Making some changes....

Well, it has been 7 weeks now and I think I really am on a path to changing me. I have officially lost 11.4 pounds since I began weight watchers and I am determined to continue. It helps that I paid for the full 17 weeks upfront and now I KNOW I have to keep working the program. I would never be able to throw away that money. I am try to remember that it took me many years to put this weight on so I am trying to be patient and happy with losing slowly.

Also, I have started training at The Road again. It has been a while since I have trained, but I love being back. It is hard getting everything ready for us to be gone but I'm sure I will get the hang of it again. Tara told me today that she likes it when we are gone to train. She said that we come back with a spark in our eyes and a happier outlook on life. I think that is true. Training always reminds me of God's grace and that He has blessed us greatly. It is always amazing to see God change lives right before my eyes. If I haven't told each of you about The Road, ask me some time. It helped me accept God's love and grace for my life.

I have been a slacker as of lately with my Bible reading. I have fallen off the wagon. I am so mad at myself, but I will not quit. I have to get back to reading. I just got so stuck in reading Job. I know it is a good book, but it is so hard to go through all the lamenting. So, ask me sometime about my reading. Maybe that will spur me on to continue reading. It really is fascinating to read God's word.

So, life is getting back to normal in a new kind of way. Mike has a new job and so we are trying to get use to new hours, new personalities, and new way of living. We have 3 months of "probation" at this job and so things just feel a bit uneasy. The blessing is....he has a new job!!! God is good....all the time....all the time, God is good!

Next week is TAKS reading test for my kids. I am a bit stressed, but I am trusting and believing that I have done everything necessary to prepare the kids for the test. I have a busy weekend of training at The Road and then Monday will be a day of reviewing. Tuesday will be the big day! Until then, I probably won't sleep much and will pray more.

Things just keep going and changing and I'm trying to embrace this new kind of normal......

Consequences....

I'm just a little frustrated today. Have you ever thought life was just not fair? I am seeing that more and more. I don't understand when people believe the worse in someone without taking the time to find out the truth. I also don't understand how a name.....a family name....can be more important than truth. How can punishments be decided based on name rather than on justice? I've see this kind of thing on TV and thought....wow, that wouldn't really happen....but it does. Unfortunately my baby is caught in the middle of such an event. Her word against another's, but that person has a name to back him/her up. So, my baby gets the book thrown at her and the other gets a slap on the wrist. Just doesn't seem fair....does it?

So, what's a mom to do? We advised her to be truthful. Tell the truth. Don't cover for someone else. Accept your consequences, and don't beg. Take responsibility and trust the system. Yea right! She tells the truth and since the other person lied...and has a name....they believed that version instead of her's. Actually, telling the truth HURT her. If she had lied and gone with the story already told, she would have gotten off easy, but since we wanted her to be truthful, she got the harshest punishment available.

So, again, what am I to do? Do I fight this for her? I know she did wrong. She should have consequence, but should her's been more harsh than the other involved? Should she pay for both of them just because she told the truth?????? UGH! This really ticks me off. Do I just tell her "life isn't fair" and let her take her punishment and the other get off scott free?

I'm angry and sad and frustrated and just flat out ticked off! I'm disappointed in her and wonder what happened to her brain when she chose to be stupid for a day! I know, that sounds harsh and I am just venting. My child is precious and has a heart of gold. She tried to help someone, the wrong kind of help, and got in trouble for it. She was not out partying or breaking any law. She wasn't messing around or living wildly. She just made a bad choice and is being treated like a horrible person.

I am proud of my baby girl. She stood up and took responsibility. She told the truth, even when it could/did mean she would be treated harshly. She risked the so-called friend being mad at her for ratting him/her out. She stood up and faced the music and is accepting the consequence. She is a good girl and does not deserve what she is getting. I just keep believing that what goes around, comes around. I want to be a fly on the wall when her friend finally has to face the lies that have been told at her expense. I'm still trusting that vengeance is the Lord's and I will not have to take this in to my own hands! Life just isn't fair!

1924....

This is my new baby! It is a 1924 Singer sewing machine. It was Mike's aunt's that she bought for $50 years ago. After she died, his uncle gave it to his grandmother. Since his grandmother has passed away, the aunt she was living with is moving. In the moving, she gave it back to his uncle, who gave it to ME! Well, to Mike and then to me! It is absolutely beautiful. I am not usually this pumped about a sewing machine, but his one is awesome. I love antiques and this is now the best one I have! What a wonderful treasure found in cleaning out a house! Just wanted to share it with everyone. I'm sure it may inspire some other writing, but for now I am enjoying its simple beauty.