Days 11 & 12

Sometimes in life, I feel like I am drifting in this big ocean, getting tossed around by all the waves that come my way, and I'm just struggling to stay afloat. Lately it's felt a lot like that. Turbulent, stormy, and I've seemed to have navigated off course. Not that I'm headed for a waterfall or anything, but I've just forgotten where I was going in the first place! Has that ever happened to you? (Never mind the opening the fridge amnesia that strikes us all at some point, lol!)  Well, today the guiding beacon of a light house shone right through this storm, in the form of the family that runs the Travis Hospitality House. Carmen invited me to a bible study and before I could choose one of my myriad list of excuses, I decided to go. And what a blessing it was. The Nfaziger family is just an awesome example of Christ's body in action. Their passion for the advancement of the gospel and their love of people is so evident in their hospitality and encouragement so freely given. They minister to the men, women, and families of Travis Air Force Base, and they truly provide a "home away from home" atmosphere for people to enjoy and fellowship.  If you are looking to donate to a local missionary, please pray and consider donating to Sue & Sandy's Hospitality House - you can donate online through Cadence International. They host bible studies and serve at the Chapel on base, and run the PEAK internet coffee and Cafe near the dorms.  What a wonderful refuge for the single Airmen! Anyway, just wanted to give them some praise for the work they are doing for God's kingdom, and thankful that they are there!

We also got a new pool today for the boys. This is a particular blessing because a) we got it on sale even though the sale ended last week, and b) It provides unlimited entertainment for the boys on these endless hot summer days! So, the story behind the sale - yesterday, I went to the Target in Vacaville and they were all sold out of this pool that was on sale....so today, I went to Target in Fairfield with the specific intention of buying this pool if they had it in stock. Well, they did, but it wasn't on sale anymore. As the helpful salesperson pointed out, the sale ended at midnight. Well, I was probably going to end up buying it anyway, but it was a $20 price difference, so I had to really think about it, so I tried to harness my rowdy children into a quiet hush so I could hear my own thoughts, and I began to walk back towards the aisle where the pools were.  The other cashier, named Josh, asked me if I was only there to buy the pool, to which I replied sadly, "Yes." and explained what happened yesterday at the other target and how bummed out I was about missing the sale...well, he told me, "It's okay. I can do that price, no problem." I was seriously shocked. I mean, people usually aren't nice anymore, and most certainly aren't willing to go above and beyond and actually be helpful! (Sadly). Score! Seriously, I was so excited about that, I wrote his name down and I will make it a point to get him some good feedback on the store survey! (For the record, the worldly person in me immediately figured my credit card was going to be somehow pirated. I'll still check that, just to be sure...)

The boys patiently waited for what seemed like days for the pool to fill, and managed to suck out the last of my graciousness by the time it was finally ready for them to swim in. I'm such a manic mom sometimes, one second I'm hyping them up for the new pool, and the next second I'm yelling at them to pick up their room like-i-told-them-to-ten-times-already.  While they were waiting, I actually snapped a pic of them HELPING each other put on "gunscreen" as Isaac calls it. It made me forget what a miserable car ride it was earlier, which was wonderfully needed. I give this pool 3 days until it dies a quick, sad death serenaded with 3 little boy's laughter.

So, we have been busy, missing our "daddy" and creating summer memories....one that we almost crossed off our summer bucket list was "go to a drive-in movie." I say almost because we actually sat in traffic for over an hour and by the time we got to the gate, it was sold out! There was weeping and gnashing of teeth over this one, but I soothed the pain with Red Vines and popcorn and peanut butter m&m's! Who knew that the Drive-In was so popular?? Who knew you had to get there 2 HOURS early in order to be able to park? Well, now we do, and we will plan a little better next time, right Carmen? Lol. We actually set up the entire back of the van with the foam mattress, blankets & Pillows and we were ready to watch Monsters University! Oh well. 

