I am paying my kids to get up and get ready in the morning

You may be one of those parents who is saying 
"Ummm...No they need to get up" 
or you may be the parent that gets up an extra hour early to start dragging people out of bed. 
Either way, I think I have tried every way I can to make life easy in the morning with no success yet. 
However I am hopeful that my new plan may change that!
First of all, these kids are not up late running around the neighborhood, watching tv or playing video games. 
They come home, work on their homework, take a break for dinner and bath, finish up any homework and then head to bed. 
Usually that is between 7:30 and 8:30pm. 
Then to fall asleep, 2 out of 3 require a melatonin sleep aid. 
But nighttime, full of its own stresses, is not too bad. 
It is the morning that is so very rough.
I have to start around 5:30am waking them up for two reasons:
 #1 we only have 1 bathroom, so with 4 of us that can get a little hectic 
 #2 they are in the before school day care program, so I need to drop them off and then I go to work. 
It is extremely hard for Hayden and Zev to get up and we have battled for years now. 
Once they get up they cannot focus and stay on the task of getting ready. 
So since I have tried everything with no success, I have decided to pay them!
That's right, pay my kids to get up and get ready. 
So the new plan is, every day that you are done before me you get a quarter. 
You could add $1.25 a week to your Saturday chore paycheck if you made it all week. 
HOWEVER, if you are not done before me, then you have to pay me a quarter!!! 
SO now your saying "Hmmm... that sounds good !" I know right!
We started yesterday, I paid out .50 and took in .25 then today the same. 
It is Christmas time and they are wanting money to buy gifts and things so this was a great time to start. 
I am extremely hopeful that this will work. 
Maybe your kids wont budge for a quarter but mine will, they have learned how fast quarters can add up and turn into dollars. 
They have a chart here where they can earn lots of quarters by doing laundry, washing dishes, bringing home an A or B on quizzes or tests, taking out the garbage etc.. 
Last week, Tavey earned $7.25, Hay got $5.50 while Zev raked in $3
I truly appreciate their help in keeping "our" house up and being responsible. 
If it doesnt work after 2 weeks that's just ok too. I will keep trying till it does.

In all work there is profit
 Proverbs 14:23

The plan for the night is... "Don't let the sun go down on your anger"

See that is where I always go wrong, making a plan. 
Making a plan isn't always a bad thing unless you live here with my children. 
You can make your plans all you want but as the saying goes "life happens!"
I have a test coming up in the morning and I have been studying for it for the past few weeks whenever I get a chance like, after they go to bed, while they are swimming, during a break at work etc. 
Tonight I wanted to take a practice test and my plan was to do that while they were in church. 
It seemed that we had some unfinished school work that had to come to church with us, so first we had to finish "their" work for the day. 
Once that was done my precious hour and a half of alone study time was down to a "Ok I have 20 minutes left now" 
I started to work on it but it seemed that they were losing all sense that God gave them. 
I couldn't concentrate, they were all over the place and it just kept getting worse. 
I got halfway done before we had to pick up the middle child from her class. 
Just then what was already a night that needed to end became a scene of "whose kids are those?" 
Needless to say I "voiced" my frustrations the entire way home and for 10 more minutes after we got here. 
I finally get everyone in bed, start cleaning up and getting laundry together when I was already feeling guilty with the "Kelly, you have 3 amazing children and your just stressed out feeling" but then I had to find THE NOTE. 
It was sitting here in my desk chair.

So I of course went to everyone and apologized for getting so upset. 

I told them that I loved them so much and appreciate who they are and how they make me feel!

I thank God for them and for his gentle reminders. 

I might mess up again tomorrow, but that's just ok because I have some great help!

