Miscellaneous Info

Visitors!  December we were BLESSED with many visitors.  Of course, Scoot, our Elf on the Shelf, was here until Christmas day & Santa visited us on Christmas day, but we had real, live, human people in our home too!  Our first visitors were from PA.  The Horst family, Rich, Trudy, Dexter & Sheena, all made the trip here to TX to see us!  We were soooo excited to have them here.  Dan & I made the decision not to tell Eli & to surprise him at the airport.  So, on the 17th, Dan & Eli went to airport to pick them up.  I was at home because it just so happened to be the same evening we were hosting the main course for our church's youth group progressive dinner.  Eli was so excited when he saw them.  It was ironic, because Eli had been talking about Dexter prior to them coming & then...here he was in the flesh.  In any case, when they got here, Sis. Trudy immediately started helping us & within minutes of them being here, the youth started coming for the lasagna.  So...we had about 40-50 people in our home for about an hour.  It was fun, but I'm sure overwhelming for our guests.  (LOL)  While the Horst family was here, we had tons of fun.  Eli thoroughly enjoyed playing with all of them, Dan took them to the Holocaust Museum in Houston, we walked through some of our downtown "Memorial Hermann" area.  We enjoyed  great weather & loved our time together.  We visited NASA, Festival of Lights in Galveston, Rain Forest Cafe and just had fun relaxing at home.  It was so nice to have a great time together. Thank you to Rich, Trudy, Dexter & Sheena for visiting us.  Eli is asking when you are returning!  :-)

 Dexter, Eli & Sheena

Sis. Trudy, Eli & Bro. Rich (Up, Up)

Then, on Dec 30th, one of my childhood friends came to visit!  Shawna Zoladz.  Oh & wow, did we have fun.  This visit was more of a girl time trip, but we enjoyed family time too.  Shawna & I had so much fun shopping, playing games, brought in the new year and just had fun laughing. We enjoyed talking about the memories of times past & looking forward to lots of memories to be made.  Shawna, your visit was wonderful.  I am so thankful that you took the time to come & I'm looking forward to many more moments with you!



Shawna, Eli & Kylie

So, Nov & Dec also brought lots of fun on the family front.  Dan has still been working in the Houston area and he had a week off in Dec for us to enjoy time together.  We enjoyed time at Santa's Wonderland & purely enjoyed our time as a family. 

Elijah has been growing faster than I can keep up with in EVERY way.  One thing we did while on vacation was that we all had eye exams.  Turns out, our little man needed glasses.  I'm so thankful that we took him & he has been trying to get used to them.  Some days he does great wearing them & other days, well, not so much.  All in all, it is a new change that we are all getting used to.  Christmas was wonderful & Eli enjoyed each gift he received.  We had a great time watching him open & play with his new toys.  He was kept busy all day and continues to play with most of them.  Of course, at this point, he can't wait for Christmas to be here again & keeps asking if it is time for Santa to come.  Just through the eyes of a child.  Otherwise, Eli is doing well.  Being a normal kid, pushing limits, pushing buttons & mostly pushing mommy.  We are learning new ways to discipline and keeping the little active child busy.  I am hoping it will help me too.  We continue to be blessed with our little man.

Dan...as I mentioned earlier he has been working in Houston still.  We are thankful for this, but on the other hand, we are needing him to get some over time.  I know that ultimately God will take care of us.  So, in the meantime, he has been able to get some things accomplished around the house.  He is preparing a spot in our backyard to plant a garden.  One thing we missed last year was fresh produce.  So, we decided it is time.  I'm not sure how I feel about this when he goes away & I am left to weed it, but...we will give it a try.  Dan has also been enjoying his time home with Eli.  We have together, been facing the challenges head on & learning this path.  I am thankful for that.

Me...well, I am me.  I have LOTS to work on this year, including getting the weight that I put back on my body OFF.  It is a life long struggle for me, I know, but I know I am getting it off.  I am so blessed with a wonderful lady in my life who is going to work with me through this challenge!  I have been hanging out with my dear friend Julie & her kids so that Eli can have play dates & we have gotten to know our neighbor really well.  Angie joins us most evenings for dinner & it is great.  She took me to see the Nutcracker this year & it was my first time. I LOVED it!  Eli loves having Angie here & she has a Shih-Tzu as well, so Patches hangs out with us too & Kylie loves driving her nuts.  All in all, I'm having fun.  I'm living life.  I'm me. :)

One final thing...we made a big family decision...I will be homeschooling Elijah next year.  Yup.  Homeschooling.  Dan & I have been praying about this & struggling with what avenue to take & as a family we have decided to take this step.  I know this is going to come as a shock to some of you, but I appreciate your prayers as we enjoy this next phase in our life.  We will be joining an amazing support group system here & have many friends at our church that home school as well.  So, Lord willing, Eli will begin Kindergarten in the fall. I'm sure we will chat more about this in the coming months. 

