Spring Break Part 1

The first few days of our break was spent relaxing and watching lots of cartoons. I tired of that rather quickly and asked my hubby to take us to go buy some plants for our front flower bed. It was a heep of dirt with one little rose bush. I was so sick of looking at that ugly thing. We ventured to the local nursery to pick out some pretty flowers. The kids were very excited to pick out some plants also. $44.00 later we came home with a slew of gorgeous plants. The kids hurried and found their watering cans and we started getting dirty. Raine was not fond of dirty hands and constantly wanted to wash them off. She tired of the planting rather quickly and played in the back yard instead.

Spring Break Flew By

I had a wonderfully relaxing Spring Break here at home in Las Vegas. Nope, I didn't travel anywhere. I wanted to so badly but I also want to save money and just be in my own clutter and chaos. It was fun filled and when time permits I will, YES I will, come back and recap. We also had a very special Easter with my parents and brother here in town. I am still enjoying my parents visit and so are my kids. It's so fun having company!

The Finale

BufBloPoFo Topic for DAY FOURTEEN:

So are you sad it’s almost done? Are you going to miss all of your fellow participants? Well, your assignment is to give us a farewell speech. I’m continually amazed that anyone decided to play along with the BufBloPoFo. I say you take it easy tomorrow for your last day and just post a quick “so long” to your fellow participants.

Mr. Michael Garvey esquire and creator of BufBloPoFo gave a grand farewell on his blog, one I will not be doing. I have truly enjoyed blogging everyday and will continue to blog as often as I can. I will continue reading my fellow participants blogs when I am bored and need something to do. I enjoy learning about my friends and their families members via Blogger, Typepad and Facebook. It's my reality TV fix.

I use my blog to communicate with my family on the east coast. I am not sure how many of them actually read it but I also use my blog as a diary. It is so much fun to go back and read about my kids and the things they have accomplished in their life so far. Thanks for reading about me and my chaos over the past 14 days and if you have a chance say a prayer for The Hauguel Family in Las Vegas, NV, we need as many as we can get.

Catching up

"J" as in "John Kreuzer" said this about parenting and I LOVE IT!!

Be understanding. Whatever age the child is now, you were that age too, and probably just as annoying (if not more so).

Be patient. When they're driving you up a wall, cut 'em some slack.

Be loving. Look, these young persons are, quite literally, a part of you. How can you not love that? Embrace them for all of the similarities and differences. Show them that you appreciate them for who they are.

Be the parent you would want (and maybe had). Make time for them. Play, talk, share. It's all good.

Be supportive. Even if you don't understand.

I still have to complete the picture of yourself post. So here I am:

Home from my hair appointment, enjoying Private Practice while icing my knees. I am exhausted from a long day and an even longer week. Today was very productive though and one more day until a relaxing weekend and fun date night with my hubby!

Year Ago...

HMM, I will have to look into this one. Well it took me 15 minutes of searching for my post. I am exhausted so I didn't do it the easy way. As for a year ago, I was talking about Spring Break, heading to Utah by myself with the kiddos since Mo was in Mexico. I did that and it was a blast! We had a ball and the kids did awesome on the drive. Our plan was to go somewhere fun this spring break, but we are not. :( We had the option of heading to Reno or camping in Zion, but we are going to stay home and spring clean our home. Mo isn't going to Mexico this year because he wants to clean out his garage and tie up loose ends. I am so ready for Spring Break, even if it means cleaning my house and purging way too much clutter! My parents will be here so that will be fun! Last year I talked about getting out of debt, that didn't happen but it is this year. I should have added that to my bragging list. We did our taxes tonight and we will put that money to our credit card debt. I am very excited about our quest to live debt free even if it stresses me out to no end. In a couple years it will be worth it and just think next year when I look back at this post I will be able to brag about how much more out of debt we are!!

Advice now, photo Thursday

I'm getting a haircut Thursday so I will post a picture then. I know it's supposed to be right now, but too bad.

For now though I will give my parenting advice. Read the book Parenting with Love and Logic by Foster Cline and Jim Fay. I really enjoyed it and it gave some really practical ways to raise your children. I will reread it this summer, when I can really apply it. My children will be so thankful!

Embarrassing Moments

HHhhhmmmm, not so sure how to answer this. I can't pick just one moment, there have been way too many.

