Surrounded by Genius

New Year, New Me?

2009-01-20T08:32:00.000-08:00

So, this year, like all years, I want to try to lose those last few pounds of baby fat. Since the baby is 5 years old now, I think it's finally time. The problem is, I don't like to work out alone and it's been too darn cold to walk outside. So I rounded up a few thirty-somethings like myself and hit the gym. In three weeks, almost three hours on that stinkin' elliptical, I have still lost less than one pound (0.6 lbs to be exact). So tonight, I'm joining an ab class and a kick-boxing class. And I probably shouldn't have eaten that rice crispy treat for breakfast....or the bag of fruit snacks...or the breadsticks and cheese, but I forgot to eat breakfast and I was starving by the time I got to work and the snack cart in the high school office looked so tempting!!

Speaking of temptation...I need coffee! There's this amazing coffee place "The Mill" about ten miles from my house...it's indescribably good. I'm totally addicted! Hmm....that could be part of my weight loss problem...maybe I should switch to skim milk instead of half&half...

2006-12-30T00:03:00.000-08:00

I can't believe the year's almost over. I get so excited at the beginning of each new year. It's like a brand-new, baby-fresh start! This new year is particularly exciting for me since this is the year that I am finally going to graduate and (hopefully) get a real job. I start my student teaching in February!! But, of course, before I can move on into the new year, I must reflect upon the old....

I made absolutely no resolutions for 2006. I didn't want to begin the year being disappionted because I let the laundry get out of control or I cheated on a diet in January. Eww...then I'd have to live with that all year. So, with no firm goals set let's see what I've accomplished. Well, not really a whole lot. I can now jog almost 1/4 mile without dying. I can briskly walk four miles in less than an hour. I became friends with someone I never thought I could ever be friends with. I learned a lot about forgiveness. I let go of a few unhealthy relationships. I turned 29 for the first time. I lost almost 20 pounds. I walked with both of my daughters to the alter when they accepted Christ and I didn't cry (much). I learned how to make brownies (without a mix). I failed and faltered all year and I still get to end it thinking "wow, this was a really great year!"

So I didn't blaze new trails or change the world, but my world feels semi-settled and less chaotic. Faced with a new year just waiting to be filled with my successes and failures and everyday life I will stick to my game plan. I don't need resolutions to guide me. I don't want to place expectations on the unknown. I just want to freefall into it and savor each day. I want to wake up with the feeling of newness and possibility that I have on January 1 each and every day of 2007. So, here's a song to end my year. Happy 2007!!

Jasmine & Aunt Brina

2006-12-09T18:32:00.000-08:00

My niece Jasmine!! I can't believe she's already 8 months old!! Scott took this pic with his cell phone so it's not too clear, but she's still adorable!!

It's Been Awhile!!

2006-11-26T23:29:00.000-08:00

Shane: "Mom, come here. I have a surprise for you."
Me: "What is it?"
Shane: "It's a surprise."
Me: "Do you need help? Remember to wash your hands". (hey, when Shane has a surprise, it usually gets flushed... I know...eww gross)
Shane: "No, Mom. Here. I got you the little one, like me." And with a flourish he pulls out a little dandelion with almost no stem from behind his back. Wow. I am so loved!! All I could think was that one day I hope he treats his girlfriends and [much, much} later, his wife, with the same love and respect that he shows me. And then, of course, I hugged him tight, sent him back out to play, and cried for a good 10 minutes.

I read a quote on BabyCenter and I just had to post it. It was on a list of "30 Things That Change When You Have a Baby"......."You take the time for one more hug and kiss even if it means you'll be late." Every day that I work ( I know, that's only about 5 or so days a month) and every day that I go to school (now only 2 days a week) I drop my boys off at Grandma's and shrug as they run for the livingroom to change the television to Nickelodeon or Disney. But always before I walk out the door (the storefront door has a chime that rings in the back so they know when I open it) they come running up to the front of my Grandma's store yelling for "please just one more hug." No job is worth missing out on those few extra kisses...I'm late every day because that one more kiss and hug turned into 5 or 10 kisses and hugs!!

Those kisses and hugs are one of the things I have been so thankful for as I've reflected on all the blessings in my life during this past week. A few other things I am thankful for include:

I'm thankful that, although Schylar just turned a very mature eight and is halfway to boys and bad taste in clothes, she still occasionally, albeit rarely, wants to snuggle up and fall asleep rubbing my ears. After months of encouraging her to break that nighttime habit that had begun when she was only a few months old, now I wish I had never once removed her sweet chubby little 3-year-old hands!!

I'm thankful that Sydney is just like me. I never liked much about myself until I saw me reflected in her. Not just the outer package, her personality is exactly like mine and I've discovered that the spirit and laughter and determination (my mil calls it stubborness) we share are gifts! She is amazing, beautiful, and quite unique!!

I'm thankful that I had the boys. If I had stopped with just two children I would never have been able to see the world through the amazing minds of Seth and Shane. I would have missed so much! Sometimes fun really can be measured by the amount of dirt in the bathwater!!

I'm thankful that my children have such a wonderful father. My husband is the best dad I've ever seen. I see my kids growing up secure and confident and I know that it's because Scott and I make sure they know they are the priorities in our lives.

I'm thankful that somehow I have been blessed with thoughtful children. Maybe it's how they've been raised but I don't feel like I should get the credit.

I'm thankful that my kids think I'm cool. I know it won't last, but for now there's nobody cooler than me. I'm even a favorite partner on the trampoline and they all want to fall asleep on or near me!

And finally, I'm thankful for the insistent toes that wiggle beneath the waistband of my pjs and dig into my stomach and the restless fingers that hold tight to my tank top making sure that I don't sleep too far away because one day far too soon he won't want to snuggle Mom all night and I'll miss it.

This isn't an exhaustive list, just the ones I've pondered this week. I have so much more to be thankful for!!

Weekend Update

2006-10-28T21:16:00.000-07:00

Well, so far my weekend has been just peachy. Friday night, instead of watching football, I spent a couple of hours at the ER with Schylar. Diagnosis: broken right wrist. I have been suffering major guilt because I thought she was just whining (she never cried) and didn't take her to the dr. until 3 or 4 hours after she fell. It took a few hours before the swelling started. She was such a trooper. I know the x-rays were hurting her but she never cried or complained. Anyways, now we have a temporary splint and she'll get a cast later in the week. Today I have just felt icky all day. Maybe it's because I slept on the couch to be closer to Schy (she is camped out in Daddy's chair because she can't climb one-handed onto her top bunk). I think all of us are just worn out. Everybody's cranky at my house!!

