Do NOT start a phone call conversation like this EVER

Moments ago my phone at work rang; it was BigB. He is going to give you an excellent example of how NOT to start a conversation.

"First of all, he's ok."

and then there was a pause...

I have to admit that during that pause I immediately forgot 'first of all, he's ok'. I immediately went to who is he (given the terribly high fever Bug had been fighting up until yesterday and the fact that LilB just left our house to travel to Calgary for a family reunion with his mom's family and I have a terribly vivid imagination (quick too) and several people and scenarios popped into my head).

What should I have done? Turned my fears and imagination directly and immediately over to God and waited for BigB to finish.

Here's the scoop.
As I had said LilB was on his way to Calgary to the family reunion and in a city very near ours he was side swiped; his car is pretty smashed up which means he can not drive to the reunion and he is returning to our house as we speak I type this.

He IS ok; he is pretty ticked off that his car has so much damage to it and I think he will have to remain here until his car is fixed (which has it's pluses and negatives - plus that we get to visit with him, negative that he misses the reunion with his other family and his return to his home in Missouri may be delayed depending on when it can be repaired.)

But don't. ever. start a conversation like that with anyone. ever! Especially if that person is someone whose family didn't want to tell her her brother had a heart attack because she is 'overly sensitive' and 'overly protective' and would 'freak out' (read panic)

How to handle this type of conversation (only from the side of the person doing the calling and scaring and not the replies from the person recieving said call and being scared):
"Hi. How is your day going?"
"Great. Me? I'm doing all right. Oh, I just wanted to let you know that someone side swiped LilB in (insert name of city near ours here) so he is on his way back here. I guess we'll be getting a few more days with him after all."

A lot nicer, heh? A lot less room for panic and imagination to creep in. A lot more focus on the smooshing of the car than the possible smooshing and/or breaking of the son.

Lesson over. Never forget it!

***Edited to add***
LilB has since decided to carry on to Calgary (as I was just informed through a second call) and is taking care of accident business at the police station of "city very near us". I have to admit, it is extremely difficult to say 'goodbye' to your child twice in one day with the excitement of getting to spend more time with him smooshed in between good bye's. This is where I would kick the dirt with a swiping motion of my feet, gestured with a closed fist a motion of disappointment by moving said fist slightly to the front of my body, cast my eyes downward and give a HUGE melodramatic sigh. If I were totally into those kinds of antics, shich I so totally am NOT.

It's Been A Couple Days

What can I say? I have been busy with lots of little things and some pretty important things like Friday night's CRPS awards, visiting with my mom on Saturday, teaching Children's Church on Sunday morning and attending CRTC's grad on Sunday night.

The kids at CRPS have all done so well this year and it was great to see them get recognition for their hardwork. (I'll only tell of my three since none of the people who read here know any of the other kids.) Rush & Bug got certificates with a character trait on them and a trophy; Jellybean got this as well. She also received trophies for highest Junior average in Social Studies and in Science, as well as getting a medal for memorizing all of her memory verses. We then had a fun time of food, fellowship and cake to celebrate the kids hardwork.

Saturday morning my mom came for a visit; she joined me at music practice to take a listen to us and the two of us headed for some mom/daughter time and hit a local restaurant for some nachos and laughing. She shared supper with the whole family, watched Fireproof with us and then headed back home.

I had a bit of work to do on my Children's Church lesson for Sunday morning before going to bed. Children's Church was great! I taught on "Quality time with 'Dad'" given that it was Father's Day and some of the kids had a pretty firey time of prayer at the end of class. It was great to watch these young kids crying out for God to touch them in powerful ways and to give them the discipline to spend that quality time with Him.

We took BigB out for lunch/supper between service and the CRTC grad ceremony. Proud moments that night too. A lot of people overcame having not been in school for almost longer than I have been around or learning disorders and other situations as well. I got my marks from the first semester that I had taken classes (I put the schooling on hold to be with the kids more right now) and I ended up with a 92.7%; I was pretty pleased with that and I look forward to when I do go back.

Today, we are counting down hours as LilB is on his way to our house from KC as we speak and should be here sometime tonight. It is going to be very nice to see him in person as he has been going through some difficulties and it will just be reassuring for this mom to see her son in person and see that he is ok.

Tonight Rush & I are going to a barbeque for the music team and BigB and I are in the midst of planning tomorrow's youth night: water ballons and watermelon to go along with BigB speaking ("Being Drenched in the Spirit - can't wait to hear that one).

So, that's it in a nutshell. It's been fun and I will put pictures up of the past events and the soon-to-be events. I just am running a bit short on time right now.

