I truly thought that this summer was going to be slow and mellow, it seems to be anything but that.
I find that my only somewhat slower days are Wednesday and Thursday, the rest seem to be busy with different things. But it's all be good and fun, just not exactly what I had thought my summer was going to be. Anyway this has been a good week so far. On Sunday we played the game of Life. That has become one of the board games we enjoy the most. The pay and such are outrageous, and it would be great if you could get money in real life for the things that you get it for in the game, but it is fun to dream.
Our Monday was normal, cleaning, laundry things like that. The kids did their computer school work and then played with neighborhood kids most of the day. I found a discrepancy in our budget and for once it was on our side. I found we had a bit more money than I thought we did, yea!!!!. That will help this Friday with shopping. In the evening Paulie made a new friend with a boy across the street. We have talked to his parents before, and truly we've seen the boy a lot, but the two just never really got to know each other. Well on Monday night they finally started talking. They are around the same age and have some of the same interests. The boys rode their bikes, played some basketball, and just talked. I know those all seem like normal boy things, but it was so special to see. Paulie has yet to find a boy his age in the neighborhood that we agreed he could play with. And Paulie has a very boisterous personality, and truly most boys his age don't know how to deal with him, even Christian boys. He's not mean or anything, just boisterous, and I guess it can be a bit of a turn off. I see some Christian moms trying to get their boys to hang with Paulie and be nice, but truly I don't want any boy to feel they 'have' to be friends with Paulie. I want it to be natural, because they want to, and this boy seemed to be that way. He truly enjoyed being with Paulie and talking. It was so very sweet to see. Unfortunately both his parents work, so he's only available to play in the evenings, but at least Monday was a start. Though now I guess I have to get to know the proper mother/son language when other boys are around. I had announced to Paulie, in front of this boy, that he would have to come inside soon to go to bed. Paul informed me later you never talk about bedtime when other boys are around. Must truly be a boy thing. Sarah didn't think anything wrong with it. Ahhh, to have an older boy now, life will continue to be an adventure.
Tuesday was busy but great. We had playgroup in the morning and my mom was coming for a visit in the afternoon, but she didn't want to stay for dinner. So I had decided to fry up some burgers and have potato salad for dinner, but I didn't have all the ingredients for the potato salad. So we headed out of the house early, ran to the store, came back and I threw together the potato salad. But I also realized I wanted some sort of desert to offer my mom when she was here. Why I wait until the last minute to think of these things I'll never know. So I also threw together a yummy pudding desert all within 45 minutes. Ugh. So we rushed out the door, late to playgroup. We pull in as the only other family that showed up was about to leave. But it was Sarah's friend, so they decided to stay. It was nice since I got to sit and talk with her mom for about an hour. With the girls becoming closer friends, I've gotten to know her more. It's been a blessing.
Well, while I was making everything earlier my sister called and said she was going to be in town last night and needed to pick up something around dinner time, her and my niece and nephew. Of course I invited them for dinner but she didn't know yet and would get back to me. So we made it home in time to have lunch and clean up the mess I made earlier. My mom came and we had a nice visit. By the time she left my sister called and said yes, all three would be here for dinner. That was great, but it meant I had to run out to the store again to get more buns. Then I rushed home and started frying up the burgers (we have no grill ). Just as I was finishing that up, they all showed up. We had a nice, blessed dinner. We haven't had all three of them for dinner in a while, and it was fun. I so love the spontaneous type of things, I have no time to worry, and it's always fun.
Then today I had to bake some cookies, brownies and make salsa for Paul to take to work. I try to make things like that for him to share with his co-workers. As we started the cookies I realized we were out of brown sugar, so I had to put all regular sugar in there. I've also been trying to make my brownies with the egg substitute I've been using for cooking, vinegar, water and baking powder. It's worked with whatever I've used it in, except for my brownies. And today was no different. This time though they are edible and the kids asked me to not throw it out, but it definitely won't go to Paul's work for sharing. He will at least have the cookies and salsa, what a combo.
Other than that, the only other thing is grocery shopping on Friday, so far. But I do need to ask for prayer on a couple of things. I'm not going to be very specific on some of it, but some I will. We are praying about trying to get some more income right now, and that might mean Paul needs to get a part time job. We are not sure, but he does not want me to go out and work, he said if a part time job is needed he'll do it. I really don't want him to have to do it, but our budget is pretty set. We really don't have any other bills except utility bills. So the only way to decrease what goes out is move to a cheaper house, which isn't feasible since we don't have a deposit or the moving costs. And the only utilities we could drop is either the DSL and/or satellite TV. I know lots of people say just drop the satellite, but for Paul and the kids (and me sometimes) that's like asking one of us from blogland to give up the DSL and the internet. So if we give up one, we'll give up both. I'm not going to expect my husband to give up something he enjoys, if I'm not willing to give up something I enjoy. Right now, Paul would rather the possiblity of a part time job than give those up. I pray he gets an increase at work somehow, but I don't see that happening. The second thing is the one I'm going to be vague on. There are a couple of things that I'm seeking the Lord for me personally. Possibly some new directions for me (don't worry it's not giving up homeschooling, that is staying ). Just some new things for me. I am at the point of trying to decide what is from the Lord and what is me. And truly a ridiculous fear of mine is partly holding me back, and that is bothering me. Sorry to be so vague, but it's all I feel to share right now. Any prayers would be appreciated.
