My parents are not ornery

I guess according to anonymous, i misused the word ornery. My parents are not ornery, it made my day that they did that to my car! I thought it was very funny! I guess they are more mischevious instead. I can't seem to post comments, I keep getting an error message. So this was really a comment on my last blog...

Lordy, Lordy, Cindy's Forty

Friday was my 40th birthday. Because I had already had a Come to Jesus meeting with Him and myself, I had decided to try really hard to not be depressed. So I woke up, had some coffee, made breakfast, got the kids off to school, saw Mark off to work, and went to work myself. Also at some point in there, I got 2 new blouses from the fam. So I went off to work, dressed in black dress pants, but a great green sweater vest over white sleeves. I was feeling pretty good...eye makeup was better than it had been in a while, age defying moisturizer seemed to be working okay...I was off to a quiet day at the office. Little did I know that some scheming had been happening behind the scenes. First, everyone in black. Balloons with various age discriminating messages on them at my desk. But the most unbelievable scheme was everyone was in jeans except for me! In case you don't know, we only get to wear jeans on the last Friday of the month. So an extra jean day is something to be celebrated! But not if you are not in on it! Gary was out of town, so tried to claim innocence, but I found out rather quickly, that not only was he in on it, but my very own hillenblog was part of the nasty scheme. But it was too clever to not enjoy, so I forgave everyone and went about my day.
Around 11 my mom in law brought me a homemade redvelvet cake, which I had a piece of right away. It was amazing! Then we all had lunch in the office, and the office had also gotten me a cake, and Tammie had brought in some apple cobbler! Oh, my! What a great day! But perhaps the funniest for me was walking out to my car to find the above---and it took me forever to guess who had done it. I guessed just about everyone I know before saying " it couldn't have been my parents?" only to be told that yes, that is exactly who it was! My parents had driven to the office to decorate my car! My mom said later they tried to find some black balloons, but couldn't or they would have put them on my car too! I'll tell ya what, my parents are more ornery since my dad retired!!!
Then Friday evening, we went to Ocean's Zen for dinner, which is one of my favorite places.
While there, I received a velour jogging suit, with a cute t-shirt from New York and Co.
LOVE IT! Thanks, family. After dinner, off to see BEE MOVIE, which is pretty funny. So all in all, not a bad day for turning 40. The big 40. More than half my life gone, most likely. All down hill from here...oh wait, wait, it is not gonna bother me at all!:)

Trick or Treat, This Is Neat

Halloween. Tomorrow the aisles of Walmart, Target and the mall will be decked out in Christmas fare, if they aren't already! And, yes, I put the celebration of Christ's birth far and above today, but we are gonna have fun tonight too!
We are not at Fall Festival for the first time in many years. Even when our kids got too big to dress up, we went to work a booth(room). And I must say, for the last 2 years, we had the coolest room. Medic with blood and everything, and last year guts.
But this year we live in Leabrooke in Rogersville, and from what we hear, it is the happening place to trick or treat. So I am gonna keep a tally going of how many we have tonight at different times.
6:30--we have had 14 trick or treaters. Spiderman seems to be the most popular for boys so far, with a marionette raggedy ann the best girl's so far. This is the most trick or treaters we have ever had, so we are already excited!
7:00--we are up to 31. Lots of scream costumes...yikes!
7:30--94!!!! Lot's of older kids this time round...but polite. That's nice. Funniest costume this time is the fully clothed girl with sign around her neck that says "NUDIST ON STRIKE". Now thats funny.
8:00--and we are up to 143. A whole passel of girls came by asking for Barrett, not a one in costume!
8:45--168 and i don't think we are gonna make it to 300, unless we do this again tomorrow night. But this is great fun, and i am still hoping we get more.
Well, it is 9:15, and we haven't had anymore trick or treaters. We sorely overestimated.
If you find yourself in need of a peanut m&m fix, come on over. We have many.
But this has been definitely one the funnest nights we've had. Mark took pictures of all of the kids, so he'll post those soon on his web album, i'm sure.
Happy Halloween! Let's do it again next year!

