Week In Reveiw

Hello! Welcome! It's so good to see you again! I hope that you are finding God's blessings on you and yours! It's been a wonderful week and weekend here in Wisconsin. The weather has straightened out and we are back to having our beautiful fall weather. It was rainy earlier in the week, but the last few days have just been gorgeous! I can't believe that tomorrow is the first of November. 

I have been so blessed in my life and I am feeling especially so this week. I just feel that God is really working in my life right now and that He is really having a hand in all that is in me and my life! What an amazing feeling! I wish that everyone felt this close, this cherished by God! As you will see in the rest of my post, it has been a really busy week at our house and it could have been incredibly stressful, but by God's grace, it was one of the best weeks I have had in a long time! 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

I really want to recap this week for you! It really has been so very busy, but so very blessed. On Monday, my son and niece (who is more like a daughter) had their Marching Band Review Concert. This is the concert where the Marching Band plays all of the songs that they performed during the football half time shows all fall. It is a fun concert to watch as all the special clubs (color guard, poms and twirlers) perform as well. 

On Weds, Hailey and I went over to my brother and sister-in-law's house to carve pumpkins. It was the first time in months that I have been able to just sit down and visit and enjoy time with my family. We have always been so close, with my sister-in-law more of a sister than someone just married to my brother. I have so missed our time with them. Their kids, Jeff and Becca are more children to me than nephew and niece and my kids feel like they are more siblings than cousins. It is such a blessing to know that they care for each other so! I believe that this night was the turning point for my emotional upheaval. It was the night that made me sit back and take stock of my life. I realized that I need to have that time with my family in order to feel complete, to feel centered and grounded. I need it in order to feel like all is right in my life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course I had class on Tues. night and Thurs. night and Friday night and all day Sat. but boy was Sunday a complete blessing! We got up and went to church where we packed boxes for Operation Christmas Child during Sunday School and the sermon that Pastor gave hit me right in the heart! It was like he was speaking directly to me! Then it was home for a relaxing afternoon, making homemade beef stoup and rolls for dinner and then off to trick or treat with friends! :)

Well, thank you for spending a few minutes in my little corner of the world. I pray God's blessings on you all!

Who I am Praying For:
Nicholas, for his continued recovery
Nicholas' parents and sisters for strength and comfort during Nicholas' recovery
Paul, for his healing
Paul's children in their needs and growth
My children
My Father and his continued healing and recovery

What I am Thankful For:
God's touch in my life
Renewed Relationships
Children
Friends and Fellowship

So many smiles....

Hi there! Welcome to my little place on the internet. I can't help smiling today! I think that most of the world is smiling today! I am thoroughly enthralled by watching the images of the Chilean miners come to the surface after being trapped for so many long days, weeks and months. The smiles, the laughter, the cheering are all doing wonders to raise my spirits. To see the country of Chile and actually, the entire World come together to save these 33 courageous men brings a song of thankfulness to my heart!

I am at work, but can't help checking out Chilean Miners and following the coverage of the miners surfacing and the reunions with their loved ones. If ever you wonder whether God answers prayers, watch the video.

Praise be...


Today I am thankful for:
The successful rescue of the miners in Chile
The hard working rescuers and the companies and people involved
For the ability to smile
For hope

Today I pray for:
The miners and their families
The rescuers as they bring the men to the surface
Safety for all involved
My loved one struggling with depression
My children
My father

Weekend Memories...

Hi there! Have you ever had such a great weekend that Monday morning was a complete shock to the system? WOW! I really didn't want this last weekend to end! While there were moments of it that were less than stellar, like a sick boyfriend and a funeral, for the most part, it was fantastic!


Paul (my honey) lives 2 hours south of me and my kids' dad (Chris) lives 3 hours north of me. While not the most ideal situation, we do manage the best we can. With the kids busy in school, it makes for some interesting scheduling! This weekend Matt had to play a half time show for the football game on Friday night and because it was the biggest rivalry in the conference, requested to stay for the rest of the game. His dad understood and we made arrangements to take the kids to him on Sat. morning. Normally we meet half way, but my Uncle's funeral was near his house, we just drove them up to him. Hopefully he can repay the favor some day! Not holding my breath, but one can hope right? Paul was sick on Friday night so got up at 4:30 Sat. morning and drove the 2 hours to my house to get into my vehicle to drive the 3 hours up to Minneapolis!

