Let no man , or woman steal your joy

This is the second blog I've had on this subject, LOL, its funny I must really need to learn something here, as I sit at 1115 on a Saturday night with the neighbors music blaring, Aslan is not asleep yet because of it and I'm here with my thoughts.
It's funny because other men, (actually women) try to steal my joy all the time, it's not from being mean or anything like that its because I get concerned about them, so much that it makes me sick to my stomach and feel all down and like stuff is happening to me directly. I care too deeply for people, it's God's gift and it's his curse, but obviously he is trying to teach me a lesson. Care for people....love deeply...but let no man steal your joy....!

It's been awhile!!!

I know it's been months and no things have not slowed down but my emotions have risen...LOL I was inspired to day to start blogging again, I just read a friends blog about her beautiful son who has down syndrome , and wow it puts things in perspective. You need to check it out what a blessing it was www.nina.downsyndrome.com

And I will read back for a bit on all the blogs I've missed ( maybe not all) and will update everyone on life...but not today...today is family night!! With homemade pizza to boot! We always have so much fun making homemade Pizza!

Simply put

So Selah and I spent the day together on Saturday, just the two of us! I love her she is amazing, so we are sitting there and she says,
"Mommy the guy from Hannah Montana had cancer but now he doesn't"
I said "Oh really wow that's cool, he had it and now he doesnt huh?"
"Yeah and I've seen every episode of hannah montana and he never says OMG (meaning oh my God cause we don't say that) (and every episode, yeah right)
"And how does that have to do with it?"
"Because I think he's a Christian"
It was so amazing to me how she notices things in people at 7 years old, something like that, the morals of people that we are different and thank God she sees the difference in Christians. It was pretty amazing, my little girl is really growing up!
Also the other night in the car when she was tired and emotional she said, " I'm so glad that God healed Aslan, because I just love him so much and I'm glad he's here with me, I don't know what I'd do without him" she said with tears running down her face. She is so dramatic but feels very deeply, such a sweet girl!

I dont' want an add in your directory!

So it feels like everyday I get a call here at work about this. They say they are just "updating" information on your business, then somehow they try to get you convinced that you agreed to sign up for another year and that you owe them 400 (they don't tell you that part on the phone of course that comes with the bill) . The first call, I almost fell for it, then when they said they were transferring me to someone to confirm I was like hold up I'm not agreeing to anything. That is when they pull the whole, this is for the previous year.

So I said all that to say , I got in a heated argument with one of these people on the phone. I was so mad, she was rude said we made a verbal contract last year, when I know that Lisa didn't so I told her I wanted a copy of it, and she was like blah blah really rude! So I asked to talked to her supervisor and she said conviently that he was not there. Ok yeah right, your the boss? right... so anyway...when I want to I can be very "firm" with my words. Years ago I used to have a point where I would just see red and go off on someone, and I haven't done this for a very long time, I have controlled these "going off" spells. (only certain people could trigger them) anyway this lady almost had me back in that place. Our words were heated for sure, but I kept my cool and was very firm and finally instead of arguing I said I will call back and talk to your supervisor, goodbye click. 

It's just funny how the saying is so true, "Your old man is never so dead that he can't be resurrected because boy is that true, and I have to remind myself of that everyday when the devil tries to throw stuff at me, that way I keep on my toes. 

Vertex and Vertice's

Suppose you have a shape with 10 sides. Choose a vertex then draw lines to the other vertices's , how many vertices's do you have?

Ok that was a question on my 2nd graders homework. Wow it was crazy to me, I don't really remember all those terms it's been awhile. But the funny thing is I googled it to see what the answer was to make sure that I didn't misdirect her, and even on yahoo answers it was a very confusing explanation. I mean I get it, but still, Second grade? Am I crazy (don't answer if you home school because you already know this LOL)

The following were the answers:
Answer 1-the lines you are referring to are called Diagonals. Since you cannot draw a line between a vertex and it's two adjacent vertices's then the maximum number of diagonals that can come out from any vertex is 7. And also, since the vertex in question and it's two adjacent vertices's are out of the rule, then you may be able to start counting diagonals after these three points are discarded. (10-3)=7. However , if you assumed that all remaining vertices's would produce 7 different diagonals you would be double counting so what you must do is "discount" the diagonals that are already "shared" . Thus, the first vertex would have 7 diagonals, but the next one, would have only 6 different ones (as it shares one with the first one) So at the end
7+6+5+4+3+2+1= 28 different diagonals on a 10 sided shape.

Perfectly clear isn't it.

Answer #2
You can't draw a line to itself or either of the adjacent vertice's, but you can to any other vertex. thus, there are exactly 3 you cannot draw a line to. Note that you are drawing all the diagonals from one vertex The number is 10-3=7

A little more clear, but crystal clear to a 7 year old mind right?
By the way how do you paste onto this box, I couldn't paste that stuff I had to type it.

Let no man steal your joy

You know I've heard that term many times in the past , always thinking it was referring to conflict etc. But a few weeks ago Pastor Joey used the term when he was talking about people you are concerned about, people you care for etc. It has haunted me since then. I am such an emphathetic person, I feel others pain really deeply and more times than not I let it bring me down. So for the past few weeks I have been saying it over and over in my head, " Let no man steal your joy"
Enter into the scene, someone you love dearly and have tried for quite some time to help through a struggle with sin in their lives, and for quite some time this person has done really well, until last weekend when this person blew it big time. Enter now my emotion of the situation, my heart breaking for this person, because they feel so bad and so condemned. I assured them that there is no condemnation through Christ and we just have to pick up the pieces and move on.
But all day yesterday I fought hard to "let no man steal my joy" God truly prepared me for the situation a few weeks ago but I can't say I passed with flying colors, it came after an exhausting weekend and some physical stuff going on with me, so my guard wasn't completley up.
I don't know if anyone is like me that when your trying to help someone through tough times and they blow it, a part (sometimes a big part) of you feels like you failed them. I know I'm very hard on myself, that is what the devil was speaking to me, all day long, " you failed, you should've done this different or this different" At some points I was really doubting the effectivness of my ministry (stupid devil) But I fought through it, we had an amazing day at church yesterday, which kept me in the right frame of mind, and when it tried to hit me again today I just kept rebuking and repeating the word
I don't think anyone still reads this blog, but if you do maybe it's for you that I shared something so personal, but it's also for me, to speak the truth of God's word , to shove it in the devil's face!

And the person and I are wiping off her knees and starting over, not from square one but getting back on the path, think about the fact also that she didn't have to tell me yet she did, that is a big step, and she knows that God is with her every step of the way, and I'll be there to hold her hand

Hello darling..

Hello great world of bloggers , we must all be busy not many posts! Just thought I should check in, such a busy time right now, but well worth it and we are very very happy. God works in such ways that go beyond our wildest dreams, and although there are many challenges here, specially with money LOL I wouldn't change it for the world.

