Words to my ears

It's 7:30, Josh has been in bed for an hour (at his request, one we were glad to consent to) and Ellie is up getting ready for bed with Gary. She spoke the words that on some days this battle-weary mom longs to here: I want Dad. Not that I don't want to snuggle and rock with my children, but there are those days I just need a break, and it generally can't come soon enough.

Ellie's Sport

Ellie has picked speed skating as her favorite sport. She said she wants to win too. We have enjoyed watching the Olympics together each night. We get the kids ready for bed, then come down and all snuggle on the couch.

Ellie sits still and pays attention most of the time, but Josh is everywhere and can't sit still to save his life.

Keeping warm?

Tonight, the kids had cookies for dessert. A bit later cake was brought out. Of course Josh and Ellie wanted cake too. They each got a bite. But Josh stood next to Gary and rested his chin on Gary's arm. He seemed to look longingly at the cake. Gary admonished him to not stand there and beg for cake. Without missing a beat, Josh asserted that his chin was cold and that was why he was resting it on Gary's arm. My parents', Gary and I broke out laughing.

I could tell stories like this all day long.

Homeschooling is not for me

Almost every time we have a snow day (like today,) or I try to teach Ellie something, I am reminded that it would NEVER, EVER work for me to homeschool her. We just would butt heads all day and get no work done. We'd both be frustrated and angry with each other. It wouldn't be pretty.

Now Josh's personality might work much better with mine to make homeschooling successful. However, I don't think I would be disciplined enough to make it work. Nor do I want to have kids home all day, every day. I need a break. Sometimes desperately.

This family will succeed best when mother and children have time apart.

Our trip to the vet

Just another day at the vets. The costs are growing.

• Just for showing up - $45.00
• The fecal floatation test - $27.50 (do I even want to know about that?)
• Since we haven't kept him on heartworm meds, they did a test to make sure he didn't already have them - $39.00
• The meds for 6 months to make sure he stays heartworm free - $76.50
• And the best spent $10.00 ever - anal sac expression
• They do nail clippings for free, my kind of price

The kids were a little crazy, but the techs were great. At first we were all contained in the exam room - a good idea. Hunter had his temperature taken, which I am sure was unpleasant. If he only knew what was to come. Somehow after Dr. Hatfield came in the door stayed open and my children wandered out. Oh, yes, I remember. They went to "help" do the test for heartworms. Apparently it was very fascinating to watch. Ellie even fetched it when the timer went off and read the results. It was similar to a pregnancy test. One dot negative, more than one positive. Perhaps our bill should have reflected her assistance.

While Hunter had his anal sac expressed, truly the most unpleasant experience he had, the kids took advantage of the three of us being otherwise engaged. They were going back and forth between the waiting area, our exam room and another exam room. Blessedly Dr. Hatfield was seeing patients in the downstairs room, where no other patients were. So even though the kids were like animals themselves, they weren't really bothering anyone. The tech even offered to fuel their rush with candy. How kind. I made them wait to eat it.

By the time we left, Hunter was visibly agitated, the kids were riled up, and I was poorer and a bit frazzled. Fun times.

Days to Go

There are 7 days, 12 hours and 59 minutes until the first game of spring training for the Phillies. We are so ready for baseball to start. Even the kids are asking for it.

Ahead of myself

I got a bit ahead of myself. I said yesterday that I don't think I have to know it all to confess, just know that I want to know it. Well, actually I know I would not confess to something I was not fully in agreement to. And to know if I am in agreement to Luther's teaching, I need to read it, or listen to it.

So, study I have started. I have all of The Ten Commandments in audio file, thanks to Myrtle. I already listened to the first one, so this morning I showered and got ready to the second and third one. I waited for Ellie at the bus stop, got lunch ready and did some laundry to most of the fourth one.

Gary sent me an email form wikipedia about quia (because) and quatenus (insofar as) in subscription to the Book of Concord. Lutherans that identify themselves as confessional hold to a quia subscription. Quia subscription (the Book of Concord is adhered to because it is faithful to the Scriptures) implies that the subscriber believes that there is no contradiction between the Book of Concord and the Scriptures. Quatenus subscription (the Book of Concord is adhered to insofar as it is faithful to the Scriptures) implies that the subscriber leaves room for the possibility that there might be a contradiction of the Scripture and the Book of Concord in which case the subscriber would hold to the Scriptures against the Book of Concord.

