I have taken up a new activity recently. Piano lessons! I am not taking them...I am giving them. I currently have 4 students and will gain 2-3 more in the summer. (One of those will be my husband!)
It has been an adventure, to say the least. I have come to the knowledge of just how much I really can do with my time. More importantly, I realize that "judging a book by its cover" is soooo wrong. I have 4 girls between the ages of 7 and 13. I assumed, from my friendships with these girls at church, how this process would go for them. But they have all proved me wrong. Ones that I thought would progress quickly have not, and others that I thought would go at a slower pace have speedily learned their material. At first, I was surprised! But the longer I have worked with them, I have gotten to know their goals, work ethic, and God-given abilities.
You see, some people have a natural talent. While others have to work for it. But the thing that makes my students retain the most is this: DESIRE. Isn't that with everything in life? We must desire to do, or the doing won't be worth the time and effort put forth. God asks us to live our life seperated from the world. But He doesn't ask us to do it begrudgingly. He wants us to want it. Live your life for Him with a desire to do so.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Monday, December 12, 2011
But It's Only a Car
Call me sentimental, but I have a hard time parting ways with cars I've owned. My first car was a 1988 Plymouth Grand Voyager. Drove it until the transmission started messing up on it. It had almost 200,000 miles on it at the time. By the time it died, I had gotten married, so my hubby bought me another Plymouth Grand Voyager - only this time it was a 2000 model. We wound up giving that car to some friends of ours because they had more kids than we did. With both vehicles, I had a crying party after driving away. So many memories.
But this week, my husband finally parted with his car. I didn't think I'd have that hard a time with it until I started doing some thinking. So, if you don't mind listening, I would like to tell you a story about the little car that meant so much to us.
Let's set the scene: summer 2002, beautiful day outside, and I was excited. Tim and I were supposed to be going on our second date that night. He wanted to take me to Outback Steakhouse and I'd never been there before. I was busy getting ready at my parents' house when the phone rang. No one recognized the number, so we let it go to the voice mail. The caller left a message so we checked it. It was Tim. He had been in an accident. From the sound of it, it wasn't too bad, but he was being taken to the hospital.
When I arrived at Riverside, Tim filled me in on all the details. His Rodeo had been hit by another driver under the influence of drugs. The SUV had flipped in the air and was totaled. (There was also a large gash in his arm that required surgery.) He was fine but this meant he would need a new car. He looked around and finally found a 1999 Chevy Cavalier with super-low miles and in his price range. It was a base model so there was nothing fancy about it. Just a car to get him from point A to B.
Tim made up for the date that he cancelled and more. But by the end of the year, things were getting weird. We were both immature and needed some time to grow up. I didn't realize this at the time, though. On New Year's Day 2003, we were having dinner at my grandparents' house with the family. Tim came but he was acting strange. After dinner, he took me out to that car. There, he told me we were done. He just wanted to be friends. Friends? Just friends? With the guy I thought I was going to marry one day? This was a hard pill to swallow.
Any time I saw his car after that, I dreaded it. It only meant more pain or drama. We were still going to the same church, so I saw that car at least 2-3 times a week for a few months. Then...I didn't. Didn't see him or the car, I mean. He went to visit his family in Kansas for a week or so. After that, he went on sea trials for the USS Ronald Reagan. Time had come and gone, and so had our immaturity. We grew up in the months we were apart. Now, it was July 4th. Tim called me and asked if I would like to spend some time with his family who had come to visit for the day. I jumped at the offer. That day, we started our relationship over again. But this time, we were ready.
What a year 2003 was! It started terribly but was getting better as the days went on. Yet, as New Year's Day 2004 came closer, it brought old feelings back. I had a fear in the back of my mind of that holiday because of the meeting we had in his car the previous year. Again, we were supposed to meet my family for dinner that night. This time, we were going out to Golden Corral. Tim picked me up in that dreadful car. The trip over was pretty quiet. When we got in the parking lot, he looked down at the shifter and said, "There's something I need to tell you." I'm thinking...Oh, great, here it comes... Then he said, "Will you marry me?" and pulled out a ring. I was shocked! It took me a minute but I said YES!
