I just finished curling Naomi's hair. It looks lovely, and she is so happy. Yesterday I let her play around with my hair while I was reading with Abram on the couch. I think that was the high point of her day, if you can believe it. I was planning to let my hair grow, but I will definitely do it now. She enjoys fixing hair so much that it would be good practice for her to work on my hair. Maybe she will even learn how to braid it for me. Esther won't let her do very much with her hair because it knots so easily. I have had to start braiding Esther's hair every night before bed just to keep it from becoming a bird's nest while she sleeps. She has beautiful hair, but it is labor intensive.

Chad left this morning to fly to St. Louis for a walk-thru at a base out there. He will be home tomorrow evening. We don't like for him to leave anytime, but now he will have to miss the Wednesday evening service at church, which he enjoys very much. It won't be as easy for me either to get all the kids settled for dinner. Actually it will probably work out just right since we usually have about 20 minutes to spare. I am supposed to lead my small group for the ladies' bible study tonight. I really like the women in my group. I didn't know any of them before we started. One of them homeschools also.

I'm off for now. Bye.

Tuesday. The sun is shining beautifully again this morning. We have had just lovely weather for about a week or more now. I love it- sunny blue skies, cool breezes, spring. We try to get outside as much as possible. Chad likes to take an afternoon run, and Naomi usually rides her bike alongside him. Abram has been walking with me recently. He enjoys pushing the little kids in their cart. Sometimes we go on a family bike ride. That's what Abram likes best. It's fun.

Only eleven weeks of school left. Wow! In the background, "Redeemer" by Nicole C. Mullen is playing. It is one of my all-time favorite songs. It moves me everytime I listen to it. I heard her sing it once at a worship concert with Michael W. Smith and others, and I was reduced to tears. No explanation for it except that it stirs up my spirit that much. We have been listening to a new station called Air1. It plays Christian music. Although it is not necessarily worship music, it is uplifting and it rocks! We have discovered all sorts of Christian bands that we like. Some of them are BarlowGirl, Skillet, Fireflight, and others. Really talented bands who love the Lord. Back to the subject of school, we are moving right along. Abram's reading ability is just improving by leaps and bounds. I'm very encouraged by their progress. I may start Saul in the fall on some little preschool workbooks. Something very simple. And I'll probably ask Naomi to start reading to him and Esther more often. Abram will be able to read to them, also. He already does.

I can hear the kids getting a little rowdy in the living room, so I'll have to sign off for now.

Just part of being a mom

Thursday night I stayed up practically all night with kids. Abram stumbled into our room at about 11:40 p.m. (only about an hour after I had gone to sleep). I noticed a light coming from the hallway and assumed he had turned on the bathroom light. Well, when I got there I saw that he had actually turned on his bedroom light. Now, Abram just about sleepwalks. I can't say for sure that he does, but he often doesn't remember getting up by the next morning. Anyway, he had pulled everything off the bed except the fitted sheet (thankfully!) and dragged it across the floor. He also had pulled up the blinds on his window, which I had to fight with for about a minute to get back down. Poor Saul was sitting up in his bed wondering what had happened and why the light was on. I sent Abram to the bathroom and proceeded to make the bed again. After I finally got them settled back in for the night, I returned to bed. Less than an hour later, Saul came out needing to use the restroom. Okay. Less than an hour after that, he came out again saying he needed a drink because his throat was dry. After putting him to bed that time, I decided it would be a good time to run the dishwasher. *There is enough hot water in the middle of the night and it doesn't affect baths or clothes-washing.* I went back to bed and not much later, Saul came in crying that his ear hurt. I realized then that I needed to give up the idea of actually getting any sleep. By that time, it was somewhere around 3:oo a.m. I tried laying down with him in his bed, but he kept whining and tossing and turning. So then we tried the rocker. While I rocked him, he just couldn't get comfortable at all. He simply did not feel good. Around 3:30 a.m. I heard the girls talking in their room. I went to investigate and they walked out saying that Esther needed to potty. I sent Naomi to bed and tended to Esther. I got them back in bed and asked Saul if he wanted to try the couch. We tried that but it didn't work very well. Finally, at 5:10 a.m. we went to my bed. I figured it would be alright if we woke up Chad at this time because he was about to get up anyway. And I was exhausted! I just wanted to lay down on my own pillow! Chad later told me that Saul did flop around for a little while but then fell into a deep sleep. We slept until about 6:30 a.m. thankfully. Saul said that his ear was still bothering him, but he never felt feverish to me during the night only uncomfortable, which was good. After he ate breakfast, he ran outside to play with Abram, never showing any signs of pain or illness since. I was glad but didn't recover as quickly. I think after my two-hour nap today I may have finally recovered. What I did realize though last night(the night after) was that my prayers had been answered. I had prayed as I had cared for Saul all that night that God would heal him- and He did! After a whole night of feeling bad, Saul was as if nothing ever happened by the end of breakfast. It was a miracle. Really neat to see in hindsight. He never even showed any signs of suffering from missing out on a night of sleep! Praise be to God!

