Nov 19, 2005
What is that smell???
Well all he knows is that he smells it and it smells like urine. I definitely didn't smell that.
A little while later he walks over to me in the garage and gives me a big hug. Then he takes his hat off his head and puts it on my head and I yelped. "It's the HAT!!", I said. He took the hat and smelled it and was like EWWWW! It was the hat. Somehow HIS (let me emphasize his) dog, Chester, had apparently relieved himself on the hat. Now, how the hat came to be on the floor or where and when this happened no one knows. I know that somewhere in my soul, there is a tiny bit of love for the dog...Somewhere. But he'll never know about it. *sigh*
Ok, I'm logging now. Hopefully this weekend will go smoothly without any more kinks thrown into it. By the way, our computer crashed a few weeks ago and now that we have it fixed and I'm back online, we realized that we lost ALL the pictures that we ever had on the computer from Abby's birth on, so if any of you have any please email them to me. That would be great!
Nov 14, 2005
How DO we feel about advice, really?
People give advice about so many things, everything from how to cook, to how to be pregnant, how to deliver - pain meds or no pain meds, to how to parent, to how to deal with life. Some of it we retain with a grateful heart and some of it we hear as a whisper - making it harder to recall. But, for most of us, secretly we know our way is better.
Then someone will come along and give the same advice over and over. And we find ourselves thinking, "what makes them the expert?". It's that that I find so heavy on my heart tonight. Generally speaking, when I look at my life, I think I'm a good mother. I'm home for them, I cook for them, I laugh with them, I do homework with them, I am here when they go to bed at night and I'm here to see them off to school in the morning. I pick them up from school happy to see them and eager to hear about their day. But that's not what makes a good mother. Those things, the ones I mentioned above, those are the easy things. It's what I'm learning to call, the "surface" clean.
The "surface" clean is when the house appears to be clean but when you open closets and drawers it's cluttered. When you parent on the surface, you are blind to the things you aren't doing. The truly nurturing things. The things that will cement a happy memory in your child's head. The things that will cement life lessons and how to deal with them appropriately. Instead of just going through the motions of daily life. Having children is way more in depth than what I ever dreamed. It's teaching them to do the simple things like brushing their teeth. Ok, got that one covered right? Wrong. I always thought, you tell them that it's important to brush their teeth then when they don't do it you discipline them. It's important to be responsible. But, wait. Their just kids . It doesn't work that way. Try thinking of it like this. Teach them to brush their teeth, then if you are on your way to school and you ask "Did you brush your teeth?" and they reply "no" discipline yourself. Because as parents it is OUR responsibility to teach them to follow through. Follow through and make sure it's done before you are on your way to school.
That's just an example of a tiny thing. Here is a bigger thing. When you are frustrated, it's been a long day and the kids are fighting and one's crying and another is hungry and you've been cleaning up diapers and spilled sippy cups and trying to fold the only half a load of laundry you got done and it's 5:30, somehow, and you didn't take out anything to thaw for dinner and you're not prepared.....What are they learning then? When they are doing their homework and it's not a "homework" environment (quiet) and they are frustrated because they are feeling overwhelmed by the work load and you are feeling overwhelmed by your work load so you find yourself yelling, trying to be successful at creating peace and quiet, when all they need is your undivided attention. What are they learning then?
All of a sudden it doesn't matter if you're home for them, if you laughed with them, if you met them at the school eager to hear about their day. All of a sudden it doesn't matter how many times you say "I love you" it doesn't matter that you spent your entire day thinking about them and missing them. What matters is that they are frustrated, you're frustrated and you appear to be frustrated with them. It crushes their spirit. It truly creates doubt in their little hearts. Even when you think you're doing such a good job. Because you're not like some Mom's who are hopping around from boyfriend to boyfriend or are on drugs or are never there or whatever. You compare yourself to how bad it could be not even realizing how bad you're creating it to be.
Does that make sense?
My best friend (not mentioning any names but it's someone I live with) gives me advice all the time. Parenting advice. I can't help but to think half the time "what makes you the expert?". But maybe it's not what makes him the expert, but what doesn't make me the expert. Maybe it's what the people around us have experienced in their own lives that DOES make them the expert. They know how to do this or how to do that because they know how it feels to either receive it or to need it and not get it. Sheer wisdom. And we all know that wisdom comes from life. From living it.
So I should not be so quick to defend my mothering skills. I see my kids get frustrated with their homework, like they did tonight. And I realize (because I seem to learn things the hard way) that they are reacting to a stressful situation the same way that I do. I'm good when it's other people's stress. I'm pretty good at calming down another military wife when she learns that their orders got dropped or that they are moving overseas instead of to Texas. I'm pretty good at lending a shoulder or an ear. But how good am I at teaching my kids that? Where are my kids when I'm sitting in some woman's living room helping her out after a long night with her kids? Mine are at school. There is a stress free side of me that my kids probably rarely see. And that's not acceptable. I'm making an eternal impression on them. They are going to LIVE how I teach them to live. They are going to react how I teach them to react. They are going to love how I teach them to love. And it's THOSE things that I'll call "deep" clean.
