Inspiring Read….

I love to read as anyone who knows me will attest to that fact.  I’m also a bookaholic as my husband will attest — how can anyone possibly have too many books?

I have to tell you about an upcoming author, Chautona Havig,  and her latest creation, Argosy Junction.   I will admit I had the pleasure of assisting in the editing of this book (and no it doesn’t make me favor it just because I helped in the birthing process).   Argosy Junction is the story of a young man and a young lady but it’s not your typical love story.  When we meet the main character he finds himself in a field surround by what he believes are hostile sheep.  (He’s a city boy who has never really been around farm animals so it’s understandable.)  Our female lead describes him as a pastor preaching to his flock at one point.  This is an important foreshadow of things yet to come.  (Believe me, I’ve encouraged the author to tell the rest of the story.)

Chautona has a unique way of blending Christian values without sounding preachy.  Our female lead, Lane,  has had enough of “Church,” Christians and their hypocritical ways.  Our male lead is a devote (though not holy-roller type) Christian and through him Lane gets to see Christ and how things really should be in the Church.  Chautona does all this without condemning cult type believes and without getting pushy with Evangelical type preaching.  I truly believe this is a book that both believers and non-believers can read without feeling bashed.

I truly wish I could express how being apart of this book’s birthing process, for I truly believe that writing a book is like a pregnancy and delivery, changed me.   I highly recommend you get this book and enjoy it.  If you have preteen or teen readers you might want to be on the look out for her newest series about Wynnewood.  You can find more information about Chautona and her fabulous writing style at:  Chautona .

I think I’m going Crazy!

I was checking the blogs I like to read earlier and all the ones on WordPress seemed to be missing all their ‘pretties.’  Decided to change my theme and see if my ‘pretties’ showed back up and low and behold they do.  I was getting ready to go back to one of my favorite message boards and post a ‘perhaps the pages are messed up because the themes don’t exist’ follow-up to my ‘is it me, Vista or WordPress’ post when I decided to check the blogs again.

Yep!  You guessed right — everyone’s blog was back to normal (with all the ‘pretties’ included).  So, not only are my boys trying to ensure I’m driven crazy, it looks like WordPress (or my computer) decided to join in on all the fun!

The Passion

Every year the church we attend (Chestnut Ridge) presents the Passion.  The last few years we have attended and as much as I’ve enjoyed it and been blessed by it, I have to say the biggest joy and blessing to me is watching my sons absorbed it.

This year we were able to attend the dress rehearsal as it was opened up to the elderly and disabled.  This was a major blessing as Jeff is working this weekend and the only night he was off (that the Passion was happening) was opening night.  With some of Nick’s issues, I figured opening night with Nick would be a disaster waiting to happen.  Well, we didn’t let the boys know ahead of time what the plans were for tonight but after dinner we filled them in on our plans and let them know our expectations for them.  Nick’s comment when told, “This is where they kill Jesus right?”  Mitchell and Zachary piped up, “But He comes back to life so it’s okay.”

We got to the church about 15 minutes before start time (something we couldn’t do any other night and still get seats).  We got our seats and the show began.   The younger two sat totally engrossed in the production, Nick sat on the edge of his seat and Jeff and I prayed things would work out all right.  At one point I started wondering if Nick really got it — he was cheering for the Roman soliders.  Zachary kept telling Nick, “No, they are bad — don’t you love Jesus?”   Then intermission occurred and when we came back we moved over a few seats (we were right by the aisle where Jesus and the guards come down with the cross) — that was a smart move.  Nick was greatly moved by that scene and starting crying and asking Jeff why they were so mean and to please make them stop hurting Jesus.  (We did explain that for tonight it was pretend and that the men weren’t really hurting him.)   We managed to calm Nick down enough to finish watching.  He wanted to understand why the one solider was crying after Jesus died since he was one of the ones that put Jesus on the cross.  He wanted to know where they took Jesus when he wasn’t found in the tomb.  Then when Jesus came out, Nick jumped up and shouted, “My Jesus — He’s Alive!”

It’s hard to stop Nick’s reactions sometimes and I’m sure people wonder — we are trying to teach him what’s appropriate behavior for a 15 year old so at times I’m torn — do I redirect and attempt to get him to act more like a 15 year old or do I let him be and let the emotions lead his reaction?  All I know is seeing him go from totally devastated and distraught to overjoyed in a manner of minutes was fascinating.  We should be devastated and distraught over the treatment Jesus received (even more so when we realize that if it wasn’t for our sins He wouldn’t have had to die) and then the joy of knowing, He’s Alive!!!!!!!

