She's Quacked Up

Friday, May 11, 7:00 p.m., I was folding clothes and packing for our vacation that we were leaving for the next morning. Mark was out for a bike ride with the kids. He had Will in a seat on the back of his bike and Trini was riding her bike, with training wheels, in front of him.

The front door opened and Mark's voice said, "Mom, she's hurt."

I looked at Trini who was calm and very quiet and started to say I would get the band aids, but Mark interrupted with, "I think her arm is broken." You could have knocked me over with a feather.

I have gone over and over that very moment in my mind since it happened. It was surreal. I couldn't believe it was even possible that I had heard him correctly. Broken? My baby? What? He later said maybe it was just dislocated or something but we were too far gone at that point.

I got the first aid kit and looked for something to splint her arm with. There was no blood thank heavens; not even a scrape or a scratch. Mark walked back down the street to get the bikes and our mail which had been strewn out during her fall.

We very quickly and with little discomfort to her, (tons to me) got her arm splinted. We headed out the door for the ER at St. Mary's Hospital. I was dreading the experience but I have to say it went very well.

The triage nurse evaluated her almost immediately and ordered her x-rays. We waited maybe 10 minutes for the person to take us back for that. This young lady had no business working with my child. It is my opinion that she had never x-rayed a broken limb on a conscious person before. She told us to bend Trini's arm and I have to believe that she could tell from the look on my face that her intelligence was seriously in question at that point. I simply stated, "That just isn't going to happen."

Then we were back to the waiting room for maybe 10-15 minutes when they came to get us and put her in an ER room. There we sat for quite awhile. The nurse took her vitals and tried to get her comfortable. Mark and I decided at that point he would take Will on home. Just before he left a young, female doctor came in. She was really sweet and verified the left arm was broken just above the elbow. She said they had sent the x-rays to the orthopaedic surgeon on call and he would let them know how he wanted to proceed.

The supervising doctor came in to evaluate her and told us he really thought we were looking at surgery that night. Then he said the surgeon was on his way in.

The surgeon walked in the room and started barking at people, including me. I finally asked, "And you are who?" He hadn't bothered to introduce himself. He did have them get her on the gurney/bed that was in the room which I was glad for. She'd been in a wheel chair most of the time. He was the first to evaluate that she had no feeling in her hand nor did she have a pulse in the wrist on that arm.

He told me what all was about to happen. The surgery could be 2-5 hours. He told me what repairs might be necessary. Then he told them to go ahead and get a better splint on her.

I immediately turned to him and requested, "If y'all are going to fool with her arm at all, could you please sedate her because she's been hurt enough already?"

He said, "I'm not going to fool with her arm."

This puzzled me since I knew they were putting a splint on it. They started and off course, my sweet angel began crying and I comforted her as best I could. I was livid. Once he was done I said, "Just to be clear, her crying right now is why I asked you to sedate her."

He fumbled for a moment for a reply and spouted off something about not wanting any more sedation than necessary with her going into surgery. Jerk. I'm being very nice with that.

Soon they were wheeling her upstairs to the surgery prep area. There she was, lying on a bed almost too short for her. Her long curls up in pig tails that we'd fought over getting up in ties that very morning. Her favorite pink crocs worn from daily wear clutched in my hand. Was this really happening?

Every time I would start to worry about her I would almost feel guilty. My cousin Jenny is looking at her son having heart surgery this summer. I thought about her all weekend long. This little problem was so minor compared to that. But this was my baby, my first baby. I was scared for her nervousness and for the recovery I knew that was ahead of her.

I told the anesthesiologist that this was one of the smartest kids he'd ever work with. He smiled. He was so nice. I told him to tell her what was going on. I told him that her knowing what was about to happen would relax her while not knowing what was happening would freak her out. He acknowledged, at least enough to pacify a mother who was not ready to let go.

I could tell from the look of the nurse that she didn't want to tell me it was time. So I leaned over and kissed my baby. I told her, "God has it all under control."

My crowning glory moment as a mother came in that instant. My baby said, "Of course He does Mommy."

Out the doors we went her to the right, me to the left. I kept my eyes on her until the cold doors of the OR shut behind her. She was gone from my sight and she really was in the Lord's hands. Every ounce of fear, worry, and empathy for her hit me at that moment. I burst into tears and feared my legs wouldn't hold me. I leaned to the wall for support and let the tears flow, alone.

I tried to move forward and calm myself a bit and then the nurse went and done it. She asked, "You have family coming to wait with you?" She only thought I had cried before.

In the next ten seconds she found out we had just relocated from Texas, had no family nearby and had a 2 year old at home my husband was with. She had no idea what can of worms she had opened up. Nor what flood of tears would follow.

I called Mark at 10:54. We quickly decided he would call the girl we had "selected" to eventually be our babysitter. Her name is Abbey, she's 23 and one of our elder's daughters. He called her and she was there within 20 minutes. Mark was thankfully able to come sit with me while we waited for the surgery to conclude. Praise be to God. It made all the difference.

She came out of surgery around 2:30 a.m. They had given us 2 update calls during that time. The surgeon came out and told us she'd done well. He'd made two incisions and inserted two pins. He'd restored her pulse and nerve function as well but wanted to keep checking that throughout the weekend so she'd be in the hospital until Sunday.

He is an older gentleman who has clearly seen many, many patients. He said it wasn't the worst break he'd ever seen in that location but it was definitely number three or four. When Brassette kids do it they do it right. With that train of thought we expect great things from her little brother. We thought about asking the surgeon if he gave discounts for multiple kids or if he could reserve time for Will in advance.

The nurse soon came to take us to the recovery room and there she was. My precious little angel. A little person that would still be one of my most favorite people in the whole world even if she wasn't my flesh and blood. A person with such a capacity to love and with such a good heart that even I in all my humanness haven't been able to mess it up yet.

We were in a room by 3:30 am and Mark headed home a little after 4. She woke up around 5 wanting to go potty and went almost every hour after that. Everything went smoothly in the hospital. They took good care of her and she was paroled on Sunday as scheduled.

Another great moment for me, as a mom, was in the wee hours of Sunday morning she was having a hard time falling asleep. She was uncomfortable in the hospital bed and both of her arms were aching, one from the break and one from the IV. After an hour of tossing and turning and being cold then hot, I found myself uttering a whispered prayer of, "Father, just let her close her eyes."

I felt God speak to me so clearly then. He reminded me that I could play the song "Open the Eyes of My Heart Lord" on my cell phone. I whipped it out and set it going and she calmed right down. It finished once and I asked her if I could play it one more time. She said sure. Before it was done the second time through, she was snoring. My Heavenly Father is faithful. (It worked again later that morning as well!)

The story of her fall began to unfold throughout the weekend. Trini was going down a slight hill and had picked up speed. She tottered and the bounced back and forth from training wheel to training wheel until she toppled over. Mark saw it all happening. When she tried to get up she cried out. Thanks be to God that she had her helmet on.

Mark had to get Will out of the seat before he could help Trini otherwise his bike would have fallen over. They had gotten the mail and it spilled all over the road. What a mess. Even with the break, nothing was skinned or bleeding. She never really complained much about the pain or anything until after we'd been in the ER room for quite sometime. It had been about 2 1/2 hours since the fall at that point and she had been moved and x-rayed and driven around. She's a real trooper.

We left the hospital around 9:30 or 10 on Sunday morning. Mother's Day ... while the situation stank to high heaven, I have to say that it was an honor and a privilege to be taking such delicate care of my child in a way only a mother can on this day they call Mother's Day. We were weary. We were exhausted. We were glad to be home.

She's come a long way this week. She isn't taking as much pain medicine although we're giving it to her when she asks. We got her sling "blinged" up so it isn't quite so blah now. She's making a list of what all she can do with one arm and is practicing a new craft of plastic beading on forms to make ornamental decorations. It's pretty cool. She loves phone calls and has enjoyed visits from our church family here. She's even gotten a few emails from her friends in Texas and has enjoyed that a lot too!

We'll go see Dr. Friendly (HA) next Tuesday to get her hard cast put on. I've promised her I will chill out after that about her moving around. She's still in just a splint right now so I'm not willing to take any chances.

My friend Kristen said something to the effect of, "They don't call it trauma for nothing!" We don't need any more trauma or drama! We're good for now.

I've got lots of pictures posted on our family yahoo group, including her x-rays. If you haven't joined yet, email me and I'll send you and invite to join. I also put normal pictures on there from Easter, our fishing expedition and other stuffs.

Thank you so much for your prayers through this ordeal. Please continue to pray for her healing and recovery. Also that she won't fear the bike she loved to ride so much. She's already expressed having no intention of riding again. If she does ever get back on we may end up being the only people ever with a teenager who rides with training wheels!

She Quacks Me Up!

