October 9 - October 15, 2016

It has been a busy week.  And I am just now making the time to sit down and catch up.

Sunday, October 9 - It was a good day.  Sunday school and church were both good.  After church, we went to eat with Grammy and Poppy, before they had to leave.  We will not see them again until at least January, so it was a little sad.  We hate to see them go, but we know that God is going to use them in many ways.

My Sunday night class and my Bible Drills class all went well.  I was not feeling great, and as the evening wore on, I was really feeling bad.  I came home from church and pretty much went to bed, because I was feeling so bad.

Monday, October 10 to Wednesday, October 12 - I got up early Monday morning, feeling a little better than the night before, and I packed and got ready to go and see the Oldest Princess.  We got on the road about the time that we had wanted to, and were able to get there when she got out of class.  We ate lunch with her and then visited with her for a few minutes before she had to go to another class.  We stayed with her until Wednesday afternoon.  Doing a whole lot of just sitting and talking with her and waiting on her while she was in class.  We were able to meet several of her friends that we had heard so much about.  It was good to be able to meet them.  We spent Monday and Tuesday evening in the sports center, where the Oldest Princess worked on homework, and the Youngest Princess worked on conquering the climbing wall.  She finally made it to the top of the two places that she tried to climb on Tuesday evening.  I loved watching her climb and see her figure out how to get to the top.  She was determined to get it done, and I was very proud of her when she did.

Wednesday afternoon, we drove home and got here just in time for church.  Due to several not being able to be there, my group postponed until next week, so I stayed home and washed up clothes and got the Youngest Princess repacked so that she could leave with her friend M and M's grandparents the next morning to go to the Ark Adventure and Creation Museum.

Thursday, October 13 - I got up and got ready and got the Youngest Princess up and got her ready and all of her last minute things packed so that she would be ready when M and her grandparents came to pick her up.  After they picked her up, I did some Bible study and just relaxed between loads of laundry.  My Prince, the Young Prince and I ran and got some dinner.  Then we came home and watched a show that we had recorded.  Then we went to bed.

Friday, October 14 - My Prince went to work.  I did some things around the house.  We were supposed to go to a football game.  But the Young Prince was in no shape to play football.  He was fighting an upset stomach.  I kept hoping that he would get better as the day went on, but it was not to be.  Finally I texted My Prince and let him know that I was worried about the Young Prince.  He brought home some medicine for him, and then he called the coach to let him know that the Young Prince was sick.  I hated it for the team.  It made me sad.  I was excited to see him play again.  But it was not to be.  My Prince went and got a movie, and we watched it at home instead.  The Oldest Princess came home from college.  She stopped and met two of her friends for dinner, and then came here.  We laughed and talked and enjoyed having her home again.  Finally, My Prince and I had to go to bed.  But the Young Prince and the Oldest Princess stayed up a little longer.  The last thing I remember was listening to them laugh and cut up with each other as I fell asleep.

Saturday, October 16 - It was a nice relaxing day here around the house.  We enjoyed our time with the Oldest Princess and the Young Prince.  We got some things done - laundry and dishes and such.  Then the oldest two got ready and left for a youth group outing.  When they left, My Prince's football game came on, so we watched it.  About halftime, the Youngest Princess made it home from her trip with her friend.  I was glad that she was home.  I have missed her!  We ate dinner, and now we are chilling out waiting on the oldest two to get home from their outing.  

It has been a nice relaxing Fall Break for us.  Aside from the Youngest Princess going to the Ark Encounter and the Creation Museum, there was not much excitement.  But it was good.  It was good family time and good time off to catch up on some rest and some things we needed to do around the house.  Tomorrow is back to the routine of normal.  And I am looking forward to it. 

Until I blog again... 

October 8, 2016

I woke up and did my First 5 devotion, and got ready for work.  We took all of the Youngest Princess's luggage out to the car, and headed off to school.  

My girls were giddy and excited.  Understandable, as it was the last day of school before we were out for Fall Break.  Many of them have exciting plans for the next week.  But I had to help them calm down, and remember that they weren't done yet, and that they still had one more day's worth of work to do before they could relax.  So, we managed to get on track, and they did great from that point on.

