Since I'm still not sure why it's taking so long for the blogs over here at HSB to load (the reason that many do NOT visit blogs here), I'm visiting my "summer home" over here.  I invite you to come join me for a visit.  grab a mug of coffee and sit a spell.  bring your knitting or quilting if you'd like!

:D

b

Head on over to www.5minutesformom.com and join the Ultimate Blog Party!

 ALL-righty, then.  I just went perusin' some of the other blogs at the party, and realized how much of a goob I am.  Kinda like a real party.  I hang around the back of the party to get a little more comfortable, then start introducing myself.  I guess I should take this time to tell ya a bit about me and mi vida loca. ;)

1.  I'm a momma of four, loving living in Germany, on an international tour, funded by the USAir Force...okay, seriously, now.  Hubby is military, and we've lived here for the last almost 4 years.  Just a beautiful area...see? This was a couple of autumns ago... 

2. My four sweet children try me at times, but they're growing me, that's for sure.  Example. That boy.  or Here. ;)

3. Did I mention that I LOOOOVVVEEEE living in Germany?

4. Sometimes, I, as the teacher, become the student,...more often than I'd like to admit?

5. And I've not been particularly consistent in the blogging, but that's explained here... ;)

Enjoy...grab some chips and salsa and a slice o' that cake over there, and mingle... :D

LOL...for the last four nights, I've gotten sleepy reading blogs, late into the night.  Don't know why, I guess I'd rather sit downstairs and read a blog or forty, instead of lying in bed, trying to slow my mind down and go to sleep.

SO, why is it that after I shut the computer down, check to make sure the door's locked, sneak in another load of laundry to run while I sleep, make sure that the dishwasher has run for the night, turn off all the lights, and start to walk up the cold stairs to my warm room...I think of something that *I* want to blog...

Really, I'm laughin'.  But the problem is that NOW I can't remember what I had to say...and it was funny, too. Okay, maybe it was funny because it was 2 am and I was loopy already, but it WAS funny.  Trust me.

I need to get back to blogging.  I've really enjoyed visiting others' blogs lately, and I enjoy the part-journal, part-glimpse into my reality that it allows.  Lets you see how ummm...interestingly we live life.

Ok, off to get my brain going with some exercise, and then back to the computer, where I can play a bit.  I think we'll be changing the ol' look around here, what say ye?  Then some entries to round out the look.  Sounds lovely.  :D

b

5 Minutes For Mom--Family Game Giveaway

This is an awesome blog, real encouragement to us moms who are SO busy... Enter their contest!!!  :D

And I really needed to read it.  May it bless you, too! 

Thanks, Rocks in my Dryer!

It Gets Easier

How wonderful is THIS????

Just found this blog: Homesick Texan on a click-through from another foodie blog I visit.  Oh, my!  Jus' makes me wanna CRY...

I AM a homesick Texan.

And now I'm tryin' to figure out how to make a frito chili pie low-carb.  hmmm.... 

Yeah, I think my kids could do a "walking taco"...only they won't eat the chili.  Not even the TEXAN in the bunch will!  That's near blasphemy!   LOLOLOL  

Ya know, I have two Brit-born children who won't eat beans or potatoes.  I have a Texan-born child who won't eat Chili or taters, and I have a German-born child who eats everything in sight.  So I guess she's making up for the others?????  LOLOL

My favorites:

"Ma-ma.  Wha Dat Fing?"  (referring to a noise that she has heard yet not identified.

And then Monday when she was coming down the stairs, she looked like she was chewing on something (she's usually got a toy in her mouth)...I asked her "what do you have in your mouth?"  She looked thoughtful, even putting her finger to her chin, and then answered "Teesh?". 

Yep, she's gonna be the smart one. 

I saw this on Keer's blog and thought it was cute!  If you'd like to join me, consider yourself tagged! ;)

Appearance:
I’m short: True
I have many scars: True
I tan easily: True
I burn easily: False
I wish my hair was a different color: False
I have friends who have never seen my natural hair color: False
I wear glasses or contacts: True
I have 5 or more piercings: False
I have/had piercings in places besides my ears: False
I have freckles: True

Relationships:
I’m in one right now: True
I miss someone right now: True
I love/like someone right now: True
I’ve gotten divorced: False
I’ve had a crush on a teacher: False
I’ve hugged a stranger: False

Embarrassment:
I’ve laughed so hard I’ve cried: True
I’ve glued my hand to something: True
I’ve laughed till some beverage came out of my nose: True
I’ve had my pants rip/drop in public: True
I was born with a disease/impairment: False
I’ve sat in a doctor’s office with a friend: True
I’ve had my wisdom teeth removed: True
I’ve had a serious surgery: True
I’ve had chicken pox: True

Experiences:
I’ve gotten lost in a city: True
I’ve seen a shooting star: True
I’ve wished on a shooting star: True, as a kid.
I’ve gone out in public in my pajamas: True.  LOL
I’ve pushed all the buttons on an elevator: True
I’ve been to a casino: True (for dinner buffet!)
I’ve been skydiving: False
I’ve played spin the bottle: False
I’ve drank a whole gallon of milk in one hour: True.  Second pregnancy. 
I’ve been in a car crash: True
I’ve caught a snowflake on my tongue: True
I’ve sat on a roof top at night: True
I’ve played chicken: False
I’ve played a prank on someone: True
I’ve ridden in a taxi: True.
I’ve seen the Rocky Horror Picture Show: True.
I’ve eaten Sushi: True.  And not hard to make!

More Random:
I watch the news: False.
I curse regularly: False
I sing in the shower: False
I’m a morning person: False...oh, so false!  LOL
I am a sports fanatic: False
I know how to shoot a gun: False
I am really ticklish: True.

This is the end of this post: True

Hoorah, for HSB!

The updating of the system is done, apparently, and I, personally, LIKE the changes! 

Now for a new, wintry look, for my own page.  It's in the making, but until I get some spare minutes between classes today...it'll be very fall-ish... ;)

Have a Blessed day!

b

...quoth the Bugga-bug.

You see, that's a phrase that came about a few months back, from dear hubbyman, when one of the children was throwing a pity party for themselves.  Statement was made with full pouty lip and whiny voice.  Try it yourself.  It's quite effective when spoken this way.    Now, seriously.  I wouldn't recommend making fun of a child in any circumstance...and this particular instance wasn't quite "making fun OF", but mirroring...and it had the appropriate response, utter and infectious laughter.  There was not a whine in the house when the "Schwee" came out.  What a blessing.