Prayer for today:

Lord, you know the desires of my heart. You know I need you, and you patiently wait for me to turn my eyes toward you.  Lord, help me be a good steward of my time, and let me not forget where I am going in this life.  My purpose here is to do your will, to disciple my children and other women, and to love you.  Don't let me be distracted by this world and it's shallow and simple promises. I want to hold on to your promises, stay on the path you've created just for me. Help me be content in my situation and recognize that this time I have with my boys is so short. This life is a vapor, and it cannot be wasted. I turn my thoughts, heart, mind and soul over to you. I don't want control, navigate me through this storm so that I will end up in the safety of your arms. Amen.

Day 5

Today was the hardest day yet. I don't know if it's because it's Sunday or I woke up with not only my feet hurting, but my arms, too...hmmmmm...whatever the reason I was definitely a little more short with the kids than I have been lately. We actually got up and were out the door and on our way to church at 8:45, which is a small miracle.  (Praise the Lord!) The VBS kids were going to be called up on stage to sing one of the songs they sang all week so the boys wore their shirts (which I accidently threw in the wash with my muddy gear so two bleach cleanings later and 30 seconds before we left the house, the shirts were dry. Phew.) E was just as excited as Luke to get up there, but I think it's because he was infatuated with "Lady Rock" (one of the VBS leaders in charge who wore a tiara and a red "robe."  It was really cute because at one point in the song they lock arms and dance around with a partner, and they both went for Lady Rock, so she had to make it work! Then I went to bring E into class and discovered there was some mayhem going on in the 4-5 yr old room so I volunteered myself and Dylan to help out during the service. I hope that E was better behaved for Mrs. Debbie during 2nd  service (we ended up staying so we could hear the sermon) because he was kind of crazy for me.  He did have some help, though, there were a couple other boys who appeared to have sugar-ladened breakfasts as well. The boys just had cereal for breaky so I let them have some "do-tees" in between services since they were "staaaaarrrrrrvvvvvvvviiiinnng." Then, my flip flop strap broke, and I had to abandon them and go barefoot the rest of church.  It was just as  well, though, because if I had functioning footwear, I might have dropped some serious dough at Trader Joe's (Trader Jizzos as my husband likes to affectionately call it).  Instead, we went home and did pretty much nothing. Well, I checked some things off the list, but nothing major. I fixed the popped tire on my Phil & Ted's - by scavenging a tire from the broken toddler bike! My dad would be so proud! I even broke a tool trying to get the tire to go onto the rim, but my determination won and I managed to smoosh it on there. I also washed the entire stroller, and scrubbed everything I couldn't throw in the washing machine.  Then we took a quick bike ride to the library to return our OVERDUE movies and a couple of books. Check 2 for the day! Then lastly, I played in the garden a bit, tying up some tomato plants, picking some weeds, and pruning the cilantro, basil and mint.  Not entirely sure of what I'm doing, but it seems to be working okay.  The golden cherry tomatoes are the best! I used them to decorate my salad and nearly ate all of them just popping in my mouth anytime I walked by the kitchen.

After a quick quesadilla dinner (don't judge me, I was going to make Turkey Pot Pie, but I didn't make the crust yet and it's soooo hot out), the boys watched 101 dalmatians and I made some popcorn.  Then, Brooke stopped by to say goodbye....(tear) they are driving to Florida tomorrow morning, they got orders, and like everyone else we meet, they are moving on and we are still here! Luke is really sad that Riley isn't going to be around anymore, and he wants us to move to Florida so we can live right down the street from him.  I wish! Maybe one day. 

I am beginning to really miss Jeff. Although it's been really nice to close the bathroom and closet door when I sleep (he likes them open) and not to stress about my nails being painted all the time, I would love to see him walk in the door tonight like he usually does and go through his entire bedtime "routine"! (Yes, he has one, he is very particular!)....I love him so much, and I am glad that I have this opportunity to feel how much I need him.  

Prayer for today:

Lord, thank you for my husband and everything he does for our family. Thank you for his career and his zeal for you and your word. Help me to be a better wife and think of his needs above my own - it is so easy for me to get lost in my self-made sea of tasks and not even recognize that he is the lifeboat you have given to save me. How foolish am I to think I can make it through without him! Lord, like David cried out - "Please, forgive my sins, for I have sinned against you" I'm handing over any of my idols - self-reliance, pride, anger, all of it. Please take them from me and bring me closer to you.  Use this time to chisel away at all those rough areas in my faith - for you know there are many. Amen.