Well, actually it should read "Mama had a kidney stone...." since that's what's been going on around here for the last week or so. Those of you who either haven't born children yet or had yours under the influence of drugs should know that if you've had a kidney stone, you have indeed felt pain nearly the equivalent of childbirth. And while I am loath to become one of those individuals who is always lamenting her latest ailment, let me just lament for a moment. Ouch. And thank God for hydrocodone. And the sleep-inducing, pain-free state it results in.
And the no-waiting, five-star, spa-like emergency center, with its flat-screen TV, small fridge stocked with a variety of cold drinks, hot beverage machine and basket of snacks wasn't bad either. Too bad I didn't want any in my doubled-over-in-pain-condition. I would've stayed much longer, had they let me. I just hope we continue to have access to such joints when the new health care bill takes full effect.
Seriously though, since that first day I haven't had much pain, for which I am very grateful. It's hard to function on any level on pain meds, so I'm glad to not have had to take them much since the first couple of days.
But enough about my kidney stone; let's talk about my sciatica.
Oh, I KID.
I guess everyone is back to school; at least those of you for whom school is a part of your yearly calendar. For the rest of you, carry on without us. We have waded back into schooling; we're not quite up to a full load yet (although some days it feels like it), but we're getting there. (BTW, do you ever just want to get in a Winnebago and drive and drive and drive....? No? Me neither.)
Well, let's get to the business at hand. In keeping with my "stone" theme, I contemplated a "stone" memory verse, but then thought better of it as they didn't seem applicable to the rest of my life, and really, do I want to memorialize what I hope is a one-time occurrence in life? No, I thought not.
So, here goes. 1 Cor 15:58, NKJ, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."
Because some days I just need to remember that it's not for nothing....
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
It's Sunday afternoon and time for Verse 16
It is hot outside. Really hot. Like get-into-your-car-and-can-barely-take-a-breath-sweltering-hot.
Which makes me all the more grateful for air conditioning.
Speaking of air conditioning, Jack figures electricity is my love language. Maybe because I leave lights on all the time. I really am getting better at turning them off when I'm not using them; I'm making a concerted effort, honest, I am. (Also, they put off heat, and we've already determined that heat = uncomfortable, thereby making it easier to remember to turn them off.)
And we're informally counting the weeks until the first cool front wings its way southward. Now granted, it probably won't be a biggie, but any cool weather will be greatly appreciated.
Alright already, enough about the weather. (That makes me think of that line from the movie Beaches, where Bette Midler says to her friend, "Oh, enough about me. Let's talk about you. What do you think about me?")
So, what's on the agenda for all you out there in blogland? We are easing our way back into school. However, the key is not to ease for too long, so I'm going to have to kick it into higher gear next week, but so far our easing has gone well.
Well, while all the males of the family are enjoying John Wayne in Flying Tigers, I'll get down to business and post my verse before they finish and start asking for their next meal. Who knows, maybe I'll even have time for a rousing game of Spider Solitaire. Yes, I'm that lame.
I'm going to do Ephesians 2:6 NASB this time: "(But God) raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus..."
The concept of "who we are in Christ" is certainly not a new one. We hear it a lot in church circles, and I'm learning more about it - the depth and power of what it really means - lately. My prayer is that it will become revelation to me - not just head knowledge but heartfelt belief.
What verse are you going to work on?
Which makes me all the more grateful for air conditioning.
Speaking of air conditioning, Jack figures electricity is my love language. Maybe because I leave lights on all the time. I really am getting better at turning them off when I'm not using them; I'm making a concerted effort, honest, I am. (Also, they put off heat, and we've already determined that heat = uncomfortable, thereby making it easier to remember to turn them off.)
And we're informally counting the weeks until the first cool front wings its way southward. Now granted, it probably won't be a biggie, but any cool weather will be greatly appreciated.
Alright already, enough about the weather. (That makes me think of that line from the movie Beaches, where Bette Midler says to her friend, "Oh, enough about me. Let's talk about you. What do you think about me?")
