. Baked for Jay's employees
5. went to the new cold stone creamery! yum-o!
6. got to spend time with jay for the first time such a long time!
bad things about today--alex started throwing up at about 5:30 p.m.--i think it is food poisoning from lunch at school. it coculd be a bug...we will see....by the way, he has yet to amke it to the bathroom!
good thing--we have a little green bissel machine!!!
Merry Christmas everyone! count your blessings and name them one by one!
Thursday, December 14, 2006
It's about more than this....
Monday, December 11, 2006. My friend Sarah, went home to be with God.
I know that many of you reading this already know that. Thank you to those who have said that you were checking my blog to see what I would post about her.
I don't know what I could say that would do her justice. She was simply amazing!
I miss her dearly. I see her children almost everyday and it is all I can do to not be completely sad.
Her children are amazing smaller versions of Sarah. Hannah is so full of life! She sees things in a positive light. She doesn't really understand why people are sad and want her to be sad about her mom being gone. One night Hannah looked at me and said "Miss Ellyn, my mom is in heaven and I can't be sad about that!" Hannah sang a solo at our Christmas production called "Light of Jesus Shine forever in our Hearts"! It was like Sarah was talking to us! The words were exactly what Sarah would say.
Sarah left a lasting legacy on all those who knew her. I was blessed enough to have several wonderful conversations with her before the cancer consumed her body. She told me that she wasn't going to ask why she had cancer but instead that if her having cancer is what it took for someone to have a real and personal relationship with God, then she looks at God and says "Bring it on!" My daughter was able to be a part of that conversation and it was an amazing gift given to Chelsea and myself!
Sarah also told me that she didn't want people to look at her and say "Sarah sure is brave!" "Look at how Sarah is handling this". She said "I want people to look at me and give God the glory. " She knew that her life was about more than her physical body. She knew that God could let her die. People would say to her, "God won't let you die becuase....." and she would respond, "No God could let me die and I have to be ok with that." She was not afraid of dying. She wanted to see her kids grow up and asked God if that would be possible but would accept whatever answer He gave her.
People don't understand why she is gone. Why her husband only had 13 years with her and her children had less than 10 years with her. As I hear the stories of how God is working through Sarah even now, I understand as much as my human mind will let me.
*A man who was angry with God and stopped going to church so very long ago, showed up at church on Sunday because of Sarah (or what God did through her life).
*People who didn't pray, are now praying.
*People who lost touch with Sarah, found her and her faith again.
*People are professing the love of Christ boldly and unashamed.
*1200 people gathered to honor her life and worship the Lord, who gives and takes away.
*People are calling and asking to meet with Bruce to understand this God who Sarah loved so much that she was willing to die, so that He be glorified.
Chelsea said "you know mom, we look for ways to pack the church on a Sunday. Miss Sarah lived her life with purpose and boldness and look....it was standing room only! All those people got to hear how much God loves them and how much Sarah wanted them to love God! Way to go Miss Sarah! Way to go!"
As a Christian our life is about more than our physical body. We are blessed beyond imagination!
It is time to live with purpose. It is time to be bold about our faith. We only have this one life to make a difference.
I do ask that you continue to pray for Scott and the children. Pray for God's protective hedge around them while they learn to live without Sarah.
To Sarah, I say--I miss you but I know that we will see each other again someday! Until then, may I be as bold and faithful as you were. Thank you for the life you lead. I love you.
I know that many of you reading this already know that. Thank you to those who have said that you were checking my blog to see what I would post about her.
I don't know what I could say that would do her justice. She was simply amazing!
I miss her dearly. I see her children almost everyday and it is all I can do to not be completely sad.
Her children are amazing smaller versions of Sarah. Hannah is so full of life! She sees things in a positive light. She doesn't really understand why people are sad and want her to be sad about her mom being gone. One night Hannah looked at me and said "Miss Ellyn, my mom is in heaven and I can't be sad about that!" Hannah sang a solo at our Christmas production called "Light of Jesus Shine forever in our Hearts"! It was like Sarah was talking to us! The words were exactly what Sarah would say.
Sarah left a lasting legacy on all those who knew her. I was blessed enough to have several wonderful conversations with her before the cancer consumed her body. She told me that she wasn't going to ask why she had cancer but instead that if her having cancer is what it took for someone to have a real and personal relationship with God, then she looks at God and says "Bring it on!" My daughter was able to be a part of that conversation and it was an amazing gift given to Chelsea and myself!
Sarah also told me that she didn't want people to look at her and say "Sarah sure is brave!" "Look at how Sarah is handling this". She said "I want people to look at me and give God the glory. " She knew that her life was about more than her physical body. She knew that God could let her die. People would say to her, "God won't let you die becuase....." and she would respond, "No God could let me die and I have to be ok with that." She was not afraid of dying. She wanted to see her kids grow up and asked God if that would be possible but would accept whatever answer He gave her.
People don't understand why she is gone. Why her husband only had 13 years with her and her children had less than 10 years with her. As I hear the stories of how God is working through Sarah even now, I understand as much as my human mind will let me.
*A man who was angry with God and stopped going to church so very long ago, showed up at church on Sunday because of Sarah (or what God did through her life).
*People who didn't pray, are now praying.
*People who lost touch with Sarah, found her and her faith again.
*People are professing the love of Christ boldly and unashamed.
*1200 people gathered to honor her life and worship the Lord, who gives and takes away.
*People are calling and asking to meet with Bruce to understand this God who Sarah loved so much that she was willing to die, so that He be glorified.
Chelsea said "you know mom, we look for ways to pack the church on a Sunday. Miss Sarah lived her life with purpose and boldness and look....it was standing room only! All those people got to hear how much God loves them and how much Sarah wanted them to love God! Way to go Miss Sarah! Way to go!"
As a Christian our life is about more than our physical body. We are blessed beyond imagination!
It is time to live with purpose. It is time to be bold about our faith. We only have this one life to make a difference.
I do ask that you continue to pray for Scott and the children. Pray for God's protective hedge around them while they learn to live without Sarah.
To Sarah, I say--I miss you but I know that we will see each other again someday! Until then, may I be as bold and faithful as you were. Thank you for the life you lead. I love you.
Friday, December 01, 2006
6 weird things about me
Alright Java and fellow bloggers--I am at work and well apparently the Lord has lightened my load today because I can blog about weird things about me! Java, I always knew that we were somehow connected...we have several things in common. Several of your weird things made me smile cause I am like that too...
1. I listen to Christmas music the day after Thanksgiving and I sing loudly and jubilantly. I need an ipod and an ipod trip so that I can put it on random and sing all the way to work!
2. I talk to myself in the car. When I have a lot on my mind. I talk it thru out loud! In fact there is a certain member of our church who works for a certain secret agency and he "tailed" me for about 5 miles and I never noticed and his comment was--you sure do talk alot in the car!
3. Sorry Java, but I also pretend like my life is like a t.v. show!!! I have done it since I was a child! I have always wanted to be someone else! I am now mature and can accept who God has made me and find happiness in that but sometimes when noone is looking.....
4. I hang my shirts in my closets from sleeveless to long sleeve. Jay however does not hang up my shirts that way and I spend countless minutes rearranging instead of leaving it alone...does it really matter?! Well yes, yes it does--for me.
5. I finish almost every sentence with "I know--right?" or "does that make sense?"
6. I love to play video games! Not like Madden '06 or anything but like Spyro....I am pretty good!
Ok so now that there has been some good 'ole confession from me, I need 5 people to join.....Jill, Emily, Tanya, Ramona, and......Murray/Jaime.
Happy friday!
1. I listen to Christmas music the day after Thanksgiving and I sing loudly and jubilantly. I need an ipod and an ipod trip so that I can put it on random and sing all the way to work!
2. I talk to myself in the car. When I have a lot on my mind. I talk it thru out loud! In fact there is a certain member of our church who works for a certain secret agency and he "tailed" me for about 5 miles and I never noticed and his comment was--you sure do talk alot in the car!
3. Sorry Java, but I also pretend like my life is like a t.v. show!!! I have done it since I was a child! I have always wanted to be someone else! I am now mature and can accept who God has made me and find happiness in that but sometimes when noone is looking.....
4. I hang my shirts in my closets from sleeveless to long sleeve. Jay however does not hang up my shirts that way and I spend countless minutes rearranging instead of leaving it alone...does it really matter?! Well yes, yes it does--for me.
5. I finish almost every sentence with "I know--right?" or "does that make sense?"
6. I love to play video games! Not like Madden '06 or anything but like Spyro....I am pretty good!
Ok so now that there has been some good 'ole confession from me, I need 5 people to join.....Jill, Emily, Tanya, Ramona, and......Murray/Jaime.
Happy friday!
Thursday, November 30, 2006
'tis the season....
Ok--I am almost done with my Christmas shopping! I was feeling good about my progress. Today an electrician came to our house and put in an outside socket--I know how stupid we don't have one right! Christmas lights can go up! But I was stressed that we had no tree and no real good time to go get one. So.....
Jay and I went to get our tree tonight while we dropped off both kids at their practices. Yes that means the kids were not with us but I just couldn't make it happen.
We have a tradition in the Sergio household. We go the Sat. after Thanksgiving to this place about an hour away and cut down our perfect tree! It is perfect in every way becuase not only are they meticulously maintained through the year but they are only $40 for any height, any species of tree!!! Can't beat that! Well, due to our lives being totally crazy and in NYC for the Sat. after thanksgiving, we had to go to plan "B".
Jay and I made the decision and drove to the nearest nursery and bought an 8 foot frazier fir for--are you ready for this--$80!!!! Are you kidding me?!!!! Seriously?!
Yes, I am not joking!
So it is up--not decorated--just up. Who knows when we will decorate it?!!
Can someone tell me why I paid $80 for a christmas tree on a 73 degree day in Nov?!!! What is this Florida or California?
I told Jay that Chelsea was going to be mad....and she got home from volleyball tryouts and said "are you kidding me?! you got a tree without me?!" I can't blame her. She only has 3 more Christmas' at home with us before she goes to college....tradition is a big deal right now.
I feel like a such a bad mom--maybe I should buy her a pony. Oh wait that's right...tonight we bought a "new to us" vehicle! Maybe I should buy her a black video ipod...oh wait she bought her own in Soho this past weekend! Well she will have to settle for what I got her for Christmas!
fa la la la la la! La la la la!!!
Jay and I went to get our tree tonight while we dropped off both kids at their practices. Yes that means the kids were not with us but I just couldn't make it happen.
We have a tradition in the Sergio household. We go the Sat. after Thanksgiving to this place about an hour away and cut down our perfect tree! It is perfect in every way becuase not only are they meticulously maintained through the year but they are only $40 for any height, any species of tree!!! Can't beat that! Well, due to our lives being totally crazy and in NYC for the Sat. after thanksgiving, we had to go to plan "B".
Jay and I made the decision and drove to the nearest nursery and bought an 8 foot frazier fir for--are you ready for this--$80!!!! Are you kidding me?!!!! Seriously?!
Yes, I am not joking!
So it is up--not decorated--just up. Who knows when we will decorate it?!!
Can someone tell me why I paid $80 for a christmas tree on a 73 degree day in Nov?!!! What is this Florida or California?
I told Jay that Chelsea was going to be mad....and she got home from volleyball tryouts and said "are you kidding me?! you got a tree without me?!" I can't blame her. She only has 3 more Christmas' at home with us before she goes to college....tradition is a big deal right now.
I feel like a such a bad mom--maybe I should buy her a pony. Oh wait that's right...tonight we bought a "new to us" vehicle! Maybe I should buy her a black video ipod...oh wait she bought her own in Soho this past weekend! Well she will have to settle for what I got her for Christmas!
fa la la la la la! La la la la!!!
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
long story
Ok, so I have been gone for a while! Sorry....waaaaaaaaaaaaaaa too much going on! Let's see...
October 27th--Alex made travel basketball and has practice 3 times a week. His 13th birthday was great! Can't believe he is 13!!!! We had his bday party back at the end of sept. So glad we did when you see what has been happening in our lives.
Here he is with his BFF getting into the Hummer limo we rented for Chelsea's sweet 16!
Alex's report card was great!!! We are so proud of him!
Oct 31st--Halloween--Alex and 6 of his buddies go trick or treating around the neighborhood.
NOv 3-5--Daughters of the King--over 400 teen girls and their moms/chaperones came to hear about how they are a loved by God and how they fit into his Kingdom! It was so great!!!
Sometime in between there and Nov. 7th--Sarah enters the hospital.
Nov 7th--Chelsea's 16th bday!!!! This day proved to be very trying. We almost lost Sarah that day. If you go to her Caringbridge site you will read all about it.
Chelsea goes to lunch with friends and the movies! We eat out and let her open some gifts!
Then the Democrats take over DC and the day was just not a good day! other than my sweet daughter's 16th bday!
Nov 10th--Chelsea has volleyball party.
November 12th--Chelsea's sweet 16 party!!! Like I said, we rented a Hummer limo and took 19 teens around DC to take pictures and then eat at Jay's restaurant! It was sooo much fun!!! Everyone had a blast!!!
Now Chelsea is trying out for club volleyball and my word it is so cut throat! Just crazy!!! We are packing for our NYC thanksgiving trip! We are just crazy crazy crazy busy! She is taking behind the wheel everyday. Folks she can be on her own on the road come Feb 7th! Look out! I am 1/2 way done Christmas shopping. I cheated...I did it all over the internet last friday! Should of thought about that because now the stuff will be coming while we are in NYC!! oops.
We are trying to figure out when in the world we will cut down our tree! I have begged the kids to get a fake tree--no such luck! So now I am trying to buy one from the local nursery and not drive the hour to cut one down!
Things with Sarah have been up and down. I could go on and on about my thoughts and feelings about it but to be honest....i am just plain tired. Tired physically and emotionally! On Sunday the 26th our small group is going over to Sarah's house to put up the Christmas lights on the outside of the house. It is for the kids.