Football update: MG is one game away from Sectionals!!

Haunted

2006-10-23T21:27:00.000-07:00

Hey, I don't have time to post much about it, but I went to my very first Haunted House (amusement-type) Friday night with a couple of friends. I had so much fun!! Okay, I didn't actually open my eyes until I had pushed Kristin through all of the really scary parts. And I used my cell as a flashlight in the completely dark maze. And I screamed more than the kids in front of us. And I had to run through part of it with my shoe untied because I was afraid if I stopped to tie it the actors would separate me from my group. I am such a chicken!!

I Quit!!

2006-10-23T21:07:00.000-07:00

I'm a quitter. I already knew that, but you might not have. I dropped one of my classes today. I haven't learned anything in it, and the instructor is so hateful. I'll deal with her next semester when I'm not quite so overwhelmed. To make my life even easier....My weekend classes are finally over!!! So now my life will be a little more normal. I get to go to football games and spend Saturdays playing with my kiddos and I won't be spending all day Sunday skipping church to do homework!!

Jenn: I'm leaving for Springfield sometime tomorrow afternoon, do you need anything dropped off or picked up?

Jessica: I miss your posts!!! I hope this is just a temporary lapse caused by the extreme fatigue of early pregnancy...You're almost halfway, it's time to wake up!! Also, thank Dan for stopping by tonight!

2006-10-18T01:01:00.000-07:00

Me & Syd

2006-10-18T01:00:00.000-07:00

Dad took the munchkins to the Pumpkin Patch!

2006-10-18T00:58:00.000-07:00

Shane & Zoe!!

Starbucks, i need you now!!

2006-10-18T00:51:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's almost 3 am and I'm taking a break. I have been working for hours on homework that I should have done weeks ago. This is what I get for putting it off until the last minute. I usually spend Sunday doing homework, but I went shopping in West Plains instead. Currently, I'm trying to put together a creative leaf journal. I stopped worrying about cutting my lines straight a couple of hours ago and I have rubber cement all over my hands, my pjs, and my floor. I'm hoping that I have the right leaves with the right descriptions. I just want to pass this class!

Isn't this beautiful!

2006-10-10T10:40:00.000-07:00

Get this video and more at MySpace.com

Star light, Star bright

2006-10-10T07:39:00.000-07:00

This is what the stars say for me today:

If you feel frustrated that someone isn't saying what you want to hear, the problem could be you. Why are you putting expectations on this thing? Don't push on further with this agenda, because it is not based on anything real. It is based on a fantasy. That's not to say that some day it can't be real, because all signs point to great potential. But it has to happen in the right time frame. You have done everything you can. Right now, the ball is in their court.

Doesn't this pretty much apply to any girl/guy relationship? Or really any relationship: parents, siblings, friends. This one just called to me. It is so "my life".

Saturday, In the Park

2006-10-07T09:58:00.000-07:00

I'm stuck at school and it sucks. Feel sorry for me, okay?

Just a little pick me up

2006-10-05T14:46:00.000-07:00

Need a laugh? Click here.

Sometimes I Amaze Myself

2006-10-04T21:27:00.000-07:00

Today, I had another moment of stupidity (hey, in my world, it's called genius). I got my van stuck. Between a house and a fence. Now, let me tell you, that is not an easy feat. It requires great skill. It also requires a great amount of humor. I was trying to avoid backing all the way down a long, narrow driveway at Tommy's house by pulling up a little and turning around. Only I couldn't get all the way around. I only got far enough to get stuck. Even better, Tommy was standing in the window laughing his behind off. He did eventually come out and (with a little help) rescue me so that I could go on to school and not have to spend the night blocking his driveway.

From the Mouths of Babes

2006-10-01T08:14:00.000-07:00

It's amazing what my kids can come up with!!

Seth told Courtney: "My mommy divorced my daddy and married Peyton Manning yesterday."

Hey, at least he has good taste in selecting a stepdad!!

2006-09-30T09:22:00.000-07:00

Wahoo!!! MG 29 Willow 14!! We had a blast. I didn't have a class this weekend so I got to go to the BIG GAME...you know, homecoming. Okay, I don't really care about homecoming..it's all about football.We had really bad refs (as usual) but at least they were making bad calls on both teams. On one of their bad calls, they took away a 103 yard interception/TD run. Courtney and I were a little vocal about our opinion of the referee staff. Maybe a little too vocal...the very nice gentleman behind us asked how many football games we'd been ejected from... but the refs really are bad. The score would have been closer, but the refs made a really bad call on Willow that cost them a touchdown. After all the cheering and screaming (and occasional booing) with Courtney, dancing around with Jasmine, and celebratory belly-bumping with Lance, I was exhausted!!

The highlight of my husband's night was a phone call from Larry Dablemont during the game. We are looking for a new chocolate lab puppy and he has a few. Lucky us, we get to go to Bolivar today. I was just in Springfield yesterday. That's my own fault, because I am a procrastinator. I had to turn in my application to student teach along with a three-page autobiography before October 1st, which falls on a Sunday and I waited until Thursday night to finish my autobiography. At least I don't have to drive this time!!

Shhh!!

2006-09-22T12:30:00.000-07:00

Shhh...don't tell anyone...I'm blogging at work;) This is homeroom and I only have 4 students. I just finished some of my own homework and I'm just a little bored, but I'm trying to look like I'm still working. So far, I've had several visits by the principal. The weather is supposed to be severe this afternoon and he was making sure I knew where to go. He also came in and explained why these students have to be treated like kindergarteners. I already know why. Twelve is one of the most terrible ages!! Ack...the bell just rang..dang it, I have to go back to work!! One more hour!!!

