Hmmmm....

I think, for me, the most stressful thing about blogging is coming up with a title! Does anyone else have that problem? I usually write about 'whatever' rather than something specific. Things have been so busy and crazy as of late. George had his shoulder surgery a few weeks ago. I won't go into those details as it would take forever . . . . very long and stressful day!! Anyway, he is okay and is now doing rehab twice a week. They said he is actually ahead of schedule as far as his rehab is going. He can't drive for 6 weeks so I've been driving him to and from work etc. The boys and I are also helping to clean at night. It's a blessing when we have family to help us and back us up when we need it! Matt got accepted to BSU today. It was very exciting. He is thinking about being a pharmacist. He'd go to BSU for 2 or 3 years - and then go to ISU for 3 or 4 years. Atleast he'd be home for the next few years . . . . unlike my daughter. haha (Just kidding Ang). Trent went to the neurologist last week. They diagnosed him with migraines. I'm not surprised as several people in my family get them. They are trying him on a daily medication to get them under control. The warmer weather has been so awesome! We went for a walk at Kathryn Albertson's park yesterday - and I started cleaning out the garage today. I've been putting that off all winter! We can't wait until we can go hiking etc. again. We love being outdoors discovering God's creation. Although, sometimes we run into some weird/scary things. We were hiking last year, between Lucky Peak and Spring Shores, and came across what we think was a satanic ritual site. It was WEIRD. I saw it and was thinking that's what it was but I didn't want to say anything to the boys. Then Matt came up to me and whispered that he thought it was one. Then I knew that it wasn't just 'me'. We got out of there pretty fast. We prayed the whole time we were in that area. I would LOVE to just go hiking by myself sometimes but I'm too scared to. Matt is getting pretty big and is 17 so between the two of us I feel pretty safe. And, yes, I am very tough! You may not think so . . . but you'd be surprised! Don't test me . . . haha Just kidding. We are going to go see Garrett and Angela soon. We cannot wait!!!! I can't believe Ang is going to be 20 soon. GEEZ. She's always been so beautiful. (And a little onery) haha Well, I have to go clean a few offices with George. Trent and Matt are going to earn some money for Portland. God bless you all.

UGH!

Life can be so exhausting, can't it? Ugh. I am just feeling very overwhelmed right now. There is just too much to deal with at the moment. George fell at work a while back and hurt his shoulder. He had to get an MRI on it last week and now has to have surgery on it. It concerns me for several reasons. One, of course, because I want him to be okay, but also because his job is a physical job and I'm concerned about him being able to work. That probably sounds selfish . . . . but we need the money, ya know? I did tell him I can help him. I don't want him to hurt it again. I went to a facial pain specialist about 6 weeks ago. Both sides of my jaw are out of joint. I have to come up with over $1000 to move forward with getting it fixed and probably won't have that much for atleast 6 months. It kind of depressing. Trent is going to a neurologist next week for all of his headaches he has been getting. Migraines run in our family so it is probably that. However, he also complains of neck pain, so maybe it's that. I don't know. On a positive note Matt hasn't been as sick lately (he has delayed gastric emptying). I just want us all to finally get healthy!!!!!! And not go broke trying to do so. Oh, and my van broke down last week (right after Superbowl). It was over $400 to get it fixed! We are getting a few extra cleaning jobs. We had a call today, right after I prayed, that some new cleaning jobs were coming up soon. That happened to be just what I was praying about! Thank you Lord! Tomorrow Matt and I are going to BSU for an orientation. He was going to move out and get his own place - but when I told him how much he could save if he lived at home for a few more years - he jumped right on the bandwagon! haha Even with all of this 'crap' (you all know that that's my word) there are a lot of good things too! Besides the sunshine, warmer days (so far), and all of the obvious blessings . . . . my mom made the yummiest sugar cookies yesterday . . . . cheered me right up! haha

I'm very blessed!

