Jeans Shopping 101

Today I charted new territory. I went to a land I would be glad to NEVER visit again. EVER. The jeans dept. of Kohls and JC Penney is truly an evil place. But I did learn how to survive.

1. Do NOT under any circumstances point out jeans that you "the mom" thinks are cute.
2. When you say, "No, you can't have those jeans. I will not buy jeans with holes already in them." Do it QUIETLY so all the other people in "JeanLand" don't laugh.
3. When finding jeans that are acceptable to both parties, hide the ones that cost $30.

I did survive. I am wiser for the experience.

I am also considering sending Ben next time. But I am pretty sure that one or both will not survive if I did send them together.

I would like to thank all of you who have saved me from this experience any earlier. Hand me downs are truly a gift. They kept me out of the mall and Marti under the assumption that all clothes came from a bag from your mom's car.

I used to think I was "cool".

I am now painfully aware that I am most definately NOT COOL

But you...will produce branches and fruit for my people Isreal,

for they will soon come home.

I am concerned for you and will look on you with favor;

you will be plowed and sown,

and I will multiply the number of people upon you...

they will be fruitful and become numerous.

I will settle people on you as in the past and

will make you prosper more than before.

Then you will know that I am the LORD....

It is not for your sake...that I am going to do these things,

but for the sake of my holy name...

Then the nations will know that I am LORD...

when I show myself holy through you before their eyes.

I will sprinkle clean water on you and you will be clean;

I will cleanse you from all your impurties and from all your idols.

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you;

I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to

follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. ...

I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it.

Ezekiel 36:8-11, 22-23, 25-27, 36

Hooray!

I passed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am a Nationally Board Certified teacher!

I just checked my scores and am beyond thrilled to know that I passed on my first try! Thank you, God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fun Times

The kids are again spread all over town. This time Marti is hanging out at Desert Hills with dad and the "littles" are all at Eagles's Nest and our friend Deana's. I am still in my jammies watching Joseph sleep off his last pain pill. I am thinking we are going to start weaning him from them today since he has been asleep for the last 24 hours. It is probably time. Although, the house is nice and quiet! Oh, he just rolled over... maybe he is going to wake up.

Update #2

Note to self...

Do NOT schedule oral surgery for any family member when Grandma and Grandpa are gone. Also be sure that Ben does NOT have any games or meetings. Also, be sure to say thanks again to Amy, Gina, Kendra, Rachel, Deana and the nice lady at the oral surgeons office who did not tease me for crying.

Joseph has finally stopped bleeding and has stayed awake for more than 5 minutes. He even ate a little pudding and a tiny bite of peach. He says his mouth tastes bad.

Update on Joseph

He was out of surgery and we were back home 90 minutes later... WOW! His teeth came out easily and he is sleeping VERY hard! The post-op instructions said that he needed to be closely monitored for the remainder of the day so I am sitting on the other end of the couch with my coffee and books ready to play nurse! Thanks for the prayers, keep 'em coming!

Joseph

Joseph is having his wisdom teeth removed today. All 6 of them! He somehow has 6 and they are starting to cause him pain. Would you please pray for him today that the surgery and first day of recover goes well. He is such a trooper and not one to tell us if he is hurting. Maybe a prayer or two for his "there's a reason I didn't become a nurse" mom too.

Fun at Uncle Paul's

The boys had a fantastic weekend away. They spent 3 days being spoiled rotten in Havilla while they were "deer hunting". They didn't kill anything (my prayers were TOTALLY answered) but they did have a fabulous time. They played in the snow, shot bb guns, played cards, helped in the kitchen, met lots of great extended family, learned how to build a fire, and toured John's cabin. They giggle everytime they tell me about something they did.

The story that makes them laugh the most was when Joseph saw a nice big 4-point buck out the front window and Grandpa started running around trying to find the gun. (The gun was in the truck, the bullets in the bedroom and the boots were drying by the fire.) Joseph also keeps telling us that Grandpa owes him $10 for being the first (and only) to spot a buck... Grandpa and Ben are still recovering.

Our newest addition

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce the newest member of our family. 

 

Sponge Bob WooRoo made the long journey from WalMart to our home while sitting on Lilly's lap.  The grin on her face and the frown on Ben's nearly cancelled each other out... nearly.  Lilly won!

Election Night Coverage Down Home Style

Right now my house is buzzing. Lilly is running around the house yelling, "John McCain got another one" while Marti is saying, "Oh man!" Joseph informed us that if John McCain wins he will not eat dinner for one night. Huh??? Jacob is running around yelling, "Go Obama!"

As you can tell we are a family of mixed preferences and our children are being extrememly vocal in theirs. As the 2nd graders were heading to the "polls" today to cast their ballots, Danny quietly raised his hand and said, "Don't you think we should pray first?"

Regardless of the outcome, I am certain that my children will always feel passionate about their right to vote. For that, I am thankful!