Kept Woman

I Am a Kept Woman and I’m proud to admit it.  Are you willing to admit you’re  Kept too?

You see, there were a few times when I thought I would lose my mind,

But GOD kept me sane. (Isa. 26:3)

There were times when I thought I could go no longer,

But the LORD kept me moving. (Gen 28:15)

At times, I’ve wanted to lash out at those whom I felt had done me wrong,

But the LORD kept my mouth shut.. (Psa. 13)

Sometimes, I think the money just isn’t enough,

But GOD has helped me to keep the lights on, the water on, the car paid, the house paid, etc.., (Matt. 6:25 -34)

When I thought I would fall, HE kept me up.

When I thought I was weak,

HE kept me strong! (I Pet. 5:7, Matt. 11:28-30)

I could go on and on and on, but I’m sure you hear me! I’m blessed to be ‘kept ‘ Do you know a ‘kept ‘ woman? If so pass it on to her to let her know she is ‘Kept ‘ I’m “Kept” by the Love and Grace of God

First Born

Borrowed from  Kudzu Ramblings

Here you go – a different kind of survey for a change – it’s all about your first born! Just copy and paste it in a new blog post for yourself!

1. WAS YOUR PREGNANCY PLANNED?  Not exactly.  I always said I wanted a baby by the time I was 30, but really didn’t plan it.
2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME?   Nope (hence the answer to question number 1).
3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS?   A little freaked to be honest.
4. WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU?   Nope, never considered it.
5. HOW OLD WERE YOU?  I turned 29 eight days before I found out.
6. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT?  Peed on a stick, threw the stick when it turned up positive.
7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST?   Honestly, I can’t remember — I was kinda in denial/shock there for a while.
8. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX?   Yes
9. DUE DATE?  September 7, 1993 — but I was thinking more like August 14, 1993.
10. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS?   Not really, just slightly queasy unless I didn’t get to be before midnight then I got sick if I wasn’t sound asleep by 1:30am (I worked nights at the time).
11. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE?   Nothing really.
12. WHAT IRRITATED YOU?  Can’t remember.
13. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILD’S GENDER?   Boy
14. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE GENDER OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING?   Yep, figured having a girl would be easier since I was single, plus I long for a daughter.
15. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY?  18-20 pounds
16. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER?  Yes (after)
17. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW?   It was supposed to be a surprise but due to complications I was told about it.
18. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY?   A little — irritable cervix which caused some bleeding and early contractions.
19. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH? Morgantown, WV
20. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR?  Depends on when you start counting.  I was on bed-rest for 2 weeks due to contractions and bleeding starting the end of July.  From the time I checked into the hospital until delivery?  About 12 – 13 hours.
21. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL?   My Mom.
22. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH?  My Mom, OB nurse, OB Resident and several med students.
23. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION?   Natural
24. DID YOU HAVE MEDICATION  TO EASE THE PAIN?  1 shot of demoral at 7:00pm (delivered at 10:08pm)
25. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH?  5 pounds 8 ounces
26. WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN?  August 7, 1993
27. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER?  Nicholas Devin
28. HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN?  15 years 7 months.

Things I’ve done.

Copied this from Paradoxology (Chautona’s blog) who borrowed it from Hindsfeet’s blog. The items that are in bold type I’ve done. — How many can you bold?

