Musings of a Mama - Homeschool Blogger

What makes me happy?

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 12:29:00 -0600

I guess the title of this entry is a little misleading because at any given time there could be something new that is making me happy. Currently there is something in my kitchen that makes me smile countless times throughout my day. Every time I walk past it I find myself grinning from ear-to-ear. It is exactly what I have needed to get me through these dreary, January days.

What currently makes me happy...A vase full of pink and orange tulips!! :O)

Oh, how I love their open litle faces, their bright colours and their sweet fragrance. I love them so much that I told Tim the other day if he ever wanted to send me flowers he could skip the roses and go right to the tulips!

This time of year can be a tough time. The holidays are over, school starts back and the weather definitely leaves a lot to be desired. A vase full of tulips hints at good things to come, though. It is reminder of spring...fresh air, sweet smells...open doors and windows...evidence of new life everywhere you look!

Thank you, Papa, for tulips! They were just what this girl needed! \O/

She's growing up!

Wed, 9 Jan 2008 10:19:00 -0600

With a 15yo, very beautiful, daughter...this struck a chord with me! Thought you may enjoy it! :O)

Application for Permission to Date My Daughter

NOTE: This application will be incomplete and rejected unless accompanied by a complete financial statement,
job history, lineage, and current medical report from your doctor.

NAME____ ___________ ______________________ DATE OF BIRTH_____________

HEIGHT___________ WEIGHT____________ IQ__________ GPA_____________

SOCIAL SECURITY #_________________ DRIVERS LICENSE #________________

BOY SCOUT RANK AND BADGES__________________________________________

HOME ADDRESS_______________________ CITY/STATE___________ ZIP______

Do you have parents?                     ___Yes ___No
Is one male and the other female? ___Yes ___No
If No, explain: _____________________________________________________________
      _____________________________________________________________________

Number of years they have been married ______________________________

If less than your age, explain
       _____________________ __________ _____________________________________

       ____________________________________________________________________

ACCESSORIES SECTION:

A. Do you own or have access to a van?              __Yes __No

B. A truck with oversized tires?                             __Yes __No

C. A waterbed?                                                     __Yes __No

D. A pickup with a mattress in the back?      & nbsp;          __Yes __No

E. A tattoo?                                                            __Yes __No

F. Do you have an earring, nose ring,                       __Yes __No
   pierced tongue, pierced cheek or a belly button ring?

(IF YOU ANSWERED 'YES' TO ANY OF THE ABOVE, DISCONTINUE APPLICATION
AND LEAVE PREMISES IMMEDIATELY. I SUGGEST RUNNING.)

ESSAY SECTIO N: < /SPAN>

In 50 words or less, what does 'LATE' mean to you?

       ______________________________________________________________

       ______________________________________________________________

In 50 words or less, what does 'DON'T TOUCH MY DAUGHTER' mean to you?

       ______________________________________________________________

       ______________________________________________________________

In 50 words or less, what does 'ABSTINENCE' mean to you?

       ______________________________________________________________

       _ ___ __________________________________________________________

REFERENCES SECTION:

Church you attend ___________________________________________________

How often you attend ________________________________________________

When would be the best time to interview your:

       father? _____________

       mother? _____________

       pastor? _____________

SHORT-ANSWER SECTION:

Answer by filling in the blank. Please answer freely, all answers
are confidential.

A: If I were shot, the last place I would want shot would be:

       ______________________________________________________________

B: If I were beaten, the last bone I would want broken is my:

  &nb s p;    ______________________________________________________________

C: A woman's place is in the:

       ______________________________________________________________

D: The one thing I hope this application does not ask me about is:

       ______________________________________________________________

E. What do you want to do IF you grow up? ___________________________

       ______________________________________________________________

       ______________________________________________________________

F. When I meet a girl, the thing I always notice about her first is:

       ______________________________________________________________

F. What is the current going rate of a hotel room? __________________

I SWEAR THAT A LL INFORMATION SUPPLIED ABOVE IS TRUE AND CORRECT TO
THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE UNDER PENALTY OF DEATH, DISMEMBERMENT,
NATIVE AMERICAN ANT TORTURE, CRUCIFIXION, ELECTROCUTION, CHINESE
WATER TORTURE, RED HOT POKERS, AND HILLARY CLINTON KISS TORTURE.