Since it was the end of the 9 week grading period, we pretty much just tested all day in order to wrap everything up.  The girls did great!  I was very proud of almost all of their grades.  They have worked hard, and it shows.  I love the excitement of the girls when they have worked hard and then get a grade that they are pleased with.

It was a good day overall.  I had to leave a few minutes early at the end of the day in order to get the Youngest Princess to the church in time to head off to missions camp.  So I got the girls all packed up, and then they went to music.  My sweet friend and co-worker told me that she would dismiss them for me when they came back from music.  So the Youngest Princess and I packed up and My Prince came and picked us up.

We headed straight to the church, and met with all the others who were going to Missions Camp.  I was excited to see that we had such a large group going.  As we were loading them up and getting them ready to go, I got a call from my sister.

She just started a new job this week.  And that is a big answer to many prayers, so we were very excited for her.  But she was calling to tell me that she was having some health problems, and had had to go the the urgent care, and miss.  I hated to hear that, but we know that God is at work, and that He will be able to work through this, and we pray that she will be well and able to work again as soon as possible.  We are praying that that is Monday, so if you would like to pray with me that she will be well enough to go back to work on Monday, I would really appreciate it.

The kids and wonderful chaperones left for camp, and My Prince and I came home.  The Young Prince was here, but he was walking out the door to go and help our youth pastor with some pre-football game activities at our local public school.  So it was just My Prince and I.  

The Young Prince came back sooner than we had expected him to, because they did not have as much to do as they had originally thought.  But he turned around and left pretty much immediately, because he  had plans to camp out with some of his buddies, so he went ahead and got on with those plans.  

We sat down to watch a show that I missed earlier in the week due to a bad headache.  I was going to watch it and catch up.  So we watched about 15 minutes of that, and then I got a text message that I needed to respond to, and then Grammy and Poppy let us know what time they wanted to meet for dinner, and that meant that I needed to get ready to go, so we did not get to finish watching our show.  

We got ready and went to meet Grammy and Poppy.  We had a good dinner with great discussions - mainly about the church and how God is working.  It is so exciting to see how God is moving in the lives of certain individuals, and how they are growing in their walk with Him, and then not only growing, but obeying Him in the things he wants them to do.  Very exciting stuff!  

After dinner, we ran by Walmart, because I wanted to get some mums and pumpkins/gourds to put on the porch.  I also picked up the ingredients to make buffalo chicken dip for the Youngest Princess.  She asked me to make her some this week, and I thought I would surprise her with some when she gets home from camp.  I also found a decorative tray that I absolutely LOVE!  Yay!  So I got it and I think I will use it on the coffee table.  I love decorating for fall, and my favorite holiday - Thanksgiving!

When we got home, My Prince helped Poppy move a piece of furniture that they are storing with us while they are on their next Dominican trip.  I put out my mums and pumpkins while they moved the furniture.  When they got done with that, Poppy went home, and My Prince and I sat down and finished our show.  

We talked to and texted back and forth with the Oldest Princess off and on through the evening.  We are excited that we will get to see her soon.

Then we decided to call it a day. It was a good, blessed day, all the way around.  We were able to rest with our hearts full of God's blessings.  I hope that you were able to as well.

Until I blog again...

October 6, 2016

"Unstable! Unstable!" Those two words seem to be my theme lately.  It feels like I am happy and fine one minute, and ready to break into tears the next.  All these changes that my kids are going through.  Changes that my parents should be here to see.  Changes that I would give anything to at least talk to them about.  I know that they would be so proud of the Oldest Princess, and want to know all of the time how she is doing in college.  I know that they would be crazy proud of the Young Prince and how awesome he is on the football field.  I know that they would be very proud of the Youngest Princess and her academic achievements and her piano and flute playing and her tumbling abilities.  I know that they would enjoy being a part of it all as much as they could.  I know that they would be full of advice.  And I miss them like crazy!  I don't know why, but the last few months, more than usual.  Daddy passed away 16 years ago, and Momma almost 8, but for some reason, during this season of my life I just really wish I had their wisdom, guidance, and unconditional love.  Okay.  Pity party over.