We dropped the kids off with my ex (Chris) and checked into the motel. After a bite to eat, we went on to the funeral. It was lovely to see so many relatives that I don't get to see often, even if for a sad occasion. Uncle Harold was 90 years old and had suffered through several bouts of cancer, the latest being Prostrate Cancer. He was in a lot of pain and missed his beloved wife terribly. She passed nearly 2 years ago.

Well, after the funeral, Paul and I went to the Mall of America! I haven't been there in over six years and was excited to go back! We stayed til late and ate dinner at Ruby Tuesdays! Yummy!! Steak, potatoes and tiramasu!! Mmmmm...my favorite! :)

I think I have to have the most indulgent boyfriend in the entire world! Sunday he took me to JoAnn Fabrics and walked with me while I searched every aisle for just the right item! I stocked up on paper maiche christmas ornaments for Hailey's gifts and some Christmas fabric. Then I found the photo boxes on sale 2 for $5! Of course I had to have them, along with some scrapbook items for the kids' books!

Then it was off to lunch with my awesome friend Tracie! I haven't seen her in 6 years and it was as if not a day had passed! We cried when we saw each other and we cried when we had to leave! I miss her so much! She was one of the few friends I had when I lived in the Twin Cities and was there for me through one of the worst times in my life!

After lunch, Paul and I snuck over to the quilt shop! One of my favorite places in the world (along with the bookstore)! I had a hard time deciding on something, so I bought several somethings and 2 hours and $100 lighter in the pocketbook I was finally done. I am so excited to get home from work tonight and dust off my sewing machine! It has been screaming my name for some time and tonight I finally get to succumb to the passion that comes with my quilting! For me, it is therapy! Listening to the whir of the machine soothes me. Standing there mindlessly pressing blocks is better than any drug! I can't wait!! And I just found out my bestie, Lori may be coming to join us! 

I will post pictures as soon as I have them! :) Until later.......

What I am Thankful For:
Visiting with Family I don't see often
Seeing a friend after a very long absence
Browsing (and buying) in a quilt shop
An indulgent Boyfriend
Spectacular kids!
My job
Warm temperatures in October! (Nearly 80 in Wisconsin on 11 Oct? Unheard of!)
Walking with friends
Goals

Who I am Praying for:
My friend with depression (though they seem to be doing better the last few days)
My friend with the  twisted intestine
My friend who's mom has cancer
My cousin as she sorts out her life and gets back on the right track
My dad
My kids of course, always, every day, several times a day

Depression....

 
Hi There....Welcome.....I hope things in your world are bright and sunshiny! I wish that for everyone, however, I know that there are people out there who don't have a sunshiny world. Those who suffer from depression feel that their world is a deep pit of despair with no way out. I know this because one of the people I hold dearest in the entire world suffers from depression and right now is in one of the deepest, darkest bottomless pits I have ever seen them descend into.

I want to reach out to them and tell them that all will be well, and I have, many time! To them however, they just can't see how it can be. Everything is so overwhelming that they cannot get out of bed. For them there is no light at the end of the tunnel. I suggested medication and that route is being explored, however it takes quite some time before the medicine will take effect, and then there are side effects and dosing issues. In the meantime, the darkness continues to spread throughout their life, contacting and in many cases, swallowing everything in its path.

I see rifts in our relationship because of this illness and I don't want them to be there. I want to shake this person and tell them to snap out of it, even though I know that they cannot. I want to cry, to scream, to beg this disease to go away. I pray and pray and pray for them. I miss my friend deeply and so want them to come back to being the person that I adore.

I know that they want it too and are trying their best to over come and return to the land of the living. It is so hard to just sit by while they go through this. How can I best help my friend? Where do I start?


