Sailing...Just a Dream & the Wind to Carry Me

Saturday our family was invited to go sailing on a friend's boat. My dad has a speed boat, but I've never been sailing. I was excited, but a little nervous because I get car sick/sea sick pretty easily. I was hoping that I would be alright though. our friend's have 4 boys and their oldest is G's age and their youngest, is KK's age.


The boat had seats in the back, which the adults sat on and chatted, then there was a cabin where KK and his friend hung out. KK would come up the ladder and want to hang out for a little bit or he would want to give me a kiss. At one time he came up and told me he needed to use the bathroom so he had to pee off the side of the boat, which he thought was just too cool.

Occasionally KK would ask me to come down into the cabin with him...and I did once for about 2 minutes. That's all I could stand, anymore time and I would have gotten REALLY sick. I think KK got a little sad when I couldn't stay down there longer but I think he got over it.

We had a lot of fun and we were glad for the opportunity to hang out as a family with good friends. It's nice to be able to get together and have an adult conversation once in a while.

It was a quiet drive home which made the boys fall asleep, although G said he never fell asleep...but I would argue otherwise.


When we got home I wasn't feeling well, I had a headache and felt like I was still on the boat. I told Mr H. I was going to lay down...bad idea. Once I laid down and closed my eyes and the sea-sick wavy feeling overcame me very strongly. I couldn't lay down and I couldn't stand up...either way I would still feel like I was going to be sea sick. This lasted until the next day and we got off the boat at 1pm! It was really hard to fall asleep because I felt I was just rocking and waving still. But I'm still glad we went, we had fun.

Your Guess is as Good as Mine

Yesterday KK got in trouble for squirting G with the squirt gun even after he asked him to stop. So I told him to find a corner. After about 2 minutes I went to check on him and this is how I found him:

I know when he went to the corner he was fully clothed. Protesting, maybe!? He made me laugh...I couldn't keep him in the corner for the full 4.5 minutes.

Ever Feel Like This!?

Or

Or

Or

I do...this whole week I feel like I haven't been able to get what I want across, that somehow the message gets mixed up. And because of the miscommunication or not being able to say what I want it's really taken a toll on Mr H. and I. This time in our life is the most stressful we've ever experienced together. And I would even venture to say this is the most stressed I've ever felt even when going through my divorce and being a single mom. I've been so stressed that I forget things constantly...I misplace my keys, forget to take an online quiz, lost some important papers, the list goes on. I guess the point I want to make is that life's hard and having communication in any kind of relationship is very important especially as a husband/wife relationship. Husbands and wives need to be partners in every single way...not only do they need to be partners with each other but with Heavenly Father too.

Oil Lamps

The latest Sunday school lesson was on Matthew 25, about the parables of the 10 virgins, talents, and the sheep and goats. I've been thinking a lot about the 10 virgins parable since Sunday and I wanted to write down my thoughts before I forgot them. This is such a great parable for me at this time in my life. There is so much to take from it and I will break it down as best as I can, but please know this is just my interpretation.

The 5 virgins who had oil and the 5 who did not. I liken this to those who are prepared for the 2nd coming and for those who are not. The 5 virgins who did not have oil were not prepared for the bridegroom. Just as we may not be prepared in some way such as, prayers, scripture study, FHE, "the essentials" list can go on. We may have been prepared at one time in our life but we slip and start forgetting to do "the essentials". (This is where I am) I'd always wondered why the 5 virgins with oil couldn't just share? I had always thought that they were a little selfish that they didn't, but the more I think about it the more I understand why they couldn't share. The oil represents preparation, which takes time and dedication. I can share my testimony, but that will not fill someone's oil. I can't lend someone 2 years of prayers for them to use. Filling our oil is something that WE have to do ourselves.

