CRAZY life

What would I change about my life? I don't know. It's been a crazy few weeks...starting with not getting quite enough rest after my event, then going to KS for the weekend to work, then catching up at home and having oral surgery. After a week of feeling poorly from medicines and reactions to medicines, Richard and I went away for 8 days! Wonderful, restful, precious days. Then, we returned.

Cannot get the hang of having a meal cooked everyday...it turned into October and our house is under construction. Richard was gone 5 of 6 days before we went on our trip and 4 days right after. There are electricians, plumbers, construction guys and roofers parked in our lawn.

On Wednesday morning my mom called for help and I was able to go to MH for 4 days and work at her store. It was a scary few days as one of our friends (and a daughter of one of our employees) was unconscious. Mom was headed to market. I was glad to help, but missed a few games, Parent/Teacher conferences...and I was also trying to keep Fun Fest plans moving while I was gone. Richard is at home and mentions that the electrician has broken one of our new large windows.

When I returned home Saturday night we headed to the church to get the first preparations done for our big event on Sunday. Saturday night I couldn't settle down to sleep...and then I heard a mouse at 1am! We thought that guy was gone...but Richard saw him IN OUR ROOM. Sunday morning at 5am Richard wakes up with the first pains of a kidney stone. Oh yeah. Sunday morning after teaching Sunday school, we eat a quick lunch and then head out for our last huge WM trip and Fun Fest prep. Richard must leave with pains, returns and then has to leave for the final time right before we start. The girls pitch in making pitchers of lemonade, heating the nacho cheese, moving pumpkins, tables and candy...the night is a success but we don't leave until around 8:30pm. Sounds early, but I was almost in tears my feet hurt so badly. I fell asleep pretty quickly but couldn't stay asleep.

 

 

 

 



Monday morning Erin wakes us up LOUDLY at 4:45 with a mouse sighting, no more kidney stone pain for Richard, and I must go to Conway. I plan to meet Mom for lunch (she's flying in from market) and put away the end of the Fun Fest items that are out at church all before 8:30am. I'm so tired, I can't talk straight so I decide to take a nap....with the roofers overhead. I'm asleep in 2 minutes as they scrape everything off the roof over Ryan's window, right where I'm sleeping. I was really tired. Conway trip was smooth, and made it back to town in time to take Sheridan to basketball team pictures and a game. Richard texts from on his way to Tulsa and says he's passed the kidney stone. This is good news.

Next weekend I'm $250 committed to having a booth at a holiday market in Russellville. So far in direct competition with that...I have possible jury duty on Thursday, it's Senior night on Friday night for Lauren, Sheridan's last soccer game and picnic is on Saturday, Erin has All Region clinic and concert in Alma on Saturday and Ryan has plans to come home to spend the "whole weekend" with us. Hmmm.

The good news of this morning is that I already have lunch and dinner fixed for us today and Richard got groceries while he was getting his oil changed this morning! Now I need to take Erin a sandwich for lunch and stop by the storage unit on the way home. Maybe a Route 44 drink will be good for today.

Busy Month

Typically I just post our schedule when we're so crazy I can't keep it all straight...but the MONTH of June is here and it is going to keep us moving! I love our life!

Week 1:

Monday: First VBS Training Meeting
Wednesday: Birthday Lunch for Lauren
Wednesday,Thursday: UofA Orientation with Ryan (and Seth!)
Friday, Saturday: Rhea Lana Conference in Little Rock
Saturday: Lauren's 17th Birthday!
Sunday: All home, pack for vacation, VBS Work Night

Week 2:

Monday-Friday: Vacation in Orange Beach, AL (two cars, 9 people, lots of sunscreen)
Saturday: home
Sunday: Father's Day

Week 3:

Monday-Friday: Ryan, Lauren, Erin at Summer Camp (Falls Creek)
Wednesday: Help build an airplane in the foyer at church!
Saturday: everyone at home
Sunday: church, VBS prep all afternoon

Week 4:

Monday-Friday: VBS, 9am-12pm

ALSO...Erin starts Swim Team this week
Ryan and Lauren are working 3 days each this week
Richard travels today to OK, and all of VBS week to Mexico
I'm helping with the planning and directing VBS

CRAZY WEEK

So thankful for this weekend...it's been a crazy week.

