because it was cooler today...

I made a whopper of a dinner: roast beef, potatoes, gravy, peach pie. I should have made carrots too, but I ran out of time. I have been really down lately, but I was pleasantly reminded why I love to cook. It gives me such joy. I feel like what an artist feels like when they finish a beautiful painting. Beautiful, yummy goodness to eat and enjoy, because I labored in the kitchen... It's so fruitful (pardon the pun) and so rewarding to see my little brood smile with full drippy mouths.

If you're at all interested, I found a really yummy way to make roast beef. Buy a bottom round roast or a top sirloin roast (less fat) and put it in a crock pot. Pour a can of beer on it. Then top it with cracked pepper, sea salt, garlic powder, and onions. Let it slow cook all day (hi-4 or 5 hours/low-8 hours). When it's done it should be very tender. You can take the broth and shake 2T of it up in a small jar with 2T of flour. Then put it in a small pan and add more broth. Stir over low heat until thick and add salt and pepper to taste. Voila! You have easy delicious gravy. It's not so scary after all.

Oh, and here's a little, very uninteresting Curves update...
I haven't lost a pound yet, and maybe I never will. As long as I feel healthier, I won't worry about that. I do think my posture is much improved and my insomnia is almost non-existant. My clothes are fitting better and they don't feel so uncomfortable, which is a huge relief. It's hard to be chipper when your pants are riding up, know what I mean? ;) I'm also really starting to love the little high I get after a workout. I come back home ready to work and pumped about my life--funny, huh?

General update...
I'm on the warpath with discipline. Ooo that sounded so bad. I mean I'm on the offensive. I made up a bad @#! behavior chart and the kids are getting stickers for all kinds of things that I have to nag them to do: brushing teeth, washing hands, putting dishes in the sink, picking up toys, using manners, making beds, etc. They get stickers for everything on the chart, when they do it, which has been very motivating. At the end of the week, if they have "Lots of Stickers" (which is enough for them now), they get 10 pennies for allowance. One penny goes in the offering plate (which they're excited about) and 9 pennies go into their piggy banks. So far, they're really excited and in two days the behavior is much better than it was before. Way less whining, very few spankings... All in all, it feels like a whole lot of progress.

spend your money in a way that helps the helpless

Keri posted a link to Rahab Ministries on her blog. I've never heard of it before today. Evidently, it's a ministry to women who are prostitutes and/or sex slaves in Thailand. Rahab Ministries takes them in and teaches them about Jesus, while building their job-skills and helping them to be independent. The women are taught to make jewelry and you can support the ministry by buying this jewelry (it's very inexpensive) online. Here's the address. They also sell handmade cards ($1.50/ea).

http://www.rahabministriesthailand.org/bazaar.htm

Fun in Blue Ridge

Apple Picking and fun in Blue Ridge

Copied from Willa, Contemporary Segregation

I just learned about a case of segregation-era oppression happening today in Jena, Louisiana. I signed onto ColorOfChange.org's campaign for justice in Jena, and wanted to invite you to do the same.

http://www.colorofchange.org/jena/?id=1945-260306

Last fall in Jena, the day after two Black high school students sat beneath the "white tree" on their campus, nooses were hung from the tree. When the superintendent dismissed the nooses as a "prank," more Black students sat under the tree in protest. The District Attorney then came to the school accompanied by the town's police and demanded that the students end their protest, telling them, "I can be your best friend or your worst enemy... I can take away your lives with a stroke of my pen."

A series of white-on-black incidents of violence followed, and the DA did nothing. But when a white student was beaten up in a schoolyard fight, the DA responded by charging six black students with attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

It's a story that reads like one from the Jim Crow era, when judges, lawyers and all-white juries used the justice system to keep blacks in "their place." But it's happening today. The families of these young men are fighting back, but the story has gotten minimal press. Together, we can make sure their story is told and that the Governor of Louisiana intervenes and provides justice for the Jena 6. It starts now. Please join me:

http://www.colorofchange.org/jena/?id=1945-260306

The noose-hanging incident and the DA's visit to the school set the stage for everything that followed. Racial tension escalated over the next couple of months, and on November 30, the main academic building of Jena High School was burned down in an unsolved fire. Later the same weekend, a black student was beaten up by white students at a party. The next day, black students at a convenience store were threatened by a young white man with a shotgun. They wrestled the gun from him and ran away. While no charges were filed against the white man, the students were later arrested for the theft of the gun.

That Monday at school, a white student, who had been a vocal supporter of the students who hung the nooses, taunted the black student who was beaten up at the off-campus party and allegedly called several black students "nigger." After lunch, he was knocked down, punched and kicked by black students. He was taken to the hospital, but was released and was well enough to go to a social event that evening.

