Update on Sofie. . .

Sofie is the 6 yr. old daughter of a friend of mine and is suffering a stage 4 Wilms cancer of her kidney.  They got good news yesterday and this particular type of cancer does well with Chemo therapy.  Sofie started her Chemo yesterday.  Their doctor told them that all of the cases she has treated were successful.  This gives them great hope.  Cindy posted on the Caring Bridge,  "Thanks be to God".  She also was very thankful for all of her "prayer warriors".    I like that term.  We are prayer warriors.  We battle evil every day in prayer.  So thank you to all of my friends and folks reading my blog for praying you can tell God is working this Thanksgiving season.  Even though we know he never stops, it so nice that he lets us be privy to his work sometimes. 
I got to see Cindy yesterday and I have to say that was one of  the hardest things I have ever done.  It seems so simple, go visit your friend at the hospital.  It is so much harder than that.  I wanted to be strong for her.  I did not want to loose my cool and blubber like a big baby.  She is the one going through this turmoil, I should be able to hold it together.  I did ok, I broke down a little.  I guess when it is your child going through something like that, the Lord gives you that unmeasurable strength you hear about.  Cindy has a strong faith and I know the people that are around her also have that faith as well.  I could see it in her.
Please continue to pray for Sofie, Cindy and their family as they continue Chemo and recovery.

As Thanksgiving is fast approaching. . .

As Thanksgiving is fast approaching, we are getting ready for our Thanksgiving eve Lovefeast at Church.  I am so proud of my boys.  Jack will be reading scripture during the service and they both will be ushers for the service.  I am so proud because they have taken a keen interest in our Church and the Lord this year.  This is something I have been praying for since the beginning of the year.  It is part of "The Power of  a Praying Parent."  I am truly thankful that I am able to see them grow in their faith. 
They are also participating in our Christmas program.  Jack is a Sheppard named Grumble.  HA HA HA!!  you can guess how his character is going to act.  Thomas on the other hand has chosen not to have a speaking part.  Thomas will be singing with the choir.  He really does have a great voice. 
You all know I will be in a puddle. 

Sick children

It is so easy to complain sometimes when we are bothered by our kids being sick with the average cold, runny nose or pink eye.  But then God steps in and shows you how lucky you are.   Unfortunately it is at the expense of someone elses child.  I am guilty of this, I am the first one to say I am guilty. 
My friend Cindy posted that her little girl Sofie has just been diagnosed with a tumor on her kidney and tumors in her lungs.  She posted so that all of her friends could pray for them not so people could feel sorry for her.  Cindy is an amazing woman and has great faith in the Lord.  I am posting this so that all of my friends and anyone else that reads my blog can pray for little Sofie as well.
I am a firm believer in the power of prayer so I am asking anyone that reads this to please pray for Cindy, Sofie and their family. 
Sofie had surgery today and will begin chemo treatments as the rest of us are beginning our Thanksgiving Holiday.    The chemo is to shrink the tumor so that it can be removed at a later date.  For those I have already told and are praying now I thank you very much.  

Pink Eye. . .

Pink eye, Really?  Yes, Thomas has Pink eye.  Came home from school and said Mommy my eye feels like someone threw sand in it.  I asked, "Did they?"  He said no and continued with I need to go to the Doctor.  Now, when my 8 year old requests a doctors appointment there is something wrong.  While sitting in the middle of Dantes' seventh layer at the Middle school car rider pick up line, I made Tom an appointment.  They both have appointments for the flu shot tomorrow.  We go to the doctor and not only does he have pink eye he also has the beginning of an ear infection and is running a low grade temp.   He cannot get the flu shot due to the temp.  They give him oral antibiotics for the ear infection and eye drops for pink eye. 
Have you ever tried to put eye drops in the eye of a squirmy,screaming,whining 8 year old?  It is not fun and the bad part is you have to do 2 drops 4X a day.  HA HA HA HA HA!!!

Football is over. . .