NOW, however, the 2 year old has adopted the phrase.  HOW can a momma keep her face straight when talking to a child about their poor attitude when the 2 year old walks into the room and notices the attitude in question and responds with "Schwee-Schwee-Schweeee, Alley!" and walks out.  Once again, hilarity ensues and lesson is over.

Now when did the 2-year old get to be the teacher?

Finding my laughter,

beck

Hallelujah!

my sweet 4 year old son accepted the Lord today!

Can't stop smiling...

beck

...just you wait and see...

...and it's going to be called MOMMY-CORDER.

It's going to be a small, lightweight object that you can carry with you.  Can't be too heavy, as you'll need it with you at all times and can throw it into a purse or diaper bag easily. 

It's going to have several buttons with a "child lock" on them.  A simple one.  Just so that they don't get accidentally pushed while in the purse bottom, because we all know that's where things go.

It's going to have inexpensive covers that you can adapt to your personality, much like the iPod, because plain white just don't cut it with this momma, but floral isn't my friend's idea of style...and her orange and green would be a little stark for me.   Key here is INEXPENSIVE.

So, what's it do?

Each button will have one phrase, changeable as you need it to be. 

Mine will have:

1- "ZACHAR-YYYY!"

2- "Susanna, leave your shoes on!"

3- "No, I don't know why that is, but I bet we can look it up."

4- "Yes.  Because I said so."

5- "Because I'm mean.  giggle." (yes, I do say that...too often)

6- "Eat."

7- "Do your school."

8- "Sitting is something we do ON OUR BOTTOMS."

And that about covers it.  I feel like those are the only phrases that I have actually UTTERED in the last two weeks...although I know that HAS to be an exaggeration.  It is, isn't it?  Tell me it is.  Please?

So, that's my invention, and if I ever come up with a way to make it work, I'll let you know.  And if you see one in stores before I make one work, send it to me, I'm goin' hoarse over here....ZACHARYYYYYY!!!!!!

beck

Posted in Day to Day

To one and all...

I hope that your Thanksgiving Day was as blessed as ours, spent with loved ones, with much laughter and fun, prayer and concern, and lots of good food, all seasoned with love.

Blessings,

beck

(PS: I get to pull out my Christmas CD's tomorrow! )

Posted in Day to Day

Here's how it was here, today:

http://www.arcamax.com/babyblues/s-132990-577740 

Yeah, that about sums it up. 

I dunno if you get the comic "Baby Blues" in your paper, or even if you GET your local paper (we buy at least Sunday's), but I'm tellin' ya...these guys can SEE into my house!  I KNOW they can! 

I love the creativity that having boys has brought to my life.  It's a never-ending fountain of "you said WHAT?"  Wait'll I tell ya what my youngest son wants to be when HE grows up!!!!  It's a doozy...

But that's for another post.  Yep.  The creativity of Boys.  To be filed under "why I am going grey one day at a time."

Later-gator,

b

Posted in Day to Day

I feel kinda like Pooh Bear.

You know... snuggly, cuddly, warm.  I'm just missing a cup of tea or coffee.  Maybe, just maybe I can get away with it.  I may have some decaf up in the cupboard.  Gonna try.  I don't need the sugar of cocoa.

Okay, rabbit trail done.  (sorry!) It's a snuggle-in kinda day.  It's cold (in the upper 40's) and grey sky, drizzly rain, and just a perfect day to snuggle in with the kids and do a bunch of read alouds and make THAT our school for the day.  We will do that, but later.  We've got some actual book-work that is a must, first.  Then, on to Greek Myths.  WOOHOO!  I'm excited to get to these, actually.  I think the kids will enjoy them.  They actually think they're pretty silly.  I love these kids!

I've been so blessed as of late.  God has brought me a wonderful new friend, that I look forward to getting to know better, and has been a blessed prayer partner to me already. 

Another wonderful thing: God is bringing my memory back to me!!! All of those memory verses that I've tried and tried to memorize and haven't been able to recall even a day after...they've come back, Praise God!  Through the fog, they've come back!  I can't tell you how excited I am about that!!! 

I'm reminded of the children's song "He's still working on me"...and He is...

Hugs to all!

beck

Posted in Day to Day

Today's my Hubbyman's Birthday.  Happy, happy Birthday to you, dear!

In our homeschool, we don't celebrate the typical holidays by having school "off", like the public schools do, as we actually STUDY why those holidays are celebrated, and see if they are biblically sound holidays or simply traditions of man.  I know, to some, it's a lot of thinking put into a simple thing, but anyway...

What we DO take "off" of school is family birthdays.  They become celebrations of family and of the blessing that that person is to our life.  So, today, we are enjoying the time we have with my hubbyman, before he has to go in to work, and then the kids and I are taking care of business for the day.  No school () though!  (everything is school, they just haven't realized it yet!  LOL!)

So, I guess, technically, this is an "event", but it's certainly not a crisis, and its certainly a happy one!

have a wonderful day!

beck

Posted in Deep thinkin

no, I'm not talking about the summery shoes, those rubberized torture devices that rub blisters in between the uninitiated toes of winter-cozied feet.  It's the flip-flops of life.

Lately, we've seen and felt a few.  Have you?

In the practical nature:

 we've seen my mother-in-law go from what doctors were declaring as her "death bed" to being at home, with assistance, and going in daily for rehabilitation...all through God's Gracious Hand and answered prayer!

 I've gone from daily migraines and a constant daily headache to having only 4 migraines and no constant drone of an ache in a month, Praise God!

I've seen three families reunited in our church, so far, with several more expected to be so in the next few days, after being separated for a YEAR, due to military service in Iraq.    I can't help but cry for joy when I think of them!

...those and several more.  We all have daily flip-flops that happen, things that we THOUGHT were going to work in ONE way, but they were turned to work in another.  And why did they work out in that way?  Did the WHY really matter?  (at least the "you knowing the why" part) How did YOU react?  (don't answer ME, answer YOU...I'm not the one who needs to know! )

Those of you who know me IRL, or who have known me online or in message groups for several years know that I'm not a deep philosophical thinker, but I've been doing some thinking lately.  A lot of it.  As the fog from my headaches has cleared, and I've been able to link more thoughts together and hold onto them solidly, God's been leading me through dealing with my own behaviors and reactions.  The home has become a mite more peaceful, I might say, in the process, and we're accomplishing so much more in so many different ways.  We're not "there" yet, but we're baby-stepping our way there daily. 

