Shark Week

We are watching shark week and the people who volunteer to swim with sharks and take their pictures are IDIOTS! I don't get it. It's fascinating to watch, but that's all I want to do, is watch. I'm not swimming with them for anything. I don't care what kind of protective gear they give me, I'm not baiting something that could tear me to shreds.

Speaking of sharks, I saw a funny sign on the pier while at camp. The sign read: No Shark Fishing, No Diving. Does that mean you can't fish for sharks with people?! :) (Yes, I know what it really means.) I wish I had gotten a picture of the sign, but didn't have my camera on me at the time. It just cracked me up.

Just Wondering

I was just wondering if there is a proper way to eat watermelon. I grew up having seed spitting contests. I was eating some watermelon today, doing just that, spitting seeds as far as I could. If you know if there is a proper way to eat watermelon, let me know. I'm not changing my ways, just wondering.

Back in the Swing

I am slowly getting back in the swing of things. After a week of almost no sleep and trying to get caught up, I finally think I am getting there. This is going to sound weird, but I have actually enjoyed cooking supper this week. I normally enjoy it, but have a little more this week. We will also be spending a lot of time at home this week. There is a mountain of laundry and cleaning to do. Friday we have Rock Group, so I have got to clean up the house. I know they won't care if it is clean or not, but I care.

The kids played in water today. It is so hot here. I thought it was going to storm this afternoon, but all we got was a little thunder. I really want to take them up to the water park in Kannapolis, but just haven't got the energy to do that yet.

Alex is missing Mrs. Ellie. He has asked for her and Mr. Joe the past two mornings. I'm so blessed that both kids were in such great hands while I was gone. I have started potty training him this week.

Eclipse

I just finished the book Eclipse. It was so good. I can't wait to get my hands on the new book in the series on Saturday. I just have to know what happens with Edward, Bella and Jacob. If you like supernatural books, vampires and werewolves, check out the first book in the series, Twilight.

Here are some pictures from camp.

Back Home

Bear with me, this will be a long post.

Well, I made it through camp in one piece. I am so tired that I could sleep for a week, but am slowly catching up. Brian and the kids let me sleep ALL day yesterday, so that really helped. I wasn't tired until I got home Friday, I think I fed off the energy of the kids all week.

Camp was amazing. My favorite part was the Pay it Forward community outreach. Everyone got $5 to help someone in need. We started out going to a shelter for homeless teens, ages 13-21, but God had other plans. A single mom and three boys came in while we were waiting to hit some of the hang out spots for the teens. We decided to buy school supplies for the kids. It was so funny, the kids couldn't believe it was happening. I don't think mom could either, we had to explain what we were doing with our money. She was so grateful. We took them to KMart and turned them loose. I have never gotten excited over school supplies, but these kids did. I also liked Beach Reach, where we handed out free water bottles to people on the beach. It really is hard to get people to take something for free.

One of the girls in my room and almost her entire family got baptized today, along with about 12 others who were effected by camp in some way. God truly did big things in the lives of the kids and leaders this week. He put people in our path that needed our help.

There were probably 100 things that went wrong this week, but that's not what will be remembered. What will be remembered will be the fun and 55 kids making first time decisions or rededicating their lives. Everyone was broken up into one of three teams, and my green team was in last place, but the quote of the week came from Christian, when he said, "We are not here for points, we are here for Jesus."

I didn't want camp to end. If Brian and the kids could have joined me, camp could have lasted another week or so. I know all good things must come to an end. I hope the feelings stay with us, the joy of making decisions and of blessing the lives of others. I will post some pictures and video tomorrow!

One More Day

Tomorrow I leave for youth camp. Thirst Camp 2008 will be held in Myrtle Beach. So, that means today I will be washing laundry, running errands, and packing. I cleaned the house yesterday, all I have left to do is vacuum. Brianna is leaving for my mom's this afternoon, she is already packed up. I have a Wal Mart and BJ's list a mile long. I have to be at the church office at 10 this morning to have water loaded onto the truck. I also have a packing list a mile long, things I would normally forget. Since I will be gone next week, I will not be blogging, but be ready. I will be blogging up a storm, be ready for a novel. I hope you all have a great week. Please be praying for the students and leaders going to camp. I just feel it in my gut that God has HUGE things planned for the students, and possibly adults, at camp. Every time I think about it I get goosebumps.

My Friend Jenny

Yes, I know the title sounds a little Forrest Gumpish, but I don't care. My fabulous friend Jenny Weems just called me from her Premier Jewelry rally in Fort Worth, Texas and she is standing in line for me. What is she standing in line for? Anita Renfroe's autograph! I was telling Jenny about walking on the treadmill watching Anita's Total Momsense DVD and about falling off the treadmill. This is one of the reasons I love Jenny, she will do anything she can for her friends. It's a great thing to know that she has my back. She cried with me when I found out I can't have kids and she was crying with me a month later when I found out I was pregnant with Alex. I just love her and everytime I talk to her, I feel like she makes me a better person. So, Jenny, I know you won't read this until after your rally, but I love you chickie! I hope you are having a great time in Texas!