1. Weekly, I am embarrassed by the things my children say, what does that say about me as a mom?
2. I have called people the wrong name, a couple of times until they tell me differently.
3. We are in debt and moving back into our first home so we can eventually get back to the east coast or at least out of Vegas!
4. I was supposed to observe a student at another school in the morning and almost showed up in the afternoon. Luckily, it worked out.
5. I got all mixed up in my posting, I think I was supposed to post this one yesterday and the my inspirational list today.
6. I got two traffic tickets in one day, the day before I married my love.
7. I take on too many things and then don't do them well enough.
8. The state of clutter and unnecessary stuff in my home and classroom embarrasses me.
9. My son's horrible haircut. Yes I gave it to him and luckily it will grow back!
10. This list!

Inspirations

I wish I could make a yummy soup, really I just need to try and do it. I am no good in the kitchen, I do try (sometimes) but most of my meals come out of boxes and are easy peasy. If I could take time to do something well, it would be to learn how to cook. Since I have a 2 and 4 yr old and work full time, I will practice cooking this summer when school is out. I will also try to perfect my mediocre baking skills with this recipe! I stole it off my friends blog and can't wait to make it.

Delicious! Chocolate Pie

2 sticks regular butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 eggs
1 baked pie shell

Beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, then mix in cooled melted chocolate. Add vanilla and mix. Turn the mixer to medium speed, then add in the four eggs, one at a time, mixing for 4 to 6 minutes after the addition of each egg. Scrape sides of bowl once during mixing. Pour into the cooled pie shell and refrigerate for at least two hours or overnight. Plop whipped cream on top and serve. Garnish with chocolate curls if you’re feeling sassy.

As for who inspires me, hummmmm my friend Melissa because she is a mean a^& baker.
My friend Shontell because she can stretch a dollar further than anyone I know and pray like no other.
My friend Jessica because she is an artist in all forms and finds time to pursue her dream.
My friend Erin because she is always so giving.
My sister Jaime because she can make any situation into something positive or at least get through it without tears.
My brother Brian because he is amazing at everything he does.
My brother Matthew because he is a survivor.
My mom because she is, well my mom...
My dad because he is such a hard working man.
My children because they are the cutest & sweetest lil blessings.
My best friend and lover Mo because he puts up with me and still loves me!

My list of inspiring people could go on and on so if I left you out I mean no disrespect. I love you all and will continue my list at another time. Good Night and God Bless ;)

New Friend

I have three minutes to write about Lisa, of it's a marshmallow world. I chose Lisa to get an A in Bufblopofo 09, she is married to Mike the creator of this buffalo blogging thing. ;) I would like to meet Lisa because she sounds as busy as me. Two little ones at home, a career and hubby to take care of! Plus she loves peeps, and so do I, but only the yellow ones. I just bought some today!

My question for you Lisa is, what is the first thing you are going to change about your new home and how are you going to do it? Hire people or do it yourself.

Weekend Mayhem

A free post day, we are half way through with our 14 days of posting. Wow, I have been a bit of a slacker not posting very insightful information. I would leave my posting for the last thing to do before bed and then be too tired to think or write. SORRY =(

Weekend Mayhem, is what I want to share.
After work, I had to assist with a wedding rehearsal. Home to eat with the family and play with kids. Bedtime routine. Blogg. Sleep. Tomorrow, I will wake at 5:45, on a Saturday, to run 7 miles; just so my hubby can get an early start on his day of landscaping. After a cup of joe and a nice hot shower I will begin my nonstop running from place to place. Target to purchase 2 birthday presents for 2 parties we will be attending Sat & Sun. Lil Pastry Chef for one of the birthday parties. Home to clean kids and put them down for naps. Church to assist with a wedding. Meet Mo and kids at a friends house where they will hang out while Mo and I go to dinner and the Philharmonic Pops concert. AHHH, I will be exhausted and probably falling asleep during my date night. I remember when date nights were easy. We would plan it all out and go. Now it involves so much work, sometimes I wonder if it is even worth it. What do you all do to make it easier? Not pack so much in your day, so you can actually stay awake and enjoy it?

