It is making the rounds

Last Wednesday ( the 2nd week at my new job ) my 8 year old had a tummy virus. About 11:00 last night, my 7 year old came down with it. I knew I couldn't miss another day of work, so I ended up recruiting my best friend to keep him today. Then about 10:00 this morning, I started to feel a little queasy & dizzy.

It is my turn.

UGH! These viruses are relentless.

I left work after lunch. Thankfully, I was able to make it at least that long.

I learned this afternoon that I need to buy a bigger recliner. Not just to accomadate my big butt, but because all of my animals wanted to snuggle me as I napped. I had a cat, a Shih Tzu, a Chihuahua mix, and A BOXER all laying on me. Sweet, but boy was it ever crowded.

OK, I'm going to go lay back down and see if I can't kick this thing out of my system tonight. Thankfully, it only lasted about 8 hours in each of my boys. Perhaps that will be the course it takes in me as well.

Now I remember....

I remember now how quickly the weekend flies by when you are working full time. How there never seems to be enough hours in the day. How exhausting life becomes.

But, that is Okay. I will adapt...just like millions of other working mothers.

We've had a really nice, yet busy, weekend. Yesterday, we did some work around the house, then I had to go work at the church for a little while. Last night we took the kids to the drive in movie theater to see Over the Hedge and Posiden. It was a lot of fun---they get such a kick out of the drive in.

Course, that meant we got to bed really late last night, so we all slept in today. Then, we had a house cleaning marathon. My husband just decided that he wanted the house spotless. And I admit...it really looks nice. I guess I didnt' realize just how much everything had piled up. (Including the dust bunnies)

Everything is all spotless now. I'm just curious as to how long it will last.

I have to work tomorrow, so we decided to have a cook out today instead. My stepdaughter had one of her "boy" friends over & it was really a nice night. We had hamburgers on the grill, pasta salad, baked beans, and grean beans. Oh, and a chocolate chip pie. YUMMY. Course, I ate too much. The kids filled empty 2 liter bottles wtih water & ran around spashing each other...then they continued to have battles with the bottles. LOL Oh well, it was cheap entertainment & they had a blast.

Well, it is Sunday evening...time for me to start thinking about heading to bed. I have to get up at 5:30 now & that sure takes some getting used to---especially for a night person. The good news is, I should be going to nights in 2-3 weeks and then I can sleep all day if I want. And I am sure I will need it.

Have a great week, all.

Sick young'en

Here it is, my 2nd week of work and I had to call in today. My son has a tummy bug. Tim is in Chapel Hill, his dad is in Anderson, SC, and my mom is substituting for a maternity leave. So, there was no one left to call to stay home with him.

Thankfully, they are going to let me work on Friday to make up the time. But, it still really bothers me. This is no way to start a new job, especially when you are working thru a temp agency hoping to get hired on permanent thru the company.

Anyhow.....

I seem to be more used to the work this week. I am not nearly as exhausted at the end of the day & have more energy in the mornings. It all just takes time, I suppose.

Our boys are immersed in baseball tournaments right now. 2 of them have games tomorrow night. I will get off work & go straight to the ballfield for 4 hours. Whew! I guess we will be eating at the concession stand tomorrow night. I hate to do that, but sometimes it just is the only option.

I'm anxiously awaiting American Idol tonight. Since Chris went home, I haven't been as interested, but I really hope Taylor wins. I have just ever really cared much for Kat.

Happy Hump Day everyone. The long weekend is just around the corner.....

The Tooth Fairy and other matters of debate

Yesterday I had lunch with my 7 year old son. We had 3 members of his 1st grade class join us. At one point, one little girl was showing me her loose tooth. So, I asked if the tooth fairy comes to see her when she looses a tooth. She said that she does, and then all 4 children launched into a spirited debate on the exsistance of the tooth fairy.

In the end, they agreed that the tooth fairy sounds pretty silly. I just remained quiet while they decided it must be Mom or Dad.

A few minutes later, the same little girl got a concerned look on her face and said, "Well, then...what about Santa?" You could see none of the 4 had concerned the validity of Santa Claus before.

My son said, "Santa has to be real because there is no way Mommy & Tim could go do all that shopping and put everything under the tree while we are sleeping on Christmas Eve."

Sounds logical to me.

Spoiled Rotten

I never realized how spoiled I was until I started this new job. I am used to sitting in front of a computer, on my butt all day. That has been the story for about 8 years now. But, this.........is a whole different story.

