Yippee--it's the weekend! We started ours off with a date with Jaclyn. Ashley went to a sleepover and Caitlin went to a friend's house for a while. So we took Miss Jaclyn out for dinner, a little bit of shopping and ice cream. It has been so long since we've had a date with her! We had a great time. She picked the restaurant--Red Robin-- and then we went to her favorite store--Justice--and picked out an outfit. She then bribed her daddy into taking her to Cold Stone for ice cream--that girl loves some ice cream. I tease her and tell her that it is one of her daily food groups.
Afterwards, we went to the Super Walmart in Holly Springs to do some grocery shopping. I was armed with my menu for the month, my grocery list and prices of meat from other stores. Turned out Super Walmart was cheaper than all the other stores and I bought all the food I needed for a month of meals for $85.
I spent about 3.5 hours today preparing meals and freezing them. My freezer is stocked with 16 meals! That will last us about a month when you count the leftovers, the Wednesday night meal at church, and lunch out on Sundays. I am so tickled! I've been wanting to do this for years and finally did it! Got tired of looking in the frig at 5pm wondering "what's for supper?" I am tired of running to the grocery store every other day to get what we need for the next meal or two and tired of spending the money eating out!!
Now, we get to enjoy hot homecooked meals--just take them out of the freezer, let them thaw and pop them in the oven! Tada!! My family is going to think I'm magic!! You can't beat $85 for a month of meals either. We'll have to get some salad fixings a time or two and milk or bread. But boy, will we save $$ on groceries!!
We went over to Dale's parents tonight for a visit. It sure would be nice to have them closer to us. It takes about 40 minutes to get there--and over a quarter tank of gas! They need more help now and we are pretty much their only family they have here. We stay so busy and with Dale's night schedule, it is hard to get over there to help them. We are looking for a retirement community close by--but they think Fuquay and Garner are so far out...not anymore! Everything is building up so fast they'll have everything they need within a short drive. Anyway, wish us luck as we encourage them to move closer so we can be there more for them!
Tonight is my least favorite night of the year. We lose an hour sleep. I miss that hour for about a week or so while my body adjusts. I've already taken Tylenol PM to help me get to sleep faster, too. I was hoping to watch the last half of the Duke-Carolina game, but got home and evidently it is only on cable. I think we are the last ones in the country without cable but I just can't pay that much every month for it! Oh, well. I'll find out in the morning who won!!
Tomorrow we'll go to church and listen to the best preacher and the best music and once again leave feeling so blessed that we are at a church that stands on the Word of God and doesn't change what the Bible says to fit someone's wants or wishes. Hope you are in a church that abides by "Sola Scriptura"--Scripture Alone!
Okay, enough rambling. My Tylenol PM is kicking in! Night!
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Monday, March 3, 2008
Beginning another Week...
I am just amazed and dismayed at how fast a weekend can fly by. Last week as I was driving to work, I was thinking of everything we had to do this weekend. Then a song came on the radio. A good ol' country song about rushing through life and one day you'll look back and realize that one day you'll miss this stage of life.
Well, by the time I got to the church where I work, I was crying like a baby and could hardly see to drive. While the busyness of life drives me crazy, I know one day I'll look back and miss watching Ashley play ball, watching Jaclyn learn to ride her bike or a horse, listening to Caitlin as she plays piano or French Horn at another concert. I'll miss snuggling with them while we read or look at their scrapbooks.
One day, I will just have the walls of my house to listen to. I will remember the our times together as a family. I will hear the sounds of little feet, their wonderful laughter, and their voices echo off the walls of their empty rooms.
OK, I sat here and made myself cry. Excuse me. I hate the thought of my girls growing up and leaving. I have to remember that God is in control and He knows. He knows what it is like to let a precious child go and fulfill their purpose in life, to make the world a better to place. He knows.
Going to go tuck my babies in and kiss them good night!