Life is good. It is very good. I don't know when I will be able to post again. Please continue to pray for Sarah and Bob. Please visit Sarah's website to get updates on her. Please kiss your family and thank God for them. Life is so precious. Please live each day with purpose and don't blow your day with stupid stuff. Make your moments count. I am sure that Sarah and Bob were, at this time last year, reflecting upon their life. Who knew that this year would hold these things for them.
Praise God for who He is and what He does. Regardless of what happens. Happy Thanksgiving! You have a lot to be thankful for!
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
its coming.....
there have been major things happening in the sergio's lives over the past 2 weeks.....i promise an update is coming with pictures of my now 16 year old and 13 year old!!!
in the mean time check out the web
www.fxcc.org/dotk for pictures of daugthers of the king
and
www.caringbridge.org sign in sarahbergquist for updated news on sarah............
PLEASE PRAY!!!!
in the mean time check out the web
www.fxcc.org/dotk for pictures of daugthers of the king
and
www.caringbridge.org sign in sarahbergquist for updated news on sarah............
PLEASE PRAY!!!!
Thursday, October 26, 2006
misc.
this is Chelsea at her friend's house for homecoming. She went with a bunch of friends from school.
I thought I would post this now so as not to overshadow the fact that her brother is turning 13 tomorrow! I will post about him becoming a teen and reflect on the past 13 years. I will also try to include a picture of the birthday boy. Then after that, my friends, you will not hear from me for about 10 days becuase we have a very important event coming up that I am deeply involved in and well...let's just say the final details are needing to be put in place and not a whole lot of sleep will happen.
Until then.....have a great time!
Thursday, October 19, 2006
STA
Hi. I'm Ellyn.
Audience responds "Hi Ellyn!"
Wow, this is harder than I thought it was going to be.
I have been addicted for about 2 months now. I can't go one day without it. I wake up in the morning and I think about it. I need it to get going in the morning. I need it again by the time I get to work but I hold off as much as I possibly can. Sometimes I can't get any work done because I am consumed with its thought. I can usually hold off until lunch and then I really have to have it again. That holds me over until I go home. I have some at home, grant it, it is not as good as the mass produced product but it does tied over the craving.
Last night after church, I couldn't take it anymore. I had to have my fix. So I went and found the nearest distributor. I got a large amount-- about 44 oz. worth.
I'm Ellyn and I am addicted to sweet tea from McDonalds. I know I have a problem that is why I am here telling you this. I am hoping that the STA meetings (sweet tea anonymous)will provide me with a sponsor and help me through the withdrawl period until I can make it on my own.
The good news--I have every section san one block in the monopoly game. Maybe if I win 1 million dollars, I can just have my addiction and be rich!
Audience responds "Hi Ellyn!"
Wow, this is harder than I thought it was going to be.
I have been addicted for about 2 months now. I can't go one day without it. I wake up in the morning and I think about it. I need it to get going in the morning. I need it again by the time I get to work but I hold off as much as I possibly can. Sometimes I can't get any work done because I am consumed with its thought. I can usually hold off until lunch and then I really have to have it again. That holds me over until I go home. I have some at home, grant it, it is not as good as the mass produced product but it does tied over the craving.
Last night after church, I couldn't take it anymore. I had to have my fix. So I went and found the nearest distributor. I got a large amount-- about 44 oz. worth.
I'm Ellyn and I am addicted to sweet tea from McDonalds. I know I have a problem that is why I am here telling you this. I am hoping that the STA meetings (sweet tea anonymous)will provide me with a sponsor and help me through the withdrawl period until I can make it on my own.
The good news--I have every section san one block in the monopoly game. Maybe if I win 1 million dollars, I can just have my addiction and be rich!
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
In This Storm
Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,[a] who[b] have been called according to his purpose.
2 Corinthians. 4:16-18--Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Psalm 42:5 --Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him,
Psalm 121:1-2--I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Job 1:20-21--At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. [a] The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."
Daniel 3:16-18-- Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."
Casting Crowns--Praise You In This Storm
I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
And stepped in and saved the day
Once again, I say Amen,
and it is still raining
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear you whisper through the rain
I'm with you
As your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away
I'll Praise you in this storm
And I will lift my hands
You are who you are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will Praise You in this storm
I remember whenI stumbled in the wind
You heard my cryYou raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find you
I lift my eyes into the hills
Where does my help come from
My help comes from the Lord
The maker of heaven and earth
Rhonda--email me and I will give you the number
Bob--email me and I will give you the number
Sarah--email me and I will give you the number
I saw Sarah today. She looks great!!! She got a new short haircut so that she wouldn't have stringy long hair as her hair fell out. She is tolerating the chemo well. In fact her blood levels are so good that the dr. has given her 2 days off this week from taking the chemo administered by drip! Praise God!
Sarah met a woman today when taking chemo today. Sarah is going to pray for her to be healed. This woman and her husband go to church but their church is not set up to "take care" of people. Sarah was appalled! This woman was so taken by Sarah that she signed up to take her chemo on friday at the same time as Sarah!
Sarah desperately wants people to know that their focus should not be on her and how she is dealing with this. Their focus should be on God. God is seeing her thru. God is helping her. God is with her.
Sarah told me that if it takes her having cancer to bring people to a relationship with Christ, then so be it. She said bring it on! God is being glorified!
Like the song above.....She knows her help comes from the Lord. She is raising her hands and praising Him in the storm. She also knows that the storm is just starting to brew. She knows with God she WILL get through it, no matter what that means. Sometimes God calms the storms. Sometimes He chooses to ride them with us. No matter what--we praise Him through the storm.
2 Corinthians. 4:16-18--Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Psalm 42:5 --Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him,
Psalm 121:1-2--I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Job 1:20-21--At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. [a] The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."
Daniel 3:16-18-- Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."
Casting Crowns--Praise You In This Storm
I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
And stepped in and saved the day
Once again, I say Amen,
and it is still raining
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear you whisper through the rain
I'm with you
As your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away
I'll Praise you in this storm
And I will lift my hands
You are who you are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will Praise You in this storm
I remember whenI stumbled in the wind
You heard my cryYou raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find you
I lift my eyes into the hills
Where does my help come from
My help comes from the Lord
The maker of heaven and earth
Rhonda--email me and I will give you the number
Bob--email me and I will give you the number
Sarah--email me and I will give you the number
I saw Sarah today. She looks great!!! She got a new short haircut so that she wouldn't have stringy long hair as her hair fell out. She is tolerating the chemo well. In fact her blood levels are so good that the dr. has given her 2 days off this week from taking the chemo administered by drip! Praise God!
Sarah met a woman today when taking chemo today. Sarah is going to pray for her to be healed. This woman and her husband go to church but their church is not set up to "take care" of people. Sarah was appalled! This woman was so taken by Sarah that she signed up to take her chemo on friday at the same time as Sarah!
Sarah desperately wants people to know that their focus should not be on her and how she is dealing with this. Their focus should be on God. God is seeing her thru. God is helping her. God is with her.
Sarah told me that if it takes her having cancer to bring people to a relationship with Christ, then so be it. She said bring it on! God is being glorified!
Like the song above.....She knows her help comes from the Lord. She is raising her hands and praising Him in the storm. She also knows that the storm is just starting to brew. She knows with God she WILL get through it, no matter what that means. Sometimes God calms the storms. Sometimes He chooses to ride them with us. No matter what--we praise Him through the storm.
Monday, October 16, 2006
leaving love
some of you have found it and heard about it....
www.caringbridge.org
at the sign in type-- sarahbergquist
You will have to go thru and "register" but then leaver her love. She needs it.
Lord willing in a day or 2. I will be able to give you her pager number. everytime you pray for her-- you call her pager and it will vibrate and she will know that someone just prayed for her!
Cool huh? Thanks Mrs. Shephard for that fantastic idea!
Pray on!
www.caringbridge.org
at the sign in type-- sarahbergquist
You will have to go thru and "register" but then leaver her love. She needs it.
Lord willing in a day or 2. I will be able to give you her pager number. everytime you pray for her-- you call her pager and it will vibrate and she will know that someone just prayed for her!
Cool huh? Thanks Mrs. Shephard for that fantastic idea!
Pray on!
Friday, October 13, 2006
hope--God's doing it again!
Psalm 25:5guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
Psalm 31:24Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD
Psalm 33:18But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love
Psalm 33:20We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.
5 Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and 6 my God.
I went again today to see Sarah. She needs hope. We were talking about what we put our hope in.
We hoped it was mono. It was not.
We hoped it was breast cancer. It was not.
We hoped it was lymphoma. It was not.
Gideon put his hope in things other than God. Please read Judges 6 and 7. God proved to him over and over that He was with Gideon. Still Gideon was unsure. Gideon gathered a large army to fight the enemy. God told him. "You don't need them". Gideon didn't understand how he was going to beat the enemy with a small army but still God whittled away his army.
Then God showed up and proved himself in a big way. Gideon's hope was in wet and dry fleece or large numbers of fighting men. God proved him wrong. Gideon's hope needed to be rested firmly in the Lord.
God has shown up for Sarah. She still needs to be reminded of the hope she has in the Lord. We are putting some things into place. I will let you know about them as they come to fruition. Until them, pray for her to put her hope in the Lord. If you get the chance go buy the new cd by Casting Crowns and listen to the song "In the storm".
Have a great weekend everyone.
Psalm 31:24Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD
Psalm 33:18But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love
Psalm 33:20We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.
5 Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and 6 my God.
I went again today to see Sarah. She needs hope. We were talking about what we put our hope in.
We hoped it was mono. It was not.
We hoped it was breast cancer. It was not.
We hoped it was lymphoma. It was not.
Gideon put his hope in things other than God. Please read Judges 6 and 7. God proved to him over and over that He was with Gideon. Still Gideon was unsure. Gideon gathered a large army to fight the enemy. God told him. "You don't need them". Gideon didn't understand how he was going to beat the enemy with a small army but still God whittled away his army.
Then God showed up and proved himself in a big way. Gideon's hope was in wet and dry fleece or large numbers of fighting men. God proved him wrong. Gideon's hope needed to be rested firmly in the Lord.
God has shown up for Sarah. She still needs to be reminded of the hope she has in the Lord. We are putting some things into place. I will let you know about them as they come to fruition. Until them, pray for her to put her hope in the Lord. If you get the chance go buy the new cd by Casting Crowns and listen to the song "In the storm".
Have a great weekend everyone.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Perspective and 100th post
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26
So I saw Sarah today. She looked tired but good. She started her chemo last night and then I was there when the nurse brought her tablet chemo. She's doing good. She knows what she is up against. She willing to fight.
I was asked today if I could host our small group meeting this Sunday night. I really really don't want to. Why? Well Friday which is my normal day off, I will need to work...Sat. I am at church from 9-3 in a meeting so that we can figure out our mission, values and vision at good ole FXCC. I am not up for that BUT Sarah was on the team with me and you know what, she would want me there to give my 2 cents on what I htink God calls the church to be. Sunday I am there again at FXCC from 8-5 for various assundry of reasons that all fall under my job title. Small group starts at 6. I was pretty mad when I was asked. I thought why can't other people who are not as busy as me and have Sundays as a work day step up and do this?
I went to see Sarah today and you know what? If she can take chemo that is going to completely tear her apart to fight cancer and live another day, then I can host small group.
This situation puts it all into perspecitve, doesn't it? What Sarah wouldn't give right now to be able to host small group. So come on you 40 people--my carpets will be dirty but you are welcome in my home.
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 2 Cor. 4:8-10
So I saw Sarah today. She looked tired but good. She started her chemo last night and then I was there when the nurse brought her tablet chemo. She's doing good. She knows what she is up against. She willing to fight.
I was asked today if I could host our small group meeting this Sunday night. I really really don't want to. Why? Well Friday which is my normal day off, I will need to work...Sat. I am at church from 9-3 in a meeting so that we can figure out our mission, values and vision at good ole FXCC. I am not up for that BUT Sarah was on the team with me and you know what, she would want me there to give my 2 cents on what I htink God calls the church to be. Sunday I am there again at FXCC from 8-5 for various assundry of reasons that all fall under my job title. Small group starts at 6. I was pretty mad when I was asked. I thought why can't other people who are not as busy as me and have Sundays as a work day step up and do this?
I went to see Sarah today and you know what? If she can take chemo that is going to completely tear her apart to fight cancer and live another day, then I can host small group.
This situation puts it all into perspecitve, doesn't it? What Sarah wouldn't give right now to be able to host small group. So come on you 40 people--my carpets will be dirty but you are welcome in my home.
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 2 Cor. 4:8-10
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
God hear our prayers
.... pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective! James 5:16
I am putting a call out to all who read this. My dear friend of 31 years Sarah, has been diagnosed with acute lymphblastic leukemia. The is a cancer of the blood and it is all over her body. She entered the hospital late last night and will start very intense chemo immediately.
In perfect Sarah style, she sent an email out at 4:30 a.m. to her prayer warriors in ladies Bible class. She shared that she is scared but knows that this cancer is NOT bigger than God. She petitioned them to be in prayer for her. That is her strength. Knowing that her fellow christian mothers are lifting her to our Lord daily, if not hourly.
Sarah, is an amazing person. She has 4 children under the age of 9. She is one month younger than me. Yes, she is 37.
O LORD, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my (Sarah's ) relief. Psalm 143:1
I am putting a call out to all who read this. My dear friend of 31 years Sarah, has been diagnosed with acute lymphblastic leukemia. The is a cancer of the blood and it is all over her body. She entered the hospital late last night and will start very intense chemo immediately.
In perfect Sarah style, she sent an email out at 4:30 a.m. to her prayer warriors in ladies Bible class. She shared that she is scared but knows that this cancer is NOT bigger than God. She petitioned them to be in prayer for her. That is her strength. Knowing that her fellow christian mothers are lifting her to our Lord daily, if not hourly.