Funny Selah Story

We were in the car the other night driving home form church just the two of us. I had bought a croissant early that day and it was on my lap and I was eating it. She was in the back seat and said, " I smell pastries" I almost choked, NOw i have an insanely good sense of smell, but didn't know Selah had inherited it. So I said , " Really?" that's all i said, a bit later she said it again, so I held back my laughter, then finally handed her a piece of it, she said "Thank you" with no surprise in her voice. Now I knew she couldn't have seen it so I asked her if she was surprised, she said, " No, I heard it in your voice when you said really that I was chewing" Which I knew was not obvious, so I said, " YOur such an observant girl just like your mommy, cause I am forever noticing clues to everything. She said, " Yes, yes I am " Maybe it's not funny to you guys but it was so funny to me!

Grab a tissue!

http://www.writerswrule.com/content/unseen

That is the link to my sisters short story that is based on Aslan's birth. Only names were changed. It's so accurate I was hysterical when I read it, but it reminded me of what a miracle my amazing little Aslan is. So grab a tissue ( or a couple of boxes) and enjoy!

Also she won the contest so that's pretty awesome too!

Randomly random random

So yeah I don't know if anyone read my last post, cause I have not been consistent about posting, but it's funny cause I don't think anyone has been, all the blogs I follow are here and there too! Tis the busy season I guess.

Man it was hot today! Like all of the sudden out of the blue it got super hot! It's weird just a few weeks ago at camp it was sooo cold and now it's straight to summer! I need to get the kids a pool of some sort for the back yard for all the hot days to come!

So things are , as always, so incredibly busy! Literally all but one night a week , and most weekends we have something going on, it's a tad crazy but we are happy and loving it.

Aslan asked the other day if we could live here forever, he doesn't want to move away from Stockton and he was the one who kept saying how much he missed Gridley, so yeah things are great!
They are both growing up before our eyes, they did very well at camp. The teenagers here loooove them, it's awesome! When we were coming home in the car a girl Brittini was asleep and she woke up suddenly and Aslan turned to her and said, " It's okay Brittini, everythings okay you can go back to sleep" it was very sweet, he is such a love bug!

So yeah not much else to say surprisingly! Peace OUT!

There's a lot of Dangerous kids walking around!

Yeah play on words, Easter camps theme was "Dangerous" and wow was it amazing, I can't even began to get into all that God did last week , which included a deaf girl being healed and she is now no longer deaf! Wow it was amazing, she has been texting me daily also so I get to keep up on her progress, it's sooo amazing!

Also I've had a lot of friend requests from girls from camp on Myspace, (the only reason I keep my myspace) and it's funny so many many of them have Dangerous in their display names, that is impact!

I've been to a lot of camps and it never ceases to amaze me how God does a new work at every one of them, it was so powerful!!!

Also at church on Sunday morning over 100 people gave their lives to Christ in our standing room only service! God is on the move!

Updates!

Life is busy
-Rest in Christ

Church is amazing
-Do not forsake the fellowship of believer

Camp is soon
-Lives will be changed

Work is busy
-idle hands are the devil's pathground (lol) Thank you Jesus for my job

Health scares are not fun
-Thank you Jesus that it was not serious, and by your stripes we are healed

Dameron hospital in Stockton is dirty
-God has nothing to do with this one

There is so many hurting kids in our life
-Thank you Jesus for you sent us here for a reason

I don't know how ends will meet
-God shall supply all my needs according to his riches and glory

When we feel like we have given of all we are til we have nothing left
-God only gives us what we can handle

Why do we go through the things we do?
-It's called the refiners fire baby!

I feel like God has blessed us more than we deserve
-He loves us so much more than we ever know and we are His kids, he loves to take care of us!

When Iwonder how some parents can destroy their kids, and bring so much pain to their lives
-We remember they are hurting, and thank God that he placed us in their lives to help try to shoulder some of the pain

sometimes I feel that the sorrow will overwhelm us
-Remember joy comes in the morning

When we just sit back and go......What in the world???
-All things work together for God for those who love the Lord and are called according to his purpose

When I wonder what the future will hold
-My favorite scripture.... I know the plans I have for you .....plans to prosper not to harm, to give you a future of hope!


In all things........
All things
ALL THINGS.....

GOD IS SOOOOOOOOOOO GOOD!

(IM NOT GOING TO GO BACK AND READ THIS SO IF IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE THEN I GUESS IT WAS FOR ME)

First time for everything..

So I am posting at work, my first time ever!!! Wow not a big deal because I never take lunches I work late and I work at home at night most of the time, but still the first time.

So if you don't' know Selah has a blog she just posted 2 days ago. Sissysasa7.blogspot.com
She is a funny random girl.

Well I preached last night at collision and it was awesome. Not me being awesome but the holy spirit showed up. I touched on quite a few things including my testimony. I really felt like everyone was really connecting to what I was saying, it felt good. It has been a little while since I spoke to guys and gals so I was a bit nervous. But once I got up there I was so calm and so walking in authority, I can' t explain it. It completely brought back to my memory the rock story , that I have shared before about my speaking gift. I even mentioned the rock when I was preaching and encouraged everyone to think of what would be on their rock. The thing that comes to their head when they think about their call. Bill said it was the best he's ever seen me, that he couldn't pick apart one thing about it. That feels good because I sooo love speaking, I sooo desire to be used in that way and when I do it's awesome! Plus our drama team knocked it out the park they were so powerful!
It's amazing to look at my life now, we are so happy here, we feel so appreciated,so loved, so needed, and I get to do my favorite things, pastor, speak and drama. Wow life is good.

By the way I'm also doing the woman of God talk at camp, Cindy just asked me yesterday, I'm excited!

Where to start?

I'm so far behind on blogging it's ridiculous! Well I can't even put into words how amazing our life is right now. God has open soooo many doors for ministry around here , and given us favor in so many people's lives. It's like at every turn God is reassuring us why we are here and that we are in fact making a difference. It's funny cause we have hardly a chance to breathe lately with our schedule but we don't feel overwhelmed because it's all God!

So Bill preached last night at church and it was amazing and people really responded to that altar call. He was talking about the other side of the storm. How storms in our lives have a purpose and a reason and we need to call out to God and trust him even if we don't understand why. Which is funny cause our life has been such a storm lately. As I sit here blogging I have my sick daughter next to me, and I feel like my heads gonna explode. This is the second time I've gotten sick in a month, I got antibiotics the first time and now it's back!grrr! I had a fever at church last night. Selah has got a high fever and has a bad cold. We can't seem to catch a break with our health around here. Not to mention all the other stuff going on. ....
But it's amazing because the bible talks about the peace that passes understanding. That we don't understand how we can have peace through all the circumstances, but if we trust God, then he gives us the peace!
So yeah it's all very good, because God is very very good!
So also Aslan had a cardiologist appointment on Weds, after that Sunday night I blogged about last week, us praying for his healing etc.
So they hooked him up to all the machines, the ekg, the ecocardiogram, and the doctor comes in with quite a baffled look on his face and a big smile. He tells me that Aslan's heart is pretty close to perfect, he has a little leakage , but if he were to check my heart or his heart or any ones he guarantees that we would have the same amount of leakage. He said the only reason that he has to see him in the future is because he has had heart surgery in the past. He said we can wait two years, cause he is not concerned about it! Wow! God is sooooo good. God has once again healed my little man!
So remember the storm may be sooo difficult , it may seem crazy and endless but God is working in it if you just call on him and trust Him!