"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry Ephesians 4:26

We went DRUG FREE for Tropical Storm Lee

When things are going great and everything is working as it should it is hard to tell that Autism and some other things reside in my family. 
5 Years ago a pediatrician, behavior analyst, neurologist and neuropsychologist sat me down and said "You have a problem and you shouldn't ignore it or deny it any longer. Here are the statistics that show children in this condition that aren't getting the help and medication that they need and this is what they are doing". They discussed with me children who cannot cope in the world and instead find help in the wrong places. 
I was so against medicine and was just wanting to see if more time would help. 
My first thought like most people that run into us was "She can talk, she doesnt rock back and forth etc.." 
I would soon be more and more convinced that what I had was not a behavior problem but a real disorder.
 One that screamed when toilets flush, that thought playing with things meant lining them up in rows, that spoke in the "3rd" person for 2 years, ran when it felt blades of grass or sand touching its feet, one that barked at people, one that pulled its eyelashes, leg hairs and whole nails out etc etc... There were positive things as well. A memory that would shock people, musical talent, ever so caring and conscious of others in need or hurt, so UNworldly and many more. Some yet to be unlocked behind the chains that an autism spectrum disorder bind. 
Needless to say we did start adding medications to try and help more and more new issues that we seem to be having. We switched, went back, switched again, tweaked, and tweaked until we could get to where we are now which is not where we need to be but my feeling is that there are some things that man just cannot fix. 
And like I said most days we do the best we can, we still struggle a lot and hard as I try I find myself apologizing over a situation or feeling like I want to hide when deep down I just wish everyone would understand. 
So that brings me to weekends like this. Medicaid only approves medications in sets of 30 and never refills early and as you all know many months have more than 30 days. 
I try to never be out of medication on a school day because I would never want a teacher or other students to have a harder day than they would need to so I always "take one for the team" on a weekend day so that we don't run out. 
This weekend we went without everything for the last two days which will keep us in good shape for the month. I thought it was a great time to do it since we were having a tropical storm and all and were kinda shut in. 
And take one for the team I did!! 
I was trying to think of how to explain what it looked like this weekend and the best thing I could think of was a cat stuck in a box full of water with loud music coming out and 17 television sets on different channels.
I guess it was a good reminder of how she is battling inside and how much she still needs help. 
I guess a normal day for her is only 5 or 6 TV's on different channels. 
Some people may never understand or accept it and that is just ok, but if you seen us out of the house today because it got a little stir crazy in here or if you see us one day and wonder "what in the world is wrong with that kid or MOM?" that may just be a day that she and I need your prayers and understanding the most. 

Philippians 1:27 says:

"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves 
in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ." (NASB


1 Peter 4 and 7 in the Message says:
Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God's words; if help, let it be God's hearty help. That way, God's bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he'll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!

It's not itchy & I am not a worry-wart

Traded rash guards for uniforms this week and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be!

Shoes that are 2 sizes to big so they don't touch him, hair cuts as soon as the hair starts tickling him, silky shirts that must go under all other shirts so it doesn't itch, socks without a single wrinkle in them, nothing touching his neck etc.. etc..no tags no where!!! This is what he is made of...And that's just ok with me! 

This past week Zev and Hay started a new school that requires wearing uniforms. I will say at first I was really worried about it. I mean there are mornings that we spend over an hour just getting him ready because things have to be just right or he is uncomfortable and fidgety. Not only that but his clothing issues can be a big distraction in school. If he has a wrinkle in his sock he will mess with it and mess with it until it is perfect even if it means missing a lesson being taught. So you can understand my initial worries about him having to wear a uniform and have it tucked in with a belt!! Well my worries led me to even call the new principal and explain my sons (qwerks) and seek help. Two different people told me not to worry about it and that they would join me in prayer over it. So you know what i did? Just that! I didn't worry about it anymore and laid it at the alter. I let God be in control, and once I did he went straight to work. First a teacher (the very one who would have been his teacher had he not switched schools) came to me with a bag full of brand new uniforms including soft polo embroidered shirts. She said she was so proud of him and wanted to get him these. Next his new teacher allowed him to wear his silky undershirts that kind of stick out of the sleeves. I had told him she would never go for that but she has.

 Lastly comes confirmation: Day one he says "My shirt didn't even itch me today" Day 4 "I like these clothes"

So I am a little proud of how quick I handed this over and the outcome we received

The bible says: Who of you by worrying can add one hour to his life?" Matthew 6 and 27

Even what seems like a little thing is important to him if it is important to you. Give him thanks even for the little things ok.

Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5 and 20

So if you see me and wonder why I am not stressing out about the kids, a job, my car troubles etc.. It is because I don't wanna! I don't want to worry anymore about anything. I am just gonna stay out of my fathers way and let him drive the bus

Come close to God, and God will come close to you. James 4 and 8

The message says: You be about his business and he will be about yours!

