Dare 2 Dream

I ventured to Bloomington/Normal this weekend for the Hearts at Home conference.  I met a high school friend, Debbie, there.  I haven’t seen her since high school so it has been such a long time.  It was great to meet up with her and talk again.  Found out more about her husband and boys and things they like to do. 

The H @ H conference was WONDERFUL as usual!  This was my 3rd year going.  The last time Iwent was either 2004 or 2005.  I don’t remember which.  This year I went to the Mom’s Night Out on Friday night and was introduced to the comedy of Sally Baucke and talks of Dr. Kevin Leman.  Both had me crying and laughing.  Dr. Leman was the main speaker of the conference this year.  The Go Fish Guys and 4Ever performed for us as well.  The Go Fish Guys are The Wiggles of Christian kids music.   They were awesome and fun.   Saturday morning gave us an opening followed by 4 workshops of many choices.  I went to one by Julie Barnhill and her daughter Kristen.  It was about getting into the head of your rebellious teenage daughter.  Not that my daughters are rebellious at this stage but I wanted to hear what they had to say.  Opened my eyes alot.  The played the Everything video by Lifehouse.  If you haven’t seen it, go to Youtube and check it out.  I also went to American Idle by Karen Ehman.  It was about putting food as my idle instead of God.  Sue Heimer gave us tips on how to not be a screaming frustrated mother!  Bill & Pam Farrel gave a talk on Red Hot Monogamy. 

I wish I could have went to more workshops but alas I couldn’t fit them on my schedule.  I look forward to going again.   Maybe next year!! 

Check out www.Hearts-at-Home.org for more info on the organization and conferences!!

“All good things come to those who wait” ~ A chinese proverb.

 Easier said than done! Right now it seems all this household is doing is waiting.  We are waiting on results of different things but waiting none the less.   I am waiting to hear back from the State of IL on the results from my CNA State exam.  I just took it on Thursday, the 15th.  They said it should take a couple of weeks to get the paper in the U.S. Mail.  However I can look up on their website on the Registry but I can’t get the website to come up to check for my name!! 

The kids are waiting on results from their auditions over the weekend.  They all tried out at the Little Theater for a part in the musical “Willy Wonka, Jr.”  All did well on their auditions but the older kids usually get the biggest parts.  Jenn is finally reaching that point of being a big kid.  She got called back for a bigger part over just part of the ensemble.  She is hoping that she gets something.  She isn’t asking for the lead role but of a supporting role so to speak.  The younger 2 are happy with being part of the cast. 

So again…..we wait….on answers…..on the cast list……etc.

Wow I should apologize that I haven’t been here since Thanksgiving!! Time sure has slipped away.  Since Thanksgiving, I have been working full time and adjusting to that because it is midnight shift.  Finally getting my body adjusted and time with the family regulated.  I’ve been sleeping sometimes in the evenings too so I am lucky to find my shoes that I like online. 

I didn’t really make any new resolutions this year.  Still trying to keep up with the ones from last year that I failed at miserably.  You know the ones…..get organized, loose weight, be a better person, etc.   One thing I would like to change is to de-clutter and not be such a pack-rat.  It was inbred to me I am sure.  My mom and grandma were both pack-rats so therefore I know it has to be genetic! 

Jenn has signed up for Drama classes this semester and doing the auditions for Willy Wonka Jr. at the local playhouse.  She is doing Concert Band & Pep band.  She has to play at basketball games and then will do some concerts and concerts for the Concert Band. 

Alyssa has also signed up for Drama classes and has auditions for Willy Wonka Jr.  She is joining 4-H.  She is deciding on what she wants to do for sure.  I think she is thinking about crafts & foods.  She is becoming quite the little cook here lately.

Matt is also doing Drama classes and the auditions for WW Jr.  He is also a sports freak.  He is playing in the Mighty Mites Basketball program which will run for about 6-8 weeks this winter.  I think he has a good team and will be one of the teams to watch.  I hope so.  He is loving it so far! 

Hope to catch up again soon. 

Everyone knows this week is Thanksgiving and therefore brings on lots of thoughts of what we are thankful for.  I could start a long list and might through the week. 