Now back to those flip-flops.  God tells us that "All things work together for good"...but we usually stop there in our quoting.  Let's keep going (oh, this is so cool...I couldn't remember this verse last week, but I can THIS week!  I could CRY!) with the verse: "For we know that all things work together for good to them who love God, and to them who are the called, according to his purpose."  (Romans 8:28)

Okay, you've just experienced a flip-flop.  Why?  In the simple, "because all things work together for good"...BUT...did ya catch the part I italicized above?  The "according to His purpose" part?  Did God have a purpose for that flip-flop?  Now don't go and "spiritualize" the change in plans you just experienced.  But know that GOD did and does have a purpose for it. 

For example, last night, a dear friend was to come over to our house with her two dear children.  It did not work out for reasons understandable.  Now, yes, we were both disappointed, but we got over it.  I don't know how her evening went, with her two sons and two silly  s (I just wanted to use that icon!), but ours here was really peaceful and the kids ate dinner, and headed to bed peacefully and without argument, a little early, even.  They fell asleep exhausted, and I got to work on my quilt for a while and watched an episode of one of my favorite television shows as well.  Just relaxed, period.  It was no earth-shattering evening, but it was a very peaceful evening.  If you've ever experienced the Thornburg Zoo in the evening, you'd know how rare that is.  I consider the day well-seized.  And my friend will come over another day.  Hopefully with her dear hubby as well, who is expected home any day now....I can't wait to see the family all together!  Hooah!

Posted in Deep thinkin

...at least around here, it is.  and literally around HERE!  ;)

I'm cleanin' up...and lettin' the leaves fall!  hee hee!  I just LOVE Autumn.  I even love SPELLING autumn.            autumn, autumn, autumn!        ROFL!  It's just beautiful here in Germany this time of year.  The fam and I took this last Saturday "off" and walked around a lake about 20 minutes from our home, called Ohmbachsee.  (that would mean "lake near Ohmbach" to those uninitiated ;)) and it was wonderful!  Pics to come!

I've been contemplative a lot lately.  With good reason.  There's been a lot happen around and with me in recent months and I've just been taking stock.  Learning to stop and smell the roses, if you wish to wax poetic.  Learning to stop and enjoy the children to be perfectly honest.  I am a "get it done and move on" type of gal.  Raised by a Type A, Career Teacher, Momma who loves her children, but is only NOW learning to slow down and enjoy them, when the GRANDchildren are young enough to enjoy.  I saw that in my own mother, when we were back in the US on emergency leave (she was NOT the one who was ill, but lived within an hour and we visited twice and three of our children stayed three days with Mom and Dad).  Ooookay...wakeup call to MommaBeck!  Enjoy 'em NOW. 

While we're there...an update on my Mother In Law...she's doing quite well.  She was released from the hospital in Tulsa and into the hospital in Stillwater, into a regular room about a week and a half ago, and was in physical rehab there, and was expected to return HOME near the end of this past week.  I have not called this weekend yet to check.  She will still remain on portable oxygen, as her lungs are in terrible condition, from years of smoking and development of COPD, among other issues.  Her previously untreated diabetes is now under control and will be treated, and her liver and kidneys are functioning.  Her memory of the bitterness that she carried for so long is lacking, so I believe that this is a gift of God through it all.  I pray that she will see Him in it as well and come to Him in a Saving Faith.

Since we've returned, there have been changes in our family itself, and in me, specifically, and I think that finally, I'm on the road to not having a headache.  I have had a (now get this...it took a PhD to figure this out...) "chronic daily headache" for literally years, and I've now had most of two weeks without one.  It's been an odd two weeks, with odd side effects from this medication, but I believe that it will, in the end, treat the cause/root of the problem, and not just the the bandaid to stop the pain.  I'm not a bandaid kinda gal (and if so, it's gotta be cute, like Hello Kitty or somethin' ;)), I want to get to the WHY of the matter. 

SO, without the headache, between having tingly fingers and a numb ear (LOL!), I have learned that my oldest son has a great sense of humor, my two year old is the biggest clown ever born, that my youngest son is learning to read as fast or faster than my oldest son and that my oldest daughter is maturing into a real young lady.  Now, instead of rushing through the day, I am able to remind myself to slow down and enjoy those moments and really SEE the changes in my children before they pass me by.  The leaves are falling...what will the blooms look like next spring? 

Never mind...I'm not ready to see that yet! ;)

Posted in Somethin to Praise or Pray About

Truthfully, not much change.  There have been small half-steps forward, with long waits between them. 

Grammy, however, is doing wonderfully.  Praise God!!!!

Thank you for praying!

beck

Posted in Somethin to Praise or Pray About

Oh, my...

We've gone from living in Germany, to living out of suitcases in a tiny one-bedroom apartment in the US within one day!  ...

We're on emergency leave back to family.  My dear hubbyman's mother is in critical condition in a hospital in Tulsa, OK, and isn't improving.  It's been two full weeks that she's been treated there, and her body just seems to be giving up.  Please pray for Phyllis, for her health and for her salvation.  Dh's Dad, Jim, is also unsaved, and rejects anything having to do with Christ, so please pray for him.  He is in great denial as to her condition and tells others that "she is fine."

Pray for our family of six as we make a bit of a home here for a while.  We've been here almost two weeks now, and will be staying one extra week, due to a new development.

Hubbyman's dear Grammy is 75 and has been pushing herself WAY too hard these past few weeks to care for her daughter, Phyllis.  She is also asthmatic and has apparently worn her immune system down enough to send her into a severe asthma attack and pneumonia, which she is now hospitalized for.  Please pray that she will recover well through this.  She does know the Lord.  (Praise God!!!)

thank you all,

beck

Posted in Day to Day

Saw this on Keer's blog and liked the questions...so here goes:

3 Things That Scare Me
1. Not being able to see

2. Me getting sick with some sort of vomiting thing while my dh was out of town. (I'm with Keer, here!)
3. Something terrible happening to my dear husband or children.

3 People That Make Me Laugh
1. My husband.  Since we met, he's put me into tears of laughter!

2. My dear children...clowns they are!
3. My friends.

3 Things I Love
1. Jesus
2. My husband and children
3. Chocolate

3 Things I Hate
1. Vomit
2. Missing sleep (mine)

3. Lying.

3 Things I Don’t Understand
1. How some people can have a pinpoint memory and some of us (ahem!) can't remember our own names if they didn't hear them called often ("Momma!!!")

