Where is Tres?

Tres is the strangest cat I have ever had. I woke up this morning to a cat with his paw wrapped around my arm staring at me. He let out a little meow and just stared. Then he began to lick my arm. Then my eyebrows. WHAT?? What a weirdo cat!!! I opened my eyes again and he let out another meow. Okay, Tres...what is SO important??

HE NEEDED A TREAT!!!

By now I am SURE you have figured out Tres is a MALE cat...why else would he have such a sense of entitlement:)???

Dr. Feel Good

I have been struggling with a few things lately...well, I am always struggling with something...aren't we all:)? But my issues have to do with not having a job and feeling inadequate, living at home, the job interview process only intesifys these worries. You sit before someone and try to make yourself seem like the best person for the job...and then you wait. Talk about anxiety! I let it bother me far more than I let on...or even realize for that matter. BUT...God...in his amazing way...just keeps whispering in my ear...trust me. And how can I not...He has done amazing things in my life and Brad's in the last year...he is awesome. I read an article today in PARADE magazine. I am not a regular reader nor am I a big Dr. Phil fanatic...but the article that he wrote is a MUST read:

http://www.parade.com/health/2009/05/dr-phil-mcgraw-getting-through-tough-times.html

It is about dealing with the tough times many of us are facing. They can bring us together or tear us apart....READ IT:). The depression was a hard time...I have heard my great grandmother's stories...but the one thing great that came out of it was people coming together...is it too late for America to change?

Thought I would share...

Daily Devotional by Max Lucado
“the One who came still comes and the One who spoke still speaks”

May 18
A Life of Service

We are many, but in Christ we are all one body. Each one is a part of that body. Romans 12:5 (NCV)

God has enlisted us in his navy and placed us on his ship. The boat has one purpose--to carry us safely to the other shore.
This is no cruise ship; it's a battleship. We aren't called to a life of leisure; we are called to a life of service. Each of us has a different task. Some, concerned with those who are drowning, are snatching people from the water. Others are occupied with the enemy, so they man the cannons of prayer and worship. Still others devote themselves to the crew, feeding and training the crew members.
Though different, we are the same. Each can tell of a personal encounter with the captain, for each has received a personal call....
We each followed him across the gangplank of his grace onto the same boat. There is one captain and one destination. Though the battle is fierce, the boat is safe, for our captain is God. The ship will not sink. For that, there is no concern.

I thought it was funny that this came across this morning...we all prepare for battle everyday...:)

Parenting

I've learned a lot in the last 6 1/2 years on this journey called parenting. I have learned to play the role of gourmet chef (HEY...betty crocker is gourmet people:), educator, nurse, soldier, stylist, personal shopper, financial supporter, and best of all...butt wiper. I can diagnose rashes, I can enunciate challenging words, I can work three jobs to buy toys we don't need, I am damn good at pigtails:), and I dare say there isn't a diaper incident I haven't experienced.

I have learned that being a "good" parent is beyond tough. That is where the role of soldier comes in. Bishop just threw the fit of all fits...he cried, he screamed, he refused punishment, he kicked his sisters toy on the floor. It was a beauty. We finally threw him (NOT literally people...do not call CPS) in the bathtub and told him he had lost his 5 minutes (he gets 5 minutes of video games before bed every night...it's his "thing.") You would have thought we had killed his puppy. I hated to do that...it truly is HIS thing...he gets his 5 minutes either with his dad or Papa...but we have GOT to get the fits and not listening under control. So...he not only lost it today...but tomorrow too. And then comes another battle...but that is what "good" parenting requires. I will have to put on my suit of armour tomorrow...the one that keeps me from falling for those sad eyes and alligator tears...the one that helps me stand my ground. Lord, help me...this parenting thing is tough...

I said all that to say this to anyone who has a teenager. PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT THEY ARE DOING. I hear parents say all the time, "I'll let my kid have a myspace but I will monitor it." A friend of mine had a myspace created for her BY a student (yea...not good) so we had to search through some teenage myspace pages to find it. The first thing that disturbed me was how many students pages were NOT private...13 and 14 year old girls telling exactly where they live and where they go to school. If you actually look at the pages...HOLY COW. 13 year olds with VERY little clothing on...boys with porn stars as their "friends." The language, the SUBJECT MATTER...wow. I teach in a middle school, I KNOW what they are doing, but even I was shocked. Parents...beware...

So...yea...I am ready for bedtime...lol. Tomorrow is another day...on the battlefield. BUT...Jesus is my commander in chief so I think I will make it...

My Albuquerque Trip...

We strike a pose before our journey (and I DO mean journey:) to Santa Fe...
The longest bar in New Mexico...located in Madrid, NM...fun times:)

SHE'S THIRTY:)

We went to this museum...called Tinkertown. I recommend everyone travel to Albuquerque and see it...strange little place.

KENNY...duh?

BEWARE!!

I want everyone to be very careful this week! We laid down for our nightly prayers and Bishop took extra time to ask God to protect us all from that nasty "Slime flu."

:)

I love my child!!!