Company Girl Coffee

I have missed linking up the past couple of months.  I’ve done some traveling and just been busy and Home Sanctuary has been pushed to the side.  My home has suffered as a result, so I am back and motivated!  It’s been a week that I have stayed caught up and I am determined to keep going this time!  I loved this task.  What fun being creative in ways to create change!  What was your favorite change?  I even gave myself permission to change my dinner plans!

Life has been busy!  Two girls in high school marching band means about 8 hours of practice a week, plus competitions (12-15 hour day on Saturdays) and weekly football games (another 6 hours).  One of these same band kids also does cross country (15-20 hours a week), plus classes starting at 6:45 a.m.  There is no “down time” and I can’t quite remember the last time either of these kids watched TV.  Our Wii has more dust on it than I’d care to admit to.  It is not uncommon for homework to be finished at midnight, leaving me with two girls who are slowly wearing out.  The good news is that band and cross country will both end at the same time, with the state XC meet being the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  It looks like our team will be participating, but the meet next Thursday will be the test.  Our daughter (Kaylie) has had her best season ever and we pray she stays healthy and uninjured for the rest of the season!

I have also launched my new Etsy shop – scroll down to the next post to see some of the goodies I have for sale!  If you’re in the market for a cozy baby blanket, let me know!  If you don’t see one that you like, message me and let’s see what we can find!  Coming soon…decorative pillowcases – a fun gift idea for all ages!

Have a blessed week!

Cheryl

Assumptions.

Yesterday, a friend's out-of-town relative came over to drop off her two young boys for me to babysit for a few hours.  The mother (actually, it's Grandma who is raising the kids) came to the door and proceeded to 'interview' me.  (Understandable.)  She started with, "Got any kids?"  "Yes, 4.  They're teens." (Teens seemed easier to say than "I have 3 teens and 1 20-year-old out of the house.")  "Ugh - I don't envy you."  "They're great - I really enjoy my kids."  The "interview" went on with me being told that they don't watch much TV, but then gave an extensive list of PBS shows that were acceptable [I would just like to publicly thank Comcast's On Demand PBS section.  Um, not that we resorted to it or anything.].

I was so put off by the assumption that having teens is misery.  I have worked hard to raise my kids so that I enjoy them...and that other people do, too.  And, for the most part, this has happened.  (YES, we have some of 'those days'...but so does everyone else!)  But really...I can honestly say I have enjoyed each stage of child rearing.  Some seasons (and some kids!) have been easier than others, but they have all been filled with experiences I wouldn't trade.

Now, better go find a new batch of toys since I am babysitting again this evening.  And I should take an Ibuprofen early. :)

Enjoy your kids,

Cheryl

Frightening.

I'll preface my pictures by saying this week is Homecoming week at Clovis High.  Today is "80's Day" and the first day DD#2 decided to dress up.  Her favorite 80's look is her dad's practice football shirt, so she asked him to pull it out (yes, I make him keep his 'treasures' boxed up in a cabinet in the laundry room) so she could wear it.  Of course, this meant that Hubby felt the need to try it on.  (We go through this ritual every October - either for Homecoming week or Halloween.)  Because I have nothing else to blog about, I figured I'd share these lovely pictures.  Yes, they are rather frightening.  The resemblance is spooky.  It MUST be October.

Blessings,

Cheryl

First day of School 2008

Two freshmen, one senior.  Something about seeing a senior drive off to school for her last "First day of school" kind of makes me feel old.  But how can I feel old when it also seems like it was about 3 weeks ago that I walked her into Mrs. Tsuchiguchi's Kindergarten class? How did it happen that my youngest are starting high school when I'm certain it was no more than six months ago that my husband and I brought these four pound babies home from the hospital?  When did my oldest grow up, moving out and starting a life of her own?

Why can't things slow down so I can enjoy every moment just a little longer?

I've been busy

First, DD#2 turned 17 and this is the best picture of her at her party:

(Next year I won't entrust my camera to a teen and count on good birthday pictures.)

Then I've been playing with quilt squares to make some Binkies:

Next, well, we are no longer the Last American Family to Not Own Video Games. We bought a Wii. And I love it. I am terrible at baseball and golf, but you ought to see me box and play tennis! No, not simultaneously.

Then I learned to can. I can. I can can. No, I don't DANCE. But I can now can. It's a messy process that leaves no counter space free.

But the finished product? 19 quarts of nectarines. Aren't they beautiful?! Stop looking at my broken tile. I know it's broken. And one day I will know what I want to replace it with and I will do so!

How did I accomplish it all? Diet Cherry Coke, of course! LOL

Prom(s) 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DD#2 & Daruk, Clovis High Prom ~ April 25, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DD#2 & Philip, Clovis East Prom ~ May 10, 2008

 

9:50pm

9:50pm phone calls are rarely good.  They are even worse when the first sentence is, "Your daughter has flipped her car."  Friday night was the worst night I've had since becoming a parent.  It was the night we got that phone call.  60 seconds after the phone call was over, hubby was in the car and headed for the accident scene while I stayed with DD#3 & DD#4, waiting for DD#3 to get home.  Caller ID allowed me to call back the person who called and talk to DD#1.  The sound of her voice was all I needed to hear.  "I'm OK, I'm OK, Mommy.  I promise.  I'm sorry."  It's unclear on if the car rolled (as DD#1 believes), or just spun and flipped at the end, but what IS clear is that our God had His loving, protective arms around our precious daughter every second.  Every responder told her that she was lucky to have walked away.  Very lucky.  We know better than "luck," and we give praise to God for His protection.  6 hours in the Emergency Room proved good news - a sprained ankle, a contusion, and a few bumps and scrapes.  'Lucky,' indeed.  Three days, she is doing much better and is constantly reminded that God has a huge purpose for her life.

 

It is no coincidence that Sunday's sermon was from Romans 8:28, "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."  He will use this to work together for good.

Drive safely.  Please.

Blessings,

Cheryl

$$$$ and 32 months later...

Picking DD#2 up from school to go to ortho appointment [approximately] #32.  She'd choke me if she knew I posted this.

I subjected said DD#2 to a "Before" picture.  We had to compromise when she wouldn't smile unless I was in the picture, too. 

"After" the braces came off.  (Hard to believe with this, but she's actually a great photographer when she can see through the lens!)

 

Oh how my girl loves her pretty new teeth!