2. Why little boys can't aim worth a hoot in some cases, but can write their names in the snow when they want to.
3. How my children can literally outgrow their clothes, overnight.

3 Things On My Floor
1. a basket of clean laundry
2. kids' books
3. playdough crumbs

3 Things I’m Doing Right Now
1. typing this meme
2. watching Season 1, show 1, of Little House on the Prairie...
3. Thanking God that our youngest is sleeping.

3 Things I Want to Do Someday
1. Read the Bible through fully, chronologically.

2. Revisit our old home in England, near Bicester.

3. Go to Italy.  Florence, especially, and VERY specifically, the museums.

3 Things I Can Do
1. Bake and decorate cakes.

2. Cook a meal that pleases at least 3/4 of my family at one time.
3. Sew and quilt.

3 Ways to Describe My Personality
1. loving
2. smart
3. sarcastic

3 Things I Cannot Do
1. Fall asleep easily

2. Go without sleep (contradiction, eh?)
3. Stay organized (although I love "reinventing" my organization over and over! ;))

3 Things I Think You Should Listen To
1. Jesus
2. Fernando Ortega's "Hymns and Meditations"

3. any Watermark CD

3 Things I Think You Should Never Listen To
1. anyone who says it’s possible to get to heaven without putting your faith in Jesus

2. music that leads you away from the Lord.

3. the mainstream media  (I'm with Keer, here!)

3 Absolute Favorite Foods
1. Chocolate
2. Chocolate Ice Cream
3. Imported Chocolate (see a theme? LOL)

3 Things I’d Like to Learn
1. Learn to play the piano

2. Relearn how to play the violin
3. To understand the Bible better

3 Beverages I Drink Regularly
1. Dr. Pepper

2. Coffee
3. Water

3 Shows I Watch

we don't have television reception, but rent the shows on DVD

1. CSI

2. Numb3rs

3. CSI Miami

3 Bloggers I Tag
Anyone who wants to participate.

Posted in Day to Day

Read previous entry.  There WAS something I was supposed to do. 

Thought train derailed. 

LOL!

b

I've said that same phrase more times lately than I'd like to admit. 

WHY is it that moms keep up with so many different things for the family, but when we're on the track to doing something for ourselves, we forget what that thing was?  I mean, I'm not whining, really.  It's those little "need to put this in my purse" or "need to write this down so I don't forget" items that once we get to the location (purse or notebook) to do it, the thought train has derailed? 

Anyhoo...the house is quiet right now.  Hubby took the oldest two in to church tonight, and I stayed home with the youngest two.  S is already in bed.  She's our newly TYEW (translation = two...but that's how she says it) year old.  She has more energy than it should be legal to have.  She's two.  What more do you need?  Here's the most recent picture of her highness (on her birthday)...

She certainly IS royalty, doncha think?  You're missing the whole picture, though.  She has CINDERELLA shoes on underneath that getup.  And apparently, it's downright illegal to wear only ONE feather boa at a time, three is the legal minimum.  Now you know.  You may be dismissed, lowly servant. 

Now Z, he's four.  He just did a dinosaur puzzle all by  himself.  I'm quite proud of him...he's talked the entire time, to himself.  He just wants someone IN the room with him!  It doesn't particularly matter if you're participating with him or not, just BE THERE.  He's the happiest happy-go-lucky kid I've ever met.  Kinda like Pooh Bear.  Eerily like Pooh Bear.  Fill his tummy and tickle him a bit and he's yours.  His grin is legendary around here.  Precious boy.  And goofy at will.  Here he is, eating a piece of S's birthday cake, last Tuesday:

Well, the clan is home now, and it's time for me to head upstairs to do some quilting (yippee!). 

Have a beautiful week, and think of me when your air conditioning kicks on.  It's been 95+ here in Germany for the last two weeks, and there IS no a/c.  Today was blessedly overcast and cool.  LOVE IT!

Hugs,

beck

Posted in Day to Day

But first...wanted to tell you that Hippiechyck has a contest on her blog...enter at will!

hmmm...where to start?

Yes, hubbyman came home on or about May 20th. 

He was then off of work for a month, taking two weeks of personal leave on top of the two weeks of block (read: FREE!) leave that he had.  WOOHOO!  So, we did little day trips to local castle ruins...GORGEOUS! ...and spent a lot of time re-situating another member into our family.  Well, not a NEW member, but putting one back in who had been gone for WAY too long, in our humble estimation!  We also got to meet up with a great friend from Hearthkeepers, who has just moved to Germany for a year, while her husband is here doing research in a fellowship.  Ronda and her dear family, for the day.  They were more blessing to us than I can say!

Then he went back to work for three weeks and on July 10th, had knee surgery.  That was a V-E-R-Y long day for all of us.  Thankfully, we had a dear friend sit with the children here at home, so that they were having fun all day while I was waiting in the hospital in various rooms and situations until hubby was released late in the day.  He has now been off work for nearly 2 full weeks since then, and will return to work on Tuesday.  Shhhh....don't tell, but I think we're all ready to get back into a "normal" rhythm of daily work.

So, that's the MIA report, and the announcement of the contest on Pokey-loo's blog...so, now I'm off to read others...

Posted in Day to Day

I was tagged by Kristy

1. Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 18, and find line 4.

A. "(It is not a list of) rigid content to cover or rigid requirements to be met, but a logical (sequence of skills and experience).  ...I added the parentheses so it made sense... from Teaching Children by Diane Lopez.

2. Stretch your left arm out as far as you can. What can you touch?

A.My living room tableside lamp. 

3. What is the last thing you watched on TV?

A. Walk the Line (movie about Johnny Cash) 

4. Without looking, guess what time it is.

A. 10:02 pm

5. Now look at the clock. What is the actual time?

A. 9:54 pm

6. With the exception of the computer, what can you hear?

A. My son brushing his teeth.

7. When did you last step outside? What were you doing?

A. Coming home from church.

8. Before you started this survey, what did you look at?

A. My email, which was Kristy's email to me that I'd been tagged! 

9. What are you wearing?

A. Pajamas...my ultimate comfort clothes!

10. Did you dream last night?

A. I took a benadryl.  I doubt it! 

11. When did you last laugh?

A. Tonight at church...it was a fellowship night. 

12. What is on the walls of the room you are in?

A. Pictures, a stained glass window and a shelf with knick-knacks.

13. Seen anything weird lately?

A. Oh, yeah...

14. What do you think of this quiz?

A. I think I've taken it before...

15. What is the last film or video you saw?

A. Walk the line (mentioned again).

16. If you became a multi-millionaire overnight, what would you buy?

A.  A new car for my hubbyman so he doesn't have to spend so much time FIXING it and will have more of a chance to DRIVE it!  Other than, that, I'm good. 

