What to do?

Once again, I’ve neglected my blog… It’s definitely not for lack of things to talk about… I just lack the time to write I guess…

Then I become so overwhelmed I don’t even know where to start or what to say… so the pattern repeats…

My days are full to the brim with kids activities… driving many miles with rising gas prices… yard work that overwhelms… appointments… tantrums… learning… ever learning…

I wonder if it’s time for my family to make a physical move?  Is it time for us to live closer to where we are constantly going?  There is no reprieve in sight from the hours it takes on the road to live the lives we live… nor the price of the gasoline to get us there.

Leaves, weeds, sticks, branches & grass that grows & falls uncontrollably… once a pleasure to tend to has now become a burden on my back… a task I enjoy, sitting taunting me because I don’t have the time to enjoy it.

A child with needs that seems to have needs that will grow in time, not lessen… issues that won’t be grown out of… damage that is done… that is going to take a team for many, many years… how can I do this all?

Older children… longing for my attention… hurting… struggling to grow up in a world full of choices to be made… how do I fill all the needs.  I can’t be everything for them… I can’t do all that I would like to do.  They make mistakes & I panic…

Would a physical move be the best?  But, what of the restrictions of smaller property?  Neighbors close by who may not understand that my children are not used to such restrictions?  More people around us is good or bad?

Fears to overcome.

Not just my own fears.  But the fears of those around me.

What is best?  Where do You want us?  How do I do this?  What am I doing that I shouldn’t be doing?  Why is there never enough time?  Why is there never enough energy?  Why is there never enough of me to go around?  Why am I not enough? 

Sinking in to my Lord & Savior… trying to grasp a little more each year who He is… Who He is to me… Who He is to my family… Who He wants to be that I don’t know how to let Him be… Who I am trying to be that I am not supposed to be…

Praying for God to show me what is mine to do & what is His… Each day.

Happy Easter!  He is Risen… oh that I could grasp what that means for me.

Pam

Crazy week…

So, after thinking, praying & reading your comments on my last post, I felt like I needed to call Jim and make sure he knew about the musical.  I called tonight & he said he didn’t know anything about it.  I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt, but I am pretty sure he was lying about that, but anyway… I told him about it & he said he was going to come. 

So, Zach gets home… he says “I need to call dad about the musical”  I said, “yes, you do, I told you to do that a month ago”. 

Of course he doesn’t remember that I said that! 

GRRRR!!!!

Anyway, I did my part… micromanaged…. uhg, uhg, uhg.

Of course at this point there are no good seat available & they will have to sit on the sides…

WHY DO I HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING FOR EVERYONE!!??!!

I told him he should tell his family… I doubt any of them will come.

I have no relationship with his mom.  She is actually much worse off than he even is, and the root of many of his issues.  His dad passed away many years ago of cancer.  It’s very difficult to explain without giving many gory details, but sometimes people are just not “safe” people to be in relationship with… does that make any sense?

Zach isn’t feeling well, he has a cold, at least I hope it’s only a cold.  There is construction going on at the school that has had his sinus’s clogged for a while.  He thought it was wax in his ear making so he couldn’t hear, I kept telling him I thought it was fluid.  He had the school nurse look at it today & she agrees with me.  So, he’s taking some allergy meds & hopefully will pull out of it quickly.

Kiahna is having good days at school!!!  SO HAPPY for that!!! 

Tonight she was working on her phone number, she’s been working on it for quite awhile, and she just doesn’t get it.  FAS can make learning incredibly difficult, sometimes I just don’t know if she will “get” things.  I decided to put the number to music & she got it!!!!  We sang it about 100 times tonight!  Tomorrow I hope I can remember the tune, I tried to make it simple & put it to Mary had a little lamb, but it didn’t flow, so I am not sure what song it is to the tune of! 

Yesterday I got my new washer & dryer… oh my!!!  As of now everything in the house is washed!!!  LOVE the larger loads!!!!!  MAYBE I won’t have to live with HUGE piles of laundry constantly laying on my laundry room floor!!!! 