Busy

We have two more days of swim lessons, a house to clean, errands to run, laundry to do, two people to get packed for a week, then I think we will be finished. Brianna is headed to my parents house on Saturday to spend the week with them. She is so excited. I think my kids really need a break from each other. They are beginning to get on each others nerves, which means they are driving me nuts. I will miss them next week though.

I am trying too hard to plan things for next week. I am such a planner and feel much better when a plan is in place. I want to plan things for the girls in my room and for the kids on my team at camp. I don't know when we will have time to do any of these things I want to do. I am also trying to plan things for Brian and Alex. I am trying to think what Brian can fix for supper each night, I think I am afraid they won't eat if I'm not here. I am also trying to plan stuff for Ellie to do with Alex. I just don't want him to give her a hard time. He is a totally different kid when the girls are not here, so I don't think he will be too much trouble. I don't have to worry about planning for Brianna, Momma has taken care of that.

I am beginning to get excited about camp. I will miss Brian and the kids, but am looking forward to getting to know the girls in my room. The three in my room are girls that I don't know that well, so I am excited about getting a glimpse into their lives. At leader meeting on Sunday the guys were talking about wrestling in rooms and such, that must totally be a guy thing. I just don't see a bunch of girls pushing back furniture to wrestle.

Liz will be home on Friday. I have missed that girl the past several weeks. I sure haven't had to make as much pink lemonade since she left.

I started listening to the audio book "New Moon" yesterday. I read "Twilight," the first of the series last week. If you are into vampires and such, it's really good. Now, I just want to know what happens to Bella and Edward in the new book that comes out on 8/2. I still have "New Moon" and "Eclipse" to read before I will be ready for the new book, I should be finished in time. The Yada Yada Prayer Group books are good too. I read those last summer and loved them. I am waiting to get my hands on the new one in that series also. Anyway, I was telling Brian about "New Moon" last night and he was saying it is junk, he likes technical books where you learn something when you read them. I told him he wishes I had written that "junk." He always calls my books "junk."

Great Weekend

We had a great weekend. Saturday we didn't do much of anything, until Brian got home from his last class. Then we went to The Beacon in Spartanburg and stopped by Tony's in Gastonia for ice cream. After 5 years, if he wants The Beacon and Tony's in the same night, that's what he will get.

Sunday we had church. Then we had a camp meeting. We are leaving for camp in 6 days. I am a little nervous about leaving Alex for the week. I have never left him for that long. Brianna normally goes to my moms for a week every summer, so this will be her week.

This week will be a busy week, trying to get ready for camp. I have a ton of errands to run. Becca is here today. Alex is all excited. She hasn't been here since school let out, so he is excited to have her here. We may try to stamp this afternoon. I will try to post pictures of our creations.

IT'S OVER

Brian just called and he is on his way home from class for the last time! I am so excited. After five long years, he's finished! We are headed to the Beacon in Spartanburg, SC for supper. It's what Brian wants, so that's what he is getting.

I tried a new recipe last night that was both good and easy.

Cheesy Chicken Bake
In the Kitchen with Mary and Martha

5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
5 slices American cheese
butter
garlic salt

Place chicken in a shallow baking dish. Pour soup over chicken pieces, then top with cheese slices. Place a chunk of butter on each piece and sprinkle with garlic salt. Bake at 350 for 45 to 50 minutes. Sere over rice or noodles, if desired.

I used cream of mushroom soup and it was still good.

Struggling

I am struggling with some decisions I have to make in the next few weeks. Two weeks ago, I was certain of my decision, but now, I'm not so sure. I have a Pro/Con list a mile long, but it doesn't seem to be helping. Stay or go? I hate being indecisive.

Prayer Pups

Check out www.prayerpups.com. It's a Christian comic and the last three have been really funny!

1 More Day

After 5 years, Brian has one more day of class and he will officially be finished with his Bachelor's Degree. He will do his presentation of his home security system tomorrow afternoon and then we will be FINISHED! I honestly can't believe it, he is finished. He will walk in UNC-Charlotte's December graduation. I am so proud of him. He works full time, has us full time and goes to school part time, but with homework and attending class it's another full time job. I don't know how he did it, but he did!

McDonald's

I am fasting from McDonald's. Travis asked camp leaders to choose something to fast from for 48 days. So, since Alex and I were eating McDonald's for breakfast 2-3 times a week, I chose McD's. Everything was going well until just now when Bri saw a commercial for the new Happy Meal toys. She is dead set on going to get her a Happy Meal so she can have a Littlest Pet Shop toy. Why do they have to advertise that crap?! So now she is going to be bugging me everytime we pass the place.

Brian

I hit the 1,000 visitor mark today. Thank you to all who read my ramblings.

Brian is an internet superstar with his first YouTube video.



We had baked pineapple for supper tonight. If any of you have any recipes you would like to share with me, please put them in the comment section and I will try them!