That car also helped me realize how great a husband Tim would really be. Tim had picked me up to hang out at his condo one night. He was working on something and asked if I would run with his car to get some pizza. It was just across the street so I volunteered. On my way back, the pizza box fell to the floor. I reached down to grab it when I felt a thud. I looked up to realize I had crashed the car into some hedges. I panicked and wasn't sure what to do. You'd think hitting the brakes would have been the first thing to come to mind...but no. I turned the wheel to avoid more damage, only causing more. I finally stopped the car and noticed the side mirror was laying on the ground. I picked it up while my heart raced. What would he say?! I got back to the condo carrying a pizza box and mirror in my hands while crying my eyes out. He looked at me and said, "Are you okay?" I told him the story and we went out to look at the car. He was so patient and understanding. Not once did he look angry or raise his voice at me. He said it was only a car and he was just glad I was okay. He popped the mirror back on and we never really spoke of it again. What a great guy I had!
That summer, July 31 to be exact, Tim and I got married in the back yard of a friend's house. The car that took us for the first time as a married couple? The little car. The car that parked alone in the driveway of our first house? The little car. The car I drove to go out by myself with my son for the first time - in the pouring rain? The little car. The car that holds so many stories and memories that I could not write them all here? That darling little car.
Tim was driving home from work early November 2011 when the car stopped running. He was close to home, so he got it to start a few more times to get him there. All the water had leaked out of the car, so he filled it again. But it wasn't in there long. Over the course of the month, he replaced the water pump, thermostat, and finally, the radiator. After they all failed to help the problem, we came to the conclusion the head was cracked. No more car. We decided to donate the vehicle to the Purple Heart program. The tax write-off would be better than any cash we could get for the car. So, we setup the appointment for them to pick up the car.
Here it is (above), as I left my driveway on December 9. When I got back, it was gone. But it will not be forgotten.
We currently own a 1993 GMC Suburban Truck and 2005 Jeep Liberty, both we've had for 2 years. And on December 7, we added a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan to our family that I will be driving. I look forward to making more memories in our vehicles in the years to come. Let's pray that they are all good ones!
That summer, July 31 to be exact, Tim and I got married in the back yard of a friend's house. The car that took us for the first time as a married couple? The little car. The car that parked alone in the driveway of our first house? The little car. The car I drove to go out by myself with my son for the first time - in the pouring rain? The little car. The car that holds so many stories and memories that I could not write them all here? That darling little car.
Tim was driving home from work early November 2011 when the car stopped running. He was close to home, so he got it to start a few more times to get him there. All the water had leaked out of the car, so he filled it again. But it wasn't in there long. Over the course of the month, he replaced the water pump, thermostat, and finally, the radiator. After they all failed to help the problem, we came to the conclusion the head was cracked. No more car. We decided to donate the vehicle to the Purple Heart program. The tax write-off would be better than any cash we could get for the car. So, we setup the appointment for them to pick up the car.
Here it is (above), as I left my driveway on December 9. When I got back, it was gone. But it will not be forgotten.
We currently own a 1993 GMC Suburban Truck and 2005 Jeep Liberty, both we've had for 2 years. And on December 7, we added a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan to our family that I will be driving. I look forward to making more memories in our vehicles in the years to come. Let's pray that they are all good ones!
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Oh, Ashley...
So, the worst Bachelorette ever finally had a good talk with Bentley and told him to get lost. Thank you. What followed was more interesting. Ashley told JP on her one-on-one date about the whole thing and he handled it like a man. (I'm telling you, they have great chemistry together.) But when she told the rest of the guys at the cocktail party, a few of them got upset about it. Mickey left early and Blake was sent home due to being unkind to Ashley about the situation. Boys, boys, boys. She just shared her heart with you. And what did you do? You made her feel even worse, when she was trying to make things better.