I woke up this morning and did my First 5 devotion.  I got ready and My Prince dropped me off at school early, because we had staff devotions this morning.  They were good.  We were reminded that while we are busy ministering and giving of ourselves to others, that we needed to be sure that we are staying in God's Word, and close to the Father.

My friend's mom's surgery went better than we had expected which was a big answer to prayer.  We were excited to get the good update.

Class went well today.  We are wrapping things up and finishing out for the first 9 weeks.  So we are mainly reviewing and testing.  The girls are working hard and they never cease to amaze me with how smart they all are.  We had a few minutes at the end of the day while they worked on penmanship for me to be able to read Josiah to them.  We are on the second book and getting close to one of my most favorite parts. I know the girls will love it too.  I am excited to share that part of the book with them, and see their reactions.

The last few minutes of the day while the girls finished penmanship and packed up, we did music.  Most of the songs are patriotic or silly folk songs.  The girls love them.  And they sound great when they all sing together.  It is funny how they all have their own favorites.  I like to hear them tell me stories of  them telling their parents about a certain song, and how their parents remember that song, or something in connection with the song.  It makes me happy to know that the silly songs we sing in music at the end of the day are giving the girls something fun to talk to their parents about.

After school, we ran to Taco Bell for a very delicious and nutritious (okay, neither of those really) meal.  I forgot to order my tacos with no lettuce.  And we had very little time, so I was a big girl, and I ate them as they were.  The Youngest Princess did not want anything to eat, until she ate a bite of her Daddy's dinner, and then she decided that she wanted to order something after all.  So we ordered her what she wanted, and then we had to wait for her to eat.  We went to one of my favorite places to get some roasted peanuts to take with us to eat at the game, and of course, they did not have any salted ones, so we had to leave empty handed.

We headed back to the school for the football game.  It was the last home football game.  It was also senior night.  The Young Prince is the only senior on the team, so before the game started, they announced his name and had us go out on the field.  It was a bittersweet moment.  I can not believe that the little guy that was once diagnosed with "failure to thrive", and who had the most sensitive heart of any little boy I know, and who used to give me velcro hugs (arms, legs and all), and who had so much energy that we often said we could use him as a power source for the whole house, was standing next to me, in full uniform, about to play his last home football game as a senior.  The recognition lasted all of about 2 minutes, but a lifetime flashed through my mind in those two minutes.  I just did this last year with a volleyball/basketball player.  I am not ready to do this again so soon!  "Unstable! Unstable!"  His older sister is away at college.  She said if she had known it was Senior night, that she would have tried to come home.  But we did not even think about it, or know about it until last night.  Sometimes boys don't find it important enough to share information with their parents until the very last minute.  Or is is just mine?  So, the Oldest Princess was not there.  The Youngest Princess plays in the band, and she was upstairs with the band, and had not come out yet, so she missed it too.  Poppy was there though.  And our youth pastor and his wife and baby Super C got there just in time I think.  At least they were there as we were coming off of the field.  And Aunt D took pictures for me.  Then B took pictures for us after the game.  Our team lost, but the Young Prince and several others played their hearts out.  I hate it for them when they lose, but I love to watch them play.  I wish you could see the Young Prince run!


After the game we came home.  The Young Prince got busy doing homework.  I talked to the Oldst Princess for a few minutes.  We caught each other up on how our day went.  The Youngest Princess studied for her two big tests tomorrow. Now she is snuggling with her Daddy upstairs, and I think I will go and join them.

Until I blog again...

September 28 - October 5, 2016

Once again, a week has come and gone, and I have failed to keep up.  So once again, I will spare you all the mundane details and try to hit just the highlights.

Wednesday, September 28 - It must have been a pretty normal day.  I don't remember much about it except that my sweet friend and co-worker had the yearbook dedicated to her.  It was very sweet.  I am happy for her.

My small group at church that night was really good as well.  I love my group and I love digging deeper in God's Word with them.

Thursday, September 29 - Again, it must have been a pretty normal day.  I do not remember anything out of the ordinary happening that day.