I also got my new sump pump & back up sump pump… which isn’t nearly as exciting…but just about as costly…

The basement is slowly going back together, I am throwing lots of stuff away & giving lots away!

My water heater might be leaking & my brakes might be squeaking… but I am out of money so they both need to hold on for awhile!!

The next 3 nights we will be at the musical each night… I am taking both girls out of school tomorrow after lunch for Kiahna’s counseling and swim suit shopping for Leah…

DID I MENTION THAT WE LEAVE FOR FLORIDA IN A LITTLE OVER  WEEK!!!??!!!

Pam

“Summer Break” _Ha!

Once you lose your momentum in keeping up a blog it sure is hard to get back into it.  I don’t plan to stop writing here, I just don’t have enough hours in most of my days.  Aren’t you proud of me for choosing to skip blogging rather than, you know, feeding my children? 

Well, I haven’t been doing a great job of feeding my children either. 

Running them all over the place.  I do pretty good at that.

We got back Saturday from a great week at the lake with my whole family.  All 31 of us.  It went really, really well.  The weather was fabulous.  We were in the water until dark many nights.  My brother-in-laws drove the boat hours & hours pulling kids endlessly.

I have about 1800 photos to sort through from the week.  It was a very busy week, not super relaxing, but nice. 

I came home and started making a list of all the things I needed to do this week.  There went every ounce of relaxation I had bottled up from the week away.

Realized that 4-H projects are due on Tuesday.

Began hyperventilating.

Seriously.  Why can’t summer just be summer?

Today we get to go back to the counselors with J & K.  I don’t know that it is helping.  They are doing pretty good, what to credit, I don’t know.  I’ve taken K off her meds for the summer.  Waiting for insurance to approve the in-depth testing we have been told to get.  Doesn’t look too promising it is going to happen before school starts.

Leah has cheerleading practices 2 times a week for the rest of the summer.

Zach has football practices & basketball practices for the rest of the summer (optional until August, then football is in full swing).

Lucas is starting summer school 3 days a week for 2 hours tomorrow.

Lucas has waited 2 months to have a birthday party.  This week we are going to try to pull that off.

I have 2 photo sessions to edit from before vacation.  & a senior photo shoot to do this week.

A break isn’t going to happen is it.

Silly me for being delusional enough to thing summer meant break.

Praying God refreshes my soul.  That’s what I need more than anything. 

Pam

Photos from the weekend…

Leah in the Middle School play…

James & Zach’s track season ended.  James got 6th place in the 110 hurdles & doesn’t move on.  He was playing with the kids on the track afterwards… you know just to make it that much harder to see him go one day soon…

Last Swing Choir Performance…

Photo with Mr B…  Teachers who invest countless hours in kids lives… Bless Them God.

Swing Choir Party after the last performance…

All the seniors, letting me take some fun shots of them last night…   Oh, and we can’t forget that I photographed my very first wedding over the weekend!!  I left Friday afternoon & met my friend Jodi who was my second shooter, and we spent the night & photographed from 9 am til 4:30 on Saturday.  Won’t be editing until after graduation, you know, except this one…

Another busy week of appointments, planning, & last times…

Pam

Where I try to catch up… again.

Right now, I am giving myself permission to sit & type…

Kiahna is playing behind the chair.  Talking to herself or the dog, or something.

Jadon went with Grandpa for awhile.

Lucas is playing video games & coming upstairs to do chores for me when I call him.

Leah is still laying in bed, with her ipod.

Zach has been with me to the chiro this morning, and he drove me to his work and then I came home.

James went to work.

That’s all of us right?

I’ve had one of the  busiest weeks of my life so far, at least as I can remember, maybe there were busier & I just blocked out the memory.

I put over 500 miles on my van this week, never going more that 40 miles from home.

See.

James Graduation announcements got mailed.

Which means I now have no choice but to plan a party.  :)

It feels so good to have his college choice made.  I wish I would have had a chance to visit the college myself before he made the decision, but… I am one person, I must trust God, I must let James make his choices.

The financial aid package is so much better with this choice.  The college appears to be an excellent decision.  He will room with one of his best friends who he has known all his life, Alex.

