She needed something

I know, I should be doing my homework.  First, I need to get this out of my brain...

My coat was stolen today at the dentist's office.  Now, I know what you're thinking...that's why you don't hang yours up, right?  Well, I get sick of lugging everyone's coats around, so we always hang ours up even though I seldom see others doing the same.

The girls and I were in line waiting to make another appointment, and I sent them to get their coats.  Hannah comes back and tells me, "Mom, yours isn't there."  Well, that's weird...and then a lady comes from the waiting room to ask me if the pink coat was mine.  She then tells me that a Korean woman walked out with it, and it was only after the woman left that she realized 1) the woman had her own coat ON and 2) the pink coat was 16 sizes too big for this woman.

Well, then.  Hmmm...

I have to admit, I was a little bit angry that someone would do that, but overall, I wasn't that upset.  Mystified, yes.  Not sure how we were going to go to the zoo when I no longer had a coat and it was 40 degrees.  Actually, I was laughing a "this is absurd" kind of laugh...not a ha-ha funny laugh. 

The office staff wasn't sure what to do and was tripping over themselves apologizing, as if they had something to do with it or could have known it wasn't her coat!  I told them that was nonsense, but yes, I would file a report so that if it showed up, I could get it back.  I was not planning on seeing it again, though.

Just as we went to leave, another lady walks in with...you guessed it...my coat!  It was out by the elevator.  The pockets had been obviously pulled out, so I can only assume that the woman who stole it was looking for a wallet?  There had been nothing in my pockets, so she got exactly nothing.

All day long, I have been thinking about this...all day.  As the girls had their traditional post-dentist treat: fast food and a trip to the zoo.  I thought...even if I hadn't gotten my coat back, I am so very blessed in life.  I could have easily bought another coat.  We might have just done the inside of the zoo today.  It wouldn't have been that big of a deal.  Maybe this woman doesn't have such a blessed life.  She didn't need a coat.  But maybe she did need something.  Maybe she was just a thief, but maybe not.  I don't know her story.  Maybe she is desperate and really does have a need she thinks she can't fill any other way.

If you don't mind, would you say a prayer for her?  I'm asking God to give her whatever it is that she needs.

I'm also asking God for a nice, normal day tomorrow.  Because I like those.

Save me from myself

Dear Lord,
Save me from the insanity that is my life this week. 
When I look at what needs to get done, there is no way to do it all and do it well!

We're going to be out of the house every darn day this week.
Monday...music/art, Noah has an appointment, and AWANA.
Tuesday...Hannah and Esther have dentist appointments and then we'll go to the zoo for a bit.
Wednesday...Levi has OT, then someone is coming out to evaluate the boys for services.
Thursday...swim and gym, free community skating, Hannah starts skating lessons (birthday present), home group.
Friday...family fun day, probably Chuck E. Cheese and somewhere without cardboard pizza for dinner.  Celebrating our birthday month before we officially go GF on Saturday!
Saturday...HOME.  I'm not leaving for any reason.  So there.

Of course, semester #7 has also started, with Advanced Accounting, Business Ethics, and Human Resources Management on the queue until May.  Only 3 discussions (and replies), 2 written assignments, 2 accounting problems (doesn't sound like much...but they take hours each!), podcasts to listen to, articles to read, and 300+ pages of not always exciting reading.

Whose brilliant idea was this anyway, to go back to school?  Oh yeah...mine...

Here we go!  Going to try to knock out 100 or so pages before Brian gets home in 3 hours!  Go, me!

Time4Learning Review

This is what I have to post...

Over the next 30 days, I will be reviewing Time4Learning's online education program. It can be used as a homeschool curriculum, an afterschool tutorial or for summer learning. My opinion will be entirely my own, so be sure to come back and read about my experience. You can write your own curriculum review, too!

I'll add to that...

Time4Learning is something I had been considering trying for some of my kids, particularly Levi.  He loves the computer and is quite adept at doing all kinds of things on it.  He is also fairly resistant to traditional schooling methods.  It would be nice for him to be able to do at least some of his schooling in his preferred method.  When I got an email asking me to review this for free for 30 days...I could not resist!

Here we go... :)

ETA...it looks like I can add all 4 kids for the free 30 day trial!  That will make for a much better review, I'm sure.  My kids are in Pre-K, K, 2nd, and 7th grades, so it will be a nice variety

2013 goals

Some goals I/we have for this year:

• Play more games, at least a couple nights a week.  We have a ton of board games, card games, and puzzles.  This also counts as social skills therapy for my kids who have trouble with losing. ;)
• Eat healthier.  Strongly considering going gluten free for at least a month, just to see what happens...
• Walk more.  I'd like to get in 365 miles, which doesn't sound like much, but it's too darn cold right now, so I'll have to make up some miles in the nicer weather.
• Better model the behavior and language I want from my kids.  
• Not pay any bank or late fees.  
• Go on at least one date a month with my husband.  
• Blog at least 52 times.  Because I slacked off last year, especially after learning these posts are being watched.

As the past two years, I have chosen the "One Word" that will be my focus this year:

Fearless.

There is a picture going around Facebook:

 
I don't know what lies ahead, but my Daddy God does.  I do not need to fear.  I will choose to live without the "what ifs" hanging over my back.  I will choose to love without fear of rejection or loss.  I will choose to speak love and life without fear of repercussion.  I will choose to not worry about tomorrow, a month from now, or a year from now.  I will live my life in full abandon, not caring who is watching or what they are thinking.  I will live the day I have been given...today!