You Are Ernie

Playful and childlike, you are everyone’s favorite friend – even if your goofy antics get annoying at times. You are usually feeling: Amused – you are very easily entertained You are famous for: Always making people smile. From your silly songs to your wild pranks, you keep things fun. How you life your life: With ease. Life is only difficult when your friends won’t play with you!

Sick children. Homeschool curriculum planning for another year. Still Spring cleaning (got a late start due to losing Samuel). Insane filet crochet project that may keep me busy until I am 80. Eaglewood has noticed that I am losing weight; MUCH less sleep! ;o) ‘Nuff said.

The week before last was a particularly difficult one for Eaglewood and I as it contained both Samuel’s actual due date and the one month anniversary of his death. My parents noticed this also and, along with my sister and her daughter, went and decorated Samuel’s gravesite with flowers and a little bunny. It doesn’t help, but I’m still glad that they did it. Mother’s Day was a little rough this year for the same reason. Eaglewood and I took the children to a friends and family night where he works. The children had a wonderful time there. They had raffles, face painting, a visit by the local fire department (complete with climbing into the fire trucks and trying on the firemen’s gear), a baking contest, and a pinata. Sneefert took the pinata VERY seriously. At one point, he hit it so hard that he broke the stick. Unfortunately, that pretty much put an end to that event, but at least he won a gift card. ;o) My two eldest thoroughly enjoyed the baking contest. They sampled almost everything there. My youngest guy just enjoyed the free cookies. / This past weekend, after making my shopping list and checking it twice, I set out with my sis-in-law for the big homeschool convention in Arlington. We had a good time browsing the books, finding great bargains, and hearing some great speakers. Actually, we got so busy shopping that we both missed our first choice convention speakers, but the one seminar we did make it to was fabulous. After ten years of homeschooling, this was actually my first convention! I think I may be hooked… I’ve discovered that my eldest is as geeky as I am. He’s so excited about his new history book that he couldn’t wait to get started reading it. I may not be able to afford to keep up with my son’s history habit much longer, but at least he has a love of learning!

You know the ones I’m talking about… those people who seem to smile all the time. Yep. I’m one of those. Now you know another of my deep dark secrets. The funny thing is that I was such a miserably unhappy and angry child. People were always asking me what I was so angry about. I couldn’t tell them. Nobody but nobody will believe you when the parent who abuses you is disabled. Most people have an image of the disabled being somehow better and nobler than the average joe. People kind of knew when my faith really became real to me, when I really began to “cling to the cross” as Amy says. That’s about the time I started smiling. Now babies and elderly people smile back at me everywhere I go. Since Samuel’s death, I have begun to feel like I should be apologizing to everyone for smiling so much. Those who know tell me how brave I am. Those who don’t tell me how cute I am (personality NOT looks!). I don’t think I’m particularly brave or cute. Things can be so very difficult. I cry plenty. So many little things remind me of Samuel and drive home again the pain and the loss. At those times, the Lord speaks to my heart again and again reminding me of His presence and of His promises and giving me some portion of His peace. Before I know it I’m smiling again… and probably embarrassing my children.

I cannot believe that spending time in serious Bible study and having a lot of fun with a group of like-minded women is actually more exhausting than running a house and overseeing the education of my children! I did have an absolutely wonderful time at my retreat, and I did come home renewed, revitalized and feeling prepared for whatever challenges my little family may dish out. So far I have just throwing my excess energy into cleaning out closets and organizing desks (I’ll try not to lose anything important this time), but the point is that I’m prepared. While at the retreat I shared a room with my sister-in-law, the oft-mentioned Kaylaugh. In hindsight, it might not have been such a good idea to put the two worst night owls in the same room… We received the somewhat dubious honor of being the ones who stayed up latest. Our guest speaker threatened to put us in the front row where she could keep an eye on us if we showed any signs of nodding off! And, just in case my father ever reads this… Yes, Daddy, my blood sugar is FINE, and I DID behave myself all weekend (mostly)! ;o) I know I’m supposed to be doing something more responsible right now, but I’m having one of my little ADD moments and don’t remember what it is. I should probably be back-tracking and trying to figure that out…

Since so many people seem to stumble upon my humble little blog while googling “prayers”, I thought I might start posting one or two from time to time. If they are also classic poems, so much the better! ;o) Now The Day Is Over by Sabine Baring-Gould Now the day is over, Night is drawing nigh, Shadows of the evening Steal across the sky. Now the darkness gathers, Stars begin to peep, Birds and beasts and flowers Soon will be asleep. Jesu give the weary Calm and sweet repose; With thy tenderest blessing May our eyelids close. Grant to little children Visions bright of thee; Guard the sailors tossing On the deep blue sea. Comfort every sufferer Watching late in pain; Those who plan some evil From their sin restrain. Through the long night-watches May thine angels spread Their white wings above me, Watching round my bed. When the morning wakens, Then may I arise Pure and fresh and sinless In thy holy eyes. Glory to the Father, Glory to the Son, And to thee, blest Spirit, Whilst all ages run.

You Have a Phlegmatic Temperament

Mild mannered and laid back, you take life at a slow pace. You are very consistent – both in emotions and actions. You tend to absorb set backs easily. You are cool and collected. It is difficult to offend you. You can remain composed and unemotional. You are a great friend and lover. You don’t demand much of others. While you are quiet, you have a subtle wit that your friends know well. At your worst, you are lazy and unwilling to work at anything. You often get stuck in a rut, without aspirations or dreams. You can get too dependent on others, setting yourself up for abandonment.