So last week we're headed to Trini's Daisy Scout meeting. Some man, a child of God I know, was riding right on my tail with me and both of my children in our van. As I approached a traffic light we were both in the left lane. People in the right lane were turning right. We all know what this fruit loop was about to do, right? He's going to go flying around me.

Being the always Christian like person that I am, I started saying, "Hurry up! Come on! Whip around me. Hurry. Hurry. Don't wait too long now." I really didn't say it very ugly at all. I was just venting. However, Trinity heard me and inquired as to who I was talking to. LOL!

(I first said,) " Don't turn around but there is a rude man who isn't driving very safely behind us. He's riding too close to us and Mommy doesn't like it."

True to form, Mr. Loop, Mr. Fruit Loop, flies on around and speeds by. I told Trini that was him and that he was getting away from us so she didn't have to worry about it.

She didn't miss a beat and piped up with, quoting her verbatim, "Dude, it's not like it's a race or anything."

I nearly swerved I laughed so hard. I sent up a little prayer for Mr. Fruit Loop/Child of God the next day. He did give me a memorable moment with my daughter at least.

Progress Report Mid-Week 4

I know there were some prayers ascending for me this weekend. I could feel it. It went so much better than the two before. Thank you and bless you!

I think I'm being much more obedient to God's will for me regarding food but I'm doing it begrudgingly. I'm waiting for that day when I don't want to disobey. Obedience is great but it seems like it would be better received if it was practiced happily. HA!

Spiritual Jewels: My prayer life. Wow. I think I thought or had convinced myself that I was praying every day before. I was wrong. What a difference a constant, on-going prayer life makes. It keeps me focused on the needs of others as well as keeping God at the center of my focus for fixing my spirit and body. I jot down prayer requests or needs on a page I designate for that in my notebook so they are right there each day when I start my devotional time.

Physical Jewels: Saturday I gave my sweets to God all day as a sacrifice of Thanksgiving for the milestone I got to. I'm not ready to announce actual numbers, I'm still dealing with some issues of shame. But I will say I haven't been this weight since I was pregnant with Will, who is now 2 1/2. So I had some celebrating to do.
Week 1 - 5 1/2 lbs.
Week 2 + 1/2 lb.
Week 3 - 4 lbs.
Total Amount of Overweight God has delivered me from - 9 lbs.

Struggles: I'm very rarely desiring food when I'm not hungry. Stopping at a reasonable satisfaction is very difficult still. It does seem to get a little easier each week for the most part though.

God Breeze: I realized this week that even when I did go a little overboard once or twice it wasn't mega overboard as in years passed. Also, one little mistake didn't have to define my whole week or even my whole day. It was a bad choice or sometimes I do accidentally mess up. It doesn't mean all of my hard work to change has to go out the window. I just wait for hunger again and do better the next time. This is a HUGE change even from the first two weeks of this effort. During those two rough weekends I would overeat. The next time I would think, "Well, I already messed up so I might as well enjoy this too," or "I can always start over again tomorrow or Monday." You get the idea. This was a really good breakthrough for me. YIPPEE!!

Blessing My Heart: I've walked for 15 minutes every morning save one since May 1. It amuses me to look at the settings on my treadmill. The recommended walking speed is 3 mph. The recommended cool down speed is 2.5 mph. I'm UP to walking 2 mph. LOL! Babysteps folks! I had to start somewhere. I've walked all over the country, including Hawaii which cracks me up, with FLYLady. And I get my little heart sticker on my calender every day that I walk.

Personal Prayer Concerns: We have a vacation coming up soon. Eating out is always a big, fun part of vacations for me. Pray that I'll focus on the joy of our family unity and time together and also focus on my hunger and fullness signals. It may be hard to find quiet time to get in the Word so pray I'll manage that as well.

You can also pray for forgiveness for me for my Robin Thicke commentary. LOL

I Don't Get It

Okay folks, I've held it back long enough. I try very hard not to be hateful or critical of others, I really do. But there is something going on that I just do not get and I can be silent no longer.

In the last month or two I've seen singer Robin Thicke, son to Alan Thicke of "Growing Pains" fame, on at least three occasions as a guest on television shows. Oh my sweet heck! It is said he has chart topping success with his tune "Lost Without You". Say what?

The first time he started singing, I thought it was a comedy sketch I promise. Honest to goodness his voice sounds like someone trying to comically sing high or falsetto-ish. Not quite as nasal a sound as Mr. Bob Dylan but it just isn't right. Seriously, I'm waiting for Ashton Kutcher to pop out and say, "America, as a nation you've been punk'd!" It has to be some Howard Stern conspiracy to see if the powers that be can get Americans to buy or accept any load of garbage they are told is good and acceptable.

I will say that when he goes into his lower vocal range, where he sounds like an actual normal human man, it isn't half bad. But the one song he keeps singing over and over is all in that ... that ... weird voice.

They say he is one genius of a songwriter. You know what they say about those who can't sing ... yep, they write. Let's leave the vocals to the pros dude.

I'm sorry if you're a fan of his. I'm sorry that this has most likely offended you but mostly I'm sorry that there must be something very wrong with you. You should seek professional help at once.

If you haven't had the pleasure, I'd encourage you to listen to a sample of his vocal stylings at the music download section of walmart.com or the download site of your choice. It's definitely an out-of-this world experience.

In the words of Mr. Gump, "That's all I have to say about that."

Can't Live Without It

I wish I was addicted to something other than overeating. Think about it. If you're addicted to gambling, you can live without ever placing another bet. If you're addicted to nicotine, you may think you're dying but you can indeed live without ever having another cigarette. You can live without drugs, alcohol, or addictive behaviors like stealing. You never have to have even a little "taste" of them again. Once you overcome their stronghold, you can be done with them completely.

YOU CAN'T DO THAT WITH FOOD!!!! Why does this have to be my stronghold? I honestly feel like if I could walk away from it and never have another meal, I would be far better off. But there's the growl of the tummy, which is my natural signal designed by God. I have to run back to the source of my compulsion. I can never fully escape it.

It's getting better every day but as someone who has tried and failed so many times to break the hold overeating has one me, it scares me so. It discourages me to know I can never just walk away from the culprit. I have, howver, found more hope in the last two and a half weeks than I ever have before.

Babystep Goals:
- Spiritual - To consistently stay in the Word and pray
- Physical - To get my wedding rings back on

Longterm Goals:
- Spiritual - To make my temple an acceptable place for God's spirit and to let God be glorified through my deliverance from overeating and overweight
- Physical - To get my body into a healthier condition and hopefully a safer state for having another child

Life is fragile, handle with prayer!

Progress Report Mid-Week 3

Okay, here goes. The first week of Weigh Down I lost 5 1/2 pounds. (God doesn't work accordig to man's reccommended weight loss numbers! Thank GOODNESS!) The second week I gained 1/2 a pound. Truthfully I lost more than that each week but I had two really rough weekends in a row where I was in pain or exhausted and I comforted myself with food and did not get in the Word. (The first weekend I had aches and chills in reaction to two shots I got. The second weekend I was suffering from SEVERE FATIGUE in reaction to a new medicine my new doctor was trying on me.)

However, I was still disappointed in myself. For even if I couldn't get out of bed, I surely did not HAVE to overeat. I'm back on track now. Even the week between the weekends I did very well.

I've entered my Verse of the Day every single day, including those two weekends. I've made it through the first 37 chapters of Psalms, reading and commenting only 10 minutes a day. I've copied by hand the first 5 chapters of Isaiah and am a little ways into chapter 6, copying only 10 minutes a day. I've watched the first 3 videos of Weigh Down Advanced.

Yesterday I began walking 15 minutes a day on my treadmill. That thing is a God send for a mother of two young kids. FLYLady (www.flylady.net) kicked off a Bless Your Heart Project and I wanted to tag along. We FLYBabies enter our minutes on a counter on her website each day and for every 15 minutes we travel one mile across America. I couldn't believe all the places we got to yesterday. Of course, you have to enter your minutes to see the progress!

I'm walking for a couple of reasons. I'm not doing it for weight loss. God is delivering me from overweight in His own way and time. I know that without a doubt. I'm walking to be a part of FLYLady's program and I'm walking because I don't want to leave my soul mate and my beautiful children early because of heart disease. "Heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 3 killers of women. They are two of the many cardiovascular diseases that kill nearly 500,000 women each year. That is more than the next seven causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer." - American Heart Association

Spiritual Jewels: I've been in the Word consistently and more than I have in quite sometime. I've gone to the Lord in prayer daily.

Physical Jewels: I am losing weight. Clothes are already fitting a little better and I'm hoping my wedding rings will be back on pretty soon. I had blood work done on 4/20. My numbers were good. My diabetes was under good control and my cholesterol was 111. WOO HOO! It was over 300 early last year and still at 233 in December. It was my first good report in a long time.