Sunday is just as busy. Church. Mini Grand Prix birthday party with Reece. Raine and daddy will go home to nap and work in the garage. Back to church for FPU. Dinner. Bedtime routine. Prepare for the week! Spring break can't come soon enough. Pray for me during this oh so hectic weekend. Pray I see the joy in everyone's face around me and that I can actually feel some JOY as well! Then go and enjoy yourself! ;)

Nightmare on Elm St.

My first dorm room/apartment/house is the topic of discussion today.

So my first home away from home was Dodds Hall at Slippery Rock University. The 7th floor in a coed dorm. I shared my room with a junior named Colleen who was never around unless to go to sleep. Our room was right next to the stairwell and since she went to bed at a regular hour and I was a night owl, I would hang out in the stairwell and talk to the other freshman who had no idea your were supposed to go to bed and actually do your work. My friend Holly from the field hockey team moved into the room across the hall and also had an upperclassman as a roommate. We convinced both our roommates to switch rooms. I moved into Holly's room and we had so much fun!

My sophomore year we moved into a house, 417 Elm St with two other field hockey players. The house was a nightmare, so old and in the middle of a half a*& addition/bathroom remodel. Our landlord was horrible and never finished the remodel until a year and a half later. The house and roommate situation must have worked though cuz it was my home during my sophomore and junior year. My mom was a bit worried, but I was fine. I was living off campus with upperclassman and having a blast. I never had to leave my home to go to a party! We'd have field hockey parties and invite other teams to mix with us; baseball and soccer were our favorites at the time. Oh to go back to those carefree days.

Bufbppofo 09 Day 5

Who would play you in a movie? Who would play Mike?

I have no idea about this question. I don't think I had and answer last year either. What do you all think? Mike would definitely be played by Kevin James, ya know King of Queens guy.

Side Note:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAMA!

She is only 39 today and certainly acts 29, but good for her! I hope your day was blessed while visiting with Jaime. We love you!

Bragging

WOW, I'm a bit humble so I don't like the idea of this post. Just last Friday before heading to work, I broke down and cried because I was feeling so stressed and worthless. Today while at work I was praised and praised and praised some more. I met with my principal for my yearly evaluation and boy does she make me sound good on paper. I spoke with a few parents who were very grateful to me for my no nonsense style of teaching and asked me to continue especially as the weather warms up. My friend reminded me that I am a good friend. And even though I am not supposed to talk about my children or spouse, well my kiddos appreciated me tonight too. We enjoyed a fun game of "Simon Says" at dinner. I can make eating green beans fun. I am a free spirit with an anal side when needed. I choose the outdoors over TV and can climb rocks in the most uncomfortable shoes. I have developed an obsession with running and have increased my speed and distance quite a bit during this past month. I, I, I. I think that is enough bragging for one night!!

Teach Me

BufBloPoFo Topic for Day 3: If nothing else, BufBloPoFo is a learning tool. Last year, we learned how to load a dishwasher, how to take a leak, etc. Let’s keep that going this year, but instead of focusing on what people are doing wrong, tell me what you think you do right. Walk me through a process. Give me the step-by-steps. Can you make damn good baba ganoush? Can you tie a bow tie? Can you pour the perfect Guinness??? Teach me how, perfesser.

I can teach you how to read and write! I am a teacher by trade and love all grades. Hee hee, but the people who are learning the most from me are my children. They are learning manners, responsibility and kindness. They learn by watching and once they go to school it will all be part of who they are. If I can not teach my own kiddos now, what kind of teacher am I?

Perfect Meal

If you had the power to put together the most perfect, end-of-the-universe, nothing-better-was-ever-made repast, using whatever ingredients you want, and with whomever you’d like as your co-diners, what would you want? Tell me about one little bit, or all fourteen courses. Tell me about venue, about background music, about which box of wine goes best with which flavor of ramen noodles.

Not sure about this one because as I was getting ready to type this my son came down and said his belly hurt. I sent him back to bed saying he'll be ok, it hurt because he was full from the cereal he ate a few hours ago. He said ok and as he started walking into his room, I heard that dreaded sound, yep, puking. I ran up to help him and he said, "I told you I was sick!" I guess I should have really believed him or got my arse off the computer to at least tuck him back into bed. So, I can't really think about food after cleaning up that mess, oh the smell. You all know it, so I'm sure you understand.

