Transportation Prayers

PART 1
Please join us in praying for an affordable vehicle with a lift that can hold 2-3 wheelchairs (my power chair is optional, but Jon and Vanessa need their wheelchairs to best enjoy activities).  The vehicle needs to seat at least 14 including the driver so we can take Amber and Angela along too.  Extra seats beyond 14 would be a bonus for friends who might be crazy enough to want to go somewhere with us and for luggage and medical equipment that travels with us if we are gone more than a few hours.  Several people have asked if it can be a yellow mini school bus...yes!  The kids would love it!  It can be any shape, age, color, etc as long as it runs and has the items listed. 

We have found out that we can even install seat belts so please pray for the following:

1. Affordable
2. Wheelchair lift
3. 2-3 wheelchair spaces
4. Seats at least 14 including the driver
5. An automatic transmission is preferred so I can drive it too (Something about a driver with just one good leg driving a standard makes the Department of Motor Vehicles nervous.)

The school bus provides our
kids the only opportunity that they
have to take their power wheelchairs
in public.

PART 2
Please be praying that we will have the right amount of resources to pay cash for the vehicle when we find it.  We have passed on several vehicles because we would need to take a loan to cover the purchase.  As many of you know, we started on a path to be debt free in 2006 and our home is our final debt that we have yet to have eliminated. (You can join us in praying about wisdom in eliminating that debt too.)  We have made due without transportation for over 2 years, but now the situation is getting tougher as the kids grow.  Please pray for us to continue to be patient too.

EXPLANATION:
I know some of you are saying that there is nothing wrong with debt if you can pay it, and I agree that responsible debt is not sinful.  In fact the Bible gives us guidance on being responsible debt holders.  However, we feel that God has called is to another standard of financial freedom and responsibility so we can be available to His direction for our lives.  For example, within 6 months between October 2009 and February 2010, God grew our family from 5 to 10 children and one of the boys spent 2 months in the hospital having open heart surgery and other medical problems!   We had no way of knowing that we would be given these awesome opportunities to expand our family and to help 5 little boys who needed a home.  What if we had previously made financial commitments to use the money that we needed to get them home?  To buy beds? To pay immigration fees? To buy shoes? To get lab tests for parasites? To get post placement reports?  We had to depend on God's provision to help us through that time, but if we had also had other debt, then we could not have met the financial requirements. 

INTRIGUED?  Our family specifically follows Dave Ramsey's advice for financial freedom and when the boys added to our family, we had just reached Step 4.  It took almost our entire emergency fund to get the boys settled, medically treated and deal with the legalities.  In fact we are still on Step 3, rebuilding our emergency fund over 2 years later, but we have no stress of debt on our cars, no credit card payments, no student loans left....It is a great way to live and be available for whatever happens next in life.  If your interested, check out http://www.daveramsey.com/new/baby-steps/?gclid=CPHfnqz0prACFUZeTAodOwR9DA

Owe no one anything except to love one another,

for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.

~~Romans 13:8

Blogging Chicks

Corrine reminded me today that we had not blogged about her quickly growing chickens.  So here is a photo from farmer Corrine for those of you interested in their progress.

Their farmer Corrine is having a bit of a crisis that we are going to be
gone 2 days.  She is having a hard time picking someone she
trusts with her chickens.

Emergency Prep Test

Haitian beans & rice are a
favorite at our house.

On Monday April 16th, I started an unofficial test of my emergency preparations.  I knew going into the test that I had some deficencies such as not enough bottled water.  However, this month long test taught me several things and sent me to the store 2 to 3 times a week filling in gaps. This is a brief summary of what I learned.

1.  I had the wrong balance of food.  I needed more flour and more powdered/canned milk.  My milk supplies did not last a week!
2.  My kids would probably choose death over eating any of the tuna or spam stash. As Corrine pointed out, "I thought you had those in case the neighbors needed food during an emergency."
3.  Peanut butter is not my kid's favorite food without bread and jelly.
4.  Cereal without milk is not a good plan...no matter how good the cereal.
5.  Locating my emergency supplies was more difficult than I thought. 
     Grace: "Mom, where is the rice?"
     Me:  "In one of these 8 big boxes".
6.  Paper towels are less desirable in an emergency than wet wipes or toilet paper.  Make the best use of storage space, fill it with wipes and toilet paper!
7.  Day 7 of using up the emergency supplies will cause everyone to crave chicken nuggets, even the parents.
8.  Diapers!  A month long emergency plan can NEVER have too many diapers.  (A few cloth ones and plastic pants are going into my new improved kit because the "old way" is better than the "new nude way" when the diaper supplies are gone.)
9.  Treats for everyone!  Okay so treats may not be essential, but 30 days living with a teenager who is going without chocolate can have its own challenges.
10.  Having a 100 pounds of rice and 50 pounds of beans as part of the emergency plans, means one must be prepared to eat a 100 pounds of rice and 50 pounds of beans without it deminishing anyones will to live.

