had a way busy day between dentist and school all day. Not a great day either. I've got my 2 appointments to the rheumatologist and immunologist tomorrow... still lots to do tonight, but I don't wanna...
Will jump back on tomorrow.
Lynn
First thing this morning, we had a little rumbling rain roll through and it made me think of that song by Garth Brooks, so I decided to look for the video, and stumlbed across this performance by a group at Harvard... how cool is this?! (Keep watching it... it gets better-- very cool!)
Sorry... guess I'm showing my music-geekness... I loved singing in choir... miss it.
Got my test results in the mail... a bunch of gobily-gook. I'll have to wait until my appt. on Tuesday, but as far as I can decipher it's a T-cell problem.
Back to the arguing kids now...
Lynn
Here are a few to check out...
LOVE this guy's sound:
Jason Reeves
This one has a cool sound, too-- really different:
Andrew Bird
Hmmm... can't find another I'm interested in at the moment... enjoy those two. :)
ETA: OKay-- she's cool, too...
Lynn
No results in the mail today...
So, here's a pic of Emeril dreaming of having thumbs and playing the Gamecube. ;)
The party's over... Tyler is now five.
So hard for me to believe. He had a great party and has decided he feels lots older now that he is five-- LOL. He has been wearing his Darth Vader costume we gave him every waking moment since... and he and Thomas both are thrilled with the new TMNT game for Gamecube and the fact that he, too now has a Gameboy (so they can share games now). Birthdays are so much fun. I told them both yesterday that it's really special to be a mommy on birthdays because their birthdays and remembering the day they were born almost makes it feel like it's your own birthday.
The other thing that is done is Harry Potter. I finished it! Oh my goodness... I cried... I'm not spoiling the ending, but Rowling scares me-- how her mind works to fit all these tiny pieces together. How amazing! Enough said-- not giving anything away--LOL.
Today it's about getting housework done and planning for school... got a call from the rheumatologist's office yesterday that they are sending me my test results before my appt. next week and trying to keep my mind off of getting those...
Have a happy humpday,
Lynn
Yep, I'm reading it, too... just started chapter 16... a sad part of the book... but, it really is very well written thus far. We'll see how well it ends, but I think Rowling most likely keeps Harry alive... she'd like to keep selling books even though this one is the last I am sure. ;)
Not much to say yet today... maybe later... I have to call my students tonight and VBS starts tonight as well. Tyler's birthday tomorrow and I still need to get plates, etc. Where is my head? LOL
Maybe later,
Lynn
Warning: deep thoughts ahead-- LOL.
OK, maybe not "ignorance" exactly, but "not knowing". I would love to have the type of personality that didn't need to understand every tiny little detail of every single thing. I drive myself nuts. I started thinking about the tests that the immunologist ran-- not really knowing exactly what they were-- and I wondered if the results were back yet. Since I don't go back until the 31st, I thought the easiest way to at least tell if they were back yet was to just look at my insurance info online to see if it had come through yet... mistake...
Not only now do I see a big bill headed my way (on top of many others I already have, which makes me worry more), but I also now know that they ran some DNA tests called flow cytometry, which is good and thorough (will help flag what's going on with the candida), but also flags things like cancer, leukemia, serious immune issues... (I had to dig around for what this thing was for)... anyway, now I'm nervous again. That's why I think not knowing is better... I mean, I know I *need* to know what's going on, but I would have been a lot better off not knowing exactly what they had done until I get there and the dr. tells me.
I really do know God is in control and I feel like I am going where He has sent me in respect to going back to teaching and all the things involved in that. The point is, I need to stop my quest for being so thorough about everything and just trust Him to give me the answers. I am seeing that more and more. It's much like when the truck trailer hit us a few weeks ago. Stuff happens, you get out and take a look at it, but realize there's nothing you can do to change it and you keep going, trusting God to take care of it. You don't examine it too closely-- don't let it take your eyes off of Him and where He was taking you before it happened. You let it unfold and keep going.
Rich Mullins was so right...
If we can reach beyond the wisdom of this age
Into the foolishness of God
That foolishness will save those who believe...
I need to own that... that is bliss.
Nothing ever seems to go right in this area of life... I called around for days and finally was able to reserve a room at our local DQ for Tyler's birthday. I left my name and number and reserved it for the night of his birthday next week. We drove in today to pick/order a cake and although I knew they were doing some re-modeling, I had NO idea how much-- especially since they allowed me to reserve the room. Um, let's just say that the regular dining area is completely closed and the walls of the room we were supposed to use have basically been torn out. I almost cried. The girl there said her manager had a death in the family and is away, and she had no idea they were ripping the room out until they did it today.