MONDAY & TUESDAY: I went to Mtn Home to hang out with my Mom. I needed some new clothing for upcoming events and she had an unexpected day off that we spent going through some things at her house. We had fun and we might do it again!
WEDNESDAY: I went to Little Rock with my friend Ashlea. It was so fun to have no set agenda and just go shopping! I bought a new bench for my front porch and some graduation gifts. Mostly the girl talk was worth the entire trip.
THURSDAY: Richard, Sheridan and I went to Little Rock and watched Erin and Lauren play a GREAT soccer game against Shiloh. We lost, but played our best game of the season. Lauren scored our only goal and it was a beautiful sunny day for soccer.
FRIDAY: Richard and I went to the boy's soccer games back in Little Rock. Richard has a connection to this group of seniors as most of them were on his 12 year old state soccer championship team. They won and I was glad we were there to support them. Of course, I couldn't help but sleep in the car ALL the way there, because that's just what I do. Sheridan had her first LONG sleepover and birthday party. It was a strange night with Ryan at work, Lauren at friend's and Erin at the neighbor's. We rented a movie and watched it early. Strange.
SATURDAY: We picked up a VERY tired and cranky Sheridan, and headed to Fayetteville to watch the HOGS last home baseball game. It was the longest game ever. (3 and a half hours) However, it was awesome to be with Richard, Ryan and Sheridan for the day. Lauren and Erin went to the semi-finals of the soccer tournament in Little Rock and watched them win a great game!

I've been out of town six days this week, it would be SCARY to figure out how much money we've spent on gasoline this week! Next week is graduation. Not sure even where to start on that one.

Finally Friday

SPRING  BREAK:
I wouldn't have changed a thing about this last week. (OK, I would've loved to have dropped 20 pounds) My big kids were doing what was best for them, Richard was working (three jobs, at last count) and Sheridan and I kept busy accomplishing much, laughing a lot and traveling a little. We watched a movie, played with friends, finished our puzzle, read books, played kickball at the church (with Trey) on Wednesday, made a day trip to BA on Thursday. It's been good one on one time and although it wasn't our first choice (we both would've loved Disney) it was a week that was good for both of us.

The kids are on their way home now, Ryan's first text to me was "Moooooommmm!" They haven't had their phones all week, and it made me smile! Coming up this week he has 4 baseball games, he is head of the Prom (being the Jr Class president and all) and of course, school. It's like BACK TO REALITY when his feet hit the ground.

I've got a calendar full for next week too, including one (maybe two) days out of town, final prep for BA, loading equipment for BA, and moving in to BA on Friday. After PROM pictures and a good night sleep on Saturday I'm off to BA for 9 days. I will not wish this next week away.

CRAZY. WEEK.

I can't remember a busier week than the one we've had. I've driven many, many trips between our house and the schools, I've taught school two full days, Sheridan had drama practice on Tuesday, Lauren went to soccer practice twice this week and band practice once after school. Erin had a quiz bowl meet on Monday and practice on Wednesday after school. Ryan put in over 10 extra hours this week working on the Madrigal Dinner. School was also in session with end of semester PreCal, Chemistry and Geometry tests being studied for long after most of the family went to bed. Erin job shadowed on Thursday for her Career Orientation class.

Several times this week I've said, "It's our life, and I love it." I mean that. Sunday: Band concert. Erin, junior high band, 2nd year flute.
Lauren, high school band, 4th year trumpet.

Tuesday: Choir concert, Erin, junior high womens select choir. Christmas music.

Friday: Madrigal Dinner, Ryan, junior member of the chamber choir. They have rehearsed for months on music and drama. It was such a great event. Dinner, music, and entertainment. It was wonderful and I think it's great that Ryan put on his Gaston costume and did his best here as well as any Friday night on the football field.

Saturday morning: Swim meet in Russellville. Lauren, 2nd year high school swimmer. This was the second meet of the week. On Thursday Lauren swam in Springdale.

Saturday night

Since last Saturday night:

Sunday, 1:15am - ER visit with Ryan

Sunday: Morning Worship at Church

AWANA

Monday: 1st Doctor Appointment for Ryan

Weight Watchers meeting

Tuesday: Substitute at Middle School

Wednesday: Drive to Russellville in the morning

Go to library

Doctor Appointment with Ryan

Physical Therapy appointment with Ryan

Visit new baby in hospital

Thursday: Work at Simply Sam, children's store

Take Lauren to soccer practice in Russellville

Friday: Work at Simply Sam

Sr Night at Football game (where it rained and we didn't have umbrellas)

Saturday: Sheridan's soccer game (she scored twice!)