I'm starting the restocking plans now and I'm developing a more organized way to store and track the items so we can eat the old before it expires.  So far new items include the following:  multi vitamins, pediasure/boost, canned ham, canned Chef Boyardee, canned prepared baked beans, shelf stable cheese like parmesean and more focus on things the kids eat well like pudding, fruit (dried and canned) and yes, maybe even chicken nuggets!  (I'm so glad this past month way just a test and I could go to the store to fill gaps.  Hopefully, I'll now be better prepared for if there were a real emergency.)

Neosho Master Gardeners Tamed My Jungle

March 2012 before the jungle "leafed out".

I REALLY wish I had taken a recent before picture, but all I have is this photo from March before everything leafed out and started taking over the front of my house. It had truly gotten out of control and too much for Grace and I to manage alone.  The ornamental grass had spread and blocked the down stairs door, hostas needed divided, and vinca vines were out of control.  A healthy size crop of polk was growing in the beds, not to mention Elm tree starts and dandelions.  It was so overgrown that the retaining walls could not be seen!

Today after a BIG cleanup!

Then a very nice lady from the Neosho Master Gardeners contacted me to see if I could use any volunteer help.  She had NO IDEA!  She came over and looked at my jungle last week, and today she returned with a fabulous group of gardeners who tamed the area in less than 4 hours!  Such a blessing!  They sized the beds down to a portion that I have a shot at controlling.  The out of control bushes were removed and the area in front can be seeded back to lawn.  Plus  I can open the downstairs door to my office without having to part and sort my way through the decorative grass to get in/out. 

I can open the office door and get in/out!

A BIG thank you to the Neosho Master Gardeners!  I am so pleased with how it looks.  I REALLY appreciate your help. 

For the earth [is] the Lord's,

and the fulness thereof.

~~I Corinthians 10:26

Tahiti & Chickens



Corrine has been working on improvements to the chickens' country cottage.  She went to the dollar store and bought a lot of the "Tahiti Collection" to properly outfit her cottage.  She got bamboo roosts and shallow bowls for nest boxes and place mats to keep the bowls in place.  She even bought the hens a mirror so they would be less bored.  Yes, Corrine is concerned that her chickens might get bored. (I can assure you, my grandmother NEVER considered if her hens were bored and they still laid good eggs.)  These chickens just need a disco ball and we will be approaching having scenes like out of "Shaun the Sheep"!  (BUT I'm glad Corrine is enjoying her chickens.)  Below are some pictures from the cottage. 

I find the toy phone on the wall to be a bit surreal
in a fabulously funny way!

Nesting boxes:  Tahiti Collection bowls and place mats
on a shoe organizer.

David is 9!

Today we celebrated David's 9th birthday. 

This is the 4th birthday that David has celebrated since he became a part of our family.  It is amazing to me to see how much and how fast he has grown.  I really miss 5 year old David who would sneak in our room and slept by our bed; AND 6 year old David who was frightened by his big new school; AND 7 year old David who worried I would die like his birth mom; AND 8 year old David who told me that I love him "too much", but I'm glad 9 year old David is able to start this year confident of himself, his place in the world and as fearless as his peers.  We have been through many milestones in 4 years and I look forward to many more while wishing we had lived his first 5 years together too.



I think Grandma picked out
 the right gift.

Birthdays of our adopted children are often bittersweet to me because it reminds me of the time my children spent outside of the loving protection of a family.  I will never understand how the citizens of this planet can allow kids to have such rough starts to life, but I'm very blessed that God set us and David on a path to be family forever.  Many adoption critics would point out that this post's first paragraph fails to recognize that David's life story started before age 5.  To those critics, I would say David lives with good memories and his healing emotional scars everyday.  They have become a part of his future as these have helped shape who he has become.  Below is a photo of a worried David, sitting on a table about to receive lifesaving nutrition, medicine and LOTS of love from Children of the Promise.  Many kids like David were close to their life story ending too soon, but were sustained by the efforts of groups like Children of the Promise. 



David's 1st picture

The "orphanage" as we often call it, has become a resource center for families in Haiti.  Children of the Promise is building for a future that lets them provide kids with the security of a family from the minute that they enter into care.  This will let kids like David learn how to function as an individual that is part of a family from the beginning, rather than having them function as a group within a group.  We are excited for what this will mean for kids who have a family to return to, as well as for kids who are waiting to be adopted.  If you are looking for a ministry to support, I would strongly recommend Children of the Promise.  I've been there and I've seen the needs AND most importantly I've seen the difference that they are making for infants and toddlers in Haiti.  As David would tell me right after he came home, "Babies under the mango tree need a mom like you."  I'm so happy that Children of the Promise is moving to a new method of service that will give these babies the moms that they need right away while they are in the care of Children of the Promise.  I'm so pleased that we can be a small part of making these changes happen! 

