A Houston Winter

I just love winter in Houston. Guess what the temperature is right now. Go on, guess.

...

Nah, you'll never guess. It is 74 degrees!! The sun is shining. It has been like this all week. I love it. I absolutely, positively love it. Sure, it's December 29th. Sure, it should be cold. But it's not. And I'm thrilled. We're working in the yard. The kids are playing on the swingset. We are wearing shorts. I love, love, love Houston in the winter.

It may be 30 degrees next week, and I will survive, because I know another warm spell will be just around the corner.

March of the Penguins

Have you seen the movie "March of the Penguins" yet? If you haven't, and you are a parent, you need to see it. Any sacrifices you have made for your children will suddenly seem insignifigant. Goodness! Going four months without food in order to protect your offspring? Walking for a week to get to a food source? I don't even like going to the grocery store that's five minutes from my home. And I get to travel in a cozy car. I'm just pitiful.

After watching the movie Christmas Eve, I told Griff, "You are a great father, but those penguins have you completely beat." His response? "Right back at ya'!" (well, not exactly, but close enough)

It's All About Me

I was tagged by sprittibee months ago, but I'm just now getting around to doing this.

Things I want to do before I die:
1. Go to Europe
2. Live next door to my best friend Linda
3. See my children happily married
4. Get down to a size 8 again and STAY THERE

Things I can do:
1. Sing the bass part of four-part harmony
2. Make great birthday cakes for my kids

Things I cannot do:
1. Cure my sister's MS
2. Keep my house clean (I'm trying!)
3. Figure out what to get my husband for Christmas

Things that attract me to my husband:
1. His beard
2. His cheesy grin
3. His strong work ethic
4. His love for our children
5. His strong feeling of right, wrong, and absolutes

Celebrity crushes I've had in the past:
1. Tom Selleck
2. Sean Cassidy

Thelast thing I was supposed to do was tag others to do this, but there's noone I know well enough in blog-land to call on for that.

Okay, I Feel Better.

As of yesterday, I had bought 2 Christmas gifts. Two! And neither one was for my children. I was actually beginning to get a little panicky about not being able to find what they wanted. So, I decided today would have to be the day.

I went to Wal-mart, Target, and Toys R Us. I found their "big" gift item and a couple of other things on their lists. Even though there are other things I still want to get for them, I feel that even if I don't get any more shopping done, we're okay.

Whew!

...

Oh, wait. I forgot about stocking stuffers. Dang.

A New Chapter in Our Lives

Life is ever-changing. Just when you think you are settled, it has a habit of throwing a wrench in the works. We are in the middle of a mjaor "wrenching".

With two children in a private school, we have been falling further and further behind financially. Our heads are above water, but only with the help of the Mastercard, which has a balance higher than it's been in years. Neither of us are comfortable with that, but we have not seen a way to cut many more expenses. We had begun talking of me returning to work, hopefully at the very school our children attend. This is not something I want, but we also do not want to put our children in public school, so it seemd our only option. I did bring up homeschooling, but Griff was opposed.

About a week before Thanksgiving, I decided what I needed was God's input. (I know. I'm a little late to the game.) So, I prayed that God would show us what to do. Should I get a job? If so, help me find one that is family friendly. And, oh, by the way, could you make the answer really obvious? (I do so love obvious answers from God!)

Three days later, I received my answer. Well, okay, it was actually a letter from the school. They were requesting a meeting to discuss Robert's future at the school. I did not have a good feeling about this, but I did try to be optimistic. And what a waste of optimism it was. I figured that with school registration for next year starting in January, we were going to be told that our son would not be allowed to return. THAT was optimistic. They actually, basically, gave us 2 weeks to find a new school because he would not be allowed to return in January. I felt that I had been kicked in the stomach. It was terrible. Words cannot express the feelings we went through during and after that meeting. The one thing that has given me peace is that prayer I prayed a couple of weeks before. I know that leaving this school is God's will for our family.

