Hello Ladies...It's Been a Long Time!

Welcome back to the Tigerden. I've been MIA for awhile and, to be perfectly honest, today's post is sheerly by force and disciplining myself to do it. For one thing, I don't really like to join up unless I think I can make it around to visit all of you (it is the least I can do, really) and I cannot promise that this weekend. But I miss this like crazy...so I'm gonna try. I'm also gonna try to be short, cause I have tons to do...but if you have been around much, you know that brevity is not my strong suit.

I mentioned last time that summer had been busy for us and that hasn't changed a bit...I don't foresee looking back on this season and remembering the lazy days of summer.

In fact, that is a big reason that I haven't been around. Well, that and the Casey Anthony trial that has me completely mesmerized...but I digress. That is also something that I have been struggling with and am trying to work through this summer. You see, and may remember, that it was last summer that I read a book that changed my entire perspective on things. It was the book "Radical" by David Platt. I am still changing and reevaluating as a result of that book (and, I feel the need to add, my subsequent time in scripture and prayer). Anyway, while I do not feel the need to earn my salvation and understand grace through faith. I have also come face to face with the fact that, if I am a christian I should be devoting myself to spreading the gospel, to reaching the unchurched and to ministering to those around me.

I confess, for many years my standard answer to this dilemma was..."my family is my ministry" and while that idea is good, I realize that I am deceiving both myself and my family. Nothing has done more to show me that than our time at an apartment complex where our church has a ministry. This year, I have seen how I have closed my eyes to the need right here around me. Precious children who live right across the street from a church and have NEVER heard the name of Jesus. Teenagers who are completely shocked when they hear stories about Jesus feeding the five thousand or walking on water. People, in the Bible belt, surrounded by christian people who have no idea Christ (or anyone else) loves them...not for their body or their drugs or their "stuff", but because they are. An entire complex of people that are lost and dying and DO NOT EVEN KNOW IT! It is sobering.

And so, my perspective and my priorities have changed. And that is good. However, the place I am struggling with is this. I am an introvert. While I enjoy being around people and laughing and having a good time, it is draining to me. I NEED my alone time. I NEED quiet moments away. I'm not sure someone who isn't an introvert can quite understand how draining it can be to just socialize...but that is me. This summer, I haven't had that alone time. My kids are home all the time demanding attention, I am trying to help with a sports camp this summer, participating in and planning VBS's, trying to have children's friends over, and keeping up with a few of the children from the apartment complex while we are on summer break. In addition, my nephew is staying with us for a couple of weeks and I am trying to plan and prepare for our trip to Idaho to visit with my family. While all of these things are good and I can't imagine what I could possibly give up, they have left me exhausted. In fact, yesterday I lashed out at poor dancer just out of the need for quiet alone time. Even getting on the computer and reading blogs is such an effort for me right now...it feels like work, and so I have spent almost no time doing that.

However, yesterday, I read a blog I haven't read in weeks and the writer summed up what I am feeling. I have lost my ability to dream. I can think, I can plan, I can look at all that is undone before me and fret about choosing and ordering next year's curriculum. I can freak out at how I cannot afford next year's curriculum. I can think about how I totally need a job to pay for curriculum, but I am just too exhausted to even contemplate adding something else to the to-do list. I can think of ministries that are needed and organization that needs to be done...but I cannot dream, I cannot plan, I cannot even think of things to write (which you may disagree with as you look at the length of this "short" post). I have completely lost my blogging "mojo" and am completely without inspiration when I try to sit down and write. That makes me sad...because it is something I used to enjoy so much and I feel that I am losing a little piece of me. I am hoping it is just a season and that soon I will find that passion and fun again.

But for now, I guess I am just hoping that some of my sweet company girl friends would just say a quick prayer for me. That you would forgive me for not being around much and know that I do miss you. And if you have an extra moment, that you would pray I could find that balance. That I would be able to begin dreaming again and that I would learn to minister and reach out but also allow myself that time to be alone and recharge, cause like it or not, that is how God made me!