I am on my feet for about 10 hours a day, walking around, moving things, on the go constantly. Because it is in a factory, I have to wear heavy steel toed boots. While, I am in Quality Assuarance and not actually MAKING anything, I still have to observe all of the normal safety rules. And after I have tested the fiber optic cable, I have to put it where it goes. And let me tell you, that is no easy task.

Anyhow...I guess I never realized how good I had it before now. The good news it....surely I will loose weight doing all that moving all day. I've been drinking a lot more water & eating less, too. At work, I am just so busy and tired that I don't care about eating much.

I'm not complaining...really I am not. I am thankful to have been given the chance to do this job. It is just going to take some getting used to.


Well, today is our 5 year wedding anniversary. Still haven't completely decided what we are going to do tonight to celebrate, but I want it to be special. In 3 or 4 years I want to look back and remember this night....not strain to recall where we went or what we did.

Have a great weekend!

May 19, 2001

On this day 5 years ago.........

Catching Up

I had a wonderful Mother's Day!!! My family made breakfast, cleaned the kitchen, then my stepdaughter took me to Starbuck's and treated me to one of my favorite sins in the world...White Chocolate Cafe Mocha. We had lunch with all of my family....aunts, uncles, grandma, my parents at a buffet, which was really nice. I was able to spend a little time with my grandma over the weekend, which I don't get to do nearly often enough.

My 8 year old son bought me a very unique handmade necklace...with his own money. He is very stingy with his cash, so this really touched me. The necklace isn't something I would normally choose, but because it is the first thing he ever bought me on his own, I will treasure it forever.

Hubby got me 2 hydrangeas, which is my favorite flower. We spent the afternoon planting them in the front yard and enjoying the gorgeous weather.

Then....Snap! Crackle! Pop! I was carrying a load clothes and somehow slipped and twisted my knee. I actually heard a loud pop. I am not one given to hysterics, but let me tell you I was howling. It hurt worse than I can even describe. I was gasping for air & almost hyperventilated. The whole time my beloved husband was sitting there with me trying to figure out what on earth happened, while I was carrying on like a lunetic.

Anyhow.....I was terrified because I knew I was starting my new job today. I was so sure I had broken my leg. But, in the end, just a pretty good sprain. I can walk on it with a little limp, but steps are a really big problem.

And...I was able to start my job today. HURRAY

Things went really well at work. I am in Quality Assurance....basically I make sure all the fiber optic cable works the way it should. I will be training Mon-Thurs, 10 hours a day for 4-6 weeks, then will start my night shift. It is quite a different environment & position for me, but I really think I am going to like it.

And I know I will like getting the paychecks.

I hope everyone had a great Mother's Day!!!!

Prayer for mothers

Dear Heavenly Father,

We pray in gratitude for our mothers and for all the women who have joined with you in the wonder of bringing forth new life. You who became human through a woman, grant to all mothers the courage they need to face the uncertain future that life with children always brings.Give them the strength to live and to be loved in return, not perfectly, but humanly.

Give them the faithful support of husband, family and friends as they care for the physical and spiritual growth of their children.

Give them joy and delight in their children to sustain them through the trials of motherhood.

Most of all, give them the wisdom to turn to you for help when they need it most.

It is in Jesus Precious Name that I ask it,

Amen.

Night shift here I come!

Well, I just got the call that I for sure have the 12 hour, night shift job. After lots of fact figuring, we had decided that is the one I am going for. It is much more money than I have ever made, plus no day care.

The first 4 weeks ARE going to be difficult. I have to train during the day. So I will have to put my boys in before & after school care. But, I should finish training about the same week they finish school, so the timing works out well.

It also means I have to drop out of the summer session at college. Maybe even have to take a couple of semesters off. That makes me really sad, but you have to do what you have to do. We HAVE to have more income. If not, we will loose our house before much longer. We are currently living payday to payday....disconnect notice to disconnect notice. That is no way for a family to live. And at least, I have 2 years of college under my belt now. No one can take that away and it will be there when I can finish.

Bruins, I appreciate your comments about the difficulty of workign 3rd shift. I think we will be OK, because I will have 3 nights off one week and 4 the following. It cannot be more stressful than never having enough money to survive. And the cost of 3 in day care is just astronomical.

Look out, Corning Cable.....Here I come!

One of the most important responsibilities in the Christian life is to care about others, smile at them, and be a friend to the friendless.

