A Glimpse of Today

Ok God, I'm still waiting...

I'm just a little homesick while waiting.

Hmm

I thought I was getting to the easier part of life.

Patience my dear child. I love you and only want the best for you.

I know God but I'm getting tired. I don't want to be a burden to others. I don't want to be useless. I want you to use me somehow.

My dear husband is probably tired of waiting too. He has so much more patience than I. The trials are so much heavier on his shoulders than on mine. I will continue to be patient and wait for him to be ready. I will try to be as light a burden as possible. I will try to be useful.

Thank you God for loving me.

Bittersweet Gratituesday

Yesterday I said goodbye to our home of almost 15 years.
I am so grateful God allowed us to live in such a nice house for so long.
This home holds so many memories, good and not so good.
Our youngest daughter lived almost all her growing up years in this house. It must be hard for her to say goodbye. She lived here from Kindergarten through her first year of College.

We adopted our 3rd daughter while living in this house. We would not have met her if not for living in this particular place at that particular time. Isn't God's timing great?

Our oldest daughter graduated high school in this house. She also moved away from home from this home. She and her husband and son came back from Guam and lived in this house for a period of time with us.

Our 2nd daughter lived here until she decided to leave.

Good memories of pool time in the back yard. Good memories of the girls friends.

We loved living here but it is just a house, a place to dwell, a shelter.

Now it is time to move on...

God has never let me down. He has given me shelter all my life. I have no fear nor anxiety for the future.
So now we will look forward to the plans He has for us...


Join us for Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers!

Such A Sweet Big Brother

He is such a sweet big brother. He love to help with his baby sister. He pats her back. He holds her hand in the car when she cries.

What's up?

We start another summer very busy as usual. Beatriz just finished 7 years of piano with a very special teacher with her Senior Recital yesterday. She did a great job. It was bittersweet. The total ending of her high school years and moving on to the college years and all the changes of young adulthood.

Our eldest daughter is in the last month of her second pregnancy. She is ready now but this baby will come when it's ready to come... The baby's room is ready, the bag is packed for the hospital, contingency plans for the 3 year old are in place... Ready.

Amanda is continuing her pharmacy tech. courses at the JC. She is taking two summer courses and continues to work part time at Party City. She is the one they call in for extra hours when big balloon orders come in. She is very consistent filling the balloons so they all look the same size.

Real Estate is so slow it seems to be going backwards. Chuck has taken a part time job that sends him all over the country for periods of time. He has been in Washington state, Oklahoma and Florida. He will probably be in Tennessee next. It is strange when he is gone because we go from him working from home and being here all the time to not at all.

Joshua likes to come to Mimi's house and ride in Mimi's car. He is here today enjoying train videos on Mimi's computer and watching Cars. His daddy, Jake, needed to work today because he wanted to attend Bea's recital yesterday. His mommy, Julie, is working a photo shoot for muttropolis all day today. Yes, that's right, she is taking pictures of dogs. This will be her last job until the baby is a few months old.

Like I said...busy, busy, busy...

I suppose my role in all of this is sort of like glue, or putty...

"Sweet Dreams" Photo Contest

Bea used to sneak outside while it was still dark and sleep with Peaches. We don't know exactly when she would go out but this was the typical picture awaiting us when we got up in the mornings.

Just a Glimpse

If you have been following my blog you will notice the change of name.

I was supposed to be Marmie to the grandchildren. The girls agreed and named me when they were much younger. However, Josh calls me Mimi. It fits well. It is further from Mama or Mommy than Marmie. It was also what the Thomas boys called their Grandma Thomas. So Mimi it is.

I chose Just a Glimpse because it fits all of what my blog has come to be... a glimpse into our special times as a family, a glimpse into my mind, a glimpse of what God is teaching us.

I hope you enjoy just a glimpse into my very heart.

End of Summer

I have noticed that most of my friends from anywhere but SoCal are ending summer. I know school started in most parts of the country already. Our public school district starts on Tuesday after Labor Day. The colleges have all started. My sister is living in a part of the South now and actually has seasons! She stated last week that fall had suddenly come with a crispness to the air. I am looking forward to the pictures she will be posting of the leaves changing.