 Everyone who knows me, also knows I text….ALOT! lol  Sometimes they are stupid, sometimes they are funny.  I really like the inspiration ones that says something special whether it be about Jesus & God or being a good friend, etc.  One I got this week put it all in perspective for me.  Says alot to me. 

 Before I was a mom….I never learned the words to a lullaby.  I never thought about immunizations.  I never been puked on, pooped on, drooled on, chewed on or pee’d on.  I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.  I slept all night.  I never looked into teary eyes and cried.  I never got gloriously happy over a simple little grin.  I never sat up for hours watching a baby sleep.  I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn’t stop the hurt.  I never new something so small could affect my life so much.  I never knew that I could love someone so much.  I never knew I would love being a mom.   Before I was a mom….I didn’t know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.  Send this to all the beautiful moms you know.   Nothing will happen if you don’t, but it’s always nice to hear that someone thinks you are a beautiful mom. 

I am thankful to all my friends and family that text me and remind me how lucky I am. 

So I am finally done with my CNA class.  I graduated yesterday!! I will get a group pic of us all when I get it from the school.  The day was a good one and we all had fun one more time before going our seperate ways.  There was 29 people in my class.  We had to go to a local auditoritum because there was no way we would all fit in the classroom with all the family that was invited.  We even ran out of chairs at the auditorium!!  Had one person come for me which was a co-worker.  That was very sweet of her and she brought me 3 roses!  That made my day!  Along with the fact that my family who was at work and school was texting Happy Graduation messages to me :)  

We went to Lakeland College for the morning and was given information about furthering our careers and financial aid, etc.  Then we got a tour of the labs, classrooms, etc. and finally given a Subway lunch.  We also got a t-shirt that says LakeLand College on the front.  After the graduation ceremony where we recieved our certificates and pins, there was some potential employers there passing out goodie bags to intice us to their factility.   I went and toured one with a couple of other girls and we each got a new gait belt.   So it was a good day LOL

 One great thing about our class is all the new friendships I have made.  Not only the class but my new co-workers.  There was alot of us from Sully in the class that I will see continuing friendships beyond the classroom. 

Tis the season to be Thankful and I am just that to Rebekah at Mundane Musings for helping me learn how to change my blog design on my own.  She was a Godsend as this has been bugging me and I wanted to change but didn’t want a plain jane blog either.  The confusion came for me because I have my own domain name and therefore it isn’t as simple as saying bam bam bam and I have a new layout.  Now that I have this figured out, my blog may change for the holidays and seasons too.  I don’t know yet.  Depends on what I find! LOL    Thank you again Rebekah!  Now I can get back to blogging instead of ignoring it cuz I didn’t like it anymore.

I also want to thank Eric at The Blog Novice  for posting detailed directions on how to change the theme through my host.   It was perfect for this beginner to the theme changing world :) 

Ok so, my family is a camping family.  Everyone knows that!!  We love to go to a local State Park.  It is not far from home yet seems like miles and miles away.  It is beautiful, the wildlife is great and there is the lake and horse stables if we so choose to use.   The State Officials and Governor are wanting to shut down several parks through out the state to help save money.   I feel there are so many different areas they can save money in, why take away a beautiful natural thing.   With the economy on a downward spiral, this is one of the last few free and/or cheap places a family can do together.  I recieved this forward in my email today and am planning on attending with my kids and hubby if he is home.  Yes I will have had little sleep but I will be there.  Sleep is over-rated sometimes anyway!  I will get a nap later in the afternoon! lol  Please try to join us out there or at any of your State Parks that are on the chopping block!!

Thanks.

 
 
Dear Friend:
 
Our fight to stop the governor’s plan to close state parks continues.
 
You may recall that, back in August, the House passed legislation that provides funding to keep open state parks like Wolf Creek State Park in Shelby County.  Subsequently, the Senate also supported the legislation and sent it to the Governor, but the Governor has yet to take action.
 
Throughout Illinois, residents will “Pack the Parks” to help send a message to Governor Blagojevich.  Following is an excerpt from Kelly Bland of Bethany who encourages area residents to join her this Saturday.  Kelly is operator of the horse riding stables at Wolf Creek State Park.
 