We took a hard loss today.  Jacks' team played one of the undefeated teams in our League today in the play offs and we got beat.  He took it really hard since this is his last year to play county football.  He was very upset and to add insult to injury he took a hard hit to the head at the end of the game.  He is ok no lingering side effects.  I am going to keep an eye on him though.  You know me, the worry wort.  We are sad, but glad we are done with this season.  We will get a week break and then on to Basketball for Jack and wrestling for Thomas.  Thomas has decided he wants to compete this season in wrestling.  Not sure if I am ready for that or not.  They have good coaches and he enjoys it so, I guess he will compete. 
Jack will be playing basketball with the 7th and 8th graders because of the way his birthday falls.  Not sure how he is going to feel about that. 
I guess you can call me a court side and a mat side Mom this season.  Still don't know if I am ready for this wrestling stuff though.

Thanksgiving. . .

I have seen several people doing 30 days of Thanksgiving on Facebook and that is cool.  With today being Veterans' Day I would like to thank all of our Veterans.  When I was younger and we celebrated Veterans' Day I always thought of old men.  My Uncles all were in the War and fought on air craft carriers and destroyers and my Dad was in the Navy during the Korean War.   Today when you think of Veterans you have to think about men, women, and mere children.  I guess I am old.  There are some Veterans that are younger than I am.   I am old.
I am very thankful for our Veterans, some of the boys I went to High School with are Veterans. I am very thankful for all of our Veterans both young and old.
So here's to all of the Veterans,  Thank you!! 

Football. . .

Jacks' team made the playoffs.  Yeah!!  I am very happy for them.   They play Saturday at 10 am and it is going to be cold.  They play the best team.  This team went 6-0 and they are big and mean.  I am worried about poor Jack, he plays quarterback.  Mark says his position is merely a ball distributor.  Some of the parents were complaining because Jack was playing quarterback and Mark laughed because all the glory goes to the running backs not the quarterback in this offense.  But for those dads' that think the quarterback is the most important part it was a sore subject.   They actually use three different boys to take the snap on different plays.  So Jack really only is the "quarterback" for a small amount of the time.
Any who, back to my concerns.  There is one kid on the team we play that is huge!!! and he is good too.  Our kids, for the most part, are afraid of him.  The other teams have told them how big he is and how physical he gets with the opposing team. 
Just pray nobody gets hurt on Saturday.  That is what I will be praying for and that we don't get beat too bad.  I would like for us to make a good showing.  I would really like for us to win, but I don't see that happening.  It is not that I don't have faith in our team.  I just know the reputation of this other team.

Caution Mom going to brag a little. . .

The boys got their report cards today and I am so proud.  Jack made all As' and one B that is very close to an A.  He made his B in math, they are doing pre-algebra in the 6th grade.  Thomas made one A and the rest Bs'.   He is very close on the Bs' to being As'.  They are both very happy and so am I.  Thomas was touch and go there in the beginning so I am very happy. 
Jack made a deal with Thomas that if he made the AB honor roll that he would give him his ipod shuffle.  Jack just got a new mp3 player for his birthday this year so he is willing to give the ipod away.   Tonight after dinner we had the "passing of the ipod" ceremony.  The boys also get $10 each for good grades. 
Thomas has struggled this year and probably will struggle more but he is sticking with it and has decided he needs to study a little more.  Thank goodness.
Jacks' homework has picked up in the last couple of weeks.  At first he had no homework and now we are doing something everyday.
Thank you  for letting me share my good news.

Knitting. . .

I am a part of our Prayer Shawl knitting ministry at my Church.  I am a beginner knitter.  Sorry for the bad grammar.  This is a group of women that knit shawls and squares for our sick, elderly, or anyone that may have lost a loved one.  We knit the shawls and squares and our Minister delivers them when needed.  We have only been doing this since the beginning of the year.  We have given many shawls and squares to people.  The squares are small knit pieces, almost like a pot holder, we call them prayer hugs.  We use these for kids and men.  The kids and most men would not use a shawl per say, but they can hug and hold a prayer square.  We also have lap shawls for the men as well.
As these items are made they are prayed over by the person making them.  Once they are complete the group  prays over them too.  We get together a couple of times a month to talk and knit and enjoy fellowship with one another.  Those of us that are beginners get help on our shawls where we have made mistakes and so on.  We also get advice along the way on how to do better the next time.  I am so glad to be a part of this ministry.
I learned to knit from my niece when she was in High School.  She is now in College. She and some of her college friends made baby blankets and took them to a local Hospital.   She inspires me.  I am excited I am almost finished with my shawl I have been working on for a while.  I knit very slowly.  We have thrown around the idea to make prayer scarves for our youth for Christmas.  That one is still up in the air. 

