July 22nd & The RUMORS!

This is an entry I had written in my journal but never posted it.

July 22nd, 2009:

Have you ever sat down, taken a deep look at your life and wondered, "What the hell happened?" That has been one of my thoughts quite often lately.

Even so, I have to remind myself of how incredibly blessed we are. Truly, we have so many things to be thankful for. Most importantly, we have each other. We are blessed with family, friends, an income, and the basic necessities. We may not have all of the extra things we would like; however, we have what is important. For that, I am thankful. We are thankful!

Things have been difficult for our family over the past year. With the help of family, friends, thoughts and prayers, and faith we have continued to push through it. Has it been easy? Definitely not. It surely has been a humbling experience and one that is certainly not over yet. The ride continues. The ups and downs keep coming our way. There are times I want nothing more than to push the "stop" button, especially when we are on the up side of things. It is then; however, that I realize that in order to get to the top, you have to climb from the bottom. This is life and life will continue on like that until the day we cease to exist. It is what builds character. It is what makes us who we are.

Next month, Tim and I will celebrate another milestone in our journey, eighteen years of being together. It doesn't seem possible. Two months later, we will celebrate our fourteenth wedding anniversary.

The past few days I have done a great deal of thinking. I am reminded that this isn't where I would have expected to be nor is it where I would have chosen to be when starting our lives together. However, HERE WE ARE! Thankfully, our journey together is far from over!

The silver lining to this is no matter what I may have planned for my life, the ultimate plan was decided long before I ever thought of one. The path that we are following may have taken us by surprise but it was planned all along by Him and He isn't surprised by this path one bit. I truly believe that!

Is it one I would have chosen? Nope! Even though I can't see the end result or why I was sent down this path rather than a different one, I know that there is always a reason. In time, and certainly not my time, the reasons will be revealed. I have learned this lesson more than once in my life.

It appears that over the next few months, our family will go through another series of changes. We have taken the time to sit down with each of the children and discussed the options we have been given. We wanted to be sure the kids knew that their opinion was important to us and more importantly, mattered! This journey included them as well. We want to be sure that they take with them what is important after all of this is over. Life is not easy. Things are not just handed to you. You must make sacrifices and work hard to achieve your goals and dreams. More importantly, the love of those around you will help you through anything you face!

I am certain that with these changes will come more ups and downs. Our hope is that along the way, we can remain focused on the goal that we are trying to accomplish. We are choosing to make what we believe are the best decisions for our family. That is truly who it is about, US.

We realize that not everyone will agree with what we believe is best. That is fine. We are all entitled to our opinions. We don't ask for you to agree with us. The decisions we make for our family are for the seven of us. All we ask for is your unconditional support and encouragement as we continue down this journey.

I'll share more details when I have them...

Count your blessings,
Becky

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Post from Monday July 27th, 2009

The Rumors:

I have been approached by a few people within the past week to inquire about the "rumors" that have been flying around town. First, let me express just how much I love "rumors" (NOT!!) Even so, they tend to spread around a small town faster than a forest fire on a windy day.

Thank you to those of you who came forward and talked directly to us about what you were "told" or "hearing" before you went on to spread things even further.

Here are the facts:

NO, we are NOT being evicted!!!!

About a month ago, we were approached by some dear friends who knew we were thinking about moving. We were trying to figure out how we could do what we had to do and still achieve our ultimate goals.

Goal: Save enough money to purchase a home we can call OURS.

When the offer was presented to us, we really didn't think they were serious! We were quickly informed that they were indeed serious and the consideration began. It took a few weeks for us to finally decide what we were going to do. Believe me, the rumors started long before we ever made a decision!

So...

Yes, we are moving.

Yes, Tim is still laid off.

Yes, this is a decision based 90% on financial reasons.

Yes, we are moving to Stockbridge.

Yes, Tim still intends and desires to stay on the Fire Department he has devoted the past twelve years to.

Yes, we all understand "what we are doing?"

Yes, we have talked in great depth with the children about how they feel.

Yes, the children will be attending another school district.

Yes, they were given a choice in their schooling.