17. Tell me something about you that I don’t know.

A.  I played the violin when I was a kid, and would love to learn again.

18. If you could change one thing about the world, regardless of guilt or politics, what would you do?

A.  That there would be nobody who dies and goes to Hell.

19. Do you like to dance?

A. Nope.  Haven't done so in years and hubby and I are totally uncoordinated with each other. 

20. Comment to George Bush:

A. Keep your eyes on the One who gives Wisdom!

21. Imagine your first child is a girl, what do you call her?

Kathryn Rose. 

22. Imagine your first child is a boy, what do you call him?

A. Alexander Isaac.

23. Would you ever consider living abroad?

A. umm...I do now.  Germany! 

24. What do you want God to say to you when you reach the pearly gate?

A. Well done good and faithful servant.

25. 4 people who must also do this quiz on THEIR blog:  ummm....Ronda, Kiersten, Keer, and Dell, because it's something just totally frivolous!

Love ya'll!  Thanks, Kristy!

Posted in Day to Day

...then WHAT on earth do you do?

A- Sit up and watch a movie?

B- Exercise?

C- Go Blog-Hopping?

D- Decide to redesign your own blog skin even though you really don't have the brains to do so right now?

I pick D for now!

It may look squirrelly for a few days...but hey, it's not as if I post a lot, and I don't think there are many readers...

Off to play!

b

Posted in Somethin to Praise or Pray About

oh, yeah...

WOOHOO!!!!  HE'S HOME!!!!!!

Yeah, I think that covered it.  He finally came home Saturday evening, and thankfully, the children still knew nothing about it.  I was able to pull off a total surprise for them, and they LOVED it!!!!  (so did I!!!)  He's got some paperwork to do, stuff to turn in, and then he's OURS for nearly a month!!!!  Sigh....normal again.

Thank you for all your prayers.  Keep praying for our soldiers, though...there are Soldiers, Airmen, Marines and Seamen in harm's way all around the world, in places you'd not want to be in your wildest dreams or worst nightmares.  They're away from their families and they need the prayer!

Hugs to all,

beck

Posted in Somethin to Praise or Pray About

...could they COUNT?????

120 days = 120 days, even in the worst schools in the world.

Not here. 

Here, 120 days can equal anything up to and including 150 days or more.

What am I trying to say, you ask?  I'm wanting to   and    and   some more.  Translation: No, hubbyman is not home.  And there's no inkling of an idea when he WILL be home.

However, when he does come home, he'll walk into a relatively organized home, with a cleaned kitchen (my constant goal and something that bothers him) and a huge welcome home sign on the outside of the house.  He'll see that the children are well-fed and well-clothed, and that the basics have not changed.  We are as ready as we can be, just missing one important ingredient...the hubbyman and daddy of the home. 

Come home soon!

b

Posted in Somethin to Praise or Pray About

I had a great day!

It was a beautiful day in the country, today!  And I got to spend it with some good friends doing what we have in common...shopping for goodies! 

Loaded up the kiddos at 8 o'clock this morning, headed out, and followed a friend who has a bit of a lead foot for about an hour, to a little town called Sohren, which is somewhere in the middle-ish of Germany.  In said Sohren-town, we went to a store called "Kaefer's".  Oh...heaven!  There were more doo-dads and gee-gaws than you could shake TWO sticks at!  More kitchen implements than I could imagine, and THEN I went into the next room.  Crystal, Crystal, Crystal, and lots of porcelain.  WOWSERS!!!!  You name it, at high-end style, and it was there.  Great prices, too!

After not knowing what to pick up, I went outside to the tent.  Where they were having a (no kidding) Crystal Festival!  LOL!  I felt like I was stealing, the prices were so low... Honestly, I really didn't buy that much, two candleholders, a tealight lamp, some ornaments and some bowls for gifts (who could be a DOLLAR per crystal bowl/candleholder?!?!?).  But OH, did I LOOK!!!!!  So many pretties, so many opportunities for my children to break...I figure it'll be some time before I get to keep many pretties out, so I didn't get deep into it....another time, another dollar...LOL!

The day was beautiful, we had lunch together, and drove to a pottery house.  Beautiful things there, too.  Came home with two big coffee mugs.  You know, the size that's nearly a SOUP BOWL?   One says "Mama" and the other "Papa", which is what hubbyman and I call each other. 

It was a long, beautiful day, and it was well-enjoyed by everyone.

Thank You, Lord, for a day well-seized!

'night all!

b

Posted in Day to Day

Oh, that is SO sad...

I've been busy with the busy-ness of life as we know it.  Taking care of the "nesting" that comes with a family member coming home.  What's that?  I didn't tell you I was expecting...sure I did...expecting my  hubbyman home in let's see...it's officially Thursday now...that makes it COOL!  ELEVEN DAYS!  I cannot be MORE ready for this homecoming! 

Yes, I've been "nesting"...just like I do when about 9 months pregnant (and unable to bend to properly do the stuff that I want to do!).  I LIKE this kind of nesting.  I can bend, I can stretch, I can pop my back (that's a bonus!), and I'm getting a lot done, and a little bit of weight lost in the process!  WOOHOO!  That's a bonus!

SHHH!  I haven't told the kids when he's coming home...they'll figure that out when we pull up at his work that day, I'm sure!  I keep the "well, honey, it's SOON." going, and they're still biting on it, so....I'm gonna keep it up.

We have had a bit of a "teacher's sick day" today for the kids, with a bit of a substitute at the end of the day.  I've been sicker than a dog who's just caught a squirrel all day.  So, Milo and Otis and some lessons from Madagascar have been the "teachers" today () and the oldest has been a real blessing to her momma in making cereal for breakfast and sandwiches for lunch.  (I found two empty jam jars on the table when I went in there.  I don't know how much she put onto FOUR sandwiches, but I'm hoping there's peanut butter left.  It was new!)  I'm better now, and hoping to get something accomplished tomorrow(today..it's after midnight here).