_________________________________________________________
Applicant's Signature (that means sign your name, moron!)

_______________________________      ________________________________
Mother's Signature                                              Father's Signature

_______________________________      ________________________________
Pastor/Priest/Rabbi     & nbsp;  &n bsp;                                  State Representative/Congressman

Thank you for your interest, and it had better be genuine and non-sexual.
Please allow four to six years for processing.

You will be contacted in writing if you are approved. Please do not try to call or write (since
you probably can't, and it would cause you injury). If your application is rejected, you will be
notified by two gentleman wearing white ties carrying violin cases. (you might watch your back)

To prepare yourself, start studying Daddy's Rules for Dating.

Daddy's Rules for Dating
Your dad's rules for your boyfriend (or for you if you're a guy) :

Rule One:
    If you pull into my driveway and honk you'd better be delivering a package, because you're sure not picking anything up.

Rule Two:
    You do not touch my daughter in front of me. You may glance at her, so long as you do not peer at anything below her neck. If you cannot keep your eyes or hands off of my daughter's body, I will remove them..

Rule Three:
    I am aware that it is considered fashionable for boys of your age to wear their trousers so loosely that t hey appear to be f alling off their hips. Please don't take this as an insult, but you and all of your friends are complete idiots. Still, I want to be fair and open minded about this issue, so I propose this compromise: You may come to the door with your underwear showing and your pants ten sizes too big, and I will not object. However, in order to ensure that your clothes do not, in fact come off during the course of your date with my daughter, I will take my electric nail gun and fasten your trousers securely in place to your waist.

Rule Four:
    I'm sure you've been told that in today's world, sex without utilizing a 'Barrier method' of some kind can kill you. Let me elaborate, when it comes to sex, I am the barrier, and I will kill you.

Rule F:
    It is usually understood that in order for us to get to know each other, we should talk about sports, poli tics, and other issues of the day. Please do not do this. The only information I require from you is an indication of when you expect to have my daughter safely back at my house, and the only word I need from you on this subject is: 'early.'

Rule Six:
    I have no doubt you are a popular fellow, with many opportunities to date other girls. This is fine with me as long as it is okay with my daughter. Otherwise, once you have gone out with my little girl, you will continue to date no one but her until she is finished with you. If you make her cry, I will make you cry.

Rule Seven:
    As you stand in my front hallway, waiting for my daughter to appear, and more than an hour goes by, do not sigh and fidget. If you want to be on time for the movie, you should not be dating. My daughter is putting on her makeup, a process than can take longer th an painting the Golden Gate Bridge . Instead of just standing there, why don't you do something useful, like changing the oil in my car?

Rule Eight:
    The following places are not appropriate for a date with my daughter: Places where there are beds, sofas, or anything softer than a wooden stool. Places where there is darkness. Places where there is dancing, holding hands, or happiness. Places where the ambient temperature is warm enough to induce my daughter to wear shorts, tank tops, midriff T-shirts, or anything other than overalls, a sweater, and a goose down parka - zipped up to her throat. Movies with a strong romantic or sexual themes are to be avoided; movies which feature chain saws are okay. Hockey games are okay. Old folks homes are better.

Rule Nine:
    Do not lie to me. I may appear to be a potbellied, baldi ng, middle-aged, dimwitted has-been. But on issues relating to my daughter, I am the all-knowing, merciless god of your universe. If I ask you where you are going and with whom, you have one chance to tell me the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. I have a shotgun, a shovel, and five acres behind the house. Do not trifle with me.

Rule Ten:
    Be afraid. Be very afraid. It takes very little for me to mistake the sound of your car in the driveway for a chopper coming in over a rice paddy near Hanoi . When my Agent Orange starts acting up, the voices in my head frequently tell me to clean the guns as I wait for you to bring my daughter home. As soon as you pull into the driveway you should exit the car with both hands in plain sight. Speak the perimeter password, announce in a clear voice that you have brought my daughter home safely and early, then return to your car - there is no need for you to come inside. The camouflaged face at the window is mine

Santa in the Manger

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 07:42:00 -0600

Santa in the Manger

We got a card the other day

A Christmas one, in fact,

But it really was the strangest thing

And showed such little tact.