We love you!

A 9 year old with a heavy heart, worry and pain~ Please intercede!!!

We all have some heavy burdens at times. Sometimes I question them or why someone else's is so much heavier than mine. Today my heart hurts for a 9 year old boy who is worried about his brother and sister staying alive.
He is an amazing kid, an awesome student, he loves his family so much. He has a wonderful mother and father and I mean wonderful! He has 3 siblings , two of which suffer from a terminal illness called Sanfillipo Syndrome Type A. And then he has another brother that his parents adopted (because like I said they are wonderful) The strong marriage that his parents have is what makes this family be able to conquer their daily struggles. We went to visit them this weekend and everyone had such a great time together but when its time to leave them it is very hard because of what you know. You just want to stay and love on them. So imagine never leaving and being with them all the time. If you are their older brother you worry alot. Below is a story he wrote last night after we left and emailed it to his mom at 2:30 in the morning: 

                                   The Wonders of God

The parents came home devastated the children confused but still comforting the parents offering medicine and help making dinner and clean the house it was midnight when the parents went to bed very sad and depressed the kids sad for them in the morning at exactly 6:00 the phone rang the kids were listening or trying at least to hear what was going on in 1 hour the oldest and only one who could read knew what was going on the kids rushed into room. 4e there in bed was there sick brother the only brother with sanfilippo but not the only sibling he was coughing and crying but still hugging his family his sister laela also affected by the life threatening disease was also sick but not quite as much as Ryan jalen the oldest of the children was upset and crying and praying for Ryan and laela and their lives alongside his little brother Justin who was very very sad and crying eventually the nurse came in and said "we will need to do surgery on both of them and if the surgery works out they will both live so do you agree with the surgery "and the parents Allison and Edwin nodded their heads vigorously their faces damp with tears by 4:00 that evening one surgery was done then at 8:00 Ryan came out of the room jumping and having fun with everyone but that was not the end of the streak of good luck the president of vivnt called and told them their story was so touching they decided to let them win instantly and 7 days later the family found 4,000 dollars in their backyard and with that money they bought confort items and toys for everyone and they had fun for months with the new things and the boss at the fathers work was feeling genorous so he let Edwin take the year off and the Baldomero family had fun for years

The End~ Jalen Baldomero

No one should have to worry like this and his dream is too see his brother and sister LIVE! 

You cannot even imagine the life they lead every day as they care for these two and they all do it with a smile on their face and hope in their eyes. 

Would you please keep Jalen along with his brother (Ryan) and sister (Laela) on your nonstop prayer list.

Ryan Baldomero ~8

Laela Baldomero ~4

Jalen Baldomero ~9 with his sister Laela ~4

The Baldomeros

Sanfilippo Syndrome

Sanfilippo syndrome is metabolism disorder passed down through families. It makes the body unable to properly break down long chains of sugar molecules called glycosaminoglycans (formerly called mucopolysaccharides).
The syndrome belongs to a group of diseases called mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS).
Specifically, it is known as MPS III.

Sanfilippo syndrome occurs when the substances (enzymes) needed to break down the heparan sulfate sugar chain are missing or are defective.
There are four main types of Sanfilippo syndrome, also called MPS III. Which type a person has depends on which enzyme is affected.

• Sanfilippo type A is the most severe form. Persons with this type are missing or have an altered form of an enzyme called heparan N-sulfatase.
• Sanfilippo type B occurs when a person is missing or doesn't not produce enough alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase.
• Sanfilippo C occurs when a person is missing or doesn't not produce enough acetyl-CoAlpha-glucosaminide acetyltransferase.
• Sanfilippo D occurs when a person is missing or doesn't not produce enough N-acetylglucosamine 6-sulfatase.
• The syndrome causes significant neurological symptoms, including severe retardation. IQs may be below 50. Most persons with Sanfilippo syndrome live into their teenage years. Some patients live longer, while others with severe forms as die at an earlier age. 
• Symptoms appear most severe in persons with type A Sanfilippo syndrome.
• There is no cure currently 

 Lord,

You know Jalen. You know the burden he carries. You also know his heart. Lord, we ask you to be with him now as you work in his life. 
Lord, we pray for Ryan and Laela just as your Word tells us to pray, for healing. 
Lord, I don't always understand your ways. I don't know why my friends have to suffer, but I trust you. I ask that you look with mercy and grace toward them. Nourish his spirit and soul in this time of suffering and comfort him with your presence. Amen

Psalm 41:3

The LORD sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness.

