Little Funnies

Sophie has had a day where she has been pushing the limits. Come to think of it she is like that most days. By 7:30 tonight my patience was at an all time low. So, she was supposed to be brushing her teeth but of course she was bouncing on the exercise ball.(not sure what that thing is for) as I proceeded to discipline her for her disobedience I reminded her that she needed to do the things the first time I told her too. As she walks in the bathroom I her this mumbling and I catch her saying in a sarcastic voice. Well Boo Who to you and then a noise that sounded suspiciously like she was sticking out her tongue at the "door". Well at least she has no problem voicing her frustrations.

Ethan and Caden watched a special on NGW(National Geographic Wild) about salmon we watched the spawning process and the male is shaking his tail viciously after the female laid her eggs and Ethan said so is that how you and Daddy made me. I almost fell in the floor.

Did not want to forget these things today.

Almost done

When I married Troy, I not only got the best man in the world, but the best in-laws. They are not perfect, we don't always see eye to eye, but you will never find more giving, caring people. For example, my father-in-law, Jack. When you first meet him he comes across as quiet and shy. He is but he is also funny, loves to pick, and very sneaky. Yesterday, he offered up his day to come help Troy and I paint at Dad's. He was cracking me up. My middle monkey, reminds me a lot of him. He is the quiet one that you need to watch out for. Sometimes it is hard for me with him because he is the same age as my dad. They went to school together. Seeing Jack healthy and Dad looking so much older is hard. Jack has always been there for us. He is a rock. I love him dearly and can never thank him enough for the hugs that last just a little bit longer because although no words are said he knows I need one from a daddy. Thanks Papa for all your help.

We painted and worked at Dad's until 5am this morning. We are almost done and have potentials coming to check it out this week. I am looking forward to a relaxing week. Praying for lots of snow. I need a snuggle day with my kids and hubby with some good Hallmark movies and a good book.

Thankful

A day where I didn't have to leave before my kids were up.
A day where we were all sleeping under the same roof.
A morning where my early bird climbed in the bed with me and went back to sleep.
A morning where there were no phone calls.
A morning everyone slept in.
A day of reading and snuggling.
A day I was able to cook for my children.
A day where there was no checklist to complete.
A day where I didn't have to go anywhere.
A day school was quick and easy.
An afternoon of swinging.
An after lunch bike ride.
Popsicle stained faces.
Trampoline wrestling.
Watching my kids enjoy each other as I enjoy a hot cup of joe.
Listen to there laughter as I type on the computer.
Smothering there sweet faces with kisses.
Fixing their favorite supper.
My mom who likes to help whenever I need it.
An opportunity to go away for the weekend when all the other stuff is done.
My sweet sister-in-law who embraces 40.
New Chai tea recipe
Leaves on the kitchen floor.
Singing a new song
Days where the normal is a welcome change and a reminder to count all the little things as big blessings.