We may have 10 gallons of oil in the basement but forget that it's there. We may feel "unworthy" to use it. Gaining this oil will take time. Studying the scriptures for 5 hours is very different than studying the scriptures every day for 5 years. But once we have this oil we can use it to help us "get through" those tough times. This is something that I need to work on. Our family has been going through some really terrible trials and at times I feel that I cannot go on, it's too much, and I just want to give up. I've realized that I do not have this "reserve oil" to use to get through the hard times. It's not that I'm doing anything wrong...but that I sometimes forget scripture study or having family prayers on a regular basis. Since Sunday I have felt VERY strongly that this message was catered to me.

How to boost the economy for free

Something occurred to me quite awhile ago. I honestly forgot all about it until I saw a promo teaser about a news story that will be on later tonight. The news was warning people about some retailers' minimum purchase requirements to use a credit or debit card. I look at this with a different view because I used to own a motorcycle shop and as a small merchant business, I felt the expenses of accepting credit cards at my shop. Many businesses (aside from mega corporations like Wal-Mart or McDonalds) pay 1.6-1.8% for a transaction run as credit (even when it's a debit/check card) and often pay $.75 for transactions run as debit. Most purchases are over $10 so the processing services make more money if the transactions are run as credit. Have you noticed that the banks encourage you to only run your debit card as credit? This is because they want to put more money into the pockets of the processing companies, which sometimes are owned by the banks. Starting to see a trend in the way the banks are padding their own pockets? Now those figures are based on Visa/Mastercard/Discover rates charged to a retailer. American Express costs many retailer merchants 3% of the purchase price. This makes it too expensive for many small businesses to accept American Express. Have you ever wondered how American Express gives such great rewards to its cardholders? The businesses that accept those cards pay the expenses of those rewards.

Now you're probably wondering how this ties into boosting the economy. Let me give you some figures. Let's say the average person spends $50 in 2 days. Nearly all of us use our debit cards to make the $50 of purchases. This puts more money into the processing companies' pockets than most people may think. If 100,000 people in any one city spend that $50 each every 2 days, processing their debit cards as credit, and assuming the processing companies are charging the lower 1.6% processing fee for each purchase, the processing companies take a total of $80,000 for their cut. This doesn't come out of our pockets as the purchasers, it comes out of the business's we're supporting. Now they take this cut for simply having computers transfer the money from the bank to the store where you made your purchase. I honestly don't see a lot of jobs being created by these processing companies. But can you imagine the number of jobs that can be created by keeping that money in the local businesses you support?

Let's put the numbers to a more national level. There are 311 million people in the U.S. Let's assume that only 100 million of those people spend $100 a week (a VERY conservative number I think) using their debit cards. Assuming that the rate of 1.6% is charged for those purchases, the processing companies are taking a total of $160,000,000 a WEEK. Yes that's $160 million dollars, each week, that is taken directly from businesses. How many jobs can be created with that $160 million each week? How much can we combat inflation with that $160 million each week? If those 100 million people used cash for 1 year, assuming the conservative figures above, it comes out to $8,320,000,000. 8.32 BILLION dollars a year could stay in our local businesses and economies.

The only thing we need to do in order to keep that 8.32 billion dollars in our local businesses and economies, is to use the ATMs or bank tellers to pull out cash for those purchases we make. If we spend cash, the processing companies and the big banks won't be taking that money from the businesses we frequent, and from the local economies we need to re-build.

I ask you this....How much greater can this nation's economy be, if we didn't force the businesses that build the economy, to pay out that 8.32 billion dollars? I bet the U.S. could return to the top of the world's economy and do much better globally if we make sure our money goes where it should be, and not into some big bank executive's pockets.

Ok, I'll get off my soap box now.

I am grateful...

So, remember when I was talking about all of the trials we have been going through? I was hoping that it couldn't get any worse, until now...now I know that it can. Before I explain what's going on let me explain how it began.

About a week ago, I told Mr H. that my car was making a weird noise and at time's it felt like the power steering goes out. He told me not to worry and he would check it out once finals were done. I still felt horrible in the pit of my stomach every time heard the noise.