Work at Simply Sam

60th Anniversary Dinner for friends at church

8:41pm: Right now Sheridan and I are snuggled on my bed watching the food channel. The girls are watching a movie at the neighbors' house. Ryan and Richard are watching football in the front of the house.

This is the week the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be GLAD in it.

Hmmm.

We had this picture taken for an article on a web site in Tulsa about our new sale. We haven't had a family pic in awhile and so I'm especially excited for this fun photo. Everyone in the family has been helping with sale things around the house. And we're all getting psyched up for our local event...in 11 days!!

I want to blog. I do. But I'm too tired to be clear minded. My mind is in "sale mode." This means if I wake up at any time during the night it's almost impossible to go back to sleep because of the details of my event floating around my head. I have so many lists, of so many details, and my desk is a mess. I LOVE MY JOB! But right now, I'm really cluttered in the brain.

Because we are opening in Broken Arrow next month we are headed there tomorrow with two of my teens to hand out around 6000 brochures. I've also got a new phone friend who I'm going to meet and pick her brain about BA moms. I'm excited, but not nearly ready to go.

Today I took the day off and took Sheridan and a friend, and Lauren and a friend to the Alma waterpark. I have had the whole family working every extra minute getting clothes hung and tagged here at home for the last two weeks. I have an awesome family, and it was time to take them out of the house for some fun. Erin went yesterday with a friend to the waterpark, and Ryan had football today, so they weren't left out, just opted for something different today.

8 days until school starts. 9 days until we move in to our location. Before then: 2 day trip to Broken Arrow, Soccer tournament Saturday and Sunday in LR, football practices, volleyball practices and four open houses.

Week at a Glance

Have I ever mentioned that it urks me when kids are asked what they've done during the summer and they say, "nothing?" We've kept a journal for the last three years of day by day friends that visit, movies watched, church activities, day trips, etc. My goal is to promote thankfulness but we'll see if it works.

This week looks to be crazy...not even sure why, but here is a rundown...

Monday: Lexi spent night, picked up Layton and took three girls to the first day of high school summer band (9am-3pm), I'm headed to Conway to pick up sale supplies and then to Russellville to pick up clothes from a consignor and then to get my hair prettied up,. Erin has a lunch date with a friend. Ryan: mowing job in am, 7 on 7 tonight in Dardanelle at the same time Lauren has soccer in Russellville.

Tuesday: Lauren: Band. Ryan: Football. Sheridan: friend over. Erin: swim team practice. Bible Study 7PM, here.

Wednesday: Ryan: early morning eye appointment and football. Erin & Lauren: swim team practice. 3:30 dr appointment in Rsvl for me. Kids at church by 6PM.

Thursday: Erin and Lauren, swim team, pm. Me Russellville from 2-6, and Rhea Lana 101 class from 6-7 in Russellville. Lauren: soccer 6:30 in Russellville.

Friday: Last Swim meet in Alma, PM.

I also need to fill out forms for DHS, prepare for a training trip out of town next week, scout the internet for a Children's Christmas Musical, keep up with clothes for sale that people are bringing me, and cook a few meals.

It's going to be fun!!

Busy Week

It's summer. Time for staying up late, sleeping in and going slowly...not.

Last week started with a VBS meeting Monday in the morning and then the final softball game of the season.
Tuesday I worked one half day for the church secretary, after we dropped off the girls at the first of three swim team practices for the week...and started a new summer teen Bible study here at our house that evening.
















On Wednesday we celebrated Lauren's birthday...which included half work day for her, lunch out, gifts, a pedicure and one huge birthday cookie.
















Thursday...hair cut out of town, checked out a building for our fall sale, painted VBS props with Erin.
















Swim Party for Sheridan on Thursday night, Ryan had ball practice and the girls went to a movie-birthday party with a friend.
That night Richard and I decided to go to bed early and after I layed down, I decided to check on the time our Rhea Lana Conference started the next day. I was using my iphone to text and after three friends didn't text back I started to get worried. I checked facebook and then saw that a friend was on chat. Woo Hoo! Until she chatted back that the conference started at 9AM. Richard and I got up, finished our laundry, got a suitcase from the closet in Sheridan's room (where she was asleep), packed enough for three days, got our computer bag and files together and then I put finishing touches on two talks I was to give at the conference. Around 1:30 I got in bed. So much for going to bed early.