After reading the above, I decided to do some more research about Lutheranism and doctrine and such online. I found a lot, of which my eyes quit after only reading a small portion. But basically what I found was that Luther was just purging the Roman Catholic church doctrine of unbiblicalness. Can anyone really argue with that?

Disheartened, but yet not

After hearing Sunday's sermon on the four and fifth commandment (Luther's third and fourth) at my church, I am convinced I need to find other teaching. But how to go about that. The church I want to go to is nearly an hour away. We only have one car and Gary teaches Sunday School, so he can't just up and attend somewhere else. I don't know how to get there. I thought about contacting the church and asking if there are any members who live near me and could give me a ride. But since I haven't actually stepped foot in the building yet, I think I should wait for that request.

I also know I won't be able to receive the Lord's Supper, since not a member of a confessional Lutheran church. The idea of closed confession at first was somewhat offensive to me. But since my opinion was uneducated and now is not, I have understand and am agree with it. A lot of things have changed about what I have believed being a Baptist, and what I believe from Luther's teaching - what I thought was the same between the two and what I now see is so different.

Tonight while preparing dinner, I was thinking on my plight as Myrtle calls it. When I am able to attend the Lutheran church, I want to take in the Lord's supper. It crossed my mine to contact that pastor and make my Lutheran confession so I could join them. Before Myrtle made her confession, she had written about her intense desire to take in the body and blood of Christ. I never understood it until today. I can't even explain it, because I freely partake of communion at my church. But today I had an intense desire unknown to me. Of course it is God wanting to do for me that which I have always done for him.

It also might have to do with having been blessed at the church we went to at Myrtle's. That was a blessing indeed. I also took in the Lord's Supper at the Ash Wednesday service I attended at a local non-confessional Lutheran Church. I made it a point to find a Lutheran Church that did the Imposition of Ashes. I wanted that outward sign. At the service, they had open communion. I called and asked if it was closed or open the day before. The lady I spoke with said it was open, I just needed to fill out a form with the name of my home church. I complied and went forward at the appropriate time. I don't know if it was the appropriate thing to do or not.

Now back to the confessing comment. It wouldn't be just a ruse to get to the alter. Though I seriously doubt I am ready for it either. Though, I don't think I have to know it all to confess, just know that I want to know it? See, I still have a lot to learn and study.

That also is an issue. How do I go about doing that? Just start reading and studying the Book of Concord? How does a car-less Baptist make her way to a Confessional Lutheran Church? And what about my husband who hasn't seen the difference but is somewhat open-minded to the teaching?

I am yours, save me!

Realizing

How could someone not wipe up a mess on her table? This thought crossed my mind many years ago when Gary and I, not yet parents, visited friends for a weekend. They had two children at the time. While sitting at their kitchen table for dinner, I noticed that something had dried on the table and had never been wiped up. I found it somewhat gross. The other day I was noticing the unclean condition of my kitchen table and realized I was now just like them. Their table had not been wiped, because it probably just wasn't a high priority. I have noticed that our table has gone a day or two without seeing a cloth come wiping by.

Family time

Mom told me that ice dancing was on tonight for the Olympics. We thought we'd take some time, let the kids stay up later and have some family time watching some ice dancing. I looked it up and found that ice dancing came on at 8:00 PM. Here we sit at 8:22 and still no ice dancing. Instead we are watching the qualifying rounds of men's ski jumping. Ice dancing is suppose to come on next.

As a heads up to all you, Josh has informed us that "when I a dult (an adult,) I do dat." So family and friends, plan to attend the 2026 or 2030 Olympics to watch Josh ski jump.

Still no ice dancing. Right now it's an interview of the gold medalist Evan Lysacek. We aren't so much caring for it, and it certainly does not hold a 5 or 3 year old's attention very well. Actually, Ellie doesn't so much mind since she is snuggling with Gary. And Josh, we think before dinner he sat on an ant hill and has yet to rid himself of the little buggers. He just can't seem to sit still.

