Friday, August 28, 2009

God's Blessings

So, finally a piece of Life's puzzle slipped into place this week for me.

I have been struggling to keep my faith and leave everything in God's hands. I think I must have hit a big time low in my life because on Wednesday God gave me a little pick-me up.

At the beginning of August, I started looking for a new violin instructor. There are two that I found out were raised and trained in the Suzuki method. Of course, neither had an opening but had waiting lists. I put our names on one of those lists with no hope of there ever being an opening. One lady was willing to give us lessons when she had openings or time, which could have been any time, and to let the girls participate in group lessons and recitals. I thought "well at least they would be getting some direction." Her group lessons were on Mondays ... bummer, because the girls signed up for a dance class right after school on that day. UGH!!!

I was getting so discouraged wondering "WHY? WHY? WHY?" But then on Wednesday, my cell phone rang. It was Kathryn ... the lady whose waiting list we were on. She had an opening come up. The down side is that it is only 45 minutes and we needed 1 hour 15 minutes. But she is willing to squeeze both girls into that time frame ... at least for a trial period to see how it works out. The up side: the lessons are on Tuesdays when we have nothing else and groups are on Thursdays when we have nothing else.

It has been an answer to prayers. I am praising God today for all his blessings. This answer gave me the lift I needed in my life to know that everything is going to work out.

Thankful thought: God and all His blessings.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Finally ... Vacation Pictures











(Under Construction ... More to come)

Monday, August 17, 2009

House Update

We finally decided to put the house in the hand of God, St. Joseph and a Realtor. Although, we put it in God's hands some time ago, I still have to remember He is in control.

We met with two ladies ... a Mother/Daughter team (Sandra and Kelly). We are very hopeful with what they had to say. We made a few minor changes to the house ... very minor ... knobs on bathroom cabinetry, decorative towels, bathroom rug, bed in the girls room (which is just two blow up mattresses on a bed frame, but don't tell anyone). Did you know when they stage a house that most of the time they use blow up mattresses for the beds? I had no idea. How funny is that!!! But it works. Plus, we already had an unused bedding set that worked great in a blue room.

Our curb appeal was shredded by a recent hail storm so we had to cut everything down and apply mulch.

Hopefully they will get a sign in the yard and posted on MLS some time this week.

I am keeping my faith in God and my hopes up that someone will come along that will absolutely fall in love with our house.

Please pray that God will send a buyer our way. Positive thoughts: "house will sell, house will sell."

Finally Something New ... well maybe not so new

The girls started school today. They were so excited. They have been counting down the days.


On their way out the door.




Sarah found a friend when we first walked in the gym. So she sat right down with her class and waited for school to begin. Bethany took a little longer, but she finally started talking to the little girl who was sitting in front of her. I was able to stay in the gym until they dismissed for class.
Then I went to the Sip N Sob. That was a little crazy ... kind of like Orientation last Thursday (which I haven't posted on here yet just Facebook). No name tags, no direction, no welcome ... nothing. I am not liking the parent part of this school. But I know ... that is not why we chose this school. We chose it for the girls and their education.
Speaking of education, Bethany is going to have to kick it in gear for the first part of the school year. This school actually teaches cursive writing in 2nd grade. So by October, they expect all 3rd graders to be writing in cursive writing. I think she will pick it up rather quickly. She already had an interest in it last year. Bethany will have regular tests and quizzes.
Sarah will start learning cursive writing starting in October and should be reading and writing by February. Plus, she will be taking her First Reconciliation and First Communion this school year. All will be done at school so no special trips back to the church at night ... whewwww!!! Sarah will also have weekly quizzes and tests.
They will receive letter grades instead of G's and VG's. Pop, you better get your wallet ready for report card days.
I look forward to picking them up this afternoon and hearing about all the fun they had on their first day at a new school.

Monday, August 3, 2009

Trying to Keep Up!

We are back from a very needed vacation. Although, it was go, go, go, we still found time to have fun. We vacationed in the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area with Myron's family ... well three of them anyway. We rented a cabin very close to Dollywood and Splash Country.

We went up on Sunday and had the place to ourselves for the night. That night we feasted at one of our favorite restaurants ... Bennett's Bar-B-Que ... yummy!!! Then we walked the strip a little until we had to head back for a grocery run. Do you know how hard it is to find a grocery store in that area? VERY!!!

On Monday, we headed to Splash Country for the day. We arrived shortly after they opened at 10 a.m. and stayed until they closed at 6 p.m. The girls had a blast. I bought a waterproof camera but have not gotten the film developed yet. As soon as I do, I will get the pictures posted. The funny thing is we ran into a young lady that went to the Asheville Catholic with the girls. She just graduated from 8th grade this year and is headed to High School. She is such a sweet girl and we wish her all the best. That night we ate more bar-b-que at Corky's ... not as good as Bennett's.

The in-laws arrived Monday evening.

On Tuesday, we went to see Cirque de Chine. It was a great show. The girls didn't enjoy it too much for some reason. It was raining when we came out of the show so we just decided to head back to the cabin for a night of dinner, movies and games. Dinner consisted of sub sandwiches and pies. The cabin had a theater room that seated on three people but slept twelve ... ummm? Wonder who planned that one. So, Grandma, Grandpa and Bethany headed downstairs for movie time while Kathy, Myron, Sarah and I played games.

On Wednesday, we went to the Dinosaur Walk and Magic Beyond Belief. The Magic Show is what the girls wanted to see. It was spectacular. It always makes me want to know how they do it. But even the magician, Terry, said, "Once you know, the magic will no longer exist." At least that is what happened to him. I have a few shots that we were allowed to take during one of the illusions. It was very dark so I hope you can make it out. I will post all the pictures at one time I think. I need to do some editing to them.

After the show, we headed to Gatlinburg. We walked up the strip and ate at Bubba Gump Shrimp House. It was okay ... nothing to write home about. Then we rode the Sky Lift. Bethany lost a flip flop on the way up. Luckily the gift shop sold them. Then we headed back to the cabin for more games and margaritas.

My battery went dead on my camera on Wednesday night and I forgot to charge it that night ... HUGE Bummer. The one day I really needed it was Thursday. No way was I taking it into a water park on Monday. We ate breakfast at the Old Mill Restaurant and then headed for the "Nature" part of our week to Cades Cove. It was absolutely beautiful. The one drawback was it rained on and off all day. We got stuck in the rain one time trying to hike to the Metcalf Bottoms. Unfortunately we never made it to the Bottoms; we turned around and headed back to the car. I had to rely on Kathy for pictures that day. I am hoping she got some good ones and I am hoping she sends them to me. There was a bear sighting as we were headed out and a huge traffic jam. Traffic jams really stink on a one way road with no "outs". When we finally made it out, we headed straight to Bennett's for some more yummy bar-b-que. Then back to the cabin for more games.

At the cabin there was also a pool table. The girls really enjoyed learning to play. Finally on Thursday night, Kathy and I challenged Myron to a few games ... Us against Him. He beat us like four times, I think. I laughed so hard that night. It was great. Even though he beat us every time, I could see we were improving with each game.

Friday, we headed out. We were going to try to take the girls to The Track but again it was raining. So instead, we went to the Scrapbook Superstore. I bought lots of discounted papers and stickers. Then we headed home to the House to cut grass, wash clothes, and clean up a little. I know there needs to be a change where the house is concerned but I don't know what it should be or how to convince Myron. Please continue to pray that our house will sell.

As soon as I can find some decent pictures to post, I will get them on here. For now you will just have to live the vacation through my words.