On Thursday Dad asked if I would be available to help pack up JM's hospital room because more than likely they were sending her home. Since KK was with X and I wasn't doing anything important I went. After parking my car in front of my parent's house we left for the hospital in my dad's truck. At the hospital I packed up everything she had accumulated but before she could leave the physicians wanted her vitals and the vitals of the baby. I needed to head back home because X was dropping KK off soon. Once we pulled up to the house I remembered about the noise my car makes and I asked my dad to look at my car. I started it and turned the wheel until it made the noise and my dad knew what it was. I turned off my car so he could show me what it was. He showed me, I tried to turn my car on, and no go. It would not start! We tried and tried but no luck. But maybe it was luck on my side because if I would have driven it home I would have been stuck on the road and would have had to call a tow truck because my car's steering rack snapped. Bad...right!? Yes, when Mr H. took a look he was surprised that I was able to even drive it for the week. Having my car poop in front of my parents house...I am grateful.

But classes start tomorrow and my car will not be fixed until at least next weekend. This latest trial leaves us with only Mr H's van and his 1972 Triumph, which was in my parents garage. It was very stressful getting it to start. As you can see, it's old and hasn't been started in a while. Mr H. got it to start but it was only running on one cylinder, then it wouldn't start again. Mr H. was getting very upset and I honestly have NEVER seen him as upset as he was that night. And I can understand because we both NEED vehicles but the only running one is the van. After many prayers and pleading, the bike finally started at about 10pm...I am grateful.

Friday, after Mr H. got home from work he fell asleep until the next morning at 10am. About 15 hours of sleeping. He needed it and for that I am grateful.

Since my parents had the boys Mr H. and I decided to go to the Air Force Museum all day. I throughly enjoyed spending time with my husband. And I loved to see the excitement Mr H. had looking at all of the planes. We even saw the Hubble movie, which was very good. We can't wait to see the other movies playing there. I loved holding hands and walking. I loved not worrying about where the kids are. And for that I am grateful.

Baby Hungry

I was at Volleyball a couple weeks ago and found out that one of the sisters in the ward was pregnant. A couple weeks after that I noticed that another sister in the ward had a very swollen belly that I had not noticed before. And as you know, my sister, JM, is pregnant and so are both of my sister-in-laws. It seems as though all the women I know are getting pregnant or just had a baby. I am very happy for them and glad that they are adding to their family, but there is a little part of me that is super jealous. Jealous that they are adding to their family, jealous that they get to share the joy of a new life, jealous that, as of now, knowing that we will not have any more children. Mr H. is not interested nor does he want anymore children. This, as you see, has very much crushed my hopes and dreams of one day holding a newborn child of mine in my arms. But this entry isn't going to be about how wrong I think Mr H. is or how can I change his mind. No, I know that Mr H. feels very justified as to what his reasons are and I understand why he feels the way he does. But do I feel ENTIRELY different? Yes. But this isn't the time or place for it. Just knowing that KK might be the only child I have bore has made me treasure the time I have with him. I was looking at old videos of when he was a newborn tonight and it made me sad...knowing that there will be no baby for us. But it also made me smile because he was just so small and cute. Every child is a miracle and a gift from God and in the mean time I can get ready to hold, and smell, and cuddle, and kiss on the future gifts from God that my sister and sisters-in-law are going to have this year.

Check out these videos of a newborn KK

I Just Can't Get Enough

KK is the most awesome child I could ever have had. Sometimes I think he is a perfect child...he does have his moments, but his moments are few and far in between as compared with other children. Now, I'm afraid because he is so well mannered that the next child I have will really test me. But for now I will enjoy my sweet and precious KK.

Memorial Weekend

This was a busy weekend so be patient as I ramble on [warning: this is a long post]. Not only is JM still in the hospital (and probably will be until the baby comes) but it's my sister, AA's graduation party.