Ahh where to start...

Well honestly I don't know where to start about yesterday. Sean Smith was ministering at our church, he is soo good. He's charismatic and animated and brings the word. Wow , so last night there were a few things God told me to do 1. Don't pray with anyone else 2. Be honest about your need for healing , etc. So he was calling out people with very specific needs of healing and I was so nervous that he would call me out and I would die a thousand deaths if people knew I was sick. I only tell people close to me about this stuff, and I do my best to cover it up to the rest of the world. Well I had a tough weekend with the way I was feeling so I was like the woman with the issue of blood so desperate! But little did I know my desperation went so much deeper than that!
So he called everyone forward that needed healing , I was already up there next to the first row so I raised my hand which is also what he requested. From there it's all kind of a blur, I know the first thing I felt after that, and closing my eyes was the first hand on my back. The person who prayed for me knows who she is and I don't want to embarrass her so I wont' say her name, but man oh man did I feel the annointing of God when she laid her hand on me. It was incredible, I felt like my knees may give out( which yes I'm pentecostal but it takes a lot for my stubborn self to fall over ) So anyway I just felt the presence of God so strong all over me, like a combination of heat and tingling!
So I just continued to pray. So I am never the type to want "the speaker" or the pastor to pray for me. I feel like God using anyone that has a willing heart, but another lady from our church had come to pray for me, and it was awesome as well, then Sean came over to me. Bill said he beelined it to me. Well the funny thing was he didn't pray over me for healing. God gave him a word for me about my calling, that God was going to take it to a new level and I may be afraid but God has been preparing me for it. Something huge, he kept saying. Something that will blow your mind.
Now....I'm always leary of prophets, I'm sorry if that offends you but I am, but everything he said, was so specific to me, and where I am in my life and what God is doing. He said some things that floored me, things I was thinking in my head or had thought in the last week or so. So I knew for sure it was from God.
So yeah it was just soo good and soooo God. So then Aslan and Selah came in (cause it was getting late and kids church was over) Well Aslan just came up to me and hugged on me for a really long time. He looked at a lady who was out on the floor, and he said, " Mom can I be baptized like that?" I said, " You want to be baptized with that ?" I said " Well maybe not" he said. So I told him God can do that right in your seat. So he said "Sure" and I prayed for him for quite awhile , and my son ( who never sits still) sat and just hugged me and he said he was praying. I was praying for his healing and his health and his circumstances, we sat there a very long time. Bill came up and prayed with Selah too. It was so amazing. All night after Aslan kept saying "Thanks for praying with me mom"
That was a lot of words but still didn't touch the depth of what happen last night. I feel like I sound super spiritual when I say all this, but I just "tells it likes I sees it" lol
Wow is all I can say really is wow!

You don't live in Kansas any more Dorothy...

Yeah so I wake up this morning to Bill saying... Charity, someone broke into our car! I seriously thought he was joking , but alas..... not so much!
So the funny thing was it was the Kia, they didn't touch the Expedition, thank you Jesus! Well they got away with Bill's work briefcase and ....our really expensive camera. It was in the backseat on the floorboard, with tinted windows so somehow they must have seen it, don't know how but whatever!
I was upset this morning but we kinda decided to make a joke of it, and God paid for the window before we even had to ask for it, literally, before we even considered how we would find the money , the window was fixed. God is soo good, and it helps when your walking in his will. So we had a great day actually, funny thing isn't it?
We've had so many attacks and bumps along the road here that it's comical. But each and every time God works something out amazingly above what we could ask or think.
But what was really funny is when Joey told us, "Hey guys you don't live in small town Gridley anymore....this is Stockton"
So...Hartmans..and all who follow our blog....for your safety, keep your hands and feet inside the ride at all times...and hang on...it may be bumpy...but it's guaranteed to be fun!

Mom call the scientists, I know how the dinosaurs died

Yes that is what Aslan said to me tonight after his reading time. It was so funny.
" Mom call the scientists, I know how the dinosaurs died" he said it so dead serious too, I know now and we bettter tell the scientists. His theory was that they starved because their habitat was changed. LOL

So update on school stuff, we talked to the school today, the vice principal and the school psychologist. We got the impression that we are not the first people who have had concerns about the teacher, so Aslan is going to be moving to a different class. We decided to go this route since Selah really didn't want to move schools and it's not fair to her, so this will be the arrangement until June. As far as the kids today, looks like they moved on, I was so relieved and grateful that he had a good day. I think I forgot about it for most of the weekend , as we had great family and friend times, then last night after church it hit me like a ton of bricks..so I was up all night praying and , I'm not gonna lie, worrying about it. I woke up this morning feeling like I was run over by an emotionally roller coaster followed by a train. So I literally cried when he told me he had a good day. I am just continually praying for good days , and with a great new teacher. The only downfall is that he will be on a different track but that could be a good thing.
Thank you all for your prayers.

So...yeah

Well today was by far one of the worst days of my life, I don't want to go too much into it since I've rehashed it a few times today, but my children came home from school crying today , because a group of kids at school decided to make my sweet Aslan the brunt of their jokes. That topped off by all the other issues we are having with that school, like the IEP negative meeting, the teacher saying, " I'm gonna wring your neck Aslan" that kind of thing, just put the ice on this proverbial cake. I sit hear feeling exhausted just exhausted..... but as I told my amazing yet emotional family earlier, we have each other and that's more than a lot of people have. Plus I know this is an attack cause so many many things are going so very well.

So in honor of our crazy bad day I asked Aslan the 22 questions ,to lighten things up a bit.


1. What is something mom always says to you? - "I love you"(as he crawls up beside me on the bed)
2. What makes mom happy? - the fact that I love you
3. What makes mom sad? - when I fall and get hurt, or when I hurt you cry that is what makes you sad, how many more do you have, two more okay
4. How does your mom make you laugh? - (insert weird voice) when you do weird voices
5. What was your mom like as a child? - *shrug* I do not know, drawing maybe, okay one more
6. How old is your mom - uhhhhhh 32
7. How tall is your mom? - about six inches or maybe more
8. What is her favorite thing to do? - draw
9. What does your mom do when you're not around? - play on the computer like your doing right now?
10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? - I don't know, maybe for drawing
11. What is your mom really good at? - drawing, I don''t want to do these questions, but your good at everything
12. What is your mom not very good at?- (insert funny noise here) your not very good at ummm... cooking...haha just kidding running maybe
13. What does your mom do for a job?- doing paper, Radical Reality
14.What is your mom's favorite food? - I don't know , shrimp
15. What makes you proud of your mom? -that I just love you half to death
16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? -Charity the brave
17. What do you and your mom do together? -fun stuff , games and exercising
18. How are you and your mom the same? - we are both half viking
19. How are you and your mom different? - I kinda don't know, your bigger than me, oh...and your a girl
20. How do you know your mom loves you? -Because I'm your little boy, and your my mom, your really nice to me, things you do for me( as he loops his arm in mine and puts his head on my shoulder)
21. What does your mom like most about your dad? - He's your husband, you love him..he's handsome, and that's all
22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go - ummmm....(laugh as he sees me type ummmmm)
Radical Reality?? ummmm church!