Six Black Jena High students, Robert Bailey (17), Theo Shaw (17), Carwin Jones (18), Bryant Purvis (17), Mychal Bell (16) and an unidentified minor, were expelled from school, arrested and charged with second-degree attempted murder. The first trial ended last month, and Mychal Bell, who has been in prison since December, was convicted of aggravated battery and conspiracy to commit aggravated battery (both felonies) by an all-white jury in a trial where his public defender called no witnesses. During his trial, Mychal's parents were ordered not to speak to the media and the court prohibited protests from taking place near the courtroom or where the judge could see them.

Mychal is scheduled to be sentenced on July 31st, and could go to jail for 22 years. Theo Shaw's trial is next. He will finally make bail this week.

The Jena Six are lucky to have parents and loved ones who are fighting tooth and nail to free them. They have been threatened but they are standing strong. We know that if the families have to go it alone, their sons will be a long time coming home. But if we act now, we can make a difference.

Join me in demanding that Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco get involved to make sure that justice is served for Mychal Bell, and that DA Reed Walters drop the charges against the 5 boys who have not yet gone to trial.

http://www.colorofchange.org/jena/?id=1945-260306

Thanks.

Please pray

You may not know them, but Paul and Rachel Michal just had a baby boy a two weeks ago. He was born without the left side of his heart and although his surgery went well, he flatlined yesterday evening for a brief period of time. Their treatment solutions are limited and he isn't doing well. This is their first child, the result of years of trying. Please lift them up in prayer today and pray that God would heal this little baby boy. They are in Egleston (sp?) Hospital in Atlanta.

Then... dog update

So far so good with the new doggy. Clara and Bailey are best friends and double trouble. Clara loves to boss her around, pretend to take her for walks, sit on her head, and hook her up with forbidden goodies. Bailey very patiently puts up with all of the above, I guess in the hopes that she'll eventually get hooked up with the forbidden goodies. We really need to fence in the yard so she can run around and spend some puppy energy, but for now all is well. We love having her with us.

Life with Bailey

First... house progress

Despite many exhausting trips to Porter Paint with kids in tow, this week has been very encouraging. Every day the house looks better than it did the day before. If we finish this soon, this project will be the first project on our house that has ever been finished. Every other job we've done has some annoying details left hanging. We're hoping to see this one through.

Here is the house as it is this morning. I'll post another picture or two later today. The railings, pictured are the railings that Matt built, using salvaged wood from the old porch. They'll be pretty swanky looking when they're painted. The pillars will eventually (today?) all be the white/blue combo that you see below. What do you think?

Another Bailey

God seems to have a sense of humor about all of this. I've been searching for another dog each morning, knowing the chances are slim and knowing that after what we spent last week, our options are limited. I found another chocolate labradoodle named Bailey. She's in Kentucky, not so far away and she's exactly what we're looking for. When we pick her up on Saturday she will be spayed (neutered?), microchipped, dewormed, treated for fleas and ticks, and up to date on her shots--all for only $85, less than the cost to do all of that. Even if we got a free dog, we'd pay more than that just for the first vet visit.

Bailey was a stray, who a very nice lady took in. The lady who took her in said that Bailey is a very sweet dog and she's almost completely trained already. She's 6 months old and very smart and obedient. I wish I had been more patient last week. I would have adopted this Bailey in the first place. What's the saying about experience being a hard teacher?

Anyway, here she is. We'll pick her up on Saturday and we'll make a much-needed family trip out of it. We all need a small break from the house and this will accomplish that too.



Thanks to all of you for your prayers, emails, and phone calls. Yesterday was simultaneously my worst and best day in awhile. Your encouragement means so much to me and to Matt.

bad news

The vet's office called tonight, as I was putting the kids to bed. Bailey died tonight. So I paid my bill over the phone and cried, and I feel very foolish.

Lessons:

1- don't drive 6 hours away for a puppy again
2- don't buy a puppy without it's shots
3- don't get attached to puppy with parvo and no shots
4- don't do any of the above while already stressed out

Bailey

I did something crazy last Friday. I loaded the kids up at 4am on Friday morning and we drove to Bishopville, SC to get a labradoodle puppy at a shelter there. I don't even have the emotional energy to relay all of the details, but here are the pluses and minuses.

