I am Catrina a 39 yr old, used to be homeschooling mom to three wild boys, Austin 12 (chilly Willy), Evan 10 (stampy 2), Luke 8 (baby Luey). Now my kids go to school. My gorgeous husband Nathan and I have been married for 15 years. We are currently waiting for our 7yr old daughter Dania Naomi to come home from Haiti. This is the life and times of ME.
We had the family Dumas over for dinner last night. She is my good friend from my hometown, he is her latin lover husband who is from Argentina, they now reside in Brazil with their 2 girls. My camera settings were all out of focus so the pictures didn't turn out that great and I quit trying. I made my trusty potato soup, but then tried a cobbler w/o self rising flour. Suppossedly you can add baking soda and powder to make it work but I couldn't find out how to do it so I guessed, and I guessed wrong. My peach blueberry cobbler didn't rise correctly, got a little over browned but was edible. This is why I hate baking but love cooking. Baking has to be precise while cooking isn't so rigid. Anyway it was 5 hours of food and fun, and they may come back Friday.
We finally had a date on Friday night, we haven't done anything at all since Sept (I think), it could have been even earlier than that though, but I know it wasn't anytime after that. We didn't do anything spectacular just shopped a little and ate at Logans Roadhouse. We both ate our signature dishes. If you know Nate at all you'll know what he had,(chicken fingers) and I had buffalo wings. I always want to try them at every new restaurant we eat at so that I can find the best ones. My favorite ones are the dry ones and I ate them somewhere but have never been able to find them again.
When we were loading the kids in the truck to take them to my mothers Luke said "Mom you sure look beautiful, I wish I was taking you out."
And when Nate got home from work Luke told him "You know Dad you are taking out my girl." AWWW!!
Saturday was a hang out at home day, we walked around the woods, and stood right next to a rabbit for at least 2 minutes without knowing it. It finally bolted and gave me a good scare since it was 12 inches from my foot. Nothing like being scared of a bunny. My mom brought over a big ham dinner that night so I was off the hook for cooking, my only contribution was a bought peach pie and coffee.
Today was church and Nate is watching golf. We did head over to Cingular after church where I was added to Nate's plan and got myself a cute little red phone. There was this awesome iridescent plum phone for 200 more than the one I got and I knew what an idiot I was for wanting the plum phone but I couldn't help being such a girl and wanting a phone for color not function. I would never have got it, but I did handle it a whole lot.
I'm trying the CVS extra buck system as well and am still trying to figure out how to maximize my savings. I spent $71 the first time and received 23 extra bucks plus a $3 off coupon for the store, then I bought $26 worth of stuff for zilch and now have 10 extra care bucks plus a $3 off coupon. I may head over there today and get the new sale flyer or wait until the Feb monthly one comes out.
Yesterday was the kids (only the oldest 2) first science club. It is from 1:00-2:30pm for the next 6-8 weeks and only cost $10, praise God for other moms who like to do experiments with other peoples children. Luke and I went and visited our previous next door neighbors who were so happy to see their favorite buddy.
Homegroup was last night at my house and normally that might only get a passing mention, but something strange took place that may be of interest. We are letting one of the couples who have a nuerotic dog borrow our super duper shock collar, and while we were explaining how to use it and what setting they may want to zap their dog with, Tia's husband wanted to know what it felt like to be zapped. We hooked him up (on the hand), gave the conroller to another husband, and the meeting took on a new demention (no that was not a sp error). There was laughing and cheering and fist pumping while the chant of WILL!, WILL!, WILL went on. Every time he was zapped and stopped his twitching the setting was bumped up to the next hightest level and the next round of antics were continued. It ended with him being zapped on the highest level, and congrats from all the other people whose testosterone is as messed up as his.
I just got in touch with a dear old friend and we have been discussing our faith and spiritual matters. She states that she is a Calvinist, I have been lurking on some peoples blogs who call themselves emergent, I also love reading a blog by a woman that is the epitome of a fundamentalist. I don't know anyone right now that is an Arminion(sp), but I know plenty of people who call themselves: post modern, modern, conservative, liberal, moderate, pentecostal, Baptist, Orthodox and Unorthodox, republican and democrat.