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat,

I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink,

I was a stranger and you invited me in,

I needed clothes and you clothed me,

I was sick and you looked after me,

I was in prison and you came to visit me.

~~Matthew 25:35-36

Matt is 5!

 My petite bundle of song and dance energy turned 5 today! 

Due to the severity of malnutrition in his first years in Haiti, Matt is still so small and is so far behind his peers.  Malnutrition in infancy has such a cruel fate on its small helpless victims.  It can cause trust issues and food issues and learning/self-control issues from the underdevelopment of the brain during those critical months.  Matt has been home almost as long as he lived in Haiti.  He has grown.  He has developed tons of new skills, but he continues to lag behind his peers.  Fortunately, Matt is unaware and mostly unaffected by his small size and his struggles to master language and early academics.   Although he gets frustrated with his tendency to stutter.

Next week I meet with the school about the transition to kindergarten.  He is just not ready and I'm really not ready for him. I know that if there is a time that he will discover his challenges, it will be with the help of his Kindergarten classmates.  I would rather he remain oblivious to how he compares to his peers.

However, tonight there was no worries.  As Matt says there was "just fun,fun, fun!"  Matt fell asleep on the couch after school and we had to woke him up at 7:20pm to get him to finish celebrating with cake and ice cream!  Not to mention presents!

BTW-A birthday money $aving tip:  Matt's cake below was a plain ready made bakery cake with green edging and a ribbon.  I purchased the $2.89 toys on top and kept them in their plastic packaging to keep them clean.  The names of the trucks were cut off the cardboard box and added along with the candles.  The result was a cake plus 3 toys (rather than a cake topper figurine) for under $20.  I would have paid $24+ for a character cake from the bakery and the cake topper would have been a waste. 

Jon's Big Day

If you are a mom or a dad, you have probably had something that you knew your kid could do or learn to do, but others may have had doubts and maybe even your child had doubts.  You may have prayed with and for that child, but you had not doubts.  You prayed for God to strengthen them or maybe to give you the right words of encouragement, BUT you knew your kid COULD do it, make it or achieve it.

Well, I have STRONGLY believed since I first met Jon in Haiti in 2008 that with proper therapy, practice & encouragement, Jon could drive a power wheelchair.  HOWEVER, our insurance company and some of our (previous) therapists had doubts. 

I had no doubts.  I knew Jon had never moved beyond creeping 2-3 feet on the floor and that took over an hour.  I KNEW Jon needed independent motion.  He needed to get to his location without waiting for us to guess and offer to move him.

So with our new amazing home health aid for Jon, I knew it was time.  I had the therapists that I needed AND I resized an old power chair, private paid for a few improvements AND we put Jon in it. 

Yesterday he really didn't even want to sit in his new chair.  We pushed the chair manually AND only turned it on to show him the horn AND he still cried easily when he was not distracted with a movie or bubbles.

Today he wanted in the new power wheelchair this morning.  Amber took him on his usual tour of the neighborhood and she egaged the chair, dared to turn it on and drove the chair slowly around the neighborhood.  Then she showed him that he could push the button himself...at first he was scared!  Then within 30 minutes he was able to chase Matt with minimal assistance.  Jon was thrilled, but was soon very tired from all the thinking!  He could make shallow turns and go forward by the time the therapist arrived around noon.

Just think, this day was the equivalent of any other child rolling, crawling & taking first steps...rolled into one BIG day!  Jon had never had to think about his body in relation to others.  He has never had to consider if it was a space he could fit through or if it was something he could crawl over.  He had NEVER put his own body in moion beyond just a few slow inches at a time.  It must have felt like the wind was whistling through his hair at the speed he was now able to achieve. 

One thing for sure, it brought out the onrey little boy that I knew lived trapped in his brain.  He was highly motivated to try to "run down" his brothers.  He giggled with delight as he ran into furniture and it scooted as he "pushed".  Today was my warning from Jon.  He clearly showed me and the therapists that if we give him the opportunities, he'll be just as onry as his brothers.  Too bad insurance isn't interested in letting little boys have the chance to be everything that they dream in their heads. 

We had some more changes to make to the wheelchair and hopefully after I get those parts, Jon will be able to drive in reverse too and be better with sharper turns too.  Then on to getting a workable communication device and developing reading skills....yeap, I know....some teachers have doubts...thats okay because I don't.  I continue praying for the wisdom and resources, but I have no doubts.

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,

 “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you

 hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call on me and come and

 pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and

find me when you seek me with all your heart. ¹⁴ I will be

found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you

back from captivity.~~Jeremiah 29:11-14a

Chicken Run

Well, the little chicks started trying to fly last week so they moved into their Country Cottage House both night & day. (and OUT of my bathroom!) With their move, the need for a place for the chickens to "play" outside was quickly upon us.  Mr. Workman had state debate tournament on Friday & Saturday in Topeka.  So our already busy Sunday, now had the request that we build a chicken run. 

