Two update videos

First video is yesterday and second video is tonight after workman left. 

Great time to Order!

I'm loving my new job as a Trades of Hope Compassion Entrepreneur! I haven't been able to go 100% yet with school starting and our house renovations, but people get so excited when they hear about it. Now is a great time to buy because our new catalog comes out September 1st with new products and new prices. So if you want to save money, buy some beautiful products and make a difference in the life of a family getting out of poverty, go to www.tradesofhope.com, go to the store and click on my name in Texas. I'm loving sharing this with so many people. I know you will love it!

Another update...

Oooh boy, it has been a week here. I'm not really OCD about most things, but I do like to be organized and settled, especially when its the first week of school. But let me show you a video of our home this weekend, so maybe this is stage 2 of our redo?

Friday, some sweet ladies arrived and packed up my dining room and part of my kitchen (I have way too much stuff in that china cabinet!) The painters arrived on Saturday and painted most of the day while we were at two football games, and then came back Monday and Tuesday. Supposedly we are getting our floors on Thursday. I will take another video tomorrow so you can see the paint job and my new desk. I had  to pick a color for my bathroom and I knew I wanted blue, but its so hard to pick a color off of a little square. It looks great in the bathroom but I had them put the same blue on the bottom of the dining room walls and it looks hideous, but we'll have to fix it ourselves. That will come later. I am trying to take deep breaths and quote scriptures to myself about peace and contentment. Most moments that helps.

On top of that, check out what bad parents we are. Coop played in a select baseball tournament this weekend (who schedules a baseball tournament the weekend before school starts?) and it was supposed to be done early on Sunday, but because of the rain we had on Saturday, all the games were pushed back. His team played Sunday at 4, 6 and 8. We didn't get home until 10:30 and then had to have showers, so the night before the first day of school, my kids weren't in bed until 11. All of the moms were just shaking our heads, questioning our parenting skills, but what could we do? They won the tournament (they better have!) So here is a picture of my boys on the first day of school, 3rd and 5th grades, after not getting to bed until really late!

They don't look as tired as I know they were. I think they were running on adrenaline. They have had a great week so far though! Excited for their year. Hopefully things get finished soon at the house and we can get organized!

300th Post

I've been putting off writing this one because I was trying to come up with something meaningful and deep to be my 300th post, but its not going to happen. So just an update. That's about all I can handle this time around.

I don't take back my post on summer and how I wasn't looking forward to it, but maybe the Lord is laughing at me now that there is only a week left of summer and I don't know where it went and am not ready for it to be over. It has been the craziest, fastest summer that I can remember. VBS, my grandfather passing, my house flooding and Jason and Coop left for two weeks for London. The day they got back, football season started and our laid back summer was over, what there was of it. So in some sense I can't wait for school to start so I can have a few days to myself to rest, but in some ways I feel like my family never really had a summer, at least not together. My kids visited both sets of grandparents, more than once, and of course, Cooper had an amazing summer trip, but we didn't get to do much together. But it is what it is. We did go today all together to buy some school clothes, and I took a minute to really enjoy our lunch at the food court together. My kids are funny and fun to be with, so I guess its ok that we didn't take a summer vacation really and I didn't accomplish hardly anything on my summer goals list, but I just have to take in each moment that we have together and be thankful for them.

Other updates: Cooper is in the process of getting his mouth ready for braces on Sept. 4th. He had 4 baby teeth pulled yesterday, but seems to be doing fine with it. We got our foundation fixed on our house and have picked out a new vanity for the bathroom and new floors, but nothing has been installed yet or fixed, so we still have holes in the walls and concrete floors. I have had my first party for my new business with Trades of Hope. I just had a "guinea pig party" where I invited some close friends over to my construction zone of a house to hear my presentation and give me some feedback. It went really well and I'm excited to get started having some bigger parties. The big boys are both playing tackle football. They practice 6 days a week for the first 3 weeks and then games begin next Saturday. Cooper is doing great, practicing as quarterback but we'll see if that sticks. Cade is getting the hang of tackling, but its taking him awhile. I don't blame him, I don't want to get tackled either. Their select baseball teams both won the last tournaments they were in. So fun! And poor Campbell is just trying to keep up!

Speaking of, my sweet baby turned 4 last week. How did that happen!? Its so strange to be so relieved to not have a baby anymore and yet so sad to not have a baby anymore. I was fine the day of, but the night before he asked me to carry him to bed, and I realized it was the last time I was carrying a 3 year old to bed and I got a little choked up. He is getting so tall. He's really funny and smart, but he's also still more of a handful than the other two ever were. He's starting his last year of preschool. Craziness! I had a few people ask me last week if I was planning on holding him back before kindergarten. Have you met my child? He could probably start now except he would get in trouble all the time.

