Not all was lost....

(Recap) Plan: Thursday 4/29....attend my first ever Vera Bradley Factory Sale in Ft. Wayne.
Actual day: Visited my mother-in-law in hosp. instead because the VB facebook page kept reporting ridiculous lines!
***Remember, I'm not a HUGE fan I just wanted to attend the madness once this lifetime.

Plan: Friday 4/30....Pick Kathryn up from school and go to Vera Bradley Sale.
Actual afternoon event: Drove all the way up to Ft. Wayne and within 1 mi of the Sale heard the announcement that the line had been cut off for the day. **RECORD BREAKING NUMBERS IN ATTENDANCE** "please return Saturday at 8 am or Sunday at 10 am." NEVER MIND! So, we shopped at Borders Books and the scrapbook place in the mall. Kate tried on some fancy dresses, and then we ate at Applebee's. In case you didn't notice...NOT THE PLAN! LOL There's always next year. Right?

On a brighter note, today was a beautiful day. We were in the mid 80's and had a wonderful breeze to keep the air moving. I enjoyed the time with Kate! We rocked out on the way home. Between the two of us we knew every song and its lyrics that played all the way home! Fun Fun Fun! Had to have a conversation today with Matt regarding his grades. Certainly not his best work in a couple of his classes. He is so DONE. Golly that boy is so much like me! He just does NOT get along with his homeroom teacher (to say the very least). I feel they have a mutual disdain for each other. He's a tricky one to discipline/motivate. Like me, if I come down too hard on him he'll completely shut down because that he has control over. He doesn't care what punishment comes his way...1) it'll eventually come to an end. 2) he knows we'll suffer along with him 3) he's in school 7 hours a day surrounded by friends so the hours at home where the punishment is enforced is minimal. When disciplined at school is favorite place to be sent is the office. According to him you can find out all kind of things while sitting in the office. ISS...even better! he loves loves loves the solitude of it! He doesn't have to deal with the his homeroom teacher & "any of the other idiots that are there". UGH! So, I opted for a pleasant tone, asked him what solution he had for the low marks and encouraged him to "shut up" the teacher who is causing him so much frustration by improving his marks, giving 110%..."that'll show her"! She's managed to convince him he's not worthy of being in the accelerated class...he's not as "good" as the other kids...& that he's just not as smart as any of them! (sweet huh?! NOT) I think he bought into it. I certainly hope so. Only 4.5 more weeks left of 6th grade! Past experiences I've witnessed has been the students that the 6th grade teachers don't particularly care for tend to be well received at the jr. high! ....Let's hope so! He & I both are so ready for him to be inspired, encouraged, accepted, challenged and lifted up. Needless to say, prayers are needed and appreciated. He's such a good kid and really needs a TEACHER to believe in him.

So, as you've read...just another day of rolling with the punches! At least I didn't suffer any at the hands of a crazed purse lady! Since attending this event is on my bucket list of things to do I hope to have the opportunity NEXT year.

Later!

mission...NOT accomplished....oh well

Well, for starters ...It's a beautiful day! :) love love love the sunshine. The plan was to go to my very 1st Vera Bradley Factory sale. Thanks to a Facebook update from a friend I find myself right here...blogging. Now, I'm really not a Vera fan. I do like some of her stuff but have to admit I really don't get the hype. But being from Indiana and living in such close proximity to her factory I really feel it's something, as a woman, I should experience at least once in my life time. And today was gonna be it. Oh well. The best laid plans are often improved upon. I believe it's more of a God thing rather than disturbances from this world :)(ahhhh the power of positive thinking!) So, as it is I'm sure to have more fun when I do go because I'll be able to attend with one of my VERY favorite people...KATHRYN MARY VAN NESS. I'm sure there are hazards to exposing her to such chaos at a young age but, it's a risk I'm willing to take. Her way in the distant future husband might object should an obsession develop but hey, what can I say. I pretty much live in the here & now. (hee hee) She's unaware of the change in plans & will be stoked I'm sure.

I'm asking for prayers today for my friend Dawn Staggs & my mother in law Emma Jean Van Ness. Dawn & I go way back and today she's really been on my mind. She's battling Breast cancer. If ever there was anyone with a fighting spirit it's her. She's a mother of 3 and very active. Please pray for her & her family as they go through all of this. Emma Jean is having surgery today. She'll spend the night in the hospital and then of course recovery. Don't for get to lift up Ed...as he'll be tending to her. ;P (thanks for praying with me)

So, it happened last night. A moment I was pretty sure would NOT happen to me. In the presence of some teens I was eating my supper & over heard their conversation and I thought to my self..."what idiots"! "Do they really think they know more than the adult that has been professionally trained to educate them?" ...It's official...I'm an old adult. UGH! I'm still processing the whole thing, because I'm not a fan of such thoughts! lol

Well, I'm excited because Andy comes home tonight. I'm looking forward to hearing what Brose McVey has to say about his run for congress AND I don't work again until next Wednesday. (that just occurred to me) YAY!

And now for some of my favorites: sunshine...laughter...hope & possibility...the smell of chocolate chip cookies baking...nachos Mexicanos...a good book (thanks to marsha vermilion)..."hey mom!"...facebook chat...kisses from andy...hugs from kate & matt...
...Giving a big thanks to God for all of those things.

Here's to a great day...now lets get at it!