My friends are users!!!

When I think about some of the rough seasons I have been through in my life I look at how I was able to make it through these storms. It is the friends and family that God has strategically placed around me.
There are people in my life, people who use their love to be my covering.
They use what they know about me to encourage me.
They use their time to cheer for me.
They use the power of prayer to battle for me. 
They use the word family when they count me as a loved one. 
They use wisdom and know me from the inside. 
They use their heart to see my struggles and do not allow me to give up. 
They use their strength to lift me up when I am down. 
They know when I am winning, losing, hurting or need without my saying a word.
They have the capability to see me as beautiful even when I can not.
Small or large amounts of time may pass but there is no love loss
I try to be as much of a friend to everyone as these are so precious to me. 
Even the word friend just doesn't seem to be the word that describes them. Loved one is more like it!
Every bad mistake or choice in my life is blurry when I look at who God chose to surround me with during it.
And if these storms never end, thats just ok, because I have all of you!
You know who you are and I love you
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you ~Phil 1:3
Kel

1 Corinthians 13:1-3
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

If you say "I will pray for you" do you actually do it?

Have you ever told someone that you would pray for them but never did?
When someone is hurting, needing healing or is in a storm and you offer to pray for them then you are becoming part of an agreement, part of the way out for that person. 


The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 4:12:
 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

When someone is being overpowered that is when they need help. What if you were one of that cord of three.


I heard a song today while I was working by Josh Wilson called "I refuse" and although I have heard it a hundred times today I actually heard it for the first time . 
It talks about just this and waiting for others to do what you can do.
For me it seems right now that many of my friends are battling big battles. 
Children with terminal illnesses, upcoming surgeries and bad doctor reports, job needs, financial needs and more.
I am choosing to pray for all of them. 
When my kids go to bed and I have finished all my mother duties I will be in my quiet place going to battle for all who have asked me 
and some who I know need it but wont ask because they dont know they need it and that's just ok too. 
I might come out limping but If I have said that I will pray for you then count on me.


 Below are the lyrics from Josh Wilson's song "I Refuse"
I Refuse
Sometimes I, I just want to close my eyes
And act like everyone's alright
When I know they're not
This world needs God, but it's easier to stand and watch
I could pray a prayer and just move on
Like nothing's wrong

But I Refuse


I don't want to live like I don't care
I don't want to say another empty prayer
Oh, I refuse to sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself
I could choose not to move
But I refuse

I can hear the least of these, crying out so desperately
And I know we are the hands and feet of You, oh God
So if You say move, it's time for me to follow through
And do what I was made to do
And show them who You are

I don't want to live like I don't care
I don't want to say another empty prayer
Oh, I refuse to sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself
I could choose not to move
But I refuse

I refuse to stand and watch the weary and lost cry out for help
I refuse to turn my back and try and act like all is well
I refuse to stay unchanged, to wait another day to die to myself
I refuse to make one more excuse

I don't want to live like I don't care
I don't want to say another empty prayer
Oh, I refuse to sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself
I could choose not to move
But I refuse

Zev is gone!