This started as a comment on Mrs Rider's blog....the one about homeschooling

I would like to add my "two cents" on this subject if I may. I admire parents who decide to homeschool and who do a great job at it. But as hillenblog said, those are few and far between. We have friends who are currently homeschooling, and they are doing a great job. But we have also known kids who would have benefited so much more by the social and structured aspect of public school. I also agree, who is gonna show Christ to the kids in school if there aren't any kids in school who know Him? Natalie, i agree that if you are teaching and living Christ in front of your kids, they can do very well in public schools. I am not made for homeschooling, never have been. I am not patient enough, or smart enough. By 4th grade or so , my kids would have left me behind. Yes, there are many things about public school that I would change, but we have always believed that our kids are better off there. We sometimes have to correct a theory they may be learning, or discuss a subject I may not feel they (or I) are ready for. But we have always been very honest and open with our kids, and I think we have a pretty great level of communication because of that. So if something comes up at school, they feel like they can talk about it with us.
So, all that to say, Mrs Rider, I am glad you are sending your kids to public school. I mean, if you feel it is necessary, you can homeschool at any time, right? I am able to see both sides, as we also have family that homeschools. But i don't think anyone should make you feel like a bad parent because you choose something different. God will bless your decision, and your prayer life will grow in ways you never imagined!!

Tossing cookies.

This morning ended my streak of at least 13 years of not throwing up. I am on an antibiotic that I am pretty sure I have to take with food, even tho it says it's up to me. Either that,or the cough medicine did it. Either way, I woke up this morning feeling like I was gonna pass out, and then threw up. Not that you want to know all this, but to me it is a pretty big deal, and people keep telling me to update my blog, so there you have it!

Happy 20th Anniversary to Gary and Lisa Wilson...20 years seems amazing, even tho we are only 2 behind. At the same time, how cool is it to say you have been married that long? Even 18 years seems like a long time when you say it out loud...tho the time has flown. Anyway, happy anniversary, we love you guys.

Doesn't it feel like it should be Friday already? Maybe cause this Friday is the last one of the month, and that means JEAN DAY!!! Yeah! I love jean day. I just do.

Well, that's about all I have for now. Two days in a row...

gone so long, you've been gone so long, you've been gone, gone, gone so long

I almost waited until the 24th of this month to blog again, to make the time even. I am not sure I even have much to say, but here goes.
School is better. Barrett is making friends, hasn't gotten kicked out from the lunch table he's at, and even has a fan club of girls at football. So things are better, and I am still praying all the time for him. Skyler is doing fine, some trouble with the fact that honors courses don't transfer to Rog, and so this puts her at risk of losing the governer's scholarship...but we are trusting that the Lord can work this out too.

We(Mark and I) are working in HVJV( junior high) at church. We worked in there about 10 or 11 years ago, and most of the time I feel too old to be doing it again. But we feel that the Lord's leading was clear on this, so we are following, albeit slowly and with canes:)

I am still the girl friday for my job, love it, and get to see some real interesting things. The above pictures show just an example of this: Look at the bones this dog is chewing on...it is a deer leg! It was all connected when I first saw him. He bounded up to me as if to say.."look what i've got! Isn't it the coolest thing you've ever seen" to which i replied out loud"Oh my, that is a deer leg"

New school, new rules

So school started yesterday. New school, new rules. Or in the case of Barrett, maybe not enough rules. It is so much more laid back here at LogRog. Barrett is pretty much free to walk around before school, instead of being held captive in the gym until the bell rings. He gets to walk outside BY HIMSELF to shop class, unheard of at Hickory. And, being as how he is like me, he might prefer a little less freedom to begin with. Just til he is used to things. I think he is actually excited about the new found freedom, it just new. He will have time to go see Coach Queen before school, and that is good. He told me he said all of three words all day yesterday, and those might have been when he sat by a kid at lunch and said "My names Barrett" and the kid replied, "My names Greg" since that is the total of the conversation.
Skyler is okay, weird that some kids she actually knows in one of her classes did not talk TO her, but told Hayely, that they have a class with her. I would not go back to middle or high school for any amount of money.
So, as you think of it, pray for my kids, all of our kids really. My heart aches for mine right now, trying to make friends, everything new. I was nervous every year, and i went to the same school til i graduated.

random

we are getting a home phone again. I am ridiculously happy about it. I hate having to carry my cell everywhere. And i want an answering machine. I would love a phone with a really long cord...so that it goes across the kitchen...yes, instead of a cordless.
We have dish again. 200 hours of DVR...need I say more?
Big Brother...love it. Hate Evel, am afraid I am gonna end up liking Jen.
Started the registering process for log-rog schools today. Not sure I am ready for this.
We are having dinner at Acambaro before church tonight...i have not been there in over a month. Can you say WITHDRAWAL?
Mark and have been married 18 years now, as of July 29. Lovin' every minute of it.
Hallelujah, the fair is over...can't wait til next year!
congratulations to Jeff and Shannon...and matt and rachel...for entirely different reasons of course.
I slept 2 hours last night. Not on purpose
of course, i must mention the boyfriend.( we like him) but that is all i can say for now.
i vented today...it felt gooood.
i spilled tea down the front of my white shirt on the way to work, and had to buy a new one...too close to town to go home.
that's all i have for now...maybe i will blog again someday.