Manic Monday

2006-09-18T22:25:00.000-07:00

One more reason to love my Cingular cell service...Roadside Assitance. I went dress shopping today before school and didn't find what I wanted. So, after school (and talking to Jennifer M. in the parking lot for 30 or so minutes) I decided to hit just one or two more stores in a shopping center. Well, I found the perfect dress, I was so excited!! Then, on my way out the door, I couldn't find my keys in my purse. Guess where they were...yep, they were in the ignition of my very locked van. Ugh. and I had already called Scott to tell him I was on my way home. Well, one twenty minute call to Cingular Roadside and I was almost in business. They had someone coming to my location (I had to go back in and ask the very nice Dress Barn associate the address) within then next 40 minutes. Then I had to call Scott...no worries, he was getting ready to watch the Steelers game and would I please call in an order for pizza. Everybody is used to me doing stupid things and sometimes I even impress myself!!

2006-09-17T20:43:00.000-07:00

If homework were exercise, I'd be a size 2 this weekend. I got home from my wonderful weekend class (which, btw, Saturday started out really good and just slowly went downhill) and did 5 hours of homework. FIVE HOURS!!!!! Today I worked for about another 5 or 6 hours, mostly organizing. I just felt like I would be able to keep my head above the ever-rising flood water if I could restore some sense of order in my chaotic and slightly off-kilter little world. I crave organization, I'm just not any good at it. Once I get overwhelmed, I can't decide where to start. I had to get it together before I just gave up. Now I feel a little more at peace, I'm gonna make it!! My life is almost back in balance. Actually, I think my life, while very hectic right now, is going just the way I want it to. I was even able to squeeze in a little jogging time...okay, I ran 3 1/2 blocks to G-ma's house to see if I could bring the boys by early tomorrow so I could get to Springfield a couple hours before my class starts. But I did run all the way, and on the way back I sprinted the last block because it started to rain {harder} and I had my cell phone...I don't want to ruin another one.

Friday Night at the Lindseys

2006-09-15T21:13:00.000-07:00

No kids kicking me in the side, no husband snoring at the back of my neck, no trains rumbling through town...ahh heavenly(!)...I don't think I'll be able to sleep. I have this weekend class, it's a little boring and it feels like the hours just drag by, but I enjoy it. I do not, however, enjoy driving an hour away, driving an hour home, and then doing the same thing the next day. So, tonight I'm spending the night with my wonderful mom. Happy Birthday MOM!! (I know, it was yesterday, but I didn't post anything yesterday...lucky you...I would have posted about the earplugs!). It's gonna be nice to get up and go eat breakfast and only drive 15 minutes to class, but I really miss the tiny toes tucked into the waistband of my pj's and the warm little boy who strips down naked and gets in my bed at six o'clock almost every morning to snuggle when before my alarm goes off. Schy and Syd told me they would keep Daddy company and sleep in the big bed with him and Shane tonight. I think Daddy has other ideas. Like sleeping on more than 12 inches of mattress. Since Shaner and I sleep in the center of the bed, dh is usually ends up on the very edge of the mattress (and occasionally halfway off of the mattress). After tonight, he'll be so spoiled. To borrow from Captain Jack..there'll be no living with him after this!!

BTW. MG Football fans, I didn't get to be at the game, but I did hear that we won 38-0.

2006-09-11T20:01:00.000-07:00

Today was one of those delicious mornings perfect for lazing about. Thunder, lots of rain, grey cloudy skies. The perfect weather for snuggling up and staying in bed with a special somebody (of course I didn't get to enjoy it, I had to get the lazies up and ready for school). I absolutely love thunderstorms. I love to watch them from my front porch with a cup of chamomile tea and a warm body to lean against. In Joplin, where the landscape is so flat, you can watch storms for miles. The huge storms were some of the biggest highlights of the time I lived there. They were awesome. The roar and power of the storm combined with the fresh, clean smell of the rain. Mmmmm. I love to be soaked in the rain. No other water feels so good on my skin as the cool rain on a hot day.

Oh, BTW, just in case you don't read the comments...Congratulations to Jessica and Dan!! They are having their first baby!! How exciting!!

That's What Friends Are For

2006-09-09T20:43:00.000-07:00

I screamed my head off at the ballgame last night (we lost) and today I started to lose my voice. I even had a friend tell me that I sounded bad. A supposed friend...I'm not so sure anymore;) Isn't that mean? I think the exact words were "you sound like crap" and then there was something about salt water. Thanks, buddy. I prefer to think of it as a sexy, raspy voice. And I tried the saltwater when I got home...no change, but at least my throat isn't sore, it just feels a little swollen.

Can I Auction My Husband on EBAY??

2006-09-09T19:39:00.000-07:00

Tonight is probably the most exciting night of my dh's life. He is at his first (FIRST!) auction. Not an estate auction, but a cram-all-the-crap-you-can-possibly-find-into-a-barn-monthly auction. He was so intense in his scrutiny of auction proceedings. He caught on quickly.
Within twenty minutes of auction-bliss, dh had already started bidding. I went out to check on him and he'd purchased a big box of boy toys. Along with the trucks and trains and stuff there were crappy Nintendo games. I had a Nintendo...when I was 10!! Good grief!! After all the griping and threatening and grumbling and roaring about the chaotic state of the playroom, he buys more toys. What. is. he. thinking?! I think it is auction intoxication. As if this isn't enough, I call him to check on the girls and...he's bought a bunch of girl toys. Maybe we can dump all this crap at his mom's house...

More of Nothing

2006-09-07T10:45:00.000-07:00

Blah, blah, blah. Yada, yada, yada. Yep, just writing more nothing. This should be a blog about nothingness. I guess I don't write about anything important because nothing very exciting ever happens to me (not that I could share, remember this is G-rated). I don't write about my political beliefs because I have strong convictions but an equal amount of respect for other peoples beliefs and convictions. I don't write about thrilling things that I do because I have no life. Or maybe I have too much life and not enough time to live it. I don't have a favorite TV show or movie to gab about and my favorite song changes with my mood. I could use this blog to vent about the people who ticked me off today, but they aren't going to read it and say "oh, I probably should have been nicer," or "I guess I shouldn't have cut her off on the highway," now are they. I still feel like I'm too young to have an opinion of any worth and yet too old to get away with acting like I'm young. Mostly, I think, I just have a deep fear of disappointing people. I could bare my soul, but why would I put my most sacred thoughts and feelings out "there" for the whole world to see? I am terrified that people won't like me, that I won't measure up to their standard of what I should be. Not smart enough, too smart, not attractive enough, not quiet enough, on and on and on. I know I talk too much, but I can't shut up...I've tried, I'm not any good at it. I am very easily distracted. I have no tact, no talent in the art of subtlety. I can be way too blunt. I am a fountain of unending questions. I am incredibly unorganized. And my worst, I overanalyze everything...what I said, what you said, body language, things that were implied, what you thought of what I said, etc. As I sneak up on 30, I finally feel a little more comfortable in my own skin (I accept my flaws and move on), I just wish that this comfortable skin looked a lot more like the 19-year-old skin that I was searching for self-acceptance in.