The problem I have is that I have no label for myself, in fact I realize that I have spent a great amount of effort to not have one, because I don't really like them. The reason that I don't like labels has nothing to do with the people that label themselves, it has everything to do with me. The truth is that I have preconceived ideas in my head about these labels, some of them are inconsequential but others can get the "ooohhh" reaction out of me. You know what I'm talking about, you keep smiling and talking but you are looking at them out of the corner of your eye waiting for their head to spin around. I mean I do it as soon as one of my friends says "yeah I'm such a night owl." I quickly jump in with the patent "I want to be in bed by 10pm," so that they know that I am not a night owl.
Can labels help us idenify with certain people that we want to have common ground with (like "adoptive parent") or do they alienate people (like "true christian"?) I honestly don't know. I read and listen to just about anybody, does that make me gullable or discernable? If I think that I am on the "right" path should I listen or read something from someone who is on a different path? A sampling of things I've read over the past year. John Piper(calvinist) Rob Bell (won't label himself but is semi emergent), Brian Mclaren (emergent) Terry Maxwell (hardcore fundementalist) Heidi and Rolland Baker (embodies the word Charismatic), and something by a catholic priest but I forget the name. I'm sure that I would have a dozen other labels if I only knew the background of some of the authors I read. I gained lots of valuable insight by reading from a diverse list of people, even though at times I do admit that some things bordered on insanity if not heresy.
I do believe that people who label themselves differently than I will be taking up some of the space around the throne in heaven, so how big of a deal should we make about labels, when God is just going to throw us all in a big pot together. Truth be told though I have huge OPINIONS about lots of different topics and I would probably not have half of the friends that I now have if I was constantly spewing about them. (got you wondering didn't I) I don't even like the label "christian" because I don't want to be compared or associated with some of the people that use that label. (I was just about to be mean and name names, whew! I have some restraint) I use that label only when I know that someone won't look at me out of the corner of their eye and wait for my head to spin around. In all of this I am just rambling about what I have been thinking about for some months now, so the question is "To label or Not to Label?"
I'm glad Monday is over because it is usually a crazy day. Yesterday was no exception, I have taken off way to much time for school since the fall and now we are really having to get on with it. We got a late start yesterday since morning chores took a little longer than usual, thanks to the weekend mess. Austin was the last one to finish math at 4:30pm, then the boys headed up the street with the dog to see if any kids were out playing. They found some boys playing BB and the joined in for 30 min or so. Luke came home with Daisy (new dog) to let me know where they were. I was making a big pot roast dinner yesterday when at 5:50pm Nate calls me to let me know that he has invited his business partner and his wife who are in from CO. to have dessert with us at 7:00pm. I kindly inform him that I'm cooking a big dinner and don't have anything to whip up for dessert. He says he will stop at the store to pick up a pie and ice cream, I sweetly say "Ok, get your butt in gear and hurry." Now begins the mad dash around to put away all signs of school, get the potato peelings off the counter and floor, get down on my hands and knees to clean the hall bathroom, put away the huge pile of laundry on my floor, feed the family, clean up dinner, take a shower, and clean out the litter box. I was ready by 7:10pm and sat down to wait for them to arrive, at 7:20 they call to apologize and say that they are to tired to come (they got up at 3am CO time to catch their flight), Nate says "oh that is fine, I'll see you at the meeting tomorrow" He gets off the phone looks at me all dressed up and says, "Well the house is all clean and you're dressed, do you want to go out?" I sigh deeply and say "No thanks, I'm good." So that is why I am able to be blogging at 9am on a hectic school day.
The dog is doing great and sleeps in the crate until we get up in the morning to let her out. She seems to be pretty smart, although she doesn't come or know her name yet.
This morning I woke up with the verse "Be still and know that I am God" running through my head, so I think I need to spend some quiet time with God before Manic tuesday gets to far ahead. Our pastor spoke 2 weeks ago about the need for a prayer closet and this week the sermon was about applying the things that we have been told, actively pursuing God instead of just waiting for him to come to us and change us. I have been in a funk for a while now and sitting around waiting for it to pass is not benefitting anyone. I have the tendency to let the way I feel dictate the way I act, I need to reverse that order and act differently to feel differently.
