Hard to be far away

Grandpa is in the ICU fighting septic shock (a major all over body/blood infection) and I am here...six hours away. I don't worry so much about him as he is in good hands. I wish I were there to help my mom. Jennifer has the new baby and is adjusting to life with 3 children. I wish I could just be there. They do a great job of keeping me up to date; it is just hard.

My friends here understand this struggle so well and I am very thankful for them. I received an e-mail this morning from Sherry with the following verse:

"God is our safe place and our strength. He is always our help when we are in trouble. So we will not be afraid, even if the earth is shaken and the mountains fall into the center of the sea, and even if its waters go wild with storm and the mountains shake with its action." Psalm 46:1-3

Needless to say, I printed this.

Our Stephen Ministry training last night was awesome and we spoke a lot about handling hard times and where God stands in the midst of strife and heartache. Our group is becoming quite close and they have a neat perspective on things.

Where do I start?

I am trying to play "catch up" today after spending the bigger part of the weekend on taxes. I am getting some computer stuff and home school stuff done this morning. I have a TON of paperwork to do for work, stuff to go through for our adoption process and our house is a mess! Having a bunny is a bit of a cleaning challenge and add to that an 11 year old that doesn't see a "mess" like mommy does. :) I came home from spousal ministries last night and dusted my bedroom at 9pm. Am I losing it?

Somehow things will get done. I am pleased that my taxes cost only half of what I expected...nice surprise!

It is nice that Jordan is home schooled...she makes me laugh. She is currently trying to train the bunny to stay in a harness so she can take her outside when the weather is better. Gracie is not cooperating and is faster than my 11 year old. It is quite funny...should videotape this!!

Back to work....

Ice again!!

We'll here we are...ice falling again. This time we are under an "ice storm warning", whatever that means. I think we are on target for about 1/2 inch of ice...yuck. I didn't get to drink my entire cup of coffee this morning so I'm heating another cup. :)

I hoping to get some paperwork and odds and ends done today. Maybe I'll even make some granola. Right now I'm feeling relatively unmotivated so I guess I'll sit and drink some coffee. It is sooo cold!!!

Carolina

Now that I am an ole pro at this bloggin thing, I decided to add pictures. This is Carolina---Paulo & Juliana's baby. We had a short visit with them tonight. Carolina is almost a month old and she has changed since we last saw her!! She is very beautiful! She was "ready to go" tonight, though I don't know where. :)

Nicholas!!!

Okay...here is the picture of the newest member of the family. We got to go see my nephew, Nicholas, this weekend. It has taken two days to post this due to MAJOR computer problems!

Anyway, Nicholas is completely cute! It was great to see the rest of the family, but the visit was too short. Lance is doing his mentored ministry this semester and we had to be back here by 5:30 Sunday.

So....here he is. I think he resembles Elijah a little bit. He doesn't look a thing like my niece and nephew.

Computer is working...dinner in the oven...Ahhh!

This bunnny :)

Okay....Gracie has been with us about a month or so and has taken over! She is soooo spoiled, but soooo cute! She is now playing with us in the living room for short periods of time and then dashes toward the stairs when she wants to go back to her cage. She won't walk on the hardwood floor at the bottom of the stairs so Jordan carries her to the steps and she hops up the steps around the door and into the bathroom where her cage is located. She is so smart!

I've heard that having a pet lowers your blood pressure. I don't know if that is true, but she is sure a stress reliever!

Valentine's Day

This holiday is a big one for our family. Lance & I got engaged Valentine's Day weekend 1993. Seems like a long time ago...well it was 15 years!! YIKES! In our current situation it is not practical to go out for an expensive dinner. I look forward to crab legs (on sale at Kroger), rice pilaf and fresh asparagus at home with my family. We even have sparkling cider to top it off!! I think we'll enjoy a quiet movie...No Reservations just came from Blockbuster Online. Should be a nice evening. Maybe I'll even break out the china. Jordan loves to eat on the fancy plates.

Winter Weather

For the 2nd day in a row we have ice, snow and sleet. Schools are closed and I have cancelled my first 2 visits of the day. Lance is doing a drive around to see how the roads are to see if I can go to work at 10:30. The snow is falling...I have a warm cup of coffee...life is grand! Jordan is outside playing with a friend of hers. How I like living in a neighborhood!!

We may be getting our first big snowfall here this weekend. Supposed to be getting a storm on Friday. That would mean no trip to see Nicholas. We haven't had a big snowfall since we moved here and that would be kindof fun. Especially on a weekend when no one has to work and we can get together to play in the snow. I guess we'll wait and see!

Nicholas!!

I just realized I forgot to post about my new nephew! Nicholas was born on 2/7/08 weighing 7 lbs, 12 ozs and was 20 1/2 inches long. I've seen pictures and he is completely cute...looks like my dad, I think. Anyway, we'll go see him this weekend!!!!

UGH!!

I am getting completely overwhelmed. I have picked up enough First Steps "kid-os" that I almost don't have enough time for home health. Yet, it makes sense to keep the home health position as a back up. Things have been so stressful in that office for...well...the whole time I have worked for them. I don't know that I need the added stress. I got a call yesterday that there are about 3 new home health referrals for this week and I can't get them in. I am working part of the day today and Thursday (my supposed days to be at home). I have told myself for a year that things with the home health agency, "will get better...some day". That some day has still not happened. Just venting here...sorry if you actually read my blog and get to hear me whine today.

My quote for such stressful days, "Thank you, God for giving me a job that provides for my family."

Birthday Girl!

I can't believe my "baby" is eleven years old. She is so fun...her laughter really lights up my day!

We had a great weekend with taking Jordan out for dinner Friday night and then my family coming on Saturday. I got to show Grandma around town. Jordan made a basket at her game...one of only a few her team actually made! It was a great weekend!

We are so blessed!