OK, this has gone on long enough. I need to get going and try to read some other blogs and get some things done around the house.
It's great that you are having such a nice summer. I am with you, not thinking I'd be so busy. And money found is always a joy. My dh just told me we get a refund on a class that was canceled for Grace, so now we will make it this week. I was bummed that Grace would not get to take her class, but now I am grateful. I know what you mean about making cuts. We don't have big things left to cut out. We were talking this morning about not buying dh lunch meat, which is an expense, but then that seems so sad. He works so hard and needs a good lunch. That's when I said I'd give up Weight Watchers and try to do it alone again. I just feel so blessed that my dh has a job in this crazy economy. Thanks for offering to pray for me. I will do the same for you.
Jenn
Wow. I'm tired just reading about all that baking and entertaining.
I'm glad Paulie has a friend. I think boys that age have the hardest time finding good friends. Our boys have all struggled more after moving than the girls have.
Wow, I don't think any of us thought our summers would have been this busy.
It's so neat Paulie found a friend. As many kids there are around our neighborhood, there are no homeschooled girls for DD, we found a Christian girl is more interested in the latest fashion and etc.
I'm praying for you guys, it's not an easy situation.
(((love you)))
Katia
Of course I will be praying! :) I know how hard that decision about extra work is. We are kinda caught in that ourselves. Our problem is Hubby's work is too unpredictable and he can't count on being off at a certain time and my health is not good enough for me to take on even a part time job, so we're kinda stuck. Too bad you don't live in our neighborhood. The kids here are so accepting!!! We have truly been blessed with a lot of kids who accept each other. Besides PC there are 2 boys who just turned 11 and another that is 10 1/2. I've seen with my own eyes the 10 1/2 year old holding Little Ones hand to help him across the street. I was amazed!!! I knew they were good kids, but you really don't expect a neighbor kid to go that far out for a little 5 year old. There have been several special needs kids in our neighborhood at one time or another, so they have just gotten use to children not always being the same.
Sorry it has taken me a few days to get around blogland - we've been so busy with things... the camp and earthquake thing really threw us off course. Now, I'm feeling human again and can get back to blogging. Hope you are having a great day. BTW - Greg Laurie's son's funeral is tomorrow at 11am. Be sure to keep them in prayer. I know you read his devotional. The news has shocked CA - he is so well liked here and everyone knows him. My pastor is being an active part of the funeral.
This blog is so I can share my journey with the Lord, my journey as a wife and mother, and my journey as a homeschool mom. I pray that you will see the Lord in my life through happy and sad times, and that this blog glorifies the Lord.
This is an award and tag free zone, thank you.
I found we had a bit more money than I thought we did, yea!!!!. That will help this Friday with shopping. In the evening Paulie made a new friend with a boy across the street. We have talked to his parents before, and truly we've seen the boy a lot, but the two just never really got to know each other. Well on Monday night they finally started talking. They are around the same age and have some of the same interests. The boys rode their bikes, played some basketball, and just talked. I know those all seem like normal boy things, but it was so special to see. Paulie has yet to find a boy his age in the neighborhood that we agreed he could play with. And Paulie has a very boisterous personality, and truly most boys his age don't know how to deal with him, even Christian boys. He's not mean or anything, just boisterous, and I guess it can be a bit of a turn off. I see some Christian moms trying to get their boys to hang with Paulie and be nice, but truly I don't want any boy to feel they 'have' to be friends with Paulie. I want it to be natural, because they want to, and this boy seemed to be that way. He truly enjoyed being with Paulie and talking. It was so very sweet to see. Unfortunately both his parents work, so he's only available to play in the evenings, but at least Monday was a start. Though now I guess I have to get to know the proper mother/son language when other boys are around. I had announced to Paulie, in front of this boy, that he would have to come inside soon to go to bed. Paul informed me later you never talk about bedtime when other boys are around. 
That was great, but it meant I had to run out to the store again to get more buns. Then I rushed home and started frying up the burgers (we have no grill 
). Just as I was finishing that up, they all showed up. We had a nice, blessed dinner. We haven't had all three of them for dinner in a while, and it was fun. I so love the spontaneous type of things, I have no time to worry, and it's always fun.
