Thursday, April 26, 2012

Chuck E Cheese's

Where Kids of All Ages Can Play
Spent the day with my loves.  Jesse, Priscylla and Zion. Took Pri to Old Navy, then we played at Chuck E Cheese's, Fed the boys at McDonald's and stopped by Big Apple Music and bought AJ's birthday gift.  I found a used Yamaha keyboard for $50.00.  It is kind of funny because I told Pri that if I found one at that price I was going to get it for him.  It was as if it was waiting for me to come in and buy it.  God is good like that.  He knew it was my desire to get one for AJ and I needed a good price.  Now he can practice piano this summer as  well as being easily moved with him to school or to his apartment when the time comes.  He plans to have an associates degree in music when he graduates from Elim Bible Institute.
I try not to think on when the Nascimento's relocate.  They don't plan to stay in NY indefinitely, but they are here now and I plan to live everyday as if they will always be my neighbors and friends.  No matter where they go, Pri and Zion will always be a part of my life. For me, she is a cross between a baby sister and a daughter (both I have never had) and I adore her. Little Zion is 3 months older than Jesse and they are absolutely adorable together.  They play (and fight) well and they love each other.  My life has been so blessed by this beautiful family.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Winner Loses All


For some reason this song popped in my head as I got my beautiful Jesse off to sleep.  I still can picture the video and Mark Miller strutting around the stage while performing it....Very catch tune written by Don Rollins and George Jones and originally performed by Jones.

I loved the 80's



Click Picture to view video

The Race Is On

Performed by Sawyer Brown
I feel tears wellin' up cold deep inside
like my heart's sprung a big break
and a stab of loneliness sharp and painful
that I may never shake

You might say that I was taking it hard
since you wrote me off with a call
But don't you wager that I'll hide in sorrow
when I may lay right down and bawl

Now the race is on
and here comes pride in the backstretch
Heartaches goin' to the inside
My tears are holdin' back
They're tryin' not to fall
My heart's out of the runnin'
True love's scratched for another's sake
The race is on and it looks like heartaches
and the winner loses all

One day I ventured in love
never once suspectin' what the final result would be
and how I lived in fear of waking up each morning
finding that you're gone from me
There's ache and pain in my heart
for today was the one that I hated to face
Somebody new came up the winner
and I came out in second place


Now the race is on
and here comes pride in the backstretch
Heartaches goin' to the inside
My tears are holdin' back
They're tryin' not to fall
My heart's out of the runnin'
True love's scratched for another's sake
The race is on and it looks like heartaches
and the winner loses all

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Self Control




: restraint exercised over one's own impulses, emotions, or desires....

I am trying to exercise self-control.  Started the morning with healthy choices, only one cup of coffee, 16 ounces of water, 40 minutes on the elliptical and 2 sets of  7 core strengthening exercises.  Here it is... A little after eleven o'clock am and I am already wanting lunch.  I have no idea what to make for myself since I have not been grocery shopping.  Most of the healthier foods have been served.  There are more of the convenience foods that are higher in calories and lower in nutrition.  I just have to stick to my program and do the very best I can with what I have....


When you look like this...but...



Want to look like this....one must practice self-control

Wyatt in Uniform...1st game today

Friday, April 20, 2012

Finding Balance




My life is a jumbled mess.  Too many items, not enough storage.  Four people dirtying it up and only one to clean it.  I have once again let my guard down and the house is once again out of control.  Days like today are overwhelming.  That is when pick six helps me.  I look around and choose the six worst messes and jot them down.  I cross them off as I get them done, with hopes I won't get distracted.  After those 6 I take a break and enjoy Jesse and then repeat with the next 6.
I have gotten Wyatt up and drove him to school, have had my breakfast and done my elliptical workout.  I need to go to the library today.  I am trying 1-2-3 Magic method with Jesse and to some extent Wyatt.  I am a lazy parent.  I is easier for me to just give in than to discipline, but that is all beginning to change.He gets instant timeout for spitting, hitting and screaming and 1-2-3 to rectify his behavior...at 3 it is timeout. So far just saying "Jesse that is one" is enough.
As far as Wyatt is concerned...he is a wonderful and well behaved young man.  His downfall is he does not like to do house work and will work harder at getting out of it than the actual chores.  I am going to post his to do list so he will no longer have the excuse of "I don't know what to do".  If this next week is not improved I am taking away TV, then Computer, next Ipod and lastly his phone.  But I am being optimistic that with a little guidance I won't have to punish.
I worry about and pray for AJ all the time.  He has about a month left until he comes home.  But he had his first real heartbreak and he is taking it on his sleeve. He is not sure if he wants to come home or to find away to go to China for a year.  It is horribly painful to know he is so hurt.  He and I both trust God for his future.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Happy Birthday AJ