I totally did not know that this was going to become a whine-fest, but thanks for letting me unload on you poor, unsuspecting things. I hope everyone has and incredible, blessed, and RELAXING weekend! Don't forget to check out Home Sanctuary for more Coffee Talk!

Coffee Talk 6.10.11

Good morning ladies! It has been so long since I have been on here that I cannot even remember what was going on then. The days have been busy and blogging has fallen by the wayside. In order to not bore you to death with all the details, here is our life the past few weeks in a nutshell:

Dancer was finally brave enough to go forward and be baptized after a year and a half of trying to work up the courage!

School is out YAY! We aren't finished with math and will continue to do a little through the summer but the structure is out the window! Eventually I will have to get my act together and get grades turned in and start planning next year...that has not happened yet!

The day Tutorial ended I TRIED to get on a plane and head to Ft. Lauderdale to meet Tigerfan who was there for two weeks for work. After plane delays and going home for the night, I finally made it the next day and we got to spend a lovely weekend together (kid free). We shopped, I learned A LOT about South Florida culture (WOW!) and we visited Key West.
We FINALLY got the pool opened and have had people over swimming almost every day!

We have had VBS at church where I taught 1st grade and are now getting ready for a sports camp we do each summer for underprivileged children in our area.

Dancer had her dance recital (pictures eventually) and was a complete knock out! I celebrated my 39th birthday and today we celebrate our 16th wedding anniversary!

My Daddy introduced me to the world of Pocket Frog iPhone app and I have spent entirely too much time raising and selling virtual frogs (I know...pitiful!) and I have become completely and totally obsessed with the Casey Anthony trial.

So now you are totally caught up with the goings on in the Tiger den. Today will be full of swimming with friends, guitar lessons, library and feasting on egg rolls to celebrate 16 years of wedded bliss. Can't wait to catch up with all of y'all! Don't forget to check out Home Sanctuary for more (and more interesting) Coffee Talk!

Coffee Talk 5.6.11

Can anybody else relate to the feeling of, "Wow! It is already Friday again!" Life seems to be moving at the speed of light these days and I am struggling to keep up!

I did want to say that I did make it to visiting around to most of you last week...but it was during testing via my phone and I HATE trying to comment from my phone. For me, it is something like trying to nail jello to a tree. My big fingers just can't manage those little buttons and my words come out like this: hekko gopr uo ate a hood weeleng. OR the ever loveable auto correct feature tries to figure out what my typos mean and turns hello into help or mom into monk! Anyway...I will try to do better this week!

It has been a full week, indeed. Sunday was a packed day, beginning with our little princess being baptized! Amen. I do have some pictures...maybe later today Tigerteen will put them on here for me!

Also on Sunday, Tigercub announced his intentions of being a cow when he grows up. He has stayed true to that calling all week, so I'm pretty sure it is his passion. Not sure how to help that happen.

And, because Sunday was such a full day, I should definitely include the fact that we had yet another set of severe weather warnings, ended up in the "dungeon" of the church instead of evening services, and then stayed after they had cancelled said services to enjoy the ice cream fellowship that was scheduled for later that evening. 'Cause Baptists might cancel a service for weather...but we aren't gonna miss the chance to eat and fellowship!

The rest of the week has been spent trying to get caught up from last week's weather related delays and doing our regular "stuff".

Yesterday, we had tutorial and Tigerteen had his last Student Leadership Meeting of the year. Afterwards we had haircuts scheduled for the boys. By then, it was 2:00 and we still hadn't eaten lunch. So, we did what any good (read deranged) homeschool family would do and we "celebrated" cinco de mayo by getting nachos from the Target snack bar. Because that is authentic Mexican cuisine, people!