Well not GONE, gone.
 He is however gone from my room! 
For the past two years now Zev has been sleeping in my bed. 
It hasn't always been this way, in fact Zev got out of the crib close to 2 years old and slept in a big boy bed right after that and did for 3 years. But when he was 5 he started developing some strange fears. 
Many of these fears are still present. It seems as time has went on he has gotten progressively worse to where he wouldn't even go to the bathroom alone in our own house. 
He still has issues with that and his sisters have gotten used to having to go to the bathroom with him or to his room to get something. Even to the kitchen in the middle of the day you will see him ask Tave to go with him. 
I have tried many times to figure out why he is so scared but all I can ever get out of him is that he thinks he is going to be attacked by scary things. Neither Zev nor the girls are allowed to watch anything scary on tv. 
We actually don't even watch tv much. He has mentioned seeing some things before when he was in someone else's care but I cannot get him to shake this. I have prayed over him many many times and tried different things that I thought would help him but it hasn't yet. 
So for the past two years he has been laying on the couch and he waits for me to go to bed and then he will go. Most of the time he would fall asleep on the couch and I would just carry him to bed. 
This year I threw my back out twice already though so I am not doing that anymore and he finds himself out in the living room alone in the middle of the night and comes running scared into my room. 
Well this past weekend I tried again in my alone time to remove the spirit of fear from this house and that child. 
I prayed loudly and claimed this house back. I knew it had been done and my only thought was how do I make him understand that it is over.
 I didn't say anything at first but then finally did talk to him and told him that he was done being afraid. He was excited about it! Until he had to go to bed last night. 
He wound up back in the living room again. But tonight we did it again and he came out of there 3 times and I took him back all three times, firm but loving. I have to say it was breaking my heart because I don't like my kids to be afraid and them to think that I don't care but I took him back three times. I even left all the lights on in his room and the hallway. Came back out and noticed after a few minutes that it had gotten quiet. When I went to check on him, I found him asleep tightly wrapped under his blanket hiding. I was torn with emotion. The first half of me was upset that he fell asleep so scared enough to be so hidden under the blanket but the other half of me was excited for him and me . Excited for him that he was able to go to sleep in his room and for me that I would have my bed to myself. 
I wish I knew I did the right thing, but I don't. Its not a battle that I must win, and I certainly have room in my bed for him. I just want to help him get over these fears, but is it worth him being so scared still. Is it one of those choose your battles things? I don't know, lately it seems like every way I turn I have messed something up.  I know that God does not want him to be fearful. Fear is not a fruit of the spirit. So I will keep praying over him and his sisters. If he doesnt make it in his room all night thats just ok too.
Praying through your house is not a superstitious ritual, it is claiming your home, your children and life and standing up and proclaiming "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" Joshua 24:15
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7

Should I stop her from correcting an adult?

In this case I probably wont!
My kids are real quick to comment on the sight of people drinking, smoking, running red lights etc...
And when I say comment, I mean out loud so the person can usually hear.
But today's incidence was a new one. 
I have to say I am very proud of "Esther" aka Hayden for standing up for what is right today, 
no matter the cost.
This message has been reinforced lately at Church and Hayden put it to practice today for sure.
We went out to eat dinner tonite and Hayden needed to use the restroom 
where she found herself in a weird spot.
She says that she was in the stall and that there was a woman with a small child in there as well. 
The woman was on the phone and the child came out of the stall
 in need of some kind of help when the mother said to the child 
"Get your "f"ing "a double s" back in there you are disgusting" 
(Hayden used the words Bleeping Bleep as she told the story  but then she said the first bleeping starts with a F and the second bleep starts with an A) 
This child was between 3-5 yrs old Hayden says.
Hayden says she was really scared in there but felt really sad for the kid. 
She said "I wanted to say something to that lady that you are not supposed to talk like that to your child but I was afraid that she was going to hurt me and break my leg" 
So as she slowly came out of the stall to wash her hands she said 
"I just decided to do it" and I told the mom "You shouldn't say those words to your child" 
and the woman replied "You are right, I shouldn't" 
Hayden left and came back to our table where she sat down and said
 "Momma I am worried about a little girl that is in the bathroom and then told me the whole story.
 I told her I couldn't be more proud of the way she handled herself 
We talked about Esther and the message at church "Standing up for what is right no matter the cost" and
 "Being weird in a God way" 
I told her that I am hopeful that the seed she had just planted would grow quickly and change that woman's life. 
So I guess the moral of this story is if you are drinking or smoking around Zev or abusing your child around Hayden expect to not get away with it!
 John Quinonis would be proud of Hayden! "What would you do?"
Stand up for what is right no matter the cost!

If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?"
Esther 4:14

My son loves me, even in public!