I have to share this picture of them when they were young…

The size ration may still be about the same!!  “Big Al” threw 53 feet 2 inches last night in the shot put, another school record. 

James ran another personal best of 15.2.  Still 1 tenth of a second shy of the school record.  2 or 3 more tries to meet or break it.

The next 3 kids are all doing well.  Hanging in there with me while I ask a lot of them.  Good kids.

Now, go fold your laundry. 

Oh, not you, them.

:)

Jadon had a really, really, really bad day on Thursday.  I am not even sure I am ready to talk about it.  He stayed home from school.  We went to a counseling appt.  Went to the health food store.  Made another therapy appointment at another place.  Prayed.  Cried.  Feared.  Prayed.

Friday was night & day different.  Maybe there was break through?  I don’t know.

We need hope.

Kiahna’s been doing okay.  Went to the play therapy again.  I don’t really know how that is going.  Next week I meet with her counselor to talk about it.

Tonight we have Mother’s day with my family.  & 3 birthdays.

I need to get food.  And gifts.  And make cake.

One birthday is one of my kids.

Lucas.

I asked him to wait until after graduation for a party.  I hate doing that to him.  May 18th is his day to turn 12!

I got poison ivy.  I itch.  I think I’ve seen the worst of it & don’t plan on going to the doctor. 

It’s cold again.  & cloudy.  Wanted to take newborn pictures of my new niece today.  Too cloudy.  Hoping Monday wont be too late for her to be sleepy for pictures.

Watched week 9 of Beth Moore’s Breaking Free Bible study yesterday.  She is so filled with the Holy Spirit.  And I have so much to grasp about the Love of God.  Asking Him to show me.

Reading another parenting book.  Hoping for some tools to deal with my strong willed children.  Maybe I’ll share if I find something working well.  It always sound good in theory when you read a book, doesn’t it?

Better get moving, more miles to put on the van ya know.

Pam

Babies, prom, busy…

Our weekend was just as busy as predicted.

Perhaps a tad bit more so.

This precious little bundle decided to come into the world this weekend…

Meeting Eva Joy…

 

Ben’s a great “step” dad to my sister’s 4 older children, this is his first time to be a baby’s dad!  He’s pretty proud!

 

More prom pictures…

I told them to hold this rose.  James asked “how”, and then put it in his mouth like this…

Then turned & looked at the camera… oops!

 

More of their prom photos are on the post before this one.

After prom…

James is visiting Bethel College today.

The plan at this point, is that they have offered him a scholarship to run track there next year.  If all goes well, he should be “signing” with them tomorrow! 

Stay tuned.

Pam

Where I try to catch up on all I haven’t had time to say…

Okay, If I actually did that I’d never stop writing now would I!!

The big things…

Still waiting to hear from the college James applied to last week about admission, scholarships, & the final price tag.

Canceled our trip to AU, as we wait to hear from the other college.

Waiting for ACT test scores that will decide A LOT!

I officially still HATE to wait.

Excited to watch James run again tonight, hoping for a fair race.  Hoping he does his very best & he wins! Tonight’s race is against Bluf**ton & Wo**dlan.  B has a fast guy.  James has a faster time than anyone else in our conference so far… so exciting & nerve-racking!! 

Working towards graduation, and the big open house we are hosting for James.  The grad ceremony is June 6, his party is June 5.  I rented a fellowship hall to have it in. 

Working on the menu.

Guest list.

A slide show of memories.

Table decorations.

Praying about it all.

DEEP BREATH!!

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Taking Kiahna to her first play therapy appointment tomorrow. 

It’s an hour drive each way & we are going to try it once a week for awhile here.

Praying for the counselor to see ways that we can help her & meet her needs.

She’s not doing awful, & Kindergarten screening went great! 

I was asked if I was “doing okay with things with her”.  My answer is, yes.  BUT, just because I am doing okay & we have learned to function and adapt to her & her ways, doesn’t mean that there are not still issues & things that we could be doing to help her.

In my past experience, she has a hard time fitting into a mold of any one “diagnosis”.  She exhibits traits of many different things, none of them majorly severe, but enough to keep her from reacting appropriately & processing things like most of us do.