So, Griff and I started discussing our options:

1) another Christian private school - well, we already know they won't take him
2) a special school for high functioning autistic children - at triple the current tuition rate, we just cannot afford it
3) public school - the mere idea of the bullies that he would encounter is enough to knock this off the list
4) homeschooling - what I've wanted for awhile now

Griff realized our best option at this point is home schooling. I, of course, am thrilled. Well, yes, but also scared to death. What a huge responsibility! But I am ready for the task before me. Then, Griff mentions he wants me to homeschool Ruth, as well.

Wait a minute! Back up the train! Homeschool 2 children at one time? But I've never done this before! How can I possibly...

But, we are a family. We do things together. We stand united. So, that means, if Robert is homeschooled, so is Ruth. So, Robert will be coming home for school after Christmas. I am going to take a month to get him used to it, then bring Ruth home at the end of January.

Please pray for all of us during this time of adjustment. We need all the prayers we can get. Do be careful, though, about asking for obvious answers. God does give them at times, and they are not usually what you are expecting.

Blog Block

I've had blog block for awhile now. I have not been able to figure out what in the world to blog about. Actually, I have had a couple of ideas, but they are going to take time to put together and I am not exactly finding myself with excess time lately.

While reading my latest issue of Creating Keepsakes magazine, I came across of list of things to scrapbook about. I haven't had much time for that lately, either, so I thought I would blog some of them.

There are 52 ideas. Some are mundane. Some are thought-provoking. Tonight, I'm going with the mundane.

- What books and magazines are you reading right now?
I'm obviously reading Creating Keepsakes magazine. I just started Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. I've been looking forward to it, but I already know a huge spoiler about it. I found it accidentally in two different locations, so I know it's true. Sigh...

- What's the last TV show you watched and why?
I watched Lost tonight. Why? Because it's a fascinating show.

- Who was your second-grade teacher and what did she teach you?
Mrs. Comstock. I'm sure she taught me typical 2nd grade stuff, but I realized after reading this question that she is the one elementary teacher that I remember absolutely nothing about. I have some memories of every other teacher, except her. Isn't that odd?

How many times have you moved in your life?
Let's see... not including college - 6. Only one of those was outside of the Greater Houston area.

What's your favorite sport to participate in or watch?
Well, I'm totally not athletic, so I don't participate. I love to watch high school football. I think it's all of those years in the band.

More fascinatingly mundane questions answered later. I'm going to bed.

I Believe! I Do!

The other day Robert asked if he could have a tennis racket. I told him to put it on his Christmas list. The following conversation then took place.

Robert: I'll ask for it from Santa. ...pause... Of course, Mom, you know who really does that.

Me: Does what?

Robert: You know. Who puts the stuff out at night.

Me: What stuff?

Robert: Mo-om - the presents

Me: Who puts the presents out?

Robert: Mom, you know that you do it.

Me: Do what?

Robert: (with a big grin) You put the presents under the tree.

Me: Do you think so?

Robert: Yes, I do.

Me: Well, honey, you know...

Robert: I know, I know! If you don't believe in Santa, he doesn't bring anything except coal for your stocking. I believe in Santa! I do!

Funny kid. And smart. If you say you don't believe in Santa, he doesn't come.

Just Life

Minor ramblings...

My dryer died. It was making a thunk, thunk, thunk noise as it tumbled, but now it doesn't tumble at all. Griff, of course, is out of town. I'm going to call a repairman today. I'm hoping that fixing it will be cheaper than a new dryer.

I spent a lot of yesterday cleaning out my "garage sale" closet upstairs. I had said that if I didn't have a garage sale by October, it was all going to be donated. Purple Heart is coming tomorrow and I will make their trip worthwhile.

Ruthie is home sick from school today. It's one of those "should she really be home?" sicknesses. She has a congested cough, stuffy nose, and a sore throat. I can understand why she feels crummy, but, with no fever, I do wonder if I should have sent her.

I went to Memphis last week. My best friend is going through a rough time and I went to lend moral support. Shopping with her and picking out new kitchen tile was just a bonus. :) I had never driven by myself that far, so I was a bit nervous. However, it was no big deal and books on tape make the trip go quickly.

We're starting to get more orders at our online business. It was so odd the first time somebody we didn't know ordered from the web-site. Our first $50 order was a cause for much rejoicing. This thing may support itself yet. At this point, that's all we're hoping for.

About My Mom

Friday was my mom's birthday. In honor of her, I thought I would share some things about her.