James Dobson

Sea of faces

Today as we were sitting at the middle school waiting to pick up my stepdaughter I decided to really pay attention to all of the students as they flowed out of the school. This may be my last week picking up the kids up at school (I'll explain more about that in a moment)

At the elementary school, you expect to see a wide variety of children. After all, they range from 4 to 11 years old. But the vast difference at the middle school is just astounding. Take the boys. There are some that look like they belong in 4th grade. They are tiny little fellows. At the same time, they are chatting with boys that look more like men. They are 6 feet tall, broad shouldered, and manly.

Then I paid attention to the girls. Some really are still girls. Small, thin, flat chested, and insecure. In other groups there were young ladies that could be mistaken for fashion models......along with the ones that WANTED to be fashion models. Big busted, curvy, and very womanly for 14 or younger.

It just amazed me the different in these "children" as I watched them. Many I would have never guessed went to the same school as my stepdaughter, much less in the same grade as her.

Now....the job situation. I have been waiting for 3 weeks for the process to be completed for me to go to work for a major employer in this area. If have passed all the tests, background checks, just waiting for my hair sample drug test to come back. They pay great, excellent benefits, and something totally new for me. The only catch: it is 12 hour night shifts. 3 days one week, then 4 days the following week.

I just had a call from a temp agency that I've interviewed with offering me my choice of 3 positions. One has to start on FRIDAY. Of this week. It is decent pay, Monday-Friday, 8-5. Another is the same days & hours, but better pay. However, it may or may not be permanent. And lastly, is a great part time position with a HUGE company working 15 hours a week. That one is a contract until December, which could be extended.

So, I'm at a loss as to what to do. The night job is what I'd had my hopes on...and I'm certain I will get it. They said they never send you for a drug test unless they plan to hire you. I have never done any illegal drugs, so that should not be a problem. With that, we would not need any child care at all. However, I would have to take a semester or two off of school. I would need to adjust to the hours & figure out what schedule would work best for classes. That makes me really sad. So this job is the best & worst choice.

The 2 full times job: Mon-Fri 8-5 seem to make the most sense. However, we would need before & after school care for 2 kids during the school year and FULL TIME day care for 3 kids over the summer. That is a lot of money. Almost seems to defeat the purpose of working.

And lastly...the 15 hour a week job.....that would be nice because I could still work at the church. It is for a cigarette company, so I'd have to be around smoke all 15 hours of work. That kinda sucks. And it is a contract position. So, in 6 months, we could be back in the same boat.

OK....I'm sure not many people read thru all that, but it helped me to sort some things out in my own mind. Thanks. I guess I need to go make a sheet of Pros & Cons to decide what I want to do.

There is little good in filling churches with people who go out exactly the same as they came in; the call of the Church is not to fill churches but to fill heaven.

Anonymous

Take me out to the ballgame...

Baseball season keeps us very busy. Usually, we have 3 kids playing, but this season we only have 2. Still, this week we will be at the ballfield 5 days out of 7.

My friends all say it is crazy to spend so much time doing something "unnecessary", but you know, I think playing team sports is very important. Especially if it is something the kids want to do. It teaches them respect, accountability, responsibility, teamwork, etc etc

Last night, my 1st grader hit his first triple. I was so excited. And he was SOOO proud of himself. In that moment, all the hours spent at practice, batting cages, and driving back and forth were all worth it.

Tonight is our only "free" night this week. So, I plan to make a good dinner, kick back, and relax with our family.

And for those of you who watch Idol...were you surprised to see Paris go home? I'm still pulling for Chris....He's my boy ! ! !

Need Your Opinion

Our 5 year anniversary is coming up in a few weeks. I listen and support a Christian radio station here in town. Part of that sponsorship is being able to sponsor a day of programming. I am supposed to write something I want them to read on the air every 45 minutes thruout the day....and of course I picked our anniversary to be the day of honor.

It is really neat. They have an announcer read it with music playing in the background & such. ANYHOW...could I please solistic your opinions on what I have written. Don't want to be too sappy.

"Things are temporary, relationships last forever. Nothing can
replace the time we spend investing in the life of another." -- Roy Lessin

Five years ago on this day two glorious changes occured. First, at 11AM, Tim and I were joined in holy matrimony, surrounded by those that we love. Second, together with our four children, a family was formed. Having a blended family created many challenges, but the rewards have far outweighed any trials.

Tim, I want you to know that I love you from the depths of my soul and I cannot wait to see what the Lord has in store for our future together.

Chelsea, Cody, Austin, and Bryce I love you all dearly and I am so glad that we are a family.

Thanks to everyone in our family for your support while I am in college---I couldn't do it without you. You are all such an incredible blessing to me.

Happy 5 year Anniversary! "