So one more full week before school starts, but with football, the house, orthodontics appointments, meet the teacher, etc, it doesn't look to be a relaxing one. But I will try to enjoy each moment the best I can.

Book Review of "Tidewater Inn"

Tidewater Inn is by one of my new favorite authors, Colleen Coble, and she did not disappoint me with this first book in the Hope Beach series. Main character Libby is an historical restoration specialist, and is horrified when her best friend, Nicole, is kidnapped while on Hope Island doing research for her. Right before the kidnapping Nicole gives Libby huge news that her birth father, who she thought had died when she was a child, only recently passed away and has left her a beautiful old inn on the island. Libby arrives desperate to find her friend, but is faced with being accused of the kidnapping and two new siblings who do not trust that she is there for pure reasons. She also meets a handsome man from the coast guard who seems to be helping her find Nicole, but she is not sure if she can trust his motives either. Throw in a hurricane, and it makes for an exciting escape.

I had a hard time putting down this book. Coble writing style keeps me on the edge of my seat and wanting more. I was rooting for Libby and hoping that everything would turn out the right way. Coble's description of Hope Island made me want to visit this place, and check in to the Tidewater Inn. Coble also does a great job of inserting Christian perspectives in her characters without it hitting you over the head. Pick up anything by Colleen Coble and you won't be disappointed.


 I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 

Step of Faith

I am now an official Compassion Entrepreneur with Trades of Hope. "What is that?" you might be asking. I am now able to provide you with beautiful accessories made by even more beautiful women from all over the world who are finally able to earn a fair living and provide for their families, getting many of them out of poverty, the sex trade and slavery. I have mentioned this wonderful company before on my blog back in May when my husband bought me a gift card and I purchased a necklace and bracelet. I fell in love with them and even more in love with this company and what they are doing around the world.

I have been approached more than once about getting into selling something with home parties and have never felt the desire or calling to. It seemed too stressful to me. I always told myself that if I was going to sell anything, it had to be something that sold itself, I didn't want to have to explain it. It had to be something that I didn't have to keep a large stash of it in my home. It had to be something that not everyone was already selling, and it had to be something that I loved! And I love it even more that its serving a purpose. I do hope to make enough money to buffer our bank account a little and make it worth my time, but I'm even more excited about helping other women make money for themselves, a fair wage for their efforts.

I have been praying about it and talking to J about it since May, and I've been so excited and had a peace about it the whole time. But I almost chickened out. I am honestly admitting I'm a little scared. I've never done this before. Its risking some money, not much, but some. And if I fail, I feel like I'm failing my family. I'm nervous to get out of my anti-social comfort zone and meet new people. And I'm nervous about balancing it with taking care of my family. But I realized that it has been probably 10 years since I have been scared to start something new, and doing something scared is an adventure, its taking a step of faith, its depending on God to help me instead of myself. I was reading some of my older blog posts where I talked about how I desired to live an adventurous life and I was jealous of other people who were. I know this isn't a big deal to some people, but its something new and a big deal to me. Its exciting!

I don't have my new starter package yet, but you can already go online and buy from me. http://www.tradesofhope.com/list-of-compassion-entrepreneurs.html  Click on my name in Texas and it will take you to the store where you can begin to buy amazing items that are helping families around the world live a better life. And when I get my stuff and get organized, I would love to help you throw a Party with a Purpose! I have opened a new email account for my business, so feel free to email if you have any questions about my new adventure. hopegadman@aol.com

The Little Blue Chair

When Cooper was a toddler, Jason's grandmother gave him this little blue armchair and I bet she had no idea how much pleasure it would bring him and the next two Gadman boys. Its been in two houses and either our bedroom or the den for prime TV watching. I think Campbell has enjoyed and used it the most. We've had it 10 years now, and it is NASTY! Its starting to fall apart and there are so many stains on it from food, accidents, and leaking diapers, but I just can't bring myself to get rid of it. Cade is sitting in it as I write watching TV. It will break my heart one day when I have to chunk it. I threw away the Blue's Clue potty seat last week and did not shed one tear. I almost wanted to have a party to celebrate, but the chair is different. Here are my favorite pictures of the little blue chair. My most favorite you will see is Cade sleeping in it. The really funny part is we were selling our house in Plano and someone called to come see it, but I refused to wake him (you never wake a sleeping toddler) so they walked right by him sleeping in that chair. They thought it was so cute! I don't think that's what sold the house, but I am sure it didn't hurt. My other favorite memory is the video below. Campbell taught himself how to walk using the chair. I have proof! Enjoy!