Friday, September 30 - It came out in a discussion about how to properly dress for the upcoming field trip, that pretty much all of the girls in the 7th grade class just might have a pretty large crush on The Young Prince.  One of the high school teachers shared this juicy bit of news with me when I was in the hall putting our latest art projects on the wall.  We have had lots of fun with the news since then.  And we might have teased the Young Prince a little.  But in all seriousness, he is a great kid, so why shouldn't they all be fawning over him?  Lol!  I'm am also unashamedly biased.  I think they have great taste in guys.

The youngest princess went after school to spend the night with a friend.

The Young Prince, My Prince and I went to a local Chinese buffet for dinner.  One of the Young Prince's favorites.  He was sitting across the table from me eating crab legs, when he cracked one, and the juice from it went all over me.  All in my hair.  All in my face.  All over my shoulder and arm.  All. over. me.  It was lovely.  The Young Prince apologized profusely.  It was a little bit funny, and a whole lot nasty.  Oh the joys!

Saturday, October 1 - We woke up early and got ready for a family reunion.  It was held about two hours from us, so we had to leave early to get there on time.  Grammy and Poppy came and rode with  us.  We had a good time of fellowshipping with them on the way up there.  It was fun to get to see family that we don't get to see very often.  Some only at funerals, so it was nice to see them when everyone wasn't sad.  We finally got to meet one of My Prince's cousin's little girls.  They were absolutely precious.  The Youngest Princess had a good time playing with them.

On our way home, I could not hold my eyes open, so I got in a nap.  Grammy and Poppy left as soon as we got home. My Prince turned on the tv just in time to see the end of his game.  He was not happy because he thought his team had lost, and then with absolutely no time left, his team ended up winning.  So all was well.  And everyone in our household (that cares about football) was happy.

Sunday, October 2 - We had a good day serving the Lord.  My Prince preached a great sermon, and we recognized the kids in our local FFA who will be going to nationals later this month.  We ate dinner with the FFA students and their families, and as always, our ladies did a wonderful job feeding everyone.

Our Sunday night group was just myself and one other lady.  The other two were unable to be there.  It made me sad, but the two of us that were there had a sweet time of prayer and sharing with one another.  I might have shed a tear or two.  I've been very weepy the past few days.  Lots of things weighing heavy on my heart, and sometimes those weights make my eyes leak a little.  I feel again like I need to go around proclaiming, "Unstable!  Unstable!"

I didn't get to have my Bible Drills class during the service Sunday night, because we had a special ordination service for our new deacon.  I am very proud of him and his family, and I am thankful to have him serving alongside My Prince.

After church, we went out to eat with the youth.  We had a great time as we always do, just being able to sit and fellowship with people we love.

Monday, October 3 - Again, a normal day.  Work, and then home.  My Prince went to pick up the Youngest Princess from her tumbling class, and made it home just in time before the washing machine repairman came.  I was very glad to see him and even more glad that he was able to fix my machine and get me back in business.  He was very nice and told us that this particular model has a certain quirk about it.  He told us if we had any more trouble to give him a call and he could talk My Prince though fixing it. I started washing clothes and pretty much have not stopped since.

This day marked the 16th anniversary of my Daddy's death.  It is hard to imagine that he has been gone that long.  I still miss him very much.  Some days like it just happened yesterday.  And although I don't purposefully mark the day, it always hits me hard.  May be part of the reason my heart has been feeling "Unstable!" this week.

Tuesday, October 4 - A good day at school/work.  After school I went and had my hair done.  Then it was back to the school to see the last home volleyball game of the season.  It was Senior night, and I needed to be there for my girls.  It was sweet to watch them play again.  It was also sad not to see my girl out there on the floor.  We had to leave before they were done.  It was getting late, and we had not had dinner.  We stopped for a bite to eat on our way home.  The Young Prince joined us after the volleyball game was over.  I had a terrible headache, so I pretty much went to bed as soon as we got home.

Wednesday, October 5  - A good day overall.  Full of the usual mundane, average stuff that life is made of.  I am perfectly happy with usual mundane average stuff.  It means that things are trucking along normally.   And that is much better than abnormally.  We are winding down our last week of the grading period, so we are busy grading and filing and studying and taking tests.  I stayed home from church tonight to try to get rid of the terrible headache that still plagues me. I eventually gave in and took some medicine for it, even though I was trying not to take anything.