I heard something on the radio last night and I can't get it out of my head.
How come, when Jesus was accused of so many things, how come He didn't defend himself? Most of us when we are unjustly accused we are very quick to defend ourselves. Some fight diligently until nothing has been gained except for more pain, some fight quietly in their circle of friends. But we all, probably would defend ourselves in one way or another. But not Jesus. Why? Look at it from His point of view. He knew that in His Father's eyes he was blameless, spotless, innocent. So why defend himself to ordinary men? There was no need. Because He knew beyond a shadow of a doubt, that His Father loved Him.
So maybe, I'll be less quick to defend. Quicker to listen...Hmmm that verse pops up, slow to speak....*rolls eyes* Ok, ok Lord. I hear you. Thanks for the pep talk. I'm listening. And P.S Lord, thanks for giving me a husband who has the insight of a child, the heart of a child, the compassion of a child, yet the wisdom of a man.
And Sunnydale, I loved being home with you today and watching you make cookies for the kids. That was a blast. They have enjoyed the cookies, but probably more because you made them just for them. That was special. *wink* Thanks for the life lesson once again taught in gentleness. I am truly blessed. So are the four precious little lives asleep upstairs.
See you in the morning....
Nov 13, 2005
Music To My Ears...
Just Kiddin. I mean how many kids can say "My Dad is in a Christian rock band and they play in our garage." *huge grin* Seriously though, if anyone wants to fly out here for Thanksgiving they are playing at our huge Thanksgiving bash. Sunnydale's parents are coming along with the 40 guests we're having for Dinner. I do believe this will be a Thanksgiving to remember!
The garage is almost finished, we turned it into an honest to goodness "band room". LOL We have the drums set up on one wall and the mic's in front of that. Then the amps and everything else is to the side, the computer and keyboard are off to the right. In front of it all, are 2 couches and one loveseat. Did I mention I got a job to pay for Sunnydale's music career? *laughing*
It's a lot of fun, good memories that's for sure.
I'm proud of you babe. I'm proud of you for not letting this talent fade. But for doing everything you can to use it. Sacrifices are worth it, huh? God provides, He always has. It's all for Him anyway isn't it? Love ya!
Nov 12, 2005
Purple People Eaters
I have heard so much gossip and taken part in a lot of it, thinking that I was trying to "help". That's our way of gossiping, you know. We "help", or we're trying to be a good listener, or sometimes we're just "being honest". Right?
Here is my perception of my life at this moment....
I have been married for almost 11 years, not always happily, but I do believe that is normal. I am happy now, and that's all that matters. Anyway, we have 4 children. I will have an impact, an eternal impact, on these children. Now, as much as I love my husband (and he's a GREAT Dad), he can't always be here. I understand that. I want life for him when he IS here to be relaxing. When he walks in the door, I don't dump the kids on him saying I've had enough, I am grateful he is there to provide moral support, but to dump him with an entire other job as soon as he walks in the door would just be wrong. I have listened to so many women lately complain about their lives, their husbands, their children, the bible study we attend, other members of our Chapel, you name it I've had to listen to it. Then it occurs to me, I did this, I made these people think they should be comfortable telling me these things.
Also, DRAMA. Raise your hand if you enjoy DRAMA.
Ok, why can't we just bake a cake for someone when they need it and move on with life. How come everything is everyone's business??? People create their own drama. Women, create their own drama. I'm guilty of it, too. But it is something that I am quickly growing very tired of. Sometimes I just wish I could hole up in my house and not deal with anyone. Mostly because I am so sick of the stupid things that people say.
No, I'm not pregnant...LOL Seriously though, I truly believe that Paul really had something when he said for us women to be quiet. We're so quick to defend that. Why don't we WANT to be more like Sarah, Abraham's wife?? What was it that was said about her, that she had a quiet and gentle spirit? I find myself longing to be in the company of a woman with a quiet and gentle spirit. Where is she, Lord? Where is my friend that I can learn from, you know, the one who's spirit is quiet and gentle, so quiet and gentle that also is her tongue????
Where is JUNE?? You know JUNE CLEAVER?? The one who always had a smile on her face, who laughed at her kids instead of yelling at them, who packed sack lunches everyday. Said goodbye at the door fully dressed and her hair done? Our worship has changed too.
What happened to that generation where we actually cared about being decent people. Whatever happened to the Christians who worshiped our Lord through dance and song? Who lifted their hands to the sky in unabandoned love and adoration for our LORD?? Church doctrine is not the truth, you know. Sometimes, it may be BASED on truth, but there is only one Truth.
Sorry to completely vent. But I'm a little frustrated at the Christian women I am surrounded by. Where is our servanthood? What are we loyal to? Cause I seriously doubt it's God.
Adrienne's cake!!