Well, by the time I got to the church where I work, I was crying like a baby and could hardly see to drive. While the busyness of life drives me crazy, I know one day I'll look back and miss watching Ashley play ball, watching Jaclyn learn to ride her bike or a horse, listening to Caitlin as she plays piano or French Horn at another concert. I'll miss snuggling with them while we read or look at their scrapbooks.
One day, I will just have the walls of my house to listen to. I will remember the our times together as a family. I will hear the sounds of little feet, their wonderful laughter, and their voices echo off the walls of their empty rooms.
OK, I sat here and made myself cry. Excuse me. I hate the thought of my girls growing up and leaving. I have to remember that God is in control and He knows. He knows what it is like to let a precious child go and fulfill their purpose in life, to make the world a better to place. He knows.
Going to go tuck my babies in and kiss them good night!
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Happy Valentine's Day!
We had a very special Valentine's Day and I hope you did, too! The girls look forward to receiving cards and chocolate. This year they got red roses from their daddy which I thought was so special. We also reflected on the greatest love story in the world--God's love for us and his precious gift, His Son Jesus Christ.
I had a wonderful time at the beach last weekend. The weather was beautiful and made it hard to stay inside and scrapbook. I did get all my albums caught up and completed 136 pages. I feel very good about my progress. Now to journal all those...I need a snow day!
Well, gotta cut this short...gotta go to Ashley's ball game! Have a great weekend!! Whoo hoo! Tomorrow is the Daytona 500--can't wait!!! Go 24!!!
I had a wonderful time at the beach last weekend. The weather was beautiful and made it hard to stay inside and scrapbook. I did get all my albums caught up and completed 136 pages. I feel very good about my progress. Now to journal all those...I need a snow day!
Well, gotta cut this short...gotta go to Ashley's ball game! Have a great weekend!! Whoo hoo! Tomorrow is the Daytona 500--can't wait!!! Go 24!!!
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
A Scrappin' I Will Go...
It has been a long time since I've had an entire weekend to scrapbook! This weekend I am headed to Wrightsville Beach for 3 days of nonstop scrapbooking. I am exactly one year behind in the girls' albums. I have about 600 pictures that need to go in albums. That's 200 pictures per day. I am up to the challenge. I am going to leave the extras at home that slow me down--punches, paper and stickers--and go for broke.
I was able to scrapbook last Saturday for a few hours. I got 24 pages done and completely caught up my 2007 family album--including journaling. At least that one is up-to-date. Sorry, Kellie!!
I enjoy bringing the albums home and watching the girl's faces as they look at their albums. They are amazed at what they have forgotten that the pictures and stories help them remember. They laugh at the silly times and enjoy remembering all the wonderful times we have together as a family.
I love sitting on the couch with them and remembering with them. It is a special memory that I need to take pictures of.
Tomorrow is a crazy day. Our homeschool co-op starts up again so that means we have to be at church by 9am. From there I will go to work from 12-4. Then I go with Caitlin to get her hair done; from there we go to her Learning RX session; and then I go back to church to basketball practice with Ashley. I will get home about 8pm. Whew. Wears me out just typing it!!
Better go get some sleep! Have a wonderful weekend!
I was able to scrapbook last Saturday for a few hours. I got 24 pages done and completely caught up my 2007 family album--including journaling. At least that one is up-to-date. Sorry, Kellie!!
I enjoy bringing the albums home and watching the girl's faces as they look at their albums. They are amazed at what they have forgotten that the pictures and stories help them remember. They laugh at the silly times and enjoy remembering all the wonderful times we have together as a family.
I love sitting on the couch with them and remembering with them. It is a special memory that I need to take pictures of.
Tomorrow is a crazy day. Our homeschool co-op starts up again so that means we have to be at church by 9am. From there I will go to work from 12-4. Then I go with Caitlin to get her hair done; from there we go to her Learning RX session; and then I go back to church to basketball practice with Ashley. I will get home about 8pm. Whew. Wears me out just typing it!!