Our summer is NOT OVER YET! September is my favorite time to go to the beach. It's not so crowded because school is in. The water is warmest in September. It has had all summer to warm up. Laguna is my favorite place but it's a little far so we settle for Huntington, Bolsa Chica or Corona Del Mar. I am determined to get to Laguna at least once this September.

We also usually get the hottest weather in Sept./Oct. so the beach is the best place to just be...

Don't fret my friends. Rest assured that I will be thinking of each and every one of you while I sit under my umbrella sipping my tea and eating my spinach salad at the beach all month long...

Mimi's Kitchen

I have started a Kitchen Blog.

It's Not My Fault

Josh likes Grandpa's coffee!












Grandpa only left for a few minutes.










Good thing it wasn't too hot!
Good thing he didn't spill it all over Grandpa's net book.





Yummy Grandpa's Coffee

Just a little update

It's already the middle of August! This summer sure seems to be in a hurry to get to Autumn.

I thought it was time for a little update...

Chuck has been teaching me the business. He would like me to get my broker's license so if anything happens to him the business would be safe. I found out that I don't have to get a real estate sales license first if I have a BA degree. Sooo we are looking into a degree completion program for me. Then I can just do the broker stuff and not have to do the sales license and keep active for 3 years first. Hmmm that was clear as mud.

Chuck's health has been good. He is attempting to get into a better routine of exercise so he can lessen the amount of insulin. That will help with his weight and glucose control.

Julie has completely revamped her make-up company with a new look and name. The change from Radiant Minerals to Bella Faith Cosmetics will be complete at the end of August. Her make-up is still the same pure formulas and colors. She is a member of the safe cosmetics (something) and is committed to providing safe cosmetics for all skin tones. She has the widest variety of foundations I have seen anywhere. She is working on her photography business also. She is working seasonally for a company that does the photos for the schools - id's, yearbook, dances etc... She also does her own photography for BFC. She has been working with some local models bartering services.

Jake started school this week. He is very busy. In another couple of weeks he will be adding welding classes on Saturdays. He also still works in hull cleaning on the days he isn't actually at school. He is taking a full course load and working almost full time. Pray for him...and Julie.
Amanda is still finding the right college fit. She is looking into Medical Billing and Coding. Most of the schools she is investigating are open enrollment so she can start anytime. She will be house/cat sitting for Chuck's parents for a week here and there. Amanda is also knitting soakers. She uses wool and custom dyes them with kool-aid. They sell for 20-40 dollars on the internet.

Beatriz is still busy busy busy. She works at The Flame Broiler part time. She works in childcare at church also. She volunteers at the elementary and Jr. High levels at church. She volunteers at a soup kitchen, community suppers etc... Basically when she sees a need she steps in. She is still playing bass for Spanish, Jr. High and High School services and may occasionally play with the big boys on the weekends. She won't be starting college this semester. She will be taking the SAT in October as previously planned and then apply at Cal Baptist Riverside for either Spring or next Fall. Don't worry she is looking elsewhere also.

Joshua is a very busy little boy. He knows his colors, shapes, alphabet and numbers. He has started to understand that the letters make words and he understands that the numbers mean the amount of something. I have the pleasure of his company while his mommy is at work.


Shawna is working at the Animal Shelter for an eight week internship. She will be back at Santa Ana College at the end of this month also. Ayden got to visit us last week and next week while she is working. Cousin Josh was intrigued and very gentle and nice to Ayden but was also glad when Ayden went home.

Add to all of this individual activity - weddings of close friends, birthday parties of cousins and friends, Angel's Baseball, Disneyland, barbeques, re-do of the front landscaping (my dream herb garden) new front doors, new toilets, etc... And all the do-it-yourself work involved in all of the above.

Whew! No wonder I'm tired.
I'll have pictures of the front yard for you as we go...

Our Own Drum Major

Very Sharp! OCMA Sound Waves Marching Band
Strawberry Festival Parade in Garden Grove CA
Drum Major - Beatriz Thomas

She really has this band under control. Look at those ranks, files and diagonals.
This was the first parade in their new uniforms.

76 Trombones led the big parade...
Yes, she directed the band marching backwards.
She was marching in place trying to get the drums in beat here.
The band sounded great!
This is an all homeschool band elementary through high school.

CHEA Convention

This weekend we attended the CHEA Convention in Long Beach. Actually this is the first year we didn't attend any of the sessions.

