Updates...

My tripple whammy turned to pneumonia. Just now getting over it.

Mom is still mom...Alzheimer's a little worse.

Tori will be 18 this week...Happy Birthday Tori! Love you!

Sam is getting tall!

Have not bought the first Christmas present!

A coworker/supervisor passed away today after a battle with cancer. Active in church and community. He leaves behind his wife, two children, grandchildren and his 82-year old mother. No sibblings.

I hurt for his whole family - but it is his mother whom I ache for.

Pray for his family.

TRIPLE WHAMMY

STREP THROAT

BRONCHITIS

EAR INFECTION


WHO?


ME!!! UGH!!!!!

$8.63

Today I was in Dollar Tree- for those who don't know - this is a store where everything is a $1.00 - and I heard this elderly couple talking on an aisle- they were probably in their 80's - - they were planning 4 days worth of meals - they were waiting on their check that would be in the bank on Monday. They had spaghetti o's, a frozen pizza, soup, some vegetables, chicken salad, juice, bread, and a few other things. Well then I got behind them in line - and they didn't have enough money. $8.63 short.

They shouldn't have to worry about stuff like that - especially in a Dollar Store.

I was blessed to help out - but wonder if they will be in the same boat in a few weeks.

Mom has kept me busy for the past few days. I am ready for her to move in - just so I know everyone is in the same place and I won't be on the road as much. But I know her moving in will present a whole new set of challenges.

I haven't been feeling too hot of late - I am tired- not sleeping -stressed - I need a new job- the one I have doesn't pay enough-though they are very flexible with all that goes on in my life - that is a blessing. I am customer service - and people are so mean to folks on the phone. Be kind to all the customer service people you deal with - it really isn't their fault.

Tori has SENIORITIS - she is ready to be finished.

Sam is about to be a teenager - that will be fun.

Church is nice- we are fitting in with our new church family.

Finally.....

It feels like fall and it rained some last week. Whew it has been so very hot and dry.

Halloween is this weekend. Sam will dress as the Grim Reaper - the county in which we live - every community is on a different Halloween Schedule - makes it for a confusing but fun and busy time.

The kids have been away this week on fall break trips and such.

This mama bird is ready for the chicks to return to the nest. I missed them.

Tori came home last night bringing along with her dirty laundry, dishes left everywhere, an energy that missed terribly and a smile that brightens my world.

Sam is coming home today. I bet he will seem taller.

Needing to be needed.......

My mother spent the night with us on Friday night - I am actually trying to do this more often - to let her get used to the house and such, because I know one day - very soon - she will move in with us.

She wanted KFC - so that is what we had - KFC. She then offered to clean the kitchen - we didn't use any dishes and such (used paper plates) - and I told her as much - but she went in there anyway and started cleaning - well she detailed cleaned! (Her house is spotless) - she just cleaned and cleaned - enjoyed it. (she loves to clean and organize)

You know what she said to me? "Well, Becky, you can't help it if you work - and can't clean house." (like my house is a garbage dump! ha!)




But all kidding aside- this made me realized - she needs to be needed.

I am very tired today!

I have forgotten how to relax.

Or let me put it this way...I am not allowing myself to relax.

I used to read to relax..somehow that has been pushed to the side...but no more....I have started reading again and am enjoying it. Maybe it is not the straight into the night reading like I used to - but now it is a few minutes on my lunch break...or a few minutes before bedtime -but I am enjoying it.

This past week - I read my Bible more - now imagine how much better my week went! God is good ...and when you are closer to Him...life is better. Mind you not easier...just better knowing you are closer to Him.

________________________________________

Busy times.....

The new school year is busy as every. Both kids brought home pretty decent interim reports last night. Especially proud of Sam's math grade. Whoo hoo.

Tori's senior year seems to be flying by - I hope she is enjoying it. Sam is learning much in football - it is hard for him to practice a lot and not play a game - but his day is coming- we tell him he has to "pay his dues"

Mom is still the same - at times the Alzheimers is worse - and it is not a matter of if but when she moves in with us.

Work is okay for me - I want something else -and one day that something else will happen.

Church is great - we have started teaching children's church - kids are sweet and funny.

Steve is working hard - he was so tired last night.

Sam made the football team!

Yeah!

We are all so excited and very proud. He tried out and made it.

Way to go Sam!

Back to School..


Well - tomorrow begins the school year. Actually it is a 1/2 day for registration - then they start full time next week.

Sam's first year in middle school. Wow. I no longer have an elementary student in my household. I am about to enter the teen years with him.

Tori and Steve's youngest are about to enter their senior year. I can't believe my girl is a senior. I am so proud of her.

Parenting your parent...

My mother seems to be in the first stages of Alzheimer's (my dad and three aunts suffered, and it is suffering from it) and she is keeping me hopping.

It is heartbreaking, exhausting, and frustrating at the same time.

