The passage of time and other ramblings

I can't believe that it is already the end of April. Let alone 2010. Seems like yesterday it was 2001.

Time sure has a way of not standing still. Seems like yesterday that I was a new bride, when in fact it is nearly five years ago that I was. And then suddenly, I was pregnant and now that child is three and a half! And her little sister is two!!!!!! Bugs is already half my height. Beans isn't too far behind. I'm going to end up being the shortest member of my family in a few years if they keep growing like this. I guess I don't mind being the shortest if they do get tall. Being taller than barely five one does have it's advantages.

You can tell it is spring here in SW Missouri. The wind started two days ago. It was so windy that I couldn't let the girls play outside because of our older trees. They like to shed limbs in strong winds and I couldn't chance them being outside and getting hit. The wind finally let up some this afternoon. Not too soon if you ask me. The noise of it kept me from sleeping the last two nights. I'm fairly useless today because of it. You wouldn't believe the chores I have lined up that I just don't have the mental capacity to complete at the moment. And it all needs done in six days.

We are going to my sister's graduation from mortuary school. We haven't made it out to my hometown in two years. Haven't seen my parents since we met half way for lunch a year ago last Christmas. We've not seen my sister and her husband since we were out there last. It is always weird to return to one's old home. The small town is not the same place I left nearly six years ago. Yet, in some ways it is still the same. We had trouble finding an appropriate gift for my sister's graduation. My husband ended up designing her a shirt that fits her personality. We hope she likes it.

My husband cooked a wonderful lunch for us before he left for work this afternoon. We had sausage, egg and cheese sandwiches on biscuits and hash browns. I like it when he cooks. Hubbs doesn't have a day off until Monday. He pulled a Sunday shift because of getting time off later in the week to go visit my family.

I'm looking forward to the trip. We are planning on taking a picnic lunch and stopping at some caverns on the way. That way the kids can have some run around time to break up the monotony of riding in the car. Trust me, three hours or so is all they can stand at a stretch. Which is how far it is to my MIL's home, and that is with stopping for ten minutes three times on the way. I'm not sure how we are going to handle the eight hour (I'm sure it will be closer to ten or more with the kids) drive. It will be quite the adventure. I'm planning on hitting up the dollar store Monday and getting some surprises to dole out on the trip.

My Mother's Day present should be arriving in the mail today. My husband let me order a new pre-tied bandana from Cover Your Hair The one I got is no longer listed, must have snagged the last one. It was a navy pre-tied bandana made out of terry cloth. I really like them as they keep my hair up out of the way. And I prefer wearing a covering on my head as a reminder that I am under the covering of my husband and God. I don't have my head covered all of the time. Nor do I do it for legalistic reasons. I don't believe that all women are called to cover their heads. I prefer to do it as the physical reminder for myself. The reminder that I am under God's and my husband's authority and that every decision I make will affect those who live in my home at the least.

Well, I just got a phone call from a friend and we are going to be going out later tonight to celebrate her son's birthday at Chuckee Cheese. I must go and get a shower and figure out what the girls are going to wear. Talk to you all later and have a blessed week.

No need to panic

I'm sorry I haven't been posting a whole lot again. My grandma has been in and out of the hospital and things aren't looking too great for her. We hosted small group at our house this past week and I spent a week deep cleaning the house, and we are trying to plan a trip out in a week and a half to see my family. However, today the Bugs cracked a molar and daddy had to take off work early to take her to a dentist so we may be canceling our trip out for my sister's graduation from mortuary school (well, Ivy Tech, but that is what she went for). Not sure what this is going to cost at the moment as we don't have dental insurance. Guess we'll find out. I am babysitting this afternoon, so I couldn't take her. That and the Beans didn't need to go too. I can just imagine my very technically inclined child turning every knob and pushing every button she came across. And yes, Beans would do it. She loves seeing what will happen if she does things like that.

When it rains it pours I guess. We just got things under control financially. We even have plans to replace the front door to our house in the next month. My child definitely outranks a door, but I hate the thought of going for another winter with this one. Last year, the seals around it had gotten so bad that snow got blown into the house twice.

I know, I'm panicking. God is in control. He will provide. I should get busy and do some dishes while I wait.

Thanks.

I'm Back (Finally) and I Guess a Formal Introduction

So, it is obviously way past the first of the year when I thought I'd be on blogging more regularly. Well, I've spent the past week and a half playing catch up with housework. And random child squabbles and potty training mishaps and, well, you get the picture. I apologize and hopefully at least once a week, (I want to a few times a week) I will be posting. I have all sorts of ideas and thoughts that are just dying for a place to come out and be expressed.

First things first though, I never did formally introduce myself, did I? Quite rude of me, I know. So, I'm Crystal. I'm 30 years old now, and frankly, I don't understand the fear of 30 now that I am that old. It isn't too bad, in fact, it is like being 29. I am married to the most wonderful man of God ever (ok, I'm a tad bit biased). We've been married for four and a half years now (July 8, 2005). We dated for nearly two and a half years before our wedding day, and were friends for like three years before that. I honestly can not imagine being married to anyone else. Hubbs takes care of me when I can't or refuse to take care of myself. He has helped me through some really rough patches in my/our life and I know I am who I am today because of him and his thoughtfulness, caring, and support of me. I'm a mom to two wonderful daughters. Bugs is three as of last September and Beans will be two next month already. They are both beautiful and smart. As it is, we are looking at starting kindergarten with Bugs next fall. I have the best two daughters anyone could hope to be given (again, I may be a wee bit biased...)

I am a believe in the One True God. The denomination we attend doesn't matter. Jesus is all we need and to follow Him. Everything else is secondary. My husband used to be an associate pastor at a church until budget cuts eliminated his position. We are looking for a new ministry and we do have our application in at a church we both really like so we are praying that we are called there.

I am also a homeschooling mom. I believe that God gave us our children to raise up and teach. It is up to us if we are going to delegate the education of our children to others or take it upon ourselves. No matter what we choose, we will be held accountable for what our children are filled with. We have decided that we will be better stewards of our children and their future if we teach them at home and instruct them in the ways of the Lord. We are open to the possibility of putting them into school in the future, but at this point in our lives we are convinced this is the best choice for us to make. It isn't the easiest or cheapest, but the best for us and them. I do not aim to start a debate on homeschooling, public schooling or private schooling, whether you can change your mind on what you have chosen later and all the politics involved with the decision.

I prefer cloth diapers over disposeable, I love a great baby carrier/sling and I am a proponent of natural and home birthing.

Pretty much, I am just a stay-at-home wife and mom who is more than just that. I am a human being, created in the image of God who has many facets to her being. If I tried to totally explain myself, this blog post wouldn't ever get finished, and you would be extremely bored. Besides, I've got a slightly cranky Bean on my hands. She didn't wake up well from her nap today and is acting like her molars are bothering her. I intend in the next couple of days to post what I plan on doing on this blog this year. Just don't have time or space for it now.

Until we meet again,
Crystal