Your welcome, chica

Today is July 4th. We celebrate our independence from Britain, when we won the Revolutionary War. Thomas Jefferson is known as the writer of the Declaration of Independence. These are questions that Sean Hannity had on his "man on the street" hour yesterday. I only heard a few people answer, but none of them got them all right. Even the producer of the segment got them wrong. Amazing.

I made breakfast today. Although since we just ate about 5 minutes ago, it might be lunch! We had biscuits and gravy, eggs, potatoes, and sausage. Also preserves and jelly if you don't like gravy. Barrett said he felt like he was at the Boschens.

We just watched the Hot Dog Eating Championship at Coney Island in NY. GROSS! It was a photo finish, believe it or not. Of course, they may not count the dogs that Cobiachi threw back up at the end. GROSS! I am so glad we are not having hot dogs tonight!!!

It is weird to have a holiday in the middle of the week. I keep feeling like it is Saturday.

Skyler's hair is so cute. I think it is funny that it is called short, because it is still below her chin. I want to grow mine that LONG! I know, you have heard it before. But I can dream, can't I?

The Wilson's came over this week for dinner, we had meatloaf(a relative success) mashed potatoes, green beans, and salad. I have actually made dinner everyday this week, which is a huge thing around here. Anyway, we had a great time. I can't believe they had not been here for months. That has to change.

Anyway, everyone have a safe and wonderful holiday.

only words

I know I have not blogged since Guatemala. I have not been sure as to what to say. The answers i give when asked in person do not seem adequate. Amazing, beautiful, sad, thrilling, scary, overwhelming, and so many more words. But they are only words. To fully understand how we have felt since going and coming back, you have had to have been on a trip yourself. But I will try to give you an idea:

When we first arrived, being the homebody that I am, i was already homesick and could not imagine 9 days ahead of me before home. By the time we left, i was ready to get home, but not sure how i was gonna leave.

The first night we went into the orphanage, i cried for all those babies who had been given up. I was heartbroken for them, for the ones who gave them up, no matter the reasons, and also sad I could not figure out how to get one home with me. The night we said goodbye, i cried because although they might not remember me, I would never forget them, but my heart was full of happiness because even if I could have figured out a way to bring one home, they ALL already have "forever families" waiting on them.

While we were there, I was scared of many things. We were at the top of a mountain, which is way high, we drove on roads that usually did not have guardrails, or anything besides a huge drop off. But the views were amazing.We rode in a boat for about 45 minutes one way across a lake to Santaigo. I have been on boats before, on a lake, however this was way different. But a blast. We had an earthquake, but I didn't even get to/have to feel it. I wasn't sure about the food, but everything we had was wonderful. I can't speak Spanish, but plenty of the kids could, at least well enough to get us by. I am not adventurous, so i did not do the slide,or the zip-line, but it was so cool to watch.

A man got saved while we were there. He was telling me in spanish what a blessing our song was, and how we sang like angels, and how he had accepted Christ. I could not understand him without Larry, but i am so thankful that I will see him in heaven now, and will be able to talk without any trouble at all.

This is all just a little of our time there, I could keep going, but again, all of this is only words, you must, must, must go on a trip for yourself. Even if it is not out of the country. The lives you will touch will amaze you, but more than that are the ways your life is touched by those you meet.

I will never be the same. Thankfully.

Greetings from Guatemala

Just a quick hola from Eagles Nest in Guatemala! we are having an amazing time. Our hacienda is wonderful, the views are absolutely amazing, and we have seen so many things and people. I will blog more later, of course, but I just wanted to say thank you again to all of you who have given to make this trip possible. As i told Mark in an email, there are so many things here that are scary to me. Not knowing the language, which thankfully, some of the kids know enough to get us by. But i am not a fan of heights, and we are so high in the mountains, the roads are kinda scary at times, lots of steep curves, most without guard rails or sides, just stuff like that. But God is so good, and the blessings from this trip have far outweighed the scary. I am just learning to trust that His hand is strong enough to hold me up, no matter how far below me the ground is.

More later...keep praying for us...

These kids are beautiful.