I know I can hardly believe myself, but we decided to give doggy ownership another go. We got a lightweight so hopefully training will go smoother this time around. She has already learned that she can't leave the sunroom. I do the dog whisperer "SHH" to her when she thinks about walking into the kitchen and she turns around and heads towards me. The only time she disobeys is if she sees the cat go streaking across the room. She slept in Jacket's old crate and didn't complain until 5am for a potty break and then went back in again.
Ron Paul is still on the hunt, it is so funny to me to watch the news and hardly ever hear his name mentioned even if he beats one of the front runners. Here is an article about his victory over Thompson and Guiliani. Ron
In Dog news we are considering trying out another dog. My friend Tia who has an unusual psychic connection with lost dogs was getting her mail when someone drove by and tossed a dog out. Of course she scammed my other friend Maura to accompany her on an ambush of our house Monday night with said dog in tow. Well this dog (she) is a very cute golden elfish dog, we have no idea what she is but I don't think she weighs more than 10 pounds and is probably 3-5 months old. She probably is a terrier,spaniel, Chihuahua mix but doesn't have the buggy eyes. We will probably be bringing her into our family this weekend for a trial run, because Tia would be happy to take her back if she turns out to be a neurotic psychopath. Since we had such a bad experience last time with the black moron I am hesitant to jump into doggy adoption quickly. I will post a picture this weekend of our guest and see if you all recognize any breeds in her.
I did hear from my adoption facilitator today and found out that I am still in Parquet, even though this means I still have a potentially long wait ahead of me I am somewhat relieved because for a while they didn't even know where my paperwork was. I also found out that lots of people are stuck here for some unknown reason. I still have to go to MOI which is usually a 4-8 month wait before you go to Visas (usually a 2-4 week wait) and then home. Please pray even while you are reading this that my paperwork would be released, I have been here almost 9 months and that is way long for this particular phase. My homestudy will expire in May and I will have to update again (pain since that will be the third time) There is always hope in the lord that this does not have to be the case, especially since Haiti doesn't have a system or go in any kind of order.
Today was a GREAT day! You know those days you have that are totally productive and when you fall into bed at night it is with the heavy sigh of a job well done. I cleaned up my house after having company Friday and having done the cousin swap for a sleepover. I got laundry and sheets done, floors mopped and dishes done. Nate is almost finished unloading a trailer full of junk from our old garage that he insisted on bringing over to the new garage. Once this is done we will be completely moved in, except for some boxes of books that we need bookcases for. Our last house had several built in bookcases that I kept all our books in plus photo albums.
The other part of my great day came when I happened to be driving by Belks and saw the CLEARANCE sign in the window. There are 2 times a year that I am absolutely dying to go shopping, otherwise I'm not a big shopper. This time of the year and late summer, that is because everything is on massive clearance. Some of the highlights of my find today were: A short sleeved summer dress that was originally $100, I paid $9.99, a pretty sweater that was originally $58 I paid $12 and this really cute pair of Sketchers that I had been eyeing since late August or Sept, they were $59 and I got em for $14. Those were some of my best deals, but I got $490 worth for $160 and that is a great day of shopping. While in VA I picked up this cute pair of sandals at one of my favorite stores TJ MAXX for $5, usually Ross really comes through for me on the shoes and bags but it was a deal to good to pass up. If you catch it right this time of the year can really land you some big deals even at pricey dept stores that you would normally avoid. Last year at this time I got a $160 pure silk skirt from Macy's of all places for $12, yep that's right, you have to go straight to the clearance racks and dig through every size, but the payoff can be so worth it.
I'm happy to report to all those that were cursing me for dieting, that I gained back 4 or 5 pounds of the original 12 that I lost, and do you know where that weight has ended up? on my left calf. Yes it is true and I can prove it. Today I bought a pair of high heeled knee high leather boots, I can barely zip up the left one while the right easily glides right up. Unfortunately it is not a manufacturing defect, but the result of Eve eating that stupid fruit. We would all be properly proportioned if the fall hadn't occurred not to mention the fact that there would be no need for a great shopping day.