Something happened that was sad, but at the same time an answer to prayer of sorts.  I never cease to be amazed at how God answers prayers in His own time and in His own way.  He answered a prayer today, but not at all in any way that I could have imagined it answered before it call came to be.  So, although it is not the way I would have orchestrated it, I am thankful to God for answered prayers.

And now, I am ready to get some rest.  Like the rest of my family.

So, until I blog again...

September 25-27, 2016

Okay, again, I will leave out all the mundane details, and give you a few highlights...

Sunday, September 25 - We, of course, went to church.  Our friends came, and we enjoyed introducing them to some of our church family and friends.  They say that they really enjoyed it.  I hope they did.

After church, we came home and took several pictures by the oak tree in the front yard.  Grammy fixed a delicious lunch of crock pot roast, mashed potatoes, green beans, salad and rolls.  We all ate until we were full.  It was wonderful.  Before we knew it, and way before we were ready, it was time for the Oldest Princess to head back to school.  We told her goodbye, and of course, we stood on the porch and did the wave as she drove away.

We were able to visit a few more minutes with our friends before they too had to leave.  We all prayed together, and then sent them off with our signature wave as well.  It was sad to see them all have to leave.  Especially after such a great weekend.  Hopefully we will all be able to get together again before too long.

After everyone left, and all was quiet, My Prince and I did some studying for our Sunday night classes/services.

Then we went to church.  My small group went well.  I have really enjoyed our time together and getting to know one another and share with one another our struggles and victories.  I also love that we are able to encourage one another throughout the week.  I had fun memorizing my verses this week knowing that I would get to say them to my group, and that they would say theirs to me. It is fun going through it together.

The Oldest Princess made it back to school safely, and we were thankful for that.

Bible Drills went well also.  I love those kids, and I love seeing them get excited about learning God's Word.  They work so hard, and they are so eager to get it right.  It is a great way to end my Sundays.

Our friends text to say that they had made it home safely, and we were thankful and glad to get their text.  But sad that our fun weekend was really over.

Monday, September 26 - It was a good day.  Pretty much as normal as they come.

After school, the Youngest Princess had tumbling, and she got her back handspring.  She has been working on it for a long time, so we were very excited that she was finally able to do it by herself.  She was jumping up and down excited.  After tumbling, I took her to get an ice cream in celebration of her accomplishment.  My Prince had an afternoon/evening conference, so he was not home when we got home.  We relaxed and spent time together.

My friend called and asked if she could borrow my key to the church so that she could meet with her small group.  I told her of course.  The Youngest Princess wanted to go out on the porch and wait for her, so we did.  I talked to the Oldest Princess on the phone for a few minutes.  After my friend stopped by and picked up the key, we went back inside.

A friend asked if the Youngest Princess could go to dinner with them.  I told them she could, so they came by and picked her up.

The Young Prince realized that one of the Narnia movies was on, while we were looking for the debate, and so he watched that for a while. My sister called to let me know that she had been offered the job that she had interviewed for last week.  That was exciting news.  Definitely an answer to many prayers.  We are very excited for her.

The Youngest Princess made it home.  We made a video to send to a friend to let her know we were praying for her.

We watched as much of the debate as I could stomach.  Then the Youngest Princess and I went to bed.  We were exhausted from our weekend of fun, and from a full Monday, so we did not even read.  We just snuggled and went to sleep.  We had just dozed off when My Prince made it home.  I was very thankful to have him home.  And I went back to sleep before I knew it.

Tuesday, September 27 - It was a good day at least most of it was.  Today was the day that a sweet friend of mine donated one of her kidneys to another friend of hers.  I woke up with her on my heart and in my prayers.  I prayed off and on, much like the praying without ceasing we are supposed to do every day, all day long.