I suppose she loved her cake so much that she wanted to put her face in it!! She kept asking us, "Can I put my face in the cake?". So she did, 3 times she dunked her face into the cake and icing. She had cake all over the table, floor and us! It was a lot of fun though. *huge grin*
Adrienne's birthday

Adrienne's birthday was great. She was SOOO surprised when she came home from school. Daddy had decorated the house AND made his first birthday cake!! It was good, too! *grin* We were proud of his work and Adrienne just loved the decorations, the cake and her presents. She is always a blast to watch. *smile*
Colorado



It snowed! Yep, it snowed while I was in Colorado. It was the coolest thing I had seen in a long time. It was different snow than the Kansas snow I saw a few years back. This snow was soft and billowy (is that a word?). Anyhoo, it was so neat. We watched it come down from the top of the mountain across the valley and sweep 3 inches over us in a matter of an hour. The Army/Air Force football game was played at the Academy in Colorado Springs in 3 inches of snow. Not a big deal to them, but was neat for me. We didn't get to actually watch the game, but the Army coaches were staying in the same resort that we were staying in. By the way, Army won, 27 - 24. We heard it was a great game.
Anyway these pictures are of the snow when it was on it's way down the mountain. Enjoy!!
Nov 10, 2005
I did it Again, huh?
Great!! It was SOOO great! I learned a lot about worship, the diversity of the women in the Chapel and how to work with each of them. It really was quite a weekend!
Today is Adrienne's birthday. Wow. I just can't believe that she is six years old! She is so beautiful and so funny. Always cracking us up. Happy Birthday Adri. I love you!!!
Oct 8, 2005
Welcome Home!!
So the kids and I all went to bed. The older girls couldn't sleep because they were excited about him coming home so they ended up all piled up in my bed. Somewhere in the middle of the night I woke up to see a man carrying Anna across the room. I freaked out and did what all good mothers would......I froze. Then I heard her talking and it certainly didn't sound like she was being kidnapped...*laughing*. It was Sunnydale!
He had landed in San Jose after all and taken the shuttle back home. So nice of him. *sigh of relief*
It's nice to have him home. We've just laid around the house all day and played with the kids. We've all missed him so much!! The girls made cakes for him and decorated them all by themselves. So we had cake for breakfast. LOL
Work is going well. I so LOVE this job! It's a nice mixture of complexity and simpleness. Sometimes I can't help but to laugh that I'm actually getting paid to do what I do. But hey, I'm not complaining!
Sunnydale Jr. Had a slight setback with the potty training since he started daycare, but when I picked him up yesterday he was dry and had been doing great all day! Since then we haven't had any accidents. Let's hope he's getting settled now into a routine. It isn't everyday that he will be going so I think once the girls get off fall break from school everything will go back to normal.
I'm going to post some of the pics my Dad sent me from their trip down to Biloxi, MS to help in rescue/rebuild efforts. I'll have to do it tonight, my family is calling! ~
Oct 1, 2005
*Cheer*!!
Sep 26, 2005
Beautiful Day
I have to say though that my little Sunnydale sure is missing his Dad. He keeps asking me where he is and I tell him he's at work right now and he says "no he's not, he's singing". Then we all just laugh, cause he sounds so sweet when he says it. Not a lot going on over here though. Just trying to get settled in and do homework. This week will be a really busy one, but I'll try hard to post every day.
Sep 24, 2005
Georgia
The girls are still sleeping. Sunnydale Jr. woke me up this morning exclaiming his need to "go potty". I was pretty excited about that. I've been working really hard with him daily to get this potty training business down. He's been doing wonderful. I've bee so shocked because all anyone tells me is that I should wait because he won't do it until he's 3. I'm sorry, but I have no desire to be changing 3 year old diapers!! So we have a system, sort of, because he changes his request almost on a daily basis. *grin*, sometimes he'll get a sticker, sometimes he'll get a frozen Gogurt, other times he wants to draw, it depends on his mood, I guess.
Hope everyone in the path of this Hurricane Rita is ok. I'll try and write more later
Sep 21, 2005
Job prospects??
Anyhoo, other than that not much happened today. Adri was home today from school. Feeling slightly "under the weather". She's fine though and will definitely return to school tomorrow. *grin* I'm outta here for the night. Actually tired and am going to bed early.
Sep 19, 2005
My hair's testimony
Anyhoo, tomorrow at PWOC I'm supposed to share my testimony. For those of you inside the box, your testimony is your story on how you came to Christ. *wink* I thought it would be nice to hear some of your testimonies. So you can post it here, or email it to me and I can post it for you. Thanks!
I don't have any plans for today. Just laundry. *rolls eyes* Story of my life. *grin* I'll post tonight if something really exciting happens to me today.
Sep 18, 2005
Wasabi Vs. Pepto



DON"T RUIN MY NIGHT WITH STOMACH PROBLEMS!! *haha* Just kiddin, This picture is during a wasabi attack. I know a few of you out there have experienced Sunnydale during his wasabi moments. For those of you who haven't, wasabi is this green paste like stuff that you mix with a little bit of soy sauce. It makes for an intense and painful flavor on sushi. *laughing* Hey, it's free entertainment.
**Note from Sunnydale**
Acid free dates, I'm sure, are a lot more fun.
****Back to me****
Anyhoo, Let me advise that if you know you've been having stomach problems then be prepared. So maybe in two years Sunnydale will try taking me out again. I have a feeling it'll be a while. *sighs, rolling eyes*
Of course, had we done what he wanted and gone to a play down in Carmel, it would have been a much nicer night. Karma, right? LOL
Sep 16, 2005
Purple tomatoes, Penguins, Nemo and Seaweed
I enjoy them so much. However, I really enjoy my time at night. They all go to bed at 7 and I go to bed around 11 or 12. That gives me 4-5 hours at night to clean, or just sit and be quiet. (yes, Sunnydale, I CAN be quiet) *wink*
Anyway, so sometimes I just crack myself up. Actually, that can be a problem, because most of the time I get a bigger kick out of myself than anybody else does. *rolls eyes* It is sad occasionally, to think that the people around me are not having as much fun as I am. *sigh* So, I came home today, with a cell phone in my hand. I looked at Sunnydale and I said "don't be mad". He took one look at me and then at the phone in my hand and I could tell this wasn't going to be a pretty conversation. "I got a phone". ****slow motion**** "Y--O--U G--O--T W--H--A--T?? Instantly I knew that this was not going to be one of those 'forgiveness is easier than permission things'.
You see, we gave up cell phones, cable, all kinds of things 3 years ago, so we could be financially free. It has been nice, too, I must say. To not have all the bills that most people have. Including our truck payment we have 5 bills. That includes, phone, car insurance, those normal things. Anyway, so 6 months ago, we added television back in. But it hasn't changed life much.
Back to the topic, I stood there phone in hand waiting for him to get his full reaction out. Which didn't exactly happen. I saw the look on his face and had to give up the truth. I could tell that this was one of those times where my kind of humor probably would only be fun for me.
My friend Tracy gave me the phone. Nice gal, huh? She sure did, it's one of those pre-paid phones. So we just have to register it and put some $$ on it and we got a phone. No contract, no $70.00 cell phone bills. *cheer*
He was relieved that I hadn't signed some kind of life altering contract. I think it's a serious concern of his that one day I'll sign our lives away to something. Although I can't figure that out because I don't recall ever signing a contract for anything. Except maybe that little paper that waived the insurance for our household goods that were in storage that one year......Then when rain ruined all we had, I was in a teeny bit of trouble for that one. *sigh*
Overall, today was a great day. Sure to precede a terrible day tomorrow. I've got my root canal in the morning, and Anna's parent teacher conference at 1pm. 30 minutes after I get out of having my mouth ripped apart.*ACK* Isn't that a joke??? LOL
Sep 14, 2005
Caught