So, what's on the agenda for all you out there in blogland? We are easing our way back into school. However, the key is not to ease for too long, so I'm going to have to kick it into higher gear next week, but so far our easing has gone well.
Well, while all the males of the family are enjoying John Wayne in Flying Tigers, I'll get down to business and post my verse before they finish and start asking for their next meal. Who knows, maybe I'll even have time for a rousing game of Spider Solitaire. Yes, I'm that lame.
I'm going to do Ephesians 2:6 NASB this time: "(But God) raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus..."
The concept of "who we are in Christ" is certainly not a new one. We hear it a lot in church circles, and I'm learning more about it - the depth and power of what it really means - lately. My prayer is that it will become revelation to me - not just head knowledge but heartfelt belief.
What verse are you going to work on?
Monday, August 2, 2010
A day late and a dollar short (and your August 1st verse)
I packed hubby and 3 boys off for a day of fun in the sun at Six Flags early this morning, and rather than going back to bed, which sounded like a really good option, I plan on hitting the gym instead. And when I say "hit the gym", I mean "set-the-treadmill-at-a-snail's-pace-and-watch-cable-on-my-individual-tv-screen". We did finally join a local gym on Friday, after thinking about it for eons, so I'm hoping to become a little more active then I've been. In fact, I went to an aerobics class on Saturday. Water aerobics, to be exact. Because I'm a maw-maw. (No offense to maw-maws everywhere.) I could feel a few of my unused muscles gently reminding me of their presence the next morning, so in spite of the fact that working out in the water didn't feel very challenging at the time, apparently I really was using some of them. Either that or it's an indicator of how long it's been since I exercised. Ugh. Scary thought.
On the bright side, I felt really young in that class.
Our summer fun is winding down. Jack and Sam and all the assorted and asundry Scouts survived their week of BSA summer camp in a very hot corner of Oklahoma....where the wind goes sweeping down the plain. Actually it was quite hilly and rocky where they were; no plains to speak of. Jack was kind enough to take a picture of Sam's feet, namely the line of dirt around Sam's ankles, so I could see for myself how dirty he got. Actually I expected worse; at least one of his t-shirts will never be the same and may be relegated to the rag basket. One of the first things Sam told me when he arrived home was, "I didn't brush my teeth all week." Oh, yes, we're all about the good hygiene.
Well, onto our August-1st-on-August-2nd memory verses, and, my, wasn't that a nice, smooth segue?
I don't have one this time. Nothing has jumped out at me and, to be honest, I haven't completely gotten my last couple down, so I'm going to use this two weeks as a review time.
Do you have a verse to share?
On the bright side, I felt really young in that class.
Our summer fun is winding down. Jack and Sam and all the assorted and asundry Scouts survived their week of BSA summer camp in a very hot corner of Oklahoma....where the wind goes sweeping down the plain. Actually it was quite hilly and rocky where they were; no plains to speak of. Jack was kind enough to take a picture of Sam's feet, namely the line of dirt around Sam's ankles, so I could see for myself how dirty he got. Actually I expected worse; at least one of his t-shirts will never be the same and may be relegated to the rag basket. One of the first things Sam told me when he arrived home was, "I didn't brush my teeth all week." Oh, yes, we're all about the good hygiene.
Well, onto our August-1st-on-August-2nd memory verses, and, my, wasn't that a nice, smooth segue?
I don't have one this time. Nothing has jumped out at me and, to be honest, I haven't completely gotten my last couple down, so I'm going to use this two weeks as a review time.
Do you have a verse to share?
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Short and sweet, Verse 14 (July 15)
Ugh. Sickness. It has visited us this week. Thankfully we are at the tail end of it and we will prevail.
In the meantime, it's July 15th already and time for another verse, so here goes....
2 Cor. 9: 10 NIV, "Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness."
In the meantime, it's July 15th already and time for another verse, so here goes....