BUFBLOPOFO ‘09

It is on! 14 straight days of blogging! Wow, not sure I need to be adding this to my to do list right now, but I am a team player. I loved this challenge last year and couldn't wait to do it again. So here I am, Joelle Hauguel born and raised in Marilla, NY and now residing in Las Vegas, NV with my hottie hubby Mo and two adorable kiddos, Reece and Raine. Three things happening in my life right now are chaos, chaos and more chaos.

1. Home life is very hectic as the warm weather brings lots of landscaping jobs into our already busy schedule. My husband becomes this stranger of a man who walks in the door, showers and heads to bed. I am unofficially a single mom/teacher. It is a very busy season, but this too will pass and we will have a relaxing summer in just three short months.

2. School is also very hectic as the year comes to a close. 5th graders are getting ready for some seriously fun times with a few field trips, planning for middle school and an out of state three day trip to San Diego, California. I have to put the finishing touches on that as I will be the head chaperon during that excursion. AHHH, June 5th will not come soon enough I tell ya.

3. FPU and Parent's visiting are also on my plate. FPU is Financial Peace University, Mo and I are trying our damnedest to get out of debt and live like no other, so we can truly live like no other. It is going pretty well. We have completed step 1 and are working on paying off a snowball list of debt. We have made huge changes in our budgeting and cut several luxuries that are not really needed. Both sets of parents are coming to visit us during the month of April. My parents will be here for 2 weeks and then within a one day turn around Mo's parents are coming. May will be busy as well, because as soon as we say goodbye to the Hauguel rents, I fly home to Bflo to visit some girlfriends.

LIFE~ I always wanted to grow up so fast and thought it was going to be so great. Now I just want to go back to hanging out by my pool and playing outside like I used to when I was a kid....

March Madness

It's not just a basketball tournament to me, it's one of the most hectic times at our house right now. I am trying to finish grading and complete report cards for 60 students. Laundry is falling out of the dryer and laundry basket. Dishes seem to be growing in my sink and toys are exploding everywhere. Mo keeps asking me to start reading one of Dave Ramsey's books so I can learn all about Financial Peace. I also need to make the final arrangements for a San Diego trip to Sea Camp with 38 5th graders and 14 women! AHHHHH, my only relief is when I hit the pavement to go jogging. So that is just one more thing to do. I look so forward to the weekend and then they go by too fast. Plus, I don't want to do all of that stuff I want to play with my kiddos or nap. In light of all that needs to be accomplished, I know it will all get done. I am just tired of losing sleep about it. I keep trying to give all of my stressers to God, but he doesn't seem to want them cuz they keep lurking in my brain. How am I supposed to find Financial Peace when I can't find emotional peace? I figured out that I need to relax and take time for me. So I did! I ignored the to do list above and played on the computer. I read all about what my friends are up on Facebook and thier blogs. It's a techie type of soap opera for me. How about you? What do you do to get away from it all? Baths don't work for me. I get too cold and am not a big fan of laying in dirty water...

Wordless Wednesday

Free Coffee

Mo and I are on a mission to get out of debt and live debt free. We are looking at every way possible to cut costs. While on the phone with my brother, he gave me a website that encourages frugal lifestyles. It has some interesting ideas, a lot of common sense too. It is becoming a sort of game, how can I cut costs and still live with my simple pleasures. Yesterday, I went to Einstein Bagel and got a free coffee. We are out of creamer at home, so I desperately needed a cup but was not about to pay $4.65 at Starbucks; then I remembered this free coffee coupon that came in the mail. YAY, don’t ya just love getting things for free! My brother also informed me about Redbox promo codes. You can go to their website and sign up for the promo codes to be sent to your email or your cell phone. Yay, free movies!!

Saw this post on the website wisebread today and had to share:

Beware of Pretty Things: 4 Reasons I’m Keeping My Ugly, Old Stuff

So what are your thoughts on old, ugly furniture? Do you love it? Hate it? Live with it because you have to?

The next time you start to get a little impatient with your current décor, remember that function trumps fashion. Some furniture can bring an aesthetic beauty to your home that may well be worth the investment. If it doesn’t meet your needs, however, it was worthless from the moment you bought it and did you really need that nice new piece anyway?

http://www.wisebread.com/beware-of-pretty-things-4-reasons-i’m-keeping-my-ugly-old-stuff

Square Root Day 3.3.09

Mo emailed me today at work to remind it was square root day 3.3.09. He is such a math nerd. I told my students and they too were very excited.