Lots of prayers have been answered.  I am thankful.

The rest of the kids are doing pretty well.  Kinda taking a back seat to all the graduation preparing & James senior year.

Since we didn’t go to AU last weekend, I used an extra ticket some friends had to go to Beth Moore’s Simulcast last weekend.

A time of refreshing for me that was deeply needed.

My mom has been doing so much around my house to help me.  She is an amazing blessing.  Doing things that I can’t even think about doing at this point in my life.

I officially decided I am not even going to worry about my wood floor until after graduation.  I am going to do dishes & get meals on the table & keep the washer going.  Those are my high goals for  housekeeping.

We get to cover our flowers tonight.  Freeze warning.  :)  I knew it was a risk, but I was willing to take it, so now we can’t forget to cover them.

Thanks for reading!!

Pam

Riding downhill fast.

Have you ever rode a bike down a big, long hill?

When you get near the bottom of the hill you reach maximum speed.

Speeds so fast your feet have to leave the pedals and just hang on and ride it out until the ground begins to level & your speed begins to slow.

Large Family + End of School year = Maximum Speed.

Add to the mix the fact that this is the end of a senior year.

Even faster.

If I told you how many things we have going on around here, you would probably either gasp, laugh, or shake your head in doubt of my sanity…

Even when the calendar is “empty”, there are 100’s of things that have been neglected around this house that scream for attention. 

I did say “no” to 2 things this week.  Unfortunately they were photo shoots.  I have a few on my schedule, and just can’t take anymore on at this time. 

So, see.  Have limits.

I feel like I really really could use some “me” time.  I guess that this afternoon when I go to Bible Study, and then travel with some other mom’s to the track meet, and we take the food for the team… that will have to count.  At least it will be adult conversation without my other children in tow (I think)!

So, if you see someone fly by with arms & legs flailing & screams of exhilaration coming from somewhere within the streak… it’s probably just a mom.  She probably is trying to plan a graduation, get to all six of her kids activities, get all 6 of her kids to their activities, make 72 cupcakes to take to the carnival, bag 50 bags of grapes for the track team, finish editing senior pictures, visit her child’s college, not stress about where the money will come from for college, make food for her family to eat that day, mow the yard, wash the dishes, braid hair, shop for her family, pay the bills, do the laundry, get the dog fixed, go to appointments… and she’s probably feeling guilty about all the things she is neglecting to do… like clean the house, exercise, fold the laundry, be at 2 or 3 places at once…

Smile and Wave.

Pam

Moving to Town.

This is the time of year that I most think about moving out of the country and into the small (very small) town that my kids go to school in.

Or at the very least putting my sister’s pop up camper in the large yard of the baseball complex in town & staying there for the next 2 months.

5 of my kids are playing on 4 different baseball leagues this spring.

At least they all play at the same complex (most of the time, some of Zach’s won’t be there). 

Too bad these coaches can’t get together and all plan their practices around my schedule & make MY life less confusing and inconvenienced.

Smile.

One trip to town, school & ball diamonds, 1 gas station, 1 restaurant (that closes at 8 on weekdays don’t try to go there after a track meet on a Thursday night!!), a tire sales/repair place, a grain taking place, a post office (also with strange hours).  Is 12 miles one way from me.

I made that trip 3 times after school yesterday.

Not to mention going to Big B town, then Little B town, then D town the back to Little B town, before school let out!!

Why do I live out in the country again? 

Ummmm… not sure.

But, you know the positive side of living out here is it gets me out of things like cleaning my house, doing our laundry, cooking, mowing the lawn, taking walks… you know because I am always driving!

We do love it out here…& we have great neighbors & family close.  We carpool when we can.  :) 

So, don’t panic, we aren’t moving, at least not unless we move into that camper on the baseball field…

Pam

The last week & a half… in Twitter & a few pictures just added!

