Traveling

I get to go to Europe again!  I'm so excited! My friend just got her passport and wanted to go somewhere so .... I just had to oblige her :)  We searched and searched for deals...until we found a great one to Ireland!  We leave in 5 weeks!  I can't believe I get to go again.  I love to travel.  You learn so much.  History is right before your eyes.  I love to read and I love history.  I've read lots of history..but there's just something so different about seeing the actual things right before. It makes it come alive and seem real.  I remember it more when I'm actually seeing it.  Ireland will be great. I think there will be lots of beautiful scenery as well.  I definitely have the traveling bug.  I can't wait to infect someone else with it!  Look out Becky!

It's hard to let go

Being a parent is tough.  I thought when the kids were all little it was hard. And it was!  Changing diapers all the time, waking up in the middle of the night, getting them in and out of car seats, being their sole entertainment, picking up after them all the time etc...  That was all physical stuff.  I was physically exhausted.  But now it's different.  It's an emotional/mental thing.  I'm constantly praying and thinking about them. Where are they? What are they doing?  Are they making wise choices?  Who are they hanging out with?  What influences do they have on them? It's exhausting too...but in a different way.  I want so much for my kids.  I want them to first and foremost honor the Lord.  I want them to be a blessing to others. I want them to have fun. I want them to take to heart all that we've taught them these last umpteen years.  I've given so much of my life for them. I want it to mean something.  But in the end...it's up to them.  I think, reflecting on this Easter weekend, that that's just a little tiny microscopic bit of how God feels toward us.  He gave everything for us!  He watched His Son die a horrible death..just so I could have life.  He wants me to honor Him.  He wants me to be a blessing to others.  He wants me to have fun.  Do I choose these things? Sometimes.  It means so much when I come to God because I want to and because I love Him.  I know that it's like that with my kids too.  I want them to want to.

Finally technology again!

It's been a rough few months for me and technology getting along.  First of all my newish computer went on the fritz in January.  We sent it in to the shop and waited and waited for it to be returned.... and waited and waited...  Then they finally called and said it couldn't be repaired so they would issue us a new computer.  But wait!  All my data was on that one!  Could I get it back..  Yes...but wait some more.. so we waited and waited...and waited... Finally 2 months after first sending it in..they said we couldn't get it back after all..  Well we could--but then they couldn't issue me a new computer.  Yikes!  Well, at least I had my phone/pda that had data on it... Until!!!!-- I accidentally put it in the washing machine!!  Oh my goodness!  It was in my housecoat pocket and then I spilled coffee on myself...and dutifully put my housecoat in the washing machine with out a thought..  Now where is my phone??  Oh no.. I didn't!  Yes I actually did!  Well luckily the phone had insurance and the sd card survived.. (i don't know how!)  So we were able to get a replacement phone fairly quickly.  Then I finally got a new computer Saturday.  Ahhh...   Now if only I can remember to back things up!

Life happens

Life has it's ups and downs. Some periods of life seem to be more up and sometimes it's more down. I think I'm in a "down" time. It seems like lots of bad things happen. Why? Why do kids get cancer? Why do people say things to hurt others? Why don't people take time to be together and do things for others? Why do our kids seem to drive us nuts sometimes? Why does sin creep into our lives? Why do bad attitudes seem to take over sometime? Why is the world going to hell in a handbasket? These questions can overwhelm me at times and cause me to start to sink in the floodwaters of life. That's when I have to cling to my only life raft. The Lord and His Word.

Job 29:3 "by His light I walked through darkness.."

Psalm 16:8 "I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken."

Ps 42:5 "Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God"

for Tuesday

I want to tell you about a great way to help someone! I have a friend whose grandbaby has cancer. She is only 2! There is a great fundraiser going on right now to help the family with expenses. Go to www.homestudio.etsy.com and you will see the cutest pendant necklaces made out of scrabble tiles! I bought 3 myself and I love them! So go order a necklace today and help a little girl out. (Be sure and put "For Tuesday" --that's her name-- in the checkout so they'll get credit for the purchase.) thank you all!

25 Random Things about Valerie

1. I've been married now longer than I was single.
2. I used to play the violin and wish I still did.. either that or the piano.
3. I love to travel and would travel all the time if $$ wasn't an issue.
4. I love to go watch plays...especially at this little theatre in Cleburne, TX. They are so good!
5. I am really grumpy and gripey and I tend toward pessimism...I really have to work on it half the time and hold my tongue the other half!
6. I was a big nerd in school.
7. I love to read and research and learn new things. (this really goes well with the traveling bit!)
8. I would love to write a book someday but don't know if I will.
9. I have no idea what I'm going to do once all my kids leave. :(
10. I'm trying to grow my hair out now.. it's so slow.. I wish it were a foot longer. It really is easy though..just wash and wear!
11. I volunteer with my daughter once a week at the Crisis Pregnancy Center Resale shop. It's alot of fun and I would love to volunteer some more.
12. When I'm in the reading mood..or find a good author.. I read about a book a week.
13. I turn into a pumpkin at 10:00pm. (not literally! I'm just so sleepy past that!)
14. I've been homeschooling for 11 yrs now.
15. I started wearing only skirts about 2 yrs ago. I like that they fit better, feel better and are more modest. It's a bit cold in winter..but with leggings and funky long socks it's great!
16. I have to be in the mood for what I'm wearing that day.. and sometimes on Sunday I might change 2 or 3 times.
17. Earl Grey tea is my favorite.
18. I would love to say I've been to every country in Europe sometime. (I've already been to six but Italy is my favorite so far!)
19. I've been teaching a class about missionaries in our homeschool co-op since it started (about 6 yrs ago)..different missionaries thoughout time.. I love missions and would love to go on missions trips once a year--again the $$.
20. My love language is service-- although NO ONE else in my family seems to have that same love language.
21. It's really hard to think of 25 random things about yourself... (does that count as one?)
22. I love all the quiz/trivia shows. Anything about geography or history is wonderful!
23. Most of the time when people see me at church they ask me "How's Larry?" -- I want to say (but don't) "I don't know --I'm not Larry--but if you want to know about ME--I'm fine thank you!"
24. We decoupaged (sp?) our dining room table with all kinds of pics from magazines of things that represent our family. It's quite the conversation piece.
25. I hate moving (although we've moved about 10 times since we've been married) but I do love the change and being able to get rid of stuff. ... I don't like to be a pack rat.

Odd jobs

I haven't had too many paid jobs in my life. I've been a waitress, admin assistant, and worked in a cookie shop. Nothing too exciting. But I have the toughest job in the world now. And I don't even get paid for it! (and least not monetarily!) That is raising my kids. It's so hard because there's no formula. There's no daily list of tasks we need to accomplish. There's no clock in or out time. There's no bonuses. There's no reviews. Just when you think you get it figured out..they grow up and move on to new things and issues. Yes--it is a really tough job, no-I wouldn't change it. With help and wisdom from others who've gone before, and a lot of prayer somehow we will make it through this maze called parenting. And hopefully our kids will too and look back and appreciate it.