Today was probably the first challenging day in my class so far this year.  We had a great morning, and were having a blast learning.  The Youngest Princess said, "Mommy, this year I love math!"  That was very exciting to hear.  Another student told me that today was her favorite spelling lesson ever.  We were moving fast and getting stuff accomplished, and then lunch happened.  And after lunch, the girls were giggly, and silly and pretty much checked out on me.  I asked a question about something we had learned in history before we went to lunch, and I had to ask about 6 of my 9 girls before they got it right, and that was only AFTER I told them that they had taken a note on it, and the answer was right there in front of them.  I asked the next question, and they acted like they had never even heard of what I was talking about.  It was quite frustrating.  I have had classes where this is the norm.  But not this class, so I was a little disappointed.  It made me frustrated and sad.  Especially after such a great morning.  But, we made it through the end of the day.  After some stressful moments of trying to write our own limericks in penmanship.  We did poetry in language the other day, and the Youngest Princess about had a come apart trying to do one simple assignment, while everyone else was sailing through.  Today though, she did pretty well, and a different student had and extremely hard time with it.  Thankfully, that is the end of all we do with poetry in the fifth grade.  I love it, but it apparently can be stressful to students who tend to be perfectionists.  And when I say stressful, I mean very stressful.

We came home and the Youngest Princess finished homework while the Young Prince was at football practice.  Then My Prince, and the Youngest Princess went to the store to get batteries for my camera, because the Youngest Princess wanted to use it.  When they got home, she went out and took several good pictures.  We may have a budding photographer on our hands.  When the Young Prince got home, he took a shower, and we went out to eat.  We saw some friends that we haven't seen a quite awhile, unless Facebook counts, and caught up for just a second.  It was very good to see them.

After dinner, we came home and I sat on the front porch so that the Youngest Princess could take some more pictures.   But it was really getting too dark, so she didn't get any that she kept.  I enjoyed watching her, and just being outside for a few minutes.

Then we came in, and she studied for a few more minutes.   Now we are upstairs, and the Youngest Princess is reading her book report book.  It has been said that if you don't like to read, it is just because you haven't found the right book.  Well, I think the Youngest Princess has found "the right book".  She usually complains when I make her read.  Today she has been reading like crazy and every once in a while she will stop to tell me what is happening in her book.  Then she will read for a little while longer and then stop and say, "I LOVE to READ!"  I am just loving her loving to read.

I just talked with the Oldest Princess for a while.  She is learning life lessons at college.  Some good, some tough.  It is hard with her being away, and not being able to hug her, or to look her in the eye when I give her motherly advice.  It can also be good that I am so far away.  For a variety of reasons.  Anyway, life lessons.  At the academy of "I'm on my own and learning to make my own decisions".    Which is often followed by "now I get to face the consequences of my decisions".  I just pray that she remembers what she has been taught, and that the choices she makes are wise (even when they are hard), and pleasing to the Lord.  She is a good girl.  And she has been taught well.  She has always made us proud.  I know she will continue to, and I pray daily for the Lord to guide her and protect her.  It is a scary thing for a momma to let one of her kiddos go.  So I appreciate your prayers. For both the Oldest Princess and I.

And now, I am going to make the Youngest Princess stop reading, so that I can read to her.  Ironic, isn't it.  And then I am going to get some rest.

Until I blog again...

September 24, 2016

I woke up early and was unable to go back to sleep.  It may have been that I was a little bit excited about today.  The Oldest Princess text me not long after I woke up to tell me that she was on her way. Woo Hoo!

I got up, got ready for the day and then did a few things around the house.  My Prince came home from his Saturday morning Bible study, and The Young Prince left to take his "lady friend" as the Youngest Princess calls her out to breakfast.

The Oldest Princess finally arrived, and we were waiting on the porch to greet her when she did.  We were very excited to see her.

We talked and caught up for a little while.  The Youngest Princess was like a barnacle on the Oldest Princess for a while.  The Oldest Princess got ready to go out to lunch with some of her friends.

The Young Prince, and our friends Mr. M and Mrs. L, and their daughter M all came to spend the day.  We are so glad that they were finally able to come for a visit.  We met them, and just fell in love with them.  Now they are no longer friends, but family.  Grammy and Poppy joined us.  We had a sweet time of fellowshipping, eating, and watching some football.  The Young Prince and his friend and the Youngest Princess all went out to take some pictures.  They got some really cute ones.  They came in and we played some Dutch Blitz.  The Oldest Princess got home from her lunch out with friends, and visited with us some.  Then she left to go pick up a shelf that another one of our friends made for her. It is pretty fancy.  I know she is excited to get it back to school and try it out.