We've also been blessed today with the dear daughter of a dear friend coming to be my "other body" and get the kids fed dinner and into bed.  She just smoothly fit into our home and took care of what needed to be.  I slept easier in that three hours than I did all day.  I didn't have to have one ear open and be aware of the noises around me.  So, much healing has happened this evening...unfortunately, I'm WIDE AWAKE right now and need to head to bed...

So....nighty-night...gonna go try to get some rest...

hugs!

b

Posted in Somethin to Praise or Pray About

....and that would be the sound of me in my familiar surroundings....

It's been six weeks well-spent.  There has, of course, been some stress, but altogether, it was a wonderful visit with all family and friends. 

Flew out of Germany on the 18th, in the WEE hours of the morning.  No problems.  Stayed overnight and flew into OKCity the following day.  Pretty good for a momma traveling alone with 4 children 8 and under, huh?  Only by God's Grace!!!!

We saw my parents (Hi, Mom and Dad!) for several weeks, with the time broken up a bit by other visits.

We saw hubbyman's parents and grandmother (Hi, Mom, Dad, and Grammy!) for several days.

We saw our wonderful friends, in Missouri, and just totally did NOTHING of "real worth" aside from going to church.  We had an adventure into St. Louis with Jerry  driving the majority of the children (ages 13, 11, 8, 6, 4, and 2...that's 6 kids with him!) in the Suburban and Delta and I in my rental with the two babies.  I think we got the better end of the deal...the babies slept!...but don't tell Jerry!!!  And two of the children got carsick (one in each car).  We made it fine to the Magic House/Children's Museum...and that was FABulous!!!!!  From there, we had the grand idea to go out to O'Charleys...because Kids eat free!    (Well, two children's meals per one adult meal purchased)...we had 11 in the party, 10 officially eating, and we paid for three adult meals and one child's meal!  pretty good for a party of 11!!!!  (we tipped WELL, so no stress!)  Then home.  Got to go to a wonderful, family-centered church with them as well, and then decided to stay an extra day...just because!

Back to Mom's, in Oklahoma City, then to Stillwater and Oilton (Hi, Big Kate!).  Left OKC on the 29th (a Wednesday) with intention of flying out of Baltimore on the 31st...Friday.  Got into that airport to find out that there was NO flight out until Monday.  So, I got to stay the weekend with the sweetest lady and her great family!!!  (Hey, Melissa!!!!  HUGS!)  It was just what I needed to relax and be ready to tackle the house and it's STUFF again.  Another "vacation from my vacation", so to speak!  Ya know, people joke about needing that...well, I got two of those!  Thank You, Lord!  That great family just shifted around and made room for my clan and welcomed us in so graciously.  I can't thank them enough!!! 

Also planned in that trip was the Thursday (the 30th) ...a trip with Melissa's wonderful family into Washington DC and a personal tour from someone who's BTDT.  Can you imagine, three moms (a third family joined us...Hi, Christina!) with TWELVE children between them, maneuvering through the DC Metro stations and down streets into the Mall/Tidal Basin area??!?!?!?  It was SO cool!!!!  And it turns out that THAT DAY was the "peak day" for the Cherry Blossoms.  WOWSERS!!! 

It was just beautiful, as was the WorldWarII memorial and the Vietnam Wall.  So sobering, at both places, yet so beautiful a memorial.

And then home to Melissa's from there gave me a lesson in "driving in a really big and really traffic-laden city":  You gotta look for signs WELL AHEAD of your location while you're driving!  An hour's driving and a turn-around got me back where I needed to be and it gave my children the ease of a good long nap after we had walked them probably 10 miles through the day! 

So, we made it back here to Germany, and AAAAHHHHH...I'm so glad to be HOME!!!!

Posted in Somethin to Praise or Pray About

Whew!...as it's been a VERY busy few days here.  But it's SO very awesome to see the Lord's Work! 

...Let me take ya'll back a bit.  You see, I'm a military wife, currently living in Germany.  I've been homesick for the US (and my family and friends) for about the last year and a half, plus.  My  phone bills are proof !   Every time I've brought the idea of traveling back to hubby, the idea has been quickly nixed.  Not ugly-wise, nixed, but there's been some sort of "we can't because of..."   FAST FORWARD, now...Hubby left near the beginning of this year for a shorter term deployment, and he gave me the go-ahead to travel back to visit family.  THAT is where the WOOHOO! comes in...  I fly outta here in less than 3 days!  Saturday's the day and I'm bustin' at the seams to do it. 

Some would call me crazy, flying with four children, from overseas to the US, and then through the US to get to family, but truthfully, I AM crazy!  I'm ready, I'm packed, save for the last of the stuff you can't pack until last minute, and the kids are SO overjoyed to be seeing Grandma and Grandpa!  ...and Grandma and Grandpa are just a LITTLE bit excited...since they haven't seen the children in nearly 3 years. 

So, if you think of the crazy lady with the 4 children, flyin' through the air, sometime on Saturday, please say a little prayer.  I'll be gone a while (6 weeks!) and will hopefully get the chance to check in here...wow...just think...6 weeks of reading ya'll's blogs when I get back!  It'll be like Christmas all over again!!! 

Much love ,

beck

Posted in Day to Day

Caffeine, that is.  I've been chugging it in for weeks now, nearing the need for an IV, and have had to cut back in a serious way?  Why?  Caffeine is so pleasant.  Coffee drinks...that first cup o' the mornin'...cold Dr.Pepper in the afternoon...perfect with a piece of pizza for dinner.  Why would I do such a foolish thing as to quit?  Because I'm a junkie.  I admit it.  I should be standing up in front of a group admitting it.  Wait.  I am.  That group is you, should you choose to read my ramblings.

I figure, in the long run, my kids will be blessed to have a mom who is more sane, and less dependent on a drug like caffeine to get through the day.  So, day ONE of de-caffeination has occurred, and I'm headed to bed, having completed my 1 1/2 liter bottle of water. 

I'll be back up again soon!

hugs to all,

b

Posted in Day to Day

Thanks for the "invitation" to answer these, Pokey!

Four jobs you have had in your life:
1. Baskin Robbins- counter, cake decorator, scooper (?)