Better go get some sleep! Have a wonderful weekend!
Monday, January 28, 2008
I'm Still Here...
Yes, I know it's been a month since my last post. Can I just say it's been a bit crazy around here?
The girls (Jaclyn and Ashley) enjoyed an extra long Christmas break. I ordered new text books which didn't come in on time, so it prolonged their vacation much to their delight. Caitlin had exams right after Christmas and then celebrated her birthday on January 16--she turned 17!
I could bore you with all the details of our daily lives, so unless you want to go to sleep, I'll save you. I am blessed to be so busy but at times I feel so worn thin.
I am asking those of you that read this post to please pray for Caitlin. She has always struggled in school with focus, motivation, poor organization, getting poor grades, losing homework, etc. We just assumed that one day everything would click. Of course, she does extremely well in what she enjoys--band and music. But she struggles in what she has to have to get in college--the basics. She is down to the wire with 18 months left of high school and is struggling.
Last week I took her to a learning center for an assessment. This is not a tutoring place (which is just a bandaid for the real problem). With learning difficulties, there is a missing link somewhere in the brain. They identify the missing link and "train the brain" and see major improvement.
Well, when I went today for the results, let's just say I wasn't prepared for what they told me. She tested below average in 4 out of 7 categories. It is very complicated to explain and would be a journal to write, so I'll spare the details. She is significantly lower in memory, logic and reasoning, auditory processing and reading. No wonder she has struggled. I have cried all day until I'm worn out.
I am upset that we have let it go on for this long, but we thought something would click. Now we know that it's not because she doesn't care, it's that she can't. The time we have wasted nagging, yelling, threatening, pleading with her to "get it together". I wish we had known about this 3 or 4 years ago--before she hit high school when everything counts towards college.
We'll be shelling out several thousand dollars that we don't have but are trusting the Lord to provide. We don't do it because we have to, we do it because we believe in her and her dreams and goals. Without this help, she will not make it into a music program to follow her dreams.
Please pray with us that Caitlin will give it her 100%. I will have to work with her for an hour every day--please pray that we are consistent and do this everyday. Pray that Caitlin's belief in herself is as big as ours as! Please pray specifically that my Creative Memories business will be blessed and multiply abundantly to finance the $5500 we need to cover these costs. Pray that I will be an encouragement to her.
I am feeling very overwhelmed with homeschooling, working at the church, helping Caitlin, rejuvenating a business that is in a "winter" season, providing Jaclyn the extra time and care she needs--plus giving her the physical therapy she needs everyday at home, slowing down long enough to read a story with Ashley or just play a game and also help her where she struggles in school.
I need help and I know my help comes from the Lord--the maker of heaven, earth, Caitlin and me. I am holding Phillippians 4:13 close to me, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." That is where my strength is coming from every day in order to put one foot in front of the other.
Trusting in Him and Holding on Tight!
Glynis
The girls (Jaclyn and Ashley) enjoyed an extra long Christmas break. I ordered new text books which didn't come in on time, so it prolonged their vacation much to their delight. Caitlin had exams right after Christmas and then celebrated her birthday on January 16--she turned 17!
I could bore you with all the details of our daily lives, so unless you want to go to sleep, I'll save you. I am blessed to be so busy but at times I feel so worn thin.
I am asking those of you that read this post to please pray for Caitlin. She has always struggled in school with focus, motivation, poor organization, getting poor grades, losing homework, etc. We just assumed that one day everything would click. Of course, she does extremely well in what she enjoys--band and music. But she struggles in what she has to have to get in college--the basics. She is down to the wire with 18 months left of high school and is struggling.
Last week I took her to a learning center for an assessment. This is not a tutoring place (which is just a bandaid for the real problem). With learning difficulties, there is a missing link somewhere in the brain. They identify the missing link and "train the brain" and see major improvement.