Yes, the kids chose what school they wanted to attend.

Yes, we made this decision as a family after a great deal of thought.

No, we don't have a date yet. It will be later this fall.

This post was to dispel the rumors that are flying around town like leaves on a windy day.

If you have questions, PLEASE ask.

Sometimes...

Sometimes, life feels impossible. Like nothing will ever go your way. Sometimes, it just plain sucks.

And then, a glimmer of hope catches your eye. A possibility. A chance.

That's what I saw tonight. A glimmer. A little hope. A chance that being accepted into the Nursing program was a little closer than it was just a few months ago.

I made the grade for my A&P class!

Only a few more weeks until I know my true fate of whether I am accepted or not. Lord, give me patience.

In other news, PLEASE keep us in your thoughts. We had a pretty difficult week. Of course this on top of the uncertain outcome that lies ahead of us in a few weeks. We are just one of thousands who are affected by the Big Three issues.

Unfortunately, those who are not directly affected by this are very swift to make broad and often uninformed judgements about GM workers. To say this gets under my skin would be an understatement. Not all GM workers are lazy and overpaid union workers. Not all GM workers sit around doing nothing all day long. Not all GM workers buy expensive cars & fancy houses. Most GM workers are humble people just trying to make an honest living for their family. And for those who claim GM workers "make too much money", I ask you this question.

If you had been offered a job to work for GM and you were offered the wages that they make (which most people believe is far more than they really do make)...would you turn down the job? Somehow, I doubt many people would decline a position because you might have a higher wage than others. We've actually talked with people who didn't want to work in a factory, working the night shift and then have the balls gall to complain about the wages and benefits of GM workers.

There are people who do make the sacrifice to work in a factory, on the night shift.

Our family is a one-income family who depends on a GM job! Our future is uncertain. Our lives, more than likely, will be rocked to the core very soon. To say we are not very afraid of what the future holds for the lives of our five children as well as our own would be a lie.

Fear has set in. For us and thousands of others who depend on their job with the Big Three!

Just breathe

It is taking every ounce of strength I have but for now, I will just breathe.

To say this year has been one of the most difficult ones yet would be an understatement. I feel as though we have been thrown under the bus only to have it stop directly on top of us...and park! Our marriage continues to be tested, our lives continue to change and our stress continues to build.

This year we celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary. I have never been superstitious about the unlucky number 13...until now.

For now, I will focus on the one thing that can't be taken from us. At least, can't be taken the way everything else in our lives has been the past six months.

Tonight, I will focus on my incredibly loving, hard-working, strong husband, our five precious young children and the fact that the Lord will continue to hold us in the palm of his hand as we wait for His plan to unfold.

Tonight, tomorrow and for the stressful days that lie ahead, I will just breathe.

A whirlwind of a week

Does time ever stand still anymore? It seems that each day passes quicker than the day before. My mind is constantly reeling at what I need to do and my watch keeps reminding me that there isn't more than 24 hours in a day.

Today I sat down to do the bills. That always puts a damper on a good day. Expenses are neverending and with school quickly approaching for the kids, the list of needs keeps extending. I know that in time, things will all even out and we will be feeling less of a pinch on the budget. It's just frusterating when that pinch is there.

The kids are enjoying the beautiful outdoors. Pretty soon, it will be time to begin dinner and off to Football we will go. The weekends are very welcomed here in our household. It seems to be the only time we are able to sit for more than ten minutes. Of course, we are all adjusting to the new schedule that we are tackling this week. In time, I'm sure it will all level out.

I've started classes again this week. I'm finding them to be not as stressful as I thought. Well, after I dropped the humanities class I was going to take. The syllabus was enough to send my head spinning and force steam out of my ears. There was so much information to digest in a subject that was completely Greek to me. Knowing that my plate was already heaping, I decided to drop the class and save myself the headache. At least, for this semester.

The next month is going to be filled with me having my nose stuffed in books, studying in order to take a series of tests that are required for the entrance of the program, and the start of the EMT program. Somedays I'm freaking out over it all and others, I feel completely at ease with it all. Time will tell just how I do!

