Shopping and saving

Yesterday we went to the mall for the sole purpose to get Gary glasses. We tried LensCrafters. They did not have economical prices nor any deals. We decided to try Sears Optical. They had a mostly the same prices, but they had some deals. Ironically in the processes of taking off his current glasses and trying on new pairs, the arm came off his current glasses. He could possibly have worn them, but he put them in his pocket after they broke, effectively bending the other arm.

Gary is getting a new pair of glasses and a pair of prescription sunglasses. He saved 60%. While there, I perused a bit. I ended up buying a matching winter hat, scarf and gloves and a pair of slippers on clearance and much needed pair stockings. Before we actually left the store I decided that I didn't want the hat, gloves and scarf as much as a Phillies sweatshirt, I returned them.

I tried two sports stores looking for a Phillies sweatshirt. Nothing economical that I liked.

At this point the kids were getting quite irritable. Tired and hungry are not desirable qualities in children. So we headed to the car. While driving home, we discussed quick prep dinner options. As we came upon our church, we remembered the youth group was having a spaghetti dinner/silent auction fund raiser. It was 5:30. Did it start yet? we wondered. I convinced Gary to at least stop and see. They were just getting to started, so we signed up and took our seats.

I checked out the items for auction and looked for ones that interested me and had low bids, since we have low funds. I found one. A discovery toy basket and free babysitting. I bid. I won.

So, on an outing that was purposed for eye glasses, we purchased eye glasses, stockings and slippers, dinner, a toy basket, and babysitting. Everything was economical, and we didn't blow the budget.

My heart is hurting

Last night Gary and I were discussing Ellie and her morning bus ride. We thought that two girls she has been sitting with don't like her. But in talking with Ellie this morning, she says there are other kids, not the girls she sits with, who make fun of her and laugh at her if she is dressed different. If she looks "normal" they leave her alone. I am unsure of when this has happened, but today is pajama day at school and yesterday she was really excited about that. Today, Ellie said she didn't want to wear pajamas so that the kids on the bus wouldn't laugh at her. If I had the car I would have driven her to school, so she could wear pajamas.

As she was talking about it, my eyes teared up, as they are now typing this, to hear that someone has verbally hurt my child.

I know that in this sinful world, she will encounter people like this, but I didn't think it would be this soon. She's only five, a kindergartner, her first bus experience, on a bus with children going to Christian schools, and she already has to deal with this problem.

I can't always protect her, and it hurts.

Sure signs

What is a sure sign that Spring is here?











Flowers and green growing things.









Another sign is the appearance of grass stains on pants.

So much more

In learning about Baptism, I am realizing how much I have missed in the 26 years of my Baptism. What I thought I was doing - showing others that I had accepted Christ into my life, joining my church, and following Him through the waters of baptism - I am learning I actually did nothing.

I went through the motions, but God did the work. He saved me, He washed away my sins, He covered me with the Holy Spirit. I didn't realize what He does through Baptism. But He didn't just do the work then, He has done it every day since and continues to save me, wash me clean of my sins, and cover me with the Holy Spirit. He does the work through Baptism, but also through His Word and The Lord's Supper.

God gives me my faith. And what a gift. To have salvation, the Spirit working in me, the name of Christ on me. I knew I had these things, in a sense, but not from my Baptism. Well, I hadn't really thought about the fact that Christ's name is on me. And what that means. If I believe that I have to do something first, before Baptism, than I am limiting God to my abilities. And let me tell you that that is limiting, since I can do nothing without Christ. I can't believe without the Holy Spirit. The Spirit comes with Baptism. I want my children to have the gift of faith. To have Christ's name on them. To have salvation. To have their sins washed away. I want them Baptized.

There's a lot I had not really thought about, known about, but now I know that I am missing so much. Take the 10 Commandments, the Apostle's Creed, and The Lord's Prayer. They seem simple, but there is so much teaching packed in these three that I have never heard.

I am hungry to learn more.

Crown lengthening

Not a pretty picture.

Last July I broke a corner off one of my molars. Today (we waited for our tax refund) I went to a new dentist (my old one takes no insurance or dental plans) for a cleaning and to see about having a crown put on. He informed me that since my tooth broke below the gum line, I have to have a procedure called crown lengthening. Once home, I decided to look up what "recontouring the gum tissue and sometimes also the underlying bone" actually meant. [The brochure wasn't really all that informative.] I clicked on the link for Wikipedia. My mouth gaped open and I clamped my hand over my eyes. They showed a photo. There was a tooth and an instrument holding back a flap of gum tissue, revealing raw tissue underneath. Just what I needed to see right before lunch. If you'd care to gawk, click on the word Wikipedia above.

