Psssstttt....

Look to the left!

Do you see what I see?

Simply amazing...

$74.00

Yes, you see that right!

$74.00 from my goal!!

What an amazing group of people who are making this trip possible. I can't thank everyone enough. It sounds redundant to say it again...but the prayers, encouragement and support has been amazing.

It's really going to happen! In just over 3 months!

I'm Back....

Sorry it's been so long since I've updated!  I'm working about 20 hours a week at Marsh right now and it is just wearing me out!

BUT - it's foor a good cause and for a short time.  Let's just say my boys have been amazing and supportive and very helpful!  I'm thinking another month or so and I should be good!

Here's what's going on!

Andrew has Poison Ivy.  Had to take him to the medcheck cause it's on his face.  He got it at the school's annual Compassion Crusade cleaning up at the local Boys and Girls club.  He's on steroids for 2 weeks.  Better him than me!  =)

I've picked up a new "hobby" that I find relaxing and creative.  If you know me, I don't have an ounce of creativity in my body.  And if you know my husband, he said "another hobby??" I have 3 - cross stitching, card making and now this.  But each one has it's own place.  I stitch in the evening, quill at lunch and make cards on the weekend.   But each one seems to be taking over my living room.  But he did admit that he finds comfort in seeing me do it - his mom was very much a crafter. 

Here's how you quill - basically you take 1/8 wide strips of paper and wind them up. You let them unwind a little, glue the end and make designs with them.  Like this:

I plan to use these decorations on my cards and stuff I make.  Right now I'm just experimenting.  Go to youtube and do a search for quilling videos.  Some of those creations are AMAZING!

And I've actually been doing a little yard work!  I've never been one to enjoy plants and stuff (I can't keep a house plant alive for anyting - has to do something with watering them I heard) and we've been at the house 17 years now and I've never gotten the yard work bug.  The only thing I like to do is cut grass.  Anyhow, I've transplanted part of my lilac bush, planted hostas that a friend at work gave me, container planted tomato, basil, and green pepper plants and planted sunflowers.  Oh, and a may have ruined our lawnmover when I ran over a yard tool.  DOH!  =)

Michael's MP3 player died, so Andrew and I are pitching in to get him an early Father's day gift.  I ordered it off of e-bay - hopefully it'll be here first of next week!  Shhhh...don't tell!

Andrew's last day of school is next Thursday. He'll be a senior.  I just can't belive it!  Kenny graduates next Friday - I can't believe that either.  The boys have known each other since they were 3 & 4.      Where does the time go?!

Michael is doing well.  Work is picking up (yea!) and he got on the bugging team!  That means more hours and we like that!

I haven't been going to the auction much with Daddy on Thursday's, but I did go last night.  It was nice spending the time with him.  I didn't get anything but I did enjoy my time with Daddy.

This week I shouldn't work too much.  I had to have Friday off for Kenny's graduation and then time off to go to a very special wedding (Hi Margie!) - Michael and I are so looking forward to some time as a couple.  And we are taking his car - it has BUTT/BACK WARMERS!  That actually helps my hips...keeps them from hurting.

That's about it this morning.  I'll post more as I can.  I'll do an update to my mission trip soon as well.  I've got new totals to add so I'm excited about that!

Thanks for hanging in there...

Just a note...

Sorry it's been so long since an update.  I've got lots to share but I'm just pooped from working at Marsh.  I'll  make a point of updating within the next few days.

Guess I'm not as young as I used to be, huh?  =)

Chick-fil-A Fundraiser!

When? Monday June 7th


Where? Chick-fil-A on Southport Road

Time? 4-8pm

How can you help? Come HUNGRY!

I get 20% of all orders that night for those that turn in my flyer. Feel free to print this blog post as your flyer or let me know and I'll be sure to mail one to you! I plan on working on them this week and start getting them in the mail!

The funds raised will be used to offset my shots... which I need to get scheduled!!!

Feel free to pass this on to anyone you know that will be willing to come! The more the merrier!!!

Junior/Senior Banquet

Here are a few pictures of Andrew's Jr/Sr Banquet!

He took a good friend, Heather.  

And what a beautiful pair they made!