"Kisses From Katie"

I just finished reading Kisses from Katie, written by Katie Davis who lives in Uganda where she has adopted 13 daughters that she is raising on her own. She gave up her comfortable American life with a boyfriend and college to be obedient to the Lord and move to Uganda. She had no idea where the journey would take her, but I am so glad she chose to share it with her readers.

This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. I can't talk enough about how meaningful it was to me. Jason asked me if it was making me want to adopt, but that's not what I got out of it at all. Mostly I was convicted and encouraged about being a good mom. She describes each one of her daughters with such details about their personalities that it convicted me about spending more time with my three sons. She considers each mess she cleans up to be a blessing from the Lord. She still finds time outside of her home to minister to so many other people in the community and takes her daughters with her to show them how to be hands and feet of Christ. She says she is not a perfect mother, but her main goal is to teach her girls about Jesus both in word and deed. She gets so dirty, literally, as she parents and ministers to so many sick and messy people, but she never complains and considers each person she meets as an opportunity to be obedient to God. I am so selfish and spoiled. I want to live an adventure but am I willing to get that messy? Am I willing to sacrifice everything to be obedient to my Savior?  I don't know if I'm there yet. For the time being she has encouraged me to be a better mother. One step at a time.

Please read this book.

Huge Mess!

I don't want to complain. We have a house and we have home owner's insurance and not technically a flood like some people in other parts of Houston. I know we have a lot to be thankful for, but I would like to have a small pity party and let you all partake in the mess my house is in. There is no way to describe it, so here, for your viewing pleasure, is a quick tour of the downstairs of our home.

I'm sure you are saying, "Oh no, all that rain flooded their house!" Nope. Completely unrelated. Here's the story. Phase One: Monday, July 2, when we came downstairs in the morning and stepped on the laminate wood floors we heard a squeaking, squishing sound. We walked around for awhile and finally noticed water coming out of the cracks in the floors in our entry way. Great! It had rained a lot the day before so we assumed it was rain that came under the front door, so we decided to soak it up as best we could and then pray for a miracle that the floors wouldn't buckle. So all day I would walk by the spots and squeeze water out and wipe it up. We left the next morning for my mom's and the water was still there. We had no idea what we would come back to but assumed the water would dry up and we would deal with the damage when we got back.

We got back on Friday at 4:30, the worst time to get back. We came in and just as much, if not more, water came out of the cracks and indeed the floors were beginning to buckle. At that point we decided maybe it wasn't rain so we called our home warranty people and asked for a plumber to come out and called our insurance company to report the damage. The plumber comes out, and of course its the weekend now so its extra, and spends an hour looking all over our house and cannot find anything wrong with the plumbing. He's at a loss. Nice. He says to get the floors pulled up and dried and then maybe we could see where the water was coming from. So on Saturday, again the weekend so it costs extra, the water restoration people come out and begin to rip up the laminate wood floors that we worked so hard to put in ourselves 4 years ago. It was very painful to watch. The water line extended from the bottom of the staircase to the front door. We asked them to look at our kitchen floors because we saw a spot there that looked like it was buckling, but they said it wasn't wet and probably wasn't related. (Ha!) So they agreed it was rain water and set up 4 fans and a dehumidifier. Those stayed at our house until Monday afternoon. You would think the sound of fans would just be white noise but no, REALLY loud! Can't hear a thing.

At this point everyone has told us it was rain water so we filed a claim with FEMA, figuring they weren't going to cover anything, but it couldn't hurt to ask. They were scheduled to come out on Wednesday afternoon. We talked to our home owner's insurance adjuster and he said since the plumber said it wasn't plumbing there was no reason to come look because they don't cover rain issues. I began to panic at this point. Nothing is going to be covered and there is no way to repair the floors that are missing, we are going to have to replace all of the wood floors downstairs. And did I mention that when they pulled the floors up we see a huge crack all the way through the foundation? We thought we might be having foundation issues, but who doesn't in Texas, so we had avoided making that call. But it seemed like a good time so we've had one foundation estimate so far and the right side of our house is an inch lower than the left side. We need 18 piers. Cha ching.