Okay, I'm done rambling on about nothing. I'll try to do something exciting this weekend so I have something to blog about.

Pickup Lines

2006-09-03T23:47:00.000-07:00

I love pickup lines! I ran across a website with a ton of them. Here are my favorites:
I lost my number can I have yours?
Hi, I just wanted to give you the chance to reject me.
Do you mind if I stare at you up close instead of across the room.
Hershey's makes a million kisses a day...I'm only asking for one.
What does it feel like to be the most beautiful girl in this room.

There's so many more,but... they aren't really appropriate...my girls read my blog. Gotta keep it G-rated!

2006-09-02T19:39:00.000-07:00

Blogging about being ill actually cured my illness. Nah, not really. I think I just got too wrapped up in my day on Wednesday and forgot to eat (I did go to Wendy's and get a sandwich, but it never left the bag... the white chocolate mocha from Starbucks was only half gone), which makes me feel icky, which in turn leads me to avoid food while I feel icky, and on and on. I forced down some food (okay, a handful of grapes and a Powerade) and I feel so much better. I thought about seeing how much weight I could lose, but I really like food much more than being thin.

My real reason for blogging tonight: My daughters are amazing!! Yesterday, while I was working, Sydney's teacher (Schylar's teacher last year) said she needed to talk to me about my daughter. Apparently, Schylar is the cause of a celebration. At the end of first grade, she tested at an 11th grade reading level. 11.6 to be exact (eleventh grade, sixth month). Mrs. Pounds and I quickly found the school counselor to have her explain these scores. Schylar will be a candidate for the gifted program as soon as they begin testing. I loved gifted. We were able to test our knowledge and really go "out there" with some of our ideas. Sydney also did wonderfully on the test. At the end of Kindergarten she tested at a first grade, ninth month reading level (1.9). She also tested above average in all other subjects. I warned Mrs. Pounds that I will expect her to teach Sydney as well as she did Schylar. Actually, Sydney had scores very close to the same as Schylar's Kindergarten testing. I don't agree with every aspect of standardized testing, but I'll admit it feels so good to hear how wonderful my girls are doing in school!!

I worked on all of the portfolios for all of my classes. Now, if they are graded on looks alone, I've got it made. I spent hours gluing and cutting and applying stickers and ribbon. I know I must get organized or I will not make it through this semester!! While I slacked off with my scrapbooking crap spread out all over the livingroom floor, my beloved cleaned the house (he did leave our bedroom for me to clean, but I made the mess in there) and helped make dinner!!

2006-09-02T09:07:00.000-07:00

Ugh! I can't believe it's Saturday! The only Saturday I don't have school for the next three weeks and I feel so bad. I haven't felt well since Wednesday evening, but I didn't think it would last this long. I've already accused my sister of being pregnant and not telling me. Courtney and I have bizarro experiences. Last year, just days before she found out she was pregnant, I started having weird pregnancy-type symptoms. This caused a little strife in our home since we had a vasectomy while pregnant with number 4. I would swear I feel exactly the same now. I am ravenously hungry and extremely icky at the same time. I've also turned into a major insomniac. I'm always a night person, but the last few nights I've just tossed and turned and laid there awake. exhausted. Maybe it's just stress. Wednesday I had a small moment of freak-out...my life seems so complicated. I feel tugged in so many different directions. I think I really just need some "me" time. Alone time. Not at school or taking care of home things. I just have too much on my plate right now. I hope this semester goes by really fast!!

Thursday Night Lights

2006-08-31T20:56:00.000-07:00

Okay, I have to brag about how great my day was. I slept in (because I am a slacker and I let my girls skip today because we had to go to Springfield for dr. appointments) and took my lazy time getting ready. I love being able to waste time. I am so good at it!! Anyways, we got started later than I had hoped but still made it to my appointment on time. Now, yesterday when I changed my appointment, I was told to expect at least 45 minutes. I was in, out, and had the contacts in my eyes in 15 minutes. Went to Nixa to see my mom for all of 5 minutes. Next appointment...eww, a shot. We got there a little early. In, injected, checked, and out in about 25 minutes. Last appointment...In early, everything looked good...come back in 6 months, out before our appointment time. This never, ever, ever happens to me!! I am so incredibly thankful! I had time to stop at the Mall and pick up a few things!! I was planning on going up to the bookstore to get a book I need for one of my classes, but since I got a late start, I didn't have time. I was really looking forward to going up there, but I'll probably just go tomorrow when I get off work (I'm subbing) or an hour or so before I go to class on Tuesday. I absolutely adore the drive to and from Springfield every day (read with tons of sarcasm). At least Spfd has Braum's, Starbucks, and Krispy Kremes!!

There is just nothing like the high I get from standing on the sideline of a hometown football game. Not even Starbucks gets me that excited! The weather was a little warmer than I like- I love to snuggle up in a hoodie with my hot chocolate and wedge myself into the screaming crowd- but it was a beautiful night. Tonight's game must not have been all that exciting...I still have a voice. We went up early and stayed there. By the end of halftime I had had it up to here with the whiners, so I left for a few minutes during the third to deposit them at Grandma's house. Then I ran (really, I. ran.) the two or three blocks from my house to the ball field. So many people (I call them doubters) told me that we (MG) couldn't beat Salem this year. Final score....MG 35 Salem 20. We are scorchin' hot!! Next week, off we go to Nixa!!

Just Wednesday

2006-08-30T21:51:00.000-07:00

Home at last!! I have been in classes since one o'clock this afternoon. My classes are interesting and I'm sure I'll learn something if I dare crack open my books, but it's just the same thing over and over and over. Lather, rinse, repeat. Only the flavor changes (math, science, reading correction, literature, language arts, curriculum...all very tempting varieties).