As I was driving home on Eagle road this evening I stopped at the Stinker Station to get some gas. There was a gentleman on the opposite side of the gas tank 'thingy'. I could barely see him. I heard a voice, in a very strong African accent, say, "How are you doing today?" I answered, "pretty good, how are you doing?" He said "I am so blessed!" Wow, that just amazed me. We chatted for a short time about being blessed. I told him that I was also very blessed and how I had been feeling so sorry for myself a while back that I just went and took a hot bubble bath. I went on to tell him how God made me realize how lucky and blessed I was to even be able to take a hot bath. God reminded me how many people in the world don't even have that luxery. I started counting my blessings and realized how truly blessed I am! The man then told me about how he grew up in Kenya. He said that, as a child, he could only take a bath once a week (if lucky) and, even then, the water wasn't exactly hot. He went on to say how his son sometimes will take 2 showers in one day and how it makes him think how blessed they are as he didn't get to ever do that. He was such a nice Christian man. He loved the Lord and wants everyone to know it. That's how I want my life to be. I want to live outloud! When I am asked how I am . . . I want to say . . . I AM SO BLESSED!! Not, oh, I'm okay . . . or, good I guess or even just fine. Beth Moore once said that if we own a book and have the ability to read that book we are among the richest people in the world! Wow. I really want to focus on the blessings . . . not the difficulties. Dealing with 'life' can be so exhausting and daunting. Each day I want to refocus my thoughts from the 'crap' (0ne of my favorite words - sorry) to the blessings. We have a place to live, cars to drive, heat in our home (or air conditioning in the summer), a bed, clothes, food, family, friends, jobs, healthy children!!!! I really am rich!

Well, as of yesterday, Matthew is done with high school. It seems so weird to me that I have 2 kids out of high school! He also is getting his Eagle Scout which is very hard to do. I think he said that only 4% of all scouts get that far. That's quite an accomplishment. Still trying to get caught up financially. We have so many medical bills right now that it's killing us! We should be caught up by March or April . . . that just feels so far away. I do feel like God is trying to tell me something. When I was taking a bath today I was listening to KTSY. A Casting Crowns song came on called 'Praise You in the Storm'. That's something I need to learn . . . . to praise Him in the storm. I feel so often that He just isn't around when things are difficult. I know He is . . . but I sure like it more when I can feel Him there! Anyway, we celebrated Matt's last day of school with Blimpies at my mom's house. It was fun. Trent only has . . . . about 8 years of school left. But that's okay. Atleast I have him home with me!! I am pet sitting for someone the next 2 weeks. Jenny, a golden retriever, is staying here with us. She is older and has trouble walking. That brings our pet count up to . . .. a lot. haha Two dogs, 3 cats, a goldfish, and a rabbit. That's a lot for a 1300 sq ft house! haha Jenny is very sweet and is getting along with all of our other animals. It's been fun so far. That's it for now I guess. More later.

Hi

Wow, you did a great job setting up my blog! I'm impressed. Not so sure about the picture . . . but I'm my own worst critic. It was so much pressure to think of a title. haha I could write and write as I'm very good at rambling. But, I'll try not to do that. Between money problems, health problems, and just day to day stress . . . each day is a huge struggle. But, as my daughter said, there does always seem to be a light in the storm! Right before I wrote this, with my facial pain I've been having and hoping the tax payment went through, I wasn't sure what to write. That's when my son, Matt, came out of his room and wanted to read the 'be-attitudes' from the Bible. You have to know that this is not something my son does very often. In fact, it's probably been a year since he last did that! What timing!!! And, to be honest, at first I thought . . . I'm kind of busy right now! But I decided to just stop and go sit down with the boys to read. It really made me feel better. There's that sunshine!! Ya know when it's stormy out and there are dark ominous clouds everywhere . . . . and then you can see rays of sunshine pushing their way out from behind the darkness. That's what it's about I guess. God sure does know how to time things! I just have to REMEMBER that!

To my lovely mom

This is from Angela (this blogger's daughter) to you, Mom.
I hope that you enjoy this blog and that you will write your thoughts and feelings and special times down here. I hope this brings us closer since I am now 7 hours away from you. I miss you! But, I can't wait to check your blog each week hoping to see a new post!
I love you and happy blogging! :)
~ Ang