Mr. Workman & I looked through the garages for what we might already have to aid in building a quick & temporary run.  An old broken folding table from my office, an old sliding screen door, some scrap lumber and some chicken wire AND about 60 minutes with the staple gun AND the chicken run was complete.  Granted it is not beautiful (and may violate our neighborhood covenant), but it is functional.  Most importantly the chickens seem to like it!

Our Chicks' Country Cottage

They are cute & fun & growing stinkier by the day.

This weekend we put together a temporary hen house for our quickly growing chicks.  It is still too cool at night, but they can go out to their new home during most days.  Since we had only a weekend to get it together, we decided to reuse the kids playhouse, which they have lost interest in long ago.  We moved the cottage to an area where we could easily add a run and that was protected from strong wind and direct sun.  Then we added chicken wire over the windows and started building their roosts and nest boxes.  The chicks seem to like it a lot, which is good because hubby is tired of jokes about sharing our bathroom with 8 chicks and I'm tired of the smell.

Yes, our chicks have a working
doorbell.

This back "fireplace" will open out to their run.

BTW-We started with 4 chicks and we thought we had some guaranteed fatalities after the first day due to so much handling by the kids so hubby went and bought 4 more reinforcement/replacements.  I originally told you we had 7 because one was on deaths door when I wrote my post, BUT as luck would have it, Corrine is a serious internet-informed urban farmer.  She fed the chick egg yoke and it made a recovery that was nothing short of miraculous.  So if they all make it & lay 3 eggs per day.....anyone going to need eggs?  Lots of eggs? 

Grace & Corrine's Birthday

Grace turned 16 on the 25th, but we surprised her with a party on Sunday the 22nd.  We had the party at Grandma's house and all the way their she complained about having to go to Grandma's for a family gathering when it wasn't even anyone's birthday!  Needless to say, we had a lot of fun and some great memories were made!

Corrine turned 12 on the 28th and as is her tradition, I made the meal and cake of her choice and we ate dinner using the china.  This year she chose Italian Chicken, Lasagna, corn on the cob and Tres Leche cake.  She put 1 candle on her cake as a count down to 13.  I guess she is putting us on notice!  Corrine got gifts of clothes, money and lots of supplies for her chicks.

Newest Additions

There are lots of pets that I have agreed to through the years...dogs, cat, fish, hamster, hermit crabs, birds, gerbil, frogs  and turtles...AND now chickens.  Corrine has saved her money, read library books and begged endlessly so today we added 7 Rhode Island Red Pullets to our family.  I'm not sure what their survivability will be with 3 curious three year olds and a fearless four year old willing to lead the crew to the chicks.  However, we have bought all that the books said we need for chicks and now we'll see how our young farmer Corrine does with her brood of chicks.

Provided we have some survivors, in a few weeks, our May project will be building a chicken coop.  If anyone wants to help, just let us know!

Of course, we'll blog it!

Save money on prescriptions

Okay, I hate to admit that at my youthful age, I was checking out their web site, but www.aarp.org has some awesome tools to help save money on medicine.  I NEVER knew this until today.

The first tool that I was impressed with explains its function as the following:
" Have you ever wondered if the medication you’re taking is really the best one for your condition? Is there a less expensive, but equally effective medication you can use instead? Or is there a comparable drug with fewer side effects?  AARP’s Drug Savings Tool can help you get the most value for your prescription drugs and learn more about the medications you take."  My current pharmacist has saved us money when we switched from Walgreens by talking to our doctors about some adjustments, but it is good to know that I can easily access that type of information too.

The second tool that I was impressed with is a pill identifier. Now I know not every home is a mini-pharmacy like ours can be, especially during cold/flu/ear infection/strep throat seasons, but it seems there is always those mystery pills that are at the bottom of my pill bin or in my travel case.  This eliminates waste by letting me know what they are so I can still get the mystery pill used.  Since some medications in our home can cost over $5 per pill, even a couple reclaimed doses can REALLY add up!

Lastly, there are many programs from drug manufacturers, pharmacies, and organizations to help with the high costs of medicine.  Most of these programs are all located at a user-friendly web site at http://scpharmacist.net/ .  This is a pharmacist ran web site that gives credible information on all types of options when facing the challenges of obtaining medications within a budget. It has lots of links and is updated often.

A merry heart doeth good [like] a medicine:

but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

~~Proverbs 17:22

Easter Fun!

Friday evening I took most of the kids except Jon to my mom's house for a family dinner.  Daddy and Jon stayed home because I didn't have enough seats for everyone and Daddy's car hit a deer on Thursday morning.  The kids had a great time seeing family, and this year there was an Easter Egg hunt so they all LOVED that part.