So...
I drove to Kroger and ordered the original cake he wanted... for the same day... just have no idea where we are going to eat it. :(
some new stuff in the sidebar over there and some more coming... until then, here's Biff... remember him?
Lynn
I spent today sorting through classroom supplies with our school director and the other kindergarten teacher... whew, am I beat... I am really excited about getting back in the classroom, but it's going to take some adjustments. It's hard when you've gotten used to working in your pj's from home. Not to mention my feet-- yikes! That is a whole other thing. The neuropathy-- oh.my. Gotta figure that one out.
It's exciting to see the stuff all pulled together and get my class list though. Good thing I am able to break myself in slowly...
(yawn), time to take it easy for the day.
Tomorrow,
Lynn
So I was thinking I'm going to have to add to my header pic up there soon... got more things to add to the picture that I will be posting about... not sure I can squeeze them all in my hand though and I'd have to re-do the whole thing... hmmm... maybe I'll just leave it as is...
Anyway, I had my first school staff meeting last Friday, got my class list, met the other teachers, got to check out what will become my room... I say "will become" because the walls are just now up. Our school is a private Christian school for grades Pre-K through 5th grade, and it just happens to be in the church I attend, which moved into / renovated an old Wal-Mart-- the space is HUGE! Anyway, our school has had to build and so they just got the walls up. Andrew went Saturday to help hang sheet rock. We've got less than a month and a lot of work to do, so it gets a little "panicky" if you let it. I got to meet the other Kindergarten teacher-- I think we're going to work really well together. She only lives about 3 miles from me, too... funny... So, tomorrow, I have to meet with her and with the school director to go through boxes, figure out what we still need, etc. My main "transition" I think is going to be going from "Mommy" to "teacher"... I am one of only a couple of teachers with small kiddos and so I'm struggling with making it all fit, where to have the kids when we're working, etc. Just a lot to sort out still...
I also saw Thomas' teacher from last year while I was getting groceries yesterday and am really hoping he has her again since she is moving up a grade as well. She hinted that he might, but we never know for sure since he is open-enrolled.
In other developments, I am officially going to be the "Discussion Group Leader" on the steering committee of MOPS in the fall. I was going to be on in the role of Hospitality Leader, but this actually will work out wayyyy better and is right up my alley, so I am excited about that, too.
Life is full of changes. And, the closer I get to understanding God's purpose in that, the more I see chaotic things swirling around me. I'm trying hard not to let those things take my attention of God, because I know all things are possible through Him who gives me strength. There are so many "unknown variables" still and so many things that can trip me up if I let them, but I am trying hard not to let them. The ironic part of that is the more you understand that, the more Satan attacks-- you've just got to try and keep going anyway. It's not easy, but it is right...
Had a song to share, but I can't find a good version of it, so I'll hold off for now... maybe I'll find it later and get it up. :)
Lynn
OK-- this one is not exactly a P.C. song, but I just found it and love Flight of the Conchords (their stand up is WAY funnier than their show), so I had to post it on music finds day.
It's been one of those weeks where you just scratch your head and wonder what is wrong with people today and why things happen the way they do, and why people can be so inhumane, and all news is bad, etc, etc-- you get the point... anyway, this song made me remember that you just need to laugh sometimes... (disclaimer: the talking at the end goes a bit overboard, but the song is a hoot).
...and beyond that song, and maybe even slightly because of it, I also was reminded that this world is not my home... and that God is so much bigger and so much better. And, it's good to laugh while we're here.
In related (and cool) music news, Andrew helped hook up Tree63 to come to our church sometime this fall. I'm tellin' ya... the boy doesn't even know what he's doing when he does it-- I kept telling him he had no idea how big a deal this was-- LOL-- and then, I realized that they sing Thomas' all time favorite song, so it's a personally a super big deal. ;)
Here they are, and here's Thomas' favorite song:
And... I'm on the hunt for more... all for now. :)
Lynn
Not much time... taking the kids to the free movie today, but wanted to post a couple of things God brought to mind last night/this morning, so wanted to share...
A poem I wrote back in highschool:
"If the stars will tell us where we'll go
Then ask them not for I do not wish to know,
For if we know what lies ahead,
Then surely our dreams shall all be dead."