Friday May 27:
I told KK to get himself dressed in the morning and this is what he picked out

I asked him if he wanted some shorts on because it was hot and he whined and said no, so this is how he looked when we left our house...and no I couldn't touch his socks, that's how he wanted them. When I locked our house up KK told me that "Tweety" was the in water. Remember the bird? Well, Mr H. named him/her Tweety. I looked and looked at the water and did not see the bird anywhere. The bird really camouflaged itself but KK saw it.

And since the bird cannot fly I felt that I should try and help the little guy out of the water hole. I grabbed a Frisbee and a stick and lured him onto the Frisbee and out of the hole he came. KK was so excited that I saved the bird...I was his new hero. It made me feel good. And after rescuing Tweety we drove to meet our family counselor for a session. There are things that she would like me to work on that might help the "G Situation" such as:

Timer Attention: Giving him attention even if I have to set a timer. "Hey I only have 10 mins but I would love to hear about your day..."

Emphasize positive/Minimize negatives: 5 positives for every 1 negative

Earning is much more effective than taking away: Do not focus on taking away, focus on him earning things

Shaping: Working this a little over time. One step in the right direction = praise. Just like a baby learning to run, praise for standing, 1 step, walking, running

Mental Motivators: "I've got Mr H...this will get easier...the only way out is through...I'm training/reteaching

Think about weekly chores instead of daily ones

say "yes" unless you absolutely can't

These may not seem like hard tasks...but these are painful for me to even think about doing. I know I have not talked a lot about "G's situation" but it's something that is THE BIGGEST and most serious stress for our family.

Saturday May 28:
These next pictures are some more of the damage from the storm.


All of the dots on the fence are hits from the hail. In total damage for our house, 3 screens need to be replaced and the shutters, our kitchen skylight, back patio glass and light, and our air conditioner. I'm just glad everyone was safe and no one was harmed.

Bath Time = Mohawk for KK

Sunday May 29:
AA's graduation party was today. She is the last of my 5 siblings to graduate from high school. She was pretty fired up for her party...lots of food, corn hole, and mud wrestling...yes, mud wrestling. AA shared her open house with her friend, Megan, they've been friends since junior high, I think.

I just have to laugh at this photo with RR

Volleyball

KK LOVED the pool



Now trying to splash mom


Peeknut, (A's ball python) made an appearance too!

Too cute not to photo

Mud Wrestling





KK was so upset that dirt was put into the pool and it didn't help when Aunt RR threw him into the dirty water, but Mimi helped him get over it when she gave him the hose with the sprayer on it and he got everyone within a 5ft radius wet!

I even got mud on me from all the splashing and unfortunately I had to toss the shirt because it didn't come out

Today was a great day, A had fun, there was lots of food and company. The only sucky thing about the day was Mr H. had a severe migraine, which I gave him a muscle relaxer for, and he was dead to the world sleeping it off until about 45 mins before we left the party, he was sleeping for a total of 3.5 hours

Monday May 30:
No pictures today. We had a pretty busy day but what made it great was that Mr H. had the day off. G carried the flag at the Memorial Day picnic. We ate great food and played Cornhole, which I beat Mr H. at! KK had a fun time playing and like a mom would, I brought extra drinks for my family, which was a good thing because the water fountain wasn't working and KK was so sweaty. There was also a silent auction for girl's camp. I donated a hand crocheted baby afghan for them to use. I bid on and won 1 night of babysitting, homemade wheat bread, and an FHE treat. Even though we are VERY financially strapped we thought it was a good service project. After the auction, one of our friends from church asked to have G over for the rest of the afternoon, which we gladly accepted. Once we were done baking in the heat we went home and hung out for the rest of the day. Once G came home we spent FHE time swimming in our pool for the first time this year. It was very nice to be a family and have the opportunity to spend the day together. Usually Mr H. leaves for work at 8am and doesn't come home until 9:30pm because of school. So to have the opportunity was such a blessing.