We have represented Doorposts in the exhibit hall for 5 or 6 years now. Doorposts is a family run small business in Oregon. Pam Forster has written most of the curriculum and designed the charts. She is the one with the If/Then, Blessing, Go to the Ant, and Brother Offended charts. She also wrote For Instructions in Righteousness, a parenting resource that has scripture references for almost any sin you as a parent would need to address with your child, not to mention yourself.

Well as I stated before, we did not attend any sessions this year. I will probably download several of them and listen later this week. CHEA of CA is the Christian Home Educators Association of CA. We have attended for around 20 years. This is the first year I didn't have anything to plan for the approaching school year.

I did check out the small college booths in the exhibit hall but was not impressed. The two girls in the Multnomah booth across from our booth did not seem to want to even be there. They left for lunch both days during the official lunch time. That is when the exhibit hall is the most crowded. They talked with each other or read books the rest of the time. They were just not very approachable. I waited until they were gone to even take a brochure. The Pensacola booth never had a person in it when I or Chuck walked by. The tuition, room and board for an entire year was under 7000. I really wanted to know how they can do that and what this school really can offer. The third one was most promising. It is local - Riverside - but they are not really very homeschool transcript friendly. They want more proof than the Cal State/CSU system even requires for homeschool/private students. It is looking more and more like a JC/Clep year.

It was great interacting with so many homeschool families this year at the booth. Yes, you heard it right FAMILIES. Children and teens and DADS attended in a much greater number this year. Thank you CHEA for hearing us! Homeschooling is more than just an educational choice. It is a lifestyle choice. That means parents often choose to have their children with them. It is the teaching along the road thing. How can we teach along the road if our children are on a different road? There are still many moms and dads that choose to come without their children. That is also OK. Parents also need some time without the kids. The really really great thing is we all get to choose what works best for our family at that particular time at the convention now. Isn't that the heart of homeschooling? We have the freedom to choose.


Joshua 24:15
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

The Great Hatchling Release

Good Grief! It's just a computer game. It's supposed to just be a little time waster and fun.

Warning!!! Don't get hooked on Hatchlings! Especially if you have an imagination that won't stop and any compassion at all.

It's a game on facebook where you gather eggs. There are special eggs to collect. You can hatch many of the eggs. BUT YOU HAVE TO FEED THEM or they run away. It takes too much time.

I had to release over 50 hatchlings to fend for themselves in the wild today. I had to do it. I had no choice if I was going to live in reality. There are dishes to be washed, laundry to be done, floors to clean, gardens to plant and weed. I HAD to release them.

But first I had to feed them up so they wouldn't be hungry roaming around eating other hatchlings that have been released. I also couldn't not feed them and let them run away. That just seems to cruel.

Then I had to DECIDE WHICH ONES TO LET GO!

Now understand...I'm 48 years old. I'm not a child with an active imagination. I'm an adult with an active imagination. I decided fish would be able to survive... so out went most of the fish - not the Koi - they are too pretty. I had previously released all of the reptiles and dinosaurs and did not hatch any more of those creatures. Then I let the mouse/rat go - it's ok - he had a huge hunk of cheese with him.

Now I was really struggling. I have to keep the cats and anything Josh thinks is a cat ie. armidillo's, fox, etc... I also needed to keep the pretty owls with the Big Eyes, Josh loves those too. So I let all the other birds go. I reasoned that birds are like fish and they can survive on their own without much assistance. Now I had a LOT of birds so that really helped.

I left for several hours thinking I had released enough. . . . Not so! I came back and ALL of them were hungry again. So I let my bear go. This was really really difficult. I like bears. He was a real bear not just a cute little cuddly bear but a real black bear. Then I bit the bullet and allowed the bunny's from Easter go...and...the Easter duck...and...sob...the rubber ducky.

So you are probably wondering why I kept all of the dragons. Well, don't be surprised, I like dragons. They also might cause too much havoc in the virtual world of released hatchlings and I had to protect the others. Right?