Sarah, is an amazing person. She has 4 children under the age of 9. She is one month younger than me. Yes, she is 37.
O LORD, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my (Sarah's ) relief. Psalm 143:1
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
frightening
So I am watching the Discovery channel show "Cash Cab", which by the way when we are in NYC at thanksgiving...I AM going to find and I AM going to win money. You wanna know why? Even if you don't I am going to tell you....
Cause I am waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay smarter than those yahoos on that show! My word! Some of the questions they miss are just dumbfounding!! I am now convinced that we have dumbed down Americans. One episode there were 3 men from jolly ole England and they won over $1000 on American trivia!!!
So once I find the Cash Cab among the other 13,000 cabs in NYC--yes that is 1 3 0 0 0! I think I can do it! I am going to kick tushy at this. With my hubby a.k.a. King of useless knowledge and I will win the largest amount ever!
Don't try to be realistic with me. Let me live in my fantasy! I enjoy it there!
Cause I am waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay smarter than those yahoos on that show! My word! Some of the questions they miss are just dumbfounding!! I am now convinced that we have dumbed down Americans. One episode there were 3 men from jolly ole England and they won over $1000 on American trivia!!!
So once I find the Cash Cab among the other 13,000 cabs in NYC--yes that is 1 3 0 0 0! I think I can do it! I am going to kick tushy at this. With my hubby a.k.a. King of useless knowledge and I will win the largest amount ever!
Don't try to be realistic with me. Let me live in my fantasy! I enjoy it there!
Friday, September 29, 2006
um, i dunno what happened...
nothing profound, i just can't figure out how to change the font on my previous post. I never changed it in the first place so I am not sure why it looks like that.
oh and for the deutschmann--i don't lead people astray--i make their lives better!!! :)
happy friday everyone! it is a beautiful fall day here and the weekend looks great!
oh and for the deutschmann--i don't lead people astray--i make their lives better!!! :)
happy friday everyone! it is a beautiful fall day here and the weekend looks great!
Thursday, September 28, 2006
we live, we love, we forgive and never give up
So this has been a very interesting week...I feel like the past 5 days have been weeks worth of time.
I honestly don't remember what happened on Sunday....oh wait, it is coming back to me now. Yes, our family had a little melt down. It was a beautiful afternoon and we had all been peaceful at home. It was just about time to go to small group when--BAM!--all you know what breaks loose! It was like my 2 offsprings became demon possessed!!! Needless to say we didn't make it to small group. Instead I spent 2 hours on the phone with the nonfruit computer company because our older laptop crapped out on us. I then handed the phone over to Jay as he was speaking with the nice albeit scripted Indian (not native but other) man, because Chelsea comes screaming upstairs to tell me she has a project/paper due tomorrow and the older laptop crapped out on us and the new laptop doesn't have the printer drivers installed on it! So in world could we do that to her! The inhumanity--ya know never mind she spent 7 solid days in a 3rd world country helpign the poor and afflicted--she was now afflicted!! So I then go online wtih Dell--oops i mean nonfruit computer company--to download the printer drivers to the computer. Yes, my blog friends that took 2...count them 2 hours to get right! So in the mean time I keep reminding Alex that he has not practiced his trombone. Well of course not--he left it at school!!! Apparently it is a little hard to play a trombone with no actual trombone. So now I am mad becuase he is going to fail for the week.
But then Monday came--well let's just say God put me in my place. Monday evening, we got word that a good friend, a very Godly man all of the age of 42 with 5 children all under the age of 12 and works for a certain secret group of the government has cancer and it is pretty bad. I am in total disbelief! How could this man have cancer? How can it be so bad? I go to back to school night for Alex and Jay and I just walk around and are literally sick to our stomachs over this.
Tuesday--the news about this man seems to get worse. The doctors say that the cancer has eaten away at his hip and it may not be the only place the cancer is. I am in constant prayer allllllll day. My prayer is "God, I don't want it to be cancer BUT if it has to be then make it fixable." I pray that over and over and over. A part of me feels like this is not going to be as bad as we all first think it is but you know, you are always afraid to say it. But my gut is telling me--it is not going to be bad like the doctors think. He wants everyone to know and for everyone to pray--we spread the word....We, when I say we I mean pretty much the whole church--prays all day and a SLEW of people go to the hospital to visit and provide support and encouragement to a man who has done exactly that to soooooooooooooooooooooooooo many people. I go to back to school night for Chelsea and again, it is hard to concentrate on anything because, well I am remind once again how fragile life is. How we MUST live with purpose to make our life count for God.
Wednesday--he is to have cat scans and a biopsy. My co-worker and I go to the hospital to sit with the wife to wait for the news. This man is visibly shaken to the core. We pray twice with him before he goes for the biopsy. The man who has stood in the gap for countless of people needs us to stand in the gap for him. He goes thru the biopsy and the doctor comes out to hug the wife and says yes it is cancer of the bone BUT it is VERY treatable! He can beat this!
answered prayer!
We have a prayer vigil at the beginning of church that night for he and another woman fighting cancer. Our hearts are very heavy but comforted in the fact that God has heard us. He is good!
Today--More good news--tests from overnight and today show that they are fairly certain that the cancer is only in the hip! He will ahve hip replacement surgery next week and then a round of chemo.
My prayer--"God, Satan thinks he can get to this man and his family. But he has shown you and many others that Satan will not prevail. Keep Satan away this man is ours and you know that."
It made me wonder. Like Job, did Satan ask God to test this man? This man is one of the strongest and most faithful men I know. If anything maybe he was stricken with this cancer to touch someone in the hospital. I know taht only God knows the plans He has for us but I am jsut curious. Whatever the answer--God is faithful and God is Great! This man and his family are not going to waiver. They are strong and courageous.
Between not getting a lot of sleep and being emotionally wiped out--I have stopped at McD's for a sweet tea (which by the way I LOVE!!) to help me survive on the sugar high and caffeine. I had pretty much cut out sodas but I am also living on cokes. This weekend is not going to be relaxing either....it is jammed packed....Can I get an IV of soda and sweet tea? I am going to need it!
Remember--Great is our God!
I honestly don't remember what happened on Sunday....oh wait, it is coming back to me now. Yes, our family had a little melt down. It was a beautiful afternoon and we had all been peaceful at home. It was just about time to go to small group when--BAM!--all you know what breaks loose! It was like my 2 offsprings became demon possessed!!! Needless to say we didn't make it to small group. Instead I spent 2 hours on the phone with the nonfruit computer company because our older laptop crapped out on us. I then handed the phone over to Jay as he was speaking with the nice albeit scripted Indian (not native but other) man, because Chelsea comes screaming upstairs to tell me she has a project/paper due tomorrow and the older laptop crapped out on us and the new laptop doesn't have the printer drivers installed on it! So in world could we do that to her! The inhumanity--ya know never mind she spent 7 solid days in a 3rd world country helpign the poor and afflicted--she was now afflicted!! So I then go online wtih Dell--oops i mean nonfruit computer company--to download the printer drivers to the computer. Yes, my blog friends that took 2...count them 2 hours to get right! So in the mean time I keep reminding Alex that he has not practiced his trombone. Well of course not--he left it at school!!! Apparently it is a little hard to play a trombone with no actual trombone. So now I am mad becuase he is going to fail for the week.
But then Monday came--well let's just say God put me in my place. Monday evening, we got word that a good friend, a very Godly man all of the age of 42 with 5 children all under the age of 12 and works for a certain secret group of the government has cancer and it is pretty bad. I am in total disbelief! How could this man have cancer? How can it be so bad? I go to back to school night for Alex and Jay and I just walk around and are literally sick to our stomachs over this.
Tuesday--the news about this man seems to get worse. The doctors say that the cancer has eaten away at his hip and it may not be the only place the cancer is. I am in constant prayer allllllll day. My prayer is "God, I don't want it to be cancer BUT if it has to be then make it fixable." I pray that over and over and over. A part of me feels like this is not going to be as bad as we all first think it is but you know, you are always afraid to say it. But my gut is telling me--it is not going to be bad like the doctors think. He wants everyone to know and for everyone to pray--we spread the word....We, when I say we I mean pretty much the whole church--prays all day and a SLEW of people go to the hospital to visit and provide support and encouragement to a man who has done exactly that to soooooooooooooooooooooooooo many people. I go to back to school night for Chelsea and again, it is hard to concentrate on anything because, well I am remind once again how fragile life is. How we MUST live with purpose to make our life count for God.
Wednesday--he is to have cat scans and a biopsy. My co-worker and I go to the hospital to sit with the wife to wait for the news. This man is visibly shaken to the core. We pray twice with him before he goes for the biopsy. The man who has stood in the gap for countless of people needs us to stand in the gap for him. He goes thru the biopsy and the doctor comes out to hug the wife and says yes it is cancer of the bone BUT it is VERY treatable! He can beat this!
answered prayer!
We have a prayer vigil at the beginning of church that night for he and another woman fighting cancer. Our hearts are very heavy but comforted in the fact that God has heard us. He is good!
Today--More good news--tests from overnight and today show that they are fairly certain that the cancer is only in the hip! He will ahve hip replacement surgery next week and then a round of chemo.
My prayer--"God, Satan thinks he can get to this man and his family. But he has shown you and many others that Satan will not prevail. Keep Satan away this man is ours and you know that."
It made me wonder. Like Job, did Satan ask God to test this man? This man is one of the strongest and most faithful men I know. If anything maybe he was stricken with this cancer to touch someone in the hospital. I know taht only God knows the plans He has for us but I am jsut curious. Whatever the answer--God is faithful and God is Great! This man and his family are not going to waiver. They are strong and courageous.
Between not getting a lot of sleep and being emotionally wiped out--I have stopped at McD's for a sweet tea (which by the way I LOVE!!) to help me survive on the sugar high and caffeine. I had pretty much cut out sodas but I am also living on cokes. This weekend is not going to be relaxing either....it is jammed packed....Can I get an IV of soda and sweet tea? I am going to need it!
Remember--Great is our God!
Thursday, September 21, 2006
sigh--i am very happy!
The air was cool today with the first touch of fall in the air. You could smell it!!! I love the fall!!! but more importantly...I love the fact that the Office and Grey's Anatomy start again tonight!!!!
I am just too happy!!! I know, it is sad but it is so very very true!
Has anyone been watching Deal or no Deal? I am not watching nor tivoing it tonight but we have caught glimpses of it here and there this week. Some of those contests are too funny!
On a side note, my poor daughter has not been home all week due to commitments at school. The newspaper goes to print this week and she has had 2 games which they won both! She did not come home on Monday until after the game, on Tuesday she did not come home until after practice, on Wednesday she came home for about 20 min. before heading back to meet iwth the trainer about a pulled muscle in her back. She has not been home today yet and it is 8 p.m.
I met her at the school with her practice gear and she was just standing out side crying! I felt so bad for her!! I am proud of her but she is working too hard. I wish I could tell you that this weekend would be calm for her but it is not. Her weekend is packed!
I actually offered her a chance to go ot school late tomorrow morning and she cried and said no, she needed to be there all day! What a good girl I have!
By the way, the 16th b-day plans are coming along!!! More later...it is a surprise and I don't know if she reads my blog or not so you will have to wait.
Alex's 13th birthday is not until Oct 27th BUT he wants to celebrate it with his best friend's who is the 10th. So Jay pulled some strings and the boys are getting a private tour of RFK stadium and Nationals clubhouse. They get to enter the dugout and go on the field!! cool huh!? So Jay and Brian are taking 8 boys to go and do a really cool thing! That is happening on the 30th because that is the 2nd to last game for the Nationals. I wasn't sure this was going to work out but so far we have heard from all but 2 of the boys and they can all come! NOrmally these boys have games on Sat. but none of them have games or they don't play until that night!!!
I love it when a plan comes together! Well friends, snuggle up and watch t.v.!!!! You deserve it!
I am just too happy!!! I know, it is sad but it is so very very true!
Has anyone been watching Deal or no Deal? I am not watching nor tivoing it tonight but we have caught glimpses of it here and there this week. Some of those contests are too funny!
On a side note, my poor daughter has not been home all week due to commitments at school. The newspaper goes to print this week and she has had 2 games which they won both! She did not come home on Monday until after the game, on Tuesday she did not come home until after practice, on Wednesday she came home for about 20 min. before heading back to meet iwth the trainer about a pulled muscle in her back. She has not been home today yet and it is 8 p.m.
I met her at the school with her practice gear and she was just standing out side crying! I felt so bad for her!! I am proud of her but she is working too hard. I wish I could tell you that this weekend would be calm for her but it is not. Her weekend is packed!
I actually offered her a chance to go ot school late tomorrow morning and she cried and said no, she needed to be there all day! What a good girl I have!
By the way, the 16th b-day plans are coming along!!! More later...it is a surprise and I don't know if she reads my blog or not so you will have to wait.
Alex's 13th birthday is not until Oct 27th BUT he wants to celebrate it with his best friend's who is the 10th. So Jay pulled some strings and the boys are getting a private tour of RFK stadium and Nationals clubhouse. They get to enter the dugout and go on the field!! cool huh!? So Jay and Brian are taking 8 boys to go and do a really cool thing! That is happening on the 30th because that is the 2nd to last game for the Nationals. I wasn't sure this was going to work out but so far we have heard from all but 2 of the boys and they can all come! NOrmally these boys have games on Sat. but none of them have games or they don't play until that night!!!
I love it when a plan comes together! Well friends, snuggle up and watch t.v.!!!! You deserve it!
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Celebration of Life
Today I had the honor to be with about 100+ people to celebrate the life of Fred Henson. He went home to be with his Lord this past Sunday after suffering for almost 2 years with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease).