Plus- kids did well on the trip, beautiful chocolate labradoodle with sweet temperment (temperament?) named Bailey, I had no allergies to her whatsoever, we absolutely adore her, she's very smart and has good instincts about where to go potty (training should be easy)

Minus- she was in a nasty shelter, she has parvo, she's been hospitalized at the vet for two days, she's coming home tomorrow even if she's not better b/c of $, she has worms, we really really don't want her to die

All by itself, this whole experience would have been hard enough, but as it is, this is just the capstone to a lousy summer. I'm really venting. I'm sorry for being so negative. There's just a very long, whiny list of things that are weighing me down and I don't see an end in sight yet. I keep saying, "Once we get through _____________, everything will be fine." The truth is that sometimes, this life just stinks and that's where the Gospel really begins to sink in. I know that for the next month, life is probably going to be hard (still), but I'm hoping and praying that in my weakness, I'll see my God's strength more clearly. Please pray for us. It's not just a dog-thing. Matt and I are both very discouraged.

I love Craigslist!

Tonight Matt is going to Knoxville to pick up a washer and dryer that I found on Craigslist. I just happened to check it yesterday, just to see if anything else was available and I found a Bosch front-loading, stackable washer/dryer pair for sale for $400. They're like-new, in great shape, but the lady's moving and needs them out of there. Afte emailing her yesterday, she lowered her price to $350, because we are driving from Chattanooga to pick it up. I'm so excited. Matt's mom has this same set and she loves them. They're super fast, quiet, and water and energy efficient, and in our case they're cheap too.

I'll have to post a picture soon. For now, you can see them at Boschappliances.com. They're the axxis model. ;)

Washers and dryers

Our washing machine isn't at it's best right now. It isn't totally broken, but we know it's a matter of time before it's unusable. It appears to be rusting from the inside out and the agitator is clinging on for dear life. This is no surprise, because every washer and dryer we've ever owned were used and ancient-looking, but I am curious to see what you all know about certain brands and types.

I looked at some really cool, all-in-one machines that wash and dry in the same drum. They're supposedly very popular in Europe and they're developed enough now to be reliable. They run about $500 to $1600, depending on the brand and size. Most of them are fairly small, but water and energy efficient.



I have always liked the front loading stackers too, but they are even more expensive and I don't even begin to know what brand is the best.



There is also the smaller, stacked unit, made by several companies, with a top-loading washer on the bottom, and a front-loading dryer on top. They're a little awkward, but cheaper and they can be energy efficient.

I want to figure out what will be the best option for us, and either save to buy later or watch the paper and craigslist to find one sooner.

Any opinions?

Recent pictures

Day by day, we're starting to feel more settled after all of the tumult. My sister has requested some recent pictures, so here they are. I'll post more as I go. We (royal we) are making lots of progress on the outside of the house and are looking forward to seeing new paint very soon! In the meantime, we're staying indoors or away from the house and trying to keep surfaces clean. The kids are doing well and still growing like weeds, Janie especially. I apologize for any out of focus pictures or goofs, because I haven't had time to sort them yet.

Work on the house and time at Grami and Papi's condo

Visit with Great Grandpa and Great Grandma

Great News!

Everything's fine! Dr. Spraggins called me today from home (she's on vacation) and said that we should trust the second test results. I still don't know Matt's test results, but the kids are all well within what's considered normal and she said she'd call me to let me know his results. Whatever lead was picked up on the first test was just skin deep, maybe from putting their shoes on before leaving the house... I don't know. I feel sheepish about all of the help we've received, especially now that we know the kids have been fine the whole time, but I think we did the right thing.

This has been a really tough experience and I wouldn't care to repeat it. That aside, I've been so amazed by God's provision for us, through the prayers and fellowship of our friends and family. Thank you to all of you who have fed Matt and labored beside him over the past week. Thank you too for your words of encouragement and your shared experience. I feel like I have a moderate case of emotional whiplash, but all in all we're doing just fine. ;)

Confusing News

After a lot of calling and confusion today, here's the info. Dana and Janie's bloodwork came back and somehow it's clear of lead. Our pediatrician and her nurse are on vacation until next week, so all of this is coming second hand through another doctor in the practice. Second hand, she told me that the kids are fine and to take them home. I don't know whether to be excited or upset. I called a second time at lunch time and I've asked the nurse to call me back, so I can ask her more questions. A friend of ours, who is a doctor, recommended that we take new samples here in Atlanta in order to confirm the other samples. Obviously, one of the tests was wrong and I want to be sure that the kids are safe before I take them home. I wish Dr. Spraggins was in town, because she would take time to explain everything and I know she would be very thorough.

Anyway, due to the confusion, we will stay in Atlanta until we know more. If I can get the other doctor to order more blood samples for an Atlanta children's hospital, then we'll go down tomorrow morning and have blood drawn again. Hopefully, the blood will confirm the good results of the second test, in which case, we'll go home or at least back to Chattanooga. I'm still hesitant to stay in the house until the first coat of primer is up.