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity.
7. Been to Disneyland/world.
8. Climbed a mountain.
9. Held a praying mantis.
10. Sang a solo.
11. Bungee jumped.
12. Visited Paris.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch.
15. Adopted a child.
16. Had food poisoning.
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty.
18. Grown your own vegetables.
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France.
20. Slept on an overnight train.
21. Had a pillow fight.
22. Hitchhiked.
23. Taken a sick day when you weren’t ill.
24. Built a snow fort.
25. Held a lamb.
26. Gone skinny dipping.
27. Run a marathon.
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice.
29. Seen a total eclipse.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset.
31. Hit a home run.
32. Been on a cruise.
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors.
35. Seen an Amish community.
36. Taught yourself a new language.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied.
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person.
39. Gone rock climbing.
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David.
41. Sung Karaoke.
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt.
43. Bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant.  (Almost, once when Mom & I took Nick to Baltimore a homeless guy came into the IHOP we were eating at and sat down and started eating someone’s leftovers.  Mom and I were getting ready to intervene and offer to pay for his meal (the manager was going to kick him out), when a business man paid for the man a meal. )
44. Visited Africa.
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight.
46. Been transported in an ambulance.
47. Had your portrait painted.
48. Gone deep sea fishing.
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person.
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris (no, but I’ve been to the top of the Eiffel Tower at King’s Island, Cincinnati, OH.)
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling.
52. Kissed in the rain.
53. Played in the mud.
54. Gone to a drive-in theater.
55. Been in a movie.
56. Visited the Great Wall of China.
57. Started a business.
58. Taken a martial arts class.
59. Visited Russia.
60. Served at a soup kitchen.
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies.
62. Gone whale watching.
63. Gotten flowers for no reason.  (Jeff used to bring me flowers all the time.)
64. Donated blood, platelets, or plasma.
65. Gone sky diving.
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp.
67. Bounced a check (certainly not knowingly!)
68. Flown in a helicopter (Mitchell did when we was hours old.)
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy.
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial.
71. Eaten Caviar.
72. Pieced a quilt.
73. Stood in Times Square.
74. Toured the Everglades.
75. Been fired from a job.
76. Seen the changing of the guards in London.
77. Broken a bone (my collar bone — no cast and probably a toe or two).
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle (not a speeding one, but on a motorcycle).
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person.
80. Published a book.
81. Visited the Vatican.
82. Bought a brand new car.
83. Walked in Jerusalem.
84. Had your picture in the paper.
85. Read the entire Bible.
86. Visited the White House.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.
88. Had chickenpox (twice).
89. Saved someone’s life.
90. Sat on a jury.
91. Met someone famous (Crystal Gayle, a few WV Senators & Governors).
92. Joined a book club.
93. Lost a loved one (both my Grandfathers).
94. Had a baby.
95. Seen the Alamo in person.
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake.
97. Been involved in a lawsuit.
98. Owned a cell phone.
99. Been stung by a bee.

CPSIA — friend or foe?

Last year our illustrious congress passed a bill, which the president signed into law, called CPSIA.  The reason for the passage of this law was to ensure our children are safe from lead and phylates.   (This occurred around the time we, meaning the US, had seen a vast rise in lead-contaminated toys and children’s products from China.)  Now, I’m not saying I don’t want my children protected from dangerous items, but the impact of this law the way it is written is so over-encompassing that many small and medium size businesses will go out of business.  The way the law is written even our children’s school books and library books must meet this new standard that the CPSA has decided is retroactive.   What does this mean?  Well, all the books on your public library shelf must meet the new standard.   The only way to truly prove the books meet the standard is to have them tested at an independent 3rd party laboratory (that, of course, has been certified to do the testing by the US government).  How many libraries are going to be able to afford this testing?  Not many I bet!

Also, you know those great buys you find at the local GoodWill and/or consignment shop when you’re looking for clothes and/or toys for your child?  You might as well forget it at least for a few years — those places can’t afford to have their inventory tested and rather than face the fines and penalties they are most likely going to shut their doors.

You say,  no problem, I’ll buy the boys the wooden toys Mr. Smith makes down the road.  Oh, so you think Mr. Smith will still be in business?  Guess what?  He has to make sure his toys pass muster by having them tested at a 3rd party laboratory.  (Oh, and every batch has to be tested, not just the raw materials!)  Gets a little too expensive for Mr. Smith to stay in business, besides you can’t afford the new “approved” toys.

Again, you say, not a problem, I know someone who’s children are just a tad older than mine, I’ll ask them for their hand-me downs.  You must not like your friend very much because, you guessed it!, the law was written that to even give away non-tested “approved” items is against the law!

So, now what are we to do with all these non-approved items?  Well, according to the general council at the CPSA it’s toxic and a hazardous waste.  You better call the haz mat guys out to come dispose of it properly!

What next will we be turned into CPS if our children have toys that don’t meet the new approved standards after February 10, 2009?

I’m all for protecting our children, but let’s use some common sense.  The contaminated items mainly came from China — make them do the testing if you have to do it.  But requiring every single item to have a certification proving it doesn’t contain lead and/or phylates is overkill.  (Because in case you haven’t figured it out the law says any items manufactured or marketed for children have to have the certification and after August 10, 2009 have to have a permanent label saying it met the standard.  That means the dress that you want to buy your daughter off e-bay that is a hand-sew, one of a kind probably won’t be available after February 10, 2009 because it will cost the seamstress too much to have it tested unless you really want to pay $1,000 (or more) extra.)

Join me and thousands of others who have written to their congressmen requesting something be done before it’s too late.