I had the privalege to know Fred because I grew up with his boys, Mark and David. While Fred and his wife Linda had 4 children, I was closest to Mark and David. Mark and I are the same age/grade and were friends since we were 5. For those who are counting, that is almost 33 years of friendship. When we first moved to the DC area we lived literally right around the corner from the Hensons. The Hinckleys, Nighs and Hensons were fast friends and we spent many friday nights and holidays together. I don't know if Mark and David remember but we used to play Dukes of Hazzard together. I of course was Daisy Duke. I think since Mark had brown hair he was Luke Duke and David, having blonde hair was Bo Duke. We would slide over the arm of the sofa to be like we were entering the General Lee!!! Good times!!!
Today we did celebrate Fred's life and dedication to God. He was a great man who dearly loved his wife and children. He knew that we was afflicted with ALS and decided to live every moment to the fullest. He could of complained, he could of asked why but he accepted the path before him and relied on God to get him through. From the moment he was diagnosed he said that it was ok becuase he was ready to go home.
He leaves behind his wife of 39 years, Linda, Children--Mark (w/Edie), David (w/Jennifer), Heather (w/Darrin), and Chris (w/ his wife...who I am sorry to say I can't remember her name!) And 6 grandchildren with 3 on the way!
Thank you Fred for your family. Thank you for your love of God. Thank you for your life's example. It was an honor to know you.
I had the privalege to know Fred because I grew up with his boys, Mark and David. While Fred and his wife Linda had 4 children, I was closest to Mark and David. Mark and I are the same age/grade and were friends since we were 5. For those who are counting, that is almost 33 years of friendship. When we first moved to the DC area we lived literally right around the corner from the Hensons. The Hinckleys, Nighs and Hensons were fast friends and we spent many friday nights and holidays together. I don't know if Mark and David remember but we used to play Dukes of Hazzard together. I of course was Daisy Duke. I think since Mark had brown hair he was Luke Duke and David, having blonde hair was Bo Duke. We would slide over the arm of the sofa to be like we were entering the General Lee!!! Good times!!!
Today we did celebrate Fred's life and dedication to God. He was a great man who dearly loved his wife and children. He knew that we was afflicted with ALS and decided to live every moment to the fullest. He could of complained, he could of asked why but he accepted the path before him and relied on God to get him through. From the moment he was diagnosed he said that it was ok becuase he was ready to go home.
He leaves behind his wife of 39 years, Linda, Children--Mark (w/Edie), David (w/Jennifer), Heather (w/Darrin), and Chris (w/ his wife...who I am sorry to say I can't remember her name!) And 6 grandchildren with 3 on the way!
Thank you Fred for your family. Thank you for your love of God. Thank you for your life's example. It was an honor to know you.
Monday, September 11, 2006
How do you explain?
I have been postponing blogging about today. After 5 years, I still don't know what to say. I don't know how to make the horror of 5 years ago fade. Time has not made that happen for me.I remember every moment like it just happened.
I went to the website from Malicious's blog (a.k.a. Malia to the side) and was assigned a person to blog about who died in the WTC that fateful day. But I don't know what to say.
I know he was loved. I know taht he was special and real in many people's lives. All those people were loved. Everyone of them had someone post their picture on the fence looking for them. Everyone of them deserved to live. But we, as a nation, saw evil up close and personal. I thought I could blog about one person who lost their life that day and the moment I hit the button to recieve the person, I knew....I couldn't. I just don't feel like I can do him justice. He was someone's son, husband, brother, cousin, and friend. I am not worthy of speaking about a man I didn't even know. I am sorry taht he is gone and that people ache for him. If I could take it away from them I would.
You see, I really wanted to blog about the man whose desk was right next to my father's in the Navy Command Center in the Pentagon. A man who survived the Vietnam war to move to America and die at the hands of evil. But again...what do you say....
I am going to apologize now for my rambling but I don't know how to explain it clearly.
So the name I got was....
Name: John (Jay) J. Corcoran
Age: 43
Killed at: United Airlines Flight 175
From city: Norwell
From state: Mass
Special Notes: Passenger
We won't ever know what Jay thought or knew or felt while being in that plane. But his family and friends do know what he thought or knew or felt about so many other things in life and they have those memories to carry them to tomorrow and the next day and the next.
People turned to God 5 years ago to find the comfort that they needed to cope and deal with this. We Americans have NEVER had anything like that happen to us!! How do we deal? How do we cope? How do we explain?
We need to not let this "moment" of opportunity pass us by. We need to not get complacent. There are people hurting out there. The people who love John (Jay) Corcoran are hurting. They miss him. They have great memories of time with him. They can remember the laughs. But can they begin to understand how to deal with his loss?
God wants us to take the opportunity to help people find Him. Over the past 5 years we have had people just walk off the street into our building in Fairfax, VA to find answers to questions that were brought up either directly or indirectly to 9/11. People are searching now more than ever before for their purpose in life.
I know that may see like an overused word since the inception of "Purpose driven life" by Rick Warren. But you know what, I ahve been to his church and I have seen the power of God working in those members because they understand their purpose.
Even though it is hard to explain--we have the answers. I don't know why it happened, other than God gave us free will and Satan is alive and well today and working overtime to tear us away and keep us away from God. Don't let that happen, not in our sadness of 9/11. Because if that happens then John Corcoran and Khang Nguyen (the man who worked side by side with my father) and 3000 other people died in vain. We have the ability to offer the comfort of a loving God. I have no doubt that He cried that day. Evil showed up in a way that we Americans had never seen. It was senseless and just...well just evil.
The best thing we can do to give honor to those men and women is to go out there and show Americans that God loves them. He aches for them. He has the ability to take their hurt away.
I may continue to blog about this more as I can really get my thoughts together. IF the family of Jay Corcoran reads this. Please know that I am not trying to trivialize his life or his death. For you see, I too was greatly effected by the events of 9/11. My dad was at the Pentagon and lost people he worked with everyday. In fact there wasn't even DNA found of a man who worked there as I am sure there wasn't any DNA of many people on the planes and in the WTCs. I don't know why I have my dad while you don't have your loved one. Often I feel guilty because you see my dad is a Christian and he KNOWS he is going to heaven. Yes, there really is a heaven and there really is a God. I will steak my life on it. I will stand before a firing squad for it. I promise you.
My prayer for your family is that God brings you someone in your life to comfort you and love you and heal your wound of your loss. I pray that you can know God becuase He knows you and He loves you.
For all you Christians out there--well there is no time like the present. Remember and do something about it. We can offer comfort for a world that is hurting. Let's just do it.
I remember one of the women whose husband was on the plane that crashed in PA, was talking with Diane Sawyer. Diane asked her how she was doing. How did she make sense of this and the woman said taht she relied on a song. We Christians know it--we tend to call it an "oldie" in the Church of Christ...."It is well with my soul". She told Diane that because of her beliefs and faith, it had to be well with her soul. WOW! That is faith! Here are the words. It was written a long time ago and we still sing it like it was written.
When peace like a river attendeth my way. When sorrows like sea billows roll.
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
"it is well with my soul"
My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought. My sin not in part but the whole.
Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more.
Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord--oh my soul.
And Lord haste the day when the faith shall be sight. The clouds be rolled back as a scroll.
The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend.
Even so, It is well with my soul.
I went to the website from Malicious's blog (a.k.a. Malia to the side) and was assigned a person to blog about who died in the WTC that fateful day. But I don't know what to say.
I know he was loved. I know taht he was special and real in many people's lives. All those people were loved. Everyone of them had someone post their picture on the fence looking for them. Everyone of them deserved to live. But we, as a nation, saw evil up close and personal. I thought I could blog about one person who lost their life that day and the moment I hit the button to recieve the person, I knew....I couldn't. I just don't feel like I can do him justice. He was someone's son, husband, brother, cousin, and friend. I am not worthy of speaking about a man I didn't even know. I am sorry taht he is gone and that people ache for him. If I could take it away from them I would.
You see, I really wanted to blog about the man whose desk was right next to my father's in the Navy Command Center in the Pentagon. A man who survived the Vietnam war to move to America and die at the hands of evil. But again...what do you say....
I am going to apologize now for my rambling but I don't know how to explain it clearly.
So the name I got was....
Name: John (Jay) J. Corcoran
Age: 43
Killed at: United Airlines Flight 175
From city: Norwell
From state: Mass
Special Notes: Passenger
We won't ever know what Jay thought or knew or felt while being in that plane. But his family and friends do know what he thought or knew or felt about so many other things in life and they have those memories to carry them to tomorrow and the next day and the next.
People turned to God 5 years ago to find the comfort that they needed to cope and deal with this. We Americans have NEVER had anything like that happen to us!! How do we deal? How do we cope? How do we explain?
We need to not let this "moment" of opportunity pass us by. We need to not get complacent. There are people hurting out there. The people who love John (Jay) Corcoran are hurting. They miss him. They have great memories of time with him. They can remember the laughs. But can they begin to understand how to deal with his loss?
God wants us to take the opportunity to help people find Him. Over the past 5 years we have had people just walk off the street into our building in Fairfax, VA to find answers to questions that were brought up either directly or indirectly to 9/11. People are searching now more than ever before for their purpose in life.
I know that may see like an overused word since the inception of "Purpose driven life" by Rick Warren. But you know what, I ahve been to his church and I have seen the power of God working in those members because they understand their purpose.
Even though it is hard to explain--we have the answers. I don't know why it happened, other than God gave us free will and Satan is alive and well today and working overtime to tear us away and keep us away from God. Don't let that happen, not in our sadness of 9/11. Because if that happens then John Corcoran and Khang Nguyen (the man who worked side by side with my father) and 3000 other people died in vain. We have the ability to offer the comfort of a loving God. I have no doubt that He cried that day. Evil showed up in a way that we Americans had never seen. It was senseless and just...well just evil.
The best thing we can do to give honor to those men and women is to go out there and show Americans that God loves them. He aches for them. He has the ability to take their hurt away.
I may continue to blog about this more as I can really get my thoughts together. IF the family of Jay Corcoran reads this. Please know that I am not trying to trivialize his life or his death. For you see, I too was greatly effected by the events of 9/11. My dad was at the Pentagon and lost people he worked with everyday. In fact there wasn't even DNA found of a man who worked there as I am sure there wasn't any DNA of many people on the planes and in the WTCs. I don't know why I have my dad while you don't have your loved one. Often I feel guilty because you see my dad is a Christian and he KNOWS he is going to heaven. Yes, there really is a heaven and there really is a God. I will steak my life on it. I will stand before a firing squad for it. I promise you.
My prayer for your family is that God brings you someone in your life to comfort you and love you and heal your wound of your loss. I pray that you can know God becuase He knows you and He loves you.
For all you Christians out there--well there is no time like the present. Remember and do something about it. We can offer comfort for a world that is hurting. Let's just do it.
I remember one of the women whose husband was on the plane that crashed in PA, was talking with Diane Sawyer. Diane asked her how she was doing. How did she make sense of this and the woman said taht she relied on a song. We Christians know it--we tend to call it an "oldie" in the Church of Christ...."It is well with my soul". She told Diane that because of her beliefs and faith, it had to be well with her soul. WOW! That is faith! Here are the words. It was written a long time ago and we still sing it like it was written.
When peace like a river attendeth my way. When sorrows like sea billows roll.
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
"it is well with my soul"
My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought. My sin not in part but the whole.
Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more.
Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord--oh my soul.
And Lord haste the day when the faith shall be sight. The clouds be rolled back as a scroll.
The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend.
Even so, It is well with my soul.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
i forgot...
so i totally forgot to tell you all that the kid's first day of school was GREAT! It was POURING that day so I didn't get the annual picture of the kids in front of the tree.
Alex really likes the majority of his classes. chelsea does too. Alex has his best friend in his band class. Chelsea has her best friend in her spanish class.
Chelsea's team lost their first game on Tuesday (they played great but lost to a really really good team) but we are hopeful for the game tomorrow!
Life is good--except that instead of paying out about $300 at the beginning of school, we have paid like $500 because of band and teacher's having last minute supply additions!!! GRRRR....
...and Jay's car needed $400 worth of work. So my car which the axle is about to fall of will have to wait until next month! Please pray that it all stays where it suppose to!
no eating out for the Sergios this month! Oh well!
Alex really likes the majority of his classes. chelsea does too. Alex has his best friend in his band class. Chelsea has her best friend in her spanish class.
Chelsea's team lost their first game on Tuesday (they played great but lost to a really really good team) but we are hopeful for the game tomorrow!
Life is good--except that instead of paying out about $300 at the beginning of school, we have paid like $500 because of band and teacher's having last minute supply additions!!! GRRRR....
...and Jay's car needed $400 worth of work. So my car which the axle is about to fall of will have to wait until next month! Please pray that it all stays where it suppose to!
no eating out for the Sergios this month! Oh well!
Let the new episodes begin!
So I am sooooooooooo excited about a few season premieres!
I am bummed about LOST not being until Oct 4. But I bought the 2nd season on DVD on Tuesday before it even hit the shelf! I made the poor stock boy go to the back of the store at 7:30 a.m. to get it!!! Yes I am a geek!
I am ready for Grey's anatomy! will she mcdreamy? or mcvet? who knows!!!! Will Izzie get kicked out? Will Burke forgive Yang for turning her back on him in his hour of need?!
Survivor is staring up soon too, I think! Amazing Race too!
Gilmore Girls!!! Lorelai was a naughty, naughty gal...will Luke find out? Will she go with Christopher and leave the man she loves? Will Rory continue to love Logan?
I can't decide if I am going to watch/tivo the new Rachael Ray talkshow on Fox. It is on at 11. So I will have to tivo it anyway.
What premieres are you looking forward to and why? Are there any new shows that look interesting to you?
By the way, if you don't have tivo....run don't walk to get it! It is totally worth it and you will NEVER go back!!!! It will change your life! It will liberate you!
We only watch what we tivo! Tivo on-Tivo on!
I am bummed about LOST not being until Oct 4. But I bought the 2nd season on DVD on Tuesday before it even hit the shelf! I made the poor stock boy go to the back of the store at 7:30 a.m. to get it!!! Yes I am a geek!