Well I'm down to only around 40 to feed now. After the holiday I will allow Uncle Sam to go back to wherever he lived before but I will keep the bald eagle. I might have to consider allowing the horses to go after that. I did release a lot of goats and monkeys after I found out they were Chinese Year wind, earth, fire etc... Hmmm

Now you might want to consider the agony of these decisions I had to make today the next time you tell your child to clean his/her room. Especially when you tell them to go through their toys for the Salvation Army bag. I vividly remember the impossibilty of deciding which doll, animal etc... could survive without me to take care and love it when it was time to donate each year. Keep in mind that when a child is young it is even harder to separate fantasy and reality.

Of course I might be the very very rare one...

Our High School Grads!

Don't they look so happy?
They finally made it. Celebrate!
There were 3 graduates this year at our school.
Two of them were our girls.
You both worked hard and now look ahead to the future.

Graduation Evening. It's done!
Even Josh looks happy, even without his pants.
Don't ask... all we could find after the disaster was his Angel's sweatshirt. It was that or nothing...traffic was horrible and there was no time to leave and get back in time.

The Kindred Christian Academy graduates of 2008 and 2009!

Things are Changing

Change is inevitable so they say... We have changes in our family all the time so I suppose it is true.

The girls graduated high school last Friday. The charge to the seniors was a blessing to me and the girls. Thank you so much Mr. Purtell. You took the time to meet both of the girls and took special care to pronounce Beatriz name correctly. The next day the girls had a graduation party here at the house. Many friends and family came and ate and ate and ate. It reminded me of my favorite book when I was a child. Birds Eat and Eat and Eat. I used to read that book over and over again.

Julie and Jake made the food. Hawaiian BBQ chicken with pineapples and rice and banana lumpia. The guest ate it all. Julie also made her special strawberry lemonade. Even the fruit in the bottom of the super large dispenser was eaten. I guess they were a hungry lot. Ricardo's cooked carne asada just for me at 10pm that night when they found out I didn't get to eat.

Sunday morning the girls were honored with the other grads at church. They each received a book about dating. Bea thought it was funny that the church now wants them to date! Actually it is a good book about boundaries in dating. KCA gifted the senior grads with The New Evidence That Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell. Very nice, I will get to read it too.

Now that the celebrations have died down --- changes...

Beatriz already has a job and is working more hours now. She is finishing up at OCMA with 2 more parades. She is the drum major. She will probably be taking a photography class with Julie at the JC this summer. She is looking into contact lenses and got her hair cut short - shoulder length.

Amanda is still job hunting. She has an interview at Disneyland tomorrow. She will be starting classes in the fall for medical assisting.

Julie has had 2 interview this week. Both look promising - both are family friendly - one is more money but also more hours, the other less hours but good hours. Both have medical benefits immediately. We are praying for God's will for the right job.

Jake will be going to school again in the fall. He is looking for a better job in the meantime.

Josh recognizes his ABC's and numbers. He is cracking us up when in the car. He shouts out the letters he sees and every once in a while a number. He really knows them all. Bea and Josh do some work every day. He points out the different letters and numbers on the computer keyboard. He is learning his colors and shapes too but is not so interested in those. He talks a lot. He is a boy and loves to play with cars and trucks and trains and planes. We have the pleasure of his company when Julie goes to work.

Ayden will begin to be here while Shawna is at work too. He is two months old today.

Chuck is working with more clients and is out and about at a moments call. He really enjoys being a Broker/Realtor. His health is improving and he is committed to watching out and keeping accountable regarding his diabetes.

I guess I have the smallest changes in that I still cook, clean and take care of children. But these are boys so it's quite a change from girls.

May God bless all of you and I hope you enjoy my updates. I love reading yours.

Marmie

Let the primping begin. Julie's best friend Lisa is marrying Tim today. Both Julie and Jake are attendants in the wedding. The primping started early today. The hair, make-up, mani/pedi's etc... The tux and dress have been hanging in my room most of the week just waiting for the big day.

Last minute arrangements regarding cars and the reception are taking place as I type. Chuck and I are going so it's been decided that we will drive them home. The limo seats 25 and with the bride and groom and attendants there will be 21.

I always get nostalgic at weddings so here are some memories I would like to share.

Here are Chuck's parents on their wedding day almost 51 years ago.



Here is Chuck and I on our wedding Day in 1980.



Here are Julie and Jake on their wedding day 5 1/2 years ago.


So take a moment and reminisce about your wedding day, the vows made, the dressing up, the drama, the dancing, your hopes and dreams made for the future.