Football

Yesterday we had two games.  Jack played at 10 and Thomas played at 5.  It was so cold at the 10 game I was covered from head to toe.  I looked like I was preparing for nuclear winter.  The kids even had on multiple layers under their pads.  Jack wore 2 under armor shirts and a t-shirt too. 
We had an injury to one of our better ball players.  He broke both bones in his wrist.  He had to have surgery and pins put in that day.  It was very sad.  We were wining by 2 points at that time.  Our kids really came together and worked  as a team to win that game.  The sad part about all this is the way the other team behaved.   You try to teach your kids good sportsmanship and general good Christian behavior and it is so difficult at times because you have to battle others that are supposed to be adults and role models for the kids.  After our player was hurt Jack came off the field almost in tears because he was so mad.  I could see him talking with his Dad on the field and Mark said you go tell them what he said.  I knew then someone had said something ugly on the field.   I had no idea who or how ugly it was.
While our player, with the broken wrist, was laying on the ground after the hit the other teams' coach stood over him and said, "Take that number 8".   That was what Jack heard and he was mad.  Now I ask you, what kind of example is that setting for his team?  Why would an adult say that to a child laying on his back screaming in pain?  Why?  None of our coaches would have done that and I can say that with complete certainty.  Our coaches would have been checking to see if he was ok.  Not taunting him.
I am saddened deeply by this display.

The Octagon House?

Went out to eat on our way to pick up pumpkins in Virgina.  While we were waiting on our food Mark and I were talking with the kids.  Thomas says, "Mom I really want to go to Washington, DC."  I asked him why he really wanted to go.  He replied, "I want to go see the Octagon House."   Jack pipes up and makes a comment thinking Thomas is really referring to the Pentagon.   Jack says, "it's the Pentagon not the Octagon."  Jack began laughing.  Thomas goes on to tell why he wants to see the Octagon house and explains what it is.  He said it was the most haunted place in Washington, DC.  Mark then takes out the trusty Blackberry and googles the Octagon house.  Mark begins, "the Octagon House located in Washington, DC is the most haunted place in Washington."  We all laugh of course because Thomas is correct.  He gives a big "SEE" to Jack and we laugh again. 
The Octagon House was built for the Tayloe family back in the 1800's.  The house was first used as a French Embassy and later in 1814 was used by President and Mrs. Dolley Madison as their Executive home after the British burned the White House.
Two of Tayloes' daughters are said to haunt the house as well as Dolley Madison.  They say at times you can smell lilacs.  That was Dolley Madisons' favorite flower.  The daughters both died in the house quarreling with their father over boys.  They both fell over the balcony of the spiral staircase.  One of the ghosts appears  a crumpled figure on the floor at the bottom of the staircase the other a light that goes up and down the staircase.
We found all of this information by Wikipedia.  Thomas had all of this information because he had  been reading about different things in history.  I am so glad my kids like to read.  If they didn't I might not learn anything cool.

A funny thing happened to me on the way to school. . .

The kids are off to a fine start in school this year.  I was concerned for them both at first.  Jack moving to a new school and Thomas getting a teacher I was unsure of.  Jack is loving life at the Middle School.  He thinks he is something else getting a locker, changing classes, going to PE ect. . .   I guess he is since I did not do those things till I was in the 7th grade.   I was worried he would feel overwhelmed at all the changes but instead he is flourishing.  I am so glad.  He also had a Birthday this month  the BIG 12.   He has more pocket money than I do now. 
Thomas is now in the 3rd grade and is doing very well also.  I met Toms' teacher and she is wonderful.  I was concerned at first because I did not know her.  After our meeting for "Making the Grade"  I realized she is going to be a perfect fit for Thomas.  Their personalities should work out very well.  She is very funny too.  A little humor goes a long way.
Thomas has been coming home talking about a new friend, Trevor.  He has talked about how much fun they have playing together.  All I have heard for the past few weeks is Trevor, Trevor, Trevor. . .   While we are waiting in line to pick Jack up Thomas sees Trevor playing in the parking lot next to where we are at a standstill in line.  He says, "Mommy, Mommy, there is Trevor, can I go play?"  I said yes.   This routine continues over the next 2 days  while waiting in line to get Jack.  Yesterday when they got out to play in the Church parking lot Trevors' Mom got out and came back to talk with me.  To my shock, it was my friend Leann that I have not seen in quite some time.  Her daughter and Jack were the same age and took gymnastics together when they were only 2 or 3 yrs old.  Once Thomas and Trevor came along they cooed and oooed at each other in the strollers while we chatted and watched the kids do gymnastics.  We lost touch once the kids were no longer involved in gymnastics.  Now we have picked back up almost where we left off.   So a funny thing happened on the way to school, I found my friend again.