I am ready for Grey's anatomy! will she mcdreamy? or mcvet? who knows!!!! Will Izzie get kicked out? Will Burke forgive Yang for turning her back on him in his hour of need?!
Survivor is staring up soon too, I think! Amazing Race too!
Gilmore Girls!!! Lorelai was a naughty, naughty gal...will Luke find out? Will she go with Christopher and leave the man she loves? Will Rory continue to love Logan?
I can't decide if I am going to watch/tivo the new Rachael Ray talkshow on Fox. It is on at 11. So I will have to tivo it anyway.
What premieres are you looking forward to and why? Are there any new shows that look interesting to you?
By the way, if you don't have tivo....run don't walk to get it! It is totally worth it and you will NEVER go back!!!! It will change your life! It will liberate you!
We only watch what we tivo! Tivo on-Tivo on!
Saturday, September 02, 2006
be the sermon
Yesterday as the rains fell allllllll day from tropical storm Ernesto, there were things to be done. Unfortunately it required us going out! I picked up Alex and his friend from their middle school orientation and headed to Wal-mart.
As we were leaving and being assaulted by the local gymnastic center to buy something for "good cause", I noticed a very old and fraile woman trying to wrestle with her loaded cart and umbrella. The wind was blowing pretty hard. I watched as people just rushed by her and didn't pay any attention to her and her trying to figure out how in the world she was going to get to her car. Yes, I know you are thinking that I was standing there and watching but I was curious as to what people would do.
So I turned to Alex and I said, "what should we do?" He said, "help her out". So he and I went up to the lady and said that we would like to help her get her stuff in her car. She grabbed Alex's arm and said "bless you, bless you".
You see, we learned that her husband is home bound and the healthcare nurse was only there one day a week. That was the only day she has to go shopping. She couldn't help that all hell was breaking loose in the skies. It was the only day she had. I won't name specifically what she had in her cart but nothing was frivolous. It was all items necessary for her to get her and her husband through the next week.
When we finished loading her stuff in her trunk, I looked at Alex and said..."God expects us to serve". We got soaking wet!!! It didn't matter.
We sit, well I don't but my kids and husband do, in an auditorium filled with people every week and we get our cup filled. We are blessed to be able to have this freedom to do this.
I will be honest, I ahve been remiss in returning the blessings. I will also confess to you that it will happen no more. I have heard sermons, almost every Sunday of my life...now it is time for me to be the sermon.
So come on! Do it with your kids or your spouse. Can you imagine if every Christian went out on Mondays and their goal was to be the sermon that week?! There just might be more people in heaven because of it!
As we were leaving and being assaulted by the local gymnastic center to buy something for "good cause", I noticed a very old and fraile woman trying to wrestle with her loaded cart and umbrella. The wind was blowing pretty hard. I watched as people just rushed by her and didn't pay any attention to her and her trying to figure out how in the world she was going to get to her car. Yes, I know you are thinking that I was standing there and watching but I was curious as to what people would do.
So I turned to Alex and I said, "what should we do?" He said, "help her out". So he and I went up to the lady and said that we would like to help her get her stuff in her car. She grabbed Alex's arm and said "bless you, bless you".
You see, we learned that her husband is home bound and the healthcare nurse was only there one day a week. That was the only day she has to go shopping. She couldn't help that all hell was breaking loose in the skies. It was the only day she had. I won't name specifically what she had in her cart but nothing was frivolous. It was all items necessary for her to get her and her husband through the next week.
When we finished loading her stuff in her trunk, I looked at Alex and said..."God expects us to serve". We got soaking wet!!! It didn't matter.
We sit, well I don't but my kids and husband do, in an auditorium filled with people every week and we get our cup filled. We are blessed to be able to have this freedom to do this.
I will be honest, I ahve been remiss in returning the blessings. I will also confess to you that it will happen no more. I have heard sermons, almost every Sunday of my life...now it is time for me to be the sermon.
So come on! Do it with your kids or your spouse. Can you imagine if every Christian went out on Mondays and their goal was to be the sermon that week?! There just might be more people in heaven because of it!
Thursday, August 31, 2006
As time goes by....
Let's see if I can get through this without crying! Hush! deutschman...hush!
Tomorrow is the 7th grade orientation. Tomorrow my baby gets on the big yellow bus and rides it to the big ole school (it's 7th-12th grade by the way)! We have always lived in walking distance to the elementary school, so I don't have the official 1st day of school photo by the bus. That scrapbook page(well it will be scrapped booked as soon as I do it!) has always been marked by my kids standing next to each other with their backpacks on next to the tree out front.
No, I will not take a picture of him as he gets on the bus tomorrow! That would not be cool! If I thought I could get the picture, I seriously would do it! So just wait...maybe I will! AH-AH-AH-AH (sinister laugh).
Ok I am prolonging the inevitable....you see starting next tuesday, either Jay or I will always drive the kids to the school. I have loved that time with Chelsea in the morning! Just she and I for the 10 minutes to start our day! Now Alex gets to join in on the fun!
Alex has not always been the easiest child to deal with. From the moment he was born the strong will was very apparent! He refused to sleep in his crib and then bed until he was in Kindergarten. There have been moments that he has looked at us and said, "I will not do what you want until I get what I want" Yes ladies and gentlemen, the kid in the Dobson book "Strong willed child" has NOTHING on Alex! I just laughed at that book and prayed my life would be that easy. For the first year of his life, I only slept about 3 hours a night. I had bruises on my arms and face from where I would walk into doorways and walls because I was soooooooooo tired! He screamed at people when they tried to talk to him.
Jay and I would just pray for God to lead us to become the kind of parent that he needed us to be for our son. It was hard. There were times when I wanted to give in and let him have his way. I knew in my heart of hearts that it would only hurt him in the long run. Jay and I often had to take turns dealing with Alex and his tantrums and strong willingness. There were times we often had to physically restrain him until he relented. It would take hours and upset Chelsea. We would tell Chelsea that Alex needed to learn this lesson to submit to his will to authority because God tells us to obey first. We obey Him and THEN we might get what we want but no matter what we surrender our will to His. Jay and I knew that if we didn't instill that in Alex then we could lose him when he hit teenagehood.
4th grade was another horrific year! We stayed on him like his life depended on it becuase in a way, it did. His spiritual life for sure and maybe his physical life. I would look at him and say to myself..."what is wrong with him!" "Why doesn't he get it?!" At one point Jay and I seriously considered having him tested for learning disabilities because he REFUSED to give in and learn his lesson.
5th and 6th grade were GREAT! He made the turn around the corner! That is not to say that he doesn't try from time to time to exert his will over ours but it is alot less frequent and not as strong. My prayer is that it doesn't rear it's ugly head like the first 10 years of his life again!
My point is this. Jay and I believe that you shape the spirit and break the will so that it can be submissive to the Lord's will. We also believe that what we do now is to raise a child of tomorrow. What we do now is to shape who they are as adults not just deal with the here and now.
I was watching Alex come out of the school today (he went with Chelsea while she got her locker) and it hit me! We are in a new phase of life! It is AWESOME!
Jay and I worked hard and cried tears and with God's help--I do believe we are on the other side! Alex is such a GREAT kid! He is funny and talented and yes he is strong willed. But I would rather him be strong willed with friends and drugs and alcohol and sex than with God's will. I am so proud of who he is! He is turning out to be such a fine young man. I know his cousins think so! His cousins have always thought Alex was DA BOM!
Thank you Lord for your steadfastness and faithfulness. Lord willing, we won't be going through the next 6 years like Alex's first 10 years!
Tomorrow is the 7th grade orientation. Tomorrow my baby gets on the big yellow bus and rides it to the big ole school (it's 7th-12th grade by the way)! We have always lived in walking distance to the elementary school, so I don't have the official 1st day of school photo by the bus. That scrapbook page(well it will be scrapped booked as soon as I do it!) has always been marked by my kids standing next to each other with their backpacks on next to the tree out front.
No, I will not take a picture of him as he gets on the bus tomorrow! That would not be cool! If I thought I could get the picture, I seriously would do it! So just wait...maybe I will! AH-AH-AH-AH (sinister laugh).
Ok I am prolonging the inevitable....you see starting next tuesday, either Jay or I will always drive the kids to the school. I have loved that time with Chelsea in the morning! Just she and I for the 10 minutes to start our day! Now Alex gets to join in on the fun!
Alex has not always been the easiest child to deal with. From the moment he was born the strong will was very apparent! He refused to sleep in his crib and then bed until he was in Kindergarten. There have been moments that he has looked at us and said, "I will not do what you want until I get what I want" Yes ladies and gentlemen, the kid in the Dobson book "Strong willed child" has NOTHING on Alex! I just laughed at that book and prayed my life would be that easy. For the first year of his life, I only slept about 3 hours a night. I had bruises on my arms and face from where I would walk into doorways and walls because I was soooooooooo tired! He screamed at people when they tried to talk to him.
Jay and I would just pray for God to lead us to become the kind of parent that he needed us to be for our son. It was hard. There were times when I wanted to give in and let him have his way. I knew in my heart of hearts that it would only hurt him in the long run. Jay and I often had to take turns dealing with Alex and his tantrums and strong willingness. There were times we often had to physically restrain him until he relented. It would take hours and upset Chelsea. We would tell Chelsea that Alex needed to learn this lesson to submit to his will to authority because God tells us to obey first. We obey Him and THEN we might get what we want but no matter what we surrender our will to His. Jay and I knew that if we didn't instill that in Alex then we could lose him when he hit teenagehood.
4th grade was another horrific year! We stayed on him like his life depended on it becuase in a way, it did. His spiritual life for sure and maybe his physical life. I would look at him and say to myself..."what is wrong with him!" "Why doesn't he get it?!" At one point Jay and I seriously considered having him tested for learning disabilities because he REFUSED to give in and learn his lesson.
5th and 6th grade were GREAT! He made the turn around the corner! That is not to say that he doesn't try from time to time to exert his will over ours but it is alot less frequent and not as strong. My prayer is that it doesn't rear it's ugly head like the first 10 years of his life again!
My point is this. Jay and I believe that you shape the spirit and break the will so that it can be submissive to the Lord's will. We also believe that what we do now is to raise a child of tomorrow. What we do now is to shape who they are as adults not just deal with the here and now.
I was watching Alex come out of the school today (he went with Chelsea while she got her locker) and it hit me! We are in a new phase of life! It is AWESOME!
Jay and I worked hard and cried tears and with God's help--I do believe we are on the other side! Alex is such a GREAT kid! He is funny and talented and yes he is strong willed. But I would rather him be strong willed with friends and drugs and alcohol and sex than with God's will. I am so proud of who he is! He is turning out to be such a fine young man. I know his cousins think so! His cousins have always thought Alex was DA BOM!
Thank you Lord for your steadfastness and faithfulness. Lord willing, we won't be going through the next 6 years like Alex's first 10 years!
Friday, August 11, 2006
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
what can i say?
I have been remiss in posting because I don't know what to tell you all. Our summer has been well....quick, busy, good, fun. I don't know how to put it in words.
Right now, I am feeling very anxious and I don't know why. I have been feeling that way for a few days now. I think there is change in the air. I don't mean to sound ominous but I can't explain the way I feel. I also think that is has to do with hormones too. I feel this way sometimes....I will leave it at that.....
Right now, I am alone. The hubby and kiddos are at an amusement park for the day with the student ministry. It is nasty humid outside...maybe that explains my mood too....the hubby has called me and says that our son is having a GREAT time! He has seen our daughter with about 10 of her friends once.
Our lives are changing. This summer, we have been without kids so much. It is weird! It is a preview of things to come. As much as we enjoy each other's company and time alone together, it is weird becuase my mommy role has taken on a different meaning. It feels natural but yet weird at the same time.
I have a new found reality show....Cash Cab on the discovery channel! This NYC cabby picks up people and asks trivia questions and then they win cash or not if they get 3 strikes! While we were in NYC, I tried very hard to find cab # 1G12. No such luck--I mean how hard could it be with 15,000 cabs!!!??
Alex played some competitive basketball this summer and loved it. So he is all about the basketball now....basketball in the livng room, in the front hallway, in his room.....ugh! We have a hoop in the back yard!
By the way, did you all know that Alex HATES to ride a bicycle? I have done everything I can to bribe him! No such luck!
Alex has pimples!!! oh my! I have noticed the attitude is very teen like now but I am not readyfor the body to change! WE took him shoe shopping for new baskeball shoes. His last pair of shoes--8.5. His new shoes---10.5!!!! Opps!
Chelsea has volleyball tryouts tomorrow. I am nervous about that. I just want her to do her best no matter what happens!
WE have had major car trouble this summer. I have spent a good amount of the summer with out a/c!!! It has also been one of the hottest summers in 10 years! Lovely!!! Get it fixed you say?! What a good idea EXCEPT for the fact that our regular mechanic AND the dealership can't figure out why it is overheating!
I hate buying new cars! I love getting them but hate buying them. We have not had a car payment in 3 years!!! I don't want one now!!! but alas, it looks like I will get one....any suggestions?
Well that is enough of my rambling...sorry but again, I had nothing specific to say! Just felt the pressure to make a post!
Right now, I am feeling very anxious and I don't know why. I have been feeling that way for a few days now. I think there is change in the air. I don't mean to sound ominous but I can't explain the way I feel. I also think that is has to do with hormones too. I feel this way sometimes....I will leave it at that.....
Right now, I am alone. The hubby and kiddos are at an amusement park for the day with the student ministry. It is nasty humid outside...maybe that explains my mood too....the hubby has called me and says that our son is having a GREAT time! He has seen our daughter with about 10 of her friends once.
Our lives are changing. This summer, we have been without kids so much. It is weird! It is a preview of things to come. As much as we enjoy each other's company and time alone together, it is weird becuase my mommy role has taken on a different meaning. It feels natural but yet weird at the same time.