For laying in the manger

Was Santa, big as life,

Surrounded by some little elves

And Rudolph and his wife.

There was so much excitement

That the shepherd’s saw the glow

Of Rudolph’s bright and shining nose

Reflected on the snow.

So in they rushed to see him

Followed by the wise men three,

Who came not bearing any gifts ~

Just some stockings and a tree.

They gathered round about him

To sing praises to his name;

A song about Saint Nicholas

And how he came to fame.

Then they handed him the lists they’d made

Of, oh, so many toys

That they were sure they would receive

For being such good boys.

And sure enough he chuckled,

While reaching in his bag,

And placed in all their outstretched hands

A gift that bore a tag.

And on that tag was printed

A simple verse that read,

“Even though it’s Jesus’ birthday,

Please take this gift instead.”

Then I realized they really did

Know Who this day was for

Though by every indication

They had just chosen to ignore.

And Jesus looked upon this scene,

His eyes so filled with pain ~

They said this year’d be different

But they’d forgotten Him again.

Barb Cash

A must read!

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 14:17:00 -0600

Just wanted to give you a heads up on a book that, in my humble opinion, is a must-read for all Christians!!! Give it a shot! I don't think you'll be diappointed!!

When time stands still!

Sun, 18 Nov 2007 13:30:00 -0600

There are times in our lives when time seems to stand still! It happens on days when it is extremely chaotic and I think it feels about 4 hours later than it actually is! LOL! There are some times when time seems to stand still, though, and it is for a good reason. I got to experience one of those good times last week.

In 8th grade I was in Mr. Richardson's french class. Not too exciting a subject, but one of the best times of my life. As a result of this class, I met Janet Adams! We became fast friends and Janet was instrumental in me coming to know the Lord. He used Janet to show me a different way of living life and, although it took a few years, I embraced the Jesus I saw in her life in a passionate way.

Last week my son, Benji, and I got to go to Toronto to celebrate his 13th birthday. He is the only child I have that shows signs of having inherited any of my Canadian blood and I was thrilled when Toronto was his choice for a place to go! Benji and I had a wonderful time and made some great memories. Seeing the sights with my boy was such a fun time and time with Janet and her family topped the list for me.

It had been 8 years since I last saw Janet and I had never had the pleasure of meeting her dear children. Her girls and Benji became fast friends and Janet and I had lots of time to catch up and share our hearts with each other. Time flies until you are with a heart friend! Somehow the clock winds back and all those years apart are lost in the thrill of being together again!

Thank you, Janet, for loving me for all these years and for being the one person I can talk to with whom I have a past (besides family, of course)! You remain one of the true joys of my life and I can never thank you enough for the impact you had on my life back when we were in school! I love you!!!

Blessed!

Thu, 1 Nov 2007 19:36:00 -0500

Been a while, but here I am! :O) I am actually here because I am excitedly trying out my new toy! I have a new, 17", Dell laptop and I am thrilled!

I have been desiring a laptop for a very long time, but it was never really in the finances! Well, the Lord, in His way of surprising His children with amazing gifts, provided for me to get that which was for a long time just a dream! Again, He was blessing me in ways to lofty for me to foresee and I was humbled and saddened all at the same time.

I got to go for a walk yesterday morning and, while enjoying the chill in the air, I had a come-to-Jesus type meeting with the Lord. I am not usually a stressed out kind of person, but lately I had found myself having an anxious heart about a few things ~ finances not being the least of them! The Lord has been easing this anxiousness slowly but surely in His very faithful way. Money we had not been expecting came back to us and a friend blessed us with a very generous gift.

I started thinking about Rachel and her recent birthday. She turned 15 and we had planned a surprise party for her. We planned and planned and did such a good job of keeping our secret that she was convinced we were not really doing anything for her. She could not see all that was going on behind the scenes and went on what she could see and feel and touch!