Tigerfan treated Dancer and I to a "girls night out" last night. He took all the boys and dancer and I got to shop. The idea was that I would find myself an outfit for a Mother's Day gift. The result was Dancer got a new dress, a new book and a ring. I discovered the Vitamin Shoppe, which I am totally excited about (especially because I found out they sell cacao nibs) and Ulta, which is a beauty product store that sells Physician's Formula make up. That is the only type of make up I can wear and while Target and Walmart carry it, they carry a very limited amount and it is sporadic if they will have what I need. I did NOT find an outfit. And, I discovered a little bit about myself. I have become completely paralyzed in my ability to find clothing for myself. Maybe I have done a little too much research on my body type, color, etc. Because I go into a store, look at all that is offered...and cannot find a thing. I am worried it is the wrong color or the wrong shape or the wrong length...I never even try things on. I know a lot of it is because I just don't like how I look. I want to lose weight and I want to look better...but I also realize that I NEED to be clothed! Anyone else go through this?

Anyway, I better go get up the kids...I have let them oversleep this morning and we will be running ragged trying to get school done! Hope everyone has an amazing weekend!

Don't forget to check out Home Sanctuary for more Coffee Talk!

Coffee Talk 4.29.11

Good morning, ladies!

I have some OUTSTANDING baked oatmeal to share if you are interested and LOADS of Easter candy. I would love someone to take that off my hands because I REALLY need to get it out of the house.

I only have a moment this morning. I am administering standardized testing with our home school tutorial this morning so I have to zip out of here in a minute. I am a little bitter, however, that someone had the horrible planning to schedule this on the same day as the Royal Wedding. I'm gonna miss the kiss, people! It just isn't the same on the DVR! C'mon, Will and Kate, kiss already!

Seriously, though, it has been a LONG week here in the south. We were under severe weather advisories most of the week and spent much of it in our bathroom under the stairs or at our church in the "dungeon". Many areas around here were without power, many lost lots of trees and many had trees in houses, on fences, etc. One family in our church even had about 1/3 of their roof blown off! However, the relatively mild damage we have had here is nothing compared to the devastation of the areas south of us, Alabama and Georgia, who have been absolutely devastated by storm damage. My heart hurts so much for all of those people and my prayers go out to them constantly. It seems like so little for towns that are leveled, but we serve a powerful God who was not surprised by the storms and is fully able to hold those precious people under His wings and get them through this tragedy! How grateful I am to have that hope and knowledge and I pray all of my dear Company Girls do too!

Okay, I have to run...duty calls! Be sure to check Home Sanctuary for more Coffee Talk!

P.S. THEY JUST KISSED! I saw it! Woohoo!

Coffee Talk 4.15.11

Good Morning Ladies,

It is EARLY here, too early. I got up to have my quiet time only to be interrupted by the tornado sirens. The kids are, of course all now up, and (this is where I get bitter) the storm just got here about 5 minutes ago...after the sirens STOPPED! I know we need to be cautious and all, but really...HOLD OFF ON THE SIRENS UNTIL THE STORM ACTUALLY GETS HERE! I am trying to make lemonade out of the lemons, though and we are going to go ahead and start school...maybe we can be done by lunch today!

Anyway, a house full of kids already up and going means not much time to post so here are the high points of the week:

1. Dancer's fashion show went great. She was so sweet. She got a few "treats" that day. We bought her a pair of shoes to go with the outfit she modeled and after it was over Daddy let her get the outfit and another shirt. Nana bought her a pair of flip flops and then we went to Sonic for drinks. When we got in the car she exclaimed..."This is the best day of my life!"

2. B.B. shot his first turkey of the year...quite a humdinger!

3. The rest of the week has just been the regular school, work and tornado sirens! Ya gotta love Spring in West Tennessee! Tigerteen downloaded some pictures for me off my phone so here are a couple that belonged a few weeks ago...I like to keep you guessing!

This is Spring Break when Dancer and her friend helped make cupcakes. If you are wondering about the scarves...they were playing dress up! These babies were chocolate filled chocolate cupcakes.. I would like to say they were delicious...but they LOOKED pretty!