Phase Two: Wednesday morning we come downstairs, and behold, a water spot at the bottom of the staircase! Not coming in the front door and it has been raining for three days straight and no water coming in the door! It was the most beautiful water spot ever! So we call the plumbing company back and they don't want to send him back out because he said it wasn't plumbing, they wouldn't send him back until Thursday and it would be a separate issue so another charge. I don't think so! I was proud of how I handled that call. Plumber was at our house at 2. Oh, yes, I see that its not rain. Thanks. He cuts a hole in the sheet rock under the staircase and it is full of water. But he can't tell anything. He cuts another hole behind the fridge, can't tell anything. At that point the FEMA adjuster comes by even though we had called and told him it wasn't rain. He walks in the kitchen and says "Can't you see the stream of water coming off the supply line to the fridge?" Thank you FEMA adjuster. The plumber isn't convinced that was enough water to make all that damage, so he cuts another hole in the bathroom. He then decides there is a leak in the toilet. He fixes the toilet, turns off the water to the fridge, and after two and a half hours and three holes in our walls, declares he "thinks" he fixed the problem.

Here is the funny, our God is humorous, part of the story. Up until this point I have been making all these phone calls, but I just couldn't make another one, so I give Jason the name and number of our insurance adjuster and ask him to call him back and make him come out and look at this mess before we go any further. He looks at the name and says he recognizes the name as one of the coaches from the last team Cade's all star team played a few weeks ago that ended our run. He agrees to come out and arrives on Thursday morning with another adjuster he was having a meeting with. Jason walks in from the garage and they both stop and stare at each other. It wasn't just one of the coaches, it was the manager of the team and he had been an ... well, not a nice person at that game. He began to profusely apologize for his behavior at the game. He was in shock that he came to our house and even said "This is from a higher being that I am here. I have felt so bad for how I behaved at that game and wanted to apologize." God is so funny sometimes! He says that everything will be covered by insurance once we pay our deductible! THANK YOU GOD! And he calls the water restoration people while he is there to come back out and test again for moisture. And then he started talking baseball again. The other adjuster said he has 3 girls and has no idea what they are talking about.

So the water restoration people come back out Thursday afternoon. This time the owner comes and immediately says he is going to rip out some of the sheet rock because it is already growing stuff. I show him the kitchen floors, that by now are really buckling and he says he will remove them too. I tell him that I asked the guys the time before to look at those floors but they didn't. He was NOT happy. So he ripped out all of the kitchen floors and half the dining room. The water went through part of the kitchen and that half of the dining room. He called for reinforcements and they cut out more sheet rock out of the bathroom. So the video above is after they left. Eight fans and 2 dehumidifiers. Craziness.

So ahead of us is first fixing the foundation, and then letting insurance step in. We've already had a floor guy out to measure and today a contractor to look at everything that has to be fixed. So the good thing is we'll have all new floors and new paint job and a new desk and bathroom cabinet. But its going to be a long journey to get there. The fans were picked up today so at least I can hear everything. I can cook on concrete floors but I could not function with those fans everywhere. The boys were at the in-laws for most of this fiasco, but they got back on Thursday. They are being troopers. Patience will be a virtue for the next few months I think. The floor guy and contractor lady (yes, lady) both said the baseball manager adjuster that came by is a big wig that usually doesn't even come out to houses. Hugh. Coincidence? I think not.

Book Review of "By Faith, Not by Sight"

Its no secret that I am an American Idol fan and love when people of faith make it far each season. I really enjoyed getting to know Scott MacIntyre during Season 8, but reading this book let me in on so much more of his life journey and I am even more in awe of him and his determination to succeed. By Faith, Not by Sight is his story of being born blind and learning how to not only survive but flourish with his disability. God blessed him with so many other gifts including his mind and his musical ability. But he was also blessed with a family who would go to the ends of the earth to help him become all that God intended him to be. They supported him not only through his childhood as he learned to live with his blindness, but as an adult when he was diagnosed with a life threatening kidney issue.
I was inspired by Scott's life, but was also encouraged by reading about all that his mother did for him. As a mother I hope I have the strength to do for my children all that Scott's mother had to sacrifice for her son. I was in awe reading about all that he dealt with growing up and how he didn't use his disability as an excuse to not work. He worked even harder than most people. As an Idol fan, I loved the last part of the book as Scott described his journey through Idol and how he strived to use that platform to bring glory to God. I would encourage any American Idol fan to read this book but also anyone who loves to read about inspiring people. Scott MacIntyre has an amazing journey that can teach us all life lessons.
I received this book from Booksneeze in exchange for a review, but was not obligated to give it a positive review.

My Pawpaw

My Pawpaw, Onnie Benjamin Cross, passed away on Monday, June 18th after a short illness. He was 92. He had fallen on the 9th and broken his hip, and had surgery on the 11th, but it was all to much for him. We had VBS that whole week, and my mom said there wasn't any reason to come yet, so I just prayed. On Sunday the 17th I decided I needed to go no matter what, so I booked a ticket for Monday morning and flew home. When I landed in Dallas for my layover and turned my phone back on, I got the news that he had passed in the middle of the night. It was really hard to hold myself together while still on the plane. He had been struggling with Alzheimer's for the last five years or more, so I was relieved in many ways that he was at home with his Savior and not struggling any more, but of course its hard to lose someone who has done so much for me.