What I am Thankful for Today:
Sunshine
Friends
God
Prayer

Who I am Praying for Today
My friend suffering from depression
My friend and his family who received the cancer diagnosis
My children, and their continued health and growth and wisdom.
My Dad as he faces his brother's funeral
Safe Travels for all of us this weekend as we go to Minneapolis for the funeral.

My Craft Table....

Hi There!! I am so glad to see you! A visit with friends always brightens my day! Grab a cup of tea and sit down for a visit! :)

So I am sitting here at work, drifting through several blogs, looking at several crafts that my friends and fellow bloggers have on their craft tables and in their sewing baskets and I long for the day when I can get back to my crafts. My quilting fabric is calling my name and my sewing machine nearly jumps out at me when I walk by, begging me to come and sit awhile and listen to the theraputic whir as I stitch together the blocks of a quilt, watching it come to life under my fingertips. I have been browsing the quilting magazines piling up on my dresser of fabric and contemplating a purge so I know exactly what I have in my stash!

My life is so hectic right now that some things have to give. Unfortunately for me, that is my crafting and quilting. I really do miss it and need to find a way to get back to it. It is my stress reliever and my therapy! A day at the quilt shop with my bestie is far cheaper and better therapy than any doctor or drug can be! I also know that now is the time to pass the skills I have on to my daughter. She is 9 and has inherited her great-grandmother's sewing machine. She begs to use it and to learn to sew. Now is the time I need to teach her. Not only that but wonderful bonding occurs at the crafting table!

Lord help me to find the time to pass these wonderful past-times on to her and let me find the time to get back to myself!

What therapy do you turn to when life starts to get to busy and threatens to overwhelm you? 

What I am Grateful for Today:
My awesome adorable kids!
Sunshine
Fabric and Quilt Shops
Family ties
That I have a job

Who/What I am Praying for today:
My dear friend and his family as they deal with his mother's diagnosis of cancer
That the speed bumps of a relationship can be worked through
That I make more time for me (through crafting/quilting/reading/whatever....)
Help working toward my dreams
My family and friends

Wishes, Dreams and a Good Bye....

Hi There....Welcome back! I'm sorry it has been such a long time since I have been here! I can't believe how crazy my life is. I have been in school for the past three years trying to finish my Bachelor's Degree and this semester I have one of the toughest classes I've ever had, Statistics. Instead of enjoying the fall days, baking apple crisp or jumping in leaf piles with my kids, I have to be inside nearly every moment, studying and doing homework. Fall is my favorite time of year and this year I feel like I am completely missing it!

I am not complaining though, once I have this class done, I will graduate with my Associate's Degree. And if I can keep my grade up in this class, I will graduate with honors! How exciting! I will weather this storm to reap the benefits later! :) One step closer to my dream....

As usual in the fall, my thoughts turn to those of living simply and harvesting the fruits of labor to use for the winter. I think of canned apple pie filling that will turn into warm, delicious apple pies in January. I think of the warm quilts that I am working on that will keep us warm through the cold Wisconsin, winter nights. I think of evenings of cocoa and laughter after a long day of sledding and snowball fights! I think of the days spent making cookies and treats to share with family and friends! I love these thoughts and treasure them dearly, waiting for the day that I can live the life that I have been dreaming of for so long.

You see, my dream, the one that I hold dearest, closest to my heart is to have a hobby farm, here, near my family. I want to look out my window and see the rolling hills with the leaves changing colors. I want to see pastures full of cows, horses, even sheep. I want to have a quilt studio for my sewing and a photography studio for my other hobby. And I want to have cabins for recovering veterans, home from war. A big farm house, with a large porch surrounding it with swings and rocking chairs where you can sit and look out on forever. Yummy smells coming from the kitchen, floating over you as you wander the paths of the garden. I am going to school for psychology to be able to help the vets, but I believe that fresh air, sunshine and a place to relax is a wonderful place to begin the recovery. And we all know that animals can be hugely instrumental in recovery as well.  This is my dream and I try hard every single day to take one, two or more steps toward achieving this goal.