You are the sunshine of my life

So much could be said here, June 1st is the day we found out we were having Skyler.
We were so young, so scared, but about to begin the greatest journey of our lives...being parents.
God has blessed us with an amazing daughter, we could not have asked for any better.
WE LOVE YOU SKY.

yes, i know

it really has been a long time. I just haven't known what to blog, even if I would have had time to do it. Sky and Mark have pretty well been the bloggers able to keep you up to date, and interesting too.
We have been so busy, but the end appears to be in sight. Let's just say I cannot wait for school to be out. The back and forth is killing me. Well, not killing, but exhausting...
We love our house. LOVE, LOVE LOVE it. The Lord has been very gracious and blessed us, and is daily teaching me to trust Him, even when it's hard.
Money's are raised for Guatemala, thanks again to everyone! The concert was a success, and we are shopping tonight for the "trial size" items. I am so excited and so scared at the same time. I seem to be having a constant lump in my throat, to not cry before we even get there. I am sure I will do enough of that when it is time to leave, but I already long to meet them. Who is the "them"?
Only God knows, but I think I am overwhelmed by the fact that He does know who they are, and how we will impact each other. And that He has provided so amazingly for our trip. And that I will be gone from the 2 most important guys in my life for 10 days. And that I get to be with my favorite girl for 10 days. All of it.
So, pretty much that is it. I spend my days exhausted and overwhelmed. Both in mostly good ways. I will post more...just not able to say when.
Lastly, in case you read this, I am still praying for you, and I love you.

She still calls me mommy

Things from the week:
Skyler is in Florida, i miss that girl, she calls me mommy when she says bye. It makes me want to cry. In a good way.
Donnie Osmond is going to do a personal concert in some lucky mom's home for Mothers Day.
You have to register somehow on Dalila's evening show on KGBX.
We only have five days left til we move.
We are not packing fast enough(in my opinion anyway)
We will be living across the street from a guy I went to church with for years while I was a kid.
Sun, Sun and more sun!!!
There is way less laundry around here when Sky is out of town. I will be glad to have more laundry.
Natalie is four today.
Morgan Wilson is 13 tomorrow.
Supreme Casserole from Jan Bemarkt in the new church cookbook is amazing!
Did I mention we only have 5 days til we move?

To christa

Since you mentioned reading the blogs, i just wanted to tell you how much fun it was to sit and talk yesterday morning. I know we have said this before, but i only laugh like that with a few people, and it is wonderful to have those memories to laugh over again and again. I have a laugh that appears most when I am laughing with you, and once in Target I was reading a card, laughing out loud when Mark said from an isle over, "Christa, is that you?" I don't even remember what the card said, but it was worthy of the "Christa" laugh. Thanks for being my friend all these many years. i will show you that post card soon.

longwinded

I am sitting in the kitchen that now for all intents and purposes belongs to someone else. And i have to admit to a bit, just a bit, of sadness. But with that bit of sadness is joy unspeakable--just a few more weeks, and we will be home. See, i already think of our house in rogersville as home. So exciting.
Mark and Barrett are sick. They are both sleeping, with fevers(Mark slight, Barrett 100.2 for now)sore throats, but not strep. Barrett is upset cause he is missing football practice, but did finally admit he doesn't feel like being there. Skyler is at a ball game, and I am trying to come up with something for supper.
I want to share something with you my blogging friends. I am almost 40 (shock) years old. But I still want my parents to be proud of me. I guess that will never change, will it? My parents and sister and her family went with us on Saturday to see the new house. I knew my sis would like it, and i was fairly sure my parents would. But I so wanted them to believe we have made a good choice. Mark's parents have already seen it, love it and let us know they are happy for us. So to have my parents feel that way too, is a great feeling that makes me feel a little giggly inside i must say. And also, just so they know, I am pretty proud of my parents too. And I am gonna tell you why.
My family has always gone to church. My two oldest brothers don't go anymore, but we are praying that they will soon. But my parents, me, min and my youngest brother have all stayed in church. But I have never seen my parents as excited and as involved as they have been since they started going to Broadway Baptist. Now of course i wish they went to HSBC. But they visited and it was just not right for them. They still come to hear us sing of course, but they have really found a home at Broadway. They are active in their class, they go on trips and activities, they are there all the time as long as they aren't sick, and they have found a renewed joy in the Lord. Have they told me this? No, i have seen it happening in their lives the last few years. And it is so cool to see. Today my dad told me about how the Lord had already given them back something that they had given away for Him. I can't share details, but I can't tell you how cool it is to share God's goodness and the way he alone can bring about blessings with your parents. It is also so great to be able to then share that with my kids, to show them that God is working in all our lives, and wants us to share that with each other.
Long post, i know. But i just had to share. Thanks for reading.