They took Michael's car (which Andrew had washed and cleaned that day!)

They had a good time at the banquet.  It was a little hard for Heather since she didn't know anyone - but they sat with Kenny and his girlfriend and they both said they had a good time.  They had hoped to go see Iron Man with Kenny and his girlfriend, but the movie was sold out.  Drat!

Baby Bottles

Each year on Mother's Day at church they give out baby bottles.  The purpose behind them is to collect your change and then on Father's Day you return your bottle and the funds are completely donated to Life Centers (used to be Crisis Pregnancy Centers)

This year as we were walking in I grabbed one and so did Andrew.  We pass someone else handing them out and we each pick up another.  We get upstairs and I decide to grab two more.  That is one a week to fill with my change to donate.

Andrew says, "I can't let her out do me" so he grabs and extra.  =)

So the bottles are sitting on top of our entertainment center.  Andrew has the green one in the middle and the 4 orange on the left.  I have the two yellow and the two pink.

Every time Andrew puts change in his bottle he does a dance to announce he is ahead of me.

And he is.

He is a person that does not spend his change.  I've been saving my change in a different jar on the entertainment center for a birthday day that a friend and I are going to share.  But now my change is being diverted into my baby bottles.

It's neat to see how the change is adding up.  In two days one of Andrew's bottles is almost 1/2 full (the second from the left) - my pink bottle (in-between the two yellow ones) is just over 1/3.   Our goal is to fill one bottle each week.

Change to help a program we believe in.  

I'll keep you posted!

Since you asked....

I am doing great with no cokes.  Not that I never have one, but maybe once a month I have one.  I had one last week since I was working Marsh late - but it backfired.  I guess since I don't drink them often the caffeine really hits me.  I had it about 3 in the afternoon and when I got off work at 10 I was still wired.  I was up most of the night (and I mean MOST of the night) so that made for a really long day at work the next day.  I am enjoying drinking water with the occasional raspberry tea!!

AND...

I am finding peace behind the wheel.  I am doing well with not racing like the devil on the roads (even when I am running late to work!) and changing lanes to get ahead one spot.  Not that I never do, but it's just...well, different now.  It's a nice feeling to enjoy driving again.

YES...

Mom's birthday was hard.  This year felt harder than others.  But maybe that is just the way you heal.  Daddy and I went to lunch on Mom's birthday - that was nice.  Mother's day is Sunday so the pain is still there with that reminder.  Michael and Andrew have been wonderful supports.

AND...

I'm still making cards and enjoying it - but finding the creativity lacking.  Not that I'm a creative or crafty person, but every once in while it works well and when it does I really enjoy making them!   I hope it comes back soon!

BUT...

I'm not getting much stitching done.  I have someone who is selling my bookmarks for me (yea!) but I'm struggling with getting them done.  I think I'll have two done this week. Maybe because this was a busy week - maybe I'm just getting older and working two jobs takes more out of me than it used to.  Either way I need to focus on them!

WANTING....

to get out geocaching - I haven't been out since last fall.  I have a few of my caches that I need to repair so I think I'll just focus on keeping those up an running.

BUDGETING...

Still sucks, but that is ok.  I'm doing well avoiding my pitfalls (JoAnn's, Hobby Lobby and Michael's) unless I have a coupon and spending only my weekly budget.  And yes, my car is doing well on gas.  =)

THANKS!

For sticking in here with me.  I know I seem to be a wholly mess, but remember I am a work in progress.

Day off...

What a wonderful day off!

Andrew's banquet is tonight (in fact, the banquet is over and the 4 kids  - Andrew, Heather,  Kenny and Ashley - have gone out as a group) so I took the day off.  I was so glad I did!

It started with a nice visit with Daddy this morning first thing - I didn't say long but it was a nice visit.  He gave me mom's rolling pin.  =)  We used to use it to make filled cookies together.

Then I went up north to visit a friend from work who just had a baby.  Miss. Abigail is almost 2 weeks old and perfect in every way!  So for the next 2.5 hours I held her and visited with her mom.