A really strange thing happened on the Saturday before. Campbell asked me to get a bear out of his stuffed animal net in his room. He asked for this green bear that had a rattle in it. I about fainted. My Pawpaw gave Cooper that bear the first time he met him when he was just a newborn, and its been passed down from stuffed animal collection to the next. Campbell had no idea where that bear came from. But he carried it all over the house and slept with it for the next week.

My Pawpaw was brave. He served in the Marines for 4 years. I asked him one time why he chose the Marines over another branch of service and he said it was because he loved the uniforms more. He served with honor and dedication. He was stationed on the USS Phoenix on Dec. 7. 1941, anchored at Pearl Harbor. He didn't talk about it much, but it obviously was a life turning point for him because he had a clock in his living room for as long as I could remember set to the time the first bomb dropped. I did a report on him in school and I remember him telling me like it had just happened yesterday. When I think of how many men died that day and that my Pawpaw was unharmed I thank God for protecting him or my family wouldn't be here today. After getting his education at University of Texas, he spent the rest of his career working on Air Force bases as a civilian engineer. He loved the military.


My Pawpaw was generous. When I was little my grandparents would pay for me to go on trips with my aunt and uncle to see the world so I could fall in love with traveling like they did. When I turned 15, my Pawpaw gave me his car, an '82 Oldsmobile that I drove for the next 4 years, eventually having to staple the fabric ceiling back up, but it was a gift. I started college in it, but it didn't last long and died one weekend when I was home working. He loaned me his little gray station wagon for the weekend but when I tried to return it he told me to keep it. It was amazing how many people I could fit in that car through out college. When I started Seminary he generously paid my tuition so I could further my education.


My Pawpaw was gentle. He didn't talk a lot but when he did, we listened. He was quiet and calm. When I was sick as a child and my mom had to work, she would call my grandparents to come over and my Memaw always sent him. I realized later that was perfect because she would have been running around the house cooking, cleaning or talking on the phone. But he would just sit next to me and read his westerns. I remember feeling safe. I asked him to walk me down the aisle at my wedding and again, remember feeling so safe on his arm, but also laughing at how nervous he was to say his one line "Her family and I". 


My Pawpaw loved his family. When camcorders came out that was the best hobby for him. He came and filmed every soccer game my brother played, every recital I played or danced in, and every birthday party we ever had, even if it was embarrassing to us. Once a year or so he would come over and give us a box of VHS tapes, labeled and dated. He loved to make family trees and label every picture with names and dates. He loved when I brought the boys to see him. He was so proud to show his home off to them and show them off to his friends. He couldn't remember their names but I told him I couldn't get their names right half the time either.


My Pawpaw was funny. When I found out I was pregnant with my first boy, I had lunch with him and told him that I was going to name my son after him. He got a very scared look on his face and asked "What are you going to name him?" I said, "Benjamin Cooper." He smiled and said, "Oh good. Don't name that child Onnie. He'll get made fun of his whole life." When he started walking with a cane, he said he had it to beat the women off with. When people would ask him how he was doing, he would say "Well, I didn't see my name in the obituary this morning, so I got up." Even the nurses that met him in the hospital that last week, fell in love with his sweet, funny spirit.  


My Pawpaw was faithful. He was married to my Memaw for 43 years before she passed away in '87. And then married Margaret, and they were married for 24 years when he passed. And I can tell you, neither of them were the easiest to live with! Maybe that's why he was so quiet, gentle and calm.


My Pawpaw loved music! I didn't know that much growing up, but while at the Glen Retirement Center the last 5 years, he was known as the "Music Man" because he would play music on a little CD player in the common areas for the other residents. He took his job very seriously, changing out his CD's every hour. One time his CD player and CDs were stolen and he was devastated, could not understand how someone could do that. But he got another CD player and restocked his collection and kept going, this time locking them up at the end of the day. He loved to show my boys his CD player. He was so proud of it. I went through his collection the other day. I knew he loved Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and big bands, but I didn't realize he was a Kenny Rogers fan.


I could go on and on, but it feels good to introduce you to my Pawpaw. I will miss him so much. The last few years when I would go home to visit, when I left him, I always made sure I said a strong goodbye in case it was my last. I saw him last after Christmas, and am very content with my goodbye. It was a good one. We all did fine at the funeral, but at the graveside, a Marine played "Taps" while two more folded the flag on his coffin and gave it to my brother and that was very emotional. He would have been so proud of those handsome Marines there for him. I wish they could have met him. They would have fallen in love with him too.