She was the youngest of 4 children.

She grew up in the country. With siblings that were much older, and other children living so far away, she was often lonely. She did NOT like living in the country.

She married my dad when she was almost 19, after 13 dates.

She graduated from high school a year early. She took college courses over the years, but never got a degree.

Daddy was in the Air Force and she loved all the moving around that included. Her favorite state was Colorado.

She loved working. Her favorite job was as a secretary at NASA when the space program was getting started. Daddy made her quit because the hours were so long and she was away from home so much. It took her years to forgive him for that.

She was incredibly hospitable. She keep a file card index of everybody at church and noted when they were last in our home. We had company over all the time.

Our home was cluttered and often messy. Every time company was coming (and remember, we had company a lot!), we would spend the day crisis cleaning.

She taught 2 year olds at church until she literally could not get down on the floor with them anymore. I think she was in her 60's when she quit teaching.

She was a great seamstress. She sewed a lot of clothes for me and my sisters. She made my oldest sister's wedding dress and mine.

She loved wine, but stopped drinking it when her children came. She felt that she could not ask us not to drink alcohol if she did.

After retirement, she took tole painting classes. She made dolls and other craft items. She and my dad did lots of craft shows.

She loved puzzle magazines. I remember she was very good at cryptograms and logic problems.

She enjoyed card games. Her favorite was bridge. If she was alone and wanted to play, she would deal 4 hands on the table and take turns playing each hand. I never did understand how she didn't cheat doing that.

She was an adequate cook, but liked strange food combinations. One time at my house, she mixed macaroni & cheese, cornbread, and tomato soup together and ate it like that.

She often refused to have her picture taken, but came to regret that in later years.

She was a great mom.

Happy Birthday, Mom! I love you and miss you.

Good, Perfect Gifts

I am participating in Bible Study Fellowship again this year. If you are not familiar with BSF, it is a international non-denominational Bible study program. Each week, you have a discussion group and a lecture. You have homework that consists of notes covering the previous week's lesson and 5 days of questions about the next section of scripture. This year, we're studying Genesis. It has only been a few weeks, but it has already been an incredible study.

This past week, we studied the creation of man and woman. During the lecture, our leader said, "Every gift from God is good and perfect." This statement has been swirling through my head ever since.

My beautiful son is on the autism spectrum. He has problems and struggles other children don't have. As a parent, I face problems and struggles others don't have. I have railed against fate. I have railed against God. Why my son? Why me? Why is their child so "perfect"? It's not fair!

I got my answer this week. My son is a gift from God. He is good. He is perfect. I am blessed.

Who created 3rd grade projects?

Robert has to do a project on his community. He has to report on the history of our community, restaurants, grocery stores, public service places, recreation, etc. It can either be a scrapbook, power point presentation, or video. Robert has chosen (surprise!) the video option. We started to spend part of our Rita-vacation working on it, but a heat index of 113 is not conducive to a cooperative 9 year old.
Yesterday, though, we got most of the footage done. We will finish up Saturday morning. I will probably spend Sunday afternoon editing it. Oh, wait. Did I say I would be doing it? How silly of me! This is a 3rd grade project. Robert will be doing the editing.

HA!

This project is due October 5th. Pray for all of us as we work to finish it up. Sigh...

Where Will She Hit?

Bobble to the left. Bobble to the right. Stand up. Sit down. Fight! Fight! Fight!

Ha! Sorry about that. Just a little hurricane humor. "Bobble" is apparently a technical hurricane term. Did you know that? When they are trying to explain why this monster storm is changing direction, the correct verbage is, indeed, "bobble". They showed us the radar of the storm and showed us the progression. "See that right there?", says the all-knowing meteorologist (who I believe is guessing about where this thing will land!). "See that bobble to the right, then bobble to the left?" Um, well, no. I believe you, Frank. I really do. However, I see no "bobble". But, the storm has moved east, which is all I care about!