Funny stories! and 22 questions!

So a few funny things, I haven't shared stories about my kiddos in awhile so here we go.

First , Selah informed me the other day that in "the really really old days" they didn't know real words yet words like the and they, they always used thee's and thou's. (LOL)

Tonight at dinner Aslan said, "This chicken is good" To which I said "It's not chicken it's carne asada" So he says, "Well whatever I like this carne asada flavored chicken"

So here is a cute little quiz that you ask your kids, tonight I asked Selah these questions, you really should do it it's cute

1. What is something mom always says to you? - "I love you"
2. What makes mom happy? - Me being obedient
3. What makes mom sad? - Me being disobedient
4. How does your mom make you laugh? - *by tickling me
5. What was your mom like as a child? - *shrug* I do not know, good singer , pretty, umm
you were super super nice, I think *giggle* why are you doing this, " to see what you say" " Well I quit then" "no please come back"
.6. How old is your mom - uhhhhhh 32....31 31
7. How tall is your mom? - I don't know. I would have to check on the wii fit to know that
8. What is her favorite thing to do? - I don't know.....wii fit
9. What does your mom do when you're not around? - Work , Watch tv, do wii fit
10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? - being so nice and loving
11. What is your mom really good at? - everything (with arms spread wide)
12. What is your mom not very good at?-Nothing (so i give her that look) and she says "honestly"
13. What does your mom do for a job?- Work at Radical Reality, I wonder what your career is.
14.What is your mom's favorite food? - I don't know , tell me... Pizza?
15. What makes you proud of your mom? - Everything....being my mommy , being funny, and caring and nice and everything
16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? -Olive on Popeye and Olive is nice ( she says without hesitation, not even a second to think about it).
17. What do you and your mom do together? - Draw, read , wii fit , we read together, we love each other
18. How are you and your mom the same? - everyway YOur nice I'm nice, your kind I'm kind your pretty, I'm pretty, you like fashion I like fashion, we look alike
19. How are you and your mom different? - Your older , taller, engaged slash married, you put on makeup, you watch tv more than me" " that is not true" " yeah"
20. How do you know your mom loves you? -YOur my mommy, your always nice to me your pretty much never mean to me
21. What does your mom like most about your dad? - Ummm I don't know (as she gets embarassed) I don't know everything, " he's handsome, and nice and sweet, great cook
22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go - Long JOhn silvers ," so I say, "what" and she says " El Torito, am I wrong, what is it, is it El torito?
So I say not a place to eat
"oh what is your favorite place to go period....hmm grama's house, sunsplash, disneyland, LA, I got nothing"

Ok you gotta help me pick

So we have to choose a pic to go in the newsletter to introduce my family to the world of Radical Reality and since a kid ended up taking the pics they aren't maybe the best but they are pretty good. Anyway please let me know which one you like best by Tuesday!

In other news, I'm sorry that I'm way behind in blog reading, it's been a crazy couple weeks we are doing great! I will also post some pics of our college bbq Saturday night! It was a blast , we ate tons of unhealthy food, talked a lot laughed a lot , drank some great coffee. When all was said and done it was a smashing success. God is good! We are going to do our first skit for college age on Tuesday night and I would like to have one every week to go with the sermon, as an illustration or an intro. I love drama so so much and I have been helping directing drama the last few years and I'm ready to be in stuff again. It's like "I've got a fever.......and the only cure is more cowbell....I mean more drama" Not baby mama drama mind you. LOL But it is a true passion of mine and I feel like I have the team that we need to get it done and done right, and the talent of course. So I will let you know how it goes, and keep us in your prayers that our church would continue to thrive and grow and there would be a huge finacial blessing on our church so the pastors don't have to sweat it at all!

pic 1 pic 2

pic 3











College Age BBQ

Ok here's the college age pics

picture of the day 7!

It was a challenge to take a pic today, I've been feeling awful all day and have big bags under my eyes so it's blurry on purpose! lol.

So I have another one of those cut and paste info about yourself kinds things for whoever is up for the challenge, it doesn't require much thought it's just a bunch of questions! So hope you all have fun with it, ( you can thank my sis for this one)

44 ODD Things about you! If you opened this, FILL IT OUT! Learn 44 things about your friends, and let them learn 44 things about you! Send back to me and to several more friends!!

1. Do you like blue cheese? EWWWW no way

2. Have you ever smoked? Tried to once but ewwww, and you don't have to answer this one!
3. Do you own a gun? No never have,
4. What flavor of Kool-Aid Is your favorite? Absolutley none.It's pure sugar but crystal light pink lemonade or peach tea is good
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Yeah I do, almost always, partially because I hate to tell people about being sick or anything wrong with me

6. What do you think of hot dogs? Well sometimes I like them, specially at Ball games and Costco dogs, at home I only eat oscar meyer all beef or turkey or chicken dogs!
7. Favorite Christmas movie? It's a wonderful life or polar express

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Coffee of any kind nice and strong

9. Can you do pushups? I can do the cheat style ones pretty good

10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? a silver necklace I have with wings and a heart and the heart earrings that match

11. Favorite hobby? Painting, hanging with my family, and adventure comp. games

12. Do you have A.D.D.? Well may.....what were you saying again?

13. What's one trait you hate about yourself? My beat myself up mentality, I'm trying so hard to get past it

14. Middle name? Rebekah

15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment. I feel awful, I am beating myself up about being sick , and I beating myself for beating myself up
17. Current worry? Aslan school and health, and finances.
18. Current hate right now? The attack of the enemy

19. Favorite place to be? With my family anywhere wher we can have fun!

20. How did you bring in the New Year? At home in our new home with the greatest family in the world.
21. Where would you like to go? To Disneyland before the kids get too old to really appreciate it
22. Name three people who will complete this? mom, Jen and Jess?
23. Do you own slippers? Can't live without them

24. What shirt are you wearing? Grey christian t-shirt

25. Do you like sleeping on satin Sheets? Sure mine are Sateen and I love them

26. Can you whistle? Sorta
27. What is your all time favorite song? I can only Imagine

28. Would you be a pirate? Hmmm I get really sea sick so maybe a ninja would work better for me since I have catlike reflexes lol

29. What songs do you sing in the shower? Worship songs
30. Favorite girl's name? Selah, Iona , Ashlyn
31. Favorite boy's name? Aslan, Solomon, Tobias and Gabriel

32. What's in your pocket right now? no pockets at the moment

33. Last thing that made you laugh? The show "Howie do it" that Selah and I and Bill were watching

34. Best bed sheets as a child? Rainbow Bright no contest
35. Worst injury you've ever had? back injury

36. Do you love where you live? Yes even though I live in #2 most miserable city in America, I love it and I love my house
37. How many TVs do you have in your house? 3

38. Who is your loudest friend? Hmmm Sidney

39. How many dogs do you have? 1 .
40. Does someone have a crush on you? My husband he tells me all the time
41. What is your favorite book? Chronicles of Narnia
42. What is your favorite candy? tootsie roll

43. Favorite Sports Team? Sacramento King
44. What song do you want played at your funeral? That's kinda morbid so I will change it to What song played at your wedding? Steven curtis chapman, " Go there with you"

Picture of the day 6...oh yeah and I'm a bad mom..