Wordless Wednesday

Snow Much FUN at Frenchmans Mt.

Running

Last night, I started running again. My knee's have been taking some abuse and needed a break so I took a much needed week off. They felt great yesterday and I probably could have run a little more. We ran for 41 minutes and covered 3.51 miles. Not bad, considering I haven't run in a week. Mo annoyed me before I left the house so I probably ran a little faster. ;) I have really enjoyed my three days a week hobby. It feels so good and gives me that quiet time that I never take for myself. I wish I could get up and do it in the morning though. I am a much better runner in the morning. Lately, I have noticed that I am really a morning person. I wake at 6:30 am everyday and get so much accomplished in the hour before I leave for work. I can't wait to go running again tomorrow night.

Life at with a leaky pipe...

On Friday Mo called me and said we have a leak. The pipes that connect directly to our hot water heater are leaking down the kitchen wall, under the tile and into the guest bathroom. AHHHH no wonder I have been stepping in water the past few days. I kept wondering why every time I hung up my coat my foot would be wet. Thankfully, it was a very slow leak and the pipe didn't burst. Plumbing Express made it to our home by 6:30 pm, cut a hole in the dry wall and fixed the leaky fitting. Then some other dude showed up to rip off our baseboards and check for mold. No mold. He then pulled up the carpet and tore out all the musty padding. Lastly, he headed out to his truck and came back in the house with 5 enormous industrial sized fans. He told us to run them 24/7 for the next 3 days. What? My home now sounded like a plane was about to take off. We had a horrible time trying to watch TV and no one could sleep. The next night we turned off those obnoxious fans and all slept like babies.

Tonight the fan man came and collected his noise makers. He said the inside of the house was completely dry but the garage was still very damp. On Saturday he will return to hang the baseboards and some one else will come clean and fix the carpet. As for the hole in our wall and the rest of pipes being refitted, who knows when that will happen. What a pain in the tush, thank goodness we aren't paying for it!!

Wordless Wednesday

FUN IN THE TUB

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

Hope your day was as fun and yummy as ours. The kids and I made these oh so yummy cupcakes. Raine was a pro at adding the pink sprinkles. After every cupcake she decorated she would ask, "Me eat now Mama?". It was so much fun! I tried a new recipe for Rosemary Chicken and Red Potatoes. It wasn't as fantastic as I had hoped. I gave Mo a one of a kind scrapbook Love card and a Love piece of artwork from Chance Gomez. It was a wonderful day for all of us.

Raine the expert sprinkler.

Reece ate more frosting than he put on the cupcake.

Trying for a nice photo, Raine wanted no part of it.

Reece was all for it. Don't ya love the 99 cent t-shirt I found last year.

Raine wanted to show me her new lil Nemo.

Our dinner and yummy dessert!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Saturday Morning

Today, I started my day by making breakfast for the kids, enjoying a cup of coffee and an english muffin and then headed out the door for my 5 mile run in 37 degree weather. AHH it was brisk but sunny. I ran with a friend of mine who is an avid runner and I felt like I was a bit too slow for her. She said it was perfect pace and she'd be back next Saturday. I have been training for a 10K for the past month now, running every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. My neighbor and I do some speed training during the week and then distance training on Saturdays. I should be walking on my off days but it is too dark & cold in the mornings. I can't wait for day light savings and spring weather.
After I got home, Mo asked if I wanted to go for a walk and take the kids to the playground. I was all for it since my hubby never wants to go for a stroll. We piled the kids into the stroller and headed to the "Red Playground" as the kids call it. It was so much fun sitting with my hubby on a bench watching our kids scamper around. He said it best, "This is what life is about babe"! I couldn't agree more. What a great morning!

Wordless Wednesday

So Thankful

Tonight we braved the Fashion Show Mall with two crazy kids to spend some gift cards that we thought only worked down on the strip. When we went to guest services, they informed us that we could us them anywhere in the United States. Huh? We can? So our plan of eating out and splurging on ourselves went right out the window! God, answered our prayers to provide us some grocery money and we need to be obedient. But I didn't want to! Mo wanted to take the cards right out of my hands and drive us home. I told him to loosen up that we came here for a family night out so let's eat!!