On a side note, for those that might be interested:

In the Hands of a Child Kit Pack Sale Announcement January 12, 2009 Dear Valued Customers, Due to the new CPSIA law In the Hands of a Child, for the time being, is discounting our Kit Pack inventory in order to lessen our possible loss in the event that an exemption is not granted. While we are still praying for this situation to work out for all small businesses we feel that it is in our best interest to lessen our possible loss.  And what better way than to pass the savings on to you, our wonderful customers, who are praying with us through this difficult situation!! Please help us clear our shelves and enjoy a 35% savings on all Kit Packs!!  Savings will be automatic!  Spread the word and help us empty the shelves!! This sale will continue until our Kit Pack inventory has been exhausted, so purchases will be on a first-come-first-served basis. Once they are gone, they are gone! In the event the law is modified, In the Hands of a Child reserves the right to bring back Kit Packs in the future at full price without any discount, implied or expressed, during this sale. Cannot be combined with any other offer, special, discount, coupon or sale. Super Member discount DOES NOT apply to this sale. Tax and Shipping not included in calculating discount price. Not valid toward prior purchases. No rainchecks. DO YOU HAVE A BLOG?  YOU CAN RECEIVE A FREE KIT PACK! Help us spread the word by posting the above notice on your blog.  Then place an order for at least 1 Kit Pack, email us the link to your blog where the notice is posted along with your order number and your choice of Kit Pack and wel add it to your order. How easy is that?* *Please note customer is responsible for shipping costs for free Kit Pack, shipping will be combined with original order if email is received same day as order is placed notifying us of blog posting. In the Hands of a Child

2009 — It’s a New Year

Since it is a new year I thought I’d try to create new traditions with my family.  One of my goals for this year is to treat my children’s birth date as a special day for us to share.  I’ve asked them each to think of things they’d like to do with me one on one over the next year.  I have come up with at least a couple of things that will done with each of them:  they choose the meal with eat that day for dinner and they get to stay up 30 minutes later than their brothers that night.  Since Jeff and Nick share their birth date, I told Jeff I’d like to reserve the 29th for him (it’s our anniversary date).

Mitchell came up with some really good things (need to work with Nick and Zachary).  Mitchell’s list includes the following:

• Stay up 1 hour and 30 minutes over bedtime.  (The hour and 30 minutes won’t happen but 30 minutes can.)
• Watch a DVD (I’m assuming of his choice with me.)
• Play Wii with Mom.
• Choose what dinner to prepare.
• Prepare dinner with Mom.
• Have Mom read just to me.
• Have Mom lay with me at bedtime.  (I typically end up laying with Zachary or occasionally Nick.)
• Help Mom with bedtime routine.
• Go to a bookstore with Mom.
• Sit with Mom (I’m assuming at dinner or while watching TV, again Zachary typically gets my lap during TV time.)
• Go Easter outfit shopping with Mom.

Zachary’s list:

• Stay up until 11:00pm (Nope — only allowed 30 minutes past bedtime.)
• Play Wii until 8:00pm (with me?)
• Play my DS until 6:00pm (Not quite sure on this one, they are allowed to play DS after 6:00pm until 7:00pm each evening.)
• Have Dinner at 5:15pm (We typically eat between 4:30 & 5:30 when Jeff’s working.)
• Watch TV

Nick’s List:

• Watch Basketball (Not sure — I hate basketball!   Told him that’s something he does with Daddy.)

Hello world!

I’ve moved to a new Blogging community!  Thanks to my friends from Hearthkeepers for recommending it.  I may eventually attempt to move all my other blog posts to this site or I may just delete them and start fresh here.

New Home, Fairly new Month

I’m attempted to establish a blog at Blogger. I had started one on AOL Journals a long time ago, forgot about it and discovered the one on WindowsLive (it’s dying a lonely death there — I’m going to try and figure out how to move those posts over here). I’m hoping this new location will be easier for me to remember to post on — I’ve been using FireFox browser and never remember to post on the other one (no quick and easy link on the browser like there was on IE).  Well, many friends commented that they prefer WordPress so I moved yet again.

To those that don’t know me, let me give you a brief update on who I am. I’m wife to Jeff (a coal miner turned LPN) and Mom to Nickle, Smitchman, and Tackery (the 3 Musketeers). Life as a big sister to two brothers, never prepared me to be the Mom of three active, intelligent boys. Boys are definitely different than girls!

It’s time for our before bedtime routine so I’m outta here until next time.