On a happier subject, our new football field was on the news tonight. Remember, the BIG GAME is tomorrow night. My van is all painted up courtesy of a couple of girls in the junior class and I hope to have time to get my yard all decorated before I leave for the big city. I've heard dire predictions from a few people and encouraging comments from others. Every year we lose our best players to graduation and we think we're gonna be rotten, and every year we totally rock. GO PANTHERS!!

I Am So Gonna Hurt Somebody

2006-08-29T08:04:00.000-07:00

I have been on the phone with Dish Network for 45 minutes now. I can't understand a word this lady is saying and she doesn't seem to have a clue. So, while she rambles on arguing with me, I think I'll blog. Can I ask for someone who speaks real English without getting into some sort of discrimination trouble? I've already asked to speak with a manager twice...I think she said there is no one else that can help me, but who knows. How do you say "supervisor" in pseudo-English with a really bad accent? I doubt she's even in the USA. This is ridiculous...the automated menu person was nicer and easier to understand. I. am. giving. up. Thank you very much for your time, you've answered none of my questions and you've wasted an hour of my day. Okay, call DirectTV. Wow, a person that's not automated...and his accent is much like mine...and I can get NFL Sunday ticket. Cool. Credit card #...right here. Installation...set up. Thank you, have a great day. Five minutes! That's right, I was only on the phone for five minutes with an American-sounding gentleman who gave me the free DVR upgrade and a great deal on NFL Sunday ticket!! FIVE MINUTES!!

Now I just have to wait 8 days for installation. Hey, at least that gives me time to clean before the installer comes into my house!!

2006-08-28T20:59:00.000-07:00

Schylar...she's growing up so fast!!

2006-08-28T20:57:00.000-07:00

Sydney...I think the bat weighs more than she does!

2006-08-28T20:51:00.000-07:00

Seth and Shane....
Angels in the infield?

Calgon?

2006-08-28T19:43:00.000-07:00

Somehow, despite the atrocious beginning to my day, I returned home from school this evening relatively nice. I was so furious with my boys this morning that I left early to go to school; I needed a little retail therapy...I found a really cute Abercrombie t-shirt!
First, they woke up with all kinds of energy. After we dropped off the girls, I sent them to play on the trampoline while I did homework. They came in about 30 minutes later... soaking wet. Um, excuse me, I know it rained yesterday, but our yard was not THAT wet. So I asked where all the "water" came from (I know, I know! stupid, stupid, stupid...don't ask if you aren't prepared for the very worst). Whew! It really was water!!! Wait a minute....my water you say...the case of water bottles that I bought LAST NIGHT...I didn't think you could open them...why did you open them...why did you want to shoot Shane with water...he told you to, huh...and you listened to him...you let a three-year-old boss you around...you dumped twenty-two bottles of water on your brother because he told you to...you're kidding me, right...oh, he dumped some on you, too...how did he get them open...oh, I see, you opened them for him...wow, and you left me three bottles of water. This was followed by fighting, jumping on my bed, and throwing their snack at each other. Yell, scream, stomp, threaten. Grrr. My tantrum was worse than theirs, so I loaded them up a half-hour early and carted them to Grandma's where they behaved like angels until Daddy picked them up.

Hey look!! I learned how to post pics!! I am way too good at this!!

What happened to my post??

2006-08-26T15:20:00.000-07:00

Sorry--I forgot to post this last night. I had this really great post, full of spousal humor, and I hit the publish button but didn't stick around to see if it posted. It didn't. Darn it, it was funny!! Anyways, I have one weekend down and three more to go for one of my classes. Today was kind of a waste of my time...I had fun, so I guess that counts for something. Of course, I have fun everywhere I go. Life is too short to take everything seriously...or personally. That was a hard lesson for me to learn and I still struggle with it sometimes.

Okay, football fans, the Missouri High School game of the year is just a few days away!! MG vs. Salem. Go Panthers!! This game is only for braggin' rights. We've beat them three or four years in a row. I can't wait!! I'm also skipping out of my class early the next Friday night to watch the MG-Nixa game. There is just something about Friday nights under the lights on the field. Cold air, warm hoodies. Screaming fans. Such a rush!!

I put THAT on my FACE!!!

2006-08-20T22:47:00.000-07:00

Just a little while ago, I mixed up my own concoction to keep crickets from coming onto our back porch. I added tea tree oil to a styrofoam cup of other ingredients and began to stir. As I was gingerly pouring my brew, I noticed that the tea tree oil was eating the cup, eventually all the way through. I've put that stuff on my face! I'm lucky to have skin!!

We had a beautiful day. Sydney was baptized and most of our family was at our church. She was such a brave little girl. The church was completely packed. Then, after Sunday School, we went to my former church to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the director of the church daycare. Wow! Forty years of working with kids. Forty years at the same job. I didn't realize she'd been there that long until her son invited us to be there. My mom was only 7 when the daycare opened. Anyway, Mildred is a great lady...she has taken in tons of foster kids and adopted many. She has made such a difference in the lives of hundreds of kids.

Hey Brittany...thanks for the link to your site. That was a beautiful piece about Casey. We are all going to miss him so much! Thanksgiving and Christmas aren't going to be the same but we'll get through it. We always have each other and the rest of our family...except for those, like you, who get to go to New York and march in some rinky-dink parade for Thanksgiving, leaving your favorite cousins behind to sulk in Missouri!!

2006-08-14T22:27:00.000-07:00

Well, when I titled my last entry I did not realize just how sad my day was going to get. This afternoon my cousin's best friend was killed in a car accident. He was only 16. There was also a 16 year old girl and a 14 year old boy killed in the accident and an 18 year old girl and 18 year old boy are in intensive care. An older woman was hurt, but I haven't heard anything else about her. They were just on their way to buy school supplies. Casey (dear sweet cousin's bff) was like a part of our family. His family life wasn't very good so he always spent holidays with us and this is simply devastating. Please remember all of these families in your prayers.

A Sad, Sad Day in My World....NOT!!