Thursday, Mar 27/09 to Thursday April 2, 2009

This past week: in pictures.


Dog days of Spring. P.B. & J's dog Daisy shared her love with us through snuggles and kisses.


P.B. & J (everytime I think of P.B - Pickle Boy- I get a craving for a McDonalds cheeseburger with extra pickles...that boy gave a LOT of extra pickles! Hence the name.)


It wouldn't be a complete week in pictures without this photo even though it is on here once all ready.


LilB, Rush & Jellybean helping set up for Friday evening's church service.


CherylB in the ice cream truck ride at L.H. Mall in "The City".


Rush in same ice cream truck.


Rush had a run-in with her closet door but I think she won and, we hear, it is not as bad as her brother (LilB) and his toe - the one he dropped a 50 lb printer on...Sheesh!


Bug discovered his love of "doing" his own hair, making his own lunch AND, gasp!, tucking himself in! Oh the agony of a mama!


It was backwards day at school today and so, I willingly sent my children to school looking like they don't have a mama who cares for them. Jellybean started off in this pink sweater with pockets onthe front but decided it wasn't evident enough that said shirt was backwards so she changed into this shirt...




Rush was backwards too but she changed back to "normal" at first break as it was " really uncomfortable".

There you have it. A week in the life of us. I didn't put any work stuff on here as that would overwhelm anyone and I don't want to be responsible for that! (Grin) We are in the middle of getting new flooring, started doing inventory and are going to be painting next week. It has been a chaotic and completely lonely venture as none of the girls have been around much as they can't do work and there has been no place for them to sit even...We have had unplanned trips from the plumber and little to no planning on Boss lady's part but she is the boss and she must be respected and I must make the best of the situation and do what I can to the best of my ability - no matter what. Don't grumble, murmur or complain...sometimes it is easy to fall into that trap but I have done my very best ta not ta (to steal a 'Mater from Cars line). I know that all of this hard work and inconvenience will look really nice in the end and give us a much nicer work environment (esteticly -sp).

Rain Down

Yay for Bad Weather

Ok, yay for us; boo for Nat!

But sometimes bad weather works out for our best interest. Nat just called to let us know that there is a HUGE blizzard brewing for the States that LilB will have to drive through and would we mind keeping him for a couple extra days. I don't mind at all and I know BigB and the kids will be thrilled AND this means he can come with us to "The City" to go dress shopping for Rush after music practice tomorrow!

Totally Terrific Thursday

It's been a great day!

I had a normal work day but that's not what I even want to talk about - not even a little.

I got home from work to 5 of my 7 kids, 2 dogs, our cat and my gorgeous husband! LilB, J and Rush made a fantastic supper, which was ready as soon as I walked in the door. We had fettuccini alfredo with chicken breasts and jalapeno cheddar garlic toast. It was SO good. Apparently the banter from the kitchen was enough to warm BigB's heart and he had a great day as well.

When I came home, I saw Bug looking like this...



...a Beatnik. I expected dark poetry instead of "Hi, Mama! How was your day!?"



J came for a visit and brought her sweet pooches. Here she is with snuggly Daisy.


The older three snuggling with the dogs; Jellybean mothered them and took notes on how to look after a dog so "she will know how when she gets one". She also informed me that she wants a dog like Daisy.


Bonding and making up for lost time!


Group fun!



Highlights from tonight:

The laughing at each other as the dogs tried smooching us.

Me running outside, chasing the dogs on their joint leash when Jellybean lost the leash while taking them out for a walk AND take the garbages out. How is that a highlight? I had no shoes or socks on - totally bare foot! Very invigorating!

Jellybean making notes in her notebook about how to take care of puppies.

Finding out that P.B. is coming over too!

Today in pictures

Rush was overwhelmed seeing Billy eventhough she knew he was coming and was brought to tears a couple of times.



When Bug saw his big brother, his face lit up!



When Jellybean saw Billy at school this afternoon.



Billy got overwhelmed himself when he was in the new sanctuary because everything he has ever dreamed of for this town, province, country is beginning to come true...

Today in photos. It sure has been nice to have Billy around. He treated us to slurpees tonight; we had a nice supper with Wayne & Shar. He played Wii wit the kids, beat Rush up a bit and are watching a couple of movies right now. Jellybean and Bug have only slightly suffocated him with love and affection.

Hear ye, hear ye!

Just in case you missed it on Facebook and on Twitter, Billy is back home! Well, for a visit! The only sad part about it, for me, is that his lovely wife isn't with him. We miss her too!