Lyrics from a song Andrew & I wrote:
"Jesus, you're there in the midst of it all.
You're there to catch me when I fall.
Though the strong winds blow and the water is wild,
You're there to calm the storm and save your child.
When it tears down my world and I feel it blow,
The wind takes over the world that I know,
You're always waiting; You never leave me,
I only forget that it's You that calms the sea."
You ever get to the point where you have too much to say so you don't say any of it at all? You know... you get the thoughts out in typed words and they just don't quite match the depth of the thoughts in your head? I'm starting to figure some things out, and yet I feel clueless. That's both comforting and frustrating. It's not even so much that I am figuring them out as it is God is giving me pieces of them a little at the time. I do know that I hate that I am a control freak, and yet I also hate that I can't control anything... and I also know that God is in control and I don't really want to be. I know, I'm a contradiction. That's my story. There's a reason for the over-log of thoughts and the loss for words-- maybe it's all supposed to stay put up there for now.
You ever read My Many Colored Days (it's a Dr. Seuss book)? Well, today is a gray day... I watch, but nothing moves today.
Maybe tomorrow will be pink...
OK, so my car has started fine since having it checked out/the oil changed last Tuesday. The only time I had trouble getting it to start was actually at the shop when we were getting ready to leave. As I mentioned before, they said it was the starter and quoted $277 for the starter and $70 for labor. I looked around a bit and found out that a starter at AutoZone is $193; however, that extra $80 the shop has added is because they have to make a profit from the parts. Since the car has been starting fine since, Andrew called and asked them if they were positive it was the starter... they said the technician who said it was is right "about 96% of the time".
This is just one problem in a long line of problems we have had and at this point, I am not at all inclined to believe it will be the last... nor am I inclined to believe that even if it is the starter that it is the only thing wrong. I saw a wet spot under the van after moving it (without the AC running) the other day and I know the timing is not right. It has 110,000 miles on it... so, what if we get the starter fixed and it's really something a whole lot worse? Then we've really messed up... so... what to do?
We need to get Andrew's truck paid off (which we are really close to) before thinking about another car payment. I just don't know what to do... don't you hate feeling clueless and stressed out about transportation? Urg...
So, I ask... what would you do?
a) ride it out and NOT get the starter fixed, hoping that it makes it until we have the truck paid off?
b) have the starter fixed for the amount quoted and still hope that the van makes it until the truck is paid off?
c) other-- please specify. :)
Any words of wisdom are welcome and appreciated! You can email me if you want. :)
Thanks,
Lynn
Whew! I just finished up on an article I had to get out and I've been working on a new project, too (details coming soon). I've got to get my brain back in gear for the classroom, too and hope to touch base with the other new kindergarten teacher before our staff meeting Friday. Also have the car problem to deal with and really need to entertain the kids for the afternoon. Just lots going on. It's easy to let it get to you and it's not good for me to let it... an ongoing struggle I'm trying to end... so, I'm going to try to devote the afternoon to the kids and cleaning... and just breathing.
Have a good day. :)
Lynn
P.S. Anyone else having trouble posting a title to their blog posts? Urg! What's up with that?!?
He's back... he was hiding from the heat and came out when Andrew was taking Emeril for a walk... we'll see what happens...
For now, Ty is very happy. :)
I was going to try and do a music finds, but don't think it's going to happen today... I don't know if it's still the shot or what, but my whole body hurts. I decided in spite of that to search through our storage closet for some papers I need for Ty's school records and a few hours later (and a whole bunch of "missing" stuff found) and I think that was a big mistake.
Anyway... this is "Jack".
The kids made me take his picture this morning and seeing as it will most likely be the only picture of him we get, I guess it was a good thing. Last night, Emeril (our dog) was going nuts barking at something, so I went to investigate and found this cat in the middle of our field. Since that is not a likely thing, I figured he was put out by someone or got lost somehow, and he looked like he could use a meal (although he looked really clean, etc). So, we brought him out some food and water and he stayed around a while. I wouldn't let the kids touch him last night (you know, the protective mom thing), but Tyler decided to call him Jack for whatever reason--lol. Anyway, we left him to himself last night and came in. Then, we had a storm last night and I thought for sure he'd be gone this morning, but he was outside waiting for us first thing. So, we gave him some more food and figured if he stayed around, we'd have an outdoor cat... not a bad thing in the country. He stayed on the porch all morning and the kids went out and talked to him for a while until I made them come in and leave him be. I watched him for a while sleeping in the sun on the porch, but then I got busy and the horse trainers across the way started stirring up dust with their tractor. I don't know if he got scared or was too hot, but while I was busy, he left and hasn't been back since. Tyler is very unhappy... he wanted Jack to stay, but I just don't know if we'll see him again. Just glad I got the pic of him to scrap... I guess he could have belonged to someone and if that's it and he went home, then that's where he needs to be. I's just hard for a 4/almost 5 year old to see that.