I really wanted Maggiano's but he didn't want to spend that much. :( We ended up at Johnny Rockets, which was way overpriced for the burgers and fries they serve there. It was definitely more kid friendly but really? Mo is so obsessed with this Money Makeover stuff that we had to share a $10.99 chicken club sandwich. Which in all honesty, was all in needed since I treated myself to the most delicious 6.99 chocolate shake. Hey I ran 4 miles today, I can drink 650 yummy calories... Reece and Raine had so much fun wearing their little chef hats and coloring. Then the staff cranked up the music and started dancing. I felt like I was in a Broadway show cuz Reece and Raine asked to go dance with the servers. I tried to get a picture with my cell phone but they were all to blurry. My dancing fools had the whole restaurant in stitches. It was too cute. We enjoyed the rest of our meal and headed to Borders to spend another gift card!

I told the kids before we left that we were going to the mall to get ourselves a Valentine present, then when we found out God gave us money for gas and groceries I couldn't buy silly stuff. I am a smart girl though and I grabbed the Borders and Macy's gift cards also. We let Reece and Raine pick out one book each and I was able to sneak in one more book for Reece's Easter basket. The Lord once again provided a little extra for our family. Time to head home it was getting late but then Mo reminded me of Macy's and how I wanted to swing by there. We looked at some bargain items for him and then some kid clothes but nothing was jumping out at us. Then I found 2 of the cutest outfits for a friend's new baby, both half price. Yay, thanks again God!

The kids really needed to use the restroom so we head to the back of the store near the women's undergarments. Mo found the clearance rack and started picking out cute bra's and panties. He said here ya go Happy Valentine's Day! It really was just what I needed, cuz I have purchased new bra's since I was pregnant with Raine. My chest size has shrunk quite a bit since I have been running and eating better so I truly needed a few half price Calvin Klein bras! I tried them on and was very pleased, I wanted to ask my hubby what he thought but I didn't think that would be too wise. I'll surprise him on Saturday! God is so good, he lead my man right to the rack I needed most in the store.

After a few hours of eating, dancing and shopping we headed home. It was a very entertaining night of spending gift cards, ya gotta love that!! As I type this reflection of how amazing God is, Mo just shouted up to me that our Verizon bill came in $25.00 under our budgeted amount!

Isaiah 65:24 proved itself so true for the Hauguel family today. Praise the Lord!

"Before they call, I will answer!" Isaiah 65:24

Isaiah 65:24 was the verse of the day sent to my email by Air1. I really needed to read this today because life has been very trying this week. The enemy has truly been testing my faith in God. When I read this story, I was reminded to have the faith of a child. God will provide!

A Story from a Missionary in Africa(Isaiah 65:24)