Struggles: I have a hard time getting smaller portions. It's getting better, but I want to load up my plate. I don't struggle with getting seconds, so that's good. And, I need to quit thinking so much about my next opportunity to eat.

As the weekend approaches, I could use some prayers. Hopefully I won't have any "trouble issues" so just prayers for me to stay the course and keep on the right path would be great! Drop me a comment or an email if you can send up a prayer!

Progress Report

I forget how faithful God is when I behave myself. He has been so good to me this week. Of all the times I've attempted "Weigh Down Workshop" principles, this one has been the easiest. I really don't feel like I've had to deprive myself this week at all. I felt that way before. I knew when I was full and it was very difficult for me to stop at that point.

The scale certainly reflects God's mercy. (I plan to report that progress monthly as I know how greatly it can fluctuate, especially for women.) He rewards me so when I am obedient and put Him first. The greatest rewards though are in my heart and in my changing attitudes. Overall this week I've felt joyful and grateful.

Currently when the kids hit rest time I do the following:
~ Copy my Verse of the Day from my daily email
~ Comment on the verse if I feel I need to.
~ Make a short prayer list and spend a few minutes in prayer trying to just "talk" with my Father.
~ I make a note of Thanksgiving.
~ I make a note of Confession.
~ I spend 10 minutes reading from the book of Psalms. I'm going straight through. I jot down verses that speak to me and sometimes a short comment on them.
~ I spend 10 minutes with devotional music playing copying the book of Isaiah.

Ya know, I felt a little embarrassed initially of my babysteps of faith to jumpstart me back to the spiritual place I needed to be. But when I actually write it down, that's not half bad.

And the cool thing about babysteps is that I haven't gotten overwhelmed and skipped or put off 'til later my process even once since Saturday. I'm proud of that. I did choose to alter it yesterday to spend time reading and sending out an impromptu on-line Bible Question search I'd done. I feel okay about that because it was just as essential to my spiritual health this week as my regular routine.

On another note, today was a gorgeous day as so many are here in the Grand Valley. We met three other homeschool families and their kids at a nice park in GJ. The moms were SO NICE. I really enjoyed talking to them. They are the moms of girls that will hopefully make up Trinity's new Brownie Troop next fall which I will lead. The kids had a blast. I had to have enjoyed it more than they did though.

Yesterday was a horrendously windy day. From our second floor you can see three different mountain ranges. The Bookcliffs, the Grand Mesa, and the Colorado National Monument. The wind was so fierce yesterday that it created a major dust storm. You could just barely make out the top of each range if you looked really really hard. The air was brown and visibility was awful.

Occasional wind ... I'll take it. It beats the dickens out of tornadoes, thunderstorms, smoldering heat and the ever-so-fun hurricanes!

I must say that I really questioned getting a two story house. It was never on my radar to do so. I can't imagine not having this house and not having the views it affords us. Although we'll be on a shoestring budget for at least a couple of years, it is SO WORTH IT!

Have a blessed day in our Father's World!

Verification Codes

Let me just say that yahoo aggravates the fire out of me. When I send a group email out it asks for me to copy a code to verify that I'm not sending out automated spam type messages. Surely most of you have come across these little boogers a time or two!

The problem is, Mr. Yahoo, that half of the time you can not read at least one of the characters in the swirlie code. COME ON! I end up taking a minimum of two tries, sometimes three to guess the mystery letter that I can't read. Verification codes are a nuisance but I could learn to tolerate them. Let's just make them legible so we don't spend more time verifying our emails than we do writing them to begin with. Thank you.

Game on, Sarah Dawn

I started to write this as a comment for my friend Sarah but decided it was blogworthy.

A couple of week's ago Sarah announced her intent to do a temple remodel. I've been following her progress and her process with a little envy I suppose, and a little shame.

So many times I've tried to lose weight. So many times I've tried to grow closer to God. I'm not sure why I deviate from the right path.

So, my message to Sarah ...

Hey Girl!

I just wanted to say two words to you. GAME ON. I am so in this.

I just realized today that Will is 5 months away from being the age Trini was when I got pg with him. I desperately want at least one more child, two really, but I refuse to endanger myself or them by starting off a pregnancy so "weighty".

So, "Fill me up, bread of heaven." I'm determined to make this temple a pleasing place for God's spirit. And, like you, I'm working from the inside out.

Continuing on ...

I haven't been giving God nor His word the attention He is worthy of. From now on, when the kids start rest time, it's me and Him, one on one for at least 20 minutes at first. That's my babystep. I know it isn't enough but it is more than I'm doing now.

(Thank you, Flylady, for reminding me that doing something, anything, is better than doing nothing. And, especially with God, it's just stupid to strive for perfection, which is unattainable.)

Experience tells me that when I fill myself with the Word I tend not to fill myself, (okay, OVERFILL myself,) with food. In addition to jumping into the Word with both feet, I'm officially listening to my body. God gave me the benefit of signals with regard to food. I'm listening. I'm not going to drive anymore. Not even from the backseat. "Jesus, take the stinking wheel". (Okay, so she didn't sing stinking but she's a size 4 or something.) I've messed this temple up way bad.

The mind clutter and the body clutter are heading for the hills. I refuse to regret for the rest of my life that I didn't allow myself to receive the gifts I might have been given had I not kept pushing God's will aside.

So, sister Sarah, we're in this thing together, okay? Anyone else want to come along? Jump right in. The water is cold but it'll get warmer. I'll blog from time to time but I'm not making any promises. Babysteps. I don't want to get overwhelmed.

"Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's spirit lives in you?" - I Corinthians 3:16
- The remodeling has begun. I'm giving it to You, Father.

Goodbye My Friend

Peanut Brassette

1995 - 2007

~ Thank you for the laughs, the tears, the growing of our patience.

~ Thank you for the loyalty, the licks, the growing of our patience.

~ Thank you for your floppy ears, your hound dog bark, and the growing of our patience.

Our first "child", you've been with us since our marriage began. You were loved and you will be greatly missed.

Run and be spunky and free of pain once more! Farewell old girl!

Love,

Mom

"A Dog's Plea"

Treat me kindly, my beloved friend, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.

Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me learn.

Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footstep falls upon my waiting ear.

Please take me inside when it is cold and wet, for I am a domesticated animal, no longer accustomed to bitter elements. I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst.

Feed me clean food that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life, should your life be in danger.

And, my friend, when I am very old, and I no longer enjoy good health, hearing and sight, do not make heroic efforts to keep me going. I am not having any fun. Please see that my trusting life is taken gently. I shall leave this earth knowing with the last breath I draw that my fate was always safest in your hands.

Author Unknown

Tub Ta Tub Tub Tub

It's in. Its' gorgeous. It is soothing and relaxing and it is an adult tub. (As opposed to the adolescent tub of days passed.)

Where we started:

And look, our bathtub is all grown up now!

I enjoy having a soaking tub so much! Mark was the driving force behind getting this done. He is awfully good to me.

One of the deacons at church contracted the work. His team demo'ed and then finished it while a plumber actually installed it and did that part. I'm glad to have it over and done with and I'm so glad to have this as part of our home at the end of long days.

Just wanted to show you one of the highlights of my week!

Lesa

An Actual Conversation

This is an actual conversation that recently took place in our family.

A couple of weeks ago we were turning into our subdivision. Mark says to us all, "Look at those three really big dogs over there."

I immediately followed with, "Look at that huge raccoon right there."

Mark stopped the van as soon as it registered with him what I had said. He backed up and sure enough there sat the second biggest raccoon I had ever seen in my life. He was helping himself to somehing in the backyard of one of our subdivision's residents. One of the many out of the ordinary adventures around here.

Incidentally, the largest raccoon I have ever seen was in the Cone-Crossland Zoo in Crossett, AR. I think his name was Rocky. (On a side note, if he is still imprisoned there, I would encourage Crossett residents to rise up and demand his freedom be restored at once. He deserves better!)

Grand Junction is really a nice place to live. We are enjoying the newness of it still. The house is coming together and life is moving on.

The contractor should finish the grout on my new tub tomorrow morning. After that the house will be all ours again. We had a midget tub when we moved in. Please don't get all up in arms for little people. I'm not saying the tub was for midgets, which I wouldn't call them. It was itself a midget of a tub with a depth of a whopping 14 inches. (If the tub is offended you can join its cause for rights, etc.)

The new tub ... oh me oh my ... the new tub ... 22 inches deep folks! And although we didn't set out to get one with jets, it has them and they are good. Let the people say AMEN! I got to use it last night after the plumber got it installed. VERY COOL! I'll post pics here or on our yahoo group when they finish. "Tooooo - morrow, too - morrow, I love ya, ta-morrow, You're only a day away!!!!!!!!!!"