Wow! How often I do that with the Lord! I allow what I can see and feel and touch to dictate my emotions and I forget that there is more going on in the heavenlies than I could ever imagine!! Just as our earthly fathers love to give their children gifts, how much more does our heavenly Father love to give us good gifts ~ gifts that arrive at the perfect time in the perfect way!

I started weeping and asked the Lord to forgive my lack of faith! I confessed that I had made calculations about a number of things without factoring Him into the equation! Oh me of little faith!!! And then, in spite of all the stressing I had done, the Lord laid a brand new, beautiful laptop in my hands!

So here I am and I hope to be here more. Not being able to write because of time constraints is sad for me so maybe this will provide me with more opportunities to hide away and make sense of my scattered thoughts through the written word! In the meantime, let me leave you with one last thought...

Jesus can always be trusted in spite of what you may be seeing, feeling and touching!

I really did it!

Thu, 23 Aug 2007 16:15:00 -0500

I am SO challenged when it comes to figuring out how to add stuff on this blog, but I actually added music today! I am not sure how I did it and probably couldn't do it again if I tried, but for now it is there! :OD

Now if I could just figure out how to add pictures and things in my sidebar! (And I know you tried Nikki, but I just can't figure out how to do it! Wish we could have had that visit after all so you could give me a tutorial!)

So for now I have music and who knows what I'll figure out next? I think I have just enough skill to be dangerous! LOL!

A confession!

Thu, 23 Aug 2007 12:37:00 -0500

Okay, I have a confession! I admit it...I am going to go stark raving mad if it doesn't cool off here soon! I told Tim that I wouldn't use the word "depressed", but I am close to reaching that point if we break too many more records and have too many more days over 100 with high humidity!

Remember, I am from Toronto, girls! I am used to a few hot days, but nothing like this! We were watching the Little League World Series yesterday and they were wearing jackets!! I have been dreaming about putting on jeans and a sweatshirt and there they were, huddled under jackets and long-sleeved shirts. I was insanely jealous and a little put-out that I was sweating in an air-conditioned house with the ceiling fan going.

I called my MIL today and told her I was getting ready to get in the car and drive north until the afternoon temperature was 75 ~ not the morning one! I invited her to join me and she said she'd get her bags packed. I am dreaming of cool, crisp mornings and afternoons with the windows thrown open wide.

I started work on booking a weekend in the mountains for us today. I could almost feel the fresh mountain air as I gazed at the pictures! There we were in my mind's eye sleeping, windows open, snuggled under a big, thick quilt! It was torture so I turned off the computer and went and fixed myself a big glass of ice water. I resisted the urge to dump it over my head and just drank it!

Now don't get me wrong! I have a heart full of incredible thankfulness to the Lord for the gift of air-conditioning. I was almost physically ill the other day thinking of those who must do without. I really cannot imagine how hot they are! For that reason, I know I seem like a bit of a baby about the way I feel, but I really am close to falling off the edge. I just wish it was the edge of a clear, cool pond with a light breeze blowing! Jumping would be a no-brainer!!

Well, for now I will continue to hibernate behind blinds that are drawn to keep out the sun and dream of falling leaves that crackle underfoot, the smell of apple cider on the stove, pumpkin bread in the oven and that amazing Harvest candle that Yankee Candle makes! It surely can't be too much longer til we turn the corner...can it?!

The Love of Jesus!

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 15:32:00 -0500

I have been meaning to post this for a while, but just haven't taken the time. I realize it was too precious a moment to ignore so here goes...

As you all know if you have followed my blog at all, Caleb and I spent almost a week at Scottish Rite Hospital this month. One boy that we met while there and spent a lot of time with was Dustin. The post right before this one will give you some background if you aren't sure about his story.

The day that we were to leave the hospital was a joyous time for us. Our friends, Smith and Julie were there with us, and it was a crazy time trying to make sure we had packed all we brought with us and all we had paid dearly for while there. You know the drill..."Hey, take that box of Kleenex! We probably paid $10 for it!" LOL!

