I was reading over our credit card statement today, and I still have to verify this with Gabe, but I think someone doctored one of our slips.
On my Birthday, he took me out to a local Italian restaurant... I won't tell which one until I can complete this story.
We both had dinner and soft drink type items. Which I could see conceivably coming to around $30. BUT! On our slip, it says $39, with a 9.40 tip (it actually lists this). We would never tip $9, especially on a $30 dinner. I sometimes have trouble tipping the 15% when the service hasn't been very good. Ok, so more than sometimes. I worked for tips, and I believe in working for your money. If I didn't do a good job, I didn't expect to get big money.
Anyway, back to my story... I am going to check with Gabe tonight after he wakes up, and we will decide on a plan of action. I hate confrontation, but this was completely wrong.
What would you do if this happened to you?
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Monday, April 14, 2008
Spiritual Rut
It's interesting how I am in a fabulous place spiritually- as I am involved in a Beth Moore Study, reading the Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn, working on my New Testament Survey class at Koinonia Institute, and for the first time in my life, I am doing a daily, first thing in the morning quiet time and keeping a prayer journal. More like a "one-sided conversations with God" journal. Spiritually, I am doing great, and I love where God has me right now. It is a sweet spot :-)
But I feel like I am still in the rut, emotionally. I can't seem to find my joy-- I say things I wouldn't normally, I am grouchy, frustrated, feel like crying all the time....
No, I am not pregnant. Although I kinda wish I was so I could know for sure why I am feeling like this.
But I do feel like I am here for a reason. I think God is using this time of despair, mellowness, and lackluster to draw me to Him. So I seek Him first, in every situation. I believe this is a time of growth, for which I have been praying, but pruning is not easy. I am not even sure what is being pruned, except for my independence and self-reliance. I tear up as I write. Those are very hard things to let go of... As you can read, I can't seem to pull myself up out of the rut, and it frustrates me to no end. I know that even as I pray for deliverance, it will not come until the limb is gone-- it frightens me to wonder how long it will take.
And there is even doubt. Doubt that what I believe is the reason is really the reason. Or am I just needing more vitamins? I turn to caffeine :-) for a little pick me up.
So your prayers are deeply appreciated. My children need my patience, of which I have very little. My husband needs my support and respect, and the wrong words keep coming out of my mouth. I fail all day long. Is this growth? Or is it depression? Or both?
But I feel like I am still in the rut, emotionally. I can't seem to find my joy-- I say things I wouldn't normally, I am grouchy, frustrated, feel like crying all the time....
No, I am not pregnant. Although I kinda wish I was so I could know for sure why I am feeling like this.
But I do feel like I am here for a reason. I think God is using this time of despair, mellowness, and lackluster to draw me to Him. So I seek Him first, in every situation. I believe this is a time of growth, for which I have been praying, but pruning is not easy. I am not even sure what is being pruned, except for my independence and self-reliance. I tear up as I write. Those are very hard things to let go of... As you can read, I can't seem to pull myself up out of the rut, and it frustrates me to no end. I know that even as I pray for deliverance, it will not come until the limb is gone-- it frightens me to wonder how long it will take.
And there is even doubt. Doubt that what I believe is the reason is really the reason. Or am I just needing more vitamins? I turn to caffeine :-) for a little pick me up.
So your prayers are deeply appreciated. My children need my patience, of which I have very little. My husband needs my support and respect, and the wrong words keep coming out of my mouth. I fail all day long. Is this growth? Or is it depression? Or both?
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Stuck in a Rut...
If you haven't noticed, I am not feeling terribly creative lately. I didn't post a Monday Menu, or a Kitchen Tip Tuesday, and I just don't know what to ramble about.
Although we did have an interesting battle this evening.
Kiera seems to be more of a good eater than a bad one, unless you count all the sneaky times she tries to get away with goodies... But tonight I made Chicken Spinach Raviolis, which Gabe and I really like. (Recently, Melia started asking me if she "liked this." So of course I say yes...) But Kiera did not think much of the raviolis... she ate the chicken, but ended up flat out refusing to eat the pasta.