Blssings everybody!

Let's Have a Chat Lord

I am really glad to know our smoke alarms in our new house work. I think it is very cool that if one goes off they all go off. I think it is very helpful to know that when they go off we'll sit straight up in bed and have no idea what is going. I think fire drills are important and necessary for a safe evacuation of a home.

However, dear Heavenly Father, I do not appreciate and am very disappointed in your decision to create an impromptu fire alarm drill, throughout our home, at three o'clock in the morning. If you feel you've been getting the silent treatment, I'm sorry, but you are.

I do not enjoy my heart pounding so hard that I fear it will leap from my body. I do not enjoy seeing the terror on my children's faces and tears in their sleepy little eyes. I do not enjoy sneering at my husband feeling certain that his installation of all new smoke alarms the day before is somehow responsible.

Lord, 8:00 am to 1:00 pm is good for me. I'll give you a second option of 4:00 pm to 11:00 pm, after all, I'm not trying to be difficult here. Since I know you have no sense of earthly time, I'll spring for a $4.87 watch from Wal-Mart for you if you could avoid the overnight fire drill in the future.

Sincerely Yours,
Perturbed and Still Shaking

The Journey

3/13/07 - I haven't fully proofread this. There's my disclaimer. I do think I'm finally done though. I've had to work on it for a few minutes each day to get through it all!
______________

Well, this is the second time I've started this blog. Apparently SAVE AS DRAFT doesn't work all that well. Actually, I may not have gotten around to that and while I had a working document opened someone in my family closed it. Don't need to bother asking. No one will know anything.

Our trip to Colorado ...

Tuesday night, 2/20, we meet my sister Kara on the other side of Houston to let her keep the kiddos for us. We didn't want Will to get trampled and we didn't want Trini freaking out when her stuff was getting packed.

Wednesday, 2/21, three movers show up. They have most of the house packed, a number of boxes and some of the furniture loaded by the end of the day.

Thursday, 2/22, they packed up odds and ends and loaded, and loaded, and loaded, and then they loaded some more. The outdoor stuff took forever. Someone needs to declutter his junk!

By the time they drove Mark's CR-V up on to the trailer, that was about all that was going to fit. Thank goodness they were done. It was 8:30 pm before they headed out.

We went to eat at Pappdeaux's in Kemah for dinner and stayed, for the first time, at the Kemah Boardwalk Inn. It was really, really nice. We would have had a great view but unfortunately there was very dense fog in the area that night and the next morning. Bummer.

Friday, 2/23, we ran a few errands. We headed back to the house and loaded up our necessities. We had a full van but everything fit, including all 3 dogs, a small aquarium and the dozen or so surviving ants from the ant hill. 60-90 day life expectancy my foot!!

We headed to College Station to pick up the kids. I couldn't help feeling homeless as we left the house in Deer Park. Our keys were inside so it was no longer ours. Yet, the house in Grand Junction hadn't closed yet and it would be 3 or 4 more hours until we had our new home. After that we went to my mom's in Cedar Creek and spent the night there. As we left College Station we got the call that the closing had gone smoothly and we were homeowners once again.

Saturday, 2/24, we left early and headed back to College Station for my niece and nephew's joint birthday party. It was at a park there and it was really nice. About 1:30 we headed out for Colorado. As excited as we were it sure was hard to leave my family.

Before I go any further I need to fill you in on a teensy weensy detail that added lots of depth and meaning to this trip. Our oldest dog, Peanut the beagle, started having diarrhea on Thursday while the movers were loading stuff up. She couldn't control it and was going in her crate. There would eventually be vomiting to and <> blood in her stool. Well into the trip she wasn't wanting to get up out of her crate to be walked. We were afraid at one point she wouldn't make it.

Back to the story ...

So, we've left from College Station. We get to I-35 a few hours later an just outside of Waco the air gets brown and the winds are nuts. Obviously the wind was stirring up some good old fashioned Texas dust and dirt. I had never seen that before. It was weird. It stayed like that until Ft. Worth. Mark's arms were tired from bracing against the wind at the wheel.

We had dinner in Electra, TX, just north of Wichita Falls. The wind was blowing so hard that our little Peek-a-poo could barely walk in it.

We started looking for a Starbucks at this point as the plan was to fill me up with caffeine so I could drive during the night while Mark slept. None to be found ... we didn't pass a single one. I ended up having to settle for a large cup of coffee (that no amount of sugar could have improved upon) from Sonic. Trust me, I tried 5 packs!

About 11:30 pm I started driving. I got the leg of the trip that included wild animals darting around, falling rocks, icy roads, and unamusing road signs. "Falling Rock", "Avalanche Area", "Elk Crossing", and "Icy Roads LIKELY", to name a few. ?????????

The first part of my drive is when I saw a fox, some deer, and the biggest rabbit ever. The middle part of my drive was two lane, icy, mountain roads. The LAST part was wear the road was up and down, had icy patches, and finally, falling rock.

Mark woke up because I was driving so slow. I told him I was worried about hitting ice and losing control. ("Jesus Take the Wheel" began playing in my head.) Mark said I wouldn't slide far going that slow. I wasn't amused.

Not even five minutes later I top the hill at mach speed, (okay I was going 33 but it felt fast) and saw rocks ahead in both lanes. Another car was passing me going a more normal speed. I was able to move over far enough to let him swerve and neither of our vehicles were damaged. There's something to be said about us Texan drivers after all!

At 3:30 am both of children were awake watching Charlotte's Web. Just an interesting fact to note.

Mark started driving again pretty soon after that. It was close to 4:30 a.m. My arms were tired from the stress of the conditions. We pulled over at a rest area for a couple of hours and slept really well surprisingly. We watched the sun come up for the first time as Colorado residents and then got on the road again.

We had breakfast at McDonald's just north of Colorado Springs. We let the kids play for awhile and stretch out their legs. Then it was back on the road.

Mark got his chance at the fun of the roads west of Denver around Vail. Lots and lots of snow and some slick roads were only part of his fun. He did well and I stayed awake to gasp now and then. It was as pretty as it was nerve racking!

Lunch was in Glenwood Springs and then we knew we were on the "home" stretch, less than two hours from Grand Junction. We went straight to the house, our house. We arrived sometime in the 2:00 pm hour. It wouldn't take long for it to begin to feel like home. It was a wonderful feeling to hold the key in our hands and know it was ours.

I think this is long enough! If I've forgotten something I'll have to write a new blog later! Sorry it is so long! It represents the length of the trip I suppose!

Weirdness #1

Deana Nall challenged me months ago to list my 50 most weirdnesses. I don't have time to list that many but I'll try to list a few at a time as I think of them.

#1 - My pillow ... I don't want anyone else laying on it, breathing on it, even touching it necessarily. If it is packed in the car I don't want it touching anything, especially things that could be dirty or dusty or even perceived as such. It should NEVER, under any circumstance, be placed on the floor.

The Ties That Bind

Well, the Capps family never ceases to amaze me. How blessed I am to still have such strong ties to my PEEPS. My mom's extended family is simply amazing.

Sunday, February 4, a surprise gathering in Lufkin, Texas, gave us the greatest send off we could have ever hoped for. Family members from Plano, Channelview, Liberty, Cedar Creek, College Station, Columbus, and I'm sure I'm missing more, gathered to worship the Lord together. We surprised my 82 year young Poppa. We all just showed up for worship at the small congregation he worships with at Herty Church of Christ. He was blown away.

My Uncle Mike did the opening announcements. He got me crying as he explained to the small congregation the bombardment of people. He talked of how close our family is and wished Mark and I and the kids God speed as we set off on our new adventures in Colorado.

Poppa led some songs during worship as he did so many times during my childhood. I looked around the auditorium and so much was familiar. The metal numbers that hang on the classroom doors are the same. The pews, although reapolstered I believe, are the same. Some of the same dear faces remain. Though slightly changed they were the ones there for my first physical steps and my first steps of faith.

My cousin Ryan led the remaining songs during worship. Uncle Dan led the first prayer and my Mom's cousin Reggie led the closing prayer. How appropriate to have so much family involved in the service.

We all had a catered lunch at the Huntington Community Center. More family came and we celebrated Uncle Mike's 60th birthday. They presented my family with a scrapbook that has pictures of each of the branches of the family. They all wrote in something it for us too. Let me tell you, I can't imagine anything better to take with me to help keep my kids connected to this legacy of love. Everyone contributed and my cousin Courtney put it together. Thank y'all, so very very much.

To everyone who came and wished us well, to the family members who pulled the meal together and handled all the little details most of us took for granted, you gave us such a special day and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

We rounded out the day at Grandma and Granddaddy May's house. We had a good visit with them. A jewel for me was to hear my Granddaddy say that we had really turned his thinking about homeschooling around. WOW! I'm so proud of that and he'll never know how much that comment meant to me.

