Facebook and Stuff

Yep... started a facebook. I have actually had a lot of fun getting in touch with people I have meant to get in touch with; getting to know people I already know in person... in a different way (e.g. like my older 2 boys); poking people and sending cupcakes, etc.

My dad even started one just before he left for Dallas. He and Carol, his wife of 25 years that is very dear to me, spent last week with us. They live in an RV, so they could go "home" when we wore them out. :-D

My kids have been teaching me how to use facebook, so if it seems like I have a slight clue about what I am doing... it is their fault. I learned from Lauren, the singer of their band, that I am not supposed to write on my own wall. Oopsy. One of those unwritten rules of many that I am learning as I go.

I was also excited to get a visit from our nanny from Oklahoma for the weekend. She stayed in our upstairs bonus room and had a "sleepover" with my 4 youngest. They built a cool tent and had a blast. It was her first weekend off in a long time and she decided to take a vacation. I told her that only sweet, joyful, kid-at-heart people like her would consider coming to my house to hang with me and my 6 kids a vacation. WE MISS HER SO BAD!!!! She is almost 21 and I have known her since she was 14. *blink*

I have been e-mailed by several people asking how I am doing in regards to the MS exacerbation. I was put on IV steroids for 3 days and then caught pneumonia. My energy level is a tad low, but I HAVE THE BEST KIDS!!!! They keep me laughing.

For example, yesterday I went outside with my cane to throw a football with Brandon, my 13 year old. After about 5 minutes of throwing and me trying to catch it :-/ ... he said with a sweet smile, "Mom, this is like playing fetch with myself."
I could throw it to Brandon, but me... catching it with one hand... proved to be an opportunity for Brandon to get more exercise because, for some reason, the ball bounced off my hand and he would go fetch it. I need that sticky spray.
So I'd throw,
he'd catch,
he'd throw,
I'd not catch it....and he'd fetch and hand it to me
...over and over.
One time he said, "I dare you to bend down and see if you can get it yourself."
That was a site.
At that point, we couldn't stop laughing. I am so glad my kids have a sense of humor.

Anyway, that is what has been happening this week. We have Dave the painter in our home painting walls because we just can't do it anymore. He's great! He was talking to our younger kids about King David. I learned about him on the NWACHEA homeschool loop. We HIGHLY recommend him if you live in NW Arkansas! We also have The Boone Brother's landsaping our front yard. We can only do so much DIY. Those who have been in our home understand ... or just think we are insane.

On that note, let me show you a picture of my husband digging a trench in our backyard for securing our tall retaining wall. He accidentally bashed the digger thingy into the back of our 15 passenger van. Glad it was him, and not me. :-D I call it "character" and, hey, the door still opens and shuts. Don't have a pic of the van, but I am sure you can picture it on your own.

Dr. J's Macro-surgery... not for the faint-hearted!

It's funny, but when people meet us they never gues that my husband is a doctor. For some reason they think he is a pastor. I said to my husband, "It must be that we are so ministry-minded."
His response: "It is more likely because we drive a 15 passenger van and have 6 kids."

See... Jon balances me. I am deluded... he is practical. But then, I make him laugh and he helps me be serious. Thankfully we are on the same page doctrinally.

By the way, if you are struggling with longing for more of Him and less of you today, but you just can't get your mind off of you, than let me help you out. Go read this. For that matter, read it regardless. Trust me.