Not only do I need such a procedure to fix my tooth, I need to have a filling fixed. My teeth are rather poor quality. I really need to floss, but I don't. I can't stand flossing. I even bought one of those floss tool things, so I don't have to wrap the floss around my fingers. To no avail. We have a love-hate relationship, floss and me. I love to hate it. I need some intervention and accountability. Anyone want to bug me about flossing? I might get cross with you, though.

I hope the kids don't get my genes for teeth. Gary's teeth are perfect.

What to do?

Wednesday Gary and I watched some TV together. We had a nice time. He snoozed a little. The only problem was it was at 2:00 pm. He should have been at work. Ellie had Parent Day at school, and when I picked Gary up from work to drive over there, he came out late carrying his coat and bag. He was told to take some vacation time and take off the rest of the day.

We had a nice time at Ellie's school and she thoroughly enjoyed us there.

He didn't work yesterday either. There just isn't any work to do. He plans to go in on Monday but will there be enough to do? If he uses his vacation now, he won't be able to use it when we have our family vacation in July. Of course that's assuming he still has a job.

He had interviewed at a place in York, but he got the Thank-you-but-we-found-someone-that-fits-our-needs-better letter yesterday as well.

My interview went well at Target. I have to wait 1 to 2 weeks to hear back. I also applied at for a job with the census bureau. Waiting to hear about that.

He applied for a job at a company in Pittsburgh. That's much farther than York.

Friday, another beautiful day

More laundry.










Ellie had off today, and we went to the park with a friend of mine and her son.









Josh enjoying his walk with a stick.











We saw a woodpecker on our walk and heard many other birds.

Spring is here

Today we had beautiful weather. It is my first day of hanging out our laundry to dry.


Hanging out laundry takes quite some time, so we were out most of the morning. It was very nice to be outside in the fresh air.





We were out in the afternoon also. The kids ran around and had a blast. They played dead. They climbed our tree. They played ball.

Teaching

Last Friday night, Gary and I met with Pastor Fisk from the confessional Lutheran Church I want to attend. He talked about many things Lutheran. He talked about doctrine. He answered our questions. We chatted about other things. Not all could be talked about in one night. He said he'd be happy to come and talk again. It was late when he left.

I still have questions. Over this past week, I have thought about new questions to ask. And I want more teaching on the doctrine.

I have listened to his four sermons for Lent so far and they have teaching. Teaching I don't hear in my church.

Gary and I have talked about the differences between what we believe as Baptists and what I am finding in Lutheran doctrine. Gary is not finding Lutheran doctrine as appealing as I am finding it. It is something we need to discuss. But I don't have the answers. That's way I want teaching.

No vote

While shopping today, I was trying to decide which toilet paper to purchase. While I did my calculating and decision making, Josh wrestled a package of Cottonelle into the cart. He wanted the one with a puppy on it. I immediately informed him that until he used a potty, he had no vote on which toilet paper to buy.

I so want that boy potty trained.

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I was contacted by Target to come in for an interview. It's today at 10:00 am. I am optimistic that I'll be hired on the spot. They'll take one look at me and wonder why I wasn't already working for them.

Digital Recorder

Back in January it crossed my mind to buy a digital recorder that has a USB port. My friend has one and suggested I get one. I had enough money saved, so I bought one from amazon.com. My plan is to record me reading books for the kids and singing songs, and then save the recording on CDs for them. I also plan to record things for Myrtle.

Well, I am enjoying this thing immensely. I have recorded several books and songs, but I haven't gotten them on CDs yet. I want to make bedtime lullaby CDs for the kids. Myrtle has also enjoyed my offerings to her and wonders why we didn't think of me getting one sooner!

I have another digital recorder, but the recordings can't be taken off of it. On it we have both Josh and Ellie's heartbeats when I was pregnant, and a recording of my grandmother singing a lullaby. My plan was to play them from the old recorder and re-record them on the new one, then save them on the computer. The plan went smoothly until the old recorder wouldn't work. I changed batteries, nothing. Jiggled the connectors for the batteries, still nothing. Now I need to find somewhere to take it to see of some tech guy can get them off.

My Books

To help me in my studies, my dear friend has acquired for me many books. Two copies of The Book of Concord, one pocket version (though I don't know who's pocket it would actually fit in,) and a leather bound version. I have the Lutheran Service Book, Spirituality of the Cross, Grace Upon Grace, Treasury of Daily Prayer, Luther's Small Catechism: with Explanation, and Psalms: The Prayer Book of the Bible. Today I will receive the next book - The Lutheran Study Bible.

