THoughts

What will your thoughts be on today? Will we focus on what is happening that is not so good, what is good, or a combination of both? Too many times I focus on the negative. I will say that my cup is half empty when really it is half full. While I may not have all that I want, I have all that I need. Isn't that what really matters? God has been speaking to me a lot about perspective, and how I should see things. Life isn't prefect and there will be bad days, but exactly how bad it is depends a lot on how we see and react to it. Philippians 4:8 calls us to think on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely and admirable - if it is praiseworthy or excellent! So, when something not so good is happening around us or to us, let's think on the positive aspects of it and what good can come from it instead of just the negative. Praying for all my friends and our thoughts and attitudes today!

Joseph Turns 12

Tuesday is Joseph's birthday and he will be 12. I can't believe that he is this old...where does the time go? To celebrate, he had some friends over to spend the night Friday. Three boys from church and a friend from school. They stayed up until at least 1AM..at least that is what time I told them they needed to be in bed when I went at 12:20!! and they were up before me the next morning! Today there was a joint party for him and his friend Meliah. We had a cookout at Douglas Dam overlook. The kids all played ball and ran around while the adults sat and talked....it was a good day for all! Now Joseph is in his room asleep :o)

Gallbladder Surgery

Well, the surgery went well, but I thought that I would be feeling alot better by now. It's not that I feel terribly bad, I just don't feel good. I feel kind of like a wimp...lol....The soreness is gone but I feel nauseous A LOT, and get tired easily. I am wondering if I was just so run down before the surgery that my body is having a harder time getting over it???? I went to work yesterday for an hour. I feel really bad about missing so much work, but the surgeon did recommend at least a week off (actually he said two or three). I really appreciate my boss who has been very generous in allowing me time off for this. I did do nothing for three days after my surgery. Dan had come up to help with the boys and I was thankful for that. We managed to get along despite our current disputes. Monday I ventured out of the house and resumed my role of taking care of pretty much everything and Tuesday I felt bad. Wednesday I thought would be better but once I got up and moving, I started feeling nauseous and sweaty/clammy so I left work to come home and go to bed. Today I plan on doing NOTHING at all, and think that I am going to venture out to work again tomorrow. My recheck with the surgeon is Wednesday. I plan on asking him about some of this then. Thanks to all my friends for their thoughts and prayers!

Friends

Lately God has been reminding me of just how many friends that I have and how very special they are to me. Maybe because I am getting better about dealing with my insecurity or that I have been praying about friensdhips, I don't know, but I am definitely surrounded by lots of people I call my friends. I have many different types of friendships. Each person in my life adds something unique and is a different type of friend. Sherri, who I've known since 6th grade, is my bff (lol)! She and I have been through so much together and I can't imagine not having her in my life. Then there's my "girlfriends", Linda, Christy, Erin, Stephanie, and Becky who have kids the same age as my kids that I have Bible study with and just hang out. They are so FUN and I love that we get together often for laughter and support. My sister chicks are Becky and Connie....I met them when I first moved here. They are such godly women who always give me biblical advice and are not afraid to call me out on my own junk....plus we have a great story about an overnight stay in a bed and breakast! There's Sonya who I call my therapist. Kris who is my new running partner...if I can keep up with her!! Tracy who is always up for Dollywood with us. Joy who graciously shares Beth Moore Bible studies with me....I am SO glad that we have become closer friends. There are so many more that it would take pages to name and tell how special they are to me. I believe God has placed every single person in my life. Not to mention my family, who are also my friends. I love how relationships grow and change, mature, as you get older. I am VERY VERY blessed and so appreciate everything that my friends bring to my life. Even if I didn't mention your name, PLEASE know that I love all of you and pray for you. Numbers 6:24-26

The Puppy

After months of ignoring my children's pleas for a dog, I finally gave in...against my better judgement, might I add. My granny had been diligently searching the newspaper for free dogs and to my delight, every time she called inquiring, all the dogs were taken. Well, Tuesday was the exception. The lady had plenty of puppies left! So we drive up a small mountain, down the other side of the small mountain and about 2 miles down a single lane road to find a gravel drive-way that seemed to go straight up. We made it to the top where we were greeted by around 7 fully grown dogs and several puppies. No wonder she had plenty to give away! The boys found a puppy they liked...he is a terrier mix (we were told two different types of terriers). We get in the car and back down the one lane road when the puppy decides that he doesn't like to ride in cars and he throws-up! not only once but twice to which Joseph declares he is going to be sick and Zach no longer wants a puppy. We finally make it back to Pigeon Forge where we stop at the car wash and clean up the car. After a trip to Wal-mart to get needed puppy supplies we made it home. Now if I can get him to go potty outside I think I might survive!