Early Thursday morning, they said Rita would hit Matagorda, which was bad for us. That put us on the dirty side of the hurricane and we could expect winds of over 75 mph. Yikes! Then, later that morning, she shifted to the east some, and now they said she was coming straight over Galveston. Very, very bad for Galveston, but that shift put us on the west side of the hurricane, which is better for us. Still later in the day, Rita's projected path moved farther east to Beaumont. They are now projecting 40+ mph winds for my area, which is much, much better. My windows can withstand that (assuming the wind is not assisted by some piece of a flying tree branch).

As of last night, they would not say for sure where she would land. It's 5 am and my brother's girlfriend, Karen, is asleep on our couch (her choice! we have a bed for her), so I can't watch TV to check what they're saying now. I just hope she keeps bobbling to the right!

Riding Out Rita

Hurricane Rita is heading our way. We've made the decision to stay, but it hasn't been an easy one. I've second guessed myself all week until today. What made the difference? Watching the news coverage of the gridlocked traffic on the evacuation routes. If we left, we'd be heading to Griff's family in Dallas, but I-45 is a mess and has been since yesterday. People are running out of gas and there is very little gas available. Cars are overheating. There have actually been fights witnessed between motorists alongside the roads. Tempers are short. All of this adds up to a situation I do not want to expose my family to.

We now have houseguests. My dad, my brother, and his girlfriend arrived from Deer Park this morning. (It took them 3 hours to make what is typically a 45 minute trip.) They were in the storm surge area, so it was absolutely necessary for them to leave. With guests coming, I went to the store this morning and found bottled water, so I bought another 6 cases on top of the 3 we already had. I had not been able to find bread, but they did have some, so I bought a few loaves. Unfortunately, they still didn't have ice, and I doubt they will. I have frozen empty milk jugs full of water, so hopefully that will help keep our refrigerated items cool if/when we lose power. I also bought charcoal so we can grill once the storm is over.

I will update my blog when I can, but I expect we will lose power some time Friday night and may not have it again for awhile.

Keep us and all the people in the path of this hurricane in your prayers. While we don't want this storm to hit Houston, I also would not wish it on anyone else.

Phil 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

He's 9!!

My sweet, cuddly, laughing baby turned 9 this week. NINE! Can this really be happening? Wasn't it just yesterday that they rushed me down the hall after 12 hours of labor for an emergency c-section? Didn't I just watch him take his first steps? Didn't I just leave him for his first day of kindergarten?

This isn't right. I should get to hold on to his childhood longer. He's starting to fill out. His shoulders are getting broader. His thighs are getting bigger. This child, who has always had my small-framed, skinny build (well, I was very skinny as a child!), is starting to take on the frame of his father. Griff is a huge guy. It can't be possible that Robert will be that same size.

Sigh... I need to enjoy the fact that he still hugs me. He loves to see me up at school. He still likes to cuddle (occasionally!) on the couch while we watch a movie. The day will come when he will feel too "grown up" for those things. So, I still do have some of his childhood to hold on to. May it last as long as possible!

I Miss My Mom

Something happened today that reminded me of a story my mom used to tell about when I was a child. I was a very, shall we say, adventurous, child. I was always climbing on things. One day, when I was about 2 years old, I got her Chanel No. 5 off the bathroom counter and poured it down the sink. My mom loved Chanel No. 5. As a working mother of 4 children, it was one of her few luxuries. She bought another bottle and put it on a shelf above her bathroom counter. I climbed on top of the counter, got the bottle, and, you guessed it, poured it down the sink. Mom didn't get any Chanel No. 5 for a long time after that. She told that story many times over the years and we always laughed about it.

I always planned on buying her a bottle of Chanel No. 5. I never did. I can't tell you how much I regret that simple thing. I called my sister and talked to her about it. She said, "Rhonda, Mom got more enjoyment out of telling that story than she would a new bottle of perfume." True. However, I know she would have loved it. We would have laughed about my childhood escapades. It would have been a good thing. It's too late now to do that and all the things I wanted to do with and for her.

I know I will see her again in Heaven someday, but I want her here with me. Now.

If you have something you've always wanted to do for or say to a loved one, don't wait. Do it. Now.

Such Maturity!