Saturday was fairly relaxing except our usual pass time of working on the deck and hubby translating.  However, Sunday was an early start.  6am Sonrise service and the men like to get there at 5am to cook.  Mr. Workman decided to pre-cook some pecan pancakes, which he had been asked to bring, and arrive at 6am so I would not be alone getting all the kids together.  The twins, Matt & David who usually get up early were so tired and wanting to go back to bed.  Jon couldn't figure out what was going on!  I think he thought we were headed to St Louis to the doctor to be up so early when it was still dark.  Vanessa, Corrine & Hannah were dressed in their best and ready to go long before the rest of us.  I was SO happy that someone was awake....go girls!

Pa Easter Bunny

We got to church just as the steam started boiling out of my Durango's hood.  The service was lovely, but the kids were restless.  With Mr. Workman in the kitchen, that meant the older ones and I had to try to keep everyone "acting proper"; whereas usually a daddy "look" or shoulder squeeze settles the whole crew and makes my part easy.  After church, Mr. Workman filled my Durango with coolant and I drove straight home taking the shortest route!  I barely coasted in the drive as the engine once again started to overheat. 

Then came MY FAVORITE part of Easter this year!  Mr. Workman cooked a complete turkey dinner with all the trimmings while I took a five hour nap!!!  The nap was great and his dinner was even better!  Turkey, potatoes, noodles, sweet potatoes, rolls and even pumpkin pie...what a man! 

Chaos can be such fun!

After dinner, we gave out Easter bags in our room in an attempt to control the chaos.  It didn't really work.  Plus Luke had diarrhea all over just as we were ready for our Easter egg hunt so instead of a rain delay, we had a complete clean up delay! 

Jon getting his Easter bag.

This year Ma and Pa Easter Bunny were sneaky and the eggs that sounded like they had money, only had pennies!  HOWEVER, the eggs that felt like they had Peeps in them had quarters!  It was great fun watching each of the kids gathering eggs.  Jon was perhaps the most excited and apparently he remembered Easter from last year.  He was ready to open eggs and eat lots of candy, which he did, so much so that I delayed his tube feeding a bit on Sunday evening to make room for his formula.



Luke after a delay for clean-up



The older "faster" kids ready to race
to get all the eggs left by their siblings.

He is not here: for he is risen, as he said.
Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
~~Matthew 28:6



Chicken Recipe

I usually share recipes and homemade things in March as part of a Made in March theme, but so far I've only been blogging about the deck so today I have a great baked chicken dish for you.

You can call this whatever you wish.  It was just something I threw together as a variation on cordon-blu and it stuck as a new favorite.

Chicken breast, plain or dipped in bread crumbs
spaghetti sauce or even pizza sauce
deli pepperoni (3 or 4" big circles)
sliced provalone or other favorite cheese

Put a small bit of sauce in the baking dish.  Add chicken breast and top each with pepperoni slice(s) and a cheese slice.  Dump the rest of the sauce over the chicken.  Add olives, mushrooms or other favorite add-ons.  Bake at 350 until the thickest chicken breast is done.  Sprinkle with more cheese like parmasan and serve with salad, your choice of veggies, pasta, and warm crusty bread.  Also, if you have really picky eaters, you can throw in some frozen meatballs to reheat with the chicken cooking and this recipe can be made in a skillet or crock-pot too.

Day 10: Spring Break Projects

FINAL DAY!  We are on the final day and we had hoped to finish the deck, but nope.  We got 1/2 of the 3rd side done.  The third side is all above our heads reaching.  It is really a workout!...especially when it is 85 degrees out!  The last side requires a ladder on uneven ground so we are dreading it. 

No matter...we are pleased with our efforts for the week and we can work on the deck a little each night.

Day 9: Spring Break Projects

Its amazing what a day of sunshine can do for building a deck!  In fact it got down right hot on the deck.  We worked until after 10pm last night so it was too dark for a photo.  Hubby took this one today before we started working again.

Day 8: Spring Break Projects

Rain, rain, REALLY go AWAY!  Tomorrow is supposed to be dry.  Slow progress today, but progress! 

Day 7: Spring Break Projects

I can actually walk out onto 1/3 of my new deck!  The support posts are all in place and the decking is done in an area big enough that I can wheel out onto it, turn, and come back inside!  And I FORGOT to get a picture today!  I was so focused on keeping the kids off the deck and out of daddy's way that I forgot to take a picture.  The twins, Nate & Matt are wanting out on the deck so bad.  I have a feeling that it will get lots of use!  We had about 4 hours without rain and things really came together fast during the dry morning.  Tomorrow maybe dry all day so we could get a lot done if it is!

Day 6: Spring Break Projects

Digging holes for posts in the rain.



Well, another wet day.  More mud.  However, despite the mud, progress was made on the deck.  Obviously not as much as we had hoped, but progress.