So I should've took a pic of myself wayyy sooner, before the cold and the rain sat in my icky feeling throat and chest. Now I'm in bed with my crosswords and my laptop,It's funny cause my phone does this blur photo thing sometimes, so I figured I may as well go with it. So yeah there's me in a blur.

So your probably wondering why I said I'm a bad mom, well I don't really think that necessarily but I took Aslan to the doctor today , an appointment I had made a few weeks ago for a checkup, not for his cold, but I figured I would throw that out there too. So we loved the pediatrician she was super cool and even though we had to wait close to 1 and half hours in the office , and even though she was ultra busy, she took the time for us. So anyway she told me that Aslan needed antibiotics ( a strong one) because he was on the verge of pneumonia. Ummm yeah bad money ...no soup for you!

To think I wasn't even gonna take him in for this cold cause I though , well it's just that, it's a cold or the flu etc. But I let him go back to school Tuesday (which she said he probably wasn't contagious at all by that time, since he hadn't had a fever since Monday morning) So yeah I got a chance to share what a miracle he was and she was in awe, an amazed that even being this sick, and everything he's been through that he didn't have severe asthma etc. Yep he's a fighter and God has done miracles in him, and the whole world can't deny that ! So anyway that is the tales of our day!

And as for living in the #2 most miserable city in America, whatever, they only go on numbers, they don't know what it like to live here! I love it!

Picture of the Day 5

This is me and my baby! My sweet miracle who will always be my baby! We returned to the real world today and went to "kids eat free Tuesday at Denny's He is still not feeling great but we had college service tonight , so we had to come out of hiding. Though unfortunately, as Jess can attest too, the cold has hit my system. By the end of service tonight I had no voice, just a frog who took up residence where my vocal cords were. My throat is so sore, but thanks to an HSA I was able to buy all sorts of cough drops and theraflu and it was like it was covered by insurance! Thank you Jesus for the little miracles. It's weird I haven't gotten sick in years with a cold, etc. But for some reason now this is the second time in less than a month that my body is trying to get sick, first it was stomach and now this, maybe it's the climate change? Who knows, I'm so happy here that I don't care.

So I know your dying to know how college service went! It was fantastic, the funny thing was there were a lot of new people this week and some that came last weren't there so we had about 35 again, which means if they all come at once we would have quite a crowd. I'm not hung up on the numbers , just sharing info. Even if it would of only been a few of us, God has been showing up, I know he's going to show up because we have been under tremendous attack! BUt that makes us fight even harder knowing that God is going to show up, and boy does it. What a great service. Wow Wow, I know I'm biased but my husband has been preaching the roof off, and working in a fresh anointing. I sit there, knowing the notes in and out because I've done the powerpoint and the handout etc. and yet I'm intrigued with what he will say next. It's like on Sunday mornings with Pastor Joey, I'm like taking notes like crazy cause it's just so good. God is doing something great in our church that is for sure!

Picture of the Day 4

This is me hiding behind some flowers that my husband gave me for early Valentines day gift! I have no makeup on, I have been caring for a sick Aslan for so many days I'm going stir crazy, and now my throat is hurting really bad which is where it all starts, but I'm not going to get sick in Jesus name, cause my life and responsibilities will go on whether Im sick or not! So no sickness!

So pray for us tomorrow night it's our next college service. It's gonna be good and we are very excited about it! Bills message is really good again and we are all pumped!

Sorry it seems all I talk about lately is Aslan being sick and our church being amazing!

I'm sorry it's just true, I got a call from the bookkeeper today from the church and she was just going on about how thankful she is for Bill and I that we are so upbeat all the time and such a blessing to the church etc. It was exactly what I needed to hear, because having missed church Sunday I feel so lame, like I'm slacking (even though I couldn't control the situation) I know I'm just weird like that.I'm trying to stop it though! I promise Im trying! LOL

PIcture of the Day 3

Me and my mini me! I think this pic shows how much we look alike specially in expressions!

So I still have a sick little man on my hands but thank you Jesus his fever has broken!

Hope everyone is having a blessed weekend, I don't have too much to say tonight!

Picture of the day Day 2

So I thought I'd mix it up a bit with my pic of the day, feeling a little salsa in me.

Keep my little man in your prayers, we are having to rotate tylenol and ibuprofen cause we can't quite break the fever. Poor little man.

Soooo what else to say, my last post was long and emotional so today lets keep it light. I think I will put in a youtube video that is hilarious, so check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txqiwrbYGrs

Words...words...

Ok so here's the pic of today, (PER THE PIC OF YOURSELF A DAY FOR SEVEN DAYS)

We've had a tough couple of days around the Hartman house, just keep my little man in your prayers, he's struggling with school right now which makes him feel unintelligent, which kills us. He said yesterday, "I'm just stupid" Now we don't even say that word in our house referring to anything, so we had no clue where it came from. When we asked what the word meant to him he said, "I'm not smart" We hugged all night and encouraged him and uplifted him etc. , but still had no idea where the word came from. He said no one called him that , and he doesn't lie. Soooo we prayed together and went to bed, then today we had his IEP meeting at school (individualized Educational Program) We met with his Resource teacher, his regular teacher, the speech therapist, the vice principal and the school psychologist. Yeah can you say intimidating, not to mention I broke down crying in front of these ladies as at one point I retold the story he said last night. So anyway the homeroom teacher starts the meeting telling everything Aslan is doing wrong, not one positive thing. (now let me preface this by saying that we have made it clear that we realize he is struggling, we don't make excuses or live in a dream world about the situation, but we also know he is the sweetest nine year old boy on the planet who is loving and would never hurt a fly.) So she went on and on about he's not writing good, his math is not up to grade level , his reading etc. In comes the resource teacher same thing, not one positive thing at all to say about Aslan. Ok we get it! So then comes the speech and language teacher, and here we are expecting the worst, and it wasn't she was pleasant, and gave a lot of positive of Aslan and his work etc. His progress, and the potential he has. So basically that was the meeting but before it was out I told the speech and language teacher "Thank you for the positive, we realize that he is struggling and we are doing all we can, and it helps to hear the positive" As we continued to sign papers, all of the sudden the resource teacher starts being positive, "yeah Aslan is very respectful and polite yada yada....( can you say a day late and a dollar short lady)

So after all the teachers left and we were left with the school psychologist ( by the way they are required to be at these meeting even though he doesn't need any kind of Psychological help lol)

So the psychologist says to me, "I'm so glad you said that, they were being way too negative and I'm so glad you pointed it out" I was shocked actually, but we talked about the importance of it etc. And she said there was no excuse, and I can't say I disagree.