Did anyone else get a kick out of Ames at the group date? My goodness! Ali, previous Bachelorette, thinks he was drunk. I think he was just showing he was becoming more comfortable with her. I told my hubby last night that even though I think JP will be the last one standing, Ames is such a sweet guy that you can't help but root for him. And that doesn't mean to cheer him on for Ashley, but that he will eventually find the right girl because he seems like such a sweetheart.
After each episode, they give you a "sneak preview" of the weeks to come. And, boy, was it a doozy. They showed enough to make us think that someone (like Bentley) could be back later and that whoever she chooses in the end doesn't reciprocate her love. To be honest, I wouldn't be surprised if that happens. She has seriously been an emotional basket case. Her feelings are up and down all the time and it seems she can't make good decisions. This will all bite her in the rear if she doesn't start getting serious about the process.
I hope the producers take note of how terrible a Bachelorette she has been. Just because she may have at one time been the popular choice, doesn't mean she was the right one. Her wishy-washy ways during Brad's season should have given them a clue to how crazy her time on the show would be. The reason Ali worked so well is because she knew what she wanted. And when her time came, she made all the right choices. Let's hope Ashley is getting some counsel from Ali before she winds up alone in the end, again.
Did anyone else get a kick out of Ames at the group date? My goodness! Ali, previous Bachelorette, thinks he was drunk. I think he was just showing he was becoming more comfortable with her. I told my hubby last night that even though I think JP will be the last one standing, Ames is such a sweet guy that you can't help but root for him. And that doesn't mean to cheer him on for Ashley, but that he will eventually find the right girl because he seems like such a sweetheart.
After each episode, they give you a "sneak preview" of the weeks to come. And, boy, was it a doozy. They showed enough to make us think that someone (like Bentley) could be back later and that whoever she chooses in the end doesn't reciprocate her love. To be honest, I wouldn't be surprised if that happens. She has seriously been an emotional basket case. Her feelings are up and down all the time and it seems she can't make good decisions. This will all bite her in the rear if she doesn't start getting serious about the process.
I hope the producers take note of how terrible a Bachelorette she has been. Just because she may have at one time been the popular choice, doesn't mean she was the right one. Her wishy-washy ways during Brad's season should have given them a clue to how crazy her time on the show would be. The reason Ali worked so well is because she knew what she wanted. And when her time came, she made all the right choices. Let's hope Ashley is getting some counsel from Ali before she winds up alone in the end, again.
Monday, June 20, 2011
What I've Been Watching
Okay...I haven't updated lately on the shows I've been watching. Guess I should start with the one that has my attention every week...
The Bachelorette
Ashley as the Bachelorette was not something I was entirely happy with. I feel she lacks the emotional connection with the audience as did Ali or Brad. But since she's the only one we have to work with, let me share a few comments.
Bentley. UGH. Michelle (from Brad's second season) warned Ashley about Bentley coming on the show and his true intentions. But Ashley, ignoring that warning, fell in love with the guy. He is a two-faced liar! Of course, we see it...but she is unaware of what he is saying about her behind her back. I think the warning should have been enough to cause doubt, but Ashley is too blind to see it. And sometimes I feel like she talks about him all the time just to take us off the trail. I'm tired of hearing about the guy, honestly.
Now that it has been a couple weeks, I'll make my official guess. Let me start by saying that I had a really hard time picking someone right away because of our red herring, Bentley. JP stood out in the first few episodes to grab my attention, but Ames had a great date this week. I'm thinking JP will be the final one standing in the end, but Ames will make it pretty far. When you look at Ames, he seems like the type who is a stuck-up, pretty boy. But he really was humble, sweet, and genuine. Like I said, he will get far.
The reason I think JP will be the last one standing is by seeing the way he and Ashley interact with each other already. They seem to connect well and after seeing how they were on the beach in the rain, you can't help but wonder if she talks about Bentley to distract you from the instant attraction she had for JP. (Almost like Ali with Roberto. You could tell early on that they were made for each other. Justin and Frank provided constant distraction.)