Well, when I went today for the results, let's just say I wasn't prepared for what they told me. She tested below average in 4 out of 7 categories. It is very complicated to explain and would be a journal to write, so I'll spare the details. She is significantly lower in memory, logic and reasoning, auditory processing and reading. No wonder she has struggled. I have cried all day until I'm worn out.
I am upset that we have let it go on for this long, but we thought something would click. Now we know that it's not because she doesn't care, it's that she can't. The time we have wasted nagging, yelling, threatening, pleading with her to "get it together". I wish we had known about this 3 or 4 years ago--before she hit high school when everything counts towards college.
We'll be shelling out several thousand dollars that we don't have but are trusting the Lord to provide. We don't do it because we have to, we do it because we believe in her and her dreams and goals. Without this help, she will not make it into a music program to follow her dreams.
Please pray with us that Caitlin will give it her 100%. I will have to work with her for an hour every day--please pray that we are consistent and do this everyday. Pray that Caitlin's belief in herself is as big as ours as! Please pray specifically that my Creative Memories business will be blessed and multiply abundantly to finance the $5500 we need to cover these costs. Pray that I will be an encouragement to her.
I am feeling very overwhelmed with homeschooling, working at the church, helping Caitlin, rejuvenating a business that is in a "winter" season, providing Jaclyn the extra time and care she needs--plus giving her the physical therapy she needs everyday at home, slowing down long enough to read a story with Ashley or just play a game and also help her where she struggles in school.
I need help and I know my help comes from the Lord--the maker of heaven, earth, Caitlin and me. I am holding Phillippians 4:13 close to me, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." That is where my strength is coming from every day in order to put one foot in front of the other.
Trusting in Him and Holding on Tight!
Glynis
Friday, December 28, 2007
Christmas Memories
I can't believe Christmas has already come and gone. I also can't believe it was just three days ago! There is always so much hurry and stress to get ready and then bam! It's all over!!
We had a wonderful Christmas. Santa must have thought that the girls had been very good this year!! Their "big" gifts this year were Nintendo DS Lites (Jaclyn and Ashley) and an iPod Nano (Caitlin) and speakers. They also got books, a movies and a few other odds and ends. Oh! And they also got a keyboard to play!! The music has just been lovely...not!! Can't wait to get those headphones to go on it!
Caitlin also received tickets to see the Broadway play "Wicked" in Charlotte in April. She was so excited!!! I can't wait to go myself!! It is the hottest show on Broadway and we hear it is excellent!
The girls have spent the week playing their games. They were very happy and content with their gifts.
Dale was a good boy, too. I got him an iPod Shuffle, and an iTunes gift card. He loves that thing. He was very surprised. I also gave him a gift card to Olive Garden and the movies. He gave me diamond earrings (as I said he had been a very good boy) and also gift cards to Carabbas and Outback. Now we can have a few date nights!
We enjoyed spending time with our families on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. It was very nice. I had to return to work Wednesday which was hard to leave my family at home laying around in their jammies. I just wanted to stay home, too!!
(I have already had my Christmas pictures developed so can't wait to get them in an album! I am looking forward to a much needed scrapbooking retreat in February!)
The best part of Christmas was the small ways we were able to help others. On Thursday before Christmas, we were at Cary Towne Center to see Santa Claus. We ate dinner in the food court and there is always a man working in the food court cleaning up after people. He has cerebral palsy and is a little slower moving around. Of course, we can relate to him because of Jaclyn. I sent Caitlin over to ChickfilA to get a $5 gift card.
As we got up to leave, I went over to this man and told him, "You are always here when we are here." He nodded his head and smiled slightly, not sure of what was going on. I then told him, "We just want to wish you a Merry Christmas and to tell you we appreciate you and YOU make a difference." And then handed him the gift card. He started to cry and just shook his head not able to say thank you. We were floating on air when we left.
Another way we helped was to play Santa for our friends Mike and Nancy Joyce. They are a wonderful couple who have adopted the girls as their grandchildren. They have no children of their own. Mike is battling Stage 4 lung cancer and has no insurance. We filled stockings and bought a few small presents and left them on their doorstep on Christmas Eve. They found them Christmas morning. When Nancy called, she was in tears. She said they had laughed and cried all morning.