I'm back. . . Have not blogged in a while but here we go.

To summarize things since last we talked. . .  The kids are doing well.  They started wrestling this year and finished up baseball.  Both Thomas and Jacks' team finished 2nd in their division.   Jack pitched this year quite a  bit and did very well.  He struck out 10 kids in one game.  We were so proud of them both.  Thomas hit two home runs this year and Jack hit one. 
They did well in school too.  Jack will go to Middle School next year.  Kinda nervous about that one.  Thomas will be a third grader.  Wow!  I am feeling a wee bit old.  
We got to visit with Gee and Poppy this past week.  Went to see an Owls Game while we were there.  Those are always fun!  Both the boys did the dizzy bat race.  We got to see Team Japan.  They were coming in to play the Owls the next night and then on to Durham to play Team USA.   It was neat getting to see them.  The boys got a couple of bats that were broken during the game.   They got them signed by the players and I got a picture of Jack with one of them.  I will post it later. 
Marks' niece graduated from Western Carolina and will be going to Grad School in the Fall.    Yeah!!!
Oh, and we have a new puppy.  Her name is Basil, after the herb.  She is a Puggle, part Pug and part Beagle.    She is 7 months old now and finally potty trained.  Now to work on her manners.  She did well going to Gee and Poppies this week.  She rode in the front seat so pretty and quiet. 
My kids have also lost teeth like crazy since school was out.  Jack lost three and Thomas has lost two.  He lost the most recent one today. 
Will try to stay up to date now and do a weekly post.  Summer is going to be crazy this year.   The boys have several camps they are doing.  Check back to see what is going on.

PMS warning . . . .

Mark swears I have terrible PMS.   He said when we were first married and did not have the kids he used the mushroom defense.  He stayed real still and in the dark out of sight.  Then he said when Jack was born and starting to walk and be more mobile  he played the Jurassic Park defense.  That was when he stayed real still and did not make a move and let poor little Jack fall into the radar and then he would quietly sneak away.  I laugh about all this now but I must say I did have a problem.  I went to my doctor and told her that I wanted to scream just hearing the dog walk across the hard wood floor.  She wanted to prescribe medication for me of course.  I also talked with my sister and she said I should go to the gym.  I took my sisters advice over the doctors.   I found that on most days when I went to the gym I did feel much better and did not seem to get as aggravated at everyone for the littlest of things.   My niece says PMS stands for "prepare my shotgun."  HA HA!!  I liked that one.  I always said it stood for "putting up with mens' s*^+."  Well you get the picture.  My niece also says that everything that goes wrong with a woman starts with "men."  Menopause, menstruation, mental illness ect. . .  That girl is wise beyond her years.  
Oh, and Mark and I have been married 18 years in April.  HA HA HA!!  So PMS does not kill you.

Happy Birthday Thomas!

Thomas is 8!  He told me he has only 8 more years and he gets his drivers license and of course Jack chimed in to add, he only had 5 more years before he would get his.  After I picked myself up off the floor we all laughed about that one.  I am not ready for my kids to drive and I don't think anyone else is either.
  Thomas had a big day yesterday we went to Jacks' basketball game then to early dinner and then home for presents and cake.  He will have a big celebration today at his grandmas' Super Bowl party.  We all get together and eat way to much and of course the boys watch the game and the ladies play cards or dominos and enjoy the fellowship of family.   We will not only be celebrating Toms' birthday but we will also celebrate Marks' Moms as well.  She and Thomas have the same birthday. 