Until next time...Happy 2012!

Good Times

Sometimes life gets busy.  Not so busy that you can't breathe, but busy enough that simple things go by the wayside.  These past couple months have been like that.  I haven't been on here since the end of Sept.  Crazy, huh?!  In that time a lot has been going on.  I will recap a little of it.

October was full of fun.  I went to a women's retreat with some wonderful women of the church.  I had a blast.  It was nice to be away for a weekend and have an opportunity to be refreshed, but it was also nice to come home to my boys.  Also, in October we were blessed to watch 3 girls.  Here is my recap on that...

Parents of 4 kids.  So, I've decided that after 1 kid...that if you add more it is all the same.  Now, for those of you who have more than 1 & think I'm insane & are saying in your mind "oh, girl, you have no idea!  It's different!  If they were all yours you would change your tune!"  Okay, so maybe, but honestly, it was the same as 1.  In fact, at some points I thought it was easier.  You have in house entertainment.  You have a schedule & you make them stick to it.  Right?!  We had so much fun.  The girls were wonderful.   We enjoyed watching Disney shows (other than Eli's normals) and enjoyed making sure homework was complete & having fun.  We enjoyed the zoo, making English muffin pizza's & many more things.  After that week I was ready to keep them.  Seriously.  I loved having them!

October also brought an interesting adventure.  I came home from getting groceries one night & a dog followed me into the house.  After trying to find the dog's home we had no luck.  So, after having the dog for over 2 weeks we thought we were safe.  We thought "Snickers" was officially ours.  Well, on Halloween night, we found out that Snickers was actually Sebastian.  He went home to his owners.  It was a mess & to save time I will just say that it was a sticky situation, but we let him go.  Eli was crushed.  However, we eventually moved on. (you will see why)

Our little dragon (Snickers in the background)

November.  Whew, we had fun in November too.  Eli had his first real sleepover.  We invited 2 of his friends from school, twins, Tristan & Noah, over for a sleepover.  They had sooooo much fun!  It was amazing.  They also slept well & enjoyed one another.  I would say it was a huge success & I see many more sleepovers happening!

November is national adoption month, so we began to really think about adopting a puppy.  Well, we tried out a couple & we finally found a newborn puppy (Shih-Tzu) that was born Sept. 13th.  She needed a home.  So, on Thursday, Nov. 10, we got our new Puppy.  Kylie.  She is sweet.  Eli LOVES her.  It has been interesting with her, but we are all learning & growing together.  So, welcome Kylie to our family.

November brought some homesickness for me.  I struggled quite a bit, but thankfully I was able to pull through.  We were blessed to spend Thanksgiving with a dear family from church.  We love the Wright family & are so incredibly happy to have been welcomed in their home for this day.  We enjoyed every moment of the day.

The best thing of all...Dan was home working in Houston from Sept thru Nov.  In fact, just this last week was his first week traveling in several months.  We were blessed to have him here & we have enjoyed every moment together.  Eli has been growing so fast & changing every time we turn around.  He is very inquisitive & is trying every boundary given to him.  We know that with God's help we will raise him to be the best he is to be. 

So, for now this is a short update.  I will work hard at updating more frequently.  Love to you all.

Until next time...enjoy this short video of Eli & his pup.





One Full Year

It has been a year.  Wow, what a year it has been.  This journey started out as a scary adventure and has turned into something amazing.  The only thing I still dislike after being here for the full year is the fact that I miss my family & friends back home dearly.  Now, in that same breath, the amazing thing that God has done this year, is placed incredible people in my life that I am getting to know more & more with each passing day!  So, all in all, it has been a wonderful year.  Full of adventures, fascination, tears, laughter, nervousness, and many, many more emotions.  All in all, we are BLESSED!