It’s been so busy… It feels like I always say that.  I know.  I don’t know how to go back and catch up… so I am going to my twitter account and copying them on here…

Beginning with December 19… until today…

SNOW! & The first morning of Christmas Vacation!! Childhood dreams & Memories!! :)

The snow continues to come down! So pretty! Kids just made gingerbread houses & I just drank gingerbread coffee! Merry Christmas!!

Jadon & Lucas are out playing in the snow! K is watching from the window. she didnt want to go out. Leah is playing on the computer.

Just took Zach to the school so he can go to the away game tonight. We aren't going its over an hour away.James has barely been off the couch

My kids are very excited to spend the day with their dad tomorrow. They have not visited since summer... sigh...

...all except Kiahna who has adamantly said she is not going. She even told him "no" on the phone after calling him by his first name. sigh

Please pray for my kids tomorrow. Its hard to see much benefit to his influence on their lives. Yet. He is their dad & they love him.

"I hate divorce, says the Lord God of Israel" Malachi 2:16 So glad that my heart matches with His. Hate this. Hate it all. So Hard.

thank you for praying for my kids today. They are getting picked up in 25 minutes.

Trusting the ONE I trust the MOST... while my children are with the one I trust the least.

The sunshine on the snow covered trees is breath taking! Like God decorated for Christmas! WOW!

testing my new phone... gonna take some getting used to!

snowing again!!

kids are back & we are readjusting & dealing with it all again...uhg... i hate divorce. hate it with a passion

Just dropped all the kids off at my parents house for their "grandkids ONLY Christmas Party". Off to get groceries!

just finished the last of our Christmas Cards!

driving zach to a Christmas party & he says in the van "we r supposed to take a white gift or something what's that mean?" (white elephant!)

I now have justification for driving a cluttered van. any time u need a white elephant gift, I probably have 1 or 2 or 3 in my vehicle!!

snow coming down... gifts all purchased... food all purchased... now to wrap & enjoy the day at home with my kids!

J & K both miss school! Jadon just said "when are we going to go to school!?"

I had forgotten how painfully slow my old desktop is... wow.

I guess I am taking an unscheduled blogging break. cant get this old computer to even load my blog! so...

Leah wanted to wrap gifts today... I let her wrap all the stocking stuffers for the other 5 kids! AWESOME!!!

Wrapping Officially DONE!!!! YEAH!!!

On my way to pick up the gift I may live to regret...

Our new 4 legged family member has a name... finally.... okay... maybe not...they keep changing their minds & arguing! Eli? Brees? Elivis?

Zach started a poll on facebook asking what we should name the dog! Miles. Brees. or Elvis. Brees is my choice

I think the final word on the name is Miles. I think. Wish I had my computer to post pictures! Black & Brown cockapoo!

watching Home Alone 1 with the fam & the dogs!! New puppy...Miles... is doing very good!!

Merry Christmas Eve! We will celebrate here at home today! 3 youngest are up & ready to start! 3 oldest are still in bed! I need more coffee

Leah & I are cooking dinner & my parents & grandma will be over to join us soon! So special!

I love the smells of Christmas... right now I can smell pine, cinnamon, coffee, cookies... wow... heavenly...

wish it would snow up here!! we have old snow on the ground at least!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!! (what happened to the snow overnight??)

New puppy unimpressed with our leaving today! yap. yap. yap.

This Saturday Morning has a Monday morning feeling... Recovery & coming down off of sugar rushes!

Have my computer back...but have to reset all my programs & reinstall everything... so annoying

waiting for "the princess & the frog" to start with Leah & Kiahna! Zach, Jadon & Lucas are watching "alvin"

home from a fun evening out with my 5 ygst kiddos!

Disappointed with the "Princess & the frog" movie. So great to have an AA princess. So much scary evil in the movie. too bad. wont buy it.

New puppy Miles has been laying with me on the couch all afternoon! He didn't even jump down when he could have run after the kids! Good Dog!

just took pictures of zach doing a handstand in shorts in the snow!