One more note to today's post...a good bye.....My Uncle Harold passed away yesterday morning. He was 90 years old and finally gave in to the cancer that tormented him. He is now dancing with the Lord, with his arms around his loving wife. His parents and siblings and many other beloved family members met him at the gate.....Rest in Peace Uncle Harold, you will be missed.....

What I am  Thankful for Today....
My health
My beloved children
My wonderful loving boyfriend
Having a dream
A beautiful fall day
Sunshine
God's love

Today's Prayers....
My  Uncle and my family as we lay him to rest
My children
Safe travels this weekend
Paul's continued healing
The McKensey family and all that they do
My dad as he faces his heart surgery
For a heart of servitude and forgiveness

Late Afternoon

Well, here it is, already mid-September and where has the time gone? I swore I was going to be better at this blog thing. I mean after all I spend most of my day and many nights parked in front of a computer. You would think that I would find the time, or at least MAKE the time to get my thoughts down. Instead I do everything but!

I can hardly believe it but another school year has started for the kids.  Matt is a sophmore this year and looking at getting his driver's license. We went to orientation for Driver's Ed this week! He is also enjoying the band again this year. He plays the Tenor Saxaphone and is really quite good if I do say so myself! He really doesn't want to join anything else and isn't playing football this year. I guess that's ok as the band stuff keeps him pretty busy! He is really excited too, as the Music Department has been invited to Norway next summer to play at our sister city's 150 Anniversary! My ex-husband said that Matt has his permission to go as long as I go with him. So we are attempting to save as much money as possible so we can go. Plane tickets will be around $1,200.00 per person. We may be staying with host families once we arrive, so lodging will hopefully be taken care of, along with some of the food.


My daughter, Hailey has started the 4th grade this year, and where her brother doesn't want to join anything, she wants to join EVERYTHING! She will be taking 3 dance classes a week again this year, tap, ballet and jazz, and we are looking at a specialty class with her cousin Becca. Becca is a senior and this will be her last year in dance, so a special dance just for the two of them would be very touching! She also volunteered for Safety Patrol, and is in Girl Scouts, along with the Library Club and the Jump Rope Club. And then on top of all of that, she works at the student tv station one morning a week and ran for Student Council (which she didn't make and was utterly disappointed!) She's only 9, what will she be like in High School?  I can barely keep up with her, but encourage her every step of the way! She loves to be a part of it all!

I have started the final semester of my Associate's Degree! I can't even believe how fast it has come! I wish college would have gone as fast 20 years ago when I started as it has now! This semester I have Statistics, which of course I am terribly worried about. I really don't want to blow my GPA, but I have a severe lack of understanding when it comes to probabilities and the like! I also have a dependency class and my capstone, neither of which I am too anxious about. I sent in my Application for Degree and found it amazing that in less than 6 months I will have a degree to hang on my wall! I will be starting my Bachelor's in January so I wasn't going to do Commencement, but Paul is really encouraging me to go. He said it is a marker of how far I've come and there are a lot of people who would love to celebrate with me. Maybe he is right! Not only will I graduate, but I graduate with Honors, which is something I am so incredibly proud of!

Well, I'd better head back to work here. I haven't slept well the last few nights and I am afraid if I slow down at all I will just lay my head down on my desk and fall asleep. I told the kids that I am coming home from class and going to bed tonight! Really hope I can accomplish that!

What I am Thankful for Today:
Sunshine (Its pouring and flooding today)
Bedtime
My kids
God
Massages

Who/What I am Praying for Today
My kids and our continued spectacular relationship
Paul for healing of his heart and mind
My Dad for his pending heart operation
My friend Kris in her losses over the last few weeks

A Bittersweet Day

Hello, I'm glad you stopped by. You are catching me on a very bittersweet day. As the one year anniversary of my mother's death, I am very sad tonight. I can't even think about where I was 1 year ago right now. My mother was my best friend and my hero. I looked up to her and admired her. I strive every day to become more like her. Her death left a gaping whole in my life and in my heart .

I love this picture of her. She is wearing her favorite sweater and loving life. I miss her very much.