Zach and the Red Nail Polish

Not as scary as the title sounds, but.....just a few minutes ago I was sitting on the couch watching Little House on the Prairie (I know, kind of cheesey but I love it) when Zach comes in showing off his new manicure and pedicure....with, of all colors, bright red. The bright side of this is that after invesitgation, he did only manage to get it all over his fingers and toes and an unsuspecting hand towel. Based on the looks of the hand towel, I guess that he had his feet and hands on the towel while he was induldging in his spa experience. I think I have nail polish remover somewhere. If not, I guess I will be heading to Food City. What is really funny, though, is the fact that I was thinking I needed to touch up MY toes before wearing sandals all weekend but just couldn't make myself get up off the couch...lol....guess I shouldn't ignore those little thoughts, huh?

Zach's First Sleepover

Zach usually has to settle for hanging out with Joseph's friends, but Saturday he got to have his own friend over to spend the night. Our friends, Dan and Brandi, have a a son who is Zach's age. Brandi asked Ashton if he would want to spend the night with us and he said yes. Neither of us knew if he would actually stay all night or not, but he stayed with no problems. He and Zach had so much fun and he was very well behaved (wish I could say that for Zach...actually, Zach was on his best behavior all night which makes me want to let his friends sleepover more often :o)). They played in the playroom, watched Kung Fu Panda, and went "swimming" in the bathtub (with swim trunks on)! When we picked them up from their class on Sunday, their teachers said that they had heard all about the sleepover. Here are some pics from their adventure....

This Week.....

This week we are getting back into a normal routine....the boys are home from my mom and sister's where they had alot of fun! Joseph is in his usual play guitar hero all day and fuss when I make him read and practice his piano mode....Zach is as active as ever even though he has been dealing with a staph infection!! I first thought they were ant bites but decided I should take him on to the doctor...good thing that I did. The antibiotic seems to be working. Dan went to his counseling session on Monday, not sure how it was, he didn't say much about it....I have a session today, alone. I am looking forward to it because there are alot of things I want to talk about. Next week I think our session will be together again....anyway, that's what's happening in our life! Hope everyone is having a GREAT summer :o)

First Counseling Session

Well, I didn't know what I expected the first time around but I guess it went OK. The counselor only talked to me about 10 minutes and talked to Dan the rest of the time. He managed to avoid answers to her questions about him by redirecting them to me some how. She finally asked him, "so if we fix Christie then everything will be ok?" Of course, he said no. It ended with her asking for him to come alone next week. He made an appointment for Monday. Everyone please continue to pray for us, especially for Dan's coming appointment. On a positive note, after we got home I went to sit on the sofa and Dan had put a card there that says, "I don't know how you do it, you give so much to both work and family....and you do it so well. I don't know how you do it- but I want you to know I really admire you". Very sweet and I hope it is a sign of things to come....I was sure to tell him that I appreciate him going to counseling, especially by himself.

Turning Point

It seems that we have reached a turning point in the midst of all this turmoil. Dan and I had a long talk yesterday during which he said to me that he knows that I have been praying and that something has broken through to God because God has been talking to him (Dan)about it. Those are the greatest words that I have heard in awhile. Dan also agreed that he would move his office here and have the people he works for fax information that he needs and we will discuss all aspects of his business, and we are going to marital counseling. Our first appointment is tomorrow afternoon at 5pm. This has been a LONG time coming. I am so glad that things seem to be moving forward. I really did not want my marriage to end but for years we had been skirting around the same issues and nothing ever changing. I am being cautious as we move forward...I realize that just making the commitments doesn't fix the issues, but it is a first step. Anyway, I am going to hold on to this verse today, from Philippians chp. 4: "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus". Everyone please pray for us that both of us will change what needs to be changed so that we can move forward in all God has for us!

Surreal

I think right now I feel like this is not really happening. I know that it is the right thing to do but it is just so hard. Last week I gave Dan the divorce papers but he isn't making any fast moves to sign them. I have tried to talk to him several times and get him to understand all that I am feeling and why I think things have turned out the way they have but he insists that I am making a bigger deal out of things than they are and that everything he has done was the right decision for him. He just doesn't get that it isn't about him, it's about our family and what is best for all of us. it is impossible to talk to him and it frustrates me to no end!!! No matter what I say I can't get through to him. Someone who hardly knows Dan asked me if I was familiar with a Narcissistic personality and said that it describes him. Was it God giving discernment? After doing a little research, I do have to agree that he definitely has some of the traits. I need alot of prayer......

Psalm 27

I read this chapter today and thought how appropriate for this time in my life.

Psalm 27
Of David.
1 The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When evil men advance against me
to devour my flesh, [a]
when my enemies and my foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then will I be confident.
4 One thing I ask of the LORD,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle
and set me high upon a rock.
6 Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the LORD.
7 Hear my voice when I call, O LORD;
be merciful to me and answer me.
8 My heart says of you, "Seek his [b] face!"
Your face, LORD, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
O God my Savior.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the LORD will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, O LORD;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
breathing out violence.
13 I am still confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.