As we headed out of town, I had one more stop to make. Someone from my past beckoned me say farewell. The Garden of Memories just south of Lufkin holds a great many family members and loved ones of mine. None so dear as my Granny, who still to this day I miss so much.

Over the years I've found it hard to "talk to her" when I would visit her gravesite. I would usually find myself in prayer about her. It was different this time and I'm not exactly sure why. I really talked to her.

I told her how much she had encompassed my childhood. So many days and nights were spent with her. She was the first to show me how to scramble eggs. She tried to convince me that powdered milk could taste just as good as fresh milk in a carton. (Sweet Granny, now that just isn't true! LOL) She taught me the ins and outs and history of "Days of Our Lives" and "Another World" which were called her "stories".

I told her how much she would love the three miracles in my life; the man God sent straight from Heaven to hold my hand and take care of me and to love me in ways I didn't know were possible. And of course the two little gifts from God He had placed in my care. What would she think of the compassionate, getting freckled faced girl that calls me Mommy? Or the rambunctious, more like me than I care to admit boy who has rocked my world and given it so much life?

I told her that for the first time she had been gone, Poppa was going to be all right. I told her he was in really good hands and that I knew she wanted that for him. I told her to rest easy.

I told her I couldn't believe I was going to be away from all of these people I had spent the day with. I told her it was going to be so hard. I told her I was glad I had her strength and her faith in God. I could be excited about this huge change with those in hand.

So much of my past was wrapped up in her but I can look with joy at the influence she had on my life and still has today. The more I talked to her, the more she became entwined in my present and my future as well.

Father God, thank You for letting me find my roots and my wings within my dear family. Thank You that my children have this as the foundation of their earthly lives. Thank You for gracing me with people who care deeply about each other and about the connection we all have. May we follow where You lead and may You lead us back from time to time to the place where I began. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

It's Feeling Real

We're just back from a 4 day, 3 night Colorado cruise. Cruise my foot! What an adventure the Brassette Bunch had. We left home around 7:45 Sunday morning and returned Wednesday night around 9:30. The trip was successful we think but we sure were some tired souls dragging in here two nights ago.

Personally, I had hoped to find an acceptable home on Monday. Then spend Tuesday looking at favorites and make an offer. Well, Tuesday evening we were torn between two amazing homes which had me very frustrated. I finally snapped out of it when I realized how blessed we were to be in such a predicament. We could have not found any homes we liked!

Around 5:30 on Tuesday we called our realtor and told him the offer we wanted to make. It's quite lower than the listing price of the home but we have house number 2 as our back up plan. We're overnighting paperwork with our offer and earnest money and hope to hear something soon.


Here is our top choice! It is in a nice, established neighborhood. The street is Dane Lane. (Trinity liked that it rhymed.) It was built in 1996 and has 2432 sq ft. We'll have lots of room to spread out. 4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, a gameroom upstairs and a dining room, living room, and office downstairs.

I can't put pictures of our second choice because it is a new construction home. So new that they had plastic draped all around it.

The children were AMAZING the whole trip. They were up early each day and went to bed late each night. They missed naps and rests and had some late meals. They were dragged in and out of houses, the car, the hotel, airports and planes. They remained sane, as did we, and were simply remarkable.


Will woke up at 6 am Wednesday morning to our dismay. This is the child who generally sleeps until 8:30 or so. He fell asleep on the way to the airport and then took a long nap during our layover in Denver in his stroller sitting upright half the time.

As we were coming out of our favorite house to that point on Monday, Mark stepped down wrong and sprained his ankle very badly. His whole foot is still black and blue. Within about 5 minutes it had swollen up the size of a baseball right at the bump of his ankle. I got a free pass to do the driving after that and he got to put a snow pack on it.

The snow ... there were several inches on the ground and the kids had a big time. Kamikaze Will ran and jumped and kicked and THREW. Trini was a little more reserved, as usual. She did manage to bean a few snowballs at us though. We couldn't convince her to make a snow angel. It sure was PURTY!

I dropped my hip pack on the ground Tuesday and managed to completely whack out my cell phone that was nestled inside. I can no longer read the inside screen of it and the battery isn't holding a charge for very long. So, if you call it and I don't answer, call us at home or Mark's cell as I won't be able to tell you called!

As far as Deer Park goings-on our house showed twice last Saturday and we have one offer in writing already and the promise of another. It was officially listed last Friday. Isn't that amazing?? Now if only we could secure a home to move into we'll be all set.

It looks like we'll be trying to move the last week in February. We'll keep you posted. Email if you want more pictures or I can invite you to join our family yahoo group where they will all be soon if you'd like to stay connected.

Lesa

Migraine Misery

I'm usually at worship right now. I'm only just coming out of a fog called a migraine. I tried to put into words to my husband last night just how badly I had been suffering. It's hard to do.

I woke up early yesterday morning with some mild pain. I went back to sleep and when I got up at 10:30 (thanks to hubby letting me rest) it was gone. Around 5:30 I started having some pain in my neck and at the base of my skull. By 7 pm I could no longer walk upright and speaking became difficult.

I laid on my bed and tried to decide if it hurt worse to breathe more frequent shallow breaths or to hold my breath and take a deep breath less frequently. The pain rolled through my head like a wave. It actually felt like the pain was a wave of water going back and forth across my head.

Nausea set in and the fun part that comes after that. I finally begged for Excedrin which I knew had caffeine in it. Any small amount of caffeine keeps me awake into the wee hours of the morning. I was hurting so bad I didn't care. I started to feel our Christmas Eve rituals slipping away from me and I was so saddened to have part of my life wasted by these devils called migraines that stop me dead in my tracks.

Finally after three bouts with my trash can I managed to wedge my head into my pillow against the headboard of our bed. Thinking about that position really begs the question of how I could find comfort like that.

I thought, "God, if only you'll take away this pain ... I'd give you anything ..." I think I really meant ANYTHING.

I managed to doze off and awoke at 11 pm. There was a dull pain left but you can put up with anything when you're coming off of a migraine. I was awake until almost 6 am. I got back to sleep just in time to get up and help get the kids ready for church. It was hard not to go with them. This is always a nice time of year to see visitors at church and be with our church family. I just couldn't do it.

For all of you who suffer with migraines, I feel ya! I wish they were easier to control. I have to say though there's nothing like pain so bad you wish someone would chop off your head to get you humbled and on your knees knowing someone else is in total control of your life.

For those of you who don't believe your loved ones are migraine sufferers or think they are putting on, after all it is just a headache, I have a message for you. I won't wish such a pain upon you but here's a visual. Imagine taking a hammer and smashing it down on your finger as hard as you can. Multiply that times 20. Then factor in every single sound, every single ray of light, and every shallow breath you take magnifies the pain even more. You still have no idea.

I have a wonderful husband who brings my cold cloth and offers proper placement of my trash can. He rubs my back and squeezes my head when I'm in the throws of the worst of it. He lets me know I'm not alone and gives such precious care to me. I'm a very lucky woman.

I'm ordering a t-shirt today that says I SURVIVED THE WORST MIGRAINE OF 2006. Just kidding, though I do deserve an award.

Family Ties

We spent all day yesterday down in the big city of Columbus, Texas, at my Aunt Ilee's house. My mom's entire extended family was there and it was such a wonderful day.

Aunt Ilee hosted the event with her husband Uncle Dan. (My uncle, not hers. : ) Their country home was the ideal setting for such a sepcial day with haylessride included. Their oldest son Danny and his wife Trish made it along with kids Elyssa and Jayden. Their youngest son Ryan came too with wife Ashley and new Baby Faith. Their daughter Jenny her husband Jack and son Casey didn't make it but we were graced with the presence of her two youngest sons, Colton and Chase. SWEETIE PIES!!

My Uncle Mike was there with my Aunt Bobbie. Their kids Crystal and Cody made it along with married daughter Courtney, husband Mike and kiddos Haylee and Chance.

My Mother Pat and step-dad David came. My sister Kara and her husband Chad were there with kiddos Hannah and Jackson. Our little sister Keli came with her kids Daniel, Andrew, Nathan, and petite bebe' Makayla.

Rounding out the group was my 82 year old Poppa and his sweet new wife Bettye.

I can't remember a time in my life that the people in that house yesterday didn't encompass. We've been on trips across the country together. We've celebrated many a Thanksgiving and many more a Christmas together. We've stood side by side at funerals; one a pain so deep we almost couldn't bear. We've sat together and sang together at weddings. We've seen babies born and our families grow.

Personally it feels so unique to me that we still make this get together a priority every single year. It's important to every one of us.