Not only is today the 1 year anniversary of her death, it is the 2  year anniversary of HER mother's death, my grandmother. They died exactly 1 year apart. I am not a superstitious person by nature, but today left me a little leary, wondering if it was going to be 3 generations in 3 years. I didn't honestly believe it, but it makes me want to stay up til midnight, just to be sure. I guess, though, if it is my time, I won't be able to stop it asleep OR awake.

On a brighter note, our friends are safely on American soil after a year long deployment. I am so thankful for their safe return. I will be glad to see them and sit down and have a good long cluck fest!! :) I sure have missed them!

We have also had a promising report from Walter Reed Medical Center on our friends' son. He is responsive and can acknowledge that his parents are present. He is blinking his eyes and nodding his head to answer questions and there has been movement in his feet. I pray the Lord's healing hands on him and that He hold this family in the palm of his hands, strengthening them and carrying them through this terrible time!

So, as I have said, it has been a somewhat bittersweet day today. I think I am ready for bed. I am glad that this milestone has passed. I think that maybe I can do a little healing now, maybe move past this somehow. I have lived through all the "firsts" without her, hard as they were. Now I have to adjust to my new "normal"

God heals, not only bodies, but hearts. I pray his healing on all who need it.

Good night my dear friend.

Today I am Thankful For:
- Life
- My Children
- Paul
- My friends and family
- Warm weather in January
- a comfortable bed after a difficult day

Who or What I am Praying for Today:
- My family as we pass this milestone in our lives
- My children that they grow healthy and strong and wise
- Paul, that he may have peace and happiness in his life
- My friends as they return from deployment
- Nicholas and his family as he recovers from his injuries
- Safe Travels for me and my children this weekend
- For Healing

Tuesday

Hi, come on in and sit a bit....its time to just relax, put up my feet and chat! Tuesday's mean dance night again. Of course I had to run off to Wal-Mart tonight and do some errands. I love just sitting at dance, chatting with the other mother's. It is like a special commraderie that forms as we all sit and wait for all our little prima ballerinas to finish class.

I am feeling a little sad tonight. Paul has been staying with me since 3 Jan and it is hard to see him go home. Having him around every night, helping with the little things reminds me of how much I miss being married. Don't get me wrong, I don't miss my ex husband at all, but I miss the partnership, I miss the day to day "life" things that married life contains. I know that I will see him again in just a few days, but it makes me sad to know that I have to wait so long for our forever to begin.

I am happy to report that my friends son is slowly recovering after falling through the ice last week. He is still in the hospital and on a ventilator, but he is making slow steady progress! Praise God!! Please keep little Reese in your prayers!

I am also happy to say that many of our friends are home from their deployment! More are on their way over the next few weeks! We are excited to see them! Hailey is about jumping up and down! She can't wait to see Shannon! It has been a long year without them!

Matt came home from pep band tonight and told me that his band director wants him to do a solo this year. He plays the tenor sax and I think he is good. Apparently his director does too. He told Matt that he has the potential to go to state (Matt is a freshman) and to be a leader in the band. I hope Matt takes him seriously and I pray for the words to encourage him and guide him!

Well, I think I will finish my tea and toddle off to bed for the night! I hope ya'll enjoyed our chat! I look forward to talking with you again!

What I am Thankful for Today:
- My kids are home and safe
- Paul successfully finished his training
- Short day at work
- Seeing friends arrive home from deployment
- Loving family and friends who lend a shoulder when needed
- Warmer weather

What and Who I am Praying for Today:
- My children
- Paul and his family
- My family as the first anniversary of my mother's death approaches
- Reese as he recovers from his fall through the ice
- Nicholas as he fights to recover from his injuries from the IED
- Nicholas' family as they help him through this
- Friends returning from deployment
- Me, for the words of wisdom and encouragement for my children
- Donna and her family during her father's illness
- LeRoy and Donna as they face the aftermath of the fire

End to a Wonderful Weekend

What a fantastic weekend! It was bitterly cold outside, but we managed to get out and have some fun. Matt spent most of the weekend with one of his buddies so it was mostly a girl weekend.

Hailey and I went for breakfast with my aunt and cousin on Saturday morning. It was real nice to see them both. We haven't seen either of them since Christmas!