And here is Tigerteen and his friend-girl (isn't she a cutie!)celebrating his birthday at Nana's house...you may notice that Tigertot felt the need to get in on the action.

Well, I am totally aware of how dull this post is, but since we are all up and going, we might as well get school done so I am off to "encourage" our academics! That is code, by the way, for telling them to get off the phones and ipods and get busy already!

By the way, I have to do a little devotion thing in my Bible Study this week. I know it is silly, but I am super nervous about it and have no idea what to talk about so if you think about it, please say a little prayer that it will just be all about God and He will be glorified and speak through me! Thanks!

Have a great weekend and be sure to check out some far more interesting Coffee Talk at Home Sanctuary.

Coffee Talk 4.8.11

Good Morning! Hope everyone is doing well. I have a couple of lovely treats to entice you with. Both are from this website which I have spent WAY too much time on this week. I cannot tell you how much money I could spend at the grocery store trying all these recipes! Anyway, I can offer you some date squares that are A. MAZ. ING. I could eat my weight in them! The others are strawberry oat squares. Admittedly, not quite as amazing. I did a little tweaking with the recipe...I probably should have left it alone! Not horrible, though. I was looking for a recipe to replace processed cereal bars...this isn't it, at least not in this form!

Anyhoo, today's post will be brought to you in list form. Because I can!

1. Also from the above website, I had VOO for breakfast one day this week. Not bad. I stayed full for HOURS! I look forward to trying other variations...after I go to the grocery store. Which I am in DESPERATE need of doing.

2. I confess, I HATE exercising. There, I said it. I really want to like it. I really want to look forward to it. Instead, I have to force myself. Every. single. time. Aren't you supposed to start feeling so good you get excited about it? Isn't it supposed to become fun? I just don't like it. I don't.

3. It is that time of year again. Turkey season. The time of year I become a hunting widow. I don't really mind. Here are the first fruits of the season. Tigerfan and his daddy went Tuesday night and brought home these little babies! Now they (along with the boys) are itching for Saturday morning.
May I be honest? Can ANYTHING, other than hitting the road to go see my family, really be worth getting up at the horrific hours they get up at and the sitting by a tree without moving or talking? I just wonder...I don't get it!

4. Saturday, Dancer is having a big day! One of our local anchor stores in the mall is having kidfest and it includes a fashion show. We happened to be in the mall at just the right time a few weeks ago and they offer! She has been practicing her walk all week. Here she is on her birthday doing her model pose:

I must admit, her enthusiasm is contagious because I can hardly wait to take her and see her in action...and that is even knowing I have to take "The Hurricane" AKA Tigercub!

5. Speaking of Tigercub, his allergies are KILLING him. We will be making a little trip into town this morning to see the Dr. His little eyes are almost swollen shut and he is just miserable...and that is with daily Zyrtec, poor little guy!

6. We are ADORING pretty weather this week (although we can't actually go OUT in it because it sends poor Tigercub into sneezing fits), especially after my momma sent pictures Sunday of their snow...inches and inches of snow. In April. Thank heavens for Tennessee!

7. I could keep writing snippets forever, but my kids (and dog) need to eat and we have lots to do this morning. I look forward to visiting you this weekend! Hope everyone has a great one!

8. Oh, yeah, last one. I am a complete and total Home Sanctuary failure. I really WANT to do good. I held strong for TWO whole days this month. Yes, TWO. I have failed ever since. Someone help me!