If you aren't married take a moment to dream. Yet remember that God has a plan for YOU.

Where does the time go?

1992

2009

Time really does fly. Amanda is now 18yrs old and graduating High School. We adopted her when she was in 2nd grade. She came to us the summer between 1st and 2nd grade. It seems like just yesterday when we drove to WA to visit the Adams and she was still just getting to know us and we her. It's been a wild ride ever since. Congratulations Amanda!


1994


2009

What can I say? Beatriz is graduating a year early. So much for the critics of homeschooling. She has excelled in her studies and is ready for college. Bea came to us at only 9 months old. The time has really flown by. I still vividly remember the exact moment the social worker put her in my arms that Dec. evening. The leap of our two hearts meeting as if she was born to us.
Congratulations! You deserve honor on your Graduation.

I really do agree...

Who are you in Anne's Circle of Friends?


Those who really know me know this is very accurate.

What do I do Next?

As you may or may not know, the last of our daughters are graduating this year. Whatever will you do now? I have had many suggestions from well meaning family and friends. Go get a job and Finally contribute your fair share being the theme of most.

Why are stay at home moms considered lazy? Does it mean nothing that I have a daughter who is an entrepreneur and is very good at what she does and still has time for her own child? Does it mean nothing that another daughter who has made serious, I mean very serious, poor choices is now taking responsibilities on her own? I know this dd will still probably make some selfish choices; however, she is taking the responsibility of those choices and the consequences. Does it mean nothing that another daughter is graduating high school and passed the CHESPE so even the state considers her educated. This dd who struggles with LD's and health issues. Does it mean nothing that the last daughter is also graduating high school, passed the CHESPE and works part time, all a year early? Would they have done as well in the important things if Mom was gone most of the time? Maybe, maybe not.

What about my dear husband? Would his diabetes be under control? Would he have healed as quickly and as well as he did without my presence? What about his wishes and desires that I be home?

I am not saying that moms should never be out in the workforce. I have no animosity or judgements against moms who choose or need to work outside of the home. I just wish the same could be said about moms who choose to stay home. Why do we attack each other like this? How do we judge others without knowing the details? Who do we think we are judging others anyway?

I am fully aware of the consequences of the decision that I was home for all these years. I understand that I don't have SS work quarter credits enough for any retirement. I understand that this country believes that because I haven't worked that I don't deserve anything. I know that our house has not always been highly maintained because of cost. The essentials have always been taken care of and God has always provided our needs. I know that I could have had nicer, new clothes and shoes more often through the years and in the future. I know that the workplace now looks upon me as "too old" to start a career. I believe that is their loss not mine. I will survive no matter what happens in the future.

So people can stop worrying about me. I am fully capable of doing whatever needs to be done in the future and I do not need to worry. My husband loves me and my children love me. More than that I have a father in heaven who loves me even more. Children are supposed to grow up. Parents are supposed to allow them to fly. The nest is still available for safe landings. My job is the guard the nest and help where MY family needs. Not the world's needs until after my own family's needs. God will let me know what needs and jobs He has for ME. I don't have to answer to anyone else. I choose to stay under the umbrellas God has provided for me and hold the umbrellas over my children who choose to stay under them. I don't have to consider other's opinions if my priorities are right.

If you are reading this far I hope you know that I have written more out of emotion than grammar or composition. I pray that you remain strong in your convictions and stay under the authority of God. It's really so much easier to go through the storms of life when you keep under the protection of God's plan for you.

Happy Mother's Day

Well it was a pretty good Mother's Day. The day started out with a Starbuck's Vanilla Latte. Then my dear son-in-law made strawberries and cream belgian waffles. I would have taken a picture but I was hungry so I ate it. Dear hubby brought me a rose. Bea, Josh, and Julie/Jake gave me very sweet cards. The wayward one called and actually talked about stuff going on in her life. Chuck's mom and dad and brother Ron came over for an evening barbeque. Joshua showed his sweet side and smart side to great grandma -grammy. He was bringing out magnetic letters and telling her what letter they were. Of course great grandpa asked the usual where's your nose questions and Josh passed with flying colors.

My gift is coming next week. My dear ones are having a computer built just for me. It has been a long several weeks with no computer. I am so excited.