I have a new found reality show....Cash Cab on the discovery channel! This NYC cabby picks up people and asks trivia questions and then they win cash or not if they get 3 strikes! While we were in NYC, I tried very hard to find cab # 1G12. No such luck--I mean how hard could it be with 15,000 cabs!!!??
Alex played some competitive basketball this summer and loved it. So he is all about the basketball now....basketball in the livng room, in the front hallway, in his room.....ugh! We have a hoop in the back yard!
By the way, did you all know that Alex HATES to ride a bicycle? I have done everything I can to bribe him! No such luck!
Alex has pimples!!! oh my! I have noticed the attitude is very teen like now but I am not readyfor the body to change! WE took him shoe shopping for new baskeball shoes. His last pair of shoes--8.5. His new shoes---10.5!!!! Opps!
Chelsea has volleyball tryouts tomorrow. I am nervous about that. I just want her to do her best no matter what happens!
WE have had major car trouble this summer. I have spent a good amount of the summer with out a/c!!! It has also been one of the hottest summers in 10 years! Lovely!!! Get it fixed you say?! What a good idea EXCEPT for the fact that our regular mechanic AND the dealership can't figure out why it is overheating!
I hate buying new cars! I love getting them but hate buying them. We have not had a car payment in 3 years!!! I don't want one now!!! but alas, it looks like I will get one....any suggestions?
Well that is enough of my rambling...sorry but again, I had nothing specific to say! Just felt the pressure to make a post!
Thursday, July 13, 2006
it's been a while
sorry that it has been a while...let's see since last I left you...well too much has happened. Chelsea's DR trip was a HUGE success. I do have pictures and I will try to get them up for you all to see.
Right now she is in Richmond doing service projects to houses in the inner city of Richmond. It is called Richmond Work Camp or something like that. She's having a ball serving....
Alex has been busy with staying over at friend's houses and never being home.
I have pulled a muscle in my back and I am really really frustrated with it not healing! HELP!!!
Jay has worked 12 days in a row! he has his first days off tomorrow and sat!
Sunday Chelsea and I leave with some friend to go to NYC for a few days to celebrate a friend's birthday!
My side of the family went to Mountain Lake last week and had a ball! See Tanya's blog on the side there for some pics.
more later! VBS is in 2 weeks, so I will be very very busy!
Right now she is in Richmond doing service projects to houses in the inner city of Richmond. It is called Richmond Work Camp or something like that. She's having a ball serving....
Alex has been busy with staying over at friend's houses and never being home.
I have pulled a muscle in my back and I am really really frustrated with it not healing! HELP!!!
Jay has worked 12 days in a row! he has his first days off tomorrow and sat!
Sunday Chelsea and I leave with some friend to go to NYC for a few days to celebrate a friend's birthday!
My side of the family went to Mountain Lake last week and had a ball! See Tanya's blog on the side there for some pics.
more later! VBS is in 2 weeks, so I will be very very busy!
Friday, June 23, 2006
and they're off....
Well the 2006 FXCC DR team is in Puerta Plata as I type! They left Dulles at 6 this morning...yes if you do the math, that means we had to be there at 4, which means we had to leave our house at 3:30, which means that we woke up at 2:30!!!!
Our teen mission team left to go and be God's hands and feet in the DR (dominican republic) for one week! Let me bring you up to speed on the happenings of the week that will end with Chelsea leaving for the DR.
Monday--
Alex "graduates" from 6th grade at a ceremony at school. The fact that he is now in 7th grade hits me at the end of the ceremony and I am a blubbering mess! We go out to eat with his best friend for lunch and then my mother-in-law takes Alex on a whirlwind trip of the east coast for 10 days. Their ports of call are : south carolina, florida, georgia, and alabama. I go to Walmart to buy supplies for the DR.
Chelsea wakes up on Monday with a horrible sore throat and feeling very "yucky", but soldiers on to school to take her final 2 exams for the year! She comes home and sleeps for 3 hours, all the while feeling "yucky". I take her to the dr. for a strep test. 2 tests=negative. 95% chance of no strep. Dr. says it is virus and to basically "deal" with it BUT if by Wed. she is not better then bring her back in since she is going to a 3rd world country on friday.
Tuesday--
Chelsea still feeling yuck-o, goes to church to work on her skits and props for the DR with her team. by the time we get home she is achy and feeling just rotten. She starts to pack her suitcase anyway. 10:30 p.m.--enters chelsea crying --saying that her eye hurts....yep...gooey stuff coming out--we got the pink eye! I go to walmart to buy DR supplies, again.
Wednesday--
We go to the drs. and get drops of the viral pink eye she has. her throat still hurts so we are adivsed to give her aleve! our dr. is soooo great! She gives us 2 bottles of eye drops! "Just in case" other children come down with the HIGHLY contagious pink eye! We head to Wal-mart and buy out the store in cold meds, pain relief, and you name it we bought it medical supplies!
Chelsea just sat in the drs. office with tears streaming down her face, thinking that the dr. would tell her she couldn't leave the country! I of course sat next to her and cried with her because this trip has been her dream since she was 11. From the moment she understood what happened on this trip, she wnated to be there and helping out! The dr. tells her to go and that she will be fine! WHEW!
She comes home and finishes packing but has to stay away from the meeting that night due to the fact that she needs to be on the drops for 24 hours before going out into public. Her throat? still hurting.....I go to Walmart to buy, yet even more supplies!
Thursday--
I make my final trip to Wal-mart--or so I was foolish enough to think....to buy more DR supplies. Chelsea cleans her room and is 100% ready for the trip! I drop her off for her final team meeting. She is wearing sunglasses to hide her "el diablo" eyes from the others.
I pick up Chelsea from her final team meeting and she is wearing a different set of sunglasses. Oh, yeah, that's right...her sunglasses broke....my eyes fill with tears...i have to make ONE MORE TRIP TO WALMART!!!!!! Can I just tell you....the thought of Walmart is like the thought of eating at McDonald's....it turns my stomach!
We go to walmart, we pick out sunglasses and oh yea, we need anti-freeze--why? My van overheats and the a/c stops working!!! On THE hottest day of the year. It was 8 p.m. and it was 101 degrees with 85% humidity!!!!
We go home and we crash but not for long because the mother of all storms lets loose on the NOVA area at midnight and lasts until 2 a.m.
Needless to say, we did not sleep at all!
Friday (today)
The teens leave and everyone is happy and doing great! I didn't even cry saying good bye to Chelsea. I am so happy for her an the other 16 teens and 5 adults! I do miss her though! Jay and I have NEVER been without both our kids in the whole 17 years we have been married!
Please keep them in your prayers! Hopefully when she gets back, we will have pictures to post!
Our teen mission team left to go and be God's hands and feet in the DR (dominican republic) for one week! Let me bring you up to speed on the happenings of the week that will end with Chelsea leaving for the DR.
Monday--
Alex "graduates" from 6th grade at a ceremony at school. The fact that he is now in 7th grade hits me at the end of the ceremony and I am a blubbering mess! We go out to eat with his best friend for lunch and then my mother-in-law takes Alex on a whirlwind trip of the east coast for 10 days. Their ports of call are : south carolina, florida, georgia, and alabama. I go to Walmart to buy supplies for the DR.
Chelsea wakes up on Monday with a horrible sore throat and feeling very "yucky", but soldiers on to school to take her final 2 exams for the year! She comes home and sleeps for 3 hours, all the while feeling "yucky". I take her to the dr. for a strep test. 2 tests=negative. 95% chance of no strep. Dr. says it is virus and to basically "deal" with it BUT if by Wed. she is not better then bring her back in since she is going to a 3rd world country on friday.
Tuesday--
Chelsea still feeling yuck-o, goes to church to work on her skits and props for the DR with her team. by the time we get home she is achy and feeling just rotten. She starts to pack her suitcase anyway. 10:30 p.m.--enters chelsea crying --saying that her eye hurts....yep...gooey stuff coming out--we got the pink eye! I go to walmart to buy DR supplies, again.
Wednesday--
We go to the drs. and get drops of the viral pink eye she has. her throat still hurts so we are adivsed to give her aleve! our dr. is soooo great! She gives us 2 bottles of eye drops! "Just in case" other children come down with the HIGHLY contagious pink eye! We head to Wal-mart and buy out the store in cold meds, pain relief, and you name it we bought it medical supplies!
Chelsea just sat in the drs. office with tears streaming down her face, thinking that the dr. would tell her she couldn't leave the country! I of course sat next to her and cried with her because this trip has been her dream since she was 11. From the moment she understood what happened on this trip, she wnated to be there and helping out! The dr. tells her to go and that she will be fine! WHEW!
She comes home and finishes packing but has to stay away from the meeting that night due to the fact that she needs to be on the drops for 24 hours before going out into public. Her throat? still hurting.....I go to Walmart to buy, yet even more supplies!
Thursday--
I make my final trip to Wal-mart--or so I was foolish enough to think....to buy more DR supplies. Chelsea cleans her room and is 100% ready for the trip! I drop her off for her final team meeting. She is wearing sunglasses to hide her "el diablo" eyes from the others.
I pick up Chelsea from her final team meeting and she is wearing a different set of sunglasses. Oh, yeah, that's right...her sunglasses broke....my eyes fill with tears...i have to make ONE MORE TRIP TO WALMART!!!!!! Can I just tell you....the thought of Walmart is like the thought of eating at McDonald's....it turns my stomach!
We go to walmart, we pick out sunglasses and oh yea, we need anti-freeze--why? My van overheats and the a/c stops working!!! On THE hottest day of the year. It was 8 p.m. and it was 101 degrees with 85% humidity!!!!
We go home and we crash but not for long because the mother of all storms lets loose on the NOVA area at midnight and lasts until 2 a.m.
Needless to say, we did not sleep at all!
Friday (today)
The teens leave and everyone is happy and doing great! I didn't even cry saying good bye to Chelsea. I am so happy for her an the other 16 teens and 5 adults! I do miss her though! Jay and I have NEVER been without both our kids in the whole 17 years we have been married!
Please keep them in your prayers! Hopefully when she gets back, we will have pictures to post!
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Father's day
Today at church a video was shown regarding Dads. In it was a clip of my dad playing with Gillian and George with my words laid over the scene.
I basically said that my dad is the most faithful person I know. He has raised 3 faithful children and all 7 of his grandkids are active in church life. He has one grandchild who has commited their life to Christ. I am sure that the others will follow because we have had that legacy passed down to us.
What I wanted to say was this...(this is his story as I know it...so some of it may be incorrect)
Most of you may not know that my dad was not raised by his parents. His dad was an alcoholic. His mother ran off and left he and his sister to be raised by the dad. The dad having some presence of mind knew he could not raise these children, so he gave them over the their maternal grandparents to raise.
From my experience with situations as this, kids need their mom and dads to be healthy people to pass on positive attributes. As much as my great grandparents did for my dad, they were NOT his parents. From what I understand, my grandfather would call and tell my dad that he was coming to take him out to dinner and then not show up.
That does something to a kid no matter how stable the home and loving the grandparents. There is still the inner conflict of "My own dad can't/won't....."
All of that to say that my dad learned how to be a father from his grandfather and INSPITE of his own dad. My dad learned how to be a faithful man without any positive help from his own father. My dad got married and made a career and had a stable life, even though his own growing up must have been pretty tumultuous.
So thanks Dad for overcoming and being the best dad you could be! That helped me with what I looked for in a husband, so he could be the best dad he could be.
Also a shout out to my fantastic husband, who is truly a wonderful dad!
I basically said that my dad is the most faithful person I know. He has raised 3 faithful children and all 7 of his grandkids are active in church life. He has one grandchild who has commited their life to Christ. I am sure that the others will follow because we have had that legacy passed down to us.
What I wanted to say was this...(this is his story as I know it...so some of it may be incorrect)
Most of you may not know that my dad was not raised by his parents. His dad was an alcoholic. His mother ran off and left he and his sister to be raised by the dad. The dad having some presence of mind knew he could not raise these children, so he gave them over the their maternal grandparents to raise.
From my experience with situations as this, kids need their mom and dads to be healthy people to pass on positive attributes. As much as my great grandparents did for my dad, they were NOT his parents. From what I understand, my grandfather would call and tell my dad that he was coming to take him out to dinner and then not show up.
That does something to a kid no matter how stable the home and loving the grandparents. There is still the inner conflict of "My own dad can't/won't....."
All of that to say that my dad learned how to be a father from his grandfather and INSPITE of his own dad. My dad learned how to be a faithful man without any positive help from his own father. My dad got married and made a career and had a stable life, even though his own growing up must have been pretty tumultuous.
So thanks Dad for overcoming and being the best dad you could be! That helped me with what I looked for in a husband, so he could be the best dad he could be.
Also a shout out to my fantastic husband, who is truly a wonderful dad!
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
what is wrong with me....
I don't know how well I am hiding it but for the past 2 and 1/2 years now, my life has seemed to operate in a fog. For over a year, I accounted it to the illness and then death of my father-in-law. I had never been through something like that, noone writes a manuel on "how-to deal with the death of your father-in-law". Yes, I had fabulous support and that gave me the strength to support my husband and kids but I still found myself crying at weird times or the sense of urgency that makes me sick to my stomach that something bad is going to happen. All of that went on for about a year. I have noticed that I don't always feel that way anymore and that I am truly enjoying life again BUT I have no idea what I should be doing.
I feel like I have been "out of the loop" and I don't know how to jump back on!!! It's a really really weird sensation. I feel a kind of disconnect and I am not sure how to get it back. I think of things looooong after I would have in the past....i.e. a person is sick and I talk with them and tell them I will pray for them. In the past I would have done that AND made them a meal. Now, I don't htink about the meal part until long after I am done talking with them. I think of 100 things I "should of" said like hours later!!!
I also have like no desire to go anywhere and do anything BUT I don't want to sit at home either. I have no idea if this is all related or what. I just find it weird.
That is not how I was before February 2004 when Jim got sick but that is how I am now. Weird huh? Am I depressed? Am I stressed? Seriously...anyone got any thoughts on what in the world is wrong with me?