I must go coordinate the house chores now. I won't be able to share all the photos I wanted to right now but if you click on them, they will take you to the rest of the pictures we've uploaded. Until next time, enjoy these pictures.


What a sunny day!!


That's not how we drink our juice!
He's spitting it out!!

Jacob during his group photo


Jonathon with Jacob during a
water break at football practice.


Austin waiting to have his group photos
taken. He sure looks happy, LOL


Ohhhh No! Here he goes....

No worries! He was okay!

On the move...

Update for the day:

Momma's back is hurting.
Momma took some good meds and is waiting for them to kick in.
Momma really has nothing to say but will rattle on anyways.

Both boys attended day two of football conditioning.
Boy #1 was given his gear.
Boy #2 receives his gear tomorrow.
Both boys are exhausted and complaining of leg pains.
Both boys have been given Advil and a hot pack.

Both girls are sleeping soundly after much protest.
Now I know why 8:00pm was our bedtime when I was young.
Momma's beginning to wonder where her little girls are. (See the next post)

Last but not least, little man is also sleeping peacefully.

The constant running every single day from sun up to sun down has begun. I'm finding that everyday more dates for something are being thrown at me. It's pretty much a requirement for me to carry a datebook if I ever want to remember where I'm required to be.

The football practice times are not convient for us as I try to get the kids back into a routine and on a schedule. Thankfully both boys are being coached by friends or family. This is the only thing that eases my mind since they are both practicing at the same time but at seperate places. Very soon, I will have the priveledge of having my other half home with us in order to help with the nightly routines.

Hope your day was a good one!

Thankful and Praying

For those of you that are praying along with us without even knowing what to pray for, we thank you. Today, we received some positive news. Hopefully, Saturday will bring us even more good news.

Once things are a little clearer, we'll be happy to share with you what you've been praying for all this time. Until then, please continue praying that His plan will unfold in perfect timing and that we will continue to stay positive and focused. He has already given us a glimpse of hope. I can't wait to see the full picture. In time, His time, all will be okay.

Thanks again

Taking a deep breath...

I've been spending extra time lately filling my spiritual tank. I must say that the sense of relief I woke up with this morning was welcomed with open arms and a thankful heart. I'm reminding myself that there is a perfect plan for us and in His time, He will reveal it to us. Here are a few words that impacted me and I thought I'd share with you.

"You cannot step twice in the same river, for other waters are continually flowing on." -Heraclitus

"The secret of a happy life: Accept change gracefully." -Jimmy Stewart

"Life is not a journey you want to make on autopilot." -Paula Rinehart

"Life's unfolding stops for no one." -Kathy Troccoli

"People may make plans in their minds, but the Lord decides what they will do." -Proverbs 16:9 NCV

"Never place a period where God has placed a comma." -Mother Teresa

"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God." -Corrie ten Boom

"Any concern that is too small to be turned into a prayer is too small to be made into a burden." -Corrie ten Boom

"Don't quit. For if you do, you may miss the answer to your prayers." -Max Lucado

"You cannot walk through life without a dream or a destination and expect to arrive just where you wanted to go." -Lisa Bevere

Thank you for your continued prayers. We appreciate them.

Think of us, please!

Just asking that you'll think of us over the next few weeks and months ahead. We're going to be making some pretty big changes around here and would appreciate any prayers to help us with the transition.

Blessings to each of you,
-Us

Everything else just falls into place

How do you do it?

Honestly, there are days that I ask myself this very question. To say that our days are full is an understatement. I no longer have a full plate, I have a full platter. Alone time is unattainable in this house, even when you do lock the bathroom door.

Raising five children is an adventure. It is also something that only a few other people we know personally have decided to do. Our days are never boring. There is always something happening that keeps us on our toes. Someone is always in need of something. And the only thing we can count on with 100% certainty is our Love for eachother.

Our My days are long. They begin at 6am and end sometime after 2am. If I'm lucky, I may catch a cat nap but that is usually not the case. Unfortunately, I have an addiction that helps me maintain some sort of sanity with this crazy schedule.

I confess, I'm a caffeine addict. I love my Mt. Dew.