2006-08-14T06:31:00.000-07:00

Last night, we were driving home. Wow, that's huge. Anyways, dh drove us past the naked man's house. To our delight and horror, the man FINALLY put up curtains (and installed an air conditioner right by his chair). Now I'm not sure what we're going to do for fun anymore, but it was fun while it lasted. Jessica, I hope you got to drive and see him just once!! Also, congrats to Jessica and Scott...they started their brand new jobs today in the same school district. Go Lions!!! (Yeah right, I remain loyal to my beloved Panthers!)

Boys....eww gross!!

2006-08-10T11:36:00.000-07:00

I was just washing ds number 2's face and asked why he had so much dirt around his mouth. Apparently ds number 1 made him a mud cake and told him to eat it (eww yuck). Ds number 1 couldn't keep a straight face while lying to me. He finally confessed through peals of laughter. Why me!!?? More proof that boys are gross!!

SHEM Rocks!!

2006-08-09T20:32:00.000-07:00

Last night, I got to go to a Homeschool Curriculum Sale. It was so exciting!! I had so much fun. Jenn had a table of stuff to sell and I tagged along to help... she couldn't find any homeschool moms brave enough to go with her, so she was stuck with me. Most people were really...well, let's say interesting. Several were very friendly and chatted. Several more shopped with an intensity that was both a little frightening and yet amusing. These women never said a word. They didn't even notice me!! It was like "dollar a yard day" in fabric at Wal-Mart without the little old ladies. I was hoping I'd get to see a fight, but everyone stayed civil.(darn)

I did learn that SHEM does not stand for Scorchin'hot Home Educated Man, nor does it stand for Scorchin'hot Home Educating Mama. I never did find out what it really meant. It was more fun to make up my own words to the acronym.

I was amazed by the involvement of the students. They were really checking things out and knew exactly what they needed and wanted to learn. How do I harness that ownership of education and give it to 25 elementary kids? I want the kids in my class to be actively involved in and actively persue their education. I saw moms who were former public school teachers, moms who were so intelligent it hurt to listen to them speak, and one mom who couldn't read the title of a workbook. I accidentally admitted that I work in the public school system a couple of times. The first time, the lady I was gabbing with was super sweet and even had a couple of questions about how "we" do things. The second time, the lady talking to me (I think she was wearing a doily on her head) snorted and looked disgusted. Maybe she didn't like my underwear...who knows.

The best part of the entire evening was hands down having female conversation with a female over the age of seven. Even better, Jenn is one of the most interesting, thoughtful, brilliant people I know. She's very honest about her thoughts and opinions and she thinks deep and her questions and thoughts make me think deep too.I feel more intelligent just by spending time with her. One day, when I grow up, I want to be just like Jenn!!

I Hope It's Not a Bad Omen

2006-08-09T18:19:00.000-07:00

A few minutes ago, I found our unity candle from our wedding. We've been married a little more than eleven years and we've moved at least 8 times, so it's been shuffled around a little. Not to mention that the kiddos find all sorts of stuff from old boxed to play with. This candle was laying on the ottoman in the livingroom (I have no idea how it got there!) broken and dirty. I walked into the kitchen where dh was just finishing up the dinner dishes and said "Look, here's our unity candle. The symbol of our love and marriage. All the pretty stuff has come off and it's broken in two and held together by a string. Yep, just like our marriage." At which point we both burst into peals of laughter. Our marriage has never been stronger!! I can't throw the candle away, so I think I'll finally burn it. Or at least try to. It kinda sits at a funny angle.

2006-08-07T21:30:00.000-07:00

Let's see what I can ramble and rant about tonight.

First, shopping for little girl clothes. We went to the mall (ugh) Saturday to buy school clothes. I spent 3 or 4 hours saying, "nope, too sexy," "nope, you aren't 18," "What would your Daddy say?" At one point, my 7-year-old daughter said, "but Mom, sometimes we like to look sexy"...(aaaahhhhh!!!! I think I should just start tearing my hair out now) Why can't they make little girls clothes look like they belong on little girls??!! T-shirts that aren't fitted, dresses with ruffles and big bows!!!??? No baby cleavage, no baremidriffs!!!We did finally find a few outfits, but it was a painful morning!! So we made it so much better by having lunch at Incredible Pizza...

Second, I have a couple of prayer requests. Scott's Grandma Dobson is in the hospital. During lunch and entertainment at IP, we got a call that she had fallen and hurt her shoulder and that she had been taken by ambulance to the hospital. She broke her shoulder in two places and she was pretty banged up. I didn't get to go in to see her, but Scott came out a little shaken-looking. At the moment, they have stabilized her arm, but they aren't sure her fragile bones can withstand the surgery. No matter what, this very independent, incredible lady is going to lose mobility in her arm.
Also, my mom has a minor surgery Wednesday morning because of bad test results. She had skin cancer not too long ago. It terrifies me that she might have cancer again, but I know that God will take care of her.

Third...Schylar was baptized Sunday morning. It was awesome. Just as awesome...Sydney was saved Sunday. She told our preacher before church that she wanted to be but she wanted to go up on the stage, not pray in his office. This is a huge thing for her. She is very, very shy, but she told me that she had prayed and God gave her the courage to go up and show everyone how to get saved. And, after a year and a half, Scott and I joined the church. It was Dobson Day at FBC. Now, a week from this Sunday, Sydney is going to be baptized! I am so thankful for my munchkins. They make life incredible!

Trivonopoly, anyone?

2006-08-03T22:22:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I decided that walking is not working so I decided to whip this body into shape by running. The problem with that is that I can only jog about two or three blocks before I need a bigger breath. I studied breathing techniques last night after my first attempt. I discovered tonight that breathing techniques help, but I'm just not coordinated enough to run. Runners are graceful, their bodies move with rhythm. I stumble (a lot!!) and my legs and arms aren't movin' to the same band. I've thought about listening to music while I run(walk) to establish a rhythm, but I go really late at night and, after lectures from dh about serial killers and rapists, I avoid unpopulated (but very nicely surfaced) roads and I listen with sonic hearing for anyone nearby. Tonight, I was chased by a opossum. I thought it would run away if I just kept going toward it, but it started running right at me. I made it home fast. At least it was late and nobody saw me!! Scott is out running now. I hope he meets my opossum friend.