After breakfast, Hailey and I went home and pulled out the sewing machines. With my school and work, I don't get as much of a chance to work on my quilts as I want to and Hailey has been begging me to teach her to sew. And sew we did.

She worked so very hard on the quilt for her doll! She almost has it done! Can you even believe that this is her first attempt? She had never used a sewing machine before! She said she thinks its in her blood! Ha ha!!

Here is the project I have been working on! It is a baby quilt and I found the bugs so adorably cute!! I can't wait to see the finished work!!!

 

 

After Church today we came home and worked on our projects again. It was a wonderful way to spend the weekend with my daughter.

On Saturday night, Paul and I went out to dinner with some of the people he is training with. It was a very nice evening!

All in all, a terrific weekend!

What I am Thankful For Today:

- safe kids

- a touching sermon at church

- time to work on a quilt

- dinner out with Paul

- my favorite show - Extreme Home Makeover

Who I am Praying For Today:

- My kids

- My family

- Paul

- Friends returning Home

- Friends son who was hit by an IED last week

- Friends son who fell through the ice last week

Baby its cold outside!!!

Wow! Welcome to winter in Wisconsin! They put us under a winter weather advisory late last night and this morning we woke up to about an inch or so on the ground. The roads were all snow covered and slippery on the way to school and work. It continued to snow all day, leaving us with around 6 inches total and of course the roads were not much better on the way home!

So as if the snow isn't bad enough, Old Man Winter is throwing another artic blast our way! The temps are only supposed to be in the single digits with wind chills between -25 and -35!!! Tell my again way my ancestor's decided to settle in Wisconsin?

On another note, I just had to laugh tonight as I watched my daughter do her homework. All her life, she has been such a wiggle worm! Whether she is listening to a story, coloring, homework or reading, she just can't sit still. I snapped these shots of her while she concentrated on reading me a story tonight. She is such a silly girl!

Dinner tonight was taco's and Spanish rice! Kind of a make your own night from the counter and eat in the living room watching a movie. Tonight's feature "Night at the Museum; Battle for the Smithsonian". It was pretty cool!!

Well, its time for bed again! I hope the drive in to work tomorrow isn't too bad, though I am already having my doubts. and if it is too cold, school may be late or cancelled. I wish I had the opportunity to stay home with my kids on no school days (or every day for that matter) HA! We would have so much fun!! Snow days are a blast...so many possibilities!

I hope you all have a blessed and restful night!!

Today I am Thankful For:

- Everyone's safe travels

- Kids having the shoveling done when I get home

- Another night with Paul

- My brother calling to check on me

- a Quiet Day at work

- a Beautiful Quilt to sleep under

- Laughing with my kids

Today I am Praying For:

- My children

- Paul

- Paul's children

- My family

- My cousin's twins as they come home from the hospital

- My cousin's pregnancy

-

Yesterday!

Well, Yesterday seems to have gotten by me a bit. I will have to catch up.

I am soooo excited! Paul and I are planning a vacation with our blended family this summer. He has 4 kids himself, 2 of which are still at home, and then I have 2, so we will be taking 4 kids on a cross country road trip to Rapid City, South Dakota!! I am so excited to go! We haven't taken them anywhere since our trip to Michigan 3 years ago for the family reunion.

We are planning on staying at KAO campgrounds, but renting out the cabins they have. There are some that have 2 room cabins or even lodges! They are reasonable too and with the lodges, you have the bathroom and a kitchette right there, plus a private master bedroom. I think this is what we are going to get. Another hint, if you are military, ask about a military discount. One of the KAO's we stayed at in Michigan gave us 10% off our stay! Each KAO is independently owned and operated, so it is up to the discretion of the owner if they offer the discount, but ya gotta try right?

Something else that was exciting to me is that I got a note from my cousin's 13 year old daughter last night. She is apparently doing some family research for school and wanted to know what I knew about my Grandfather's family (her Great-Grandfather). Well, over the years I have become known as the family historian. I have traced this particular side of the family back to 1160 in Scotland and another branch back to 1499 in England.