Oh and by the way the resource teacher said, "Aslan's not feeling well and is asleep in my office" So we took him and Selah to my office and Aslan fell asleep on Donnie's couch when I woke him up he was burning up so we came home and he had a high fever. Grrrr what a day!

But you know what? I don't care what those women say, they can be as negative as they want to be, but I know my son, I know he is called of God, he was born with a specific purpose. There were things spoken over him before he was born and confirmed, that he would have a Moses spirit, and if you remember Moses didn't have the gift of speech, but he spoke face to face with God.

The devil has done everything to try to take Aslan out of this world and out of the game and every time God says, " I don't think so Devil"

So devil you can shove it, we aren't bowing down to you because of what this world may throw at us, we know that God says in Jer 29:11, " I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you ..plans to give you a future of hope"

So there...God is good, not just sometimes but all the time, in the midst of every trial and test!

Our first college service!

So we had our first college service last night and it rocked! It was awesome, albeit ultra stressful prior to service, and a lot of work went into it, but it was awesome! God showed up and so did quite a few people. Some unexpected too! Very cool! I knew it would be really good cause the attack prior to it was insane! God is good and faithful! Oh so faithful!

I'm sorry I have been behind on blogging and blog reading. My sister issued a challenge about taking a pic of yourself a day and posting it, one that shows your personality, and do this for 5 days , I am going to try to remember to do this tommorrow, I thought I would get to read blogs at work etc. but I have been non-stop busy. So busy I ended up staying half hour over every night if not more , so bear with me. But rest assured I always catch up, always, I always look back at all the blogs I've missed.

25 Things

So I am challenging everyone who reads my blog to do this, it's not only fun but gives you insight into yourself and gives others insight to you. Lets get to know each other better!

Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, challenge your friends to do this!


1. I was born at the same hospital as my mother by the same doctor, so I'm lucky to be alive..lol
2. I would rather spend time with my family than anyone on the planet, they are my favorite people
3. I am way too hard on myself, all the time constantly way to hard on myself
4. I enjoy drawing and painting a lot, I just started a few years ago and rarely have time but I enjoy it
5. My husband is my best friend and sometimes I'm too hard on him, We have been through everything in this world together and I can't remember my life before him. He is also my hero and he truly cares deeply about people. There is no fake in him, what you see is what you get.
6. I love to blog, I love to read blogs (if they give insight into someones life not a soapbox)
7. Nothing is an off limit subject to me, I will talk about anything, and I mean anything which my include but is not limited to poop , etc. etc.
8.I look up to my sister Heahter, more than she will ever know she is such an amazing mother and a loyal friend to soo many many people. Also she is very talented. (Her face is on my right side in the people column which is what made me think of it)
9. I love working with young adults and youth, I can't imagine anything better in the whole world to do.
10. I almost gave up on ministry a few times last year, and was very discouraged
11. My family eats dinner at the dinner table every single night and talk about our day, and it's my favorite part of each day
12. We have family movie nights on Friday nights which the kids look forward too more than anything, not the movie but the time spent
13. I work for one of my hero's Donnie Moore ( I truly gave my life to Christ at one of his camps, and got called to ministry when he was speaking at a youth convention)
14.I don't like people to know if I'm sick or not feeling good ,or about my fibromyalgia so I don't tell many people what really goes on with my health, and only one person in the world knows it all
15. I'm happier than I have been in a very very long time, I love our church, city and house so very much, (and my job)
16. My love language is acts of service, (people showing they care by doing nice things for you) and gift giving, ( I love to give gifts)
17. I like things like this quiz to really get to know people , so I hope everyone does it!
18. I am insane about note taking, I take more notes than any human being I know. It's ridiculous actually, I'm so afraid of forgetting things that I like to write them down before they leave my head
19. I worry wayyyyy tooo much about things I cannot control, and care too much about what people think about me
20. I'm a very honest person with my feelings etc. I like to get it all out there in the open so there's no gossip and backbiting
21. I used to be confrontational in a bad way, I used to go off on people , then regret it greatly later:(
22. My dad is my hero, he took on 3 teenage girls and later an infant , when most men would have run away, plus he adores my mom and she adores him. They just fit so well together
23. I get stressed out royally if my house is dirty, I just can't stand it
24. I love fashion, clothes shoes accessories and I like it when people say I'm stylish
25. I get hurt deeply, I take things personally, and I harbor over negative words spoken to me or about me. I remember things that were said at a very young age all the way up to now. But I truly forgive very easily , like completley if someone is genuine!
Please do this , it's fun and therapeutic! I enjoyed doing it!

What's in your backpack?

We had some great friends over to see the house tonight and to eat dinner and when we were talking it reminded me that I was going to blog about this story, I didn't forget I just haven't had time to write it out, and when I wasn't feeling good I didn't want to take the time as the computer was making me ill.

So Monday Selah and I stayed home sick. I made us lunch and we were sitting at the table eating and somehow we started talking about peer pressure, the rest of the conversation is as follows
(remember Selah is 7)

"mommy do you know what peer pressure is?"
"Yes Selah I do"
"Well , I used to have a lot of it in my backpack"
"Your backpack, really Selah, what do you mean"
"Well I had a lot of things like selfishness, disobedience, and peer pressure in my backpack but Sunday at church I gave them to God"
As I sat there stunned at a few things, 1. She learned this at kids church 2. She understood fully the concept 3. She is such an insightful girl

The conversation that followed was so amazing she told me how peer pressure worked and how it was hard sometimes, and I asked if she had ever given in, and she said things like yeah I played that even though I didn't want to etc. but not bad things. Then it opened the door for me to really talk to her about the fact that she can talk to me about anything , (which she said she already knew) and then she talked about the fact that sometimes even though we leave those things they like to sneak back in, so we have to empty our backpacks again..... Wow.... Wow ...

If we as adults could truly have the faith and understanding of a child, I think sometimes we makes things so complicated when God is saying, "Hey just give me your backpack, Let me take the weight for you , give it to me and I will replace it with joy and a new lightness.
Thank you Jesus that we don't have to do it alone.

In other news:
If you want a good laugh check out this you tube video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xy-pD-M0rY4&eurl=http://liveasweknowit.blogspot.com/2009/01/another-psa-you-have-to-see.html&feature=player_embedded

I would like to eat 4 cookies!

The title was just a response to a pal's post! But I would and I guarantee I would eat them if I had them. I had a completely wasted day today. I can't hardly move. I slept all day and my house is a mess because of it. 3 kids left up to their own devices all day leads to big messes! I will do my best not to stress about it! Mess is just a mess, and I can't do anything to change it now right?
I'm trying not to complain, cause my sis just posted about complainers, but ewwww icky wasted day, and to top it off, Selah got a bad headache tonight before bed, (which is how my sickness started) So I'm praying she doesn't get sick!!