Good news--Jay got his own restaurant! Thank you Lord for rewarding my husband, who went back to school for almost 3 years, worked his tail off and we took a HUGE hit financially! I am so proud and happy for Jay! He totally deserves this!
Chelsea is done with crew! We had a great time in Philly at the last regatta!
Alex and I are heading to Blacksburg this weekend to see my neice and nephew "graduate" from preschool! Then Alex is inducted into the youth group at church on Sat. night!
Alex just went through a growth spurt...he's like 5'6!!!
Chelsea is pretty much driving a little bit everyday....maybe that is where the stress is coming from!!! I find it MUCH more stressful than Jay but guess who is home more to be there when she drives?! ME!!!
Loved all the season finales of t.v. this year! LOST--can't wait until season 3!!! Gilmore Girls---soooo disappointed in Lorelai! Grey's Anatomy--I gotta say that I was not happy about the choices made in that one either! I am a geek--I actually like the show "Deal or No Deal". but last night the woman got on my last nerve!!!
Now I am trying to catch up on reading...I am trying to read the DaVinci Code before I go see the movie....or spending time with my Gillian and George! I got quality time with them last friday!!! LOVE IT!!!
I feel like I have been "out of the loop" and I don't know how to jump back on!!! It's a really really weird sensation. I feel a kind of disconnect and I am not sure how to get it back. I think of things looooong after I would have in the past....i.e. a person is sick and I talk with them and tell them I will pray for them. In the past I would have done that AND made them a meal. Now, I don't htink about the meal part until long after I am done talking with them. I think of 100 things I "should of" said like hours later!!!
I also have like no desire to go anywhere and do anything BUT I don't want to sit at home either. I have no idea if this is all related or what. I just find it weird.
That is not how I was before February 2004 when Jim got sick but that is how I am now. Weird huh? Am I depressed? Am I stressed? Seriously...anyone got any thoughts on what in the world is wrong with me?
Good news--Jay got his own restaurant! Thank you Lord for rewarding my husband, who went back to school for almost 3 years, worked his tail off and we took a HUGE hit financially! I am so proud and happy for Jay! He totally deserves this!
Chelsea is done with crew! We had a great time in Philly at the last regatta!
Alex and I are heading to Blacksburg this weekend to see my neice and nephew "graduate" from preschool! Then Alex is inducted into the youth group at church on Sat. night!
Alex just went through a growth spurt...he's like 5'6!!!
Chelsea is pretty much driving a little bit everyday....maybe that is where the stress is coming from!!! I find it MUCH more stressful than Jay but guess who is home more to be there when she drives?! ME!!!
Loved all the season finales of t.v. this year! LOST--can't wait until season 3!!! Gilmore Girls---soooo disappointed in Lorelai! Grey's Anatomy--I gotta say that I was not happy about the choices made in that one either! I am a geek--I actually like the show "Deal or No Deal". but last night the woman got on my last nerve!!!
Now I am trying to catch up on reading...I am trying to read the DaVinci Code before I go see the movie....or spending time with my Gillian and George! I got quality time with them last friday!!! LOVE IT!!!
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
we temporarily interrupt this program...
because spyware stinks! Our laptop is very very sick....we are sending it away to see if it can get better. So until further notice...or things slow down at work....I will catch ya'll in about a week!
We will have much to catch up on....
American Idol, LOST, Gilmore Girls, Grey's Anatomy. Chelsea rowing in Nationals. Chelsea's 6th grade teacher. Many a episode from the always adventuresome, Chelsea can now drive scenes!
Lord willing...we will have good news about Jay and a promotion!
Until then...blog away my friends....I will read you when I can...i.e. whenever it is slow at work and noone is looking!
We will have much to catch up on....
American Idol, LOST, Gilmore Girls, Grey's Anatomy. Chelsea rowing in Nationals. Chelsea's 6th grade teacher. Many a episode from the always adventuresome, Chelsea can now drive scenes!
Lord willing...we will have good news about Jay and a promotion!
Until then...blog away my friends....I will read you when I can...i.e. whenever it is slow at work and noone is looking!
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Who knew?
Who knew....
1. That Katharine McPhee could make us cry with that beautiful rendition of "Somewhere over the Rainbow"
2. That Elliot only sounds good on bluesy, soulful songs.
3. That Taylor could actually sing a song and not gyrate (sp?) around the stage....still love him though!
4. That Randy Jackson stole Sammie's new glasses!!!! Oh snap! I went there! Love ya Sammie!
5. That my daughter is old enough to legally drive....got her permit today....watch out everyone!
6. That Meredith Grey would cave and go back to McDreamy! Poor McVet! I know it is totally wrong but I want Grey and McDreamy together.
My prediction....Katharine and Taylor in the finals...yes I am voting...Taylor to win. Although my 1st choice is still Chris!
The phone lines have just opened!
1. That Katharine McPhee could make us cry with that beautiful rendition of "Somewhere over the Rainbow"
2. That Elliot only sounds good on bluesy, soulful songs.
3. That Taylor could actually sing a song and not gyrate (sp?) around the stage....still love him though!
4. That Randy Jackson stole Sammie's new glasses!!!! Oh snap! I went there! Love ya Sammie!
5. That my daughter is old enough to legally drive....got her permit today....watch out everyone!
6. That Meredith Grey would cave and go back to McDreamy! Poor McVet! I know it is totally wrong but I want Grey and McDreamy together.
My prediction....Katharine and Taylor in the finals...yes I am voting...Taylor to win. Although my 1st choice is still Chris!
The phone lines have just opened!
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Shock and Awe
Can someone please tell me how Chris was voted off American Idol last night?!!!! I am utterly disgusted! He is the one on there with THE best talent!!! He lost by 0.4 of 1% last night!!!
That's it! I REFUSE to watch the rest of the season!!!!
Ok well maybe not...BUT I am not as interested in it anymore...I like Taylor, I think Katherine has a great voice but Elliot has to go! He gives me the creeps!
A friend of mine sent me this website and has something about the voting results.
http://www.zabasearch.com/ai_stats.php
OK...just need to vent! I am utterly appaled! Don't ask me if I voted...cause I didn't. I depended on the American public to make the right choice! Like that would ever happen!
Ok well, it's rainy here and Chris is off American Idol and I can't make the 600 name tags for all the children in children's ministry....I am going back home and going to bed!
That's it! I REFUSE to watch the rest of the season!!!!
Ok well maybe not...BUT I am not as interested in it anymore...I like Taylor, I think Katherine has a great voice but Elliot has to go! He gives me the creeps!
A friend of mine sent me this website and has something about the voting results.
http://www.zabasearch.com/ai_stats.php
OK...just need to vent! I am utterly appaled! Don't ask me if I voted...cause I didn't. I depended on the American public to make the right choice! Like that would ever happen!
Ok well, it's rainy here and Chris is off American Idol and I can't make the 600 name tags for all the children in children's ministry....I am going back home and going to bed!
Thursday, May 04, 2006
homesick by mercy me
You're in a better place, I've heard a thousand times
And at least a thousand times I've rejoiced for you
But the reason why I'm broken, the reason why I cry
Is how long must I wait to be with you
I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now
Help me Lord cause I don't understand your ways
The reason why I wonder if I'll ever know
But, even if you showed me, the hurt would be the same
Cause I'm still here so far away from home
I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now
In Christ, there are no goodbyes
And in Christ, there is no end
So I'll hold onto Jesus with all that I have
To see you againTo see you again
And I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now
**Some people may think that this is a depressing song. Maybe it is but you know what? It let's me grieve. What is up with Mercy Me? They write the songs that make me cry!**
And at least a thousand times I've rejoiced for you
But the reason why I'm broken, the reason why I cry
Is how long must I wait to be with you
I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now
Help me Lord cause I don't understand your ways
The reason why I wonder if I'll ever know
But, even if you showed me, the hurt would be the same
Cause I'm still here so far away from home
I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now
In Christ, there are no goodbyes
And in Christ, there is no end
So I'll hold onto Jesus with all that I have
To see you againTo see you again
And I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now
**Some people may think that this is a depressing song. Maybe it is but you know what? It let's me grieve. What is up with Mercy Me? They write the songs that make me cry!**
For Papa Serg
Today would have been Jim's birthday. He was/is my father-in-law. I don't know how to say it anymore. Because on days like this it doesn't seem like he is gone. Then we get together as a family or call and we realize, that yes, he is gone. He passed away on December 31, 2004. He would have been 60 today.
I only knew him for 15 years. What I did learn about him, gave cause for me to love him. Not only did he proudly serve our country for almost 30 years in the Army, he married the woman who brought him to Christ. He raised 2 sons who are faithful to the Lord. He took care of his mother, and let me tell you that was not and is not an easy job. There are a plethora of reason as to why the previous statement is true.
Not only were Pat, Jay and Chris the loves of his life but he fully loved his grandchildren, my children. They were his pride and joy. One year, I gave him a calendar with pictures of the kids on each month with a different part of Eccel. 3 on it. He cried when he saw it. AFter he died, we were going through his stuff...he still had it.
His co-workers knew of his family and faith. He did not keep it hidden. He provided for his family both physically and spiritually. As a father he taught his sons how to be a father, a husband and a productive citizen. As a grandfather (Papa Serg) he taught the kids to enjoy life and not take yourself too seriously. Once he was frustrated at Chris and the kids were around and he knew he had to watch his language and so he called him a "donut". The kids thought this was hysterica! They knew he was trying to be a good example for them but they laugh about it anyway!
Jim watched a pair of hawks from their back window with a pair of binoculars. They left their nest about the time he was diagnosed with cancer. They returned to their nest the day he died. Pat said it was God telling her that Jim really was ok. He had returned home.
I hear the song often on the radio by the Christian Group, Mercy Me, "Homesick". This song helps me grieve the loss of Jim. (http://www.myspace.com/mercymerocks )
My life was forever touched by a man who married a woman, who had 2 sons and became a Christian. Jim no longer has to imagine heaven. He's there, waiting for us. How blessed am I to have him there along with my other loved ones who have gone before him.
I only knew him for 15 years. What I did learn about him, gave cause for me to love him. Not only did he proudly serve our country for almost 30 years in the Army, he married the woman who brought him to Christ. He raised 2 sons who are faithful to the Lord. He took care of his mother, and let me tell you that was not and is not an easy job. There are a plethora of reason as to why the previous statement is true.
Not only were Pat, Jay and Chris the loves of his life but he fully loved his grandchildren, my children. They were his pride and joy. One year, I gave him a calendar with pictures of the kids on each month with a different part of Eccel. 3 on it. He cried when he saw it. AFter he died, we were going through his stuff...he still had it.
His co-workers knew of his family and faith. He did not keep it hidden. He provided for his family both physically and spiritually. As a father he taught his sons how to be a father, a husband and a productive citizen. As a grandfather (Papa Serg) he taught the kids to enjoy life and not take yourself too seriously. Once he was frustrated at Chris and the kids were around and he knew he had to watch his language and so he called him a "donut". The kids thought this was hysterica! They knew he was trying to be a good example for them but they laugh about it anyway!
Jim watched a pair of hawks from their back window with a pair of binoculars. They left their nest about the time he was diagnosed with cancer. They returned to their nest the day he died. Pat said it was God telling her that Jim really was ok. He had returned home.
I hear the song often on the radio by the Christian Group, Mercy Me, "Homesick". This song helps me grieve the loss of Jim. (http://www.myspace.com/mercymerocks )
My life was forever touched by a man who married a woman, who had 2 sons and became a Christian. Jim no longer has to imagine heaven. He's there, waiting for us. How blessed am I to have him there along with my other loved ones who have gone before him.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
A day at sea and Castaway Cay (key)
So after we set sail from Cozumel, we spent a day at sea. That was just a very relaxing day! We sat around and had a seafood buffet lunch, read, drank iced chai teas, watched a movie!
The last day of the cruise was Disney's very own island, Castaway Cay!
It is in the Bahamas. It is very cool to think that you are the only people on the island! There was tons to do! The kids did it all! There was a buffet for lunch! It was delicious! We snorkeled and kayaked and sunbathed. Some of us went on bike rides!
We had just a wonderful spectacular day! We were sad because we knew that we would be home in less than 24 hours! That night we ate our final dinner! We had a party and of course, there was a parade of the wait staff and we all sang "It's a small world!" You can't do anything Disney without singing that song!
I am so thankful and blessed that we were able to take this trip! Our kids had fantastic experiences and memories! Reality didn't hit as hard as I thought it would. It has been almost 3 weeks since the cruise and we talk about it everyday!
Now I have the impressive job of scrapbooking all our pictures to memorialize the trip for all eternity...or for as long as the paper and pictures hold out!
I recommend this trip for everyone!
The last day of the cruise was Disney's very own island, Castaway Cay!
It is in the Bahamas. It is very cool to think that you are the only people on the island! There was tons to do! The kids did it all! There was a buffet for lunch! It was delicious! We snorkeled and kayaked and sunbathed. Some of us went on bike rides!
We had just a wonderful spectacular day! We were sad because we knew that we would be home in less than 24 hours! That night we ate our final dinner! We had a party and of course, there was a parade of the wait staff and we all sang "It's a small world!" You can't do anything Disney without singing that song!
I am so thankful and blessed that we were able to take this trip! Our kids had fantastic experiences and memories! Reality didn't hit as hard as I thought it would. It has been almost 3 weeks since the cruise and we talk about it everyday!
Now I have the impressive job of scrapbooking all our pictures to memorialize the trip for all eternity...or for as long as the paper and pictures hold out!
I recommend this trip for everyone!
Monday, May 01, 2006
una dia en cozumel!
We spent the next day in Cozumel! We were one of the first cruise lines back on the island since it was devastated last year by hurrican wilma. The island was still pretty devasted but we were able to rent jeeps and drive to the mayan ruins, go to a beautiful beach and ate lunch on the beach and the kids snorkeled!!!