Thank you all for your prayers. This has been incredibly trying and exhausting, and yet the past few days have been strangely relaxing. I know God is answering your prayers for our comfort, because my normal hyperbolic (borrowed from Josh Green) anxiety has been hushed and quieted amidst all of the tumult. I'll update as soon as I know more.

kind of an update

I still don't have test results. I know that Dana and Jane, at least, will have to have chelation. Chelation is a process where the doctor introduces certain compounds into their blood that the lead will stick to and then the lead flushes out of their system with the compounds. I don't know much more about it, but I'm guessing that they will have to be hospitalized for at least part of this. Clara will stay with friends if that happens. In the meantime, we will be going back to Chattanooga on Monday, after a trip to Trader Joe's. We've been making use of their wholesome goodness in an attempt to detoxify the kids and me. They sell a 64 oz. bottle of juice similar to Odwalla's Superfood juice. They love it and it's jammed with fiber and vitamin C, both of which are great for lead poisoning. Lots of fruit and greens right now.

As for where we will stay, I have had multiple offers, but I just don't know what will be best for our family yet. Thank you all for your hospitality and generosity and thank you for your prayers. Our first day here was very trying, but yesterday was much better. God is at work in me and in our kids. Thanks for your faithfulness in prayer.

He Leadeth Me...

I haven't posted this yet, due to being completely overwhelmed, but we need your prayers. I'll explain more later, when and if I get the time, but our kids have lead poisoning. I asked our pediatrician to run a lead test on them at Clara's 18 month check up and all three tested positive. Clara has tested positive before for low amounts (not dangerous) and her levels haven't changed. However, Janie (who has never been tested) had such high levels that the nurse who ran the test ran it twice. Dana's lead levels were much higher, so high that his numbers were off of the scale they were measuring by. Our pediatrician tested me too and my levels are ever so slightly in the danger zone, much less than Dana and Jane. Dr. Spraggins sent us to T.C. Thompson's to have blood drawn and to get a more accurate look at the amounts of lead. Immediately after the trip to the hospital, I packed up our stuff at home and my mom and I took the kids to stay with my parents in Atlanta. We can't stay in our house until we know it's clear of lead, which may be a difficult thing. We need to get the last 10% of paint off of the house, put a coat of primer on, clean up the yard, filter the water, and wash the inside of the house and probably all of the linens and laundry too. Right now I am very impatiently waiting for the results of our blood tests, hoping that Matt's levels are low so he can continue to finish the house. The kids may be treated this next week, but more on that later. I am too emotionally exhausted to explain it all and I don't know how to spell most of it yet. So many of our friends and family have taken care of us and offered places for us to stay and we are so very thankful for your service to us and our Heavenly Father. What we need most are your prayers for our family. We know that in our weakness, He shows His strength and we learn to let Him lead and comfort us.

Please pray that God would give me strength to be a single mom while Matt and I are separated, that I would be patient and loving, despite being emotionally spent, that Matt would be able to do all of the work before him, that the inspection of our home would go well, that God would protect my children from the lead in their bodies, that God would heal them and help their bodies to filter this out, that I would get good sleep and preach the Gospel to myself instead of blaming the whole thing on me, and that above all else, we would praise our Heavenly Father and He would be glorified in all of this.

I will post more later. I'm sorry this isn't very lovely or well-spoken. Please pray.

He's all grown up

In March, Matt brought home about 50 or more frog eggs that he found in a pond, while he was fishing. We eagerly watched them as they doubled in size and popped out of their jelly eggs. Every day they grew bigger. The kids loved it. A month ago, Matt and the kids returned all but two of them to the pond. Now, four months after the eggs came home, we have our first frog. The other tadpole is pretty fat, but still no legs. This week Matt will take them to the pond to join the other froggies. Our froglet isn't eating well and he'll probably do better there. We didn't take as many pictures as we should have, but here are a few.

trying out a new look

Tell me what you think. Matt has trouble reading the white letters, so we'll try this for a week and see how we like it.

my fisher-man strikes again

Matt brought home the biggest bass he's ever caught the other day. He and Pam (mother-in-law) took the kids fishing up at a pond on Lookout and caught about 15 fish. Dana even caught two all by himself--casting, reeling and all. The big one was so big, Matt could fit his fist in it. I don't think they were all that big. Some of them were probably crappie and small "smallies". We should try to set up some group family fishing for those of you who are close by and like to fish. It's cheap, clean food and lots of fun. ;)