I posted this a while back and i think i need to remind myself that i am a mom because God has given me the responsibility. I have been questioning the reason why lately because i am just cant seem to get a handle on a couple of things and i don't understand why i cant get out of this funk. i really feel guilty but i cant wait for school to start because as much as I love my kids the summer is getting be long and they are bored. We are all ready for the change and schedules again.


MOM - Job Description
POSITION:Mother, Mom, Mama, Mommy
JOB DESCRIPTION:Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work in an, often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities. Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.
RESPONSIBILITIES:The rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next. Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.
POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT AND PROMOTION:Virtually none. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE:None required unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.
WAGES AND COMPENSATION:Get this! You pay them! Offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and this wish you could only do more.
BENEFITS:While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth and free hugs for life if you play your cards right.

what a week!!!!

I feel like i do nothing but go go go. I have had something to do everyday and yesterday i had to do it with a Migraine ugh! We have had a lot going on starting with Terry being laid off again and trying to figure out some financial stuff. what a headache. I have been going through some stuff on my own and i think i am actually going get with a friend to pray with. Thank You B. We are working some things out. Terry was hire into a trucking job yesterday and accepted into a mentor- ship program at our church. Things are starting to look up again. We do have some things to look forward to. Nick turns 13 on the 3rd, the girls are going to camp, Russell Family reunion, Terry's birthday (Aug 30) and then back to school.

oops.

My wonderful Miss Whitney deiced to help me today by loading the dishwasher and starting it for me. Well she put regular soap in not dishwasher soap. lol,

visions

I have been really praying lately and asking God for clarity and vision for my purpose and where i am supposed to be focusing my time. I feel very strongly that He wants me to work on balancing my time w/ family and continue working w/ the Refined ministry along with my husband. I also have a heart for those who are hurting due to the economy and children who just need to be loved. I said earlier that I will be returning to school at Spring Arbor University In Feb. I believe that is His way giving me time to work the Balance and my focus before adding anymore to my schedule. His Grace amazes me so.I am also continuing to work out some behavior issues with Mr. N. I have been seeking some counsel and would like to take a Growing Kids gods way course or even take on a mentor who has been through the course. I am also praying that I connect with an e-group (bible study group) again. i have been to a couple of them through our church but I didn't really feel like i belonged. i think I am just in a weird place right now and I am turning my focus off my surroundings and back to Christ where they should be.

Anguish

A friend posted this on her blog and i thought i would share because it gave me chills.

Where does the time go.

Wow i cant believe that the summer is half over. There has been a lot going on at the McDonnell house. We started the summer out w/ one vehicle but were blessed with a free van from a friend that only cost about $300 to fix. Yea God. Terry is still working though he is only getting 2 or 3 days a week now. he has a very good chance at getting into Waste Management.( out of hundreds of applicants for 1 position Terry is one of 4 being considered.)We are praying that he is Blessed with the job. We also were able to go to the Big ticket Festival in Gaylord. had some wonderful fellowship friends and family and not to mention all of the performances. Way too cool cant wait for next year. The kids and I are taking it easy and working on some behavior issues and academics. I am actually looking for a job and praying for provision for the right job. I have been going to school online and have been struggling with either should go to school or work. Well online education is not for me. I went today and talked with Spring Arbor university and God is so good because i will be able to work and and go to school on this program. and its a Christian College. Yea God. i am so excited right now.
Looking forward to looking for the right job and spending the summer w/ my family.

Contest!!!!!

My friend Rachel is having a contest. Hurry, it ends on Friday! She's giving away her cute necklaces that she makes!

This is the one I'd choose if I win.

her blog is www.thevintagelane.blogspot.com

her store site

The Vintage lane

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7448089

Cool provsion testimony.....

My aunt Mary is a missionary to the Philippines. She runs an orphanage or a foster home there and takes care of children whose parents throw them away because of poverty or whatever reason. I think she has 16 kids at the moment and if she is not able to find them adoptive families then she adopts them herself. very cool. anyway she has been here in the states the last couple months visiting my aunt who has and is being healed from terminal cancer. We had some really awesome family time. Well time came on Friday for her to go back to her home and work. she was accompanied by my mom, aunt Wendy and aunt Lana. They got to the baggage checking and found out her carry on was too big, but luckily my aunt had a smalling bag or something she could use. She simply emptied the big bag of the necessities into her carry on and checked the other bag in. (your allowed pieces on international flights for free.) While all that was going on the guy at the ticket counter asked her why she was going to the Philippines? Aunt Mary simply said that she was a missionary. The ticket guy said that was giving my aunts all passes so they could sit with her while she boarded the plane. very cool. so anyway while they were waiting to board the man came to my aunt and asked her for her boarding pass. She handed the pass to him and he went to his computer and did a couple things and said here i changed your seat. (she was in the very back of the plane not comfy at all) that's when they realized that he had moved her to first class. wow she was catered to on the 14 hour flight. Furhtermore when it came time for the final goodbyes, The man gave them all the time they needed, he told them to take their time because is the one who closes the door. yet another Yea God moment. After my aunt got on the plane, my mom thanked the man for his generosity. The man said that something about my aunt mary touched his heart. Wow anyway my mom and aunts proceeding to tell the man her testimony. The man was really taken back by her. God is so awesome.

summer employnent

We are getting to the point where i almost am forced to get a job. I dont like it, I want to be home with the kids. So I have been praying about it and I think that i have the solution. Thank you God. I have advetised on facebook and craigslist for childcare in my home.This way i can help those moms out in the summer and still be with my kids. I have two possible leads already so hopefully they pan out.


here is my ad:::
Hi I am a stay at home mom looking to earn a supplement income this summer. I am willing to give your child a loving environment with Christian values in a non-smoking, pet free home. I have have 12+ years experience with kids. Please feel free to to call Amy @ 810-208-0737 or 810-936-1153

Big girl!!!!!