Well I heard church was wonderful and we are having a strategy meeting next week before our Tuesday launch! So so excited about that! We have a myspace now and it's growing by the minute, also a cool logo that one of the college age just threw together, and it's good!

'Collision is coming, Brace yourself"

Happy Birthday DAD!

So today was my dads b-day party at his sisters house. We usually only see them at Christmas and sometime Thanksgiving so it was very cool to see them today.
They are a great family they have been married a long time and are still very much in love, and they have two really great kids. It was really cool getting to bond with them, and get to know each other all a little better. If it wasn't my dads birthday I would have stayed in bed , I haven't been feeling good the last few days, and it was worse today, but I'm sooooo glad I went. We need times like that with them, to be an example of Christ in our lives , that we care what goes on with theirs. I geniunely like spending time with them, their son is going to be famous some day I'm sure he is so so talented. So please pray that we continue to get oppurtunitys to get to know them more and in doing so minister to them.

Yeah so good day

Also , so there is this pretty famous hip hop guy named Red Cloud, we met him 5 years ago at Joshuafest, and fed him and his crew spaghetti , and you know what they say about the way to a man's heart....anyway we have been friends since, he's done a few concerts at our church and it's become tradition that they eat with us at Joshuafest every year. Anyway he has this song called "Tapatio" you know the mexican hot sauce. So Aslan( being a little like his mom and grama) decided to try some on his eggs this morning. Then he said , "This tastes good......my mouths on fire...is it red?" it was cute but I wasn't feeling good so I missed this. So Aslan was telling me the story and he says," Yes mom and I lived to tell about it" It was so funny, he has been cracking me up with ways in which he is maturing. I just love him so very much. My kids are amazing little humans! I know I'm biased but no one I've ever known that has met Aslan has said anything but "he's a love bug" or he has such a big heart. He's like his dad that way. A big sensitive teddy bear. I think this is why the devil has always been out to get him, because if he accomplishs even half of what Bill has in his life he will touch so many many. I'm sorry if that sounded proud, but I am proud of my boys!
Selah also is so incredibly smart an intuitive, her friend (who visits her grama some weekends and spends all that time over here) likes to come to our house, and when she comes in she hugs us, and you can tell she just loves being here. She lives with her mom, and I don't think she's used to the "family unit" . So last night Selah says to me, " Mom DD needs to stay and eat dinner with us, like at the table like we do, cause it's important !" Then later she invited her to missionettes with her on Wednesdays, and church on Sunday. What will my little evangelist do next?

You've learned a valuable lesson today

So God is up to something, just crazy little things that are happening in relation to the launch of
COLLISION- our new College Age ministry!
It's amazing because even talking to one of my closest friends today, about us not coming to their neck of the woods to minister and moving to Stockton instead, and it was confirmed even more in my heart and hers that we made the right decision. (Of course I already knew that but hey)

I get a random email today through Radical Reality because a girl thought it was a college group that met at her school, so I was able to tell her about our college group. She emailed back and said that she had gone to Lakeview and heard about the ministry etc. so It was crazy how everything is leading her there! Indeedy God is up to something... someone also put in an offering for the college age Sunday morning to the tune of 250 dollars which will help us get up and running...and...and...people are so so excited! So many people are just saying , " I can't wait , I can't wait." So it's gonna be good!

Oh and about my title.... Selah said something tonight joking about Aslan , that wasn't very nice, so I said something 'joking ' to Selah , and she was like mom. I said see Selah, just because it's a joke doesn't mean it's ok. So Aslan turns to her and says, "Selah you've learned a valuable lesson tonight" in those exact words, how cute its that!

The cat came back..

Thet title has nothing to do with the post, it's just a song that Selah sings that gets stuck in my head all the time!

Since I missed blogging on the day our new president was sworn in, let me just say. I am happy. I think it says something for our society and where we have come from , that people can see past the pigment in someones skin. My Political views aside, it's a great day in America. Remember as Christians we need to pray for our president , for the good of our future and remember that God has it all planned out for us.

Anyway, things are so busy around these parts. God is good, oh so good! Simply put he is so faithful and he's doing things before we ask!

I don't have a lot ot say tonight and it's late but please keep Aslan in your prayers, he was starting to get a handle on school before we left Gridley and now here the school started in June (because it's year round) and so he is behind by two months and then his regular struggles. He is frustrated which makes us frustrated because he gets so discouraged and loses focus completley! We spend a good hour and a half on homework every night. It's not working for anyone. We are going to have an IEP meeting (which is a resource program), but prayer is what is needed in this situation.

Thank you all and I love ya!

Another GREAT Sunday!

So...today was another great Sunday, Pastor Joey tore it up this morning , and Darwin Benjamin preached tonight and it was awesome! So our college age service doesn't start til February, but I told Bill this morning we should just see if anyone wants to go eat after church, to kinda get to know each other. So yeah we thought maybe 6 or so....ummm 30 people showed up, that is not just an evangelistic number it was a head count! It was a lot of fun, I kept looking around and everyone was laughing and talking, and a lot of people commented " I didn't know we had this many college age in our church" yeah it was awesome!
So it probably a good thing that we saw this because we were going to start off in our house but , as big and nice as our new house is, 30 people plus would be crowded. So we are very excited about kicking off the service we already have a lot of the band on board and we are rearing to go! It's so true that when God calls you to do something his blessing is there every step of the way!

Happy Birthday Jen!

So we had a birthday for Jen tonight at our house and it was a blast! It was such a great team effort, everyone involved brought something, helped decorate etc. So Jen of course kinda knew something was up, but oh well we all hid and jumped out and yelled surprise! It was great, I didn't have the heart to tell Selah not to hide since Jen knew she lived here! So Jen fained surprise, which made the kids happy!
Anyway we truly had a blast!! It's always hard when you move away from so many friends and family and you feel lonely or you think wow this is a different world. But tonight, it was like, well I don't know how to describe it, it was just home. We have felt like this was home but tonight was like wow this is home. I don't know how else to say it... I sat there at one point when we were all laughing hysterically about twinkies and biscuits and I said to myself, "Self... this is the beginning of one of those memory times, the inside jokes, the things you look back on and laugh at, it felt good, really good, everyone totally being themselves and just having a blast. We also had a quite serious discussion about avoiding getting the "sug's" hopefully none of you will ever get the "sug's " because they involve twinkies, biscuits with jelly or a lot of both, and trust me folks it is ugly!

Wow I really have to catch up!

A lot has happened in the blog world since I've been gone. I'm so sorry my comments on everyone's blogs are sooooo last week , but I have not had the time to read the blogs etc. Between logging my food and fitness on spark people, and actually doing the fitness to log and my new job and new school, well I just haven't had any time at all. But....life is good. Thank you all for reading that terribly long blog and all the encouragement you gave, I love you all!

Update...kids love school, we all love love our church, In fact Bill preached last night and it was amazing, now I know my husband is anointed but last night it was even different then I've ever seen him before. The people responded really well too! It was a fantastic night. We already have a ton of young adults waiting for the college age to start too!