Today my family had a garage sale at my grandmother's. My sister and I, our husbands, and our kids went to help. Let me explain help. Courtney sat and took money, Schylar and Sydney bought a bunch of crap from other family members, and Seth and Shane played...and fought. Scott, Rodney, and I held down the furniture while catching up on the History channel. We got bored this evening and combined two games. Alone, they are both great games, but together they wrap intelligence, schema, strategy, and money into one neat little activity. We created Trivonopoly. It is the child of Trivial Pursuit (this one had questions about Watergate and Kennedy...I think it might be older than me!!) and Monopoly.It was hilarious. We made up a bunch of procedures. Courtney landed on the Go to Jail square about 10 times (by the seventh time, I was rotfl) and eventually, I would have won, but we never finished. We did amuse ourselved for a couple hours.

Now, I have a final to finish...okay, I still have to start it. I must somehow develop better study and homework skills. I have over 20 hours this fall semester and I doubt I'll be able to do all my work the night before it's due!!

PS...Brittany, I still can't onto your blog!!

TGIF

2006-07-29T20:01:00.000-07:00

I have so much and so little to say tonight. If I ramble on about my day, you'll be bored to tears. Throughout my day, I have been constantly reminded of something our preacher said a week or so ago...basically he said that when you are in the center of God's will, things always work out. God works them out. Somehow, in the midst of my hectic, stressful day, I caught myself singing a song from VBS. It was so simple, so meaningful. The lyrics:

You are my hope

You are my strength

You are my friend

My everything

Your hand made me

You gave me breath

How could I fear

What lies ahead

I will follow You Jesus

Because I believe

In God's plan for my

I will follow You Jesus

Cause I know for sure

You hold my future

and I love You so

I will follow

It has taken me so long to finally figure out where the center of God's will is. I still struggle with it daily!! I can see God working and feel Him working!! It's hard to learn to "let go and let God" but sometimes, giving something up to Him is the only way to work it out. I have first hand experience with that!! Each time I trust God to take care of some detail or problem in my life, I learn to lean on Him and trust Him a little more. I'm not perfect, I make horrible mistakes and He loves me and takes care of me anyway. That's so exciting!!

BTW... Schylar will be baptized Sunday, August 6th!!

What a day!!

2006-07-27T17:36:00.000-07:00

I was gonna quote Nickleback for my title today, but decided that I wasn't quite up to "feeling way too @#*% good" but I'm pretty close. Or at least I think so and that's enough opinion for my little reality-free world. I have the house to myself for a while and I got a package today. A package I have been lusting for. While I don't get as excited as Jenn, I did do a little happy dance.

A few nights ago I somehow came up with the delusion that my computer would run better if I would transfer all of my music files to disc and delete them. I put all of my Nickleback on cd, deleted them, and now half of my music library is gone. GONE!!! Now I'm gonna have to illegally download all that crap again! And, guess what.....my computer runs the same as before only now I can't rock out while I'm surfin' the 'net.

Ah, well, homework and housework beckon and I must go find chocolate the for strength to keep avoiding them!!

Mmm...He Was SO Hot!

2006-07-26T02:43:00.000-07:00

This week is off and running. I can't believe it's Tuesday...no, it's now early Wednesday morning.4:40 am to be exact. oops. I shoulda went to bed. Oh well, the sun will be up in an hour or so and I am enjoying my peaceful time. alone time. I have used this time so wisely. I spent about an hour and a half going through my cd collection to see which ones work. I own a lot of scratched cds!!

I had a really good evening at school (i must be feverish). The nasty little presentation did not send me into full blown panic, although I could feel myself glowing red, and I almost sounded like I had read the book. It's a good book, I've really learned a lot from it. It is "Reading With Meaning" by Debbie Miller. Then, of course, class was followed by a quick stop at Starbucks for a white chocolate mocha (mmm...drool). Can it get much better than drinking warm chocolatey coffee outside on a breezy evening with good company? ok yeah it can, but it requires a beach and a drink with an umbrella and watching the munchkins bury dad in the warm, white sand.

thIngS I sAW TodAy tHat I CoUld HavE LiVeD WitHoUt

1. There was a bigtruck with a tractor-ish thing blocking half of ChestnutExpy. The tractor-lookingthingy had slid halfway off the side of the truck as it went around the corner. The driver was just standing there in the grass, looking at the thingy like he wanted to kick it, talking on his cell. From his face, the conversation was going something like....

"Ummm......Well...... Yeah but..... well um....no..but.....um....letme explain..."

who woulda guessed that those chains and ropes were actually useful!

2. Fruit of the Loom white undies ...$7

Adidas sandals $20

watching dh walk up our sidewalk (yeah, sidewalk, as in outside our house in the middle . of . town) wearing the abovementioned articles and carrying dd's hot pink purse.....priceless.

3. The naked guy standing up in front of his window and stretching. You have to drive on the right street in MG to get this....

There was so much I was going to blog about...but I think I'll just leave you with these endearing images...

Wild Weekend

2006-07-18T22:03:00.000-07:00

We had an awesome weekend! We went to a family reunion Sunday in Branson. I was a little skeptical about the fun factor. I could just see my three-year-old having a monster meltdown because of all the strangers trying to look at him. He is obsessed with people looking at him. He doesn't like to be looked at. However, we got very, very lucky. He was an angel. All my munchkins were angels! They were well behaved and polite and had a lot of fun. Scott's cousin's husband is (was, i'm not sure) an Apache pilot and he said that he would love to take the kids to the base and show them the helicopters. Shane and Seth were over the moon for that idea. They want to go to Georgia. They want to leave now. We've convinced them to wait just a little while.

After the reunion, we went back to the hotel... we made the sign. that's what they said when I checked in-- there was a Welcome Dobson Family message on their sign out by the road. the kids thought they were celebrities....and then they went straight to the pool. Sydney spent hours jumping into the deep end. Seth spent most of the time playing on the step. Shane just wanted to be held. And Schylar, wow, I was floored. Schylar swam up to me and said "Look Mom, I can go under. Now I'm not afraid to be baptized, and I want to talk to Brother Gene about getting saved and baptized." I was stunned. She hates water in her face, even when she bathes, but I could tell that she's been struggling with something for the last little bit. She's acted different since VBS. She's definitely had something on her mind. She is such a blessing, they all are!