By her asking for information, it has opened up the desire to start the research again. I love delving in to the past and finding out about the people who made me who I am today! You never know what you will find, good, bad, funny, sad, intriguing...it's all there in the past!

Well, better get back to work here! Whoops!! I will try to get a better post up tonight before bed!!

Have a great day!

What I am Thankful For from Yesterday
- Healthy Happy Children
- Time with Paul
- Vacation Plans
- Family History
- Bed!
- News of impending homecomings!

Who I was Praying For Yesterday
- My Children
- My family as the 1st anniversary of my mother's passing approaches
- Deployed friends
- Family who lost their house in a fire
- Friends mother who was in a car accident last night

Crazy Day!!!

Today just seemed like a crazy day from the get go. Paul is staying with me for a week and a half and it is slightly strange to have him around! While I am enjoying it very much, it does upset the routine a bit! I am normally a go with the flow type person, but I also like my routine.Image Credit: Google Images

Tuesdays are dance days. This means that I leave work at 3:15 to rush home and help my daughter out of her school clothes and into dance clothes. Its easier, and warmer, to do this at home than at dance. Today her bus was late and it was nearly 3:45 by the time we left the house. It is a 20 minute drive to dance and my teen-aged son through a zig in my zag! He needed money for the wrestling match tonight that he had to play pep band for. Quick stop at the school to give him yet another $10 and we were back off and running.

I dropped Hailey off at dance, luckily the instructor was a bit late as well, and visited with the other dance mom's before rushing off to the local department store for groceries.

Back to dance by 6 to pick up my little ballerina and then home to dinner. Luckily I was fore-sighted enough to put a roast in the crock-pot this morning.

Combine all this with 2 hours of homework for her (that includes all the fighting to get her to do it) and 2 batches of cookies and you have one tired mama!

I am off to cuddle with my honey and enjoy the time we have together while he is here! Much less running to look forward to tomorrow night! Just more cleaning!! :)

What I am Thankful For:
- Dance Moms
- Running Vehicles
- Dinner Ready
- Frost on the Window Panes - so beautiful
- Getting off work early

Who I am Praying For:
- My children
- Local family who lost house in fire.
- Troops returning from deployment
- My family as the 1st anniversary of my mother's death approaches.

An Introduction

Hello! Welcome to my Blog! As the first post in my blog, I shall attempt to introduce myself! My name is Sheila. I live in the upper Midwest with my two children, Matt and Hailey. Matt is 14 and in high school. There are days that being the parent of a teenagers is the most trying job in the world. Matt plays football and wants to join the golf team in the spring. He also plays the tenor saxaphone. He is in concert band, pep band, jazz band and marching band. Hailey is 9 and a complete diva already. She is almost as involved as her brother. She is in the girl scouts and also takes 3 different types of dance lessons, ballet, tap and jazz. They both have huge hearts and unfortunately have to deal with being the children of divorce.

I also live with my cat, Jynx. He is a funny fellow, with a personality that you can't help but love. His favorite things to do are to sleep and to try to get attention. He is a big fat lump of loving!

I have a wonderful boyfriend, Paul, whom I love very much. Unfortunately, he lives 2 hours away from me and much of our time together falls on the weekends, and then only the ones he doesn't work. He is a 22 year veteran of the military and still serves in the National Guard. I'm proud of who he is and what he does. There is just seeing him in uniform that makes my heart swell with pride.

I love to read, quilt/sew/craft, scrapbook and write. I like to try new recipe and redecorate my house. I am also a part-time student finishing my degree. I can't wait to have it over, but am having so much fun while I am doing it. Next semester I have Comp & Lit and The American West history class. I have a busy life, but I am doing my best to enjoy every minute.

There is always a lot going on in my life! I am always looking for new friends. Stop on by, share a cup of tea and let's chat for awhile!

What I am Thankful for Today:
- Having wonderful happy healthy kids
- Time with Paul
- Taking down the Christmas decorations for another year
- a working furnace (-26 below windchills tonight)
- family

Who I am Praying for Today:
- My kids
- Paul
- Soldiers over seas
- Friends as they return from deployment