Book Review of "Dawn Comes Early"

Dawn Comes Early by Margaret Brownley is the first in her series "Brides of Last Chance Ranch" set on a cattle ranch in the Arizona territory. Kate Tenney, a unknown and frustrated novelist, decides to try her hand at ranching and answers a notice advertising for a ranch "heiress." If she can survive working for the current owner, the ranch will become hers, but the work is harder then she anticipated, and she wasn't looking to fall in love with a local man. In the end, she has to choose between becoming a land owner and a wife. While making that decision she learns much more about herself then she ever expected.

It took me a little bit to get into this story because it was more of a western then I had thought it would be, but once I got to know the characters and really was pulling for the character of Kate, I couldn't put it down. Brownley does a great job of describing the characters and surroundings and I really felt like I was working hard with Kate as she woke at the break of dawn to get to work. And I struggled with her as she makes a decision about her future. The ending actually surprised me but I realized it was the first in a series and I would love to read the next one!

I received this book from Book Sneeze in exchange for a truthful review and was not required to give it a positive one.

Welcome to Summer!

I officially declared yesterday, June 25th, the first day of my summer. Yes, I know most of your summers started a month ago, but not mine. The first week of my boys' summer was the week before VBS, and since I was one of our directors, that week was busy with all the last minute crazy details of getting ready for VBS. Then the second week was VBS itself, very successful but tiring. And then last week my grandfather passed away (another blog on that to follow) so I spent the week at home with my parents celebrating his life. So last Friday was technically my first day at home with nothing important to do, but starting summer on a Friday just didn't sound right, so therefore, Monday June 25th started my summer.

The good part about that is that my summer is much shorter now! Back in May I made a comment on Facebook about how I had 3 hours of freedom left before I had at least one kid at home for three months, and I know that lots of moms were looking forward to spending summer with their kids, but I was not one of them. I got lots of implied (inferred?) flack for that. Some people commented that I should enjoy every minute with them because they grow up and then that time with them is gone. Yes, I understand and appreciate that and know that it is true, but it doesn't help right now. There were also some comments from home schooling moms about how summer isn't any different for them. Home schooling moms are saints to me, and God has not called me to that sainthood. Some people verbally told me they totally understand and feel the same, but they did it verbally, as if they were embarrassed to think that way. And then someone posted on her facebook page, not to me directly, but I got it, that she was tired of moms saying they weren't looking forward to summer with their kids when as a working mom she would like nothing more then to be home all the time and we should count our blessings. I do totally count my blessings that I can only work part time. I know its a gift, but again, that doesn't help when I'm home with 3 boys in summer and its 103 today outside, not counting the humidity, and because I don't have a paycheck in the summer, there is not extra money to go do fun things like water parks, etc. We also have one still playing baseball so he can't wear himself out during the day to prepare for his evening game. Maybe its because I have 3 boys. They are harder to come up with creative things for, at least for me who is not a creative mom. And even worse, 1 of the 3 is constantly moving, cannot entertain himself, and if left to his own devices will find something to get in trouble with. God has made me an introvert, I need quiet periodically to recharge, and that doesn't happen often in this house in the summer.

But it is summer, so time for some goals. That seems to help.
1. Clean out and rearrange the play room, again.
2. Fix my blog. I have lost my music and my slide shows recently, lots to fix.
3. Work on photo albums, not scrapbooks, just photo albums.
4. Come up with at least one fun, out of my comfort zone, thing to do with the boys each week.
5. Get the boys to read a book, or two.
6. Clean out toys that have been left in the dust.
7. Organize all my computer photos. Way too many!
8. Research starting my own home business. (I have something I want to sell, but I need to do some more looking in to it. For those of you who know me well, know that I have never wanted to sell anything, but I'm actually excited about this possibility.)

I know there were more, but now that I'm writing them down, I can't remember them. The picture at the top is a banner I made for the boys for the last day of school when they got home. I drew pictures of all the fun things we could do this summer. Positive thinking! I can make it!

Prayer Request

Please pray for my Pawpaw, Onnie Cross. He is 92 with Alzheimer's and fell this morning and fractured his left hip. He's in the hospital, scheduled for surgery on Monday. Please pray for my parents as they care for him. VBS starts Monday or I would so be there. Pray that I can not worry about him but get through my week giving God the effort and the glory he deserves. Thanks. I'll update on Monday.