Baked Pineapple
2 (20 oz) cans chunk pineapple in juice, undrained
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (8 oz)
2/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup flour
1 cup Ritz crackers, crumbled
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted

Preheat oven to 350. Drain pineapple, reserving 1/3 cup juice. Place pineapple in 11x13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle with cheese. Combine reserved juice, sugar, and flour. Pour over cheese. Combine crackers crumbs and butter and sprinkle over flour mixture. Bake for 25 minutes.

Alex and Brianna are sitting on the couch watching the storm.

Day 2

Today was day 2 of swim lessons and the kids did a great job. Olivia and Alex were going completely under the water. They were so proud of themselves. I have to tell you it scared me a little. Brianna is moving up a level. I started her out in Level 2, but she has improved so much since last summer, that they are moving her to Level 3 tomorrow!!!!!!! She is so excited.

Day 1

Today was the first day of swim lessons. Brianna has improved so much. She is doing so good! Alex actually didn't hold onto me. It was amazing. Both he and Olivia can stand up where their class is held, so they had a blast. All three were diving for dive sticks. I was shocked that Alex and Olivia were putting their faces in the water. At first I thought I was crazy for taking all three to swim lessons, but they did a great job. If anyone is looking for a great place to take, the City of Concord does a great job and it's cheap!

Long Weekend = Long Update

Friday we went to the 4th of July parade in Harrisburg. It was the first time we had watched the parade. Last year we walked in it with the church. This year it was just me and the kids watching the parade. Friday night we went to watch the fireworks with some of our Rock Group. Want to know where we sat? In a graveyard. I honestly think that was the best place. There was no crowd, and it was easy to get out on the road to get home. The only downside was that Brianna and I stepped in a fire ant nest. We are both still itching.

Brian worked on his Senior Design project all weekend. I can't believe that Saturday is his last day of class. We won't know what to do with ourselves, not having to worry about what homework needs to be done and when what is due. So on Saturday we didn't go anywhere. The kids and I did clean the house, it's nice to have 4 extra hands helping clean. My mom, aunt and cousin's little boy came over for a little bit.

My parents had a gas can stolen off their front porch on Saturday morning. A guy on a moped stole it, how stupid is he? So, my dad chased him down and got his gas can back. My dad told them they didn't know who they were messing with. He is such a tough guy. I'm not saying that to be funny either. I would have hated to have been those guys. I have only seen my dad really mad once, and it's not something I want to see again. The police came and of course the guys were gone, but they were caught later in the day. The guys were 18, 16, and 14. The 16 year old was in the store my dad's sister works at and was telling her what happened to him and how he didn't know that his friend had stolen anything and he was innocent. Then he told her his name and she told him hers. At first he thought she was my dad's wife, but she told him that she was his sister.

Sunday, after church we had lunch with Sonya and Amos. We had a great time talking and eating. I made a great, simple dessert.

Put a layer of ice cream sandwiches in the bottom of a casserole dish, I used a small one, but you can easily put more depending on how many people you have. Top with caramel and chocolate ice cream syrups. Top that with Cool Whip, add more syrups and top it all off with crushed Butterfinger. This is so good and so easy, I made it Saturday afternoon and just put it in the freezer until lunch yesterday. So easy and you could easily make it low fat by using low fat ice cream sandwiches, fat free Cool Whip and fat free syrups.

Brianna taught Alex how to do yoga last night. It's really funny to watch.

MAD

We just saw a moped, an adult driving, with a kid on it. It made me so mad. I know you don't have to have a license to drive those things, but aren't there some kind of rules that go along with driving them? If you know, please let me know. I know where this man lives!

Converge

Converge is our Wednesday night service for the youth. I went last night and honestly I did not want to be there. I wanted to be at home sitting on the couch reading my book. I wanted to be anywhere but Converge and boy was I in a mood. The kids were driving me crazy and I just needed a break from anything to do with kids. I needed some Steph time. I normally take myself out of the equation at youth activities. I want everything to be about the kids, that's why we are there. But, God used Travis to really speak to me last night. It was as if Travis had bugged my house and phone. I swear he could have been listening to the phone conversations I have had this week. Today I am just trying to take it all in and process it all. I am in a much better mood and ready to tackle the day and these kids. I am really looking forward to Brian and I both having the day off tomorrow. I think I will use the weekend to recharge my batteries. Alex is sleeping much better and later, so that will help a lot!

10 MInutes

I would love to have 10 minutes away from my kids. I don't know what it is lately, but they are driving me nuts. Alex is throwing things. Brianna is yelling at him and giving me all kinds of attitude. I am just tired of it! Anyway, just needed to vent this morning.

On a better note, we went to the Harrisburg 4th of July pageant last night. Ms. Becca was 1st runner up in the Preteen category. I am so proud of her. She spoke well and looked great. She is very disappointed though, but we were all proud of her!

Marriage

I was listening to a radio show on the way to church on Sunday and heard something that really stuck with me. The ladies were talking about a book on marriage that one of them had read and one of the marriage tips was: Be the spouse that you want your spouse to be. Why should I ask Brian to be something that I am not prepared to be? That's not fair to him. Instead of focusing on Brian not doing something, focus on doing it myself. It will be hard, but I think it will make our marriage better. Before anyone asks, no we are not headed to Divorce Court, but what marriage doesn't need work.