“News media is asking the public to “Pack the Parks”, November 1st from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., that are on slate to close due to funding.  Please support your area!  All hikers, bikers, horses, hunters etc., will be affected.    At Wolf Creek State Park Riding Stables we will have a fire going ALL DAY, bring your own wienies and drink.  We are hoping ALL TRAILS will be filled.    Send out emails, phone calls, and invite your media…”  
Kelly Bland
 
If closing of Wolf Creek State Park or another state park is a concern to you, please help “Pack the Parks” this Saturday.  Thank you!

Representative Bob Flider 
  
  
  
 

Well this week begins with a long weekend. Columbus day and our 18th anniversary fall on the same day this year.  Happy Day!  We took the family on our last camping trip of the year before getting the camper ready for winter.  Some minor mishaps fell on us this year but nothing that can’t be fixed.  My friend Christine brought her son, Matt, out for the afternoon and he was bound and determined he was staying.  So he did. lol His first trip out camping. I think he did ok but she said he was super tired the next day! 

 So I finally decided on this weeks menu. 

Sunday: Hot ham & cheese sandwiches (thanks to Alyssa!)
Monday: Biscuits & Gravy
Tuesday:  BBQ Meatballs
Wednesday: Pork loin and finally going to try the crash potatoes (Thanks Rebekah & Pioneer Woman!)
Thursday:  Marlboro Man’s 2nd Favorite Sandwich …..  need something to go with….
Friday: Chicken Squares
Saturday: leftovers maybe? 

so far…..so good.  I have made a menu for the rest of this week and so far we have stayed on it.  Yeah!  I went through my kitchen to make my list for this week.  Probably do that again cuz I won’t get groceries til our camping weekend. 

This has been homecoming week for our town.  My daughter is a freshman and loving the activities of the week.  I always did too.  I think she is doing more than I ever did though.  I never helped with the float and she has went 2 nights to help.  Kinda makes me wish I had when I was a kid.   Oh well.  They had spirit week at school where they dressed up for each day.  Monday was Pajama day, Tuesday was Dress as an Animal day, Wednesday was Dress as a Celebrity day, today is Twin Day, then tomorrow will be Redskin Pride day.  Everyone is to wear red & black.  There was the annual “car parade” today.  I had to miss watching it as I was in class.  Kinda bummed but what could I do?!  Jenn rode with a Sr. girl named Sarah.  She sent me pictures on my cell phone of her car.  Tomorrow is the town parade which we all be a part of.  Tomorrow night we play football.  The High School homecoming dance is Saturday night so watch for upcoming pictures of Jenn.  We found a dress at Kohl’s that she liked and it was GREAT for my pocketbook!  Less than $10!  Couldn’t go wrong with that! 

I am thinking with the economy heading the way it is and the way our family is constantly running, maybe I should start planning menus for the week.  Usually I end up waiting til about 5:00 and thinking what am I gonna fix for supper.   Then comes either running to the store, thawing something out or a fend for yourself kind of night.   I would  like to get us sitting at the table more often.   Charlie agrees.  So I am trying to decide for the rest of the week then what day I should start my menu for.   I see on several of the blogs I read, that they do a “Menu Monday” meme.  Thinking about this myself.   Surly this will help with the weight loss that I have been trying to do on and off for years now.  I get inspired and then quit within a matter of days.   I need to either do it or just give up.  Ugh frustrating! 

The weather is turning cooler and that is nice.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE fall weather!  Love the colors, the smells, etc.  Love mums & pumpkins.  Scarecrows and harvest.  Harvest however doesn’t like me.  Oh well.  With my Claritian, I will survive! 

I’m off to another day of school.  We are on the down slope of classes headed straight for clinical days.  After I get to clinicals, I will be able to work all but those 2 days at my regular job!  Contimplating more classes ahead but probably only one at a time.  Haven’t decided if I want to further my education or stay at what I am doing for now.   Maybe stay for a bit and further in the future?  Guess the Lord will lead me in the direction I need to go.  

Remember! Decrease the Violence, Increase the Peace (thanks Amia!)