By the way, I would like to put my vote in for the next Bachelor...West! He's got one of those stories like Emily from last season. He really seems like a nice guy, too. I tweeted Chris Harrison with my vote, and I hope he takes it into consideration. Of course, next season will be the return of "Bachelor Pad." The only thing I am looking forward to is seeing Jake and Vienna in the same house. We will get to see their true colors. My guess is that Vienna will try her hardest to make Jake look like a jerk, only to backfire when we see how nice a guy he really is.
The Voice
I have really enjoyed this show. I like that it's not as drawn out as American Idol. It's short, sweet, and to the point. The live shows have been a blast to watch as well. I don't care for some of the outfits the girls wear, though. I thought live television learned their lesson with Janet Jackson and the famous "wardrobe malfunction." Anyway, only two weeks left before we find out who "The Voice" will be.
America's Got Talent
This is another show that can kinda get a little drawn out. But I have enjoyed watching the banter between Howie and Piers each week. One of the main reasons I watch this show is to get ideas for my puppet group. (I loved the Silhouettes! Don't know how far they will go in competition but what a great idea!) They are still in the audition rounds. Live shows don't start for a few more weeks.
Well, that's all for now. This week is going to be crazy with Teen Camp and VBS at my church. We are also in the middle of our puppet performances for the season. I hope to write again before the end of the week. Later!
The Bachelorette
Ashley as the Bachelorette was not something I was entirely happy with. I feel she lacks the emotional connection with the audience as did Ali or Brad. But since she's the only one we have to work with, let me share a few comments.
Bentley. UGH. Michelle (from Brad's second season) warned Ashley about Bentley coming on the show and his true intentions. But Ashley, ignoring that warning, fell in love with the guy. He is a two-faced liar! Of course, we see it...but she is unaware of what he is saying about her behind her back. I think the warning should have been enough to cause doubt, but Ashley is too blind to see it. And sometimes I feel like she talks about him all the time just to take us off the trail. I'm tired of hearing about the guy, honestly.
Now that it has been a couple weeks, I'll make my official guess. Let me start by saying that I had a really hard time picking someone right away because of our red herring, Bentley. JP stood out in the first few episodes to grab my attention, but Ames had a great date this week. I'm thinking JP will be the final one standing in the end, but Ames will make it pretty far. When you look at Ames, he seems like the type who is a stuck-up, pretty boy. But he really was humble, sweet, and genuine. Like I said, he will get far.
The reason I think JP will be the last one standing is by seeing the way he and Ashley interact with each other already. They seem to connect well and after seeing how they were on the beach in the rain, you can't help but wonder if she talks about Bentley to distract you from the instant attraction she had for JP. (Almost like Ali with Roberto. You could tell early on that they were made for each other. Justin and Frank provided constant distraction.)
By the way, I would like to put my vote in for the next Bachelor...West! He's got one of those stories like Emily from last season. He really seems like a nice guy, too. I tweeted Chris Harrison with my vote, and I hope he takes it into consideration. Of course, next season will be the return of "Bachelor Pad." The only thing I am looking forward to is seeing Jake and Vienna in the same house. We will get to see their true colors. My guess is that Vienna will try her hardest to make Jake look like a jerk, only to backfire when we see how nice a guy he really is.
The Voice
I have really enjoyed this show. I like that it's not as drawn out as American Idol. It's short, sweet, and to the point. The live shows have been a blast to watch as well. I don't care for some of the outfits the girls wear, though. I thought live television learned their lesson with Janet Jackson and the famous "wardrobe malfunction." Anyway, only two weeks left before we find out who "The Voice" will be.
America's Got Talent
This is another show that can kinda get a little drawn out. But I have enjoyed watching the banter between Howie and Piers each week. One of the main reasons I watch this show is to get ideas for my puppet group. (I loved the Silhouettes! Don't know how far they will go in competition but what a great idea!) They are still in the audition rounds. Live shows don't start for a few more weeks.