I dare say I might have more Lutheran books than some Lutherans. All of them are full of good stuff, though I have hardly scratched the surface of what treasures lie within their pages. I am truly grateful for her generosity.

I have cleaned out a spot to keep them, since my pile grows, and I can't have them lying about the house, especially with small children who don't always remember to be careful with things.

Still sleeping

Josh is still sleeping at 10:00 am. He was up at 6 am when the rest of us were scurrying about outside his bedroom door but went back to bed by 6:30. For two hours I have expected him to wake up and come downstairs. I went up to check on him, and he wants to stay in bed. I certainly can't blame him for that.

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Today my goal is to get ready for a task I've taken on. A Karen refugee family at church is needing some very necessary help in learning about food storage and safety, cleaning, laundry, organizing, and learning English, to name a few. I am helping with the first two on the list. I want to make signs with pictures so they can see what goes where. They need to be shown with visuals, because just telling them hasn't worked.

The plan is to go over there once a week and teach. I am nervous because of the language barrier. But I am not going to let that stop me from helping a family in need.

Hard head

Tonight as Josh, Ellie and Gary were playing pile-on-the-daddy, Josh threw his head back in laughter and smacked Gary right above the eye. That was the end of that game, Josh was not hurt, but Gary's head hurt a lot. Josh made an interesting conclusion. God gave me a hard head, so I can hit other people. We are fairly confident he is not promoting violence, but that if he accidentally hits someone with his head, it won't hurt him. Never mind the one he hit. Apparently God didn't grant others so hard a head.

Thursday my dad called requesting the children sleep overnight Friday. Gary and I were quite willing to let them go and have some time to ourselves.

Friday, mom spent most of the day with us. We went to Kohls, she did some food shopping on her own, then came back to our house for lunch. The kids are always excited to see grandparents. She then took Ellie with her to one more grocery store, Josh napped and mommy had alone time. Once back, my mom baked. I filled out online applications, because I need a job (a story for another time.) I applied at Target and Whole Foods. Really hoping for the Target one. They are actually hiring right now.

We ate dinner. A scrumptious meal of chili and homemade bread. Mom still was baking. I tried valiantly to usher them all out quickly, you know, to give Josh and Ellie the most time with Mommom and Poppop. Nothing to do with date night with Gary.

We didn't do anything extra special, just watched Transformers and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. If you want our opinion the first one is a good pick, don't waste your time on the second. We got to bed late, but slept in late. We ate a leisurely breakfast of eggs, sausage and English Muffins. We discussed paint colors and other improvements for our kitchen, we did some errands, we talked Lutheranism. We ate a late lunch. We started to tap our maple tree for maple syrup when my parents brought the kids home. My dad said around 2:00, but it was after 4:00 when they got here. We didn't mind the extra two hours. We all stayed outside for a while and got some fresh air, while the kids ran around and spent some energy.

It was very nice to spend some time alone with Gary and still be at home.

Jean success

I have been searching for some a new pairs of jeans. Not neccessarily new either. I generally never pay full price for clothing. I look at second-hand stores, discount stores, sales, or clearance racks. I am a thrifty shopper. So, I started with second hand stores. I went to the one I like most, twice. In my two trips, I tried on over 25 pairs of jeans and came out empty handed. Then I tried Good Will. After 10 pairs of jeans, I found one pair, along with a black pair of pants and a shirt.

Today, my mom and I went to Kohls, where I actually found a pair of jeans that fit, after trying on only five pairs first. The price was right too. They were on clearance and I had 20% off.

Spring Training

The Phillies won their first spring training game. Yeah! Just 208 to go!

Smelling Coffee

I am glad yesterday is over. It was by far my worst day in a while. It all started Sunday night when my dear son decided he wasn't going to finish his dinner. OK, we thought he can have for dinner Monday night. Well stubborn boy said nothing doing. For the next two days he ate nothing. We set food before him, his uneaten dinner, but he wouldn't eat it.

As you can imagine, a child with no food in his belly is generally an unhappy one. His behavior and attitude wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, though. Today I made things more unpleasant for him. For afternoon snack he said he'd eat. But he didn't, though he did drink milk. Now, milk and an empty stomach do NOT go together. He threw up the milk. That's disgusting was Ellie's comment. I concurred.

I was cleaning up vomit, trying to make dinner (not at the same time,) dealing with a disobedient child, I was done. But since I was the only adult around, I couldn't be done. When dinner was in the oven, Josh was in his room, Ellie was busy with a game, I went to my room for a time out. I listened to Pastor D chant the Psalms for Tuesday. It soothed and calmed me. I still had tears, though. For the way my day had gone, but also for what was yet to come. Gary wasn't home, and when he got home we wouldn't have much time before we all had to leave, and I'd come home to put the kids to bed by myself. He would be working with a guy from church, earning us a little extra money.