Just took Leah to my sisters. she is driving Leah & Koty to meet the bus at 5 am for a 3 day ski trip

I have to have zach to the school by 7:20am for a bb tournament

watching Jadon play with Miles! Such a patient dog!! yeah!! & thinking I should probably go to zach bb tournament its jv & he will sit bench

have to reload all my software on my computer... & open all the add ons. what a pain!

watching the jets play sa in championship jv bb tourney. Zach is sitting the bench. big surprise there. sigh.

Jets Jv win tourney!!

our Sunday school is sponsoring a roller skating party tonight. i want to lay on the couch but i guess i wont...

my grocery list for the rest of the week is over 2 pages! Just visited the bulk/discount store & got lots of great deals!

WOW! ENOUGH FOOD for a couple of parties! weekend guests & 6 kids off of school for the week! EEK!!!

goodbye Christmas tree!! See you next year!!!

my vacuum just quit & wont come back on... its tired too!!

getting ready to leave for zachs game. wondering when the "vacation" part of this "vacation" starts...

*******

Now you are all caught up!!  I will try to get some pictures added later today!!  3 kids snow skiing & no where to go… but there is that never ending laundry that just won’t take a vacation either!

Pam

One Person?

Yesterday I read a twitter from another mom. 

She was talking about how busy her day is.

She asked if anyone else ever had to remind themselves they were only one person.

ummmmm….

yeah.

Only I don’t remind myself. 

Nor, do I even try to only be one person.

I try to be 2.

Or 4.

Or 6.

Sometimes more.

It really hit me, this tweet.

How in the world can I only be one person?

I don’t know.

I’d like to try.

Odds are against it.

As a single parent you already naturally have to do the job of 2.

So…

Yeah.

No answers.

Praying God shows me the things HE wants this ONE person to do each day.

What else can I do?

Maybe it’s more like through HIS strength I will be able to do more than one person should.

Is that it?

Maybe.

Pam

Keeping up? Not Really.

Wow.  I find myself sitting in front of this blank screen not knowing what to write. 

You all really don’t want to hear from me how busy I am AGAIN do you?

Didn’t think so.

So, I won’t tell you that.

You can just know it.

My dad is going to try to be me tomorrow afternoon and evening. 

My sisters and Mom and I are going shopping.

After I spend all day on a field trip with Lucas.

And then Dad is going to pick up Kiahna from preschool.

Come home and meet the bus for Jadon.

My friend is bringing Lucas home.

Dad will do his spelling words with him.

Then my brother-in-law Ben is going to be at the game that Leah is cheering at, so he will bring her home when Koty is done playing and she is done cheering.

My dad is going the other way with the kids to Zach’s game. 

James will have swim/dive practice then he will go to Campus Life.

Then dad will bring Zach home after his game & put the kids all to bed.

Forget what I said about being busy.

I am not busy.  Dad is.

I am going to be Christmas shopping and enjoying some time off!

(that is of course if I am not too exhausted from the field trip to enjoy myself!!)

Hope they all survive!!

Pray for him!!!

Pam

Haircuts… & headaches…

Leah and I went last night and got haircuts!!  It is always so nice to have a fresh cut!  We both woke up frustrated that it didn’t look this way today!  OH WELL!

If it looks like I have a headache, I do.  It’s a little better now, but I took something for it at 5:30 this morning when I got up to take Zach to basketball practice.

I tried to relax yesterday, I got a massage!  Went to the chiropractor, had dinner in the crock pot & then we went for these hair cuts.

The lady giving me my massage asked if I was stressed out… interesting question… compared to the past 3 years, this year has been a breeze… so am I stressed out?  I am crazy busy!!  Not stressed out.

I think I shared last week that I was taking Jadon to a specialist.  It was a urologist.  He continually is damp when he comes home from school.

The specialist is thinking that it is not a physical problem, at least that is where we are starting, none of his tests show any issues with his kidneys or his bladder.

So, trying to change up some habits.  Helping him to take the time to go to the restroom & empty his bladder.  Helping him with some diet restrictions, like no pop, caffeine, chocolate, citrus.  Giving him stickers for staying on the toilet for 2 minutes so many times a day.

BLAH!

Add to that a water bottle at school so he can drink more water during the day & less in the evenings.