Prophecy

My life lately has been a little crazier than normal (I know, some of you are going...is that possible). It seems that things that I thought were fixed are not and I have had to make some VERY hard choices about my life, especially concerning my marriage....I have been praying and asking God to really give me some direct answers and at last, my seeking Him seemed to break through and a word was spoken to me that has brought much peace....I am so excited now for the things that God has in store and determined to seek Him even more. If I knew how to upload the word that was spoken to me on here I would, even though most people reading this would not understand what it meant. I guess my point to this blog is that my God is faithful, my God is faithful....Deuteronomy 4:29 (New International Version)
"But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul". I know that I have found Him.

Backyardigans

Like most preschoolers, Zachary likes to watch Noggin. We watch it ALL the time and love most of the shows. However, last night we were watching the Backyardigans and I was very disturbed to see that they were promoting Greek gods. It so happens that it was raining and two of the characters wanted it to stop so they decided that they needed to go and ask the goddess of weather to make it stop. They proceded to go up into the clouds where they met the god of laughter and the god of naps. Both of which tried to make them laugh and take a nap. When one of the characters refused the god chased them around trying to force them until the character offered an offering to the god. I did not make it to see what happened when they reached the god of weather. I am a Christian and I try to live my life accordingly. I don't beat people over the head with theology or try to persuade them to believe as I do because I think that my life should be the example. I will defend my faith and tell of how it has changed my life. I guess what I want to know now is, why can television teach our kids to pray to other gods but it better not even remotely mention or reference the God who created it all?? Just my thoughts today. I don't think that we will watch the Backyardigans anymore.

Spring Break 2009

Our spring break this year did not turn out exactly as we had planned but we did have alot of fun. We started out headed to the beach but that got changed through a series of events andwe ended up doing a variety of things.

We stayed at my parents house from Friday until Tuesday. There we had an Easter egg hunt with family and friends. The kids all had a good time coloring eggs and then eventually throwing them up against trees (all I can say is that they are boys!!). Joseph got to visit his friends Cameron and Colby. I got to visit with Sherri and Jen (Sherri and I were SO glad to catch up with her...love you, Jen!!!). After the egg hunt Sherri, Jen and me went to Applebee's in Seneca to catch up.

Wednesday my sister and her family came up for a couple of days. Thursday we went to Dollywood for the WHOLE day. We also got to hang out with Bryan, Joy, Nate and Henry...we had such a good time.

Friday after my sister left we went to the library, and I tried to take the boys on a picnic but neither of them thought that a picnic was a fun idea, so, we ditched that idea and spent the afternoon at the flea market. Later, we met our friends from SC for dinner.

Today, I have cleaned the house, caught up the laundry and, can you believe, am writing a blog post!!?!?! I think I will get ahead on some homework now so that I won't have so much to do next week.

Day Off With Zach

Today Zach and me had the day all to ourselves. We took Joseph to school and then came home and watched The Incredibles and read a Diego book about telling time (twice). Then Zach helped me clean out my closet for the yard sale next week...for some reason he liked the robe that I put in the pile and kept dragging it out. After that we got ready to go to Food City where I spent about $15 more than I planned because things just kept appearing in the cart!!! We had to load the groceries in the car in the rain...we got very wet! It was 2pm by this time and we had an hour before time to pick up Joseph. Zach fell asleep in the car, I took the groceries in the house, in the rain again, and then went through Wendy's drive-thru for a late lunch. We got to school at 2:30 where Zach slept and I read some of John Grisham's The Appeal. Now we are home watching Bolt!

Blogging

Everyday I think that I am going to write something on my blog but when I login I can't think of what I want to write..lol...There are 100 (at least) things that I think about or that happen when I am away from the computer but for some reason they flee my mind or don't seem quite as interesting when I start to write them. Oh, well, maybe inspiration will come to me one of these days.....

Joseph and Nadja

Joseph and Nadja have known each other since they were born, literally. And, they have the same birthday, just a few hours apart. When they were little we always had joint birthday parties and they were huge. Joseph and Nadja were inseperable and so cute. We haven't seen our friends since we moved to TN...we have talked on the phone and such but haven't been able to get together. Well, we were finally able to get together at Zach's party a couple of weeks ago. I love my friend Theda. She is so special and I was very glad to be able to catch up with her while the kids hung out for a little while. It is hard to believe that they are 11 now. I hope they always remain good friends! Here are soe pics although I could not get Joseph to be serious in any of them...he was cracking Nadja up!!

The Case of the Missing Toothbrushes and Remote Control!

I know, weird name but that describes this post. Saturday we spent the whole day cleaning up and cleaning out a lot of clutter. One part of that cleaning involved a small cabinet in our bedroom. That is now empty but not before it played a little role in a mystery.

At the end of the day Dan was looking for the remote but could not find it. We looked everywhere but he finally went to bed without watching the weather. Then, when I got ready for bed, I couldn't find a single toothbrush (mine or otherwise) or toothpaste!! I woke Dan up, he didn't know. I asked Joseph, he had no clue! Finally Zach piped up and said, "I know"!

He then ran into the bedroom and opened the cabinet and declared that he was "just playing". For some reason and without any of us noticing he decided to put the remote, our toothbrushes, and toothpaste inside the cabinet we cleaned out! What goes on in the mind of a three (about to be four) year old?!?!?