General and incessant rambling about not much

My sister Bobo is visiting right now.  She's so fun.  I wish she would live down here.  She's playing a board game with Dash, Tank is at the church gym with dh, and Dozer is currently watching Barney and dancing in a big puddle of popcorn (really).  I guess I should get up and do something about it...and put him to bed.  Okay, maybe a little later.

 

Have I mentioned that we canceled the birthday party?  Well, it had been dumping rain and flooding the street on Wednesday.  The forecast for Thursday was more flooding with still a 30% chance of rain on Friday.  Soooo, we canceled the party.  The idea of all those people IN my house or sloshing through backyard mud was kinda freaking me out.  Wouldn't you know it?  Friday was absolutely sunny all day with all the yard puddles drying up.  I felt a little dumb but I'm used to that so it's not a big deal.  I'm hoping to reschedule a downsized version of the party (as in no daddy's) sometime on a weekday afternoon.

 

I can't remember who it was...Tia maybe (aka Sagerats) who mentioned a chocolate fountain.  So we opted for that instead of the moonwalk. :-)  Cheaper and I can use it over and over again!  Of course, we kept it even without having a party.  The boys both have grand plans of sticking their entire heads in the streaming chocolate at the end of the party!  I'm sure we can assist them with that. hehehee...

 

What else?  We got our Sonlight box the other day.  I guess we need to finish up last year's Sonlight first, huh?  Actually, we'll be done in a couple of weeks.  It has been such fun and we've read a ton of great books!  If anyone is looking for a solid, pre-scheduled, literature-rich program, then Sonlight might be exactly what you're looking for.

 

Blah, blah, la dee daaaa...

 

I think I'm going to make me a pot of decaf, clean up the popcorn confetti on the floor and read a mindless magazine for a little while.  What are y'all doing tonight?  I've got a ton of "good, productive" things to do...but there's always tomorrow right?

 

Other stuff wandering around in my head:

• 
  
  My boys make me laugh.  They are so silly and dorky and just plain fun.  And they are in that laughing hysterically at their own jokes that are completely nonsensical stage right now.
  
  
• 
  
  I'm addicted to coffee.  Even decaf.  It's the process of drinking that I like...and the taste...mmmm.... with lots of real cream and sugar. 
  
  
• 
  
  I like shoes.  I wore some pink peep-toe heels today.  They made me happy.  I'm currently on the hunt for some nice red flats.
  
  
• 
  
  I'm distressed that the "fashions" of the '80s are back.  Leggings, ankle boots, vests, blech!  When will the insanity stop?!  The HORROR!
  
  
• 
  
  I'm blessed with some good friends.  It's nice to almost have too many friends. :-)  Most are all from my church, so we are like-minded as well (but very different!) so it's always fun.  And I like their kids which makes it even better.
  
  
• 
  
  Baseball is boring.  I'd rather just watch the highlights on ESPN.
  
  
• 
  
  It's hot and humid outside.  I wish I could say it makes my hair curly or something cool like that, but it's still flat, oily and sticks to my head.
  
  
• 
  
  I don't floss regularly.  I should but I don't.

Okay, that's it for now.  I'll check back with y'all tomorrow.

 

Love,

Marshiemellow

This site is better than googleEarth

I know many of y'all have already checked out googleEarth, but this site is even better!  While the info is a little inaccurate at times, the pics are fairly recent (2005 or 2006).

 

Kinda scary though...I feel like someone is watching me...

Please pray for Beth

Please stop by Beth's blog (aka LIFE).  She had an ultrasound a few days ago and there are some major concerns.  She could really use some prayers and encouragement right now!!!

Moonwalks and I need your ideas!

Tank just turned 5 and Dash will be 7 in a few weeks.  We are having a combined birthday party next week for both of the boys and Dh and I were discussing the possible rental of a moonwalk. Tank comes running into the room...

 

Tank: Mommy! Are we going to walk on the moon?  Are we?  On the mooooon?!

 

Me:  Nope.

 

Tank:  Okay...are we going for a walk at night?

 

Me:  Uh uh.

 

Tank:  Dash, do you know what a moonwalk is?  What's a moonwalk?  Can you tell me what a moonwalk is?

 

Dash: It's kind of walking on the moon in space.