As I was just getting ready to leave the day care this morning I said  
"Bye Zev, I will see you later",
then I said it again and finally got his attention. 
"Wait Momma, I need a hug and a kiss" he said. 
So my 8 year old runs across the room full of kids and gives me his normal big hug and kiss. 
He said "you almost left without my hug". I know how upset he gets if I have left without him giving me one. 
I guess I didn't want to yell across the room for him to come give me a hug and risk embarrassing him or anything. Turns out he could care less what any of them think! 
As I got my hug he says 
"Momma I was telling a boy about me and you fishing and that your name is Kelly and the boy said SO WHAT"
 Then he said "he doesn't care about you". 
I said "that is ok, what did you say?" He says "Well, I didn't say anything, but I love you" 
My son is not perfect, he never will be. What he has is love!
I hope he never changes, and I hope he keeps planting seeds without even knowing it.
Unfortunately this kind of behavior is the minority now. 
Today people teach their children some of the very same things they did as a child. 
Childish gross jokes, bullying, no value of people, greed and waste are worldly ways to be "Cool"
But, its not cool at all, your opening your children up to the bondage that this world brings that you yourself may have been dealing with your whole life.
Cool is an 8 yr old giving his mom a kiss in front of 50 kids without even turning his head. 
Cool is that kid blowing his sisters kisses every single night as he heads to bed. 
Cool is talking about your mom to your friends!
Thanks Pallie, you made my day!!!


 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Ephesians 6: 13-17

Sorry if you were behind me in the grocery store today

So it was "Early Release" day at school for the kids today. I paid for them to be picked up and taken to a daycare since I was still at work. So I had about 45 minutes more than I normally do before I needed to pick them up for piano practice. You know what I was thinking, "what can I do by myself for 45 minutes?" You guessed it I went to Walmart! A trip with the kids is always a guaranteed two hour visit AT LEAST. It has been cereal week here, with groceries so expensive lately they just don't last us long anymore so when I was blessed yesterday with two Walmart gift cards I thought this will be a great time to run to the store and get some groceries. Boy was I wrong. So I made my way through the isles and got some stuff, ran into the usual church friends, teachers and even a client of my employer. So there I was at the checkout and everything was going smooth had about 20 minutes before the kids needed to be at piano. I got my total and pulled out my gift cards, one went through and the second one only took 3 cents off the total. So the guy says the total and then I said "I think the last card didn't subtract" so he checked the receipt and informed me that the card only had 3 cents left on it. So as a line is forming I got a little nervous and just pulled out my debit card and put the remainder on there. My first thought was our gift card donor would not have given me a card with 3 cents on it. Second thought was I just used my gas money. My order was done and the guy had moved on to the next shopper but I just didn't feel right about it. So I told him I think there is some kind of mistake, the card should have $50 on it. He said "Ma'am I will check it again but thats what the computer said". The customer he was working on made her way through then he puled the card back out and re-swiped it and then it said balance $50.00!!!
He was very sorry and said "here you can just use it next time" I explained to him that I didn't want to use it next time I wanted to use it this time and could he put the 50 back on my card and use this instead. I guess you already know the answer to that "Ma'am you will need to go to the service desk and then they can fix it for you" So 30 minutes walking around the store then 15 minutes with the cashier and now I am heading to customer service. Piano was starting in 20 minutes so I really didn't have much time at all seeing that I still needed to drive to day care get the kids pick up piano books then get to church. So the saga continues at the Customer Service desk. "Ma'am I will need to call a manager because I am not sure how to do that" One CSM (I learned all the lingo during this 1 1/2 hour trip) walked towards us then went right out the door, the greeter went after her when she didn't come back in but he came back alone and informed us that she was heading to her break. The next one did finally show up and she with a attitude took my receipt and my gift card and said "Ma'am, what seems to be the problem?" once informed she says "I will need to check with the cashier on this" I watched her walk to him, mess around in his cash drawer and then disappear. Not exaggerating here she came back after 2 more pages from the new clerk I was with and 10 minutes later. She then informed me that she did in fact see the mistake and the card is still worth $50 and she was waiting on the head manager to bring her a key. I told her I am not trying to be rude or rush you but I should have already picked up my children and we should be pulling into piano practice right now and do you know how much longer it would be? She said he was on his way. He never came but did call her about 4 minutes later with a code to key in, that didn't work so they got someone else on the phone who gave them the correct code. They didn't put it back on my credit card but handed me the cash instead. My initial 30 min quick stop turned into One and 1/2 hours ,my 3 day headache is worse, we missed piano (and recital is this weekend) and there was no way I was going to stand there longer and ask for new frozen foods that were getting soggy. So whats the silver lining in all this? Well the good news is we have groceries and a full tank of gas and I am Still a blessed and highly favored child of the most high God. I have wonderful family and friends who keep us from drowning and I have more patience now than I have ever had my whole life. (I prayed for that) ! Also sometimes everything seems to go wrong in your day and you just never know the reason for it. A friend once said to me "Everything that could go wrong has today and had made me extremely late to an appointment, then I got to the intersection where an accident had just occurred and I thought wow that might of been me" I guess we were not meant to be where I thought we would be today and that's just ok with me!
Kel