Well now, I wasn't going to bring this up. However, considering the fact that Sunnydale already thinks I talk too much, I figured what have I got to lose?. *grin*
Now, my husband is a perfectionist. If given a task he will complete it usually 250%. It's in his nature. It's just who he is. He sees the bigger picture.
As most of you know, Sunnydale leads the praise and worship team at church. Like most everything else, he's efficiently effective. *grin* They practice every Sunday night at 7pm. This past Sunday was no different.
As Sunnydale was leaving, Adrienne wanted to go with him. So, being the awesome multi-tasker that he is, he told her to come on.
Well, they were gone for a while and I got the other tenants fed, bathed and in the bed at 7:30 pm. I was in the laundry room *yes, I was doing laundry* putting clothes in the washer when I heard the front door open. After a few minutes, Sunnydale joined me in the laundry room. He looked pretty disappointed. So we talked for a while about why his day had gone the way it had. He picked on me because I had thawed out ground beef then decided that chicken was healthier, so I wasn't going to cook the ground beef. Sunnydale decided he was going to make hamburgers. He had been home for about 45 minutes. By now it was 9pm.
So at 9:30 pm, Sunnydale had taken 4 POUNDS of ground beef and made 5 **yes** 5 hamburgers. They were more like hambookies than hamburgers. Just picture in your head the huge cookies they sell in the mall. Eww.
Anyhoo, the phone rings and I answer it. This is how it went...
Ring
"Hello?"
"Christi? It's Heather"
"Hi, Heather! What's up?"
"Where is Sunnydale?" (sounding slightly frantic)
"Umm, right here, why?"
"Because I've got Adrienne here at the church, he went home without her"
I look up at Sunnydale and say...
"Adrienne's WHERE??"
You see, I was doing laundry *clears throat* and it took him a while to come in the laundry room with me. So I assumed *and yes, I do know what assuming does* that he had laid her down in her room when he came home. But I was wrong. Very wrong.
He had left her at the church. From 8 pm at night until 9:30!!!!!!
Now, before you laugh and think it's no big deal, there is more.
A couple of weeks ago, when Sunnydale was working nights he met us at church Sunday morning. He led the Praise and Worship and then came and sat down next to me.
A friend of mine brought her granddaughter to church that Sunday. Nine weeks old, she is the cutest thing. While Sunnydale was singing I leaned forward and asked to hold her.
Ok, So Sunnydale came and sat down next to me. He looked at Marissa, the baby I was holding and asked if he could hold her. I said sure! He smiled at her then asked me why I changed her clothes. I just sat there and looked at him. It only took a second before it registered that he thought this baby was Abby!!!!!
So, much to my chagrin, I am leaving in November for Colorado for 4 days and I'm supposed to be comfortable that when Sunnydale comes home with our kids, IF he comes home with our kids, they will be the right kids. *sigh*
*laughing* Sunnydale ;) I love you.
Sep 13, 2005
Drugs anyone?
"Pull my tooth!"
"no"
"Shoot me"
"no"
"pull my tooth, please???"
"no, I don't extract permanent teeth unless it is a dire emergency"
"There is going to be a dire emergency if you don't take some action"
"do you really want me to ruin your mouth for life?"
"no, smart eleck, I want you to make it stop hurting"
"Ok, I can do Friday morning at 10:15, you'll need to be here for 2 hours."
I sat there dumbfounded. FRIDAY??? This was yesterday (Monday). Um, did I mention that I felt like crying and passing out, and I was beginning to weigh my options about whether you'll really pass out if you hold your breath??
"Friday? Are you joking? This is Monday!"
"It's the earliest I can see you"
"What am I now? A hologram?"
"Mrs. Hyde, I understand that you are in pain, but the earliest I can see you to take care of the tooth is Friday morning. However, I will prescribe to you a pain killer that will help until then."
"umm, ok. Thanks"
To make a long story short, the pharmacist says I shouldn't take this medicine if lactating *rolls eyes*, Can't drive while on this medication, can't consume caffeine, need to eat to avoid nausea and vomiting (did I mention it's a toothache?) and last but certainly not least, This medication will make me sleepy, so if I work or take care of children I shouldn't take it.
*sigh*
I may not make it until Friday
Sep 8, 2005
Peaceful

Isn't it fun to watch a sleeping baby? Abby fell asleep on the couch so I couldn't help but take her picture. Her little pig tail sticking up. It's so hard to believe she is 8 months old now! In the midst of all the chaos around the world, she sleeps full of peace knowing that she is loved and taken care of. That speaks to me during this time in our country. To see all the sadness right now, yet it is possible to know that we are loved, by our Father, and that we are taken care of. It's hard to remember sometimes that even though we fight the battle, the war is won. But it is. A simple, yet profound truth.
So I went to Starbucks this morning glad to have caffeine pumping through my system. *grin* Sunnydale informed me that we cannot take stock out in Starbucks. Even though personally I think I would find a certain satisfaction in knowing I was contributing to the world of caffeine addicts. I did forgo the pastry and I also got a nonfat mocha w/ no whip. Even though technically it still has 2 grams of fat, the original mocha has 22 grams of fat!!!!! I'll go ahead and consider this progress. Okay, well, thanks to the stress from worrying about family with the aftermath of Katrina and all, I have successfully organized quite a bit of the parts of my house no one ever sees. Like the storage room downstairs, the junk drawer in the kitchen, the top of the fridge etc. You get the idea. Because my house is almost always CLEAN, I have learned over the past few years that surface clean and deep clean (like, storage closets, under beds things like that) are two completely things......*rolls eyes* So now, the task is to DEEP clean. *whew* Think I'm going to go have another coffee. *grin* Just kiddin, Sunnydale. ;)
Okay Sarah, I'm waiting to hear how classes went on your first day of Grad. school. Hope it all went well. I have complete faith in you, though. Not one doubt that you can accomplish this with flying colors.
Onto the land of Tide city of.....whites???
Sep 4, 2005
Kids Helping Kids...