Flat out meaning even after I reduced her "have to eat" pile to a "have to eat if you want to go outside after dinner" plus a "have to eat if you want dessert" pile. She didn't eat any out of either pile, even after Melia and I went outside to get the mail, bring in the garbage can, play a little bit, check on my beans/peas... (yes, I checked on her about every minute because I was slightly paraniod- she was strapped into her booster seat, so not going anywhere). I think she was a little angry with me, but I couldn't back down. Apparently she thought the same thing :-) because she didn't. This all happened after I was mentioning to Gabe that watching/hearing about other children makes me thankful that although we have our battles, eating has not yet been one of them.
Was it a success? I am not sure. But at least it wasn't a failure. I couldn't make her eat it, but I did show her that Momma's will power is just as strong as hers, and that I meant what I said.
And we did have a special snuggle pile after bath time, so she knows I still love her, even if she doesn't like my cookin'.
Although we did have an interesting battle this evening.
Kiera seems to be more of a good eater than a bad one, unless you count all the sneaky times she tries to get away with goodies... But tonight I made Chicken Spinach Raviolis, which Gabe and I really like. (Recently, Melia started asking me if she "liked this." So of course I say yes...) But Kiera did not think much of the raviolis... she ate the chicken, but ended up flat out refusing to eat the pasta.
Flat out meaning even after I reduced her "have to eat" pile to a "have to eat if you want to go outside after dinner" plus a "have to eat if you want dessert" pile. She didn't eat any out of either pile, even after Melia and I went outside to get the mail, bring in the garbage can, play a little bit, check on my beans/peas... (yes, I checked on her about every minute because I was slightly paraniod- she was strapped into her booster seat, so not going anywhere). I think she was a little angry with me, but I couldn't back down. Apparently she thought the same thing :-) because she didn't. This all happened after I was mentioning to Gabe that watching/hearing about other children makes me thankful that although we have our battles, eating has not yet been one of them.
Was it a success? I am not sure. But at least it wasn't a failure. I couldn't make her eat it, but I did show her that Momma's will power is just as strong as hers, and that I meant what I said.
And we did have a special snuggle pile after bath time, so she knows I still love her, even if she doesn't like my cookin'.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
New Critters At Our House
Shaun and Andrea went with us on Saturday to help pick out our new family members.....
Melia can't keep her eyes off them, or her hands out of the cage!
We bought two Araconas, one white leghorn, one barred rock, and two cochens. We should have blue, green, brown, white, and miniature eggs!
And we finally remembered to go pick up Gabe's deer-- He picked the perfect position for it, although I do look twice at it several times each day, trying to get used to it!
It fits just right in that corner of the living room.
Note how our "Mighty Hunter" Kerzon is stalking all the new intruders :-)
Melia can't keep her eyes off them, or her hands out of the cage!
We bought two Araconas, one white leghorn, one barred rock, and two cochens. We should have blue, green, brown, white, and miniature eggs!
And we finally remembered to go pick up Gabe's deer-- He picked the perfect position for it, although I do look twice at it several times each day, trying to get used to it!
It fits just right in that corner of the living room. 
Note how our "Mighty Hunter" Kerzon is stalking all the new intruders :-)Sunday, April 6, 2008
I think this is a weekly failure on my part.
I keep forgetting one of the basic rules of child training.
And I notice a significant change in our family dynamic when I do.
You know those days when you just don't feel like spanking? Like those little offenses that just don't seem all too troublesome on their own?
Well, they add up. They add up to a grumpy momma who can't figure out why both her little darlings are being so naughty! And who doesn't understand where this little bossy brat came from who yells and bullies her sister around. Or why this little sneaky sugar-holic thinks she can run into a room and inhale a cookie without being caught.