Also when we were eating dinner tonight we asked the kids what their favorite thing about church was, Selah said, "Little Joei, and the playground" Aslan said, " everything"

Now they also love kids church (as I've mentioned before but those were their first thoughts.

Ok your probably wondering why their is a pic of a bathroom on my blog, Lisa issued me a challenge. The fourth file in your pictures and the fourth picture , post it and describe it then challenge four people to do the same. So that is a pic Bill took of our new bathroom , before I got to see it, it doesn't do justice though, I love our bathroom!

So I challenge..........

Heather

Mom

Rebecca

Cora...it's all you guys now!!!

No forward motion.....

No forward motion goes untested! For every new level there is a new devil! I know we have all heard those things before but when they come about , I don't know about you but it always throws me off just a bit. Maybe someday I will just stand with my hands in the air and say, "Come on devil come an get me, come on I'm ready!" but alas that time has not yet come.
But thank God for blogs cause they help you give a virtual scream about these situations and in doing so it lets out the viral endorphins to help you feel a bit better, knowing that your friends on the world wide web can share in your trials!

So as anyone who went to Lakeview Sunday can tell you, It was amazing!!!! Amazing and amazing, a great first Sunday kick off for the Steelman's, a Sunday night welcoming all was well.
Monday morning started off er...sorta kinda well enough...sorta..not really but not bad. So we get to the school to register the kids real quick for school. Now mind you we have checked this school out and were assured , yeah this is your school, etc. etc. We find out that you can only register them between 10am and 11am , ok big city we will play your game...
So 10:20am hits, (20 minutes to get the kids out of the house and into the car looking somewhat presentable) So we are there and second in line.. ok so we get the HUGE packet of paperwork to fill out and they don't even give you a clipboard, and I realize we forgot the utility bill as proof of address, so as I try to balance and fill out my family history in a (did I mention sweltering hot ) office, and Bill returns in the rain to our house to get the bill. So.... the kids are a bit antsy in the office but not too bad, I am feeling sick from the heat, and finally I hand over all the papers,( you think in the files from the other school they could've got some of this info, but oh no that would be too easy.) She looks at the papers and says, do you have the original shot records I can't take this printout you have because it could have been entered wrong, I looked at her blankly, and said :well no we turned them into the other school and our copies are packed " (considering we just moved and all) So the young lady, , says, "Well you can have them fax me the records then." Clearly she wanted to get rid of us, as they were busy. Bill pulls out the phone and says, ok I will call them, So luckily our small town school who loved us sent the papers right over. Now I must say through it all we were very kind to the Registrar. So finally we get it all signed and ready and then , "Wait your not in our school"
"Um excuse me?" ( this school is two blocks from our house, no lie)
" Your supposed to be at August Knot" ( oh and by this time it is 11 :30am) This is when it became a huge test for me not to get mad at the girl as it wasn't her fault, although no one at this school was very accommodating! So now we are past registration time , so I ask " Will they still take us," And she said ( Now she only said this because we continued to be kind to her and patient through the entire process) " I will call them and tell them your coming" Thank you Jesus!
So long story short ( I know too late) other school , people are much friendlier and immediate good first impressions, met 2 vice principles, one whom was an amazing lady! So all seems good then we get into the fact Aslan needs an IEP- which is a resource program to help him with his reading, and adaptive PE. Then it becomes about which track can fit him in (since it's year round school) and they may not start until February 2nd.
At this point mommy (aka me, the one who has had to bring them to work with me while trying to learn my new, not easy, job) is about to blow a gasket, because I was letting my flesh rise inside me. But as the lady told me she would call the school get the info and let us know in a day to be sure, I very politely said, "Thank you so much" because they were wonderful, then went outside and scowled to myself.
So then we get into the car, and the expedition is doing some crazy thing as I try to go to work, so I drive home call bill crying and saying I almost wrecked cause the car did something when I turned...blah blah. So he met me at home to take me to work and by this time its' like 12:30pm, and we need gas, Guess what the pumps not taking our card , we go to a new pump, not taking the card, there's money there it's just not taking it. We go inside every things fine, but meanwhile Aslan, who didn't look so good when he woke up, says to me , " mommy I'm really not feeling good" and I look at him he's pasty and white and with him you can just tell.....so.... I did what any sane person would do.... I called Jen... I called cause I needed a friend and because I knew she had been at the office earlier, and she knows me better than Cindy... I just called her to tell her what was going on and why I was running so late.. .but I cried...boy I felt dumb .. but I couldn't help it, ( oh I forgot to add we tried to get Aslan's medicine that he has to have monthly and they told us it would be $150 dollars) and basically Jen (obviously knowing me very well ) said I'm making an executive decision, you need to go home and take care of your family. At that point I knew it was what I needed to do but , so soon after starting my job, I wouldn't have made that choice, but Jen said she would call Cindy (Jen's amazing) So Cindy called me and was great about it, and I went home! When Bill got home we prayed, and we knew it was an attack and we just fought it, and I kept my sanity!
Yeah this was the longest post ever I know! But it's funny, the car ended up being just water on the brakes, the kids are now starting school tomorrow, and the medicine with my new insurance is only $120 (hmmmm not much better on that one, but what can you do?) and the things that came up today didnt' seem like such a huge deal after yesterday... hmm go figure....
How would it have ended if we would've tucked our tails between our legs and grumbled and complained and doubted? I mean we are human and we had an emotional go, but after that we prayed it out. Now I know more attacks will come, (there were a few big ones today) but maybe this time I can raise my hands to the sky and say" Come on devil , Come and get me"

Lutefisk is still nasty

Lutefisk a norweigan tradition, not sure why, my ancestors are insane I guess. In case you are wondering Lutefisk is cod soaked in lye..like for hours then it's rinsed and cooked. It is probably one of the most disgusting things ever invented, I have only tried one little bite one time and it was enough for a lifetime! But every year at the family reunion I am shocked once again at the people eating the lutefisk, they also make lefsa which is potato bread and that is quite yummy and swedish meatballs which is a good thing, but still there are many pots of lutefisk and people eating it and even taking home doggy bags of it. I mean really is it even possible to like the stuff? Look at it, it looks so yummy and appetizing, don't you just want to dig in. By the way I saved some in a doggy bag , so come on over there is still plenty left my "doggy" wouldn't go near it!

In other news Pastor Joey preached all day today , as their first official Sunday, it was off the chain , as we say here in Stockton! hehe. But really worship and the word was so amazing, I am blessed to be a part of it!

Thankful for a new start in a new year.

It's pretty simple. I'm very grateful for this new start in this new year. I love my home, I love the time with my family I have now. I love our new church and Pastors and friends we are close to. Most of all i love the future of hope that awaits us, and the ministry yet to be had here in Stockton.
"I know the plans I have for you , says the Lord plans for good and not evil , plans for a future of hope" That means so much more even now than it did before. Thank you Lord that you still saw fit to hear my feeble prayers and bless us!