Elijah continues to grow every single day.  I swear that each time I look at him he has grown taller.  His clothes that were big on him at the beginning of the summer are almost too small for him now in length.  He is filling out too.  I love adjustable waists on pants, and I have had to take most of them out about 6 notches lately.  It is crazy how fast it is happening.  I had purchased clothes already for next summer that I am praying will fit him.  The good news is, if they don't, I got them on clearance & I have people who can use them.  Anyhow, it is very neat to watch Eli change.  He is learning so much.  He makes us laugh (or at least chuckle) almost everyday.  Soccer has been interesting for him.  He usually mopes a little on the field & somewhere during the 2nd half will get into the game.  Not sure this will be his thing or not, but, he is at least trying it.  School has been interesting.  He cries every day when I drop him off.  I am praying that this morning will go differently.  One thing I love about my little man is that he can be the sweetest thing ever.  He knows just how to make me smile.  This week he has told me several times how "bluetiful" I am.  I cherish those moments.  We are blessed with him.

Dan has been working in Houston now for 3 weeks.  It has been great.  His parents stopped by to visit while doing some traveling, so it was nice that he was able to work around here to be with them.  Eli also enjoyed spending time with Nanny and Poppy.  It has been nice having Dan home and Elijah sure enjoys having Daddy come home every evening.  I am trying to enjoy these moments & not think about the week that he goes away again, but it keeps haunting me.  Pray with me that God will settle my heart & help us when that time comes.

...so, nothing else to report right now.  Life has been great.  We will continue to look at the blessings every day.  Praying you do the same. 

Praising God

God has shown Himself to me, once again, very vividly this past week. I want to give Him the praise for this!

My sister, Alice & her family (husband, Brian & girls, Amanda & Brenna) made a difficult decision to move into my parents home to help them as their age & health have begun to limit them on their capabilities.  My mom & dad began constructing an apartment in the basement of their home.  Through prayer, Alice & Brian decided instead of selling their home on the "market" God was leading them to have a home auction.  You know, sometimes when God makes a way so clear it is easy to follow through until it comes close to the true moment.  However, they trusted that this was clearly what God wanted & He would ultimately take care of them.  He did just that.  This past Thursday their home auction took place.  Praise God, their home sold!  Not for the full price they wanted, but pretty close & they were blessed with an amazing auctioneer.  God clearly had His full hands in this.  Thank you Lord!

My husband...for many reasons, I needed Dan to work from home this week.  We weren't sure this was going to happen, however, Praise the Lord, it did happen!  Dan is working in Houston this week & will be home with us in the evenings!  This is a MAJOR blessing to me.

My back...I had relief.  My pain was minimal.  I was so thankful for the medication & for the healing.  I started physical therapy on Friday.  Oh my.  That was intense.  I also finished my medication Friday.  So, I am so thankful for some low pain days!  Today, as I write this, I am in tremendous pain again.  Trusting that God will heal.

Our Car...we are loaning our car out to a family in need of a vehicle right now, but it was time for inspection.  So, last weekend, we had it while they were away & got the necessary inspection completed.  While it was in for inspection they realized that the Serpentine belt was worn badly & was about to break.  Thank God this didn't happen while someone was driving it.  So, although it was a financial expenditure we didn't expect, we are thankful no one was hurt & that the car went 160,000+ miles before it needed changed!  All good!!!!

Our Church...I can not say enough about the blessing that our church is.  I know without any shadow of a doubt that God brought us to this church.  We are so encouraged by the people in it & the Pastoral staff.  They are so real.  So down to earth.  So loving.  All the friends that we have obtained from the church, we really are so blessed!

Last weekend we had the privilege of keeping 3 girls for the youth pastor & his wife as they traveled with the youth.  Oh, what an amazing time we had!!!  First of all, I LOVED having 3 girls in the house again.  Also, to watch each girl & see their individual personalities shine is amazing.  I sat with amazement at the variety & similarities of the sisters.  Beautiful moments!  Love those girls!!!

The girls, Eli & I dancing! :-)

My little man...he continues to amaze me.  He is growing so fast it is almost uncontrollable.  Tomorrow is his first day of Pre K4.  I can't believe it.  This past Saturday he had his first soccer game.  He was hilarious.  The first half of the game he pretty much watched.  Then, he decided to play.  So, he scored 4 goals.  2 for our team & 2 for the other team.  It's a good thing at age 4 they don't keep score!!!  In any case, I hope that he continues to have fun with this. 

Ready to play his first game!

One of Eli's correct goals!