Some of the things she says and does will make you laugh and if you are down - cry like a baby.

Decisions will have to be made in the upcoming months.

I know God will guide us to make the right ones.

Your prayers are appreciated more than you can know.

A shift....

Well I knew it was coming.....

The "official" shift from little boy to preteen.

Hmmph.

We had a Sunday School Social at our home on Saturday night - (it was fun by the way, we watched Blindside and had a dinner of cold cuts and such) - everyone brought their kids - and well my son ditched the younger boys playing Nerf guns and other stuff. And ended up sitting on the patio in the middle of about 4 12-13 year old girls.

Hmmph.

Balance....

Trying to find balance. I was home a short time - but it doesn't take long to get used to something does it?

Working full time, yard work, housework, part-time job on weekends, kids, mom, family, church...and wait until school begins. I know God will direct me - I must put him first before all and the rest will fall into place. But I am so hard headed at times!

Tori and Sam are fine. Busy. Tori goes and goes! Sam does too. He is so tan from swimming and playing outside.

I have two days off scheduled in August - I am looking forward to them.

Senior Pictures....

Tori had senior pictures today...we went to lunch and did a little shopping. It was a fun day. I even managed to grocery shop today.

A movie....
Tonight Steve, Sam and I plan to go see the new Karate Kid movie.


A goal....
I am going to really work on time management and organization..two things I used to excel at, now I stink at.

The weather...
It is hot. Plain and simple. Miserable hot.

Updates...


Well, I started my job this past week. I worked there 12 years ago - I left when Sam was born. I was thinking if I had known then the journey that I was about to take, I would have stayed. Whew! But all happens for a reason.

I am starting out at the bottom and my ego was bruised for a minute - but it is better than no job at all. I will continue to do my part time bookkeeping job from home and Steve and I will deliver books each week - both little jobs help out tremendously. I will have to be in check with my attitude though, I get bored - but I will dust and such if I have to. I believe firmly in working while at work!

Tori is blessed to be in Gulf Shores this week with a friend and her family - they go every year and called and invited Tori - she was so excited. It gives me a whole week without worrying about her on the road! ha ha! I know she will have fun. She's had a week of stuff happening - her phone broke, her battery had to be replaced in her car, etc. Whew.

Sam is going to a friends house later this week for a few days - a home of 6, yep count 'em, 6 boys. They will swim, run and play. This used to be his babysitter - and he always had a good time with them. This will be good for him. He tried out for football last week - we will know in August - there is a camp he will go to next week - I think this will help in the decision process - plus it will be good exercise for him. (He turned 12 a few weeks ago)

They both have finished school - and did well. I now have a senior and a 6th grader! Yeah Tori and Sam.

Our church will have a new Sunday School Class about relationships - I am excited - it is something we need. I also want to teach children's choir - but need that confirmation from Steve and kids.

My dad will be gone 8 years this week - I miss him terribly. Mom struggles between one extreme and the other mentally - it can be exhausting at times. She is really having a hard time adjusting to me working.

We adopted a dog a few weeks ago - Kylee - she is so sweet!

I got a job!

I start next Monday - May 24th. I am so excited and relieved!

God is good!

Observation.....

My kids are spreading their wings. Tori especially - hopefully all she has been taught is a strong foundation. She works hard, does well in school, and is happy and healthy. What a blessing. Selfishly, a small part of me wants her to still need me - but she is almost 18 - she is very independent, has a strong will and a definite opinion.

Sam is at the beginning of spreading his wings. He is very sensitive to women (thanks in part to being the only male in a household of women ages 10-80), the "leader" of the nerf gun boys in the neighborhood (though he is impatient and slightly bossy), he is about to enter middle school and is struggling with "not liking" what he looks like. I think he is finally realizing the importance of soap, shampoo and deodorant. :)


I am proud of both of them!! Love you Tori and Sam!


Job interview...

I have one Thursday - it is for a part time position - but we need the income. I am printing fliers today for cleaning houses - maybe I will get a couple of calls. Please pray something comes through soon. Though I have to be honest - all the little part time jobs have pretty much replaced my income. And we have cut back a whole lot - you learn that you can do without a whole lot of stuff.



Closet cleaning...

I cleaned Sam's closet out yesterday...whew. And I cleaned out mine and Steve's closet. Let me tell you right now, the bulk of the mess in our closet - belonged to me. I am trying to figure out why my purse, my car and my closet are the three messiest areas in my life. (And possibly my dresser) Sam's closet was typical boy..broken stuff, taped together stuff, Lego's, boxes of more stuff, glasses and bowls. Needless to say when I was finished, I had a lot of stuff being thrown out or being donated. We have been here two years and it is amazing how much stuff we have accumulated.

Life Changes.....

We are making other changes and I think they...no I know they are good ones. The right steps in the right direction. God is good.