When Daddy did get home, however, extreme discipline was upon our son. We had had enough of his stubborn disobedience. He ate his dinner. Later for snack he ate one and a half bananas, a bowl full of yogurt, and a bunch of grapes. He would have eaten more had I set it in front of him. But it was bedtime.

More harrowing adventure and I was spent. Completely. I can downstairs and straightaway found my CDs and hunted for a Fernando Ortega CD Myrtle had made for me. Not finding it, I did see a Chris Rice one she made for me. I put it in, cranked the volume, and flopped on the couch.

This is the first song. [It's with sign language. It was the only version I found that was actually Chris Rice singing.]

Last thing I remember sayin’ bye to yesterday
Glad to see it over, pullin’ covers over my head
But what were You doin’ while I dreamt the night away
‘Cause I can tell that somethin’s different and
My eyes ain’t even open yet
I’m smellin’ coffee, birds are singin’ just outside
Here comes Your mercy streamin’ in with the morning light
My heart is racin’, wakin’ up to You’re smile

It’s a good mornin’, good mornin’
I remember readin’ You’re the God who never sleeps
And while I’ve been dreamin’ You’ve been singin’ over me, yeah
Singin’ about my freedom, wakin’ me up to hear Your song
Now I can’t dance hard enough
‘Cause yesterday is gone, gone, gone!
I’m smellin’ coffee, birds are singin’ just outside
Here comes Your mercy streamin’ in with the morning light

My heart is racin’, wakin’ up to You’re smile
It’s a good mornin’, good mornin’
Every little breath, every heartbeat
Is a gift of love that You give to me
You keep givin’ even when I’m asleep
‘Cause I know You never stop watchin’ over me
I wake up, my past is gone
‘Cause Your mercy’s new with the mornin’ sun
I’m forgiven, I’m free, it’s a brand new day
‘Cause Your faithfulness is the greatest, hey!
I’m smellin’ coffee, birds are singin’ just outside
Here comes Your mercy streamin’ in with the morning light
My heart is racin’, wakin’ up to Your smile
It’s a good mornin’, good mornin’

I listened to it several times, then continued with the rest of the CD. I was also waiting for Gary to get home so we could watch a movie together. He got home too late, and I was already getting ready for bed when he got home.

But now it's a brand new day. It's a good morning.

Exhibition game

The Phillies play their first game this season tonight. It's an exhibition game against Florida State. Tomorrow is their first Spring Training game, and it's against the Yankees at 1:05 pm. We're on our way!

Material

My son gives me much material with which to write my posts. Here are a few from today.

1. Ellie and Josh finished their reading program papers this weekend. I took the kids to the library to hand in their papers, and that afternoon I printed out new ones for them. Ellie is now going for the gold and Josh for the silver.

This morning Josh gathered a pile of books and plopped down next to Hunter to read to him.

2. While flopping on the bed, a mostly acceptable form of jumping, he landed too far down the bed and smacked his nose on the foot board. Wailing immediately followed to last for probably a half hour. Initially I saw no blood, but then he wiped his face on his shirt, and I saw a slight red color. Foolishly I announced it's presence, which to Josh meant wail louder, there's blood.

I gave him many hugs, a reproachful word about not jumping on the bed, some pain reliever, more hugs and a train video. The train video finally did the trick to quiet him.

His nose has a brush burn. Looks a little like Rudolph.

3. Josh and I decided to go for a walk today. Josh asked to take his ride on car. I thought he might actually ride it, but no silly me, he wanted to push it around. [Note: It already has two repairs. Josh is hard on things.] While Josh ran pushing his car on our walk, he disregarded the uneven sidewalk, probably never even saw that it was uneven, plowed into it, crashed over and broke grill off the front. Now it was only duct taped on, since it had actually been broken off in a previous incident. I righted him and the car, picked up the broken piece, and we continued on our way. About four more crashes later, some less severe, Josh had the biggest crash. He landed on the car and somehow broke the front wheels off. I will attempt to repair the car, but I think it will find it's way to the trash can.

I'm sure we made quite a picture - me carrying two pieces of a car, with Josh carrying the wheels. He asked me to carry the wheels, because he decided to collect snow. He claimed we needed it at home since ours was melting. For the remainder of our walk, he collected snow. When we got back to our property, I showed him we still had snow. Oh he says. I told him out back is far less snowy, so he took his collection back there and dumped it on the grass.