The kids will be up later than we thought if we let them watch some ice dancing. Apparently, it isn't really going to start until 8:30 PM.

Finally onto ice dancing at 8:35 PM. They showed two couples. Two couples. And now they've moved on to men's super-G. Ellie fell asleep before they even got to the ice dancing, and Josh was too busy reading some books to pay much attention.

But even though we really didn't get to watch much ice dancing, we did have a nice time together watching what they did decide to put on.

The Tunnel

Ellie and I had mommy/Ellie time this afternoon. She wanted to go outside. So we got suited up and worked on the tunnel. We got it all dug out and Ellie could make it through. I, however, was too wide and had to back out when I tried going through. So now the kids, at least before the pile melts again, can go through the tunnel and down the slide.

Josh and his cars

Josh asked to watch a movie. I got it ready and he lined up his cars to watch with him.

There and Back Again

My visit to Myrtle's got a late start. With the snow, I decided to leave Friday morning, not that the roads were still bad. Gary wanted me to wait. So I packed up Thursday and was ready to leave bright and early Friday morning. NOT! Even though I was mostly packed, I still left later than I wanted to. It always works out that way.

But we made it there in time for lunch and naps. Although I can't remember exactly what we did all weekend, Myrtle could probably chronicle the entire weekend to the exact minute. I know we watched Dr. Who, Luther, RV, and played many games. I know we played game. I won at Rummikub and Pass the Pigs (a new game I taught her,) she won at Phase 10 and Skip-bo. We talked Lutheran doctrine and breaking silences. We stayed up far too late for having children with us.

The kids and Kashi enjoyed our walks in the evening. It was good to be out and about in the fresh albeit chilly air.

Saturday night Josh thoroughly believed he should have his way and made certain we knew it. By the time he wailed himself to sleep, he had divested himself of his pajamas and the bed of its sheets, bed rail, and stuffed animals. He made sure to keep hold of his blankie, which was shoved firmly in his mouth. He did not even wake up when Myrtle wrestled him back in his pajamas.

Sunday found us attending a different confessional Lutheran Church than Myrtle's church. I knew I would not be sharing in Holy Communion, since I am not a confessional Lutheran, but I forgot Myrtle has told me that the pastor will give a blessing instead. All four of us knelt at the alter and the three of us received blessings, while Myrtle received the body and blood of Christ. I was quite moved as my children received a blessing, then as I did as well. I made sure to take a tissue with me. I wish I could remember what he said.

The whole of Lutheran doctrine is growing on me, but I don't know what to do with it. I haven't figured out how to go about learning more and getting my questions answered. The closest confessional Lutheran church is about 50 min. away from my home. Also Gary isn't quite on board with Lutheran doctrine as I am, so he isn't really interested in trying out the church.

Myrtle also gave me some new books for my Lutheran library. I have quite a collection for a non-Lutheran. But they are a treasury.

We lazed about some more on Monday. And eventually I packed up and started the drive home. Again it was later than I wanted but not too bad. I don't like driving at night, since I already have a tendency to get sleepy while driving, and I have more trouble seeing at night. Also, it was a school night and mornings are already trying with getting Ellie ready. I didn't want her to be extra tired, nor me.

The snow slide

While out enjoying the new snow and having Gary home for the day, Gary fashioned a slide down the large pile of snow he created from shoveling our walk. The kids had a grand time sliding down. He then made another pile next to it and dug out a tunnel. Interestingly he did the tunnel digging after the kids and I went inside. Josh had an encounter with the snow shovel that caused many tears. He did not want to play anymore. We never got back out for Ellie and Josh to enjoy the double feature.

Still snowing

We have quite a bit of that white stuff. Photos will be forthcoming. School is again closed for tomorrow. The kids were admonished that if they woke up and it was still dark out, they are not to get up but to go back to sleep or at least stay in their beds.

I am going to sleeping in.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

I am awake and in my kitchen. I am suppose to be in bed happily sleeping. It is currently snowing, has been since 7:30 last night and will continue for most of the day. Before we went to bed, we checked and school was canceled. I was looking forward to sleeping in.