Corrine modeling today's bracelet.

Day 5: Spring Break Projects

Well, today marks the 1/2 way point in Mr. Workman's Spring break time off.  Of course, it rained most of the day.  The afternoon was an on and off light rain so Mr. Workman could work outside.  However, the yard is too muddy and mushy for my wheelchair so I helped from the back door.  It was a cold experience just sitting in the doorway so I'm sure Mr. Workman was VERY chilled by this crisp 1st day of Spring! 



The bracelet.



Corrine got her school work finished around 1:30pm so she suited up in her pink rain poncho, pink snow boots & a big pink and burgundy bracelet that had me trying hard to hide laughter.  What can I say, she and Vanessa our are girly, girls!  I wouldn't think of wearing jewelry to go help frame a deck, but then again there was a time that I wouldn't have gone outside without my make-up....oh so long ago!  At any rate, I loved watching her help her dad.  It was the highlight of my day!  By the end of the day, all the wire ties had been removed from the chain link fence that we taking down, and we have a basic and LEVEL frame for the 12x16 portion of our new deck. 

  

Tomorrow originally called for SEVERE thunderstorms with wind so I'm praying that goes away.  Hopefully by tomorrow night, the frame will be finished and maybe even some deck boards will be in place.

Day 4: Spring Break Projects

Today could best be described as "FRUSTRATING!"  We did some work inside first thing this morning and we got outside and put the first support for our new deck in place AND RAIN...HEAVY rain!  So Mr. Workman grabbed the "weed n feed" and the tick treatment and went to work with the speader since these are supposed to be spread when it is going to rain.  He got done and it stopped raining, but the yard is supposed to dry after the treatment before being walked on again. 

Over the last few days, we had discovered a small list of new supplies we are needing and we went to get those at Lowes, but by the time we returned home, it was REALLY raining again.  We sorted stuff in the garage until it was time to go meet my mom and get Matt and Corrine.  I took Grace for her turn at Grandma's and when I got home, it had rained the whole time that I was gone!  Its STILL raining as I write this and there is a chance of rain everyday this week.  When we planned this week, there was only a small chance of rain on Thursday and Friday!  Frustrating....I'm sure we can work in the rain, but who wants to?! I'm praying for dry days!

Ugh! Gotta love do-it-yourself projects on a tight schedule!

Day 3: Spring Break Projects

It seems Sunday is here just in time!  Mr. Workman seems to be a bit sore from keeping up with little Mr. Workman (David) yesterday.  However, since he has translating to do on an adoption (which he also hopes to finish over Spring Break), then today was a quiet day of trying to translate with the twins and Nate determined to get and keep his attention too.  Oh what a day tomorrow should be!

BTW-Grace watched the kids after we got everyone in bed and Mr. Workman and I went out for dinner together.  It was SO nice!

Day 2: Spring Break Projects

Day 2 (Saturday) of 10: 

We are coming to terms with how badly we have neglected our yard, especially the dog pin area.  Mr. Workman and little Mr. Workman (David) worked all day today and there is still more to do!  However, at the end of the day, only the dog pin needs more work and one stubborn bush that we really need a chainsaw or saws-all to tackle it due to its closeness to the neighbors' (both of them) fences.

David was so proud that he could "pick up huge, heavy trees, just like a Super Hero!" Therefore, he had to "show off" his muscles by carrying the branches and such over his head and throwing them on the pile to be burned.  Its so cute to see a little boy want to do everything his Daddy does. 

I however feel SO smoked.  We burned all yesterday afternoon.  Then David asked for smoked bacon for breakfast.  Then we burned all day today.  I'm SO ready to wash my hair!  I'm sick of smoke smell!

Mr. Workman also got all the family room ceiling tiles replaced except two so hopefully the rest of that project will go quickly.

Day 1: Spring Break Projects

DELAYS

Well, our day started with hubby's eye appointment and me watching the kids while I tried to work on reports.  Then about the time hubby got home, the school called and said that Hannah was sick with the flu so he took off to get her; armed with extra clothes, a towel and a bag.  Hannah got home and comfortable, just in time for the next "round".  Therefore our projects didn't get started until 2pm.  I took the babies, Grace & David to get a part for the Prius in Joplin that I had ordered after Mr. Workman blew a tire on his way to work on Thursday.  That tire did ALL kinds of body damage when it blew and the tire was LESS than 90 days old!  I already spend $50 on fixing the blinker and the tire and this broken lens cover part that had me in Joplin instead of helping at home.  (Plus I still need a side mirror and am hoping ebay can help me save some money.)

WORKING



L to R:  Mark and Luke
with "their" flags.