Those small acts of kindness are what meant the most to us this Christmas. It also made me realize that we need to do more for those people around us who are hurting or lonely. Christmas will be a bit different for us next year...not sure of what we'll do but will be thinking of it.
We are looking forward to a quiet weekend and will celebrate New Year's Eve with our best friends eating and playing Phase 10...our annual tradition!! Hope your New Year is blessed beyond measure!
Love,
Glynis
We had a wonderful Christmas. Santa must have thought that the girls had been very good this year!! Their "big" gifts this year were Nintendo DS Lites (Jaclyn and Ashley) and an iPod Nano (Caitlin) and speakers. They also got books, a movies and a few other odds and ends. Oh! And they also got a keyboard to play!! The music has just been lovely...not!! Can't wait to get those headphones to go on it!
Caitlin also received tickets to see the Broadway play "Wicked" in Charlotte in April. She was so excited!!! I can't wait to go myself!! It is the hottest show on Broadway and we hear it is excellent!
The girls have spent the week playing their games. They were very happy and content with their gifts.
Dale was a good boy, too. I got him an iPod Shuffle, and an iTunes gift card. He loves that thing. He was very surprised. I also gave him a gift card to Olive Garden and the movies. He gave me diamond earrings (as I said he had been a very good boy) and also gift cards to Carabbas and Outback. Now we can have a few date nights!
We enjoyed spending time with our families on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. It was very nice. I had to return to work Wednesday which was hard to leave my family at home laying around in their jammies. I just wanted to stay home, too!!
(I have already had my Christmas pictures developed so can't wait to get them in an album! I am looking forward to a much needed scrapbooking retreat in February!)
The best part of Christmas was the small ways we were able to help others. On Thursday before Christmas, we were at Cary Towne Center to see Santa Claus. We ate dinner in the food court and there is always a man working in the food court cleaning up after people. He has cerebral palsy and is a little slower moving around. Of course, we can relate to him because of Jaclyn. I sent Caitlin over to ChickfilA to get a $5 gift card.
As we got up to leave, I went over to this man and told him, "You are always here when we are here." He nodded his head and smiled slightly, not sure of what was going on. I then told him, "We just want to wish you a Merry Christmas and to tell you we appreciate you and YOU make a difference." And then handed him the gift card. He started to cry and just shook his head not able to say thank you. We were floating on air when we left.
Another way we helped was to play Santa for our friends Mike and Nancy Joyce. They are a wonderful couple who have adopted the girls as their grandchildren. They have no children of their own. Mike is battling Stage 4 lung cancer and has no insurance. We filled stockings and bought a few small presents and left them on their doorstep on Christmas Eve. They found them Christmas morning. When Nancy called, she was in tears. She said they had laughed and cried all morning.
Those small acts of kindness are what meant the most to us this Christmas. It also made me realize that we need to do more for those people around us who are hurting or lonely. Christmas will be a bit different for us next year...not sure of what we'll do but will be thinking of it.
We are looking forward to a quiet weekend and will celebrate New Year's Eve with our best friends eating and playing Phase 10...our annual tradition!! Hope your New Year is blessed beyond measure!
Love,
Glynis
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Merry Christmas Letter
Well, we enjoyed a balmy 70 degrees today with a high of 55 for Christmas Day. I envy you gals that get snow for Christmas. However, what snow we get here is usually followed by a sheet of ice. That's why Southerners get such a bad rap--it's the ice, ya'll!!!
I have been scurrying around for about 6 weeks getting ready for Christmas and I am sitting here in disbelief that tomorrow is Christmas Eve. The girls are so excited they can't wait! Our house has turned into a Christmas Cottage with lights twinkling everywhere. It is just beautiful and cozy. I have tried to sit and enjoy it every once in a while fighting the urge to get up and finish laundry (which isn't hard to do), dust, and those other annoying chores.