2 Cor. 9: 10 NIV, "Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness."
Thursday, July 1, 2010
July 1st; 13th Verse
I'm sitting here with blogger's block, and since I can't think of anything particularly inspirational, I'll just give you an update on our life.
We just got back from a great doctor's appointment. (Hmmm, those are words one probably doesn't get to say very often!) Sam needed a camp physical before he goes off to Boy Scout camp this summer, so in true procrastinator style, we got it in just under the wire. I really liked the doctor - a fellow home schooler who practices out of their home, and goes to our church as well. How cool is that?
Swim team ended with our End of Season Fajita Feast on Sunday, and while it was a great experience (everyone can swim now!), I'm glad it's over. It was two months of what felt like non-stop activity. I'd like to assume that those families whose kids are in school, soccer, Little League, piano, and other activities ad nauseum were somewhat used to it (I'm sure they would beg to differ); I, on the other hand, have to confess that there are days when we don't go anywhere, and that don't even require me to get out of my pajamas if I don't want to (and let's hear it for staying in our pajamas all day - woohoo!), so being somewhere everyday was a change from our normal routine.
Last night was our final session of the Breaking Free study at church. It was a good one. (But aren't they all?) Next on the agenda is Ruth: Loss, Love & Legacy by Kelly Minter. Are y'all in a Bible study this summer? For this one, we were supposed to characterize our current season of life in one word. Boy, talk about a difficult assignment for a group of wordy women (although I challenge you to find me a group of women that aren't); we then shared one specific goal we had for being in Bible study this summer. I find that I, and therefore my overall life, seem to function better in general with the structure that comes from a Bible study format; that's my story, and I'm sticking to it.
And I'm done updating. You can wake up now.
Today's rain, courtesy of Hurricane Alex's outer bands, thankfully nothing severe, is preventing any outside activities, so some bickering, the usual complaints of "I'm bored", and repeated requests to watch TV are going on. I'll resist...for a while...and save my TV bullet for a little later in the day. And hopefully today I can catch up on some of the laundry that has piled up, at least enough so that I no longer have to send the boys digging in the nearest basket when they need something to wear. I would also like to do some planning for school...which, also hopefully, will start sooner than later. The boys will be thrilled.
Before I forget, here's my verse:
James 1:22, 25 NIV, "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.... The (wo)man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what (s)he has heard, but doing it--(s)he will be blessed in what (s)he does."
Obedience brings blessing.
We just got back from a great doctor's appointment. (Hmmm, those are words one probably doesn't get to say very often!) Sam needed a camp physical before he goes off to Boy Scout camp this summer, so in true procrastinator style, we got it in just under the wire. I really liked the doctor - a fellow home schooler who practices out of their home, and goes to our church as well. How cool is that?
Swim team ended with our End of Season Fajita Feast on Sunday, and while it was a great experience (everyone can swim now!), I'm glad it's over. It was two months of what felt like non-stop activity. I'd like to assume that those families whose kids are in school, soccer, Little League, piano, and other activities ad nauseum were somewhat used to it (I'm sure they would beg to differ); I, on the other hand, have to confess that there are days when we don't go anywhere, and that don't even require me to get out of my pajamas if I don't want to (and let's hear it for staying in our pajamas all day - woohoo!), so being somewhere everyday was a change from our normal routine.
Last night was our final session of the Breaking Free study at church. It was a good one. (But aren't they all?) Next on the agenda is Ruth: Loss, Love & Legacy by Kelly Minter. Are y'all in a Bible study this summer? For this one, we were supposed to characterize our current season of life in one word. Boy, talk about a difficult assignment for a group of wordy women (although I challenge you to find me a group of women that aren't); we then shared one specific goal we had for being in Bible study this summer. I find that I, and therefore my overall life, seem to function better in general with the structure that comes from a Bible study format; that's my story, and I'm sticking to it.
And I'm done updating. You can wake up now.