So I got back with the kids who immediately started being helpful....um, sort of...David was being helpful until a friend invited him to play, but we appreciated his 5 wagon loads of leaves that he collected for us.  The twins were playing while we worked and found these neat orange flags marking the AT & T lines in our yards and the decided these were the perfect toy so when I looked up, Luke had one in each hand and was declaring, "Un fer Mark and un fer me!"  They were very happy with their finds!  Daddy is glad he took "before" pictures so he knows about where DigRite had the flag placed!

Not exactly a romantic evening by the fire.

We were able to get 3 side of the house free of leaves and cut out two overgrown bushes.  Ed also trimmed the hedges.  We had hoped to get all the leaves burned and two more bushes removed, but considering the unplanned flu and errand to Joplin, we are pleased.

The BIG Reveal....Grace's new room

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BEFORE:  Our "extra" room

 

As I blogged the other day, I have really been struggling with planing Grace's new room and the updating it needs.  It is so hard to decide how much is too much!  Plus, she will be going to college in a few years and we want her to realize how to live within her means.  However, she'll be going to college in a few years and we want to SPOIL her too.  So with my conflict still ongoing, but with most of the supplies purchased  and waiting for pickup, I sent her to Grandma's house while we completed a surprise make-over.  Before she left, we had painted the walls and started working on updating the furniture with some paint.

REUSE

I was able to reuse her old dresser and bookshelf with a new coat of paint and make them look similar to ones that she had admired in Kirkland's.  The small dresser at Kirkland's was $435 and my $22 gallon of paint covered the big dresser from her brothers' room (we swapped some furniture too--brothers David & Matt now have the old beds out of the extra room) and her bookcase.  Then I reused accessories from my office such as plants and a lamp.  Finally I searched out some great sales to make me feel fiscally responsible while I spoiled her.

OVER THE TOP

I've know for several months that the one OVER the TOP thing that the cool and sometimes damp feeling, basement room needed was a fireplace.  I knew that no matter how little or much more that I did, I knew the fireplace would set the tone!  I watched sales and shopped online and had no luck at finding what I wanted within budget until this last week when the exact one that I wanted at Lowes went on sale for 25% off!  Then I added twin beds from Import Warehouse for a fraction of the price of other stores.  Plus I got the great zebra rug there for $39!  Finally, Bed, Bath & Beyond helped me out with deep discount blankets, sheets & a down comforter.  So my final decision was how to create a comfortable study corner.  She had a small desk that she had really outgrown in looks and in size that I could repaint, but her sister is doing homeschooling on a TV Tray and would love Grace's old desk.  I looked at desks and chairs and just couldn't find the comfort and style that I wanted, but at Target there was a leather-like chair and ottoman.  The ottoman converts to a low table and I realized that a laptop desk or TV tray could complete a super cozy and comfortable work corner.  Plus Target had a plain, but insulated brown curtain on clearance for $2.50 which meant that I couldn't make her curtain for that price (a big time saver).

PICTURES & SHELVES

Grace had fallen in love with the zebra picture and I had bought it with her with me.  However, I had to solo on the rest.  So using the zebra picture as my focal point, I selected a BOLD elephant picture which was on canvas just like the zebra.  The shelves were the easiest thanks to pre-packaged groupings at Target.

THE REVEAL

When we got home, Grace could see her old desk in the garage and wanted to know why it was in the garage.  I told her that I would move it back.  When we got inside, she read the note that we put on the door and opened the door.  It would be an understatement to say she was shocked.  In fact, Matt who went to Grandma's house with her said, "Wooo-Oh--wow!"  From a 4 year old that is high praise!

THE SIBLINGS

While setting up the room and purchasing the items, I had to offer various guidance also known as rules to Grace's younger brothers...okay actually only to David.  David thought the new electric fireplace was a waste because, "I can't even roast marshmallows or hot dogs."  I assured him he was not to try to cook on or even touch the remote for the new fireplace!  Then when I got the ottoman, David let me know that Matt would easily fit inside.  I assured him that NO ONE fits inside, BUT I have noted the conversation in the even that a brother is missing and David is sitting on the ottoman!  The twins have been told that the room is "off limits, even to Nate" which got an, "Oh, no!"

I hope Grace enjoys her new room.  It was a big splurge for our family, but I'm glad she has a room as grown up as she has become.

I'm tired...(Actually I was tired in June 2011)

Have you ever been exhausted?  Maybe you needed a break and no one was cooperating and then your hubby did something stupid or maybe a couple somethings?  Well, below in green is an entry that I never published from June 2011.  I put it in green because I was GREEN with envy when I wrote it.  I was envious of well rested, vacationed, and not financially stressed families!  I was STRESSED and my hubby spent our "just us-get away vacation" fund to put Invisalign on Corrine's teeth without exactly discussing it with me.  Then hubby went to Dallas, TX for 14 days of debate tournaments and teachers meetings without telling me about his decision on Corrine's teeth.  I find out and I "get to" write the check while he is gone.  He has been home 2 days when I write this entry in GREEN.