One thing that made me laugh this week...we were getting ready to go on a play date & I gave Eli his clothes to get dressed & I finished getting myself ready.  That evening as we were getting ready for baths and such, I noticed that Elijah never took off his PJ shorts.  So, all day, my son had on his shorts over top of his PJ's.  Yup, I won the Mom of the year award with that one!  I just laughed about it, because it was over.  I couldn't change it then.  I just know now to check that.  LOL!

Needless to say, our lives have been full of blessings.  I have so much that I always want to tell you on here, but if I typed everything it would be a book (ok, more of a book than it is already) and I want you to keep reading.  So...for now I leave you with this thought:

September 11, 2001 will forever be in our memories.  So many of us can remember where we were & what we were doing when the tragic events started to unfold.  I personally, was working for Shaffer Trucking at the time.  I was a Fleet Assistant.  I was in my seat directly in front of Rick Weber, VP of Operations.  I remember hearing the buzz about the first airplane.  I walked to the drivers lounge to see the TV, about that time the 2nd plane hit the 2nd building.  Phone calls started to come in from concerned families of truck drivers that knew that their loved one was on the way to NYC.  I remember calling my parents asking them if they had the TV on.  Then, for the next several days we relived the moments, view by view on Television.  I knew people who lost loved ones in the towers.  It was heart breaking.  America had been struck.  No matter what we thought about the political realm, at that moment, Americans stood together.  There was no democrat or republican, there was no black or white, etc...we were just Americans.  So, today, we remember.  Our minds are taken back 10 years ago when this Nation was shaken.  Emotionally, physically, spiritually.  We were moved. This day many became heroes.  Men and women sacrificially gave their lives.  Some were spared and thus dealt with another issue from the tragedy.  Guilt.  Since that day, we have had more heroes.  Those who have given their lives fighting for our Country.  We thank you.  We thank all of you.  We pray for the families affected.  We pray for this Nation.  May we continue to be ONE NATION UNDER GOD!

Real Me

You know what I like best about writing a blog?  No?  Well, it is the fact that I can bear my soul, be naked, be real, be completely vulnerable and if you don't like it, you can just stop reading it.  LOL.  Honestly though, it is refreshing to be open here & know that those who are reading this will love me anyhow.

So, that being said...here we go. 

Lately things for me have been a little odd.  I had a routine physical in April and expected everything to be fine.  Well, it wasn't.  Took me completely by surprise.  Went to the specialist that my Doctor recommended and when I left that appointment I was fearing the worst.  This Dr had informed me that I would need major life changing surgery.  Well, 2nd opinion...many tests later and finally after a month go back...I'm good.  Things are a little out of whack & I have one minor issue, but now...going back in 3 months for further testing.  Thank God for the healing!  So...I thought, whew, all is well.  Apparently though, I am not finished with Doctors.  I have been having some other issues, these with my back & well, finally decided (my body forced me) to go to the Dr.  and now....tomorrow, I'm going to another specialist.  UGH!  In any case, I know it could be worse, but I broke down in tears.  I called Dan and for the first time in a year, I asked him to please take a day off tomorrow and come home.  He did.  :-)

So, in all of this madness, things have been a little out of whack for me since May when I first received results.  Actually, even though we have been in TX for almost a year now, I feel like I have never really finished settling.  I feel as though I always have something happening.  It is a good thing, but goodness, sometimes I could just handle a breather.

The biggest thing I miss is exercising.  I thought being home with Eli would allow me to run more.  Wrong.  In the past year, I think I have gone running a total of 3 times.  Now, with my back, running isn't in the picture.  Since we've moved I have gained weight.  It is tough for me.  I have beat myself up over this.  I think it is funny how people feel the need to tell you that you have gained weight.  Really?  No way!  I honestly think some people forget that you look at yourself in the mirror everyday and you dress yourself.  Anyhow...I have beat myself up over it too much already.  I don't need anyone else to do it.  If you think about it though, I would appreciate prayers as I endeavor to get back on track & lose the weight I gained & more.  I have to do it for me. 

Well, that is enough about me.

My little man started soccer tonight!!!!!  He is my cutie.  I was so excited that daddy was home with us to go tonight.  His first practice.  At first, he was completely shy, but as the hour went on he was ready to stay longer.  I hope we have a good soccer season.  I'm sure I will update more on this in the coming months.

Some of Eli's quotes lately...

Eli:"Mommy, you smell like mam-ma." Me: "Oh really?  How is that?"  E: "Like stinky dinosaur Love!"

Tonight in the tub..."Daddy, I should have brought my umbrella in here so you could use the water to rain on me!"