Today's rain, courtesy of Hurricane Alex's outer bands, thankfully nothing severe, is preventing any outside activities, so some bickering, the usual complaints of "I'm bored", and repeated requests to watch TV are going on. I'll resist...for a while...and save my TV bullet for a little later in the day. And hopefully today I can catch up on some of the laundry that has piled up, at least enough so that I no longer have to send the boys digging in the nearest basket when they need something to wear. I would also like to do some planning for school...which, also hopefully, will start sooner than later. The boys will be thrilled.
Before I forget, here's my verse:
James 1:22, 25 NIV, "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.... The (wo)man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what (s)he has heard, but doing it--(s)he will be blessed in what (s)he does."
Obedience brings blessing.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
I'm tired...and June 15th Verse (#12)
My elaborately planned and thought out post for today consists of the following:
I've tried to convince them that we could reduce our dish and utensil usage by not eating, but they don't seem interested in that option.
Here are my verses:
Isaiah 26:3 NIV, "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You."
Isaiah 54:17 NIV, "No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me," declares the LORD."
Oh, I love those. There is nothing like His Word to fix what ails ya.
- stating how incredibly tired I am tonight,
- posting my verses,
- and did I mention that I'm stinkin' pooped tonight?
I've tried to convince them that we could reduce our dish and utensil usage by not eating, but they don't seem interested in that option.
Here are my verses:
Isaiah 26:3 NIV, "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You."
Isaiah 54:17 NIV, "No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me," declares the LORD."
Oh, I love those. There is nothing like His Word to fix what ails ya.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
11th Verse (June 1st)
The boys and I ventured out to the zoo on Friday. All I can say is...it was haaawwwt. And not in a Paris Hilton-way either. But it was fun to be out with my guys. We're looking forward to going back. In January.
This is our last week of afternoon swim team practice. Next week we'll get to experience the joy that is getting to the swimming pool at 8am. We had a "mock meet" last week, which was really good for swim team newbies like us. And I have to say that Michael was really cute in his "shark" swim cap, complete with little gray fin sticking up on top and grinning teeth along the sides.
It's been good getting to meet some of my neighbors. I guess it's about time I got out of the little hermit hole that is my house and joined my community. And, guess who's one of the moms helping with the concession stand and end-of-the-season party? Do you think they pegged that one or what? Cause y'all know I like to plan me some parties.
I think people underestimate the power of helping out. At its most basic, jobs have to be done or swim teams, Cub Scouts, you-name-it, can't run. But it's also a great way to get to know people and creates a sense of ownership and belonging. Sure, there are seasons in life when that's difficult to do and sometimes we need to just be able to drop off...but I'm learning that community won't come knocking on my door. We have to do our part.
All right - here are my verses...still from the Breaking Free study. We're just over halfway through.
Isaiah 46:9 NIV, "Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me."
Isaiah 54:10 NIV, "Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you."
I'd love to see your verses. Hang in there, you can do this; and if you haven't posted in a while, but would like to, feel free!
This is our last week of afternoon swim team practice. Next week we'll get to experience the joy that is getting to the swimming pool at 8am. We had a "mock meet" last week, which was really good for swim team newbies like us. And I have to say that Michael was really cute in his "shark" swim cap, complete with little gray fin sticking up on top and grinning teeth along the sides.
It's been good getting to meet some of my neighbors. I guess it's about time I got out of the little hermit hole that is my house and joined my community. And, guess who's one of the moms helping with the concession stand and end-of-the-season party? Do you think they pegged that one or what? Cause y'all know I like to plan me some parties.
I think people underestimate the power of helping out. At its most basic, jobs have to be done or swim teams, Cub Scouts, you-name-it, can't run. But it's also a great way to get to know people and creates a sense of ownership and belonging. Sure, there are seasons in life when that's difficult to do and sometimes we need to just be able to drop off...but I'm learning that community won't come knocking on my door. We have to do our part.
All right - here are my verses...still from the Breaking Free study. We're just over halfway through.
Isaiah 46:9 NIV, "Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me."
Isaiah 54:10 NIV, "Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you."
I'd love to see your verses. Hang in there, you can do this; and if you haven't posted in a while, but would like to, feel free!
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