Amidst all the confusion, Caleb kept saying he wanted to tell Dustin good-bye. Dustin had gotten to be Caleb's buddy and he usually wouldn't settle down for the night until Dustin had stuck his head in the door and assured Caleb he would see him in the morning. Leaving the hospital without telling Dustin bye was not an option for Caleb.

Dustin, however, was still asleep and I was reluctant to wake him. I told Caleb we would write Dustin a note and tell him we would miss him and would be praying for him. One of the nurses heard what we were doing and assured me that Dustin was due to get up and it would be fine to go in and tell him we were leaving. The nurse led the way with Caleb hot on her trail!

We went in Dustin's darkened room and he began to stir. He had a bit of that deer in the headlights look when he saw us all there, but it didn't last for long. In a moment mixed with 3yo excitement and compassion way beyond his years, Caleb reached up, stroked Dustin's face and in a gentle voice said, "Good-bye Dustin! I love you!"

My heart leapt to my throat and I was moved beyond words. My sweet boy had just shared the love of Jesus with one of the forgotten ones! I pray that those words will resonate in Dustin's heart and he will be reminded that a little 3yo boy named Caleb really did care!

Praise the Lord for Benadryl!

Tue, 10 Jul 2007 15:15:00 -0500

Benadryl may seem like a strange thing to praise the Lord for, but if you had been up in the middle of the night the night before with a ravenous 3yo, you might feel the same way! :O) I am also quite thankful for the 2 Advil Pm that I washed down right before bed. ;O) Needless to say, we slept quite well last night which is a BIG praise!

We are scheduled for surgery tomorrow at 7:30am EST. I am ready to get this show on the road and so is Caleb. He has been a good bit fussier today and has had a couple of meltdowns. He says he needs to go home! He got to see R/B/J and H today and took great pride in showing them his current digs. Benji was laughing at how well he knew his way around. I told him it was because he had probably logged at least 8 miles on the tricycle from the playroom. I may actually lose weight while in here! LOL!

Hannah and I got to go eat breakfast this morning when she got here with Tim. It was a joyful reunion that made her tears upon leaving that much harder. She is a Mama's girl and 2 days has been quite long enough to be separated in her 4yo mind!

My little friend, Andrea, (a 14 mo Mexican girl) got to go home today. She is as cute as can be with little Cindy Lou Who pigtails and that diapered bottom sticking out the back of her gown! Her mom and I spent a lot of time together and they brought Caleb a balloon before they left. Andrea was in because she got an infection from a spider bite and they were thankful to end their 5 day stay here. Her Mama asked for our phone number and e-mail so we could stay in touch. What a sweet family!

Little Kayla went to visit the turtles and fish with us today and this afternoon she is getting a CT scan to see if there are further abuse issues that they may not know about! I wish I had a camera because you would never imagine how someone could have looked at that sweet little face and then committed heinous crimes against her. Makes my blood boil and my heart constrict just thinking about it! Her hearing was postponed til today so her foster parents , who have been with her around the clock, are still unsure whether or not she will come home with them. They are very hopeful ~ and so am I!!

We hung out with Dustin today and our boys got to meet him and hear his story. Both of them had trouble processing that, at 15, he was all alone in this world. His mom, whom he hasn't seen since he was 4, is a drug abuser. His dad died 4 years ago and his grandparents are all dead. His 18yo brother "lives in jail" ,as he put it, and has since he was 13. His younger brother is in foster care and his younger sister lives with an aunt.

We spoke to an administrative person today and asked him if he could talk to Dustin's case-worker and see what was being done for him. Tim is going to try and make some calls and see if he can get some help for him. Our friends brought us lunch today from an Italian restaurant and so he is going to dine with Caleb and me tonight on leftovers! He said he was bored today so I offered to play cards with him. He declined so we took him some travel games we had brought. He seemed to like that better.

Please pray that the Lord would intervene in Dustin's life and help us find a way to provide more stability for him! He is a lonely boy, with no home, who doesn't know he really matters to anyone!

Well, my sleeping prince is awakening from his slumber so I better put my walking shoes on. We have a lot of ground to ride over before bedtime!