Other than that, things have been the norm around here. Later!

Okay, I'm back. After not blogging for a week, Chad finally asked me if I just wasn't going to do it anymore. I said that I just hadn't taken the time, so he said to do it now. So here I am. We are expecting numero cinco some time late this fall. We just found out Sunday morning. Of course, we suspected as much. I was a little concerned about having had dental work done when I might have already been pregnant, but I know that I must trust God in this. After all, He knows all. I have my new gold tooth in now, by the way. It's so shiny! Just a sparkling smile!

I had a really good conversation with my sister the other night. Some real bonding happened. She is 13 years younger than me, so we have not had much in common (other than our parents) until the last two or so years. I really feel for her being a young married woman with two small children, trying to balance work and family. It's not easy in those early years. She's doing well, though, and I am trying to encourage her when I talk to her. I know that we all need someone to encourage us. Her faith is growing in leaps and bounds, too, I noticed.

There is one funny thing I wanted to write about before I forget it. Last week sometime, Saul and Esther were playing in the back yard together. Well, we suddenly hear screaming and yelling from them both. I assumed they were fighting and didn't move from where I was hanging clothes in Naomi's room since I saw Chad running out to see what all the commotion was. Come to find out, the neighbor's little terrier, Tina, had snuck in through the gate. She often comes in to play with Abram. Saul and Esther, in particular, do not enjoy her as much. Apparently, Esther was laying on the ground screaming and Saul was between Esther and the dog yelling when Chad arrived on the scene. Chad said that Saul would have been cursing if he knew how as he protected his sweet innocent little sister from the big evil dog. He was yelling something along the lines of "You get out of here or I'll ..." as he shook his fists with rage. The dog only wanted to play. Chad escorted her home and the excitement ended shortly thereafter. This is daily life at our house. I figured that Saul would be the protector type, and I think that I am right. He has a short fuse concerning things that he thinks are not right. He sure is a good boy. I just pray that those strong feelings that he has will be God-honoring in his life. I think that they will. Naomi has really been growing in her faith this last year. She is just as pleasant as can be. She accepted Christ as savior back in the fall. She hasn't been baptized yet because we moved right after she had done so. I prefer to do it at our current church since Chad will be able to baptize her here. Abram is understanding more and more each day too. He has a good heart. He believes in God but doesn't fully understand the need to be saved from his sins yet. He's close. I just keep watching and praying. More than anything else I want my children to be followers of Christ. I have faith that they will be. That reminds me- since Naomi found out that we are expecting another baby, she has been praying every chance she gets that we will have twin boys. I'm afraid it will happen because of the faith of her prayers. God knows best. That's all for now.

It's funny how the enemy can make us argue with the ones we love and are in agreement with over spiritual matters. Chad and I had words Wednesday night after church and again early Thursday morning. We threw out some accusations at each other and then didn't talk until lunch time yesterday. It had been awhile since I was last angry with him. It was good (now that we are on speaking terms again!). It all started when I asked him how the Q&A meeting on spiritual gifts had gone. I am attending a ladies' bible study so wasn't at the meeting that night. Well, as Chad began to fill me in with details (and he is very good at remembering details), I made a few faces about the subjects discussed. Chad and I are at different stages in our walk with the LORD and also have different personalities too, which I believe play into the whole thing. I mean, we are created uniquely, each one of us. We all have different life experiences that affect our faith. Chad got offended by my facial expressions, which I can understand, and then he decided I must be very close-minded because of it. Normally, we will give each other grace for differences in opinion. But not that night. It is amazing to both of us now how quickly things can escalate in those situations. I was mad and hurt. I don't know what he was feeling, but I'm sure it was about the same. We have since made peace- Chad approached me at lunch time to do so (I just wasn't up to extending the olive branch first). These trials always boost us along in our faith and our relationship as husband and wife. So, I am thankful. I sure didn't enjoy it though. Well, Saul is standing at my side asking for his morning banana. I must go now.

Saul is an eating machine! On Friday morning I made some scrambled eggs with cheese, sausage, and green onion tops in them. Well, while the other three kids picked at their plates, Saul gobbled his down and then finished off Abram's too. Green onions don't bother him any. Then this morning we just had instant oatmeal (which can be pretty filling), and he finished off Abram's bowl again. I cannot imagine the food this child is going to put away when he is fifteen. It's gonna be a fright!