 

Tank:  But no...

 

Me:  It's one of those bouncy things that you can jump in...you know, inflatable-- filled with air...

 

Dash:  So it's when you're a firefighter and you're on a very tall building and you need to get down and you jump off the building onto a trampoline?

 

Oi veh.  They really have been on one many times!  But somehow I am not speaking their language right now...

 

Speaking of the party...  Any ideas on some fun party games?  We will have tons of kids from ages 2-15 along with their parents.  I forgot who mentioned it on their blog, but I am planning on hiding a cherry in a plate of whipped cream and having them find it without using their hands.  Any other outside contests/games/ideas for us???

 

Thanks!!!

Marsha

They're growing up already

I hate to say it...but my boys are growing up to be men.  I know... you're thinking this must be another DUH! moment, but it's not.  At the ages of almost-7 and 5, they might not exactly be on the brink of manhood but they are indeed already on their way!  Every day brings them a step closer.

 

Steve Walden's post about fishing with his son and his dad really got me thinking.  Grandpa, dad and son spoke together about manly things like carburetors, war and wetting a hook.  While I could talk to my boys about these things, it's just not the same as if it were coming from their dad.  After all, they want to grow up to be a MAN (like their dad) not a woman/wife/mommy!

 

I really came to the whole boy/man-wannabe realization a few weeks ago when we went out to lunch.  We were eating at our fav Mexican restaurant and ordered waters for everyone.  The waiter returned with large cups of water for me and David.  Tank (5) and Dozer (1.5) got the usual styrofoam cups with lid and straw.  Dash (7) would normally get the lidded cup and straw as well...but this time he got a big cup.  As in "real" cup.  No lid.  No straw.  Slice of lemon.

 

He looked at me questioningly, pointed to his cup and whispered Look, mommy.  (Translation: Why did he give me the wrong cup?)

 

I answered, He thinks you're big enough now. 

 

A smile began to creep across his lips and then he started to twinkle and smirk.  To think that someone else thought he was big!  I couldn't help but share his smile and I could see the pride on his face.  It was a good kind of pride...the Finally! Someone else actually sees that I'm not a baby anymore! kind of pride.  He was beaming.  And all for that one little big glass of water. :-)

 

It's funny how they really do grow into their labels sometimes.  You treat them like babies and they act like babies.  You treat them with a little respect (well, the respect worthy of a future manly man!) and they actually act a little more mature.

 

I guess I need to find more ways to show him that he really is a little man right now.  I need to expect him to be brave and courageous, expect him to work things out with his brother or friend, expect him to succeed in a difficult physical task...  He's pretty good about living up to my expectations! 

 

Canadagirl's Nature Photo Contest

Yesterday I spent half an hour composing a clever and fun entry to Canadagirl's Family Nature Photo Contest...but then my computer locked up and I lost ALL of it.  I even had some extra pics and hyperlinks and everything!  *sigh*

 

But alas, 'twas not meant to be.

 

So here is my entry to Canadagirl's Contest:

 

 

This is a pic of David and I in Beijing, China this past February.  Ironically, behind us you will see the lake at the Summer Palace-- completely frozen over.  Yup, we're smart travellers-- next thing you know, we'll decide to go snow skiing in August!  (seriously kidding...sorta)

 

Since I hate to leave y'all with boring winter pics (there's not even beautiful snow...just a frozen over lake), here are a few bonus pics from our fateful but fabulously fun trip to Tennessee last year.

 

    

   

Speaking of Coffee

I saw this today from the Homeschooling with Humor Yahoo group run by our very own and very talented Jojo...and since we've been talking about coffee lately, I thought it would be perfect to share with my friends.

 

The Mayonnaise Jar and 2 Cups of Coffee

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous "yes."

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space

between the sand. The students laughed.

"Now," said the professor as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize
that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things--- your family, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained , your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.

The sand is everything else---the small stuff. "If you put the sand into the
jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

"Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad! you asked.

It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's
always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."

If I only had a brain

I just had a huge DUH! moment.

 

Last night before bed, I had a nice hot cup of my deeeelicious Gano Excel Decaf "Healthy" Coffee.  It's supposed to have even less caffeine than regular decaf.

