George Strait - Troubadour

I had to share this one! I love George, I love men on horseback, but this song makes me think of another cowboy!

Saturday

Weekends should be for fun and excitement, but that isn't always the case. Today I have...
*bought a few groceries
*dusted
*picked up
*done laundry
*vacuumed
*swept
*mopped
*organized research
*cleaned bathrooms
*made a broccoli salad for lunch tomorrow
*talked to both sons
*talked to Dan twice
*talked to Freda
*called MeMe and talked to Gary

Son #1 continues to lead his blessed "perfect" life. (In our family this is such a strange thing!) Anyway on his way to new home in Lexington, KY he sat his cell phone and wallet on top of car. When he stopped for gas he realizes the problem, looks and his wallet is still there. The inlaws followed them up to KY and they notice the cell phone fall off and stop and pick it up. Unfortunately, it had been run over, but no worries, his uncle in law has an old phone that the sims card fit perfectly. Go figure.

Son #2 calls to say he has played 10 hours of pool! Apparently this was a major accomplishment and great fun. Then he wanted to go buy books and was exasperated that I suggested he wait until he goes to class to make sure professors are using the books. (Old college trick)

Then the call to MeMe and talking with Gary left me weeping and feeling sorry for myself. MeMe is the one with the rare form of stomach cancer. Things have gone well for the past 27 months so we were lulled into a false since of security. Only to be told that the cancer has started to spread. It hasn't reached any major organs yet. Treatment on this type of cancer is experimental and so we wait and hope that God is merciful. One day I will post specifically about my relationship with MeMe.

My heart breaks because I need to see her. My heart breaks because I need Dan. I'm sick of this arrangement and can't for the life of me understand why God doesn't open up a door or at least crack a window. I want us together, everyday that passes makes me hate horses and the horse business with this sick addiction more. Everything is in limbo!

I hope to finish up some college work tonight. Then try not to begrudge that the only day I see Dan anymore is Sunday and most of that day is spent in church. If anybody has a word from God in relationship to us let me know ASAP. I do believe that God reveals things to others.

It's Only Wednesday

Well I thought yesterday was tough, but today Matt has called for money. It was at this moment that everything was back into perspective, for 5 hours. Then I sat across a table and watched my beautiful first born take his next step into adulthood. No, I didn't cry (it was hard)! I tried to think of the opportunity that was about to present itself for him. I pray God lets him get the job with Haggyrd Equine Medical Institute (across the street from the horse park). (Yes, I could be at the Kentucky Derby next year).

I called my best friend from high school, Brenda, and she said she hoped I was partying. Well no partying, but I do feel that things are as they should be!

Today, I did get a bouquet of pencils and they brought a terrific smile to my lips! How cute that was. I felt special. I felt loved on a very difficult week!

So as my boys spread their wings may God smile upon them and open doors. And while he is smiling their Daddy could use a good weekend. Dan is going to Augusta tomorrow in hopes of selling several horses. His words tonight were that everything was for sale.

Then to add spice to my life, Gabe is running for Vice-President of the student council. What in the world! The election is Friday.

So I believe that God hears the prayers of his saints and I know you will all be praying for God to smile down on the H Family this weekend.

Life is hard...

I really didn't think it would be this hard to send Matt off to school. Oh, he has been the model child of late and I think that made it harder. Still I know I have Gabe left, but sending both the older boys off at the same time is really difficult. Yet, I want them to grow and become all they are intended to be.

We should be proud that we've raised strong Godly men. One has a degree (that he might just use) and the other is getting one. That they know they are loved and really they are ready to face the world.

Today, I thought of some of the children we teach. They will never be ready to go. They will struggle all through their life.

I am in the second week of school and already feel like I am behind. I think there are so many things they don't know and that they need to know. It makes me sad, that I don't feel like I can stop and smell the roses with them. For instance, this week it would be fun to have some kind of boat race. The temperature is so hot when it is there time to be outside, that going out is almost impossible. I keep telling them soon we will go out! A boat raise would work! Now that is as far as I've gotten on the plan, because there is too much to do and not enough time to do it!!!

More Departures

On Friday, these two will leave to start a new life in Kentucky. Drew made a trip up there last week to interview with a large Equine Hospital across the street from the Kentucky International Horse Park. Drew says that they have 60 vets on staff. The place is huge and they are interviewing him as farm manager of the reproduction division. Apparently they have lots of brood mares and foals. He felt like the interview went well, but is waiting for the call back. They did tell him that they have two other positions that he might be interested in. The horse park is 15 minutes from the house they've rented. I do pray that works out for them.

So don't anybody even so much as walk by me whistling Suzy Bogguss this week. Gabe is going to school alone (without his mom or brothers) for the first time in his life! Can anyone say nerve pills?

My Boy

Tuesday this boy is going away to college. It is hard to believe that 18 years have come and gone so fast. At 6'3 1/2" he towers over me, this boy who used to curl up beside me as I read The Adventures of Muffin Mouse for the millioneth time. Now is time for him to go make his own adventure!

Matt is the middle child. He was old enough to understand all the struggles we've been through as a family over the last five years. I wonder sometimes if he has learned from our hardships, however self inflicted they may have been. Drew was gone to college during that time, he has been unphased by the struggles. Matt on the other hand has watched. He wants to grow up, but yet he is afraid to leave us. Today I made a comment about how we might be better off financially if I had worked instead of staying home with them. He says, "But you might not have such well mannered boys." He's right. He assured me that money wasn't everything, telling me of friends who never see their parents.

So today Big Boy and me went shopping. We bought two more pair of shorts, a trashcan, a rug, and other things college boys need to leave home and start a new adventure. We've been very fortunate! So watch out world we are giving you one of our best!

(To get a feel for my mood tonight...check out the Suzy Bogguss song on the right.)

My Class

I had to share this photo of 1/3 of my class wearing plaid. Monkey took it when they came to art. I am totally excited about this group! They rock!!!! One of the boys in this class is autistic. I was so happy that he got in the photo. We've had a rough day this week, but he is getting better and tries so hard to fit in. I wish we lived in a world where everyone could just be themselves.

One of my favorite students has had an extremely rough life. If you look closely there are knife scars on his face. He struggles, but boy do I love him. Every morning he is greated with a big hug and I am greated with a big smile. I know we will have rough days, but for now all is well. He even was upset he missed Friday!

On Monday, I had a student who didn't know her address, the bus driver was doggin' me and she was about in tears. A couple of days later, her grandmother sent me a letter explaining that her Daddy had just died; and the little girl and her mom had moved in with Grandma. My heart broke for her. She is so quite and shy, but by the end of the week we were smiling.

Thank you Jesus for this class. They may be exactly what I need this year. I pray that they will grow in knowledge and acceptance of others. Let me be a light of your love to them. AMEN