The past 2 days.  At least 3 times damp in his pants.  Changing his clothes at school.  When he comes home.  Scrounging around for something clean to wear when you go through 3 pairs of pants a day!! 

It’s just a little frustrating.

Yesterday he really made some poor choices.  Took some money from Zach’s wallet.  Bought chocolate (which his is not supposed to have) on the bus from a friend of Leah’s (the MS is having a fund raiser), lied to me when he got home. 

And this my friend’s is kindergarten???  Trying not to be concerned. 

Please keep this little guy in your prayers. 

Kiahna and I are going over to play at one of my best friends from school’s house this morning!  She has a daughter Kiahna’s age.  Hoping it goes well!

Pam

YOUR Gonna Miss This… Moment… Week 59

It struck me last night that it was Friday and I had not written anything for this carnival.  I was too tired & had no thoughts on what to write about.

This morning my brain was up before my body was ready… & the day is so full of activity and running… I still can’t quite think of anything to write about.

I know it is a long long time until things will even dream of slowing down around here… and by that time I may have been so busy so long, I will be so happy to have a quite house and nothing to do…

Or maybe I will miss it.  I’ll miss running from one even to the next… like today… James already left (thankful he can drive himself) to go cook for a Sunday School fundraiser breakfast that is today… Leah & Lucas both have a friend here… I need to go get the dog at the vet (he has a broken leg from getting hit by something he was chasing on the road, not sure what it was!)… Go to the fundraiser… Make  appt & Take Zach to the chiropractor. Take Lucas’s friend home… Take Lucas to basketball… pick up Lucas from basketball… Take Zach to basketball…Do a photo shoot… Pick Up Zach from Basketball… Shop for our shoebox items… James & Zach go sing at a benefit… oh and James wanted to try to go to the AU game this afternoon…

I am tired… maybe I need to go back to bed… I surely need a list so I don’t forget anyone or anything!!

Maybe in all the chaos of the day today I will find a moment to treasure… the possibility is high… if only I will pause and notice.

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What about you?  Do you have a moment to link up with me here?  Now is the time!!

You can use the link on the sidebar to copy and paste this picture to your post… and tell your blog readers about the carnival you are participating in!

Leaves, Football, Laundry… and other fun activities…

We live in a woods.

We have leaves.

Lots of leaves.

I worked a couple hours on them this morning.

It’s raining.

Rain & Leaves.

Can’t tell I worked.

I think I hurt my back.

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We get to have a pep session on Thursday night for the football team.

Senior mom’s do skits at pep sessions for football games.

I am a senior mom.

I am going to embarrass myself and my son on Thursday night.

Should be fun.

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Laundry is taking over our house and will soon consume us.

Thanks Leah for folding a ton of it today.

Rinse, Wash, Repeat.

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Had teacher conferences.

School seems to be going well.

Except for Jadon wetting his pants.

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Traveling an hour away for Friday night’s game this week.

Feeding the players 3 times this week.

Feeding my own kids would be a good idea too.

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Someone is yelling “MOM”…

Better go…

Lots of BIG stuff!

The coming days are bringing LOTS of BIG activities around here!!  Busy, Fun, & New.

This afternoon is Grandparent/VIP day at the elementary school.  Jadon’s first.  Lucas’ last.

Grandma & Grandpa, Kiahna and I, will be there!

Zach wanted to know if the high school gets out of class for grandparents day.  Sorry.  But, I did offer for G & G & K & I to come in and eat lunch with him.  He said he’d pass.

Zach had his last freshmen football game last night.  It was a really tough season.  Not one win.  Uhg.

Tonight at 6:15 the senior parents have to start lining up on the football field for “senior night”.  A first for James & I. 

I won’t cry, I won’t cry, I won’t cry… I’m gonna cry.

James’ dad has other commitments and can’t be there.  He did send James a nice card yesterday.  (no comment)

Tonight is our last regular season game.  Next week is sectional.  We drew a team that is 7-1, and rated 6th in the state.  And we play there.  A worse draw there could not have been.  Praying for a miracle.

The weather forecast for today.  40’s today with drizzle.  Low of 31 tonight.  Chance of snow.