 

Well, last night I was so proud of myself for getting IN bed by 10:00pm (for the second night in a row!).  This was a huge accomplishment for me as I had been in the terrible habit of staying up until midnight to 2am for the past month.  Anyway, I could not for the life of me go to sleep.  I was tired.  But my body just would not sleep...

 

I last remember looking at the clock at 1am.  Drat.  Double drat!  Why couldn't I go to sleep?

 

Well, this morning I figured out why.  I went to dump the hot water out of my stainless steel thermal insulated carafe...and it came out brown!  Zoiks.  And then the DUH dawned on me.

 

I forgot to take the old, used coffee filter (with regular coffee grounds in it) out before I ran the fresh pot of hot water.

 

I had added regular coffee to my mix of instant decaf without realizing it.  This was a huge DUH moment for me.  Might seem small to others but when it has to do with my sleep or my coffee, it IS a BIG deal...and this, unfortunately, messed up both!

 

I asked Napoleon if I had a brain and he said No.

My mug shot

Here is my entry to Michelle's Mug Shot Contest:

 

 

 

My dh gave me this coffee mug and a coffee maker as a gift for our first Christmas together.  We had just gotten engaged a couple of months before, so the message on the back of this mug was EXTRA special to me! 

 

It is chipped and faded from much repeated use...so much so, that I only drink from it on special occasions. :-)  I love this mug...and the mug who gave it to me (ridiculously awful pun intended).   And this from my man that can't even stand the smell of coffee, let alone the taste of it!

I can't believe Tank is 5 years old!

There is less than half an hour left of my sweet Tank's birthday.  I can't believe he's 5 years old already!!!  We had a great family day starting at Chuck E. Cheese.  He proudly whooped up on me on Arctic Thunder...and I didn't even let him win!  Then we went out to lunch, let him pick out a new bicycle from Academy, and then my in-law's let him pick out a present from Target.  He thought it was a fantastically fabulous day-- and so did I!

 

 What can I say?  We all love video games in our house...And me getting my bootay kicked by a newly crowned 5 year old was a family affair!

 

Dh and I were lamenting his growth last night and remembering the day he was born.  It was a tough pregnancy with me going into early labor at 27 wks while we were visiting family out of state.  It took ALL night for them to stop the contractions and I also had this excruciating pain in my side that they thought was appendicitis.  But God brought us through it and my precious second son was born only 5 weeks early.  He was a tiny thing at a little over 6 lbs and was in the hospital for over a week as he overcame some kind of infection and tried to regulate his body temperature (which was very low).

 

He was such a HAPPY and sweet and easy-going baby!  This kid loved to eat everything and anything.  And from the beginning wanted to be laid down to sleep!  He would hardly ever fall asleep in your arms but just wanted his own bed.  (Such a difference from his big brother Dash!). 

 

As he got older, he would play in his bed until he fell asleep and then would play in the morning until we were ready to get him out of bed.  I know, I was one spoiled momma! :-)  It was such a blessing though as he did battle RSV, asthma, etc when he was really young.  Even now he is usually the last one up...and if he's really tired, he'll just give us a kiss and tell us he's going to bed.  Weird, huh?

 

Oh, back to lamenting his growth...there's a reason we call him Tank-- he really is a solid little man.  When he heard dh and I talking about his growth, he came up to my dh, climbed into his lap, put his arms around his neck and said:

 

Daddy, don't worry... I will always be your baby!

 

That's so sweet that I'll overlook the fact that he didn't say he would be my baby...  Oh well, two out of my three are mommy's boys!

 

HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY TANK!  I LOVE YOU SO VERY MUCH!!!

My new friend needs some encouragement and prayers

My new friend Kathy is beginning her first year of homeschooling.  Could you please pray for her right now?  She could use some encouragement as we all know that the first year is ALWAYS the hardest! 

 

Stop by her blog, say howdy, and if any of you have experience with Rod and Staff (be it words of wisdom, used curriculum you're willing to part with :-) or anything helpful at all) please leave her a comment.

 

I remember going through 2 packaged curriculums before I found one that was just right for us (at least for the first year or two!)-- and even then, it required some tweaking.  I know she can't really afford to go through too much "trial and error" financially.