We had a good weekend. We put together another puzzle- this one is of a steam engine coming around the bend with lots of trees on each side of the track. Grandpa should like this one. Our life group went well. We talked about marriage and what the bible says about the roles of husband and wife. It was good. We feel it is important to know what marriage is all about and how to enjoy it.

Today we start back in with school and work.

Chad and I went out with another couple last night for dinner. We had Japanese food. It was great. We had gone there before, so we knew what to expect- huge amounts of fried rice with shrimp, chicken, and steak cooked right before our eyes. The chef was good. He made quite a few wise-cracks. That is part of the job, you know, to entertain the guests, and they certainly do a good job of it. So you get entertainment and good food all at once. It is not outrageously expensive either. I had enough left over to have for lunch today. We probably could have fed our whole family with one plateful really. This was the first time Chad and I have had a date since we got back to Texas. It was about time, too. We will have to make it a habit again. It just takes a while to get started, that's all.

Today we went to Wal-Mart to do some much-needed shopping. Naomi brought along her gift card from Christmas and purchased the dc talk JesusFreak (10th anniversary) cd. We have been listening to it here at home for the last two hours. I like it, too, which is good. I consider them to be kind of pioneers of pop Christian music. Third Day is probably who made Christian music really popular. I like both groups. I am amazed at the variety and talent of today's Christian artists. Whatever style of music you might like, there is most likely a Christian artist performing it. Isn't that great? I mean, music has such an influence on us. Chad and I haven't listened to anything else but Christian music for over five years now, and I love being out of the loop on secular artists. Not that they are all bad- many of them just don't honor God with their music. Doesn't mean they aren't talented. For me, trying to honor God with my life includes listening to music that encourages my Christian walk because the walk isn't easy. But oh-so worth it! I have been blessed many times over since trying to live for Him over the past ten years or so. I knew Him long before that, but didn't include Him in my daily decisions. Life is much more joyful now. There is hope even when things go wrong. "For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the fogiveness of sins." Colossians 1:13-14

The kids listen over and over, until we tell them to stop, to a song on the cd in which Michael Tait of dc talk sings out of key, or alto or something, the song JesusFreak. It is funny the first few times, but the kids know how to run some things into the ground.

I only have a few minutes, so this will probably be short. I got my temporary cap put on my tooth Tuesday afternoon. That went well. I like my new dentist. I liked my last one, too, just new insurance doesn't cover him. My permanent crown will be gold. It goes on one of my molars on the bottom row. It will show slightly when I belly laugh. Maybe even when I smile- I have a big smile. Anyway, it is just another sign of growing older because I am not concerned about whether it shows or not. I just want it to be strong enough to last for many years (like until I have great-grandchildren). Yesterday I cleaned the house, partially anyway. We went to church last night. I started a new women's bible study titled Walking by Faith: Lessons Learned in the Dark by Jennifer Rothschild. It is only a seven-week study so that is not too long. I look forward to it. I'll have more info next week. Today has been schoolwork so far. It turned back cold today. High in the 30's compared to yesterday's upper 70's. That's okay- it's easier to keep the kids focused on their work when it is cold outside.

Chad and I got back on our strict budget yesterday. For the past year, it has been rather casual. We're excited. It feels very good when we know exactly where we are spending. As Dave Ramsey says, we are controlling our money rather than it controlling us. Well, I am a little tired so I will head back to the classroom for the afternoon session before I fall asleep. Having the kids elbow me always helps to keep me awake, at least for a little while.

Colts won! I hardly watched any of the game, but I am glad they won. I would not have been upset had the Bears won, though. Chad pulled up some interviews with players from both teams for me to see before the game yesterday afternoon, and quite a few of them, along with both head coaches, are Christians who are strong in their faith. That was quite refreshing to see. And encouraging! I love to see men and women who confess their LORD.

Life group was fun. The guys watched the game and the gals talked and the kids played. Everyone had a good time. The food was good. The fellowship was good. All in all it was a good evening. Only problem was that Chad and I did not get to bed as early as we should. He is very tired today. Of course, he also gets up about an hour earlier than I do.

The kids start Echo tonight. It is a program at our church that teaches worship through the arts. I enrolled the kids in Hip Hop beginners. They will attend a class every Monday night for the next two months, and then our church has a worship night in which everyone is invited to come. It has always been wonderful and moving. Naomi has participated once before about two years ago. This will be Abram's first time. It will be good for them. They are always dancing here at home to the worship music, so I do not think they will have any problem practicing.

Nap time. Gotta go.

