Registering for school

I have come to the conclusion that I would rather be poked in the eye repeatedly than to have to register another child for school. I have been to the Jr. High 4 times and have finally "completed" registering Stacy for school. The school has done absolutely nothing to aid me in the process except to simply tell me that until her other school sent her files I could not turn in all the necessary paperwork I had on her. Why not? The elementary and intermediate schools had no problem with it. So, here I am a week from school starting and Stacy is finally registered *sigh of relief*, only to discover that I have to go back up to the school for her to pick out her classes. Unless, of course, I want to show up super early the first day of school and let her get stuck in some random classes that we'll have the opportunity to switch the first week. Can I take it home and fill it out, e-mail it to them, fax it, whatever. No, it has to be done in person. So, tomorrow I get to waste another half a tank of gas so that Stacy can go to school. Now I remember why I homeschooled.. But, it will all be worth it next week when I kick up my feet and look around at my finally clean house and drink a soda (without having to share it with anyone)!

#1 Song the Day You Were Born

A friend sent this to me and it's really cool. It will tell you the number one song on the day you were born, or the day you were married, etc. Pretty fun.

Go here http://www.joshhosler.biz/NumberOneInHistory/SelectMonth.htm

Amusing fact: The #1 song the day I was married ... "Foolish" by Ashanti.

How do you know your doing God's work?

That was a question I asked myself all the time for all different things. How do I know if what I am doing is what God wants me to do. There are many different ways and a biblical checklist on what to look for... is it in line with Godly principals, etc. The best advice I ever got, though, was from an older lady at our previous church. She said that you can tell your doing God's will when you can feel him holding your hand while the devil is kicking you in the behind! That being said, I certainly feel as if I'm being kicked lately. The last time the children came to live with us, 2 days after, Kamryn nearly drowned in a pool, then we were sued by their ex-stepfather for custody of the kids (and had to spend 5000 we didn't have on a lawyer), followed by behavior issues with TJ, losing our house, etc. Through it all I felt God's hand guiding us and caring for us and I never once regretted having the kids live with us- trying as it may have been. Especially when I considered the alternative. Now that they're here again I feel as if we've given Satan one more black eye and for that he's giving us a swift kick in the behind. Things are getting tougher and tougher with all the rain and Greg's hours being cut back. I think and begin to doubt, "are we doing the right thing?". Then little things begin to happen. Stacy tells me how much she loves going to church with us, Siarah thanks me for a home cooked meal and family dinner time at the table, and TJ comes to me and tells me how much he loves me and I feel God's hand in mine saying "the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him" and I am reminded that is my job. To keep the children safe and that no matter what, the kids (ours included) may not have everything they ever wanted but they will know what a Godly, loving family looks and feels like and will understand the comfort and peace of a stable environment. God will take care of the rest.

Late night boredom

Steff's out of town and my kiddos are asleep, so here I am being bored at her nice quiet (clean) house. Here's a few of the fun things I found while roaming the Information Super Highway:

I don't type nearly as fast as I thought I did (but, it is late...)
56 words

Speedtest

The best comeback ever for having a large family:
http://www.redshift.com/~bonajo/bigfamily.htm

I may have PMDD- or at least that's what the commercial on t.v. told me, so I thought I'd check it out (and even if I don't - that's what I'm telling my husband)
http://pmdd.factsforhealth.org/

There is actually a lady who dresses as a fairy and convinces your children to clean their rooms:
http://www.housefairy.org/

Beauty is definitely in the eye of the beholder (WOW- all I can say is WOW)
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_gallery_16&listing_id=11041565


Enjoy!

My Sisters

My sisters are my absolute best friends. They are two of the greatest people I have ever known. I could never write enough about much I love them. Here are a few pictures of us for those who don't know my sisters.

A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost.- Marion C. Garretty Help one another, is part of the religion of sisterhood. ~Louisa May Alcott

There can be no situation in life in which the conversation of my dear sister will not administer some comfort to me. ~Mary Montagu

I love you guys!

Tropical Storm Edouard...

During the storm our electricity inevitably went out. This, however, did not deter the ice cream man. I can imagine he was banking that night since everyone was out on their lawn enjoying the cool weather... (and, of course, it wasn't raining!)

The Eagle Has Landed

Actually the "eagles" landed a week ago thanks to some very generous people at church. Here are few pics from the airport...

The Tightie Wightie Monster

Melanie's favorite past time is "helping" me with laundry. It mainly consists of her undoing what I just folded. But, it's well worth it when she's this cute...

Hills and Clouds

I don't know about everyone else, but when I think of clouds and hills it all seems pretty peaceful. So, with that said, I am anticipating a very peaceful school year with Mrs. Hill (Tony's teacher) and Mrs. Cloud (Kamryn's teacher) YEA for me!

Birthday Verses

A friend of mine (thanks Tanni) turned me onto this and think it is absolutely fantastic. The theory is that there is a specific verse in the Bible which correlates to your birthday. Here's ours...

Greg- March 2
1 John 3:2 NIV
Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

Amanda- August 19
Romans 8:19 NIV
The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.

Stacy- May 14
1 John 5:14 NIV
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

Siarah- July 17
1 Corinthians 7:17 NIV
Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him . . .

TJ and Melanie- June 15 (Yes, they share a birthday)
Ephesians 6:15 NIV
...with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

Kamryn- July 21
Matthew 7:21 NIV
“Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

Tony- April 9
1 John 4:9 NIV
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.

It amazes me how inspirational the verses are, especially to each individual child. Each one seems almost handpicked for my kiddos. God is great!

Eight is Enough?

Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.- Albert Einstein

I look back to the day when our first daughter was born, the look in my husbands eyes, when he looked up and said " I think I want seven". "Seven children?" ask the nurse diapering my baby. "Sure, seven. A nice even number"- complete silence in the room as the nurse tries to figure out if he is serious. Now, anyone who knows my husband knows that this was his attempt at humor. However, over the past seven years he has slowly been trying to reach the goal. Recently, we regained custody of my husband's younger cousins. Three wonderful children who not only compliment my family but seem as if they complete it. For those of you keeping tally, that's 3 of my own, 1 step-daughter, and 3 custodial. That makes my husbands "nice even number". Who says God doesn't have a sense of humor?