9. Which reminds me...I saw an episode of Dr. Phil this week. (Not sure how that happened because I never watch that show...but it is what it is). Anyway, this girl was on and she wanted help because she was always yelling and screaming at her children. People, Dr. Phil reemed that poor girl over the coals. He was awful. I felt so sorry for her! I am not advocating screaming, and especially not cussing, at your children...but as a home schooling mom of four, I admit...I have done it. I have done it more than I care to admit. Were the things this momma did wrong? Of Course...but we are all sinners saved by grace. She was there for help. She knew the things she was doing were wrong and wanted tools to change it. What she got was a public lashing. She was told she was an abuser, she was told she was obese, she was just pulverized. I have not stopped thinking about her since. I wonder, has Dr. Phil ever been a stay at home parent? Has he ever gotten up at dark and worked until almost dawn with no appreciation, no help and little support? Has he spent hours cleaning a room only to walk back into it in ten minutes and find it utterly destroyed? Has he ever worked tirelessly on a healthy meal to have everyone at the table turn their noses up and ask for something else? What that poor girl needed was encouragement and tools to help her change. What she got was a message of more judgement, more condemnation, another message to join in with the voices in her head that she just wasn't good enough. I have prayed for her ever since. I hope that somehow, the voice of a loving and compassionate God can make its way to that girl's heart. I hope that somehow she receives the message that she is a beautiful girl, created in the image of God and she is loved. Her actions are sinful...so are mine. I am nothing but filthy rags...but Christ died for me WHILE I WAS STILL A SINNER! It is by HIS grace that I am clean, Praise HIM! Anyway, that is my little soap box...now I know why I don't watch Dr. Phil...maybe I should start a program called Dr. Star. Although, I am not actually a Dr. I'm working on a tagline...a program for the redeemed by the redeemed? Needs a little work...but then, so do I! :)

Have a great weekend, and don't forget to check out more Coffee Talk at Home Sanctuary!

Coffee Talk 4.1.11

It is Thursday night and listen....silence! Beautiful, elusive silence! A sound (of lack thereof) so beautiful to this introvert, I can hardly stand it!

You see, Tigerfan and Tigerteen are out of town. They left at 4:00 a.m. this morning headed to Texas for some good old fashioned turkey hunting. That leaves me here to hold down the fort with the other three. Ordinarily that would be no big deal. But it has been an ugly week here in the Tiger den. And I am tired.

People, we have had drama this week. I don't like drama. I like peace and serenity and I like all my kids to like me! I'm not sure which was worse this week...the teenager or the toddler, but between the two, I am seriously considering committing myself to a nice padded room somewhere!

I say all that to say that, while the idea of a quiet weekend with a couple of folks gone sounds peaceful, I am not in a great frame of mind. I was actually looking forward to this evening. We had NOTHING planned today after tutorial. Just homework...no guitar, no drums, no friends, no appointments...just home and calm (aaaah, sounds great doesn't it). Unfortunately someone forgot to tell Tigercub about the whole calm part.

Thursday nights are usually popcorn and M&M night for Tigerfan and I. Since he was going to be gone, we recorded "Secret Millionaire" and I told the kids we would have popcorn and T.V. night...an unheard of treat because Tigerfan hates for them to eat in the living room. I was even excited! I went to the store and even bought plain M&M's and sour gummy worms for the occasion and told them they could drink a soda. They have been SO excited all day. B.B. even set up a snack counter complete with movie tickets, prices and play money. We got our snacks, turned on the T.V. and got all the way through the opening intros before Tigercub spilled his popcorn...for the first time. We spent the next hour turning up the sound above his "entertainment", picking up spilled popcorn (3 more times), mopping up tears from siblings he injured and pulling him off furniture he was using as a trampoline.

When the torture, I mean the show, finally ended, I knew it must be bedtime! Alas...we still had a solid hour! We then moved on to board games which are almost as much fun as a movie when a three year old is involved. From now on, I am lacing his Sprite with valium (I am totally kidding, by the way)!

Needless to say, the kids are all now tucked soundly into bed...and there is a Hershey bar with almonds and a Diet Coke calling to Momma. No, they are not on my diet, don't judge me! I am SO looking forward to visiting with some precious adults this weekend!

Don't forget to check out more Coffee Talk at Home Sanctuary!