Saturday Morning

Poor hubs. He didn't know he was walking into a bear cave this morning. He worked last night and brought breakfast home with him --but I snarled at him. Not such a great wife this morning, I'm afraid. The toilet is acting up so much I'm about ready to build an outhouse behind the house, and dear son decided that somewhere around 3 am (his magic number) would be a great time to wake up and stay awake. There are other things turning me into a growly bear as well, but the upshot is I was letting small things turn into big things and that's not a good thing. No chocolate in the house to make me feel better (should be a rule: Every home needs emergency chocolate at all times) but I did have some tea and some time to write. Studying God's word makes me feel better. 
  I joined a facebook group   that will be teaching more on digging deep in God's Word. This month's goals include reading the book of Genesis and writing down all of the promises, and reading the book until you can tell all of the events in sequence. Ladies, if you are interested, please check it out.  I'm thinking of blogging my thoughts and questions as I read through, but it will have a different heading than my Morning Cup of Tea posts if I do. 
  I've been working on my household control journal this week. I have it mostly put together now, and have been trying to follow the schedules I wrote out. It's helped some to keep me focused on what needs to be done and when. As for my cleaning schedule, I'm trying to focus on one room at a time, partially using Flylady's suggestions and plan. It's slow going but I'll get there eventually. I use the schedule mainly as a guide because life almost never goes according to plan.
  As for the digi scrapper give away, look for that next week. I hope to have a chance in the next few days to write up my review and get it ready for you.
  How is your day shaping up? Did you wake up all smiles, ready to greet the day? Or were you a growly bear like me? If  you are like me this morning, I hope the day gets better. Mine has already calmed down to a dull roar and the fun of the day begins. : )

Gratituesday; Families in Christ and Home

Join us for Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers!

 Each week on Tuesday Laura at Heavenly Homemakers invites us to share in Gratituesday. You can go to her site and link up your Gratituesday blog or if you do not have a blog, you can leave a comment saying what you are grateful for. Feel free to leave a comment here.

I am thankful for many things, but today I am thankful for two things: 1, our loving family in Christ. 2, homes.

I truly, truly have to thank God for providing us with a need this week. I don't think we had mentioned this need to anyone in our congregation, but I could be wrong. However, our preacher, Larry Sheehy, came to us privately and asked if we could use one. We said yes. After evening services we were taken to buy what we needed, brand new. A need was taken care of, in perfect timing. We are very grateful for the help and especially the love that our church family has shown us.

And secondly, I'm thankful for homes. I'm not always thankful for the one in which we live. Just ask my husband. <smile>. It's no secret that I am looking for a new place closer to where my husband works. Gas prices are high and we currently live 52 miles away from hubby's job. Even in a small car, the gas gets used rather quickly, especially when you add in errands, doctor visits, and worship service.

  I look so forward to finding something new and closer in that I tend to forget the blessings that I have here. While this home needs a lot of work, it is truthfully about the right size for our little family of three. It reminds me of Doug Stone's song, Little Houses. Beautiful song. It's kept us out of the elements and safe for a few years now. The neighborhood is quiet and we are close enough to our congregation that we've been blessed to get to know the family there. I do wish we lived closer so we could really get to know them, but hubby's job is in the opposite direction.

  This home has allowed us to be a bit closer to my side of the family, and I've been able to spend a little more time with my sister than I had in years. And I've been able to watch my niece and her family grow. Because of jobs and life in general we don't get together as often as we'd like, but its wonderful having them close by. 

  The new home we are looking for will take us further away from the current congregation but we do know there are strong churches in the area, and have one or two in particular in mind where we already know the congregations. It will take us a little further away from my side of the family but closer to hubby's side. We will still continue to visit family here when we can because I don't want to lose touch.

  One other home I'm looking forward to and am thankful for: our home in heaven. Jesus promised us a home with him if we just do the Father's will. Now that's a home to look forward to. :) 

Life at Home

Here at home life is never really dull. My house is spotless at all times, my husband comes home to warm smiles, a welcome home kiss, and dinner on the table. My son never gives one minute of trouble and is a delight, even in public.


Um, not so much. That's a fantasy, pure and simple. Want to know the truth?



 My husband works hard at what he does. He does work at a job that allows me to contact him at almost any time. Which I have done. To let him know just how wonderful life is here at home. Ahem. And when he comes home he's ready (most times) to pitch in and fix dinner if need be or point the direction to the bedroom and say "go take a nap."  He's a good Christian man, a good husband and father. I am blessed.

  My son is eighteen (18!! How did that happen?). He has autism. He's nonverbal yet is almost never quiet, struggles with some day to day issues yet is very intelligent. He loves music. Any kind -Christian, 70's disco, 80s hair bands, Latin, classical, oldies.

   J also has a tendency to fill empty corners and terrorize the cats when he is agitated. He gets upset in large crowds. But he's usually very happy. He likes things to be just so. I'm still trying to figure out why the screen above the baptismal pool at the church building irritates him. Every chance he gets  he is off to put that thing away. I would dearly love to get into his head and find out what he's thinking.

   And then there's me. House work has never been my strong point. I'm constantly struggling with it. I'd much rather be reading -to myself or to my son, writing,  crafting.  I am usually the family secretary. I keep up with doctor appointments and try to remember hubby's rotating schedule at work.  I work with my son when I can --not so much on academics but on social skills and life skills. He does his best to avoid all that but he will do things for a few minutes at a time.  And to help relax, I like playing on Pogo with my friends.

   Well, there you have it. A tiny glimpse into life at home.  Not perfect by any means, but there are moments when the house is actually the way I want it and nothing is going haywire. I do complain some, mostly to my longsuffering husband, but really, I enjoy my life. I have to go now. Two tomcats are preparing to do battle on my kitchen table, laundry awaits, and J is hungry. Bye for now! : )