Well, that's all for now. This week is going to be crazy with Teen Camp and VBS at my church. We are also in the middle of our puppet performances for the season. I hope to write again before the end of the week. Later!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Thinking It Through
I was trying to get a new post out last weekend. I spent hours getting all my facts and information straight. I researched the Bible on the topic I had chosen. It was ready to go...until I saved it for later. My mind spent some time on the post and my reasons for writing it. That's when I realised that it was really written for the wrong reasons. I've decided that I will take the guideline I wrote and use it for Teen Camp this summer at my church.
So, I need to apologize to you all in not getting a new post up sooner. There has been a lot on my plate lately with family stuff, raising a toddler, keeping my home clean, etc. But through it all, God is still good and taking care of us!
Today was terribly hot. This pregnancy has made me grow intolerant to the summer weather, which is unlike me. Maybe it will be helpful since I am due in December. There's a possibility that my body is preparing itself for a winter baby. I don't know. As long as each day's forecast stays under 90 degrees, I plan to take Joshua outside almost every day this summer. He loves to play in the sand at the beach, ride the kiddie rides at Busch Gardens, and running around in the backyard. God definitely blessed my son with a natural love of the outdoors.
We are less than 3 weeks away from finding out the gender of Baby Gardner #2. I have had two people that say they are always right guess it's a girl. I am still leaning toward a boy, but I will not be disappointed either way. As long as our little one is healthy, the gender doesn't really matter. At the time we find out the gender, we will reveal the anticipated "official" name. We've had names chosen for a boy and girl since we found out we were pregnant. I love being able to call the baby by name. To me, it feels like I've bonded with them long before they ever come out of the womb. We are blessed to live in an age where we have the technology to reveal the gender before birth. It's amazing!
Sorry this post is so short, but I promise to write regularly again. Keep cool out there. Oh, and GO BOSTON BRUINS!!!
So, I need to apologize to you all in not getting a new post up sooner. There has been a lot on my plate lately with family stuff, raising a toddler, keeping my home clean, etc. But through it all, God is still good and taking care of us!
Today was terribly hot. This pregnancy has made me grow intolerant to the summer weather, which is unlike me. Maybe it will be helpful since I am due in December. There's a possibility that my body is preparing itself for a winter baby. I don't know. As long as each day's forecast stays under 90 degrees, I plan to take Joshua outside almost every day this summer. He loves to play in the sand at the beach, ride the kiddie rides at Busch Gardens, and running around in the backyard. God definitely blessed my son with a natural love of the outdoors.
We are less than 3 weeks away from finding out the gender of Baby Gardner #2. I have had two people that say they are always right guess it's a girl. I am still leaning toward a boy, but I will not be disappointed either way. As long as our little one is healthy, the gender doesn't really matter. At the time we find out the gender, we will reveal the anticipated "official" name. We've had names chosen for a boy and girl since we found out we were pregnant. I love being able to call the baby by name. To me, it feels like I've bonded with them long before they ever come out of the womb. We are blessed to live in an age where we have the technology to reveal the gender before birth. It's amazing!
Sorry this post is so short, but I promise to write regularly again. Keep cool out there. Oh, and GO BOSTON BRUINS!!!
Monday, May 2, 2011
Putting it in Perspective
Late last night, the news broke that the United States military had killed Osama bin Laden. My first reaction was of joy and complete pleasure! Hearing how our brave men and women had confronted him and shot him made my patriotism swell with pride! What a great day to be an American!!
But today, my thoughts have changed to sadness. Follow me here...
Brother Byron Foxx was at my church a few weeks ago for revival and said these words, "Lord, put in my heart a love for everyone for whom Jesus died." Of course, this is everybody. This includes the liars, the wrong-doers, the manipulators, the scoundrels, the murderers, and yes...even Osama bin Laden.
What that man did to our country, to the innocent lives on 9/11, was vicious. "Vengeance is mine," saith the Lord. Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth. Right? But we are also talking about his soul. Do you think God was sad to know that bin Laden was an evil man? Yes. But how much more sad did it make Him that he probably never accepted His Son, Jesus Christ, as his Savior? Wow.