And did I mention we sing together? How many families, if they get together at all, have a common thread deep of enough to enact it year after year? We sing for hours sometimes. We raise our voices in song lifting praises to our Heavenly Father. The core group has married and drawn in more singers (or converted singers ourselves!). Can you imagine what a blessing it is to have this kind of family structure as the corner stone for your life? We have something that other families envy and when they speak of togetherness, they only wish they had a fraction of what we've found.

Yesterday was bittersweet for me. As wonderful a day as it was, I knew in my heart it would be one of the last times my family would be able to be present with everyone since we're moving to Colorado. I tried hard to hold myself together. I didn't want to sadden anyone else. My Poppa's prayer before our meal got me. And then we sang ...

I thank my Heavenly Father for these people He placed in my life. I thank Him for the years of togetherness. I thank Him for almost hayless hayrides. I thank Him for the Christian examples they've set for me. I thank Him for the love that pours out when one of us is in need. I thank Him for blessing me so richly. I thank Him for these STRANGE and unique people. I thank Him that I call them family.

Thank you Cappses, Shumways, Dillards, Barringtons, Flemings, and Dennises. No amount of miles will distance my heart from yours.

Times They Are a Changin'

Wow!

I haven't written since March? Wow! Oh, I already said that.

Here is a picture of the Brassette Bunch. My little ones are growing up. Oh my heart ... my cup runneth over. He's 2 and she'll be 6 in February.

Well, the season is in full swing. My mind is on what happens when it is all said and done. When Christmas is over, that means we hit "get the house ready to put on the market" at full speed ahead. I'm not sure I'm ready to face that.

You see, our family is relocating to Grand Junction, Colorado. (For some reason it feels like Missouri flows well after GJ.) It's gorgeous there. We'll get a little bit bigger and little bit newer house. (For a LOT more money.) There's a wonderful church family we're eager to work with waiting on us. The opportunities for Mark and for our family are endless. I truly am excited.

I just haven't come to terms with the leaving people here side of it yet. ARGH. Putting the house on the market will be a stern jolt of reality. I'm a little nervous. Heavenly Father has been in this from the start. He knew I needed a change. He knew Mark needed to realize his infinite potential. Great things await us ...

More to come I hope and plan ...

Tom Delivers

Last Thanksgiving I hosted my family at our house. I cooked my first turkey. Though no one verbalized it, the hint of doubt and worry was in the air. I have to admit even I had my doubts. Who wants to mess up the cornerstone of the feast that is Thanksgiving?

Everyone had their two cents to put in. EVERYONE, including the dogs, has an opinion on the best method, proper cooking time, or yummiest stuffing and seasonings.

Well, I went with my own methods and opinions. (I do this with just about everything else in my life. Why stop here I thought?) I combined suggestions from several different things I read but used ideas found from Leanne Ely (of Flylady fame) the most.

Folks, I gotta tell you, I DONE SO GOOD!!! That turkey was falling off the bone it was so moist and tender. The veggies and apple from inside were falling apart too. It was a beautiful bronzey brown and I beamed with pride the rest of the day. Oh, and I had it done on time too!!!

I have my method and cooking times written down in my Control Journal that I affectionately call my Brassette Household Operations Manual. So, I'll be pepared to tackle it again this year.

Tom Delivered ... in a big way. Can't believe I spent all of those years so concerned about cooking a bird! I don't think it was at all the monumental task I had made it up to be. Oh, and I dare not call it a bird out loud. Trini still isn't sure about the whole "food turkey" and "real turkey" situation. - Lesa

Blogging in Spirit

Wow, October 3. That's a bit pathetic on my part. What the heck have I been doing since then to keep me from posting? Well, I discovered Flylady.net in early November and have jumped into that with both feet! That's been blessing my family and myself. I sailed through the holiday season and my 32nd birthday. But blogging has been on my heart.

I've been keeping a running list of blog topics to write about. I'll post them and if you happen to wander back here to my blog, drop me a line if any sound interesting. I'll try to post again soon.

• The Mountain Has No Ears
• Can't Live Without 'Em
• Unexpected "Blade" Preview
• Is it Just Me? (Don't choose this one ... I can't remember what it means!)
• Sweet Dreams
• Verifying Codes
• Urban Stampede
• Christmas Casualties
• Tom Delivers
• Tagged - Weird Things About Me (Compliments of Deana)
• Thank You, Sharon Grimes
• Flylady: My Hero, My Saint

Anything sound interesting? It's good to be back. I'll do better.

Truly Bare Necessities

Anyone been shopping in Deer Park recently? Our Wal-Mart Supercenter is out of eggs! Completely! Our Kroger is almost completely out of bread. (Although they have several packages of high-end Pepperidge Farm specialty breads.) And they are out of CREAM OF CHICKEN soup! What's up??????? That's a staple in my house. I had plans to cook with it twice during the next week and a half.

Our Kroger has also undergone some major renovations as of late. It is a little inconvenient but not the major catastrophe some of my fellow shoppers were making it out to be. For example, while the sour cream is no longer by the yogurt, it is in the milk coolers. They didn't move it to the middle of the canned goods or anything like that.

People were just so aggravated about all this. After shopping at a tee-tiny little Brookshire's for five years in Arkansas, I love my Kroger and don't care how they re-arrange. If my Oreos end up in the meat section, I'll find them. No worries.

"Swallowing angry words is always easier than eating them." - Author Unknown

Evacuation Emotions

I never thought about evacuations before. We've lived in Deer Park for four years now. I suppose we once thought we might have to leave, but never got much further into than that.

Packing up, getting the essentials, and gathering a few precious mementos (the kids' baby books, our wedding video, etc.) was really draining for me. I thought what if the contents of our van was all we had when the wind calmed and the water receded? Oddly enough, God graced me with a peace that I still don't understand.

Mark installed put up our plywood shutters so when I turned off the last lights, there was silence and darkness in the house. I flipped the switch off and then right back on. One last look at my safe place, my refuge, my home. It became clear I should have let Mark lock up. As I got in the van, tears silently flowed. I'd been holding them back all day for the benefit of our four year old.

She had a hard time with this. We had encouraged her to pray for Katrina victims and donate to the relief efforts. She had a pretty good idea of how devastating a hurricane can be. We had to play up the trip as a vacation but she still had her worries.

As we made our way up north, we passed so many cars filled to the top with possessions and persons. Little kids huddled in back seats surrounded by pillows and blankets and teddy bears. I actually teared up for so many of these people, so sorry they were running from Rita. I suppose I was in "vacation" mode though I guess most would call it denial.

We stayed at 3 hotels during our adventure. Nothing like a good dose of reality to make you appreciate your situation. Every hotel was filled with evacuees who remained from Hurricane Katrina. We would go home soon. They had no idea if they even still had a home.

The worst thing that could happen now is another hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico. So many of us are weary and tired. I can see where many wouldn't even try to leave again. I would. Give me life, with my 3 precious loves and my 3 pooches. I choose them over bricks and shingles any day. We're just blessed to have the means and opportunity to leave.

I'll have to blog our evacuation story soon. We had an adventure!

"Take life in little pieces, one piece at a time." - Author Unknown

Mission: Organization

I am so hooked. Anybody out there addicted to this show on HGTV? As a perfectionist I am by nature a procrastinator and keeper of a cluttered house. I just have to tell you that this show has made an overwhelming difference around here.

Every few days Mark comes home to a box or bag of donation items to take to the garage. This show has really helped me learn to sort and purge things that I have been holding on to. I'll admit that it is easier to purge and sort in the kids' rooms, but I've been doing a bang up job in my room and our huge walk-in closet. It feels good to get rid of things.

The closet runs the length of our bedroom and is about five feet wide. It became the dumping ground for homeless items I found around the house after William took over the junk/guest room. Lately I could only walk about half way back into it. I pulled the old shelving out and put in a system of cubbies that looks like it is going to work perfect for home office supplies and some of our homeschooling items. Oh yes, and room for my greeting card collection.

That's right. I collect greeting cards. Now, I didn't know this until I started working in my closet. But as I began emptying out the closet, I'd find a box here and a bag with 2 or 3 boxes there. 21 ... that's TWENTY ONE ... boxes later, I really feel I have a problem. Or at the very least some "issues".

Sometimes I feel like I need to de-clutter my brain too. I remembered this week that Trini's dentist owed us a $25 refund from six months ago. How does that work? How can I remember knowing that they did in fact owe us, but not remember for the six months in between the point in time when I figured it out and when it returned to my mental in-box?

Something happened to my brain cells when Will was born. I didn't notice problems after Trini, but child number two has zapped me. My mental notepad ran out of paper months ago and the refill light blinks occasionally but I'm too tuckered out to reload most of the time.