2. Hancock Fabrics- counter, cashier, customer with discount!!!

3. Flower shop manager
4. Cake decorator both at home and professionally

Four movies you could (or do) watch over and over:
(not counting the numerous times I've seen The Incredibles or ToyStory, thanks to the kids...)

1. Anne of the Thousand Days

2. Anne of Green Gables
3. The Little Princess
4. Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood

Four places you have lived:
1. Houston, Texas (TEXAN born and Texan obnoxious about it!)
2. Oklahoma City
3. Caversfield, England
4. Konken, Germany

Four TV shows you love to watch:
(it's been so long since we've gotten tv signal...I don't know...these are chanels I used to love before moving here...)

1. HGTV
2. Food Network
3. TLC
4. Discovery/History Channel

Four places you have been on vacation:
1. Corpus Christi, TX (lived there, too!)
2. San Antonio, TX
3. Tulsa, OK (our honeymoon!)
4. Oklahoma City, OK (in less than a month!!!!  WOOHOO!!!!)

Four websites you visit (almost) daily:
1. Hearth Keepers
2. Homeschool Blogger
3. QNN...so cool!
4. Beethoven.com....also, so cool!

Four of your favorite foods:
1. Chocolate!
2. Chocolate!
3. Chocolate covered nuts
4. Chocolate ice cream...seein' a trend?

Four places you would rather be right now:
1. With my hubbyman...sigh...
2. In Steelville, Missouri (hey, Delta!)
3. In Oklahoma City, OK (hi, Mom and Dad!)
4. In Stillwater, OK (hi, Grammy!)

Posted in Day to Day

No, not PPD-BabyBlues...the comic strip, silly!

Sometimes (ok, about 99.9% of the time) I think they've got some sort of camera in MY house, and are at the other end, taking notes.  Seriously,  Zoe is K, my oldest dd,8, Hammie is WAY too much like A, my oldest son,6, and I'm wonderin' where the MOOSE-child is.  Certainly petite little Wren (a girl!) can't be a match for my moose-boy, Z, 3.

Anyhoo...went to their website:  and downloaded this.  Yep, they were watching me even BEFORE I had kids.  I'm scared.  (this is from 1996)

Posted in Deep thinkin

I thought I'd hop on tonight and try to ramble out something.  I've been reading blogs, even doing som random blogging in the late nights and early mornings.  Have even commented on several blogs out there.  In the last few bleary days, I've learned a few things:

1. It's hard to type when you can't clearly see the screen through bleary eyes. 

2. It's hard to sleep soundly when  your husband is not home, and your house is over 100 years old and it creaks ALL the time.

3.  It's just plain hard to sleep when your husband is not home.   (thought that little guy was appropriate!)

Altogether, though...I've mostly learned that I can't do this.  Not by myself.  I can ONLY do this (temporary single parenting/military wife/problem solver for the household and surrounding family) through CHRIST'S strength.  He is Gracious enough to grant me the grace and strength to get through each day, and love me while I'm getting through that day. 

He is Gracious enough to love me even when I feel as if *I* am falling apart.  He is Gracious enough to hold me together until I can stand on my own two feet to care for a child who has a hurting heart, and then Gracious enough to hold us together as we snuggle and pray. 

Yes, I'm sad, but there are others who are sadder.  There are others who do not have this hope of eternity with the Living Lord.

Yes, I'm lonely, but there are others who are far lonelier.  There are others who do not have the God of all Comfort to hold them when they ache.

Yes, I'm weak, but I also have the Capable Hands of the Creator of the Universe to hold me up, where some do not. 

I am thankful for what I HAVE, and am working to keep my focus on where it should be.  It is *I* who must focus, and He will bless me with the ability to get through the situation. 

Praying you all sleep well tonight,

beck

(PS: sorry to have gotten so serious on ya...Insanity to return soon!...or maybe I'm already there!  )

Posted in Somethin to Praise or Pray About

...by the change in template...and maybe you know because you know me off-blog...but we're a military family, and my hubby just left for "The far-away place", as our children call it.  He's safely arrived, and should be back in our home in approximately 4 months, unless the Lord and the Air Force decide otherwise. 

The kids and I are handling it well, so far.  They're good and distracted, and we have a good support network here in Germany, and in the US, and online ;) and all should be well with us for this time.  It'll be a good time of growth in the Lord, a good time of growth for the children, and a great time of extra homeschool!

Off to "do the next thing" as a good friend keeps reminding me to do...love you, Wendy!

hugs to all,

beck

Posted in Day to Day

Very tired...been a LOT going on...but I finally made it back here...now it looks a BIT different...but soon to change again...

I knew I practiced quick-changes in Drama Class often enough!  :D

b

Posted in Day to Day

Tagged by Prairie Girl!

(sorry, Prairie...don't remember how to link your blog :) )

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Both have their place and time
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?  Neither.  "Santa" doesn't.  We do, and the presents go in the living room, somewhere, but set away from the tree.
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? White!  But last time we were able to decorate the outside of the house (when we were stateside), we did white icecicle lights on the house and red/white alternated big lights around the yard with those huge candy canes lining the driveway.....sigh, I miss that.
4. Do you hang mistletoe? Nope.  But would like to.
5. When do you put your decorations up? Day after Thanksgiving.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Leftover sandwiches!
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? Either coming downstairs and peeking through the stair railing to see if santa came, or going to my Nano's house in West Texas.  That just WAS Christmas for me as a kid.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I just figured it out and didn't make a big deal of it.  I had a 5 1/2 year younger sister that still believed.
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Usually let the children choose one.
10. What kind of cookies does Santa get set out for him? None.  We're chintzy. 
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?  Love it!
12. Can you ice skate? Nope.  Don't wanna.  Broke my tailbone trying the first and last time I did.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? I remember a pair of orange sneakers.
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Family.
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Buttermilk pie.  YUM!
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Decorating the tree after Thanksgiving and playing games on Christmas Day with friends and family.
17. What tops your tree? right now, nothing.  The tree needs an adjustment for height so the angel will fit.
18. Which do you prefer Giving or Receiving? Giving
19. What is your favorite Christmas Carol? "The Holly and the Ivy" and "What Child is This?"
20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? YUM!  Especially IN cocoa!

Posted in Day to Day

And I don't like it.  No, sir.  I don't like it one bit!

And I wanna know WHY it is so cold. 

Doesn't really matter, I suppose. 

And, no, there is no snow.  Just cold.   

WHHHHHYYYYYYY?!?!?!?!