Monday was a trip to Silver Dollar City. We had fun, but it was H-O-T hot!! Sydney rode her first "real" rollercoaster (Thunderation). She was scared but by the end she wasn't hiding her face anymore and was smiling a little. Twenty minutes later she wanted to ride it again!! I was so proud of my little troupers. It was unbearably hot, but they didn't complain, at least, not excessively so. There were lots of rude people who kept running over our little ones, but we tried not to let that bother us. It's sad how few people use good manners in such big crowds. SDC is a dog eat dog kinda place. Everyone was rushing to be first in line, first on the train, first to the restroom. Some lady pushed past us in the restroom as we were headed for the handicapped stall. I had the stroller and two boys, it's easier to manuever in the "big" stall. This lady practically ran to beat us into it. Another lady ran into both of my boys in her rented electric cart. They didn't notice nor care, but it bothered me that no one was using any manners. It made me become more aware of the manners I sometimes (okay, often) forget to use.

i'ts 2 am, what am i thinking

2006-07-15T00:06:00.000-07:00

it is 2 am and here i am still up. i thought by now i'd pass out from exhaustion. we had such a great day today. my father-in-law and his wife are here from south carolina and they brought two of our nieces with them. victoria is almost thirteen and breanna just turned eleven. they are so sweet. we adore them. since we hadn't seen our south carolina nieces and nephews for a while, we had kinda forgotten how old they were getting. our oldest nephew is gonna be 20 this year. i would have put an exclamation point after that, and i would have capitalized in all the right places, but i spilled a glass of water on my keyboard yesterday and i have just figured out that the only things affected were the shift keys. they don't work. anyway...we aren't old enough to have a 20 year old nephew with a girlfriend. freakyscarycool all at the same time. this particular nephew also feels drawn toward the ministry and is really struggling with finding direction in his life.

back to my sweet nieces. we took all the munchkins plus tori and breanna to the city pool today. then, because it was our daughter, sydney's, sixth birthday she chose mcdonalds for dinner. we looked like half of the cheaper by the dozen family. after that we were off to a church league softball game and then back out to grandma d's to make homemade ice cream and drop the girls off. we were all worn out but we had a blast. sunday we are going to a family reunion in branson. what that really means is that the family is meeting at the ramada but you will find us and ours in the pool, hot tub, or sauna at the comfort suites down the road. monday we are off to the big city of the silver dollar. i love it. wildfire here i come.

Ode to Homeschool Moms

2006-07-12T07:24:00.000-07:00

Ack!!! Jenn just pointed out that I probably offended all the homeschool moms because I said I was going to be a *real* teacher. I didn't mean to offend!!! I have been a substitute for 2 years while working on my degree in education (I graduate May 07), so in my feeble mind, I will finally have my own classroom and not be constantly trying to figure out how to manage other teachers' classes. You see, real - not a sub. I have the utmost respect for moms (and dads!) who homeschool. I wanted to homeschool ours (we have four), but then I realized I have no patience when it comes to teaching my own children---other peoples kids, sure, but my own... I'm also incredibly lazy if I'm at home. So, my hat's off to you ladies who homeschool. I am fascinated by you. What an incredible love and mind-blowing dedication!! I desire to be like you. I work in public education where at least half of the parents don't care if their child learns anything or not. The caring is left up to the teachers and administrators. School is just the babysitter to get the kids outta their hair. I love how Jenn calls the bus the "big yellow freedom bird". There has to be someone to educate those kids! I consider anyone who teaches (at home, at parochial, at public) to be equal to, or maybe just a tad greater than me.

Non-Mechanics at Work

2006-07-11T09:28:00.000-07:00

I had to find something to do to keep me from watching Scott and his stepdad install the working starter in my van. Ugh. I walked out a few minutes ago and they were trying to get the ramps under it. While they were trying to get the second ramp under it, the ramp on the other side started to tilt. Really tilt. Up on one edge tiltage. I had horrific visions of my van turned up on its side in the ditch. Double Ugh! So I scurried in here to keep myself busy. It's just better if I don't watch. Sometime soon I'm gonna figure out how to put pics on here. A picture of this would be priceless. I just checked on them and I think they just used fishing line to secure something... I'd better go supervise!!

2006-07-10T23:42:00.000-07:00

Second post!! I am way too cool, a bloggin' fool.

Today was so eventful. My car wouldn't start. again. My dh and stepdad tried to fix it Saturday and it really did work all of Sunday and the first two times I tried it today. I called my mechanic. Now, my dh is out laying on the wet, wet ground (we got more than 5 inches of rain today) at 1:45 a.m.(!!) trying to remove my old starter. Success!! He just walked in (very, very dirty) with a part in his hand. Then he said "If this isn't the starter, blame it on O'Reilly's in Springfield." Wow, my confidence in his mechanical ability, which is already minimal, just sputtered. I hope whatever damage he caused can be fixed.

We went to Mansfield to get the keys to Scott's classroom. His very first classroom!! I am so proud of him!! He's going to teach sixth grade math. The wonderful maintenance guys painted the room and it looks so much better than it did when I last ventured in there in May. We also met his superintendent and the wonderful maintenance guys.

After our grand adventure to the land of Laura Ingalls Wilder, we came back to town and picked up our munchkins at Grandma Judy's house. The big three had spent the night last night and the little one insisted on being taken out upon waking this morning. Both of Grandma's rain gauges showed 5 1/2 inches of rain before 3 this afternoon. We drove home on the country roads to check out the low water bridges, reminding our children of the dangers of crossing water over the road. We are such fun parents.

Today was the baby's birthday. My baby is 3!! *sob* I can't believe it. He's a big boy now. He even picked real food for his birthday dinner. Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and mac & cheese. Followed, of course, by chocolate cake because we didn't have cake at his party yesterday. We had a bbq for him and his sis (6 on Friday) and instead of cake, we decorated Krispy Kreme donuts -mmmm...tastes like love. He was not impressed and asked for cake today. Well, he got it, Thomas the Tank Engine and all.

BTW...Way to go First Baptist softball teams. We won both games Friday night!! Must be all the good cheering of the First Baptist crowd. Good luck this Friday!!

My First Post!!

2006-07-06T22:02:00.000-07:00

Wow! My very first post...on a blog that will probably be read by ....er, well, ..no one. Well, at least I have impressed myself by doing it!! Ah, I am so easily entertained.