It was a great day!
That night on the boat we had a Pirate party! We danced and ha fireworks and they showed Pirates of the Caribbean on the jumbo-tron!
Yes you read this correctly...it's a pee pee station. I am sure they had a bathroom but they sold stuff there...like souveniers.
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Malicious gave me an F
Today's blog has been brought you by Malicious. the number 10 and the letter "f". (for all you Sesame Street fans)
This is how it works. I was given the letter "f" by Malia. I must come up with 10 words that start with said letter and write an explanation for it. You may play this game if you so choose...just let me know and I will hit ya with a letter!
Fabulous--what the Disney cruise was! My life is also this way!
Freak--what I tend to call people...for lack of a better word! Also known as "freakin'" when used as an adjective!
Fun--what the Sergio 4 has when we are together!
Family--where would you be without family? I have a great family! You can't choose your family but they end up teaching you alot!
Friends--I have some of THE best friends in the world! They are gifts from God. Also one of my all time favorite t.v. shows!
Favorite--hello! This word just makes me happy, 'cause it encompasses all the things that make me happy!
Frenzy--what our life is most of the time! Crew, Basketball, Volleyball, Bunco, work, school, plays, auditions, band concerts, church, youth activities, regattas....need I say more? It is what my work life has been since we got a new server and NOTHING, no NOTHING works!! Haven't been able to do my job for over a week now! Normally people would find that nice...it jsut stresses me out!
Fast--my kids are growing up this way! Sometimes I cherish it...other times...it Freaks me out!
Fresh Fruit--I love fresh fruit! There is this place called Edible Arrangements and you can get bouquets of chocolate covered strawberries!!! hint-hint---cough-cough Mother's Day--cough cough
Flying--I don't like to do this but it sure beats driving!!!
I know, I know..I have to catch you up on our cruise. My life has been a freakously, frenzied, fast and flying event for the past week! I will try to finish...tonight.
This is how it works. I was given the letter "f" by Malia. I must come up with 10 words that start with said letter and write an explanation for it. You may play this game if you so choose...just let me know and I will hit ya with a letter!
Fabulous--what the Disney cruise was! My life is also this way!
Freak--what I tend to call people...for lack of a better word! Also known as "freakin'" when used as an adjective!
Fun--what the Sergio 4 has when we are together!
Family--where would you be without family? I have a great family! You can't choose your family but they end up teaching you alot!
Friends--I have some of THE best friends in the world! They are gifts from God. Also one of my all time favorite t.v. shows!
Favorite--hello! This word just makes me happy, 'cause it encompasses all the things that make me happy!
Frenzy--what our life is most of the time! Crew, Basketball, Volleyball, Bunco, work, school, plays, auditions, band concerts, church, youth activities, regattas....need I say more? It is what my work life has been since we got a new server and NOTHING, no NOTHING works!! Haven't been able to do my job for over a week now! Normally people would find that nice...it jsut stresses me out!
Fast--my kids are growing up this way! Sometimes I cherish it...other times...it Freaks me out!
Fresh Fruit--I love fresh fruit! There is this place called Edible Arrangements and you can get bouquets of chocolate covered strawberries!!! hint-hint---cough-cough Mother's Day--cough cough
Flying--I don't like to do this but it sure beats driving!!!
I know, I know..I have to catch you up on our cruise. My life has been a freakously, frenzied, fast and flying event for the past week! I will try to finish...tonight.
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Day at sea and Grand Caymans
Sorry, for the delay but it took me 2 1/2hrs. to upload the 245 pictures from our memory card to COSTCO so that we can get our pictures...I was too tired last night to blog.
So after Key West, we spent a day at sea. That morning we had a character breakfast in the restaurant Parrot Cay. Now you may not know how to pronounce C-A-Y. There has been much debate about this among our group of seafaring travellers. All the Disney employees pronounce it "key". I do believe it is a word with British origins. Anyhoo.....Character breakfast! Fun! Fun! fun!
I am trying to add pictures as I type and it is not allowing me so...I will post pictures of the Character breakfast and Grand Caymans tomorrow. For tomorrow is another day! That is for you Malicious!
Anyway, we spent a wonderfully rested and relaxed day on the ship! We saw the movie Eight Below. There was this latino boy sitting behind us who was speaking spanish loudly but completely enjoying the movie! So Chelsea would translate for us what the young boy was saying! His father was not doing much to keep him speaking at at whisper. It was actually pretty cute. The seats in the Buena Vista theatre....so NOT comfortable!
The next day we anchored off shore of Grand Cayman. We tendered in and met up with our excursion group! We catamaraned out about 45 minutes from shore to go to Stingray City! We swam with stingrays! The kids had a quicky lesson in snorkeling and they were great! We were in about 10-15 ft. of some of the clearest water in the world! We could see stingrays on the bottom of the ocean swimming along waiting for us to feed them their daily dose of squid. WE all jumped into the ocean and snorkeled for about 45 mintues! It was glorious! Just such a great way to see more of God's creation! When we were done we sailed back into shore! My WORD it was soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo relaxing!!!!!
The thought crosses my mind..."Thank you Lord! We were allowed to experience a part of your making! My children were able to experience you in a different way today! We are truly blessed. Thank you for allowing this to happen!"
I was just so content and happy! It has been a long while since I truly felt that way.
So after Key West, we spent a day at sea. That morning we had a character breakfast in the restaurant Parrot Cay. Now you may not know how to pronounce C-A-Y. There has been much debate about this among our group of seafaring travellers. All the Disney employees pronounce it "key". I do believe it is a word with British origins. Anyhoo.....Character breakfast! Fun! Fun! fun!
I am trying to add pictures as I type and it is not allowing me so...I will post pictures of the Character breakfast and Grand Caymans tomorrow. For tomorrow is another day! That is for you Malicious!
Anyway, we spent a wonderfully rested and relaxed day on the ship! We saw the movie Eight Below. There was this latino boy sitting behind us who was speaking spanish loudly but completely enjoying the movie! So Chelsea would translate for us what the young boy was saying! His father was not doing much to keep him speaking at at whisper. It was actually pretty cute. The seats in the Buena Vista theatre....so NOT comfortable!
The next day we anchored off shore of Grand Cayman. We tendered in and met up with our excursion group! We catamaraned out about 45 minutes from shore to go to Stingray City! We swam with stingrays! The kids had a quicky lesson in snorkeling and they were great! We were in about 10-15 ft. of some of the clearest water in the world! We could see stingrays on the bottom of the ocean swimming along waiting for us to feed them their daily dose of squid. WE all jumped into the ocean and snorkeled for about 45 mintues! It was glorious! Just such a great way to see more of God's creation! When we were done we sailed back into shore! My WORD it was soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo relaxing!!!!!
The thought crosses my mind..."Thank you Lord! We were allowed to experience a part of your making! My children were able to experience you in a different way today! We are truly blessed. Thank you for allowing this to happen!"
I was just so content and happy! It has been a long while since I truly felt that way.
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
oops--left out
I forgot about the best Key Lime Pie....we found a great Key Lime place called The Blonde Giraffee. They have Key Lime Pie by the slice OR dipped in chocolate on a stick! After sampling the merengue, the whipped and the chocolate on a stick...the votes are in and Key Lime Pie dipped in chocolate and put on a stick is THE best way to eat Key Lime!!! Sorry no pictures of the Key Lime on a stick...should of thought about that!
Anyway, next time you are in Key West...go to the Blonde Giraffee...you'll find it--no worries! Oh yea, get the key lime on a stick!
Anyway, next time you are in Key West...go to the Blonde Giraffee...you'll find it--no worries! Oh yea, get the key lime on a stick!
Key West, Trolley rides and The best Key Lime Pie
Our 1st port was Key West. We disembarked at the dock and find a trolley ride to take us around Key West. We wind our way in and out of the tiny streets of Key West learning all kind of historical things. We stop at one point and get out for a short break. We load back on the trolley and do another 1/2 hour of info trolley ride. Now if you have ever been to Key West...you know it is not that big...so an hr and 1/2 of trolley ride is a bit much. BUT we went to the souther most point of the U.S. and we got to see mile zero of route 1 that runs from Key West to like Maine or Vermont or something!
We got back on the ship and we celebrated Lisa's birthday by the adults going to eat at Palo's. The food was absolutley AMAZING!!!! Our waiter, Kristian from Croatia, was superb!!!! There was THE most beautiful sunset that night! The kids ate at our next restaurant in the rotation--Animator's Palate. The wait staff was excellent with our kids! The walls start out black and white and then change to color during the course of the meal!!!!
It was just great!!!!
Monday, April 17, 2006
Vacation--Ahoy!
I have never cruised before. In fact, I have been quite nervous about it because I don't really like boats. I know a cruise ship that holds 2700 passengers and over 1000 crew members isn't a boat but you know what I mean....anyway, we load onto an official Disney bus and away we go to Port Canaveral! While we are on the bus a great little info video comes on to tell you all how to get checked onto the boat. Exact details of what will happen once you get on the boat! The excitement builds on the bus full of people heading to what is known to be THE best cruise in the world. I think we have done our kids a disservice because if you talk to people who have been on a cruise with another company they will even tell you that Disney is the cadillac of cruises! Everything is of course done in Disney fashion and it is superb!!!
So as we arrive to the port. This is our ship! The Disney Magic!!!! It is beautiful! A HUGE Goofy is hanging off the back of the ship and looks like he is finishing up painting the word MAGIC!!! We go through all the check points and checking in and then we walk the plank to board!!! My word!!!
They ask your name as you and your family walk in the door and they announce it over the loud speaker--The Sergio Family! Welcome aboard the Disney Magic!!! This is the awesome chandelier hanging in the main foyer!!We go eat up on deck 9 at the buffett! Then we head off to find our stateroom. Our room is a great size and we ahve a huge window! No joke! We drop our stuff off and head to deck 10 for the Bon Voyage Celebration!
Yes Mickey and the gang come out and sing songs. We set sail!!! We all ordered virgin Bon Voyage drinks (1/2 pina colada, 1/2 strawberry daquiri)!!! The wind blows in our hair and away we go!!! The coolest thing is that when the captain blows the ships horn it plays "When you wish upon a star". It is enough to make you weep!!! So much fun!!!!
We eat at Lumiere's restaurant that night and meet our awesome wait staff that follow us all week long for dinner! We take in a Broadway quality show about setting sail on the Magic! The music and dancing is great!!!
None of us got seasick! We were gently rocked to sleep by the boat! AHhhhhhhhhhhhh!!! I like cruising...tomorrow...Key West!
Sunday, April 16, 2006
Vacation--day1
We land in Florida, thursday night and head by Disney shuttle bus to Pop Century resort! It took like an hour and 1/2!!! So we check in to one of Disney's newest resorts at like 10:30 p.m. Drop our stuff off in our rooms and head to eat!!! The resort is really really cool. It has several buildings, each one with it's own decade theme! WE stayed in the 90's. It was decorated with huge cd's and the pool was shaped as a laptop and floppy disks.
Chelsea took this picture of the 80's building.
Friday we all got up. 7 of us went to Epcot and 4 went to MGM. I went to EPCOT!!! I conquered a fear! I rode Mission Space!!! For those of you who don't know....it simulates space flight...from take off to landing....yes...you are in a centerfuge and you pull some serious G's. I apparently have some sinus problems because HELLO! I felt them! The most relaxing and fun ride was Soaring! What a GREAT ride!!!!
We ate lunch in England with some fish and chips. WE had dessert in France! The big hit with the teens was that they say the cast from Disney's massive hit t.v. movie--High School Musical!
We went back to the resort and went to bed. The next day the REAL fun started! The Disney cruise!!!!
Sunday, April 02, 2006
for my day of birth
My birthday started on friday by Alex and Jay detailing my van! IT was great!!! As the mom of a teen and a preteen...the van was NASTY! Car was washed, waxed, armoraled, windows washed and carpets vacuumed AND cleaned! AAAAAHHHHH!!!!
Sat. Chelsea and I took Gillian to Chickfila, Build a bear, and cold stone creamery!!! Then Chelsea and I went to Kohl's to shop for the cruise! We got tons of stuff for very little money!! Gotta love a sale AND a coupon!
Today, Alex gave me flowers and Chelsea gave me "Walk the Line" dvd. Lisa gave a sweet bracelet watch. Tanya et al gave me a very cute bracelet! My other friend Lisa, who's son's b-day is also today...went by Starbucks and got be a grande marble mocha macchiato! That beat the fact that NONE of my kid's worship people showed up today on time or at all and that my computer is missing ALL of the things that make children's ministry run!
For that is to worry about tomorrow becuase tomorrow is another day! Until after the cruise! Buh bye!
Saturday, April 01, 2006
Thursday, March 30, 2006
coming soon....
*Pictures of Chelsea's room,
*tales of another exciting adventure of Ellyn and Gillian's day on the town,
*the list of copious amounts of birthday presents that I get on Sunday! HA--NOT!
*how I spent my day of birth (and Gillian's, and Joan J.'s, and Larry C's, and Ethan's, and Alia's)
*the freak out and stress of trying to buy and get packed and work and run carpool and get homework and projects done and be ready for Easter by the time I leave.
*what I think about LOST
*what I think about Mason going to the final 4
*what I think about Walk the Line---best movie EVER!!!! Love all things Johnny Cash!
Until then--hold your breath and wait!
*tales of another exciting adventure of Ellyn and Gillian's day on the town,
*the list of copious amounts of birthday presents that I get on Sunday! HA--NOT!
*how I spent my day of birth (and Gillian's, and Joan J.'s, and Larry C's, and Ethan's, and Alia's)
*the freak out and stress of trying to buy and get packed and work and run carpool and get homework and projects done and be ready for Easter by the time I leave.
*what I think about LOST
*what I think about Mason going to the final 4
*what I think about Walk the Line---best movie EVER!!!! Love all things Johnny Cash!
Until then--hold your breath and wait!
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