Update on Mother's Day Gift

So busy with baseball and VBS planning, but I wanted to follow up on my Mother's Day Gift! So I sent my sweet husband the previously mentioned link from Trades of Hope and told him I would love to get something like a necklace or bracelet from there for Mother's Day, not in any way really expecting that to happen. And it didn't. Instead, he bought me a gift certificate for the website! Score! Even better! So I ordered a necklace AND a bracelet and they arrived this week and I am in love with them. I am not really an accessory type of girl, but over the last year or two I am morphing into one. So I received a blue beaded necklace made in India and a bracelet made in Africa. I love them! Even more because of where they came from and that my husband treated me for Mother's Day. Again, I highly recommend this site. http://www.tradesofhope.com Buying products from them supports women and children around the world who are striving to get out of poverty and slavery. Here's what I bought!

Scary moment this weekend...

I almost hate to even write this blog, because my story turns out fine, but I have a sweet friend who has a similar story that has not turned out fine. And that makes me very sad.

Jason was out of town this past week and was flying back in on Saturday afternoon. His car had been in the shop the whole time he was gone, so I had to be at the car place before they closed at 5 to pay for the repairs, and then be at the airport at 5:45 to pick him up. We had a wonderfully baseball free day, so I was finally getting dressed at 4:30, and went to put my watch and ring on that always stay on my nightstand. There was the watch, but no ring. Not panicking, I figured it had fallen on the floor or in one of my drawers in my nightstand. I looked as much as I could before I had to leave to go pay for the car. I'm still not panicking, but I am thinking of my sweet friend Cari who's little one tried on her ring many months ago, and it hasn't been seen since. So I thought maybe my little one had done something similar. I asked him if he had touched my ring and he said no very sincerely and quickly, so I moved on. After paying for the car, I came back home and dug through both drawers, pulled everything out from under my bed, walked all over the house trying to remember if I had taken it off anywhere else. At some point, my little one says "Oh yes Mommy, I did try on your ring." Now, I'm panicking. Trying to remain calm, I begin to interrogate him as sweetly as possible. But every time he says something about the ring, its a different story. I took it downstairs, I didn't touch it at all, I left it on the kitchen table, and on and on and on.

Now I have to leave to go to the airport and now I'm in a full blown panic. Jason's flight is late (of course) so after driving around the circle at Hobby 20+ times, I am now picturing never seeing my irreplaceable, made from family heirloom diamonds ring. Jason gets in and asks where do I want to go eat, and I say anywhere quickly so I can go home and look for my ring. I explain the situation which causes him to very quickly and not so calmly interrogate the little one, who is now still giving different answers, only more "I don't know!" answers. We went home, and as we are driving I suddenly remember that the big boys had emptied the trash cans earlier in the day, and I have a trash can right next to my nightstand. So, when we get home, while the little one is still being interrogated, I go outside, pull out the trash bag out of the trash bin, and dump it out all over the patio. And there it is, in the bottom of the trash bag. Such relief! I don't think little one ever actually touched the ring, or maybe he did long ago. He doesn't have a good concept of time. My hubby immediately suggested I put my ring somewhere else at night, so it has moved into my closet, except for that night when I wore it to sleep.

I knew in my head that its just a material thing that really doesn't have as much power as we give it. I'm still married whether I have the ring on or not, but my child's spirit that I may have crushed during the interrogation process is much more precious. Rough afternoon, but he seems to be over it. I am praying that my friend Cari's story ends this way too, someday. I heard a story this week about a friend's relative who lost her ring 20 years ago while doing yard work, and just recently it was found in the garden! It can happen! But if mine had gone to the dump, probably not. Very thankful!

Great Mother's Day Gifts?

I just found this website through some friends in Haiti, and would love to receive something from here for Mother's Day! These products go to support women and families who are trying to get out of poverty and the sex trade. Lots of beautiful things! Trades of Hope These are my favorites.

Update on George and Friends

Someone in church yesterday asked me how George was doing, so thoughtful. So I thought I better update. Susan is flourishing in her new pot. She will probably need to be re-potted again in another month or two. Luckily I bought two pots at the same time, so if I can steal it back from Cade who is currently using it for markers and crayons (really cute by the way), she will have another one waiting when she is ready. Monica has had no change. Still no flowers. I have decided she is probably a calla lily, but I'm not for certain. And George, sweet George, I think is going to make it. All of the original leaves that were left when I re-potted him have died, but there are new leaves. My mom came last weekend, and pruned him even more, but she thought he was going to survive. On beautiful spring days like today, I take them outside for some fresh air, and George and Susan seem to like that, but Monica, not so much. She seems to wilt.
We actually have two new plants in our house. Cade brought home a cup with sunflower seeds, but I have yet to see anything sprouting. I think it will somehow disappear when he's not looking. But Campbell brought home a cup with grass already growing in it, and he put it in his room, and that grass is growing leaps and bounds. However, I went in his room today and there were bugs on the grass. How did that happen? So the grass joined the other friends outside, where it will stay until... it dies I guess?
Here are updated pics. 