Lynn
whew... it's Thursday already. Quite a week. I'll find some music finds later...
This week has been a roller coaster of sorts. Monday, the trouble I have been having with the car got worse and I thought it wasn't going to even start... finally got it to start, Andrew got a new battery put in, then I waited a while... still gave me trouble starting. I had my immunologist appointment on Tuesday morning and I planned on driving myself, but was afraid I was going to get stranded (not in my hometown), so we dropped the kids at the summer extended care program at the school I'll be teaching at in the fall and then we dropped off the van at the shop, which is nearby. Then, Andrew drove me to my appointment... I was nervous about the appointment before any of that because I had called for my results twice and they had not given them to me, just told me the immunologist would have them. So, Tuesday was... whew... The problem with the car is supposed to be the starter (which I right now am doubting a bit because it has started fine since, but I could be wrong)... I have noticed a little clear drip today after I park somewhere and then get back in, even when the AC is not running... not sure what that means, but I want to make sure it's the starter before we go that route.
Anyway, the appt. at the dr.-- my ANA (antinuclear antibodies) results came back positive. Basically, I have to wait for my follow up with the rheumatologist to get closer to the "why", but it could point to connective tissue stuff, RA or Lupus (which could be as simple as the "skin" version, I believe). Anyway, trying not to get too worked up about it until I go on the 31st. I will also go back to see the immunologist on that same day. He gave me a pneumonia vaccine to "boost" my immune reactions and to see what happens from it-- made me sore, lymph nodes under my arm sore and I thought I was going to get a cold, but so far, I'm better. Also had three skin tests for candida and he was hoping to see a reaction on those-- that would point to my body fighting against it, but i had zero reaction. No surprise to me though, since that has been going on for so long now. Anyway, it's all still wait and see again for now.
Then, the fourth... Thomas had his first parade with scouts. He didn't want to do it, but he got brave and was fine. :) I was on the wrong side of the street, so I only got pics of his back-- darn it! Then we had RAIN-- real rain all day after. I was afraid the fireworks were going to be rained out,but they weren't... go figure. :) That rain probably saved a lot of yards-- it was DRY!
The pic of the Gen. Lee is just for fun-- a guy we go to church with was driving it, not sure if it's his?
Then, today Ty had his check-up-- FOUR shots! Poor baby! He did well... after he quit screaming when he saw the treasure box. ;) I had my camera in my purse and planned on taking some pics (pre-"shots"), but forgot because I knew the shots were coming and was nervous for him. He is acting totally normal at the moment though-- he is a tough "little" guy! :) I say little because he is still 90th/97th percentile. The boy needs to play football... um, maybe... not sure I could stand it though.
And, just one more for fun... our cat is in love with our bird... seriously! LOL
All for now,
Lynn
Does it make you sad?
When you hear that someone you have known since 6th grade is getting a divorce after being married just long enough to have a child?
When you see someone schmooze good people for their own political agenda?
When you watch the news and it is filled with nothing but bad (awful, really) news?
These are things that have made me sad. But, it's all what you do with it, how you look at it, and what you focus on.
It's okay to be sad and then let the moment pass. I'm learning to learn from those moments and not dwell on them. Yeah, that is still a daily lesson for me, but that saying-- life is fleeting-- it's true. What happens daily can feel so permanent, but it's really only a moment. We're all really just a moment... It may seem impossible to get through, things that are truly awful happen every day, but it is not an eternity, it is only a day. What we do for others, what we lift up in prayer, where we give our time, who we love, how we love, where our faith is placed-- those are the things that will outlast all the "yuck"-- all the things that can make you sad. We are all human, we make mistakes, we get sad, we get angry, we say and do things in response from our human-ness and are completely imperfect. That is what grace is for... and, so the sad moments need only be just that... moments.
A scripture from my quiet time today:
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:9-12
