Day 2 of VBS...

Another day has come and gone of VBS. It was with much event. About 10:30 someone came to get me because they couldn't get BB to calm down after crying for about 1 hour. I must tell you, my friends over the preschool age, MAS, Stacy, and Ms Leslie (their teacher) are awesome people. They care so much for our little ones that I have full confidence and trust in their care of my boys. So I know they did all they could to get him to calm down.

I ended up having to take him to the choir with me while CB wanted to stay and play. He sat very quietly and still as I instructed him while I continued to help with pre-school music. He participated when his class arrived and decided to go back with them. However, CB cried when leaving the choir room not wanting to return to his class. They were both all smiles when I picked them up a few minutes later.

After VBS, we ventured to the Post Office to mail a monogram order and then to the vet to buy Gizzie some of prescription food. Yes, she has to eat prescription food to prevent bladder stones.

Once we got home, we ate lunch and the boys took a nap. BB woke up early with a "bad dream", while I had to wake CB up.

Until next time, 2 days down and 3 to go, HB

Survived the 1st day of VBS!

Well, we survived the 1st day of VBS. And when I say survive, I really mean survive. The 1st day is typically "survival of the fittest" due to the chaos, crying children when their moms/dads leave them, crying teachers when they learn they have more children than expected, and all the other unexpected and overwhelming circumstances that happen on the 1st day.

The boys didn't cry when I dropped them off but, instead, they broke down every time they saw me and couldn't stay with me. On a positive note, they wore underwear today and stayed dry!!! Thanks impart to their great teachers who made it a priority to take them to the bathroom on a regular basis, thanks Ms Leslie and Ms Angie.

As I mentioned in the previous post, I am helping with pre-school music. I really enjoyed helping teach the little ones the songs and motions, regardless of the repetition of doing it over and over and over and over and over again. Now these songs haunt me during any quiet moment. Anyway, the boys came in the choir room with their group and it was such a blessing to watch them. Each participated in just the way I expected. CB was ready to move and sing. He was enthralled in the motions and songs while BB just stood their too shy and self conscious to even try. However, he did make his way to the top of the choir steps and grooved a little...that was until I looked at him. They left the choir room headed back their room. I love their age of children....still so innocent.

When leaving, some children were loading up to head back to their daycare. CB thought he was to get on the bus and became quite distraught when he realized that he was not gonna be riding. He cried all the way home saying "I wanna ride da bus". I told myself...all too soon enough, sweetheart.

Until next time, 1 day down and 4 to go, HB

VBS---2008

This week is our VBS at church. I have volunteered to help with pre-school music this year, unlike the past the 2 years. So no sleeping in and lounging around the house for us this week. We will be up early and at the church by 8:00 am with smiles of anticipation.

Yeah, right...more like dragging in barely making it in time for the 1st round of rotation with wet hair and make-up slapped on and the boys half dressed because I couldn't find the other sock, the other shoe, the pair of shorts or the other shirt. Their bag will be half packed with spare clothes but no spare underwear. The boys will be screaming when I leave them in their room and I'll be ill from the morning rush.

This year's theme is Outrigger Island. Too bad we couldn't load all 700 expected children and fly off to an actual island. Now that would be a fun way to "suffer for Jesus".

Regardless of the hard work and extra effort parents have to put forth, it will be worth it to see the children enjoy learning about God's love.

Until next time, HB

Just a Few More Days...

til I kill myself trying to get in shape. I retired my membership from the Y several months ago due to the rising costs of gas and my business requiring more of my time. It was about a 30 minute drive one way to the "new Y" (as we called it). So it took an hour driving time just to work out. It was not very motivational to drive for an hour while working out for only 1 hour, if I was lucky to have that long. Also due to the drive time and other circumstances, JB was not able to join and participate in the benefits of Y.

Well, we are glad to say that we(JB and I both) have joined the new Courthouse that is located at what used to be Jitney. This is only 5 minutes from our house and is open 24- 6 1/2 (they aren't opened Sunday mornings).

Advantages....obviously closer therefore eliminating drive time and gas, more flexible hours, more exercise equipment as this facility is strictly for "working out", cost less, JB is able to benefit from this membership.

Disadvantages...no child care, no pool or tennis, no individual tv's at each exercise equipment...not much else to "complain" about.