We can always find something to be thankful for!
Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God's will in Christ Jesus that you do this.
1 Thessalonians 5:18

"Autism Awareness is April 1st and 2nd and the rest of the year for some!

"Momma, I am a rare purple apple and your the only one who knows it!" Hayden Edelman

Did you know my children's behavior has nothing to do with my parenting skills? 
Yet I get stressed out a lot and worry about what others think too much! 
This is a great week to end with Autism Awareness. 
Sometimes the happy face is real and sometimes its painted on.
It started out real bad on Monday and didn't let up till Wednesday when I got a word from a friend who is battling a huge war herself, and the children's pastor who said "Thank God for where they are right now" 
You know I spend a lot of time trying, hoping, praying and teaching them to be a certain way but,
 I don't stop to Thank God for where they are RIGHT NOW. 
I could talk for hours about the things that my kids do that make me feel so blessed to be their mother. 
And I know they are storing up treasures in Heaven and trying their hardest to be salt and light in a dark world.
It is those things that mean the most anyway. 
So if you run into us at the store, church, or on the ball field and things look a little crazy, seem loud, overwhelming, embarrassing, thats just ok. 
This is my life and I Thank God for it! 
Do I wish things were different? Well sure but I am not going to dwell on it too much anymore!
Kelly

For the Lord see's not as man see's; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.
1 Samuel 16:76

Are you an invisible mom? Patie sent me this today, Thought I would share

Let's pray for each other wholeheartedly!

Invisible Mother.....

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask  to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?'

Obviously not; no one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible.. The invisible Mom. Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more! Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this??

Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Right around 5:30, please.'

Some days I'm a crystal ball; 'Where's my other sock?, Where's my phone?, What's for dinner?'

I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history, music and literature -but now, they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going, she's going, she's gone!?

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England . She had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when she turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.' It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe . I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: 'With admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.'

In the days ahead I would read - no, devoured - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: 1) No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names. 2) These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. 3) They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. 4) The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.

A story of legend in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof, No one will ever see it And the workman replied, 'Because God sees.'

I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does.
   
No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, no Cub Scout meeting, no last minute errand is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.

I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on.

The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.

When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My Mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for 3 hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd built a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, he'd say, 'You're gonna love it there...'

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible mothers.

Great Job, MOM!

Proverbs 31 says:
A wife of noble character who can find?
   She is worth far more than rubies.
¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her
   and lacks nothing of value.
¹² She brings him good, not harm,
   all the days of her life.
¹³ She selects wool and flax
   and works with eager hands.
¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
   bringing her food from afar.
¹⁵ She gets up while it is still night;
   she provides food for her family
   and portions for her female servants.
¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
   out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously;
   her arms are strong for her tasks.
¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,
   and her lamp does not go out at night.
¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff
   and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor
   and extends her hands to the needy.
²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
   for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
²² She makes coverings for her bed;
   she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate,
   where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
   and supplies the merchants with sashes.
²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;
   she can laugh at the days to come.
²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
   and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
   and does not eat the bread of idleness.
²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
   her husband also, and he praises her:
²⁹ “Many women do noble things,
   but you surpass them all.”
³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
   but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
³¹ Honor her for all that her hands have done,
   and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

He eats the weirdest stuff, where is he from?

French fries dipped in orange soda, bread dipped in cereal, shrimp on top of watermelon, peaches and corn. 
You name it he tries it! 
I think my favorite day was one that was not as gross as normal. It was red on bread, ketchup and bread, one of his favorite concoctions! 
If you give him a hotdog or hamburger he usually pulls the meat out and just eats the bread with the Ketchup and gives the meat to the dog. 
So he was making his favorite and his sister says "Zev you are so weird, you eat the weirdest things, I don't know where you came from" 
Which he replies "You do too know where I came from" then she says "I know you came from the hospital" 
which he quickly replies "NOT UHHH" 
Then she says "You did too" 
So as I am listening to this with a grin on my face I say "Zev where did you come from?" 
He replies "From sand and tan meat and pieces of Jesus"  
Sister says "No Zev, that was Adam, you came from the hospital"
Have I mentioned how much I love my kids? 
Even on their worst day I am blessed!