Amazing Love


A few days old

Twenty years ago today I was blessed with my first born son, Albert J Smith. I am flooded with memories of his young life as I reflect on the last 2 decades that he has been in this world. An amazing gift to my husband and myself and to the community as he enters adulthood in love with God and on fire to serve Him.  Thank You Father for giving me my sons and for the special untouchable bond I have with A.J. 



This is his second birthday separated from us.  A few years ago he went to Scotland on a missions trip with his youth group.  Today he is away at college and will  be until sometime in May.  He and his "Elim" family have a celebration planned for the weekend and we will celebrate with him when he comes home at the end of the semester.



 Happy Birthday Baby!

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Just Another Day


By Phil Vassar

The kids screaming, phone ringing
Dog barking at the mailman bringing
That stack of bills - overdue
Good morning baby, how are you?
Got a half hour, quick shower
Take a drink of milk but the milk's gone sour
My funny face makes you laugh
Twist the top on and I put it back
There goes the washing machine
Baby, don't kick it.
I promise I'll fix it
Long about a million other things

Well, it's ok. It's so nice
It's just another day in paradise
Well, there's no place that
I'd rather be
Well, it's two hearts
And one dream
I wouldn't trade it for anything
And I ask the Lord every night
For just another day in paradise

Friday, you're late
Guess we'll never make our dinner date
At the restaurant you start to cry
Baby, we'll just improvise
Well, plan B looks like
Dominoes' pizza in the candle light
Then we'll tippy toe to our room
Make a little love that's overdue
But somebody had a bad dream
Mama and daddy
Can me and my teddy
Come in to sleep in between?

Yeah it's ok. It's so nice.
It's just another day in paradise.
Well, there's no place that
I'd rather be
Well, it's two hearts
And one dream
I wouldn't trade it for anything
And I ask the Lord every night
For just another day in paradise

Well, it's ok. It's so nice.
It's just another day in paradise.
Well, there's no place that
I'd rather be
Two hearts
And one dream
I wouldn't trade it for anything
And I ask the Lord every night
For just another day in paradise

For just another day in paradise
Well, it's the kids screaming. The phone ringing
Just another day
Well, it's Friday. You're late
Oh yeah, it's just another day in paradise

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Stress Filled Day




As a housewife I wear many hats.  My most important title is mom.  I am so greatly blessed by my sons and most of the time my heart is busting with love and pride. My kids ages are spread by years.  Almost 6 between AJ and Wyatt.  Wyatt was 11 (only weeks from 12) when I had Jesse.  I don't think I have a more challenging life than a mom of kids 2-3 years apart except for their needs being so different.  Jesse being so young he pretty much sticks with me and needs to be home and asleep early in the night...When Wyatt has plans he usually needs to be picked up late at night- conflict of interests.  No one really understands my situation.  I am home alone with the boys most of the time or with a sleeping spouse.  That leaves me to do all the parenting, driving and coordinating lives.  Someways I feel so over stretched, that I can never accomplish everything with quality.  Even at 14, Wyatt still needs me and I need him.  In my waking hours I try to keep  the house clean, cook meals, prepare snacks, spend time with Jesse, care for the pets and take a little bit of time for one on one with Wyatt.For me to have any time for myself to pursue something for my own enjoyment, something has to be neglected.  Usually house work.  Once a week I take Jesse to story hour and to visit Doug's aging parents. I wish I could find some balance...I wish I could find a way to make Jesse stop squealing and sending my nerves into the atmosphere....I wish I had more time with Doug...I wish I could get a grip on Bible study and spending time in the presence of God....I guess I just wish I could do everything better....