Yesterday our kids and some of the neighborhood kids made a lemonade stand. They sold, candy, lemonade and Promise Pins. When we were all done and packed up the stand, 6 hours of sitting out there produced a total donation of $340.00!! We're doing it again next weekend. I was so proud of the kids. They did an awesome job. We are also going to call some of the local dealerships and see if they want to match our donation. Great job kids!
Sep 3, 2005

My neighbor came up with this great idea to make pins to show our support for the people in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. She came up with this pin and is calling it a "Promise Pin". We made 49 of them last night and are selling them at our Lemonade stand this morning for $3.00 each. I think this is going to end up being a huge hit. The rainbow and the dove are obviously significant of God and His promise to all of us.
Hats off to Texas and all they are doing to support all these people. Let me know if you are intrested in us making some of these pins for you or for people in your area!
Sep 2, 2005
Helping Out
South Huntington Church of Christ
Hurricane Relief
P.O. Box 1399
Kosciusko, 39090
OR
Gateway Church of Christ
245 Brent Lane
Pensacola, FL 32503
Thanks for any and all help!
Sep 1, 2005
Talked to family
That's all for now, I'll write more later.
PS = She said that the lines are more open in the middle of the night, like when I called her. So if you're trying to get in touch with someone try calling in the middle of the night. ALSO - when I call my Mom, it tells me that all circuits are busy.... But if I hang up and call 3 to 6 times in a row I finally get through. Although this hasn't worked for my Aunt in Laurel, I sat and hit redial for an hour and half yesterday thinking at some point I'd get through, but it didn't work. Anyway, it's worth a shot to call in the middle of the night.
Hope everyone is safe.
Aug 29, 2005
Katrina
I've stayed up most of the night. I suppose it's different when you've got family in harms way. I've flipped back and forth from The Weather Channel, MSNBC and Fox news. I fell asleep for a little while on the couch (Sunnydale worked last night and came home around 5:30 am) filling Sunnydale in here and there late last night. He called his brother at 1am their time. I talked to his mom who is in Baton Rouge around midnight. I am most concerned about New Orleans and the Biloxi/Gulf Port area. So many friends down there... JD, we're praying for you guys. Dee you too! Tommy, I'm not sure of the location of the town you guys went to for the weekend, so I hope you all are safe. My Aunt and Uncle in stayed in Laurel hoping that it wouldn't get too bad. I've just been so worried about everyone. My Grandma is in Vicksburg praying also that the worst of it won't head her way. Mom and Dad are in Grenada. All those tornadoes that will hit Mississippi and Alabama before it dissolves slightly and heads into Tennessee, just to produce more tornadoes. I'd rather go through an earthquake than tornadoes and a hurricane. Plus, half the earthquakes we've had out here, I somehow have been oblivious to. *rolls eyes*.
I'm logging now, back to the TV. Praying for safety for everyone down there.
Aug 26, 2005
Trivia...
Which state has the longest coastline? Alaska
Which state has the greatest density? New Jersey
Which state has least density? Alaska
Which state grows coffee? Hawaii
Where is a diamond mine? Arkansas
Where is the driest state? Nevada
What is the wettest state? Hawaii
Which state grows the most food? California
Which state has the shortest coastline? 13 miles, New hampshire
Hijacked
I am slightly unhappy today because Sunnydale has hijacked my purse and won't bring it home to me. Why don't I go get it, you ask? Because he left me with the vehicle that has barely any gas. *sigh* When I questioned him this morning, he said something, I vaguely remember, something about him telling me to get my stuff out of the truck last night because he was taking the truck today and that he has hijacked my purse as a learning experience for me. *crosses arms* How rude.
I say that I am slightly unhappy because there is an up side to the story. After realizing that he was wrong and that I needed my purse today for important reasons, he has written the following apology to me...
Dearest Christi,
I am so sorry for hijacking your purse. You are right, if I want to use your truck I should transfer all items for you to my car. I realize that this is a huge inconvenience for you so I have come up with a solution. Tonight when I come home, I will fix dinner for you. After you have eaten and had dessert, I will clean up the dishes while you take a bath. I'll get the kids ready for bed too, while you go on to bed early. I am so sorry for the stress I caused you this morning. My intent was for you to learn to remove your purse from the truck. However, I have learned a more valuable lesson. I have learned that when I want to change your routine, then I should provide the necessary tools to make it the easiest transition possible. Removing your purse would have been an easy task for me, because I had no children hanging on my arms preventing me and also because I always have your best interest at heart. Because I know that your happiness is a reflection of me.
Love forever,
Sunnydale (by P.O.A)
;)
Aug 25, 2005
Land of Tide
But at least it proves me wrong, to an extent, about whether or not these wives are even wearing pj's.
So I'm starting an adventure today. Sunnydale has decided that I need to be more organized. * shocked * I very simply was surprised at hearing that. I've tried explaining to him that when he's not here, the house stays clean, the laundry is kept up....But for some reason his presence just voids it all. Can you believe that he didn't believe me??? So he gave me a place to start. The girls bathroom. When he said that I was excited. Because the girls bathroom is already clean. Cheer! Then he said, "specifically the linen closet". My excitement sunk as I had forgotten about the linen closet hidden behind the bathroom door. "Oh, that", was my reply. "What do you want in it?", "Linens!" he exclaimed. Ahh, the proverbial thought that just because you have a linen closet you have to have linens in it. *rolls eyes* How very traditional. And here I thought we were going for the non-traditional way of life.
So I am prepared to put linens in the linen closet. There is one catch though. And something tells me that he knew this. Digging the sheets, towels and blankets out of the hampers and washing them is probably the first thing he had in mind. So here we go, back to the washing of laundry. *sigh*
*hamper in one hand, detergent in the other* I am ready. What are you laughing at? If I showed up at your house right this second would all your laundry be washed??? So laundry isn't my favorite thing, these are....
1. Butterflies
2. Hazelnut coffee
3. The color red (not the bright red, but the rich, darker red)
4. Reading (romantic stories without all the "in the bed" stuff)
5. Writing
6. Cooking (I was blessed with a hubby who will eat anything)
7. Sunsets
8. Turtles ( My favorite one my Dad gave me when I was a kid, it's made out of sand)
9. Sun catchers
10. Flowers. Preferably daisies, but I love all flowers. NOT flower bedspreads, or curtains, but real flowers.
I'm off to the land of Tide, city of Linen.
Sweet Abby