The to do list...

finish our house remodel
take a cruise
start doing some REAL scrapbooking
spend time reconnecting with old friends
be a more available mom & wife
join a small group...of adults :)
grow spiritually...i need fired back up!
reds game with family
macy parade
horse & buggy ride through central park
snow skiing
europe...as much of it as possible
rv vacation


...additions sure to be published at a later date

Wednesday...The last one in April 2010

Tuesday was a beautiful day. There was a chill in the air but the sun was shining. I'm not a huge fan of spring the mud, rain, the over all slop of it all...ick! However I've made an observation over the course of this spring, and that is just how beautiful the colors have been! All the blooms seem to be heightened with color. The grass is exceptionally green. Even the dirt has pretty shades blended into it. God definitely has quite the eye for color. I praise him for the sight to see.

The day started off in the Dr. office for a blood test for Kathryn. She doesn't have mono, rather bout number 12343857896 of bronchitis for the school year. I'm thankful my daughter is a good student because she's missed 24 days this school year. It's been the worst year ever. She cannot have a repeat as she enters high school in the fall. Andy is working up north this week and will be home Thursday for the Brose McVey event at our church. He does enjoy his politics. Matt is just going with the flow! Xbox live + no homework (istep week) = one happy boy! not to mention every 3 o'clock bell = one day closer to the end of the school year. Funny, the kids and I both are always so excited for the start of the new school year and the potential it holds but MAN! we are always so ready for it to come to an end.

Today, Wednesday (4/28) is off to a cold start but the promise it hold is unlimited. Matt is off to school. Kate is home, again. I'm meeting with our children's minister for a lunch date and hopefully some productive brainstorming.

I'm working through some decisions of my own. I can certainly use prayers for clarity in my decision making process.

So excited...I'm attending for the first time the Vera Bradley Factory Outlet sale. I've heard of the chaos and great deals. I'm not a huge fanatic however am open to being swayed. She's came up with some new prints and styles that I do find appealing. I can't wait to be a part of the madness.

The month of may is lurking...I'm looking forward to it. So hard to believe that the year is almost 1/2 over. WOW time does fly when your having fun... or just getting older. Regardless we've so much to do and get accomplished in just a few short months. So hope my dream comes true.

Here's to a fab day! May you enjoy all of God's blessings.

We gather together

We gather together and share the Lords Blessings.

On Sunday the 25th we gathered with the Van Ness' at Uncle Ralph's. It's always good to get together with family. It was a bitter sweet gathering this time. Sweet to be with everyone and see the newest additions, Charolette & Harper, bitter as Pam & Ann were without their loves, Neal & Rick Van Ness. We could've been celebrating Neal's birthday instead we celebrated one another and just enjoyed the time visiting. Ralph ordered Chinese and desserts and sodas were carried in. In attendence were: Ralph & Elly, her daughter & son-in-law, Ed & Emma Jean, Valda & Dave, Nason, Sara, Allison & Harper, Zach & Julia & Charolette, Pam & Al & Sharon, Ann, and Us. What an enjoyable group and a blessed family. It was a room full of blessings, perseverance and promise. We are a blessed & thankful bunch.

Summit place is the name of the facility were Ralph is currently residing. It's a very nice assisted living place. He reserved the upper game room for our gathering. After all had finished eating another resident wondered into the room. Dressed in her gray sweat suit she took a seat beside me at a table and just sat there for a brief time. We were all laughing and having conversation and I guess she just decided to join in. Ruth is her name. I had gotten up to offer her some pie and when I returned when she was gone. She had taken her seat just outside the open doors in a chair that looked into the game room. This is where she remained until the end of our gathering.

Now I'm the type of person who feels everyone has a story. And Ruth was no exception. According to Ralph, she had a best friend at Summit place who had recently passed away. Ever since her friends passing she has been lost. How sad. I wish she had stuck around and enjoyed some pie and conversation. It would've been nice to have seen Ruth leave with a smile on her face if only for a moment. Instead she just sat outside and watched.

Our next gathering is for sometime in July as Sam, Michelle & Maisie will be here. Emma Jean told me she'll be having surgery on thursday of this week. It appears that thursday will be the eventfull day this week as EJ's surgery will take place, kate has a track meet, and Brose McVey will be speaking at our church. Packed from sun up to sun down. Sounds like the makings for a good day.

Today is a dreary day. Gray, muddy, wet, and cool. ICK! Kate returned to school. Thankfully she's feeling better. I was gonna call the Dr. but think I'll hold out now that she appears to be on the mend.

Andy & I had a date night saturday. Over all the entire saturday was a good day. Andy, Kate & I went to IHOP for breakfast. I of course had a philly steak sandwich. haha. After we went to Wal-mart. It had been a while since we shopped in there since Meijer came to Marion. Kate and I had several chuckles as with little to no effort we found many people who could be featured on peopleofwalmart.com. After we arrived home andy did some work at the house in Amboy and I napped (lol). I then took Kate tanning and when we returned home Andy & I left for our date! We went to Applebee's for dinner and ran into good friends Sherri & Brian Farley so we joined them for our meal. After dinner we were off to the movie. We watched Date Night. Hilarious! I've come to the conclusion that if Gene Shcallet (sp?) doesn't like the movie, then I will love it. I'm a huge fan of laughter and love to hear it and this movie had the entire theater laughing. I was still chuckling the next day. I love my guy! I am so enjoying this journey we're on together.

Well folks, today (& everyday) I ask for you to be prayerful for our kids in school, teachers, this great country of ours. On a more personal level for my brother-in-law and his search for a career, mother-in-law's surgery, my mom, and I'll be selfish and ask for a few prayers of my own. I need a kick in the pants and a whole lot of motivation to get accomplished all that needs to be done so that we can fully start this remodeling project. And it's all on me! Thanks in advance for those.

May God bless this week and may you recognize His great works and know He is God! May you gather together with love ones and share the Lords' blessings.

:) kel