Of course, the kids get up, get ready and head off to school. I fill my day by going to class four days a week. Then it's home for 90 minutes to do homework, grab a snack and chat before we head off to football practice. After football practice we hit the showers. Throw on the PJ's, shovel food into our mouths, get our last drink, brush the teeth, and head off to bed. This is done all at lightening speed, it seems. While I'd love to start the routine about 6:00pm, it's not possible as Football doesn't end until 8pm. Thankfully, we I have the routine down and can successfully execute it in a matter of minutes. Less than fourty five minutes, to be exact. The five younger kids are in bed and usually asleep by 9pm. Last night, 8:30pm. The older two, usually by 9:30pm.

The only way we're able to do this is by multi-tasking. It's an endless assembly line of showering, donning pj's, eating, brushing, and bedtime. Of course, there is also an endless supply of hugs, kisses, and praise for getting everything done at record speed! While I love having the boys in football, I hate the nonstop running from the time they get home from school until they are in bed. I make it a point to talk with each of them about their day, to help with any homework or answer any questions they may have, and to just spend a little one on one time with each of them.

Of course, after they are resting peacefully, all snuggled beneath their warm fuzzy blankets, round two begins for me. Everything that is not cold is packed into their lunch boxes. I am sure to put a juice in the fridge for each child, sure their ice pack was placed back into the freezer. Lunch boxes are placed on the table with the sandwich bags, bread, and a list of "reminders" for the morning rush. Then it's off to check backpacks. Notes are addressed, forms filled out, and upcoming events placed on the planner absolutely gigantic wall calendar. Everything that needs to be taken back to school is placed in their backpacks, which line the wall. Shoes are along the wall, outfits for the following day are placed on the coffee table, complete with socks. (Which used to cause quite a commotion around here, I tell you). Finally, after all of those things are finished, it's time for me to have a bit of quiet time.

I do the most important things first such as update my blog before I get too tired. My classes are usually something that needs to be addressed. Whether it's homework, studying, or just making sure I'm on top of all the deadlines. There is always something to do. I try to get another load of dishes going in the dishwasher, fold any laundry that may be sitting on the couch, and even watch a bit of TV, if I'm lucky. Then when I can't muster up anymore strength to keep my eyes open, I stumble down to the bedroom where I end my day. Of course, a typical day will allow me to get about 4 hours of sleep before I start the vicious cycle all over again.

I long for the weekends. Unfortunately, they are never quite long enough to finish the chores, the endless supply of laundry, and all of the fun stuff we want to do. Someday, I'll look back and ask myself, yet again, "How did I do it?" However, the one question I won't ask is "Why did I do it?" The answer is so clear. As I look around, I see five children looking up to me. They are the reason why.

Everything else just falls into place.

Twenty at a time...

I can't begin to tell you how many times we've been asked, "How do you do it?" Some wonder how we handle five children. Others wonder how we afford five children. While I admit, the first is so much easier than the second, we are able to do both on our own.

The questions we receive about raising five children usually come from parents of one or two children. Our typical response to "How do you do it" is that it's actually easier than you'd expect. We try to explain our logic by reminding them that when you have one child, you are expected to entertain that child 24/7. You are their parent and their playmate. It's tough to do the adult tasks such as bills or office work when you're also trying to play Barbies or Hotwheels. When you have at least two children, they do tend to entertain eachother. At least during the times that they aren't fighting with eachother. Of course, most of our friends just don't believe our logic...or at least not enough to expand their family to the size of ours!!

Another common question we get is "How can you afford to feed all of those kids?" While it is quite an expensive task, we do rely on sales and coupons. Our cupboards are usually full. There are some items that I refuse to buy that are store brand or "unbranded" because I'm picky like that. But we have no problem trying an unbranded item. If it works for us, we'll use it. I'd say it only works about 40-50% of the time. We have our favorites, just as you. That's just another reason to buy when the items are on sale, with coupons and in bulk! For example, just this morning we had scrambled eggs. Well, twenty eggs later, the kids are nice and full and we (mom and dad) haven't had breakfast yet.

Off to class...
Until next time...