Aug 24, 2005
G.I.
The original meaning of this term, G.I, for American soldiers and their gear is somewhat obscure. It is commonly thought to stand for Government Issue or General Issue. In fact, it originally stood for Galvanized Iron. A G.I. can was a metal trash can. During WWI, German artillery shells were called G.I. cans.
Sometime during the 1930s, the idea that G.I. stood for government or general issue sprang up. During WWII, this idea took hold among the general populace and became a reference to anything having to do with the American military--especially common soldiers.
But while the origin may originally be galvanized iron, that origin lacks the humorous punch that propelled the phrase to stardom. The sardonic idea that soldiers were issued by the government instead of being born is what made the idea catch on.
Kimono Boy

Grandma Carole went all the way to Japan and brought back a Kimono for the littlest man of the family. He loves it!
Met the teachers, met the parents, regretted lack of caffeine
Sunnydale comes home from work just in time to pick up Adrienne and take her to this open house thing at school. She's so excited because he will meet her teacher and see her classroom. She's mostly excited about him seeing the journal she's been working on. They get in the class and they are looking at the journal.
There's a picture she drew of Anna, Mommy, Adri, Abby and Sunnydale Jr., there are more pictures of Anna, Mommy, Abby, Adrienne and Sunnydale Jr., as they get closer to the end of the journal, she picks up on the fact that she's left Daddy out of her pictures. She quickly rectifies the situation when they get to the last picture and she exclaims "That's you, Daddy, but I couldn't draw pants, so I just drew a dress".
Personally, I rolled when I heard this. I can see the humor in it. I think Sunnydale was ready to forget about the Army and be a stay at home Dad. LOL I have to say though, that even though he's got long hours, he's a great Dad. Going above and beyond to make sure the kids know he's there for them and that he loves them. Although sneaking behind my back and teaching Abby to say "da da" first, I have to say was an all time low.
Met some of the parents of the kids in Anna's class. Let me tell you, that was an eye opener. Made me want to hang upside down by my toenails. This one parent who clearly had issues when she was a child at school just would not stop talking. I apparently was misled, because I thought we were there to meet the teacher, not the parents. But after a ten minute speech about why the teacher should rotate the children so they won't become part of a "clique". I was ready to pull out the duck tape. Honestly, I think it would have been fairly easy to bring her down with the support of the other parents. *sigh* Thankfully, I had my diet Dr. Pepper so all I really heard was " Mahnamahna,Mahnamahna,Mahnamahna".
Ok, so JD said that if I fed Chester creatively he would do what ever I want. All I'm going to admit to, is that it didn't work. No more will be said about it for a while. At least until the neighbors have time to recover and I get the feeling back on the left side of my body.
Aug 23, 2005
Sarah and Gilmoreisms
I know you have it. You told me you have it. I can't stop thinking about it. Let's be great friends. You make a copy and send it to me. And I'll never again single you out on my blog.
Aug 22, 2005
Chester
She asked Sunnydale to make her laugh and after a very brief moment of thought he says "BOO!". She's like, "Dad, I asked you to make me laugh, not scare me". I couldn't help but laugh because that's Sunnydale for you. His idea of fun, something that would make him laugh, smile, feel good, is a rush of fear. *shrugs* He just doesn't understand why we don't laugh in the eye of danger. *grin*
Some of you know about our family member, Chester, and some of you don't. I try not to talk about him much for fear of making him feel more at home than he already does. Ten years from now when he's still trying to sit on my lap, I might feel a twinge of love for him. I'm careful to make sure that doesn't happen. Although everywhere I go, he's right next to me. I think I might have already given him the wrong impression which would explain why he looks at me with those brown eyes the way he does. It's a problem that is growing bigger and bigger every day. He's eating more and more, constantly talking to me, and never sleeps. It's an issue that Sunnydale and I disagree on. Mostly because Sunnydale thinks Chester is his soul mate. Quite a strange pair if you ask me. But they do have a few commonalities. *wink*
Anyhoo, Sunnydale feels that it' s vitally important to be raised with a dog. So I let him have one. When I get done raising the former, I'm not sure what he'll do with the latter. Much to my chagrin, he'll probably keep it.
"Chester" is a 7 mth old Pug puppy. Whose life mission is to NOT obey anything I say. Especially when it comes to going outside to use the bathroom. Just the other day I told him "Outside, Chester, go potty" to which he replied "look lady, I don't see you going out there to go potty while I stand and watch you at the door". *rolls eyes*
The things us women sacrifice to make our husbands happy. Of course, Sunnydale is the one who insists that it is I, who should leave the toilet seat up for him. *laughs* Silly man.
Fear
It's vastly different than when we were students at MBC. It seems like we were sheltered from the world when we were there. At least that is my opinion. Because this is the real world. When you are constantly challenged in what you believe and why. Here and now, I have to be able to explain why I believe what I do. I think I've been most surprised by people who can't tell you the answers to that.
I have been so deeply challenged that there was a time when I feared death. I feared the possibility of hell so intensely, that I regretted ever being born. Don't get me wrong, I didn't want to die, no suicide. That's just it though, I was SO afraid of hell, just the severity of it all was so scary, that it only seemed logical to me to wish for non existence. If I never existed, then hell wouldn't even be a possibility. Because never in a lifetime would I be good enough for heaven. Does that make sense? Because I just didn't understand. I didn't understand God's grace. I still struggle with the fact that I will never fully comprehend it. That it's all about faith. And faith without works is fruitless.
Ok, so the fumes from the laundry soap have gotten inside my head...lol Although once I fixed the dryer you'll be proud to know that I did 8 loads of laundry. Yes, 8. Don't gawk, a family of 6 puts out a lot of laundry. :) Til later...
Aug 21, 2005
PS
No, that did not occur to me
After I chalk it up to something I can do nothing about I move on to add clothes to the washer (after swearing on my life that I'll time the dryer myself and take the clothes out in 45 minutes) and realize that something weird is going on with the socks and underwear. Only to my surprise (of course) does it occur to me that Adrienne's socks and underwear are all doubled. As in, she's wearing more than one pair at a time. I call her in to ask about it. She very nonchalantly replies, well, It's the only way I can keep Anna from borrowing them.
*sigh*
Going into Battle
Aug 20, 2005
Thoughts
Some of you know about my journey down the path of the VW. (for those of you who don't it's the Virtuous Woman, the Prov 31 gal) She and I had a conversation and it went something like this.
Excuse me Mrs. VW, but do you ever get everyone ready and in the truck, or carriage, and set off down the road only to find that your hair is still up in the towel from washing it earlier that morning? And when your children rise and call you blessed, how do you get them down? When you consider a field and buy it do you suggest talking this over with a husband that may not approve of the purchase? When you brought your husband food from afar did you also find a fast acting antacid or medicine for food poisoning? When you kept track of your checkbook, were you ever surprised when your husband expected it to be for the current month?? Were you always dressed like royalty when you went out, I mean, you never wore your pajamas to take the children to school? And Mrs. VW when you spoke with wisdom and faithful instruction, you never experienced athletes mouth? I suspect also that by not eating the bread of idleness that included the sweet rolls? You know Mrs. V, I simply have to turn my "lamp" out at night. I tried leaving it on and my husband couldn't sleep, then I failed 2 verses at once...she brings him good, not harm and her lamp does not go out at night. And once I set about my work vigorously and tore a hole in my daughters jeans pulling them from the washer.
My, oh, my. The intimidation of you. Every day I try in my quest to remember your attributes. It seems that in some way, every day I fail. I provide quite a bit of laughter for myself and others, however, maybe a bit of grief for my husband. He lovingly puts up with me. However maybe that means that the verse that says you laugh at the days to come, I have conquered. I definitely do that.
Mrs. V, I do hope that one day I'll be more like you. So people will see Him, through me. *sigh*
Your loving sister,
Christi
The Spanish Gardener
I was so proud of her for trying though. It's been a lot of fun learning Spanish here. I've been surprised at how much fun it is to be able to speak a different language. Although we know more phrases and numbers, things like that than actual words to be put together in a sentence, over the next 2 or 3 years here I suspect our Spanish will improve even more. We live in such a fun world full of opportunities to do new things. I wish more people took advantage of that. Well, I should go now and attack that laundry....
More tree pics