We are blessed with the busyness of life. Homeschooling is going well--Jaclyn and Ashley are really doing good and are so much happier! It hasn't been as hard as I thought it would be. We don't model our school day after a public school day. We do Bible, math and English every day; we do science on Tuesdays and history on Thursdays. We have school for about 3 hours a day. After I leave for work, the girls finish up any unfinished classwork, work on their writing projects, read and practice their music. Another benefit is no homework!!
I am still working at Colonial Baptist Church part time. I enjoy serving in this way. Dale is home during the day so he is with the girls while I'm at work. Creative Memories is holding steady--I am making my minimum with residual orders mainly.
Caitlin--a junior in high school--is loving high school. All she thinks and breathes is band, band, band. She plans to major in music and is interested in Appalachian State, UNC-Greensboro or Western Carolina for college. She got a little red sporty car in July and zips around everywhere. She is a responsible driver, although she doesn't agree with our rule of no friends in the car--she'll get over it. She is a level-headed girl. She is actively involved in orchestra and youth choir and missions trips at church. She's not into boys, clothes, makeup. She has great friends. I think we've done a pretty good job!
Dale has been a 911 dispatcher with the Wake County Sheriff's Office for 2 years and was recently promoted to supervisor. He works 7pm-7am. With this schedule, he is home with the girls and takes them to their afternoon music lessons, doctors appointments, and therapy (Jaclyn). He stays pretty busy!
As we stop to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of our God and Savior who came to take our punishment, we pray you will find peace this Christmas. That peace comes from placing your total trust and faith in Him.
Merry Christmas to you and your families!! Remember...
His destiny was the cross.
His reason was love.
His purpose was you!!
Much love, peace and blessings,
Glynis
I have been scurrying around for about 6 weeks getting ready for Christmas and I am sitting here in disbelief that tomorrow is Christmas Eve. The girls are so excited they can't wait! Our house has turned into a Christmas Cottage with lights twinkling everywhere. It is just beautiful and cozy. I have tried to sit and enjoy it every once in a while fighting the urge to get up and finish laundry (which isn't hard to do), dust, and those other annoying chores.
We are blessed with the busyness of life. Homeschooling is going well--Jaclyn and Ashley are really doing good and are so much happier! It hasn't been as hard as I thought it would be. We don't model our school day after a public school day. We do Bible, math and English every day; we do science on Tuesdays and history on Thursdays. We have school for about 3 hours a day. After I leave for work, the girls finish up any unfinished classwork, work on their writing projects, read and practice their music. Another benefit is no homework!!
I am still working at Colonial Baptist Church part time. I enjoy serving in this way. Dale is home during the day so he is with the girls while I'm at work. Creative Memories is holding steady--I am making my minimum with residual orders mainly.
Caitlin--a junior in high school--is loving high school. All she thinks and breathes is band, band, band. She plans to major in music and is interested in Appalachian State, UNC-Greensboro or Western Carolina for college. She got a little red sporty car in July and zips around everywhere. She is a responsible driver, although she doesn't agree with our rule of no friends in the car--she'll get over it. She is a level-headed girl. She is actively involved in orchestra and youth choir and missions trips at church. She's not into boys, clothes, makeup. She has great friends. I think we've done a pretty good job!
Dale has been a 911 dispatcher with the Wake County Sheriff's Office for 2 years and was recently promoted to supervisor. He works 7pm-7am. With this schedule, he is home with the girls and takes them to their afternoon music lessons, doctors appointments, and therapy (Jaclyn). He stays pretty busy!
As we stop to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of our God and Savior who came to take our punishment, we pray you will find peace this Christmas. That peace comes from placing your total trust and faith in Him.
Merry Christmas to you and your families!! Remember...
His destiny was the cross.
His reason was love.
His purpose was you!!
Much love, peace and blessings,
Glynis
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