My house is clean and Tonya and company are in town. We had a rainy day over at Nanny and Papas house yesterday where we sat by the fire, played Rummicube(sp) and ate. Today the party is at my house. We are hitting the high points with school in the morning and then getting together to have cousin time. I think I'll whip up potato soup for dinner tonight. I'm still trying to fit exercise back into my life and that has been hit and miss. Nate, the boys and I went for a brisk walk the other evening, but that was not nearly enough to raise my serotonin and cleanse me of cortisol.
Nathan is getting ready to be even busier than normal. He bought a new building in the industrial park in town and they have been moving this week. The new offices and warehouse look really good and it makes everything seem more professional. He is also working on some big projects and hoping to get some big contracts that would jump his business to the next level. All this is exciting but for someone like me it is also kinda stressful. I feel detached from church and friends, but I don't seem to have the energy to do anything about it. Church has been stale (no reflection on my pastor or the people, just me), my relationship with God is in some sort of strange circling pattern. I tend to cling to God and go, go ,go then say "I got it from here thanks" and then start to nose dive. You would think that by now I would have learned not to do that. The good news is that at least I recognize what is happening and I know that it isn't some long hard road back to him, he is still right where I left him.
1. One book that you have read more than once: Little House on the Prairie series
2. One book you would want on a deserted island: My Bible
3. One book that made you laugh: Any book by Patrick F. McManus like "Never Cry Arp", "The Night the Bear ate Groombaw" these are not kids books either just good clean country redneck funny.
4. One book that made you cry: They Poured Fire on Us from the Sky (the story of the lost boys of Sudan) by Mark Bixler.
5. One book that I wish had been written: Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss, so inspiring even in our day and age.
6. One book that you wish had never been written: Darwins book "The Origin of the Species" the original name was "The Preservation of Favored Races in the Struggle for Life" for so many reasons that I don't have the space to comment or even know where to start except to say that the theory of evolution is the foundations of racism and the loss of respect for human life.
7. One book you are currently reading: The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom I've read it a dozen times but it always inspires me and makes me realize the impact that a couple of old ladies could have.
8. One book you have been meaning to read: Can't think of anything that I'm dying to read.
I really, really want to talk politics.....can't stop talking about it......must stop thinking about it.
In other news I have not exercised in over a month and I feel awful. I think all that fast walking I did with Maura kept my anxiousness at bay. I have been feeling really edgy recently so today I am hitting the treadmill after I get my RP dose. whoops did I mention politics, sorry. I think that I am one of those people that benefits emotionally from exercise, so that being the case it is imperative that I force myself to consistently stay active. I was feeling really great for awhile and now it's like I've fallen off the emotionally stable wagon.
So I am not going to talk politics all the time. I spent way to much time today online looking up stuff and researching all candidates. Whew! Today our water heater decided to break and spill it's contents all over the basement. I had to borrow a tiny little shop vac to suck the water off the floor and carpet. It held about half a gallon of water, so my back is broken from all the stooping and emptying of the little bucket. Thankfully my dh is a strong giant of a man who was able to replace our water heater without help from a plumber, so the cost wasn't so bad.
The boys ice skated today on a little makeshift pond from overflow of the creek. They skated and then shot it with their BB guns. They are enjoying all the frozen stuff around the property.
School is getting long and boring but we are 3/4 of the way through their math books, so I will at least bump Austin up to the next level by March. He is doing 4th grade saxon but he should technically be doing 5th but I was concerned that he had missed some fundamentals so I made him do some repeat stuff. He scored a 6th grade math level on a placement test so I'm not worried about it. Luke's reading has turned a corner, I feel like he can actually blend now and is starting to pick up stuff on his own. Evan just plugs along right on track, his spelling is yucky but so is everyones.