We have won in the battle to save the tree. It is now alive and thriving. *cheer* It appears that you have to actually water the thing to keep it alive. Apparently wanting to water it and actually watering are two different things. *rolls eyes*
Watering the tree

Anna was watering the tree until Sunnydale brought his cup outside because he wanted to help her. She graciously filled his cup up with water and they both watered the tree. :)
Aug 19, 2005
14 in 18 year old body (brain included)
Being a military wife can have it's high points. Like when I was Mayor, that was a pretty cool year. Or when I have been coined by a high ranking officer for doing something great *rolls eyes*, things of that nature. Always makes me feel good because there are so many opportunities to be involved. And I have loved that part of being a military wife.
I have to say though, being a military wife and being a Drill Sgt. wife are two totally different things. All of a sudden I find myself in a more delicate position. For those of you who know me well, will probably laugh at this. Me, in a delicate position? No more throwing the kids in the car while still wearing my pajamas to take the girls to school. It really isn't fair. I go to the school and I see all these privates wives taking their one child to school looking like they are going to Prom at 7:45 in the morning. I mean for real ladies, get with the program. Isn't it about comfort????
Ahhh, but life isn't comfortable is it? At least most of the time it doesn't seem that way. I suppose however that if it were, then we'd all be in our pajamas and quite frankly, I'm beginning to think that some of these wives may not even wear pajamas. *shudder*
Also, I have to really be careful what I say and to whom. If I complain about the 6 loads of laundry and 2 weeks of dust sitting in my house, I could be talking to some privates wife who's husband just failed an important inspection because MY husband told him his socks were incorrectly folded. *grin*
Of course Sunnydale is falling over with embarrassment right now, it's all about being real right? Although really, the laundry load is probably more than that and I dusted this past Saturday. LOL
I got some great pics of the kids watering my tree today. I'll post them in a little while. Until then...
Aug 18, 2005
Fit for a King...

We are very proud of our Drill Sgt. Daddy. It's been a long journey to the point of DS land, but well worth the wait....the hat plus the boots adds at least 6 inches to Sun's height. *wink*
This one's for you babe. LOL
Happy Birthday!!

Hailee Erin Johnson
Born to Robert and Jamie Johnson
On: 8/17/05
@ 9:03 P.M.
7 lbs. 3.2 oz.
20 1/2 inches long
Birthed Hailee,Lost Victoria, found the chocolate....