I leave you tonight with 2 videos of my little man.  Love to you all!

Homerun

Since my last blog I have traveled thousands of miles. CRAZY, but true!  My genius plan was to drive to PA in order to go to the beach in NC with my sisters.  Oh my.  So, we drove from TX to PA...then, I went to OH to see my college bestie, then back to PA then to OBX, NC, back to PA & then, turned around & came home!  Let me just say that I was so glad to see the TX sign when we crossed the border.  It was a joyous moment.

Going home is such a bitter sweet time.  Several years ago, after going through major hurt in friendships, I prayed that God would bring true friends into my life.  He did just that.  I am so blessed with friends that when I go to PA for a visit it is very difficult.  I want & need to spend time with my family since I don't get to see them very much, but I also want to see my friends.  I would love to have enough time to see everyone with every trip, but I know that is unrealistic.  So, to all of you who I love dearly, I apologize if I can't see you when I'm there.  Please know that you really do mean so much to me & I hope we can keep in touch in other ways as well.  I thank God for you all!

Since being back home in TX things have been nice.  Eli had his first dentist appointment.  I know, he's 4 you are yelling...I know...I waited too long, however, he did GREAT!  I was sooo proud of him.  I wasn't however, proud of how he acted in the waiting room.  I am dealing with a lot of defiance & trying lately.  In any case, the dentist visit went well for him.  No cavities & his teeth are looking great.  Good for 6 months!  :-)

 Getting his x-rays

Getting his teeth checked by the Dentist!

While we were gone Eli wanted to come home many times.  The biggest reason...he missed his best friend, Garner!  He was so excited when we got back & couldn't wait to spend time with G.  (He also missed his Daddy who wasn't with us on the trip, but he was so excited to play with G).  We are so blessed to have the Meads family in our lives.  Little G was also excited to see Eli.  So...here's pictures of them playing!

This past weekend we had our parent soccer meeting.  Elijah starts soccer practice THIS Thursday!  So, on Saturday we bought Eli his shin guards & cleats.  He was so excited.  He couldn't wait to get home, put them on & go outside to play.  I am praying that soccer practice goes just as well this week.  I'll keep you posted!

Lately Elijah has been talking A LOT about pets.  He is infatuated with them.  He still has been crying because we don't have Squirt anymore.  I am really surprised at this.  It is cute, sad and a little funny when he does it.  In any case...he is precious.  Not thinking the pet thing is going to happen, but hey...maybe fish.  Although, when Daddy suggested that, Eli's concern was catching the fish to pet it.  Oh dear.

Elijah keeps me laughing most days & the other days he has me in tears.  We are definitely in the trying fours, but I love him more every day.  He is still a blessing to me.  I cherish my moments with him and as tough as some days are...I'm proud to be his mommy.



Blessed Beyond Measure

Sometimes life can get the best of you.  Things just don't seem to be going the way you think they should, and before you know it, in your mind, life stinks.  Yup, I think if we are all honest, at one point or another, we have all been there.  Well, I thought maybe, just maybe, I was heading there.  Then...I stopped myself.  What in the world, Beth?  I am blessed.  I am blessed beyond measure.  I am blessed.  I may have rough moments.  I may have rough weeks, months, etc.  However, I have nothing to complain about really. 

So, yes...I've been having some moments.  About nothing, really.  Having some of my own personal issues, but...Life is good.  Elijah is growing.  He is continually coming up with some of the most amazing comments ever.  One of the most memorable this past week was... "Mommy, it is Holy Cow HOT out there!" That was after spending just a few minutes outside.  Too cute!!!  Eli keeps me hoping.  He can not wait for school to start again.  He misses being in the structure.  For that reason alone, I am wondering if we should have gone with the 5 day week pre-school.  However, I think that once we get back into the routine, he will settle in.  We are really excited to see how he progresses in the coming year.

Everyday Elijah asks me, "please mommy, can I have a brother or sister?  I would have more fun playing!"  He is definitely my social butterfly.  He loves to have kids over & his dream & prayer is that he will have sibling(s).  I'm wondering if this is a stage that he will overcome or????  I guess time will tell.

We are preparing to travel to PA.  I think I'm NUTS for driving it again, but hey, where would life's adventures be if I didn't make some of them myself?  LOL.  We will have a good time.  I am looking forward to a week at the beach with my sisters as well!!!  We are going to have a good time.  Life is great.