in no specific order, obviously

Here are a few pictures of our new house. You know where. We are so excited, and at the same time it seems surreal. The best part is knowing that every step of the way, the Lord has made Himself known. I don't have any doubts that this is what we are supposed to do. I am just still amazed at the speed with which it happened. But thrilled at the way He has worked it out.
I have developed a couple of nervous habits during the past few weeks however. They are wringing my hands, or popping my knuckles. I don't even know I am doing it usually. And I don't really mean to do it. It is not even an endearing habit, just annoying. Especially to hillen.
He is the one who pointed it out to me last night. We were talking about the move and stuff, and he looked over and said "Stop wringing your hands, cin" so I did, but almost immediately I started popping my knuckles. Yikes!
Well, mainly I am trying to beat hillenblog at getting pictures of our house on the blog, so this is it for now. We have permission to post them, so I am. Enjoy. We will!

Tomorrow is another day

One of Scarlett's favorite sayings in the movie "Gone with the Wind". She's right, ya gotta give her that. We went to Miss Sybil's house for dinner last Tuesday and watched almost all of the movie and then finished it at home Wednesday night. That Scarlett is not very nice. She stole boyfriends and husbands, and was very, very selfish. I was actually surprised that in 1939 when it was made, they would allow a woman to be portrayed as anything but sugar and spice. She was definitely not that!
As you have probably seen on hillenblog, our house is for sale, and we have spent the last 2 weeks or so fixing it up to sell. The kitchen is fabulous! Thanks to friends and family who helped, we appreciate it so much!
Quick update on the Guatemala Trip. Skyler had donations totaling $220 last week, adding to her total of $425! I had $100 added to mine, I know who some of you are, thank you, thank you, thank you! When we get a list of donators, we will send you a letter letting you know the details of our trip. We had a meeting last night, and there was a line in our itinerary that had Lisa in tears, and was my favorite of the whole thing: PLAY WITH THE ORPHANS. I tell you what, I cannot wait to love on those babies and kids. It will be amazing.
Okay, i will end with this...last night hillen and i were watching what the DVR said was Amazing Race, but due to ball games was really the program 60 minutes. I hate that show, but last night they interviewed Simon Cowell from American Idol. First, I have to say, he is funny. And smart. But the thing I like the most about him is when the interviewer asked him a question, he answered "I could not care less. Seriously, I couldn't care less!" I was so happy to hear him word that phrase correctly!! So many people, and I don't want to hurt any feelings here, but so many people say that phrase as "I could care less." Well, that means you still care some. So if you are trying to let someone know that you don't care, you should say it correctly,"I couldn't care less". I have no more care left in me. I do not care at all. See?
Well, that is it for now, I am so tired and we have a basketball banquet in a little while for Barrett.
even if you couldn't care less...I will blog again soon. After all, tomorrow is another day.

Oh,Oh,Oh, the weekend

I forgot to mention that Sunday is the spaghetti luncheon, with proceeds going to the Guatemala missions trip team. Don't forget, and we will see you there right after church Sunday Morning!

A Fine Week, indeed

So, this has been a very nice week in the life of hillenblogshappywife. I started the week with emails from Gary & Lisa letting me know that skyler and i each have $425 in our Guatemala fund! I don't know who yet, but someone has given to our online donation link thingie. That is so exciting! We both have $370 left, which doesn't sound bad at all, even when you put it together, $740. And we are confident that God is providing, and so thankful to whoever you are for believing with us and allowing God to make you a blessing in our lives.
Tuesday was my parents 48th anniversary. Happy Anniversary mom and dad. You are becoming a rariety in this world. I am thankful everyday for the example you are of committment in marriage. I know that it is not always easy, but you have shown me that it is always worth it. We love you.
Wednesday was painting the kitchen. Not me, Mark. I am not a painter. I was packing up clutter in our room, just in case we decide to sell, so the house will show better. I cannot believe how big our room looks with so much stuff taken out, i do not even want to think about having to put back anything. Maybe if we don't move, we can still keep the clutter out!! The kitchen is looking great by the way! It is a wonderful shade of green, and makes me happy just looking at the walls!
Tonight is more painting and boxing up the clutter in barrett's room, and of course, survivor is on. Too bad Grey's is a rerun.
Tomorrow is Friday, a busy day at work, and nothing planned in the evening as far as i know...more boxing??
Did I mention everyday has been wonderful this week weatherwise? I love, love, love it. Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy. Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry...Sunshine on the water looks so lovely, sunshine almost always makes me high.