Ok. Where to begin? My best friend Jamie is in labor as we speak up in Redding. So hopefully this time tomorrow I'll have a pic of my sweet little new "niece". Hope everything is going ok, Jamie.
So, today while I was on the phone with Sarah, I noticed that Adrienne was heading up the street with this little girl I had never seen before, Victoria. I called out to her for her to come home. She started to run back so I came in the house to get Abby. A little while later I asked Anna if she had seen Adrienne and of course she said "Am I my sisters keeper?", no seriously she said, no. So I said, be a doll and run outside and see if you can find her. She comes back in and says she can't find her. So I go out there and call her. No Adri. I'm thinking to myself, "self, if you were Adri where would you be". Adri has a tendency to be in a practical place yet still get into trouble.
So I'm calling and calling, no Adri. I start to get worried and I send Anna up the street to look for her. No Adri. The neighbor girl goes to the park, no Adri. I go to the other neighbors, the ones who are always making me feel like a terrible mother( "what do you mean you don't watch your kids play outside, or watch them in the bathroom, what do you mean you don't sleep on your kids floors in case they might fall off the bed and get hurt....those kinds of people) I reluctantly knock on the door and ask "yeah, um, you haven't seen Adri have you" thinking to myself "when I get my hands on her......" Of course they have not seen her, with a look of sheer concern that I have been allowed to breed.
The mother of Victoria comes driving down the street, she asks, have you seen my daughter? I'm like Alfalfa..."the sky opened up and God said, I hate you Christi", I said, no, but I believe she's with mine. Uggg.
She drives off and says if you see her send her home. I'm on the verge of calling the police and this woman is as calm as a pond in summer. I go in the house to get the phone to call the police and I scream for Adrienne one last time. (it hadn't occurred to me that she may be inside the house). I hear this voice say "what?" ADRI!!! "Ma'am?" "GET DOWN HERE RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!!" I was so excited to see her that I couldn't be mad at her. I send Victoria outside and her Mother drove back by and got her.
I looked at Adrienne and said I can not believe this! I was going to call the police! She looks up at me confused and replies, Why are you mad at me? I was in my home. What did I do wrong. It was then that I realized that she was correct. No one had called for her inside the house and when I finally did, she answered. *sigh*
I noticed this evening that Victorias Mom was driving around the neighborhood for 15 - 20 minutes. Slowly. Very slowly. Maybe she lost Victoria again. But I checked, and Adrienne was asleep in her bed.
Whew. What a day. I was so proud of myself because I remembered to pick the kids up at 12:55. Seeing as how they are having half days on Wednesdays. I know I will forget them one day. I certainly hope not, but it's a true concern with the brain that I have. *grin*
Well, I definitely think I should go to bed. The little people upstairs will appreciate it I'm sure if I can manage to remember who's lunch to pack in which bag tomorrow morning. Sleep tight!!
Aug 17, 2005
Boys will be boys....
Today was a really long day. Tuesdays are long with PWOC in the mornings. Today I didn't get home until almost 1:00. Then by the time I got Sunnydale settled and Abby down it was almost time to go get the girls from school. I was so exhausted today too. Sunnydale was sooooo sweet. He told the kids gently to let me rest. When I heard that in my already semi conscious state, I completely relaxed and slept for almost an hour!
*cheer*
We have PWOC Sunday this sunday. So we're doing a skit and singing a song. Getting up in front of a crowd like that isn't my thing. Sometimes I feel like since it IS Sun's thing, people assume it's mine too, but it isn't. I'm more comfortable in the background...running things. *joking*
So I decided to take out stock in Starbucks. Clearly their caffeine is worthy of my weekly contributions. So why not? What do you think, Sunnydale? *grin*
I suppose I should be logging now. This was a bloggity day for sure because of the PWOC class. Which, by the way, I think it went really well. However, I'll have to write about it more later. Because my eyes are beginning to cross.
So I'm going to bed with the hopes of being more of a Mary and not so much a Martha tomorrow.
night night
Aug 16, 2005
If pictures could talk...

Just a trial run to see if I can actually figure out any of this stuff without destroying important things on this computer. *slight grin*
We had a family pic taken a couple months ago with Sun's brother, Chris, and his wife and child. While we were at it we thought we'd get the kids pic made. Well, Abby wasn't too keen on the idea so she figured best she could do is make it memorable. Just like one of our children. *grin*
I love it though.
Aug 15, 2005
California Dreamin'
Today was a weird day. Sunnydale is working nights this week, so he's trying to sleep during the day. Ha!! Hard to sleep with kiddies running around playing. Even though Anna and Adrienne are at school, we still have Sunnydale jr. and Abby home.
Sun's Aunt Teka, Uncle Todd and Grandmother came to visit us this past weekend. We had a good time. They bought the girls these red feather boas, you know, the ones that you sling around our neck. WOW! Red feathers ALL over the house. Gotta love it. Good times, good memories. *grin*
Ok so for those of you who haven't been keeping up with us, Sun is a Drill Sgt. now out here in Cali. It's absolutely beautiful where we live. If you look one way we've got mountains and the other way you can see the ocean forever. It's breathtaking.
Anyway, Anna bridged over tonight from Brownies to Jr. Girl Scouts. *cheer* I am so proud of her. She's such a bright and beautiful little girl. She's overcome so much in her small life. I think she's great. It was fun, she got to actually walk over this little bridge and the older girl scouts met her on the other side. The older girls pinned her and she thought that was way cool. I got pics, I'll try to post them soon. I am really quite excited about this year in Girl Scouts. Her troop leader seems really nice and very well organized. I have a feeling it'll be a great year.
Adri is supposed to be going into Brownies, the troop that Anna just came out of. Although I think I'll wait and put her in a different troop. That one was always so unorganized, and the troop leader isn't the nicest person to be around. Not by any fault of her own I suppose, but just that way by nature. Ok, well, I'll logging now.