Thomas is all about nerf guns and army men these days.  He and Jack set up the army men and shot them with their nerf guns in the playroom yesterday.   Jack made Thomas a base for his army men.  He took one of my Pampered Chef boxes and painted it in a camouflage pattern and added some trees for cover.  This was Jacks' gift to Thomas.   I guess they are pretty cool kids if you can get passed the fighting and sibling rivalry. 

I have created a monster. . .

Actually, I have created two lounge lizards.  Both the boys got robes for Christmas and they love them.  When we had all of our snow they wanted to stay in their pjs' and their robes ALL day long.  I finally told Jack, "your name is not Hugh Hefner, you are not a millionaire, and you do not live in a mansion; so put on some clothes."   
Jack got an electronic monopoly game for Christmas too.  Later that week he wanted to have a family game night and wanted to play monopoly.  Anyone that has ever played a game with Jack knows he is very good at games especially ones that involve money.  We are all sitting at the table waiting on Jack and he comes down the steps in his robe.  He said, "Just call me Hugh Hefner."    (a side note to all parents Jack only knows the things I listed above about Hugh Hefner.  He does not know anything else.)  
Mark had played monopoly with Jack once before and he told me that he is either going to be a millionaire or he will be in the poor house.   He plays to win at monopoly and most everything else too.  I guess we all do.  It is just  funny to see it in our kids at this age.  My boys, they do keep things interesting.

Praying Moms. . .

There is nothing we cannot accomplish with God behind us lifting us up.    As Moms we battle daily with our children; whether it is bedtime, brushing of teeth, snack time, or watching TV and playing video games.  We spend our time fighting the devil at every turn.   Some say our time is spent in the trenches but after reading my first chapter of my new book it came to me, we should be battling the devil on our knees.   Prayer is our only option when it comes to him.   As Moms we owe it to our kids to pray for them but, what I did not realize is that we also owe it to ourselves.  It is amazing how much prayer can relieve our stress and anxiety.  It does mine anyway.   I have started writing my prayers down too, it helps me keep track of things plus once they are on paper I don't have them floating around in my head anymore.  I sleep better with this method. 
The book also says no parent is perfect and we do not have perfect children.  I was shocked, I thought mine were perfect.  Just kidding, sorry.   We are not perfect parents we are praying parents. 
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  Philippians 4:13

Praying Parent. . . .

I joined a Moms' prayer group a couple of months ago.  We meet once a month and pray for our Elementary school, it's staff, kids, ect. . .  We met last about two weeks ago and one of the Moms brought up a book she was reading called, "The Power of the Praying Parent."  We decided that not only would we meet to pray for the school but we would add a Bible study in too.  How cool is that?  There is nothing a group of Moms cannot do when we put our minds to it.  I have always been a big believer in prayer and it's power.  The month of March 1996 proved to me the power of prayer.  March of 1996 my world was turned upside down when my Dad (my hero) fell through the roof of our barn (between 17-23 feet) and was in the hospital for almost 2 months.  He was in ICU for 41/2 weeks and on a respirator for 4 of those weeks.  We honestly did not know if he would make it.  During this time God and I came to know each other on a first name basis.  I prayed every day sometimes for hours at a time.   My Dad is a walking miracle, and those are not my words those are the doctors words.  He has problems with his balance at times and his right arm gives him a bit of a fit too but he is 79 years old.  He turned 64 in ICU.  Dad had a crushed right arm which took  a 51/2 hour surgery to repair and a fractured hip and lacerated kidney. 
During this time I learned the power of prayer.  I prayed for so many things during Dad's time in the hospital.  I mostly prayed that God would let my Daddy come home to his family.
Months after Dad had come home he pulled me aside and told me that there was a time while he was in the hospital that he was at peace with his life and with God and he could have let go.  Then he said he thought about Mom and he could not let go just yet.  He said that God had saved him for a reason and there was more he had to do on this earth.  I am so glad that the good Lord saw fit to save him. I have learned so much from him and I am so thankful for every day.   My Dad and Mom have taught me a lot about God and prayer.  I am very thankful that I had praying parents and I want to give that same thing to my kids.
The book I mentioned in the beginning talks about being a praying parent.  It talks about how you have to pray for every aspect of your child's life.  I am so excited about this book, I have read part of the first chapter and I highly recommend it to any parent.  I cannot wait to get together with our other Moms and discuss it.