It has been a hard decision to make in realizing that I'm delving into politcs (which I hate) and realizing the US govt. can't fix the worlds problems or be its salvation. We need to clean house and take care of business at home before we tackle the worlds issues. I'm not saying that we are to offer less aid to the needy of the world, but trying to micro manage everyone else is to destructive. I thought I should take a moment and share why I believe that Huckabee is not the best choice for our country. There are some very concerning facts out there about him.
1. The NEA (National Education Assoc)one of the most liberal organizations has endorsed Huckabee for the republican ticket because of his stance on higher taxes, and NO PRIVATE SCHOOL CHOICE. That also translates into notas homeschool friendly.
2.He has raised taxes in Arkansas over the past 10 yrs higher than Clinton did in his 12 yrs there. (but I heard he lowered a lot as well) Some increases have been on beer and tobacco, but he also raised sales tax, fuel tax, and school tax. He has some spending issues.
3. There are reports of him granting clemency to prisoners(1033)at the rate of 1 every 4 days, higher than any governor. (but to be fair over 8,000 requested it)
4. He is a supporter of the NO child left behind, which is one more big govt failure. He basically supports big govt, and wants more of the same.
5. He does not handle finances well, there has been loads of suspicion about using tax payers money for his personal plane, receiving gifts, buying clothes and furnishings etc.(which of course is hard to prove either way)
6. I am also not as fond of his position on immigration.
I know that no one is perfect but I don't like the feeling that I get when I see his record and the way he has conducted business in Ark. Values alone is not a platform to run a presidency with. He would make a good pastor and I support his values, but that doesn't cut it when you are running the country. You can't stand on that one for very long and then where does that leave us. He is a nice guy and a very charismatic guy so I do like him, but I must say that I also liked Bill Clinton in the very beginning for the same reasons.
Back to the roots of our country and the grass roots movements that have changed history. I am picking up my picket sign and joining the revolution, the Ron Paul revolution. A few months ago when I was contemplating having to vote for the lesser of 2 evils and weighing the possibility of not voting at all, I was feeling like a traitor to the founding fathers and those who have died to protect my right to live in a democracy. Well no more, I feel the passion of this campaign and the people of this country who want to go back and start from the beginning with the constitution. We have deviated off the path and it's time to head home. Every time I go to the ocean I have the anticipation of getting into the sea, and as I walk out into the water I feel the tide pulling me in. The feeling overwhelms me every time, the power and beauty of something stronger than myself, I feel this way about this election. Historically in our country if a certain party has been in office for 2 terms the tide usually turns for the other side, but wouldn't it be something if the people said no and decided to change history. Is it possible that our country could go back to being proud to be an american, where patriotism and personal responsibility were the norm. Our country hasn't had an inkling of that since Ronald Reagan was in office. If you had given up on this election, and if you have let the media influence who you think stands a chance to claim the white house then I challenge you to take a peek at the candidate Ron Paul. Politicians usually remind me of wolves in sheeps clothing, Ron Paul reminds me of the tortoise and the hare. Slow, deliberate hard work can win the race. Do your part, use your constitutional right to spread the word. Help make history, or at least to dethrone the media.
Christmas is over and done with and I don't feel like posting any pictures, so I won't. My dad spent christmas in the hospital in Gainesville (about 45 minutes away), he got transferred there on Christmas Eve. Thankfully he is now home and can be treated medicinally without surgery. I am not one to make new years resolutions, but I do like to take a moment and reflect on the past yr. Lots and lots of good things happened to us in 07 and I am grateful that we have another year to look forward to. Hopefully 08 will bring Dania home and the long wait won't have seemed so long. (yeah right!)
The new year has already started out on a comedic note thanks to my prankster son Austin. Apparently a few days ago Austin took one of Uncle Bubba's empty Dasani water bottles and filled it up with tap water along with several teaspoons of salt and put it back in the fridge. Today Ryan took a big sip of that bottle and ran to the sink, I was vacuming the kitchen at the time so I saw the whole thing. He coughed and sputtered and then puked in the sink. He thought he had drunk some cleaning products and couldn't keep it down. Luckily Bubba has a good sense of humor and thought the prank funny. It was a good thing because the rest of us couldn't have stopped laughing even if we wanted to.