The house that built me

If you listen to country music you may have heard the Miranda Lambert song The House that Built Me. Today was kind of like that. I was alone in Surry County waiting for the carpet guys to finish at Dad's. All the paperwork is done. Two more "chores" and then the waiting game. I was driving to my sister's to pick up Sophie and, as I always do, I passed the road that I grew up on. It occurs to me now that I rarely register that road, but today I couldn't not go. Noticable changes the road is now paved instead of dirt, two homes are old and condemed, the trailor below us was gone and the garden is now grass. But the same RR track that my brother and I would race to on our bikes as soon as we heard the whistle in the distance to see if we could smash a quarter or wave to the conductor. The same house. I could see my dad with one leg propped up on the brick under the carport, always the left one, with a cigarette in hand on a fall afternoon listening to the dogs chase a rabbit as he taught me how to distinguish the dog by the bark. I could see him on the red lawn mower in high speed mowing the grass. I remembered him teaching us how to skin a rabbit. I remember the summer he caught a baby raccon and it almost bit his finger off. I saw my handprints in the concrete where we put in a basketball goal. The wood stove was burning and I saw the many loads of wood that I threw to my brother as he and dad stacked them. I saw the place where the beegums stood and could imagine him in his white suit with the smoker in his hand. The batting cage area was grown up but I could see it clearly. I never understood why he put that thing in we always enjoyed Sunday afternoon trips to the batting cage better anyway. Listening to oldies but goodies. I could clearly see the Phyliss Deeler chickens and I could hear him roll out the windows and say "hilda hush that racket" because the dogs were barking at something in the woods. As I turned my car around and was leaving I remembered riding in the middle of the old red truck, I was always in the middle because it was closest to Daddy, and he would let me steer on our road. Today I refused to think bad things. Today I missed my Daddy. Ever time I pull into his driveway it is like pulling the scab off a wound and pouring salt in it. Monday was the hardest because his truck is gone. With every visit to his house it like losing a little piece of him. His kitchen is clean, his cabinets and closets cleaned out. The furniture is gone. New carpet and flooring in the bathroom. Everything is labeled trash, goodwill, sell or Jeremy. I want to be done and yet I don't ever want to leave.
Sigh!!
One thing for sure in this whole journey God's hand has been apparent. I have seen him work out all the details, the timing, the workers, the finances. Today, God did another amazing thing.
I went to the bank to get money for the workers and the lady opened Dad's account and when she was done, she looked up and said, "I knew your dad. He was such a nice man. Always with a smile. She shared a story that when the bank first opened up, the first day my dad came in with biscuits and fresh honey for all the tellers." He shared about his bees and when she shared in interest in wanting bees of her own he brought her a catalog to help her with information on how to get started. God keeps putting people in my path to tell these great stories about my dad. I am so thankful.
God cares about every detail of our life. He loves to listen to us and comfort us. He loves to strengthen us and give us peace in times that are unbearable. He is an awesome God.

Dear Brother, God is even working out the fact that you have not been able to be here yet. I am okay. The "business" stuff is what I am good at. Your tender heart didn't need this. I love you.
Sis

Let it snow!

Honestly, I don't mind. It really doesn't change a lot about our schedule. Sophie is home, which I love. We continue doing school on a snow-type schedule. (Sled, math, sled, read, sled well you get the picture.) My hubby gets to stay home and enjoy the fire with us. So, I love the snow and welcome more. My kids got creative this morning and put on a puppet show. Remember our cave paintings, well they cut holes in the top of the cave and stuck the puppets out the top. They covered the entrance with a blanket and Wa La(not a word I don't think) we had an instant puppet stage. It was funny and cute and was a balm to my soul.
I have been contemplating at lot about how I should feel about Daddy. Of course, I am sad but I don't feel stuck. There are times when a memory comes over me and I smile and it is bittersweet but I am okay. There has been guilt with being okay. Sunday night Matt spoke about Moses and how the Israelites mourned him for 30 days and that was a long time. The normal was 7 days. I don't know much about the context other that what I was told but I felt like that was for me. It made me feel good. 7 days and life had to move on. It helped relieve the guilt.
Things with Dad's estate are moving right along. The for sale is in the yard. I have all the paperwork I need to do the necessary things. It is going smoothly. I have people coming to buy stuff and pick up stuff. It is going just like he would have wanted quickly and easily. That is what he wanted for us. The good memories are coming more and more. The image of the alcohol destroyed man is getting less and less and the image of the funny, smiling man who was always a cut up is getting brighter and sharper again. The one who could rub my head,even when I had spent 30 minutes getting it super big and it didn't matter. The one who could give me a shoulder hug with a gentle head butt and all was right with the world. This is the man I am starting to remember and that is a welcome change.

Homeschool

Okay, so you can imagine that right now I would like to pull my hair out and give up on the whole homeschool thing but I won't. Right now I have a lot on my plate then to add school. It is a little overwhelming. But God is faithful. In November I decided that what we were doing with school was not working. I did not have the time to plan and execute my own curriculum so we started over with a new program called Winters Promise. It is laid out for me step by step what to do. God knew that I would need this with handling Dad's estate and Mom getting ready to have surgery even though I had no idea what was coming. Isn't it amazing how he prepares the way when we have no idea what the future holds. Thank God He does and today I am thankful I put aside my pride and the thoughts of wasted money and did what he said. So, our studies are Hideaways in history. WE are doing a overview of world history and we make " hideaways". So, we started today with the first one. We are talking about the first forms of writings and cave paintings. Here is our cave with my boys "painting". Pretty cool.


Just one day at a time. Doing the next thing. Not just surviving today.