Now some folks think Mr. Workman and I NEVER fuss.  We are always happy with each other and I know a few of you reading this have said that I would never understand wanting to strangle my hubby.  Let me assure you, most of us have had days like the one below.

June 26, 2011  Do you ever get so tired and so worn out that you are pretty sure you will never feel any different?  I'm afraid I have crossed the line from perpetually tired to exhausted, ready to give up tired and depressed that I never get a break.  So I look for things to give up or the throw over board....Give up what?  I'm not sure...I love teaching, working seems required to pay the bills and being THE mom is a permanent gig so I'm not sure what to throw overboard, but I have some good ideas and some not so good ideas!


I mention to some that I need a break and I'm told that "You decided to have all those children."  So obviously they don't want to help or want to punish me for having so many great kids...I'm not sure.  Either way,  they are missing the point that I have had 3 full nights of sleep since October 4, 2009 and I'd like to try nights 4 and 5 consecutively while being away from the many stresses in life.


My hubby is probably my greatest source of help and my greatest source of work.  He wants to be helpful, but he just doesn't seem to want to be completely helpful.  For example, that I'm sure many wives can relate to, he let me nap today, but I get up to a sink overflowing with dishes, no supper, and all the work that was already there when I laid down is still waiting on me.  I have BEGGED for us to take time away, but he won't set the dates and doesn't want to spend the money.  I understand being tight, but his choice of putting Corrine's braces before my mental health is probably not the best choice he has ever made.

I am so glad those feelings of exhaustion have come and gone several times quickly, but I thought I would post this now as a reminder to my hubby (who rarely reads my blog, but our oldest kid does) that our tax return will be here in less than 20 days so maybe he should be planning a mini-vacation for us!  However, I know that mini-vacations are only temporary refreshment and for sustaining strength I must seek it through the Lord who has been most generous in giving me the strength to meet the needs of the family He designed for us.

My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength

of my heart, and my portion for ever. ~~Psalm 73:26

Things I Don't Waste My Time on (so we are wasting $$$)

20 piece McNuggets for $4.99, frozen dough bread/rolls, frozen pie shells, frozen pizza & Happy Hour Sonic Drinks...these are some of my money wasting vices. 

It is simply too easy to get 4 pre-schoolers silent in the car with a 20 pack of nuggets!  I make homemade bread 3-4 times a year, but the simple, no mess, thaw and bake is my all too regular "cheating friend"....sure I pay $1.75 per loaf & I could make it for $.65, but it is worth the extra for the mess to not be on my counter within reach of lots of little hands.  The same is the reason for my love of frozen pie shells.  My kids LOVE homemade pizza, but I love 16 minutes to one minimally dirty pan and lunch is served.   Finally, who can pass up crushed ice drinks, especially for a dollar.  I'm fairly sure that we spend $12-15 per week on drinks with crushed ice.  Isn't that crazy?!

Well, you may wonder why I'm thinking that convenience is wasteful?  I'll be honest.  I'm trying to open up room in the budget for more savings and more giving.  So many friends and family are struggling with the higher prices, cut backs at work, layoffs and the costs of utilities and car maintenance.  For one friend in college, she seems to be "freaking out" over if she can afford coffee.  Another friend is facing utility shut offs every month as she makes tough decisions and is cutting the budget as close she dare to still have gas money.  These situations and more have me thinking that it is time to trim the excess waste, sort & sell the unused "stuff" that junks up the house and be in a better position financially myself so I can help others.  I'm REALLY re-evaluating needs and wants, treats and excessive "treats", $ makers and $ wasters.

I had eye opening experiences recently when a couple friends needed groceries. I have always tried to keep some extra groceries in case someone had a need and I was surprised how quickly those few supplies could be depleted. It really made me also re-evaluate our emergency supplies for a family our size. My inventory of foods revealed that I needed to do more stocking up for myself and for others, but I need to do this within my current budget. Suddenly gifts of beef from my folks, venison from Cousin Carl, and coupons and sales and menu planning are becoming even more important in the Workman household. I'm sure by March when I blog about "Made in March", there will be even more diverse recipes and crazy money saving projects!


Some of the hardest things to financially evaluate is things for the kids.  I recently splurged and bought Grace things she needed to update her new room to a teen room.  Grandma painted the walls and we repainted furniture to meet the new look, but she still needs curtains and a blanket or bedspread and a new twin bed would be nice too since she is using my daybed from college.  It is so tempting to get the extras that would make a beautiful room, but that would not make good financial sense.  I realize that Grace is watching my choices and someday she will want all that we gave her at home so if we don't demonstrate how to live within limited means now without excessive splurges, then how can I expect her to make responsible decisions later.  This part of being an adult and a mom and a teacher to my kids is tough stuff!  (especially since it would be easy to justify spoiling one of my best helpers)

And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all,

 as every man had need. ~~Acts 2:45