My lack of a green thumb

If you have a minute, could you say a prayer for my friend George? George is a plant. Jason bought George for me my very first birthday after we were married, so he has been a part of our family for 15 years. I'm not sure how he has survived that long here. He's been through four moves and is being cared for by someone who's thumb is pink or red, or any other color other than green. While we've lived in Houston, he has presided in our window above the kitchen sink. It seems to be designed for plants, at least that's what it appears to be designed for. But it gets really hot there in the summer from the direct sun. And because I tend to forget to water George, he has been on the brink of death many times and has somehow hung on until I watered him and then miraculously come back to life. But, alas, this may be the end of George.

We've had an ant problem in our kitchen for awhile, and we couldn't figure out where they were coming from. For some reason yesterday, I decided to do the twice a year pruning of George and saw an ant in him. Concerned, I took George outside to get a closer inspection, and realized to my horror that he had become a hotel for an ant colony. Poor George. So for only the second time in his life, he was re-potted. That's not really the right term, because he went back into the same pot. But he was removed, and left sadly on the concrete while his pot was washed completely. I was completely grossed out by the number of ants crawling all over him. My kids were horrified. "The ants are eating George!" He then was severely pruned, like 75% of him went in the trash. There were so many roots that were connected to dead stuff. And what was left was re-potted into fresh soil in the same pot, and watered. So we wait. Its touch and grow for George. (Yes, I know that's a bad joke.)

This is George (He's very patriotic)

But George is not alone. I also have Susan. Susan is a plant that I was given as a gift by some of my babies I kept in weekday five years ago. Susan was my teaching partner so that's where she got her name. (George has no namesake, I just like that name for a plant.) Poor Susan has never been re-potted, she still lived in the same TINY ceramic cute pot with the names of my babies on it. But since I had gotten out the soil and gardening gloves, I ran and bought a 96 cent plastic pot and re-potted Susan. POOR Susan. I was shocked at the number of roots she had crammed in that tiny pot. I can't believe she has lived this long in such terrible conditions. I have better hopes for her since she had more roots to plant and no ants.

Susan

My newest plant that may have no hope is Monica, given to me by my birthday by my friend Monica. (Real creative name). I don't know what kind of plant she is because she didn't have one of those plastic labels stuck into her. She did have flowers when I received her, but they only lasted a few days and there have been no more flower sightings. I know I'm not taking good care of her, but I have no idea what to do with her. She's in a big pot, but I bet she's supposed to be planted in a flower bed, and I don't own one of those! I saw my friend Monica and she was shocked that she was still alive, so I was relieved to know that she didn't expect me to take great care of her. But I would like to. Maybe she could somehow survive 15 years in terrible conditions too!

Monica

Lent Update

I haven't been doing so well on some aspects of Lent, but doing well on others. I'm doing really well with the giving up chocolate. Once I got past the first week, it hasn't been so hard. I just read the other day that each Sunday is like a mini-Easter, and you can partake of the thing you have given up. I somehow had missed that, but its probably better if I don't partake at all for now. I'm looking so forward to a chocolate bunny on Sunday! I'm not doing so well on reading through the NT in 40 days with my church. I am waaaay behind, and thought I could catch up before Sunday, but since its only 3 days away now, I'm not seeing that happen. That makes me really frustrated at myself!
I wasn't doing too well on the cutting back on facebook thing. I had even taken it off my toolbar at the top, but that had only made me learn how to type it out faster. But I was really convicted this past week about it. In a Bible study I'm doing right now with some ladies on Sunday nights, we read about saying "I can't" about certain things in our lives, but we really needed to give that to the Lord and say "I can!" So, I decided for the week before Easter I would completely give up facebook to maybe focus more on the Lord. Monday was really hard! But each day has gotten easier. I did break down on Tuesday and look at it for 2 minutes to check on my Dallas friends after the tornado. But I really did fly down the page only looking for mentions of the tornado and got right back off. I'm not sure that I have taken the extra time to focus on the Lord, but I have gotten more done around the house. And I spent more time yesterday working on VBS, which I really needed to do. Its all a priority thing, and I hope this facebookless week will help me realize that I am not missing out on much not looking at it all day, and show me that I CAN get along just fine without it. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, even stay off facebook!