He came into the office for a few minutes this morning, which made me cry. Funny how so many emotions can lead to tears. I can't wait until we get to take him to the church at lunch time to pick the kids up from school.

Jellybean guessed that Billy was coming as she sat at the table last night, trying to desperately figure out what the surprise is. I did not lie to her and tell her how I wished that were true and that we had no idea when we would get to see him next. Ok, I did lie to her and she now believes that their surprise may be a new Wii game.

Bug is completely oblivious as to what this surprise may be and as to why he didn't have to take a lunch to school today. I am so looking forward to the expressions on their faces.

Silly me! I left my camera at home this morning! I had planned to put it in my bag and completely forgot it! I asked BigB to bring it but I don't know if he will remember. That being said, there may or may not be pictures to look upon in our golden years, causing us to reminicse "Remember that time we totally lied to the kids about Billy coming home...?" To which the other would reply, "Yeah, totally worth it!"

P.S. Time drags by extremely slowly when you have some place you would completely rather be. I am really looking forward to going to church with my son again on Friday!

It's just like Christmas

Thinking back to when I was a young girl, I remember the Christmas count down and the jittery feeling of excitment on Christmas Eve and the not being able to fall asleep due to the anticipation. I find myself feeling that way RIGHT NOW!

Facebook revealed a secret to me!

Billy's status read: William is EXCITED to be going to Canada!

I was all WHAT!?! If he is coming to Canada, HE HAD BETTER BE COMING HERE! So I, as calmly as I could, messaged him, asking him to what he was referring to.

He sent me one back stating that Friday, after work he will be leaving to come back for a week. First stop: Nipawin. He will be at our house on Wednesday through to Saturday sometime when he leaves.

Now, take note, when I say "he" I don't know if I am meaning "they" or not yet. I am not sure if Nat is able to come to, wants to come or is coming...at this point of the day.

So, there are 6 more sleeps until we get to see him/them! I am SO NOT telling Jellybean and Bug because I really would like to see someone pee themselves from surprise and excitment for real life just once! Seriously! I am NOT kidding! Well...maybe. Kinda. Sort of. Not really. I do think it WOULD be funny.

Being a Parent...

Some find it hard in this day and age to parent their children. Dilemmas like how do we discipline, how do we handle this, what should we do about that keep parents from standing firm in disciplinarian tactics. This swaying back and forth causes a doublemindeness from the parents, resulting in confusion in the child which in turn becomes aggrivation in our children. We need to have set boundaries, rules, regulations, rewards and punishments. We also need, as Pastor Steve relates in the text below, to feed our children's spirit man, to create a hunger in them for God and His word.

"Touch Your Child's Spirit
Most parents want to be good parents; they just don't know where to start! Good parenting can be overwhelming. Now you can become your child’s spiritual guide in steps. The goal is to gain so much more than your child’s obedience—but to gain their heart. Gray reveals how to begin:
Realize your child is more than a body. He or she is a spirit being with a personality who lives in a body. The inner spirit is the center of life and must have guidance.
Become the authority by earning your child's respect. Have a standard and stick to it.
Change your child's appetite and create spiritual hunger by adding spiritual things to his "diet." "
Pastor Steve Gray, Kansas City, MO.

Pastor Kevin has been preaching the same thing to us at our church and it is working. We are seeing single moms with little or no parenting skills come in and apply these teachings to their children and we are seeing these families transform before our very eyes! We are seeing parents who are simply just struggling with the how's, why's, should I's and shouldn't I's and applying this to their parenting skills is bringing about results like they wouldn't have believed.

It is a process to get out of old mindsets and old habits but you just have to keep on keeping on. Don't give up or get discouraged! Remember process is all about stages...

Wow!!!

Well, I had the video up here but I can't get it to work so here is something that we saw from Kansas that is absolutely fantastic!

This is Kansas City calling; do you accept the charges??

Lately I have felt like I was losing my mind but when I talked to BigB it seems the same thing has been happening to him. For the last couple of weeks anywhere I go I see people we know from Kansas City: people we know really well and people we just recognize from the church. At first glance these people are the spitting image of these people we know. The second glance shows that they actually look nothing like our friends there. It has been really weird.

I have seen Pastor Steve, Doctor Mike, Justin, Phoebe's dad. Last night was when I was sure I saw Justin on the camera coming into the Emergency Room at the hospital. When they guy came in he looked ABSOLUTELY nothing like Justin.

This has been happening to BigB too but I have no idea who he has "seen". It is really quite weird though.