Until, I realize that I am the bossy bully who yells, and she is just mirroring my example. All because I didn't put the priority on training, then they try getting away with more and more, and I get frustrated because they know they are not supposed to do that, and my attitude turns sour because we are having a "bad day," and then my mirror shows me exactly what I look like to them.
One of the basic rules: Do everything with a smile on my face, especially training.
(from the Pearls: see nogreaterjoy.com link on right side for more child-training success tools)
And I notice a significant change in our family dynamic when I do.
You know those days when you just don't feel like spanking? Like those little offenses that just don't seem all too troublesome on their own?
Well, they add up. They add up to a grumpy momma who can't figure out why both her little darlings are being so naughty! And who doesn't understand where this little bossy brat came from who yells and bullies her sister around. Or why this little sneaky sugar-holic thinks she can run into a room and inhale a cookie without being caught.
Until, I realize that I am the bossy bully who yells, and she is just mirroring my example. All because I didn't put the priority on training, then they try getting away with more and more, and I get frustrated because they know they are not supposed to do that, and my attitude turns sour because we are having a "bad day," and then my mirror shows me exactly what I look like to them.
One of the basic rules: Do everything with a smile on my face, especially training.
(from the Pearls: see nogreaterjoy.com link on right side for more child-training success tools)
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Kiera's First Expletive
Last night as we were finishing up dinner, Gabe and I were in the kitchen and the girls were at the table.
Kiera lets out this huge sneeze, and then yells "JE-SUS!"
I laughed so hard, I almost fell on the floor -- my stomach was sore afterwards! It's like the kids you see trying to say things, except they say swear words instead.
But Kiera doesn't swear, she just substitutes words.
Like "Thank You" is "Du-bai."
And "Excuse Me" is "Je-sus."
Or is yelling "JESUS" classified as swearing?
Kiera lets out this huge sneeze, and then yells "JE-SUS!"
I laughed so hard, I almost fell on the floor -- my stomach was sore afterwards! It's like the kids you see trying to say things, except they say swear words instead.
But Kiera doesn't swear, she just substitutes words.
Like "Thank You" is "Du-bai."
And "Excuse Me" is "Je-sus."
Or is yelling "JESUS" classified as swearing?
Friday, April 4, 2008
Some Weekly Activity!
When we had our little date night on Wednesday, I took advantage of my kid-free time to do my weekly "free-shop!" I also took Gabe hostage and made him participate :-)
Walgreens:
Free After Rebate Items: Aquafresh toothpaste (cpn also) Colgate toothbrush (cpn), Soy Joy Bar
Other good deals: Free Ink refills!, .25 packs of gum (2), and Bertollis dinners $1.50 after cpn, sale, and catalina (Gabe did one too!)
Rite Aid: Free after rebate: Softsoap (+cpn), razors, other personal item I am not posting...
Good deals: 4 Tunas at .45 each after sale+cpns!
(Good deals do not include pantalooned baby on table.....)
Walgreens:
Free After Rebate Items: Aquafresh toothpaste (cpn also) Colgate toothbrush (cpn), Soy Joy Bar
Other good deals: Free Ink refills!, .25 packs of gum (2), and Bertollis dinners $1.50 after cpn, sale, and catalina (Gabe did one too!)
Rite Aid: Free after rebate: Softsoap (+cpn), razors, other personal item I am not posting...
Good deals: 4 Tunas at .45 each after sale+cpns!
(Good deals do not include pantalooned baby on table.....)
Suggestions?? I saw Safeways' $10/30 catalina deal for this week (or longer) but I had a hard time coming up with decent scenarios. I have lots of coupons, just not a lot of creativity this week. Does anyone have any good deals they used there? Thanks!!!
And I just have to brag on this good deal :-) Look what I got in the mail! 