I'm feeling a little stressed right now. I have several items to do that I'm juggling and I just know one is going to come crashing down any moment. Let's see ... Will's first birthday party and Trini's first ever soccer game ... on the same day, the new Bible Class Quarter starting at church, wall paper that I need to finish and some painting to get done before Will's party preferably, and all the dozens of things that I'm probably forgetting because of that blooming empty mental notepad.

I do love that God led me to start getting a Bible verse of the day from the Bible League. It's one to two verses and then a 3-4 sentence devotional. Every single day the new verse speaks to me and something going on right then. No matter how nuts I think I am, He's still working on me and giving me the tools to make changes to make life better around here. - Lesa

"What I can do plus what God can do equals enough." - A Free Methodist

Fascinating Me ... ?

The title is not to say that I am fascinating. Well, not exactly anyway. More so it is to say that there's something really simple out there that has been fascinating to me.

While looking up soccer information recently, I came across the website for the City of Pasadena. It had the council members listed with a brief biography of each one. It was really neat to see where people had been born, gone to school, how and where they had met their spouses, when they'd had children and so on. Just plain, regular people and I was captivated for quite sometime.

So, I'm going to be a trend setter. (That's only if everyone who reads this follows suit ... hint hint.) I'm going to start a post called Fascinating Me. If you decide to do it too, please leave a comment so that I can be fascinated by you as well!

In 1973 at Memorial Hospital in Lufkin, Texas, I entered this here old world. My parents, who were both 18 at the time, were married just six months earlier. Need I say more? They would divorce before I reached the age of 3.

My mother re-married in 1979 and we celebrated their 25th anniversary last year. I grew up living with them and my first two little sisters in Lufkin, while my father and his second wife and my third little sister lived in Houston, two hours away.

We moved to Garland, TX, in mid-1985, then to Lake Charles, LA, in late 1986. I finished middle school and started senior high at Barbe High School there. I didn't know it then and certainly wouldn't have guessed that I had met (and looked over) the eternal love of my life.

We moved to Round Rock, TX, in early 1989. Life really took off for me there. I excelled in Band and Choir at Round Rock High School. I made some of the best friends ever that I still keep in touch with to this day. I was courted by a missionary's son, long-distance from Aruba, and really thought our future was set.

In late 1990 the greatest loss of my life until that point occurred. My Granny lost a six month long battle with cancer and passed from this world. It was really devastating to our whole, extended family and I really don't think we've recovered from that even now. I have to say though that I've noticed in the last few years that I am able to think of her and smile where there were only tears before. Time does heal, thankfully.

I ended up moving in with my father and sister in the middle of my senior year of high school. I turned 18 and thought I knew it all. What a schmuck. I graduated from Westfield High School in Houston with people I barely knew and have barely spoken to since. Live and learn.

Thank heavens for old girlfriends who have cute guys as friends. Mark brought an old friend of mine to see me in 1992. It only took us 2 years after that to actually start dating! And we had to go and put over 400 miles between us first with me being back in Round Rock in 1994 and him in Baton Rouge, LA, attending LSU.

We dated for almost a year before I moved Baton Rouge. He proposed on our one year "dating" anniversary and we got married 5 months later in August 1995. (We wanted to marry before the Fall semester started. That was the only rush.) Oh, and we honeymooned at Walt Disney World!

We moved to Po-dunk, I mean Crossett, AR, in 1996 right after Mark graduated from LSU. He's an engineer girls ... :-)! I hated Crossett. I all but refused to bloom where I was planted on that one. Then I met my April ... my buddy! We went to high school in Texas within 90 miles of each other and it took the state of Arkansas to bring us together as adults. Serving on the Board of Directors for the Ashley County Humane Society together didn't hurt. And April is the one I wrangled into taking Cake Decorating classes with me.

I rededicated my life to God in July 2000. I haven't looked back yet. He's been so good to me even when I wasn't interested in returning that love.

Mark and I were blessed with daughter Trinity Faith in 2001 and soon moved to Deer Park, TX, where we are so happy and reside still. She may not have been born in Texas but we got her here as fast as we could! We suffered a miscarriage in late 2003 which was so devastating after trying for 11 months. Then our ray of sunshine ... William Christian joined our clan in the fall of 2004. He's a Texas thoroughbred.

Our family worships our Heavenly Father at Missouri Street Church of Christ in Baytown, TX. We're forming bonds with fellow Christians that will sustain us and our children through our walk of faith on this earth and serving our Father as we go.

This Friday Mark and I will celebrate 10 years of marriage. It's almost hard for me to believe. A girl who came from divorced parents, who moved around without any real ties for so long. I never thought I'd have such a stable relationship to call my own. I'm thankful everyday for the life and the love we share and for our two precious little gifts from God who fill my days with so much sunshine and joy (and frustration occasionally).

Little details, all compiled, make up a life that was purposed long before my parents even knew. Maybe I'm not fascinating to anyone on earth. But my FATHER created me like no one else and HE is fascinated by me. Even when I'm in my pajamas at lunch time and even when I get a little too self-serving and lose my focus on Him. He's still working on me and fabulous or fascinating or ordinary beyond belief, I'm a child of God!

I throw down the gauntlet ... it's your turn to fascinate me ...

"To the world you might be one person, but to one person you might be the world." -
Author Unknown

Where's My T-shirt?

Well, I went to Wal-Mart yesterday with both kiddos in tow. I'm shocked to report that it went not only bearable but very well. I really feel like I earned a shirt that says, "I survived Wal-Mart alone with both of my kids."

Maybe the t-shirts come when you have "harrowing" experiences like my previous grocery store "event" I blogged about. Normal, calm, uneventful outings go by the wayside. Although my shirt hasn't showed up from that now infamous grocery store catastrophe.

But boy oh boy was I excited yesterday! I think my baby has turned a corner. He still has his rotten sounding screeches but they are getting fewer and further between. He doesn't cry nearly as much as he used to. I don't know, maybe I've gotten faster at shoveling in his bites of food. And maybe I've gotten more attentive to him wanting to be picked up. In some way we've had a change around here and it's a great thing.

Thank You, Father, for this "calm after the storm" that we're living right now. Thank You for the blessing of my kiddos and that I am able and willing to to be all wrapped up in their little worlds! - Lesa

"If God had meant for today to be perfect, He would not have invented tomorrows." - Author Unknown

Closer to Jesus

This summer has been a series of big steps for me. Letting go of my four year old as she ventured off into the unfamiliar world of arts and crafts class and tumbling was difficult. Then the week-long Mini Skyhawks camp came and I thought I would burst from anxiety.

Luckily I found the presence of mind to pray amid my tears (yeah, I'm weird) that God would keep her safe and watch over her, and if He could keep her in once piece for my return. Little did I know she has the whole prayer thing and relationship with God covered herself.

On the last day of camp parents were invited to stay as the kids ran relays and played tournament style soccer and basketball. I had just helped Trini with her water break and was walking back to my seat when a voice said, "She is so precious!"

I turned to find another mom gushing over my child. The woman recalled, "A couple of days ago she was watching some of the other kids climb a tree outside by the soccer field. After a few minutes she said, 'The only reason I would like to climb a tree is to be closer to Jesus.' "

I was blown away. My baby sees Jesus everywhere. God really is in all things for her. I'm so proud that we've raised her to feel that way. And I must admit that I'm ashamed that I'm not nearly as good about it as she is.

My children teach me so much about life. Patience is a prerequisite of living, not just motherhood. My kindness and gentleness, or lack thereof, are reflected in their little actions. Quiet words often make more of an impact than shouting. And now, getting closer to Jesus is the goal of all goals.

Thank you Father for leading Mark and I to raise our babies for you. Thank you that they can see the good in all things, except maybe bedtime. Thank you that we can mimic them when our faith dwindles or when we put seeking a closer relationship with You on the back burner. Through Your Son I pray ... Amen. - Lesa

"To acquire knowledge, one must study; but to acquire wisdom, one must observe." - Marilyn Vos Savant

Stuck

By the way ... when you cover spilled milk with newspaper, the newspaper sticks to the surface you covered. - Lesa

Grocery Store Stir Up

I took my children out to the grocery store by myself week before last. The littlin' is 9 months old and this is only the second or third time I've attempted this. It didn't take long to realize why.

By the time we got to the produce section the baby was screaming. Not an "I'm hungry" scream. Not a "Diaper: Fully Loaded" scream. It was an "If I was older and screaming like this I'd be called a spoiled rotten brat even by parents who detest the use of the word brat" kind of scream. Detail to note, I start my shopping in the produce section.

I pulled out the cheerios which tamed the screeches for half a second at time. I pulled out his little ring toy and even attached it to the cart. He wouldn't even LOOK at it. So I just started moving quickly. I would give those "yes, he's unhappy (we'll pretend he's tired)" glances to fellow shoppers. Some returned their own looks of compassion and others returned looks of, well, I can't write such words.