My parents have also joined as it, too, is closer for them than the Y.

I have gained some of my weight back since I quit working out and I can tell that I don't have as much energy. Needless to say, I am looking forward to getting back in shape and feeling better mentally and physically.

Until next time, HB

Little Men After my own Heart

Those that have known me the longest and best, know that I love Peanuts...Snoopy, Linus, Charlie Brown and the Gang, that is...not the nuts.

My boys seem to be following my love for the Gang. They love for me to read the Snoopy books we have and they enjoy watching my old Snoopy cartoons, the Classics. I am glad to own all of them.

The other night, I was reading a Snoopy story to them and CB wanted to show me that he knew most of the characters. He pointed to each character as he named them...

Tarlie Bown

Snoopy

Woodsock

Pigpen

Linus

Sally

Pepperoni BKA...Peppermint Patty

He insists on calling her Pepperoni. I don't know what impresses me the most...the fact that he can recall most of the characters or that he can actually pronounce Pepperoni. Mind you, now, that he can't even fully pronouce Charlie Brown.

So Pepperoni it is for now. I don't try to change his mind...soon enough he will be speaking more like a grown child and I'll miss this little moments.

Until next time,

Got Faith?

This is a blog that I have been wanting to write for sometime but every time I have sat to down to write it...something has happened that has prevented it. Now, those "somethings" pertain to what I want to write about.

I was introduced to a blog through a fellow blogging friend titled The Confessions of a CF Husband. I can't even begin to tell you everything there is to know about this blog only that it's written by a husband whose wife has CF. This blog is about his experiences as a "CF Husband" while his wife undergoes a double lung transplant after an emergency c-section to deliver their little girl at about 24 weeks. Trust me, you will just have to read it yourself to experience his awesome faith and peace in Christ and his love for his bride and little girl. I could do no justice in trying to describe it. When I read it, there were times I found my faith to be too small. Would I have the same faith and trust that he does during such a trying situation and circumstance?

Well, then I ran up on the blog Bring the Rain...The story of Audrey Caroline.
This blog is by Angie Smith, the wife of Todd Smith...lead singer of Selah. If anyone were to ask for a list of musicians whose songs most inspire me, Selah would be on that list. JB and I have been blessed to see them twice in concert and we own all of their CD's. I love them, I love their songs, I love their heart, and I love their ministry. (I digress...only to say that this blog is really special to me as I find Selah's messages of faith, hope, love and peace to be so near to my heart). Again, I could do no justice in trying to describe this blog. Angie blogs about their experience in losing a child shortly after birth. She writes with such a personal affect that you feel like you know her after reading the first post. And by the time you read all of her posts, you find yourself grieving for them as if they were someone you've known all your life. I, again, reflect after reading her experiences of such awesome faith and trust in Christ, on my faith and find it so little. Her faith will leave you reflecting your own and realizing just how much we have to rely on Christ to get us through such tragedy.

So, I have "Got Faith?" in the back of my mind to write thinking, "I'll finally write about that tonight". As history seems to repeat itself, I read about the Chapman family and the tragedy they have experienced. Steven Curtis Chapman ranks up there with Selah for me. He, too, is a musician that I admire through his faith filled songs, life and ministry. He and his family exemplify the love of Christ in a way that you can't help but know the love they have for Him. JB and I had one of his songs in our wedding and we own most if not all of his CD's. You will find that most of my I-Pod consists of songs from him and Selah. I have no doubt that their faith is strong enough to get them through this tragedy and that their faith through this tragedy will be another testament of their love for Christ for the rest of the world to witness.

All of these situations have me reflecting the strength of my faith...is it strong enough to sustain me in such tragedies I have mentioned above...or is so weak that when such storms come, I will only retreat from God and try to find my own shelter. All I can do is pray that it's strong enough until I have to actually experience those storms. And as Christians, we will experience some type of storm(s) in our lifetime...not to harm us but only to prosper us...to make us stronger in Christ and for Him to be glorified for all the world to see our love for Him and His never-ending, unfailing, ever faithful love for us.

You see, I like to be in control and in the storms of life, I don't have control. And to keep me honest with my readers...I don't like not being in control.
It's an area in my spiritual life that I battle. I find it hard to simply "give control" over. I want it to work my way, the way I have planned, so that nothing takes me off guard or becomes a big SURPRISE. While I know that God is in control and that nothing surprises Him, at times for me, it's hard to actually live it.