Friday, up at 7:00AM and driving an hour away! WONDERFUL conference from Friday 9AM, until I arrived home today, Sunday, at 4PM. I just took a HUGE nap on the couch. The big kids are gone with Rich to a teen party and I'm eating cereal, blogging to process...loving summer.

TGIF

Seriously, when I left town early MONDAY morning the biggest problem in my house was that the ants were driving me crazy! I had already reconciled with the fact that our outside spicket/pipe had burst and not only flooded our bathroom but our kitchen too. The insurance adjuster arrived right before I left and I was OK because Richard was OK.

I wasn't expecting the floor to be torn up with high powered fans and de-humidifiers running!

It does make sense that there were SO MANY ANTS because they were probably coming in by boat. Those guys are so PERSISTENT. ...

I arrived back TUESDAY just in time to pick up Sheridan from school. (more on my fantastic two days away later) Richard tells me were getting new flooring for our kitchen and both bathrooms. I'll need to pick it out by Thursday. Evidentally wood and water don't mix...there goes my one year old laminate. No problem.

Have I mentioned that we had both bathrooms re-floored TWICE (in the last 90 days) before we realized it was the outside pipe that burst and not just a tub or toilet leak? The floor guys and I are on a first name basis.

WEDNESDAY morning: Bible Study, meet furniture guys with new beds for the girls room (the final pieces of their Christmas room makeover), re-fill cabinets and fridge with food, substitute for one half day at the middle school, children's choir at church.

THURSDAY: spend 3 and half hours looking for flooring. Find something perfect. Family meal night: spaghetti, roasted zucchini & Parmesan garlic bread. Watch and cheer for my friend on Wheel of Fortune. She did awesome and we were INTO it!

Today, FRIDAY: Floor guys arrive at 8:30. Seriously, I had to do some personal laundry. And make sure my personal laundry wasn't hanging in the laundry room. It's amazing some of the things you can pack away in the laundry room.

By 9:30 I am a wreck...the fridge is in the living room as well as ALL the furniture from the kitchen and dining room. When they pull my stove out it is disgusting as I ccould see everything that has ever run down the side of it. I can also see the floor under the dishwasher. Ug! I'm getting claustrophobic and it's 10AM before we can disconnect all the wires for our computer and get it and the desk moved to the back of the house. PRIORITIES, get me some internet!! The wires are hooked up but won't work. Suddenlink guy will be here sometime after 2:00. I leave for an hour and come back with a new pair of sandals.

11:30AM : Lunch with Sheridan, Hamburgers for Richard and I (think comfort food), the flooring looks great but wait...we can't step on it until Sunday morning.


They will grout it on Monday morning.
They did leave my washer and dryer available, I just have to take my laundry outside and through the garage and around the 2 doors to that room.
I am thankful, I tell you, I am thankful. (just a little out of sorts)

Tonight: Erin is at the district track meet one hour away, Ryan plays a baseball double header 35 minutes away and Lauren has her final home soccer game here. I choose soccer for $250.

Tomorrow: my son's first prom.

Busy, busy week.
Lord, help me keep my eyes on You.

FOCUS!

I've been in the "resting" mode for the last 7 days and I'm ready to get some things done! For instance...we put together our BEAUTIFUL new king bed on Friday...but now the whole room needs a little freshening up! One thing led to another and now Ryan has our queen bed, his captain bed is in the garage...I have bedding in boxes...because where do you put it? I need to make a list, and I need to be motivated this week:

1) re-arrange master bedroom, pick out a new paint color
2) clean out master bedroom closet
3) clean out shelf city (our storage room)
4) sort and empty 3 plastic bins of papers that have been collecting from this summer
5) put the towel basket away (swimming is over)
6) sell full captain bed & queen bedding
7) make a plan for the girls' room makeover
8) get all sale equipment and tubs to the storage unit


Already on the calendar this week:
Monday: take Ryan to doctor for medicine at 9:30
Lauren, band after school
Sheridan, soccer practice after school
Erin, Lauren & Ryan soccer practice at 6PM

Tuesday: hair cut at noon
Lauren, band after school

Wednesday: sub at school, lead shout choir in the PM
Lauren, cross country after school and doctor appointment for physical

Thursday: sub at school, Erin football duties in the PM

Friday: Ryan's football game is an hour away, Lauren will travel with the band

This morning Sheridan is at home with a terrible stomach ache. I'm hoping after a morning nap she can go to school when I go get Ryan...what a week this will be!

A good week for our verse...Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as unto the Lord, not unto men.