We got to the yogurt drinks and Trinity was making her choices. A strange woman walked up and told me not to get the orange ones, which Trinity had in her hand. Apparently this lady drank one once, in 1987, and it made her throw up. I thought "Who are you? And who talks to a total stranger about wretching?" So, I picked up a second pack of orange ones and tossed 'em in the basket and whisked off down the next aisle at speeds that would impress Nascar.

Finally we got to the frozen food section and it was like the Promised Land, our last stop before checking out. Other than my impending migraine from the shrill screams I'd been enduring, the trip hadn't been all that bad. Then, it happened. Will, my own personal "guy"ser, spit up more juice than a baby could ever drink. It ran down him, my purse, some of the groceries, and splashed my sandal-clad feet as it hit the ground forming a huge puddle on the floor. I was looking for a hose or something because there was no way this could have all come from him.

I looked around for an employee to help me. (Yeah, that'll happen.) My eyes searched desperately for a roll of courtesy paper towels. I knew I had only one mini-tissue in my purse and Will's burprag was already soaked from the cheerios I'd been shoveling in him through out the store. I felt panic set in. Then I calmed down, thought rationally, and did what any good mother would do. I said, "Trini, step over that and walk this way ... really, really fast."

I started piling the groceries onto the conveyor, thinking it couldn't get any worse than that. When I picked up the sour cream and there was white chunky stuff on it I got nervous. I was about to say I didn't want that carton when I noticed other items had white chunky stuff on them. Items that were not touching the sour cream. Yep. My little angel had turned around and spit up on some of the groceries. I was mortified.

We got out of the store without further incident and as the frozen section looked like the Promised Land, my garage might as well have been the PEARLY GATES. I got both kids and four bags of groceries out of the van and headed for the door. I was fumbling for the key when Trini's contribution to the trip that wouldn't quit ocurred. She dropped her opened bottle of milk and it began pouring out on the garage floor.

She picked it up but that didn't stop the spill from rolling toward me and a piece of my great grandmothers' furniture that my husband is working on in the garage. All that could stop it that I could see, and reach, was some newspaper nearby. As I reached for the stack of paper, Trinity's bottle tilted again, toward her this time, drenching her in a wave of white and escalating the flow headed at me to great speeds.

As I got the newspaper down just in time I thought I'd burst into tears. Or at the very least scream at a child or two. But I didn't do it so I know He's still working on me. I started laughing so hard. I thought, no one would even believe this story if I ever have the time to tell it or write it down. You'll have to let me know. And if you think this blog is long, remember it is a true life, real time account of my LAST trip to the grocery store with both of my kids. - Lesa

"God made man at the end of the week when He was tired." - Author Unknown

Little House Lives

Well, as I said so long to "Days" an old love resurfaced. Until recently, I'm not sure I ever knew just how wonderful a show "Little House on the Prairie" was.

Disney made a whole new mini-series of the original television pilot of the show. It aired in March and early April of this year. It brought back so many good memories. I could not wait to see some of the old episodes.

Well, as with anything these days, you can bid on Dvd sets of each season of "Little House" on ebay! I've started collecting them and they are so wonderful! What happened to family oriented shows like this?

My four year old LOVES to watch "Laura". She was disappointed at first because she couldn't find the fairy but that has since passed. That conversation went something like this.

"Mommy, I've been watching and watching and I haven't seen the fairy yet."

"What fairy Trini?"

"The one from this show with Laura."

"Trini, there aren't any fairies in the show with Laura."

"But Mommy, you said this show was about a little house and the fairy."

I laughed and explained and she giggled too. Then we had to have a long discussion about prairies and mountains and valleys, etc.

I guess Michael Landon was the dad we all wanted to have, especially for those of us that were in the limbo of not having a father who was present in our lives. Charles Ingalls was firm but loving and he always knew how to keep his cool or lose it at just the right time.

I had forgotten how much I loved this show when I was growing up. I think I was jealous of Laura for having Pa as a father. When she married her "Manly" I probably hurled looks that could kill at the television. After all, I was supposed to become Mrs. Wilder.

I'm still sheltering Trinity from some of the hunting scenes and some of the brawls that occur, but it has been a great series to re-live with my daughter. She has a "better than Pa" Daddy so she won't have to live vicariously through Laura. That thrills me greatly.

I wish I could have grasped growing up that I had my own "best parent". I wish I would have seen God as a father or even my father, not just THE Father. When I talk to Him now or write down a prayer, that's what He is to me more than anything else in my life. He's Father. Realizing that and embracing it brought me lots of comfort and gave me the grace to forgive some already, though I still have a bit of work to do in the forgiveness department. And with that, He's still working on me. - Lesa

"The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother." - Rev. Hesburgh

Days Dies

Just over a month ago I said goodbye to a long time friend. A childhood friend even. I cancelled the timer and turned off the T.V. and haven't looked back since. I've done away with "Days of Our Lives" in my life.

I watched this show close to thirty years ago with my Granny. I watched with my mother when I would be home sick from school or in the summers. It's a legacy in our family I suppose. I even found a husband that was into it enough to schedule some of his college classes around a lunch time focused on "Days".

For some reason though last month I decided I was done. Previews eluded that two couples who were very good friends were basically about to switch spouses. Now of course, two of them are thought to be dead but are really being held captive together in a hidden palace. Something about this, after years of watching the same things, turned my stomach and I just thought enough was enough.

I haven't missed it yet. Knew for sure I'd have some withdrawal pains but it has been painless thus far. The extra hour a day has much better uses. Thank you, God, that even fictional infidelity bothered me and that giving up something for you felt easy to do for a change. I'm so glad you're still working on me. - Lesa

"The best way to drop a bad habit is to drop it." - D. S. Yoder

My Inbox ...

Back on 11/22 I was overwhelmed by 85 emails in my inbox. Today there are 135. JEEPERS!

You Can See My Coffee Table

For the first time in about 3 weeks you can see my coffee table again. It amazes me how quickly that glass top gets covered up with the largest variety of items you can imagine.

The first layer usually consists of teeny, tiny toys that come from plastic eggs, vengeful grandparents, or coin machines at the grocery store. Other items may be stray tissue paper from gifts or extra kleenex from an almost sneeze that never was.

Next you'll get to bigger toys like a beanie baby, a Leap Pad backpack, and a box full of stretchy animals that Santa brought (the big dummy). These items can be deposited by an older child or even a tired parent on occasion.

The bottom layer is usually a modpodge of coloring books, sticker craft pages and miscellaneous mail and papers that Mommy has been looking for. No one confesses to placing them there but the peek-a-poo looks suspicious.

When you get to the bottom of the matter there's usually at least one or two renegade stickers partially stuck on smudged and smeared glass underneath the heap. If at least one of those is shimmering or has a smiley face, the journey to the top of the coffee table can be deemed a success as you move on with a smile in your heart.

Life is kind of like that you know. You go through each day trying to get to the heart of the matter; the really important thing hidden beneath all the other "junk" that clutters the day. I have to say though that without the junk we wouldn't appreciate the heart of it all.

Sometimes it takes a lot of effort to do a good thing. To lift up a friend in crisis or encourage a struggling soul might take several layers of effort. But if in the end you find a shimmer of hope in their eyes or a smile on their face, the journey to the center of their heart can be deemed a success.

Thank you God for the layers of our lives, even the ones we have to trudge through.

I need to remember that the trudging is a good thing and that I'm in no way above it. Thank goodness He's still working on me! - Lesa

"Every act of love is a work of peace no matter how small."

- Mother Teresa

Abstinence

Don't get excited... this isn't a birds and bees talk! I just realized this morning that now that I have a grabby, cutie patootie baby again, I'm in abstinence mode.

From what????? I'm abstaining from two things for awhile. I went through this with my daughter four years ago. I'm giving up lipstick for I inflict WAY too many kisses to keep up with wiping the excess away. Will's cheeks would get too rosey!

And I'm done with earrings for the time being as well. Call me picky but I like the holes in my ears ... no slits wanted thank you very much. I don't think Will could resist any "on-board" decor that shines or shimmers!

Today is April 3 (although the person who collects the attendance cards at church will think me and my kids were the only ones who worshipped yesterday, since I put 4/2 on ours). Ya know, that was my only goof during my first time ever at church without Mark with our kids. I think I did pretty well.

Anyway, third day of April ... My goal is to have more blogs in April than I did in March. That should be painfully simple seeing as how I had a measley 3 entries last month. I had a lot going on in March. I think the Lord led me to blogging so I'm going to stick with it! And I'm going to try to do better! It's HIS way of working on me! - Lesa

"A simple act of love can make extraordinary things happen."

- Sharon Whitley