Have you ever watched the show "House Hunters"? It's on HGTV and is about people searching for the "perfect" house. It's interesting seeing what people think is important in a home. It's also interesting to see what passes for a big house in California. :)

One day I was watching "House Hunters" and Ruthie came in the room. She wanted to watch something on our DVR. I'm sure it was something mentally stimulating like "Full House". I told her she could as soon as my show was over. She saw what I was watching, sat down on the couch, and said, "Oooh. This is interesting. You know, when I was 5 or 6 years old, I thought this show was really boring." LOL! Yes, the age of 7 brings such a level of maturity as to enjoy a mindless show such as "House Hunters".

Funny, funny girl.

Hurricane Katrina

The whole country, and a lot of the world, has been watching the coverage of Hurricane Katrina. Even I, who seldom watch the news and miss out on many major events in an effort to protect my children, have been glued to the TV.

I remember watching last Sunday when people were lining up to get into the Superdome. The news reporter was talking to a woman who was in line with her two children. She said they didn't have the means to leave town and were going to ride out the hurricane in the Superdome. At the time, I thought nothing of it. Like most everyone else, I had no idea what was to come. Over the past week, I have thought of that woman and her children. Are they okay? Where are they now? What will happen to them? I pray that they are safe and sound.

There have been so many horrible stories from this storm. Some of them will haunt me for the rest of my life (and remind me why I don't watch the news). Others, though, have been wonderful. Watching people welcome these evacuees into their cities with open arms has been inspiring. Living here in Houston, I am so proud of my hometown and all that we are doing. There are so many opportunities to give, that it is at time overwhelming trying to decide what we will do.

These survivors of this, the worst natural disaster in the history of our great country, have a long road in front of them. I pray that they will know that God's loving arms are around them and that He is always there for them.

One of the Best Movies EVER!!

I watched A&E's "Pride and Prejudice" for the umpteenth time this week. And, yes, I say "this week" because the thing is 5 hours long!! Five lovely, hilarious, heart-warming, enjoyable hours. I would love to sit down and watch the whole thing at once, but a home, family and too many projects keep me from it. One day, though, I'll do it.

If you have never seen this movie, RUN, don't walk to the nearest video rental place (or put in your request at Netflix) and get it. A word of warning - it is a 2 DVD set. Do not start watching it until you have both DVDs in your possession. When I watched it the first time, I only had the first DVD from Netflix. When it ended I almost died! (Okay, an exaggeration.) I called my sister and said, "Don't tell me what happens, but I assume Mr. Darcy redeems himself." She said, "You don't have the second DVD?! Oh, no! Oh, no!" I had to wait 3 days for the 2nd DVD to arrive. Don't do that to yourself! I no longer have this problem because I went out and bought it for myself to have for always.

Watch it and let me know what you think.

What's On Our DVR

We have had a DVR for almost a year now. We absolutely love it! It's not only great being able to record shows easily, but skipping through commercials, or rewinding a bit when we miss what someone said, is awesome. It has revolutionized how we watch TV.

Griff and I have discussed whether we're watching more TV since we got the DVR. I think we've come to the conclusion that we are watching more shows, but, by skipping commercials, we are probably spending just a bit more time actually in front of the television.

Anyway, I thought I'd give a snapshot of our lives by showing what's currently on our DVR.

Alias - 13 episodes from last season
Ask This Old House
Biography - 8 episodes
Blueprint for Homebuilding
Divine Design - an episode I'm saving because it's my dream kitchen
Divine Design Behind the Scenes - I've watched it, but Griff still want to see it
Inside This Old House
King of the Hill - 11 episodes
Light Classical - 8 hours (a music channel we sometimes play when something else is recording)
Lost - the first episode - I recorded it to see what I missed the first time around
Monk - 2 episodes
Power Rangers S.P.D. - 2 episodes
Room by Room - 4 episodes
Sherlock Holmes Mysteries - 2 episodes
Mellow Rock Music - 8 hours - another music channel
The Little Mermaid - 2 episodes (not the movie)
The Tick - 19 episodes - if you haven't ever seen this, YOU NEED TO!
This Old House - 2 episodes
This Old House Classics - 25 episodes

I wonder what this says about us. :)

First Day of School

School has officially started. Summer is over. I can feel my stress level rising already.