Tomorrow morning, Lucas has a soccer game.

Tomorrow afternoon Zach will have finished his classes for drivers ed.

Tomorrow evening there is a benefit for 2 boys at our school who are experiencing severe medical needs.  One is undergoing chemo, and the other is radiation for a non-cancerous tumor in his brain.  The school has been raising money all week, and tomorrow evening there will be an auction, pizza dinner, T-shirts, & free will offering to help offset their medical expenses.

Also, tomorrow evening is the House of Hope Banquet.  The one that will benefit the soon-to-open boys home in our town.  The same organization that our family has attended out-patient counseling through in the past year and a half. 

Leah & Lucas made some pottery that will be auctioned in a silent auction.  Leah will be singing “The Potters Hand” with 2 other girls.  My photos are going to be used in the slide show that was created to display during the meal. 

I have also been asked to take photos of the evening to submit to the local newspaper. 

This will be my first big advertising of my photography, also.  A photo shoot with me is going to be included in one of the auction packages!  & I have had business cards designed & ordered (hope they get here in time)

On Sunday it is my hope that the sun is going to come out and warm things up again around here for awhile!  And I am really hoping that I can get my own 6 kids out to the park for a photo-shoot!!  I have all these great pictures of everyone else's kids that I love, and I am lacking in some of my own!!  Another miracle needed!!!

Speaking of photos of other people’s kids… I am so excited about some of the photos I have been working with.  My niece Samantha is one gorgeous girl.  I’ve done a few of hers and they will be on my photo blog today.

I think these two cousins look pretty good together…

A few have asked me what program I am using for my editing.  I am using Photoshop CS4.  My friend Jodi, & fellow photographer, designed my logo & my business card.  Isn’t she amazing!!  

I will try to find a moment to post my, um, well “moment” tonight or tomorrow morning!  I’ll probably use a few pictures from a few events that have not yet happened!!

Pam

“Catch” Up…

I feel like I can’t keep up over here on this blog!!  I have photos to edit, and laundry to fold… field trips to attend, and ball games to watch…  can’t keep up!!  So, if you see a little less of me over here, I hope you understand!

Last Friday night I got a great shot of James’ catch…

The name of the game was FRUSTRATING. This catch was the second play of the game. It was a 50 yard reception.  The ball wasn’t passed to him anymore during the game.

FRUSTRATING.

Praying for a good attitude.  His and mine. Not to mention the rest of the fans.  Praying for the coach to have wisdom beyond his years. 

Remembering that this is his first year as head coach after 32 years of the same coach… but remembering that this is the last year for James to play… and that makes it hard.

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Last weekend I had the privilege of attending the Extraordinary Women Conference.  I got to hear one of my favorite authors speak, and one of my favorite singers sing! 

Can you tell who they are?

I tried to take pictures…

Karen Kings*bury & Man*desa!

One of the big surprises of the day was speaker, Angela Tho*mas.  I had never heard of her before.

Turns out, I don’t have to write my book… she already did!  :)  Angela was a single mom for 7 1/2 years.  Her speaking touched a place in my heart of pain… and ended up bringing yet more healing to my soul…

Funny how you go into something thinking that you are okay and suddenly you are in tears.  And God is saying…. there is still this place of pain… and I want to heal it more today.  And He does.

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Saturday evening we relaxed at home.  I told myself I was NOT going to work on photos on the weekend.   I did a little, but mostly spent time with the kiddos! 

I had to really stop and realize that my week last week was much like I had taken a full time job on.  (and I have, I just have to manage the time myself!)  Once I got my new lap top, and my photo editing software, I needed (and still need to) play catch up on the editing… and I am learning so much…

See What I learned to do today!

Do you like it?  You can see some more of the work I’ve been doing on my photo blog!

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Sunday afternoon, I took some more photos!

Then we went to my sister Allison’s house for birthdays and they had an obstacle course set up and we had a great time!  I took pictures (shock) only about 300 or so… yeah… they need their own post! :)  hoping to work on those and share sometime soon!

I took this picture of my kids…

They love getting their picture taken! :)

Pam