One night I had worked hard to help a mother in the labor ward; but in spite of all we could do she died leaving us with a tiny premature baby and a crying two-year-old daughter. We would have difficulty keeping the baby alive, as we had no incubator. (We had no electricity to run an incubator.) We also had no special feeding facilities. Although we lived on the equator, nights were often chilly with treacherous drafts.
One student midwife went for the box we had for such babies and the cotton wool the baby would be wrapped in. Another went to stoke up the fire and fill a hot water bottle. She came back shortly in distress to tell me that in filling the bottle, it had burst. Rubber perishes easily in tropical climates. "And it is our last hot water bottle!" she exclaimed.
As in the West it is no good crying over spilled milk, so in Central Africa it might be considered no good crying over burst water bottles. They do not grow on trees, and there are no drugstores down forest pathways.
"All right," I said, "put the baby as near the fire as you safely can, and sleep between the baby and the door to keep it free from drafts. "Your job is to keep the baby warm."
The following noon , as I did most days, I went to have prayers with any of the orphanage children who chose to gather with me. I gave the youngsters various suggestions of things to pray about and told them about the tiny baby.
I explained our problem about keeping the baby warm enough, mentioning the hot water bottle. The baby could so easily die if it got chills. I also told them of the two-year-old sister, crying because her mother had died.
During the prayer time, one ten -year-old girl, Ruth, prayed with the usual blunt conciseness of our African children. "Please, God," she prayed, "send us a water bottle. It'll be no good tomorrow, God, as the baby will be dead, so please send it this afternoon."
While I gasped inwardly at the audacity of the prayer, she added by way of a corollary, "And while You are about it, would You please send a dolly for the little girl so she'll know You really love her?"
As often with children's prayers, I was put on the spot. Could I honestly say, "Amen?" ! I just did not believe that God could do this. Oh, yes, I know that He can do everything. The Bible says so. But there are limits, aren't there? The only way God could answer would be for a package to arrive from the homeland.
I had been in Africa for almost four years at that time, and I had never, ever received a parcel from home. Anyway, if anyone did send me a parcel, who would put in a hot water bottle? I lived on the equator!
Halfway through the afternoon, while I was teaching in the nurses' training school, a message was sent that there was a car at my front door. By the time I reached home, the car had gone, but there, on the verandah, was a large twenty-two pound parcel. I felt tears pricking my eyes. I could not open the parcel alone, so I sent for the orphanage children. Together we pulled off the string, carefully undoing each knot. We folded the paper, taking care not to tear it unduly. Excitement was mounting.
Some thirty or forty pairs of eyes were focused on the large cardboard box. From the top, I lifted out brightly colored, knitted jerseys. Eyes sparkled as I gave them out. Then there were the knitted bandages for the leprosy patients, and the children looked a little bored.
Then came a box of mixed raisins and sultanas-that would make a batch of buns for the weekend. Then, as I put my hand in again, I felt the.....could it really be? I grasped it and pulled it out-yes, a brand-new, rubber hot water bottle, I cried.
I had not asked God to send it; I had not truly believed that He could. Ruth was in the front row of, the children. She rushed forward, crying out, "If God has sent the bottle, He must have sent the dolly, too!"
Rummaging down to the bottom of the box, she pulled out the small, beautifully dressed dolly. Her eyes shone! She had never doubted. Looking up at me, she asked: "Can I go over with you, Mummy, and give this dolly to that little girl, so she'll know that Jesus really loves her?"
That parcel had been on the way for five whole months. Packed up by my former Sunday school class, whose leader had heard and obeyed God's prompting to send a hot water bottle, even to the equator. And one of the girls had put in a dolly for an African child-five months before-in answer to the believing prayer of a ten-year-old to bring it "that afternoon."
"Before they call, I will answer!" Isaiah 65:24

Wordless Wednesday: Comfort Stone

Wordless Wednesday

2 year old tantrums

I am so sick and tired of my daughter's tantrums. Can I vent for a minute? Raine is as strong willed and stubborn as both her parents and that really makes her hard to deal with. I am the adult, she is supposed to do as I say and not melt down every time she doesn't like what I tell her. Right? I am reading Parenting with Love and Logic and I really enjoy it. I am trying to implement what they say but she is not cooperating!! Her language skills are developing quite nicely and she tells me exactly what she wants, when she wants it. Today I told her to stop barking orders at me and she said, "Doggie bark, me Raine mama, bop it (stop it)." I was laughing so hard after that one. I think I spent a total of 4 hours with her today and she lost it 5 times. Does she do that for you Deidre? When does this stage end? Reece never did this, his tantrums came when he was three and only lasted a short while. Raine is also very dramatic and sensitive so when I told her blanket was in daddy's truck she lost it. I know she understood it was in there because she asked to call dada and get it. But why did she have to cry the whole way home about it. Get over it we will get the blanket when daddy gets home. AHHHH~ I am having a heck of a week. Two more days until I get to relax and watch some serious football, hopefully my kids will let me enjoy it!

PRIORITIES

I am back to work and so exhausted. I told Mo I need a vacation from my vacation to clean up and put stuff away. I really need a day alone in my house with no other bodies present. I will need the computer taken away also as it is a distraction for me or shall I say a priority. When I was younger my mom used to watch soaps on TV, in fact she still does. I think I watch soaps too, but they are true stories about real people. They are all my friends on FACEBOOK or the blogs they write. I am also trying to cook some new dinners in our home so I am constantly looking up simple yummy recipes on the internet. I need the internet to read all about the NFL playoffs. FLY EAGLES FLY!