Robert did not want school to start. He never does. We were waiting in the cafeteria with all the other kids, when he walked up to Griff and buried his head in his side. I could see the tension in him. School is so hard for him! The expectations (of us and the school), the noise, the social interaction... the whole day. I am hoping and praying that this is a good year. I had forgotten how much of my day is spent wondering how he is doing. Will his teacher understand him? Will the other kids be tolerant? Will he know that we love him, no matter what? Will he try his best to handle his frustrations, or at least find an appropriate way to communicate them before they reach the boil-over point? The report today was okay. I think his teacher was pretty satisfied with how it went, considering it was the first day.

Ruthie, of course, was raring to go! That girl loves, loves school. She did have a bit of nerves and complained of an upset stomach, but as soon as she saw a friend, she was fine. She was excited to tell me at the end of the day that their class already has 3 compliments. She was also enthusiastic about her Spanish homework. She is such a joy, and I'm afraid her good behavior and enthusiasm often get overlooked because of our attention on Robert. Definitely something to work on...

I pray that this is a wonderful, positive year for both of my children.

These Old Eyes Ain't What They Used to Be

Back before I discovered the wonderful world of scrapbooking, I used to cross-stitch. I had this wonderful cross-stitch stand and made some pretty elaborate pieces. This, of course, was all pre-kids. I did birth samplers for both Robert and Ruth, but I haven't done anything else in the past 9 years. However, in the back of my mind, I've wanted to make cross-stitch stockings for all four of us. I've even been saving the patterns.

Somewhere along the way, my cross-stitch stand broke, but Griff was able to fix it a few weeks ago. So, now was the time to start. I got the fabric, pattern, and thread all set to go. I sat down last week to start, only to find that those holes are a lot harder to see than I remember! I've had to get a bit creative to see them. I think I need (oh, I hate to say this!) a magnifying glass. I really don't think I'm ready for reading glasses yet (I'm only 38!!), but for this project I may indeed need a bit of help.

Getting older stinks at times.

My Achilles Heel

Housework is a big challenge for me. It always has been. I can remember my dad threatening to nail my shoes to the floor until my room was clean when I was a kid. My first roommate in college and I had battles over it. We had been friends since elementary school and had never had a fight until then. I have read books on decluttering, schedules, and being a good wife/mother. I think I could write a book myself, except it would be completely hypocritical. :)

My favorite system so far has been Flylady. She's been where I am and has overcome it. She has a "one day at a time" approach that has worked for thousands. However, her e-mail system is totalling overwhelming to me. I have "quit" her more times than I can count.

Today, I discovered a new system. (I can see my husband rolling his eyes) It is Motivated Moms. I signed up for their yahoo group, which has 2 (and only 2!) e-mail reminders each day. I purchased their "chore book" and I'm set to go. I'll keep you posted occasionally on how it goes. I'm sure you're waiting with baited breath to see if I can actually overcome this problem in my life. :) (Don't you love how I assume somebody's actually reading this?)

My Blog Name

While trying to decide on a blog name, I checked out a link a friend of mine suggested. I saw that someone recommended song lyrics. So, what type of music do I immediately think of? Contemporary Christian (it's just about all I listen to these days). What group did I think of? Mercyme. Why Mercyme? They have two songs that have meant a lot to me in the past year - "I Can Only Imagine" and "Homesick".

My mom had cancer and had been battling it for several years. This time, she had been in the hospital almost 3 weeks. I was staying at the hospital with her (relieving my dad). Her condition had really deteriorated, but I still believed that she could recover. The tv was on while I was feeding her dinner. A Billy Graham crusade came on. Now, I don't typically watch Billy Graham, and if I hadn't been in the middle of feeding Mom, I would have changed the channel. But I was, so I didn't. A group was performing at the beginning and that group was MercyMe. The song they sang was "I Can Only Imagine". Here are some of the lyrics.

Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still
Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine

This song had moved me before, but this night, I started crying. I didn't want to cry in front of my mom, but it was several minutes before I could stop. I knew there was a chance Mom would be seeing Jesus before too much longer and it didn't really hit me until I heard that song. I was right. Mom fell asleep that night and never woke again. She fell into a coma and went to be with Jesus four days later. That was December 11, 2004.

So, while the word "imagine" can bring so many things to mind, to me it is the thought of Jesus, Heaven, and seeing my mom again.