 We are the clay, you are the potter;
   we are all the work of your hand.
Isaiah 64:9

The middle child

I worry about Tavey alot!
She takes a back seat so often because of her brother and sister and she does it with grace and understanding most of the time.
Today was a prime example. She ran her 2nd 5k and waited for the awards ceremony to hear her name but instead had to leave because Hayden was feeling sick.
Understand that when Hayden gets sick no matter with what it is a major event.
So trust me when I say we HAD to leave.
It drags the energy clean out of me and I don't always handle it with as much grace as Tavey does.
In Haydens defense she truly cannot help it and she honestly was sick. She has been sick all day and is weak from getting sick so much.
 Hayden has apologized all day to Tavey for ruining her day and we have told her so many times that it isn't her fault but she knew we were going to go to the beach after Taveys run and she felt bad that we couldn't go.
I pray that Tavey keeps her happy heart, and that she doesnt grow up thinking that she is not as important as everyone else.
Tavey helps me so much and she knows just what to say at the right moment to make things better here.
I pray that God bless her beyond her wildest dreams for taking care of his business now.
Check out the video from her 5k today below by clicking on the youtube link.

Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble.
1 John 2:10

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUwu9LFw-JY

Brilliant kid has the answer to the worlds problems

Well, so if we take this kids advice we will all be ok!

The ToOtH fAiRy was outed!

So the child who still believes in unicorns, dinosaurs and that Thomas the train is real says to me "Momma, I am not quite sure there is a tooth fairy, I think that it may be a person like you, Momma are you the tooth fairy and a mom?"
So I tried the "what do you think route?" And she said "I think you are the tooth fairy, and do you keep all the teeth? And can you show me all of mine?"
So I said "yes, I am the tooth fairy" and she said "REALLY!!, Can you show me my teeth?" So I pulled out the big zip lock bag on the top shelf of my closet and showed her.
We sat and talked about the tooth fairy and she seemed a little confused. I told her it was more of a fun thing for parents and then she said "Oh"
As a family we don't really glorify any unnecessary idols (Easter Bunny, Santa, ect.) that may take the focus off of reality but the tooth fairy thing was one that I did go ahead and do. I told her not to ruin the surprise of the tooth fairy with her sister or brother or any other small children and she promised that she wouldnt. I know she wont spill the beans, she and her siblings have done very well not to ruin Santa for everyone.
The world is so idol-istic these days, I don't want to spoil childhood fun but we have a hard enough time with reality in this house not only with her and the way her mind works but her brother too. Some people, children and even some adults too have a hard time distinguishing what is real and what is not.
I never want them to question the reality of Jesus!
So go ahead let me have it... Am I doing the right thing here or will they be in therapy when they are 40?
Kel





Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.

Can you get a cookie from your forehead to your mouth without using your hands?

It was "Minute to win it" Family Focus night tonite.
   I have to admit I had never seen this show on tv or ever seen the game played at all. I think there were 29 or 30 families there all competing in some silly contests. Actually some of them were really hard like trying to stack 5 apples on top of one another or having to pull out a dollar bill that was between two glass bottles without the top bottle falling down.
  Time flew by as everyone had a blast!!! I am so glad that we went! 
Our contest was trying to get a cookie from your forehead to your mouth without using your hands. We chose Tavey as our contestant and she was beside her friend Keaton from school. She tried and tried but that cookie just kept falling. She never gave up! 
  Kind of like us and the Lord huh? 
We keep falling and falling and He never gives up on us!
Good reminders tonite, great fellowship, great friends, great time spent together as a family, lots of laughter and even a bit of junk food. 
  They even handed out invitations for the next "Almost sleepover" 
Thats right, momma is going to the MulletMart alone again (well in March) but I am looking forward to it.

God is for me!

 Romans 8:31 says:

 What can we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?