Wow! I had my first comment from someone I didn't know. Kinda freaked me out. I'm recovering, though. I guess my life is just that sheltered that having a comment from someone I didn't know threw me off for a second. No, I did not know that Dr. Hovind is in jail for tax evasion. I do know that he knows his science, and that is what I like about him. He also loves God and Jesus Christ, and that is what I really like about him. Is he perfect? My all means, NO! But neither am I, yet we have the bond of Christ in us. I have to forgive as I have been forgiven, which is much.

On to other things. Chad is home and had an awesome time at the men's retreat. He was a little short on sleep, though, which he is making up for at this time. We are glad to have him back, even though he was only gone for one night and part of the next day. I can't say how important his presence is in the home! I pray that more men would see how much they are needed by their families and not just with a paycheck either. I pray that more women would let their husbands know how much he is needed in the home, and not by nagging but with encouragement and respect. It made such a difference in our marriage when I began to respect Chad as the head of our household, and he has certainly stepped up into that rightful role and done a wonderful job. We are very happy together, yet we still have to make a point of putting the other before ourselves. And, most of all, God has to be at the center or you can never achieve the rest. God is faithful!

We took the kids to a class on salvation, baptism and communion today. Abram had a hard time paying attention. He had already attended an hour long Sunday school class and that may have accounted for his inattentiveness. Naomi did better, but of course she is older. It was a good class, but I realized during it that Chad and I are the ones who need to teach them. And we have been doing so.

Tonight we go to some friends' house for life group and the Superbowl. I don't know how much of it we will be able to watch. There are quite a few small children involved in our life group, including my own. I think we are supposed to have minestrone soup. Neither one of us is real familiar with it but should enjoy it. Our taste buds have certainly developed over the past few years. By the way, we ate at Golden Corral last night. The kids had received gift certificates from the dentist to eat there, so we did so. The vegetables were not nearly as tasty as the ones we steam at home. I have come to appreciate the natural taste of veggies without being drenched in butter, although I do still like to dip my fork in ranch dressing when eating them sometimes. Thankfully, none of the kids had stomach problems while we were there. The past two times we have eaten there, Saul was sick in a bad way. And not from their food. He apparently had the stomach problems before we went in. I felt so guilty both times about having a kid sick in the restaurant (not to mention that I did not get to eat) that I wanted to disappear. But that is part of life, isn't it! Remember, I am to find the joy in the trial now. I am to know that God will grow me in some way if I just persevere. That is so easy to say since I am not in the midst of a trial at this time. Well, this has been nice but I am done for now. Farewell, good friends.

Check out Dr. Kent Hovind's website. He heads up CSE Ministry. Creation Science Evangelism is his passion. He often debates evolutionists wherever they might be willing to meet with him. He has a great sense of humor and is highly knowledgeable in what he believes. I found him to be very interesting. Chad and I first heard of him in a Sunday school class that played his Creation Seminar Series which includes about seven DVDs. All very interesting and eye-opening. His website is www.drdino.com.

It's Friday evening and the kids and I are about to order some pizza. Chad went to a men's retreat for tonight and tomorrow with a group from our church. I don't know what I'm going to do tonight- I can't read fiction or watch a movie. Ouch! This is when I feel the pain of fasting like I should. I'm sure God has some plans for me. Pray that I hear Him. Other than that, I don't have much to say. School is going well. Esther is potty-trained and only wearing diapers at night. I got my hair trimmed and am pleased with the results, and I made plans to get it high-lighted next time I go. That's all for now.

It's just after lunch, Thursday, and it is snowing. Big, fat flakes. I don't know if they will accumulate or not. Depends on how long it lasts, I guess. It is very cold today. Not as cold as IL, I'm sure, but still cold. I had a bowl of soup for lunch, and we are going to have leftover gumbo tonight- perfect for cold, damp weather.

We attended a meeting at church last night concerning youth and for youth. It included many of the local church youth groups and was very informative on what youth are being bombarded with today. It was very encouraging to see so many teens in one room worshiping the Lord, probably upwards of 500, would be my guess. It really is a war for their very souls. Chad and I are doing battle for our own children, but I don't know how much we are doing for others. What would the Lord have me do, I wonder? I will just have to pray about it.

Our dentist appointments went well. Chad grimaced a little over having to pay some money out of pocket for my checkup. I am going to start the process of getting my tooth crowned next week. I could have begun on Tuesday, but I just couldn't without sleeping on the price. My insurance won't cover a crown and it only costs $950. After I slept, I thought it was worth it and Chad agreed. That emergency fund sure is handy to have at a time like this. Well, it is time for naps and the afternoon school session. I'll have to go now.