I have been blessed reading the above blogs. They are an assurance of God's love for his people. And the writers are an assurance of faith and peace that I hope to exemplify during my life's storms. I encourage you to read them when you have time...i emphasize "when you have time" because you would do yourself a disservice to just skim through them. I must warn you...have plenty of tissue around.

Until next time, HB

PS...Here is a video of the Smith's story but don't just watch that without reading their blog. I promise, that you will be equally blessed in both
http://www.vimeo.com/951902/

Food for Dogs

I read this on my MSN homepage and thought I would share it. Some of you will not find it interesting as you don't have pets and some will find it informative as I did. However, I merely cut & pasted this, editing other info. This is not meant to be as a "prescription" diet and you should always ask your vet concerning food matters when it comes to your pets. I say this because I don't want anyone emailing me that I am wrong or that your pet had a reaction when you fed him some "good food". This is strictly for informative reasons. I am not a vet, don't plan to become one...so don't take this as medical vet advise from me.

Bad Food:

Avocados
They contain a toxic component called persin, which can damage heart, lung and other tissue in many animals. This fruit is very toxic to dogs, cats and most animals.

Beer
Alcoholic beverages can cause the same damage to an animal's liver and brain as they cause in humans. But the effects can be deadly on animals since they are much smaller than us. The smaller the animal, the more deadly the effects can be. Even a small amount of alcohol may cause vomiting and damage the liver and brain.

Nuts
Walnuts and macadamia nuts are especially toxic. Effects can be anything from vomiting to paralysis to death. Within 12 hours of eating the nuts, pets start to develop symptoms such as an inability to stand or walk, vomiting, hyperthermia (elevated body temperature), weakness, and an elevated heart rate. These symptoms can be even worse if your dog eats some chocolate with the nuts. The effect can cause kidney failure, often leading to death.

Chocolate
Chocolate contains theobromine, which can kill your pet if eaten in large quantities. Dark and unsweetened baking chocolates are especially dangerous. Giving your pup a piece of chocolate cake or even letting him lick the chocolate icing on the cake could cause him to become ill. Theobromine can also cause a dog or cat's heart to beat very rapidly or irregularly, which could result in death if the pet is exercising or overly active.

Candy
Candy or anything containing Xylitol (a common sweetener found in some diet products) can cause a sudden drop in an animal's blood sugar, loss of coordination and seizures. If left untreated, the animal could die.

Caffeine
Coffee, tea or any product that contains caffeine stimulates an animal's central nervous and cardiac systems. This can lead to restlessness, heart palpitations and death, depending on how much the animal consumes.

Grapes & Raisins
Grapes and raisins can lead to kidney failure in dogs. As little as a single serving of raisins can kill them. And the effects are cumulative, which means that even if a dog eats just one or two grapes or raisins regularly, the toxin that builds in his system will eventually kill him.

Onions
Onions are another common food that can be highly toxic to pets. They can destroy an animal's red blood cells and lead to anemia, weakness and breathing difficulties. Their effects are also cumulative over time.

Good Foods: Please keep in mind that you should consult your vet before putting your pet on a human food diet. Also, remember human foods should be given in moderation and if it causes gastro problems for animal, stop giving it.

Lean Meats
Any cooked lean meat should be fine for most dogs. High-fat meats, chicken skin and fat from steaks or roasts are not recommended. Ingestion may lead to gastrointestinal upset or even pancreatitis. This can be a very painful condition for dogs. In addition, most companion animals do not need extra fat in their diets. Never give your pet meat with the bone in it. Animals can choke on the bones, and they can splinter as well.

Vegetables
Carrot sticks, green beans, cucumber slices and zucchini slices are all OK.

Fruit
Apple slices, orange slices, bananas and watermelon are all OK. Make sure the seeds have been taken out; seeds are not good for your pet!

Baked Potatoes
Plain baked potatoes are fine, but make sure they are cooked — no unripe potatoes or potato plants.

Bread
Plain cooked bread is fine; just make sure there are no nuts or raisins added.

Rice & Pasta
Plain, cooked pasta and white rice are OK. Often veterinarians recommend plain rice with some boiled chicken when gastrointestinal upset is present.