Gabe and I completed our first Koinonia Institute class (Old Testament Survey) in February; we both recieved A's, and they mailed us these nice certificates! It made me feel good-- I was aiming for the first goal of being done before fall so we could recieve our medallions at the Strategic Perspectives conference in November, so this little pat on the back is much appreciated. Besides, wasn't that nice of them?
I call it our good deal because we signed up to take the classes together, so I was half price, plus we did a conference special, so that made it even better! We have really valued this time in the Word and learning more about the books we just don't get into alot. I believe God has blessed our time here, and I can't wait to see what else He shows us!
I Have so Much to Tell You!
I did not get to post anything yesterday because Gabe and I had a day to ourselves!!! The girls went to my aunt/uncle/cousins' house for a sleepover Wednesday night, so we got to have a little date night and project day! It was great!
This is Kerzon, aka Curzon, depending on who you ask :-) He thoroughly enjoyed having our affections to himself, and, as above, doing his part to help complete our project :-)
He has the funniest faces! We can do whatever we want as long as he gets some lovin' too!
And this is the completed first project! To put Melia's big girl bed together! And hang the rainbow in her room, as she refers to it-- It really is pretty, don't you think?
This is Kerzon, aka Curzon, depending on who you ask :-) He thoroughly enjoyed having our affections to himself, and, as above, doing his part to help complete our project :-)
He has the funniest faces! We can do whatever we want as long as he gets some lovin' too!
Kiera also got a new bed-- the toddler bed. And last night she was so beat she never even tried to get up. I was all prepared for a training session, and then it didn't happen! So, probably today at nap time... Or she just "gets it" because she is used to Sissy sleeping in it. I doubt it though, that new found freedom is just to tempting to ignore!
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
I have to share this
Read this! It is from my classmate Mark, in our Koinonia Institute New Testament Course.
The Gospel is, to coin a phrase, 'good news' not a 'good idea' as many today would suggest. We are called to proclaim rather than suggest. The Gospel is not just a help, or even a solution, it is the solution!
How convicting is that! I know that I know, but when God calls my attention to something, I need to listen!
My Jesus died to save me; He laid in the grave three days; He rose again, defeating death; And He is coming again! The Gospel of our Lord.
It is all so mind-boggling how our God saved us, but that He has a future plan for us gives me goosebumps! And that how I relate, learn, obey, glorify, and submit to Him now impacts my role in the future kingdom! How staggering... I only hope I can be good enough to sweep those golden streets.
God knows, I can shovel manure....
The Gospel is, to coin a phrase, 'good news' not a 'good idea' as many today would suggest. We are called to proclaim rather than suggest. The Gospel is not just a help, or even a solution, it is the solution!
How convicting is that! I know that I know, but when God calls my attention to something, I need to listen!
My Jesus died to save me; He laid in the grave three days; He rose again, defeating death; And He is coming again! The Gospel of our Lord.
It is all so mind-boggling how our God saved us, but that He has a future plan for us gives me goosebumps! And that how I relate, learn, obey, glorify, and submit to Him now impacts my role in the future kingdom! How staggering... I only hope I can be good enough to sweep those golden streets.
God knows, I can shovel manure....
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
It just Figures!
Well, my sister and her hubby did come over for lunch today, for which I made the Marlboro Man Sandwiches I was planning on making for dinner. (yes, I did save Gabe a steak, so he won't be too jealous!)
And I was so excited to try this new recipe, that I forgot to check the meat, which was just cooking away..... away away away..... and I burned it...
But the onion strings turned out very very good. too good. tooo toooo good. no, I won't be making them again any time soon. Or rather, you won't see them at my house any time soon, because I will have eaten them all before you arrived. :-)
But that's my little secret.
And I was so excited to try this new recipe, that I forgot to check the meat, which was just cooking away..... away away away..... and I burned it...
But the onion strings turned out very very good. too good. tooo toooo good. no, I won't be making them again any time soon. Or rather, you won't see them at my house any time soon, because I will have eaten them all before you arrived. :-)
But that's my little secret.
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