Growing up there were few things that I wouldn't eat. I wasn't really picky that I remember though my mom may have a different view. One thing I know I hated was brussell sprouts. They were awful. I am positive that my mom made these only on a few occasions, probably because we kids wouldn't eat them. Well, my husband enjoys these little mini cabbages and so for him I bought some. This is the first time in my adult life that I have bought brussell sprouts. Remembering how I gagged on them as a kid has kept me from even thinking about them. Since I was making them for Brandt I decided to try them. They were good. I really enjoyed them, so much that I bought some more the next time I went to the grocery store and Brandt and I shared them while we watched T.V. Of course my kids won't eat them.
Children can either make you feel like your the best parent in the world or the worst. Sometimes with very little effort on your part. My Samantha has within the last few months told me that she doesn't like me, that she doesn't want me to be her mom, and that she would rather live with my best friend Cindy. Regardless of all the guilt I tried to put on her for saying such mean things to me she stuck to her guns. She's only four. These are things I would expect from a teenager not my baby. Eventually she changed her mind (mostly after a nap) and she loves me again. Tonight, however, I got the other side of the coin. When Samantha came to me complaining about the hiccups I was able to relieve her of her malady and become, in her words, a "superhero". All it took was a couple of sips from a glass of water with a paper towel over it. That's Samantha for you.
Getting six people packed up for a ten day trip to Florida takes a bit of planning and strategy. We don't use a car top carrier and though our Pilot seats eight it isn't made for six suitcases in the cargo area. I felt like I was doing okay, had us all into three suitcases and a couple of duffel bags. Little did I know that our cocker spaniel Sunny had planned on coming along. Doesn't she look comfy?
I decided to try out a new class at our base gym this past Wednesday. Usually Brandt and I go together and sometimes we take the kids to the family workout room where they can play while we hit the treadmill or elliptical machine. This whole working out thing is pretty new to us and I am desperate to stick with it and take off a few pounds. This class, however, was way beyond my skill level and though I really wanted to stick it out I had to quit. There I said it. QUIT. I was so drained that I barely made it to my car. And once I got there I had to recline the seat and lay back for ten minutes before I could drive. I can only imagine what it would have been like had I stuck out the whole routine. It's been two days now and I still ache like I never have before. I was hopeful to get to the gym today and at least walk a bit, but that isn't happening. Maybe tomorrow, we'll see.
To me this is the most peaceful spot in the world. High up in the mountains of Tennessee the glory of God's handiwork is evident. Whenever Brandt and I have a chance to get away it is almost always to some mountain, whether in Virginia or Tennessee. We are also grateful to have Brandt's brother Dwayne and family in Connecticut to visit. The ride over the Tappan Zee Bridge into the mountains is breathtaking. One day when we say goodbye to the Navy I hope to live up in the mountains, the higher the better. I truly believe the Lord calls me there so that even on the hectic days I can look out the window and remember who He is and that he made those mountains to draw me closer to him.
I spent two days rearranging and organizing my kitchen cabinets. Clutter drives me crazy though I am definitely not immune to it. The cabinets had been bothering me for quite sometime and while Simon worked on his written work I tackled one cabinet at a time. My spice and baking cabinets took the most time. Brandt and I hit Wal-mart and bought new containers for all the powders, flours, and sugars. I enjoy organizing things, it's keeping them organized that gets me.
Brandt was able to take on a bit of school today and listen to Simon read. I really do enjoy getting to hear Simon sound out words or notice an exclamation point and say "I have to be excited here" and do his best to sound so, but I do appreciate the opportunity to skip out every once in a while and work on something of my own. With Brandt home a lot more now he has taken on Pre-Algebra with the big kids and will read to Simon or Samantha so I can work with the other on something else. These little helps, are big helps when it comes to my sanity. Thanks Brandt.