 

Also, any suggestions on free homeschooling resources?  Something besides just the typical google search...anyone actually USE any of these sites, resources, etc?

 

THANKS a bunch, my friends!  Y'all are the BEST!

My worst picture contest entry!

Okay, so here is my entry in JocelynDixon's contest.

 

 

I know I have pictures that are even worse than this...but I don't want to win that badly!!!

Free stuff...well...if you're the winner

I like contests.  They're just super-dee-duper-fun, don't ya think?

 

Amber's Heart of Art is having a free graphics contest.  All you have to do is take a little poll.  She is quite talented and you will LOVE her work!

 

And Michelle is having a muy bueno MUG SHOT contest-- you can win COFFEE!  Did I mention that you can win my most favorite beverage of all time?  Coffee!  Coffee!  Coffee!

 

That JocelynDixon, though...she takes the cake with her clever contest.  How come no one else came up with this idea before?  It is HIlarious!   All you have to do is post the worst picture of yourself and then leave her a link.  She'll pick the worst picture and the winner gets some neat-o Creative Memories scrapbooking supplies (stickers, paper, journaling boxes, etc).

 

I think I will have a hard time entering this contest-- although I will do my best to find one.  It's not that I don't take any bad pictures, it's just that once I do, the really ugly ones are dutifully deleted!

No more b-b-b-boring blog!!!

Wowzers!  Have y'all seen my new do?  Yup, no more boring blah blog for me...I'm now out of the stone ages with my fancy schmancy fantabulously fantastic blog!  Maybe not for content, but definitely in appearance.

 

You likeeeee?

 

I wish I could take all the credit for this...but I can't.  While I do have a few html codes up my sleeve, the elegance and talent and very cool graphics are courtesy of our dear Amber's new venture-- Ambers Heart of Art. 

 

THANK YOU AMBER!!!

 

I still can't believe I have a look that actually expresses my own personal taste.  Weird how it changes your perspective of a person, huh?

 

Okay, that's all for now.  Be sure to check out Amber's Heart of Art and tell her how talented she is!  I'm sure she can cook up the perfect graphics that expresses your own personal tastes and style.

 

Love,

Marsha who is so extremely excited about my fabuloso new look!!!

 

PS  Check out Amber's latest contest for some free graphics-- all you have to do is take a poll!

Holiday? We're daring to be different, I guess

While many of you are celebrating the festivities of this Independence Day, the Drews household is not.  While we did talk about the what/why's of Independence Day, there was no picnic, barbecue, boating or shooting of fireworks for us.  It's not because we're party-poopers though.   Here is why we actually had our lessons (read: school!) today:

 

1.  It's been raining for a couple of days now...and expected to continue throughout the night.

 

2. We didn't make any real plans for the day since we expected dh to be working (which he now is not).  Plus, all the rain that was forecasted makes for swarms of swamp mosquitoes that attack you without mercy.   So no lake or outside activities for us!

 

3.  We school year-round but have taken the last two weeks off...not intentionally, mind you, but just because we've had invitations to the beach with friends, celebrated our 10 yr wedding anniversary and just had other things to do!

 

4.  Dash reminded me the other day that it's only two more months until he's in second grade.  Ummmm...we have WAY more than two weeks worth of work left-- so we better double up!

 

5.  The boys do better with routine.  Two weeks off in a row means for bored boys.  Bored boys fight.  Bored boys get in trouble.  Bored boys irritate mommy and make me into a yelling, angry, frustrated lunatic that nobody wants to be around.  By the way, I'm 200% better now! :-)

 

I am rather pleased with how our lessons went today.  We covered a lot of material...not just because I wanted to, but it actually made sense to the boys and they were interested in continuing.  You don't find that in public schools very often, do ya?!   The only thing left to do is finish the last part of our current read-aloud The Light at Tern Rock.  Oh, and I really want to do the glo-germ experiment that I ordered from Fizzbang Science (thanks, eyecorn!).

 

So what are you doing today?  Am I the only one who was a mean mommy and had lessons today?  (Although technically it's not mean when your children don't fuss about it...and they really don't know what "normal" is for other children anyway!)

Please pray

Please pray for the Vanderclan family-- their sweet baby Lily is now at the feet of Jesus.