Then I went to visit ANOTHER friend from work (I'm drinking the water there, but nothing is happening!) who just had a baby who is just over 3 weeks old.  Master Jacob was also perfect in every way!  So for the NEXT 2.5 hours I held him and visited with his mom!

Both babies let me hold them and hold them and then hold them some more.  What wonderful mom's they both are and the they are really enjoying their blessings.  Thanks to both for allowing me wonderful baby fixes!!!

I came home and Andrew was almost ready to go.  He had picked up the flowers, washed Michael's car and showered and shaved.  I followed him to Heather's house to take pictures and off they went.  I visited with my friend for an hour or so and came home.  My camera STILL won't work on iPhoto (since December - it's driving me crazy) - so I'll upload the pictures later.

Just talked to Andrew on the phone and he said they had a good time.  They are now going to Great Times for awhile.  The storms have passed and now it's just getting cold and windy.  I'm so glad he is out and about and having a good time.

Tomorrow I work 2-8 - so hopefully I can sleep in awhile, do some stuff around the house and have a quick day at work and come home in time to watch Dr. Who with Andrew.   Looks to be a good weekend!

That is it for now.  I'll get a post up with the banquet details as soon as I can!  In the meantime, I'm going to curl up on the couch with Cocoa and wait for Andrew to get home!

Have a wonderful weekend!!

Andrew - my teacher

Andrew's school has prayer meetings Monday, Wednesday and Friday before school for any students that want to attend.  It usually lasts about 20 minutes and then the teachers go to their morning devotions.

Andrew attends on a really regular basis.  On those days we are both leaving at the same time (I'm running out the door because I am running late - he is going in early for prayer meeting) - but he's been trying to find ways to boost attendance.  He's bought donuts and cookies - and not having much luck.  He'll ask kids in the hall, but most are too busy catching up with friends to attend.

So yesterday he decided that if the kids won't go to the prayer meetings, he'll bring the prayer meeting to them. He went around the lunch room asking kids if they had any prayer requests.  He said usually they have a handful of prayer requests but yesterday he had a notebook page full.  Kids responded wonderfully.  

I have learned so much from Andrew.  He is passionate about his faith and for others.  He isn't afraid to talk to teenagers about how he can pray for them.  I know I couldn't do that at his age.  And how often do I ask my adult friends and co-workers how I can pray for them?  

I thank God for my son.   Andrew has taught me - and continues to teach me - about who I want to be.  

Missing my mom....

Tonight my heart is heavy.  Tomorrow is mom's birthday.  There is so much I want to say to her, so much that I want to share.

I find peace knowing that we will be together again.  But that doesn't help much tonight.

Just stuff...

Well dad's trees are down! Joe got off work early Friday and went over and cut them down. By the time I got there after work we just had sticks to break up and box. Dad gave those to me for my campfires. Shame the weekend wasn't conducive for a campfire!!!

I worked Saturday from 10:15 - 6:45. It really goes pretty fast. I like that part! Everyone is nice - but boy were we busy! Marsh called Sunday (during a fire drill at church!) and asked if I could come in. I had a busy day planned so I couldn't go in.

Andrew and I went to 3 Goodwill’s and found him a tie for this weekend. We found it at the first Goodwill we went to, but decided to check the other two just in case we liked one better. We had a good time together shopping too – I’ll cherish these moments forever.

We got Michael's car fixed!!! The brother of a friend fixed it for us for an incredible price! So now we can use the passenger side door! Hooray! He also cleaned the inside of it for us - so Andrew just has to get the outside washed on Friday. I'll order the flowers today and we will be all set! I'm pretty excited.

Not much planned this week. I just work on Wednesday 5-10. I would usually go to the card ministry on Tuesday night, but right now I’m cutting back to keep my energy up. So I’ll run up to church to drop some stuff off and then come back home. Andrew has a school program on Thursday as well that I’ll go to!

OH OH OH!!! Someone asked for a few of my corner bookmarks to sell to friends who saw hers. So I mailed her 11 – she said she is selling them all as a fundraiser for my trip!! She asked for more by next Sunday. So my goal is to make 5 or 6 more – isn’t that exciting?!?!

I kinda rambled today – sorry about that. I don’t think my thoughts are flowing well. I’m sure it’ll get better soon!