But 5:08 AM saw me stumble out of bed, grope around for my slippers and glasses as sounds of crying and heaves came from the bathroom. Both kids were awake, and Josh was throwing up. He was getting water and somehow triggered his gag reflex, while his stomach took care of the rest. It wasn't much and was contained in the sink or tub. Thankfully no clean up duty. I put them back in bed, saying it wasn't time to get up. Even on a school day it wasn't time to get up.

Somewhere around 5:45/6:00 AM, the natives continued in restlessness, I told Ellie she could put her light on and play with her sticker book, and Josh got in bed with me. [Gary had gotten up earlier to drive his mom to work, since she was still required to come in and her car would not get her there safely, ours would.]

Around 6:40, Josh decided he needed to throw up again, so we headed off to the bathroom. Some water and heaves latter, I figured it was useless to try for more sleep (and I hadn't actually gotten any since the initial wake up,) since the children were obviously quite awake and rearing to go.

Now breakfast is ready, and it's only 7:35 AM. Good Morning.

It looks like Josh reading, but it isn't Josh reading.

I found Josh sitting in the corner reading It Looked Like Spilt Milk. And of course by the time I returned with the camera, he was mostly done. He didn't want to start over for me. But he did do some counting. He has his own number line.



But tonight I suggested reading for Daddy, and he sat right down and started in. This time the camera was readily handy, and I caught most of it.

Farming . . . . us?

I have it in my mind to buy some land, get some chickens, pigs, a cow, bees and grow feed, a garden and plunk myself down. Use wood to heat the house, have a well and septic system, and build a windmill. Gary came up with the idea, but he isn't as fired up as I am to do it.

It mostly all started when Gary interviewed for a job in York, PA. We found a house with over 6 acres, with a barn and most of the things needed for the above list. We still don't know if he will be offered the job. They said they'd let us know by the end of February. For us, it all depends on the offered salary. We aren't making ends meet with his current job, and it recently got worse.

My brother and sister-in-law's foray into farming and reading my sister-in-law's blog about it might have started us thinking. It definitely shows us that farming is not for the weak. But we aren't going to try to make a living with it. Gary still plans on keeping his job. So, I don't know if it would even work. Of all my above plans, the chickens and bees would be doable. And even the windmill. Gary would still rather buy pork somewhere, than see it out in the backyard.

And than seeing Food, Inc. was the final decider (for me) that we needed to do something. If Gary isn't offered that job, than I am all ready to look for land in this area. Gary, the level headed one, more patient one, says to wait. Especially for The Parents' Plan. My parents' have a retirement plan that involves us. And it's a good one. It's just at least four years out.

I also realize that much planning needs to come before anything else. I know, I know. What's the rush? Steps at a time. Right now, buy the local grown meat and veggies. Do it myself later.

Movies on Netflix

Did I mention that I discovered my Netflix subscription includes watching movies and TV shows online through Netflix? Not all are available, but enough are.

I've been catching up on my Dr. Who. Sometimes even with Myrtle. She'll put her DVDs in, and I'll log on to Netflix.

Let it snow.

We received about 13 inches of snow.

Food, Inc.

I received my first two movies today. Food, Inc. and Bedtime Stories. I started Food, Inc. first. I got upset and had to stop it. I have now finished it.

I think everyone in America should watch this film, or at least be made aware of it's contents. There is no respect for the workers, animals and the environment. And it is unjust what big companies can do, because they can.

Watch the trailer. Watch the film. Think about it.

The Cabin

For my birthday, we went to the cabin. I love going there. We had a great weekend. We saw many a Bambi (a highlight of the weekend.) They behaved very well. We had fires both days. We stayed in doors all weekend, except for getting more firewood, and going to church. It didn't get above 20 degrees until Sunday afternoon, and stayed near 0 degrees otherwise.

Gary took care of most diaper changes, and meal prep, and dishes. I read and watched TV. We also watched home videos. The kids got a kick over
seeing themselves younger. Ellie got very upset, because she wants to be a baby again and can't. Gary got very sentimental and allowed the idea of adoption to roam in his mind.