Okay, going to put on some flannels, an extra sweatshirt, and turn the heaters up. 

It's cold.

b

Posted in Day to Day

That's from our front porch.  That was when it was about 5 inches and in a slight pause of snowing. 

Love this season!  It's been melting off, but it looks like it's starting up again just a bit (teeny, tiny flakes) now.  I'm in the house all day today (hubby has the van), so we can enjoy it another day. 

Off to get "the next thing" done...

hugs,

b

Posted in Day to Day

actually, it seems like it never really left.  WOOHOO!  Saturday night, it snowed while we slept, and the ground outside was covered with a beautiful coat of snow.  It's now Monday at about 2 pm, and it's STILL snowing!  Hasn't slowed down, and we've got a good 7 inches on the ground now.  Just the little side-roads are still slippery, and our driveway is just steep enough that hubbyman had to take my van to get out this morning, but the autobahns are clear and so are the main roads.  It's just gorgeous...I'll have to get some pictures!

It's a quiet day here at home, with school in session, and lots of cleaning getting done, between subjects.  It's a good Monday here...now we're ready to take on the rest of the week...

blessings to all,

b

That's okay.  The kidlets had a great time both yesterday (Friday) and today (Sat.) out in the backyard, crushing each and every snowflake that deemed itself worthy enough to land in our yard.  LOL!  Seriously, the pretty, smooth snowfall was decimated. 

And tonight, I'm up way too late again, unable to sleep just yet.  Tomorrow (ok, technically today) is Sunday and I'm looking forward to spending the day in the Lord's house. 

I'm feeling relieved tonight that I've gotten one more quilted wall hanging completed.  I mean, bound, hangers attached, everything.  I've also gotten ONE dress for dd's doll done, but still have some bloomers and underskirts to accomplish on that project.  I also got my MIL's wallhanging completely laid out.  I just need to piece eight half-square triangles into four squares, and I can assemble the top.  The laying-out is the hard part. 

I also got my gift found for the HK exchange.  I need to get it into the mail on Monday, so I suppose we'll get to that after lunch.  Got to make sure it gets there on time...I just worry about it being OBVIOUSLY from overseas... hmmm.... 

Anyhoo...I'm rambling.  Maybe I am sleepy, and I need to head off, now, while I'm feeling this way...

blessings to all,

b

  IT'S SNOWING!!!!

I thought I was disturbed by the severe cold the other night, and then last night, when hubbyman was trying to get the smoker (grill) lit to finish up the turkey for today's feast, it was rather chilly, but today, when the snow started as tiny little flakes coming down onto our windshield, and not melting, as the van wasn't warm yet...I just saw the miracle in that snowflake...and sighed.  WOOHOO!  It's snowing!

By the time we left our feast up at church today, it was down on the ground about 1/2 inch, but not accumulating on the roads yet.  It is now late at night and we have about 2 1/2 inches on the sidewalk and yard.  Beautiful.  And so amazing how God makes me slow down in an instant and appreciate the beautiful white stuff falling from the heavens, landing and layering on the ground, and making the air clean and silent.  Isn't it amazing how utterly quiet it is while it is snowing?  I love that.  As a mom of two boys (and two girly-girls) who love noise, silence of that magnitude is a time-stopping moment. 

I hope that your (American) Thanksgiving Day was blessed, ours was.  Spending time around our "extended family" of  no blood relations, but other folks stationed far from home, talking and singing, praying and reading the Word of God is always a blessing.  But today, with an ending like this, just puts me in a peaceful state of mind, ready for rest that is well-needed...

Blessings to you,

b

...okay, so I'm sitting at our kitchen island, typing out a recipe that my children and I should be making tomorrow when hubby calls, on his way home from work.  "Wanna go to Chili's?" he asks. 

"Well, DUH." I think...but don't say this.  He takes my temporary silence as an "I'll have to think about it", so he tells me he'll be home in 15 and we'll make the decision then. 

He makes it home and we start wrangling the kiddos up, getting socks and shoes on, finding coats (that are all supposed to be hanging on their hooks downstairs, but aren't all there), changing clothes that are soaked with water (????!!!!????)(my three year old was washing his hands...go figure), changing diapers...you get the picture.  I ask hubby: "So did you call to see what the wait time is?"  He says something to the effect of "urrrr...."

So I call.  30-45 minutes, she says.  I put my name on the list for a table of 6.  I walk out of my personal home phone booth (what, you say you don't have one?  Surely, you jest!  Mine has a very comfy carpeted seat and is nicely decorated with girly-colored stuff.  Most folks call it the "guest bathroom", but who's nitpicking?  )  ...anyhoo...I grabbed my coat and headed out the door, where the family was waiting for me in the van.  Then it hit me.

"IT IS COLD OUT HERE!"

When I got into the van, the temp gauge on the upper console said it was 33 degrees fahrenheit.  Yep.  One degree above.  And that wind AIN'T helpin' matters. 

Somehow, my children have seen excitement in this fact.  "Maybe it'll snow tonight!" they say, chattering wildly about it. 

...oh, to have the hope and excitement of a child...

                  ...maybe it will snow...

Not a Thornburg DAY, but a Thornburg week.  Just lots of little things, and not so little things. 

More explanation of "Thornburg Day".  It's our way of finding something to laugh about at the end of a difficult day or situation.  You know, when the strain gets so heavy, your heart just aches, and if you don't pull yourself up fast and refocus on Christ, you'll drag yourself down and take others with you?  We turn that strain into an opportunity to teach our children how to handle it well.

Well, for some reason, when this Martin (my maiden name) married that Thornburg (married name), apparently, the chaos-es in the separate families collided.  We have NEVER had a calm life together, and we're goin' on 14 years together in February.  wow.  It's not been bad, just exciting.  We've had multiple car wrecks, with little to no damage, when the car (and us) should've been totaled.  Those were the "high points of chaos.  We've had four children, who bring their own unique excitement into our life.  Basically, it's been an exciting life together, and some days are more of "Thornburg Days" than others. 

Today's blog is turning out to be a wander in commentary, all of this to say: "Sigh...it's been another Thornburg week..."

b

It's been a relatively long (feeling) day.  Dreary weather, warm cozy house, children busy and bustling, but momma's felt just blech.  Not sick, oh, I pray I'm not sick, just blech.  We did accomplish what we NEEDED to, just no "extras" for the day.  Tomorrow is a busy day again, with some minor errands out of the ho