The greatest justice this man will get is going to a place of torment for eternity in a place called hell. But does that really mean we should be rejoicing over this? Our joys should be aimed to our military and intelligence departments who were successful in taking one more terrorist out of the picture for the world. But please, do not focus your happiness on the fact that a lost soul went to hell.
"Dear Lord, help us to have a broken heart for those that have not accepted You. Help us to have true compassion for the lost and give us the courage to speak Your TRUTH to them. Amen."
But today, my thoughts have changed to sadness. Follow me here...
Brother Byron Foxx was at my church a few weeks ago for revival and said these words, "Lord, put in my heart a love for everyone for whom Jesus died." Of course, this is everybody. This includes the liars, the wrong-doers, the manipulators, the scoundrels, the murderers, and yes...even Osama bin Laden.
What that man did to our country, to the innocent lives on 9/11, was vicious. "Vengeance is mine," saith the Lord. Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth. Right? But we are also talking about his soul. Do you think God was sad to know that bin Laden was an evil man? Yes. But how much more sad did it make Him that he probably never accepted His Son, Jesus Christ, as his Savior? Wow.
The greatest justice this man will get is going to a place of torment for eternity in a place called hell. But does that really mean we should be rejoicing over this? Our joys should be aimed to our military and intelligence departments who were successful in taking one more terrorist out of the picture for the world. But please, do not focus your happiness on the fact that a lost soul went to hell.
"Dear Lord, help us to have a broken heart for those that have not accepted You. Help us to have true compassion for the lost and give us the courage to speak Your TRUTH to them. Amen."
Friday, April 29, 2011
Out of the Woods
I would like to thank everyone for the great responses I got regarding my last post "Long Overdue." I had a lot of fun writing it.
This week has been a good week with my nausea. It started going away Monday/Tuesday. I'm hoping I am over the "morning sickness" part of my pregnancy. I didn't have any with Joshua. So, it was really weird to have it this time. I am also very thankful that my ankles have not swollen up yet. By this point in my first pregnancy, my ankles were large! I didn't have pre-eclampsia or anything like that. Just swelling. I hope this means I will not swell with this baby.
I switched doctor's offices this time around due to my previous doctor no longer delivering at the hospital I preferred. So, every time I make an appointment, I meet a new doctor. For my ultrasound, I met Dr. Khan. I like him a lot. He is the kind of guy I could be friends with outside of the hospital. It was very easy to talk to him and he made things very easy to understand (without making me feel dumb, lol). My next appointment is with the nurse practitioner on May 12. Then I have another u/s with the specialist for a routine first trimester test on May 24. I'm hoping I can talk the tech into trying to guess the gender. Who knows...maybe they will?
Tim's family is in town this weekend. They love the beach so we'll probably be spending a lot of our time there with them. I think it's great because I need the extra Vitamin D! Have some fun in the sun this weekend, everyone.
This week has been a good week with my nausea. It started going away Monday/Tuesday. I'm hoping I am over the "morning sickness" part of my pregnancy. I didn't have any with Joshua. So, it was really weird to have it this time. I am also very thankful that my ankles have not swollen up yet. By this point in my first pregnancy, my ankles were large! I didn't have pre-eclampsia or anything like that. Just swelling. I hope this means I will not swell with this baby.
I switched doctor's offices this time around due to my previous doctor no longer delivering at the hospital I preferred. So, every time I make an appointment, I meet a new doctor. For my ultrasound, I met Dr. Khan. I like him a lot. He is the kind of guy I could be friends with outside of the hospital. It was very easy to talk to him and he made things very easy to understand (without making me feel dumb, lol). My next appointment is with the nurse practitioner on May 12. Then I have another u/s with the specialist for a routine first trimester test on May 24. I'm hoping I can talk the tech into trying to guess the gender. Who knows...maybe they will?
Tim's family is in town this weekend. They love the beach so we'll probably be spending a lot of our time there with them. I think it's great because I need the extra Vitamin D! Have some fun in the sun this weekend, everyone.
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