PRIORITIES, what are yours because mine are really off right now. I have piles of papers to grade, thank you cards to finish writing, presents to mail, pictures to upload & edit, laundry to fold, tons of clothes to put away, tons of clothes and toys to donate, and Christmas needs to be put away. I am seriously thinking of calling in sick to get all this done. Anyone want to come help me next Friday?

Home From Reno & Park City

We are back at home with so much to do. When I finally upload pics I can blog about all the great times we had in the snow. We had so much fun in Reno with the Brewer fam. Mo wants to move there. I knew he would! Happy New Year!

Christmas Jammies

I love finding cute Christmas jammies for my kids. Last year they wore the warm fleece zip up kind but since Reece is getting so big it's hard to find cute one piece pajamas. I found these soft fleece two piece sets online at an after Thanksgiving sale. Raine loves anything Disney and Reece loves anything Marvel comic. They were very excited to open their new jammies and couldn't wait to put them on.

Heading to Park City on Christmas Day

On Christmas day, we woke to rain pouring down. We loaded up our snow gear, presents, food, wood for crackling fires, Dublin dog, and two very excited kids. Reece and Raine couldn't wait to see their uncle Brian and the snow covered mountains in Utah. Every time we crossed over into new state Reece would ask if we were getting closer and how much longer till we get there? Raine fell asleep an hour into the drive so I started reading The Tale of Despereaux to Reece. I am hoping to read the whole book aloud to him before I take him to see the movie. (such a teacher I know) We read about 6 chapters before Reece needed to go to the bathroom and became too distracted. We pulled off the 15 and took a quick pee break. Raine woke up so we had a snack and the kids played with some of their new toys. They were such great passengers. We watched Horton Hears a Who and The Batman cartoons. I wrote thank you cards and Mo navigated through some serious rain showers. It was getting dark so we all took a little power nap. I woke to flurries of snow out the front window. Mo was on the 80 cutting over to Brian's town. The weather was amazing, it went from rain to snow in seconds. The road was so snow covered we almost missed the Kimble Junction exit. After very careful navigating and patience we arrived at 4850 Meadow Loop Rd., our favorite place to visit! All in all, another super successful Hauguel family adventure.

Merry Christmas Eve

WOW, I can't believe it's here! Our family has been having so much fun lately. December has been full of adventures. I have 2 weeks off for winter break and will fill you in on all the exciting things we have been doing.

~I had friends over for Bunco

~Played with the kids in the snow

~Finished Christmas shopping & shipped presents to east coast

~Made treats & gifts for neighbors and friends


~Went to the Festival of Lights at the Springs Preserve with the fam and saw Santa & Frosty

~We picked out a real Christmas tree

~Reece sung Happy Birthday Jesus in his Christmas program
~A friend created my cute Christmas cards

~I had an extremely busy final week of work before break

~Reece suffered an ear infection

~Attended a Christmas card party and addressed envelopes
~Las Vegas saw snow and CCSD canceled school=SNOW DAY

~Played with the kids in the snow

~Finished Christmas shopping & shipped presents to east coast

~Mailed off my Christmas cards

~Went to the Magical Forest with the Castillo Fam

~Stayed up wrapping presents until 1 am three nights in a row

~Enjoyed a delicious Christmas Eve dinner with the Feldmans

~Attended Cornerstone's Christmas Eve service with my family & the Feldmans

Details about all of these memories will come as I travel 7 hours up to Park City to spend Christmas Day with Brian.

I pray that all of you enjoy your Christmas as much as I have. Remember the reason for the season and make some great memories with your love ones.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

SNOW in Las Vegas

Look how happy Raine is to feel the cold, hard snow.

I told her to take a bite and taste it, even after being a little apprehensive she had fun with it.

Here she is sharing her snow with me.

She couldn't wait to get on the playground.

When we we finally pulled into the driveway this is what we found in our front yard!

Look how much we had in the backyard!

While at school today I watched the snow come down pretty hard and heavy all day long. It's been 4 years since the kids have seen snow in Vegas. They were all talking about how it snowed when they were in first grade and they went outside to see it. Well, just before school let out I took the 5th graders outside to have a snowball fight. The kids were psyched! We ran around like a bunch of chickens with our heads cut off. The kids had such a good time. So did I.