The Oldest Princess finally got to open her birthday presents.

We all got ready to go out to eat to celebrate the Oldest Princess's birthday with dinner at one of her favorite places.

We had a fun time watching our food be cooked by the hibachi grill chef, and then of course we had a great time eating it.  We took a few pictures, if you know me, few and pictures are not terms that go together, so really, we took a lot of pictures.  Then we headed back home.

The Oldest Princess went by to visit our Youth Pastor and his wife and baby.  Our friends came back home with us and we showed them a few clips of the Young Prince in the video of the play he was in last spring.  We visited for a little while longer, and then before we knew it, it was time to say goodnight to our friends.  The Oldest Princess came home in time to visit for a few minutes before our friends had to leave.

The Youngest Princess is all clean and tucked into bed next to me.  My Prince is downstairs watching a few highlights from his football game that he had to miss the end of because of our dinner plans, and then he will finish studying for his sermon tomorrow.  The Young Prince is tucked in as well, and the Oldest Princess is working on Math homework.  I am fighting nodding off, because I am very tired, so I am going to wrap this up and snuggle with the Youngest Princess.  Goodnight.

Until I blog again...

September 13-23, 2016

Time flies.  And time has flown.  We have been busy doing just the normal everyday mundane stuff, with a few things thrown in along the way just to keep it interesting.

I won't go through each day, but I will share a few of the highlights with you.

My new washing machine stopped working.  I have decided that washing machines and dryers are my "thorn in the flesh".  This is my new washing machine I am talking about.  The one we bought in July.  They should last more than 2 months shouldn't they?

It is, of course, after just 2 months, still under warranty.  So we had a repair man come out to fix it.  After looking at it for about an hour he said he guessed that it was the "main board", and he would order one.  I won't even.  Proper words escape me.  So, I just won't even.  The part was supposed to be in on Wednesday (of last week).  We call on Wednesday to check on it.  And I know that this is going to surprise you.  I know that you absolutely will be beyond belief, just as we were, when they told us that the part won't be in until NEXT Wednesday.  No problem.  I am so far behind now, that I will never catch up.  What's one more week?  NO PROBLEM.  So, we may be shopping for new clothes soon.  Just to have something clean to wear.  NOT a PROBLEM.  Do you sense a little of my frustration?  My "thorn in the flesh" I tell ya!

We had Beta Club,Student Council, and National Elementary Honor Society induction.  The Young Prince is in the Beta Club and on the Student Council.  The Youngest Princess is in the NEHS.  She had the highest average in her class last year, so she got to read a speech, and is considered an "officer".  Too cute!  She had to tiptoe to see over the pulpit in order to read her speech.  It was adorable.  She also had to light a candle, and she says, "What were they THINKING?!?  Trusting me with Fi-ah!"  Crazy kid!

My Prince and I got to go on a date that we have been trying to go on for about a month.  The washing machine repair man almost messed it up, but thankfully, we managed to squeeze it in.  My Prince took me to a restaurant that I have been wanting to go to for a while.  It  was wonderful.  We went straight there and came straight home.  But it was good food and good company, so I was happy.

The Oldest Princess had a birthday.  Her first birthday away from us.  I worked behind the scenes with a  few of her new college friends, and with their help organized a little party for her.  They were awesome to help me!  I could not have done it without them.  Also, I recorded videos of different people saying Happy Birthday to her, and sent a different one to her about once an hour.  I am thankful to the people who helped me out with that as well.  And I blew up Facebook with pictures representing memories of her over the years.  I had more planned, but I used up all the storage on my phone.  I hate it when that happens!  So I didn't get to finish it like I wanted to, but I think she realized that we love her, even when she is at college on her Birthday.

We had some dear friends come in from the New Orleans area to watch the Young Prince play football and spend this weekend with us.  We had a great time with them last night, and look forward to spending more time with them over the weekend.

The Oldest Princess is on her way home from college as I type, and will be here shortly, so I am going to wrap this up and get off of here.

Until I blog again...