I finally buckled and let Kelseygetr her ears pierced.She was amazing. She really didnt even flinch.

reflection....

Nathan C. DeLaRosa
3/8/96 -5/16/96


It was 13 years ago that My step brother tradgically taken in a car accident along with two of his friends. It seems just like yesterday and I really miss him. he was so funny and gave the best hugs. He was loved and his lofe cut way to short in our eyes but God had different plans for him and although i still dont understand the whys, i trust that His ways are higher than mine. I know that as i reflect I realize how precious life is and you never know when you will take your last breath so I cannot take anything for granted and God has big plans for me even though they not clear at the moment I am going to live my life to the fullest because that is way i can honor Nate. I never would have dreamed that he would have left us the way he did but he did and all i can do is miss him and remember the laughs and the love.

There are two songs that have really come to me today remembering Nate....

desperate prayer needed..........

Our nation needs prayer and this is why. I didnt vote for him but i pray God grabs a hold of his Heart!!!!!

im inspired!!!!

this video not only boke me but really just gave me some inspiration






This weekend really just changed a lot of things for me. The womens conference at church was absolutely amazing. I can not even explain in words how I have felt since Sunday. I am trying to really be more focused on God and change things in me that really need to be changed. This is very hard and since the theme of the conference was fearless I guess that is where i am starting.
Casey Gibbons (our wonderful guest Speaker)called us Brave-hearted chics!! (i think that should be our next t-shirt Hint-Hint) I really want to thank all who worked so hard to make this so special. I know that satan got some teeth kicked in because wow the warfare has started. i have noticed it in some subtle and not so subtle ways. One of them has been with our finances. I normally am really worried and well crabby i guess but now I am at peace and I know that God has something for us. I am also really praying that have some revelation and kidof figure out what my purpose is and how and my gifts truly are. i know where my heart is and i am really just praying i can figure it all out.


I also would like to ask for prayer for some revelation and guidance with parenting issues. I really want set up some schedules and figure out some ideas for consquences and chore chart ideas. If anyone has some wisdom they can depart please comment.

Oh i almost forgot, i have beenbattling with a.d.d severly and I have a real hard time trying to concentrate on anything. I was put on ritilin. I have not started it because I am kinda nervous about side effects and suff.

precious...

my daughter Kelsey loves the song Reason by Hoobastank(i think that is the name and spelling) I took video of her tonight.

good for her....

Its about time someone speaks.......

fear

My daughter is my little worrier. today the brought home a paper that talked about a man who tried to possibly pick up a couple young girls. This person has had a couple different incidents that have been reported in the last couple of weeks. Scary. Anyway i commend the school for bringing it to parents attention but is there a better way because really it really scared my girls. I did try to talk with them openly and explianed that are safe and that God is watching over them. i also gave clear instruction on what to do if they are approahed by a stranger but i also really want them feel secure. We prayed and hopefully iput some fears to rest but Haley is so sensitive. i really need pray peace over her.

Feeling a little better...

I am still struggling with a few things but I have taken steps to work on the stress and emotion i am feeling. I have taken a month off from youth and replaced it with Bible Study, I have gone back to my friend Brigids Bible study. Actually both studies are on the same subject but are very different in the dynamics and really like both. I have also gone back to singing on the Worship team at church and wow i really missed that more than i thought. It is so good to be back. The book study we are in is called Dont act like a christian just be one. I am not a reader but the parts i read have really hit home.

more feelings..

i said earlier that i have been depressed. I have been really trying to think and figure out why i have feeling so crummy lately. Last night at Women's ministry i left early because i wasn't feeling good and now i realize that it was really just attack from the enemy because i really needed to be there. I decided to go to Bible Study this morning and I found out that last night was all about Unity. They said that there were testimonies of people feeling like they felt as if they were shunned and did feel welcome. I think a light went off because I have felt like a fish out of water for years. I was the one picked on in school constantly, I have never felt like i have ever really had a best friend, I have tried to fit in to different groups. I have gone to a couple different egroups at church and have tried different other groups and have felt like i fit in. I have really felt shunned. I hear about people getting together , calling and texting all the time. I have felt a part of a group in a long time. I think that has been part of problem lately. I also want to really just be used and transparent in my walk. I feel like every time I make commitment to make changes I something happens I screw up or circumstances make it hard for me to make changes. I take 1 step forward and two steps back. I guess I just feel burned out. I almost dont even want to try. The only reason I have gone to church is beacause of the kids. I am asking for your prayer, I am searching for healing in this area and for direction.

Sore......

I had the bright idea to rearrange the girls bedroom and do some reorganozing. I dont know exactly when i did it but i pulled the muscles in my lower back. Friday I was pretty much hurting all day and finally took some motrin. It wore off at the Worship Blast and I was really just wanting to go home but ai really just stayed cuz i was having a good time. I am still very sore today but maybe i will get a good massage later!!!!

Yummy Ice Cream Cake Recipe

I really like watching the Duggar Family on TV. They talked about recipe and I thought I would try it. It was really YUMMY. Here it is:

LAYERED ICE CREAM CAKE
Makes a 9”x 13” Pan
24 Ice cream sandwiches
8 oz. Cool Whip™
1 Hershey’s™ chocolate syrup bottle
1 Smuckers™ caramel syrup bottle
2 king size Butterfinger™ candy bars chopped up
1st layer -12 ice cream sandwiches
2nd – half of whipped cream
3rd - half of Butterfinger™ bars, Squeeze 1/2 of caramel &
chocolate over that.
4th - rest of ice cream sandwiches
5th – Cool Whip™
6th - rest of Butterfinger™, caramel & chocolate
You can freeze this and eat as desired! Yummy! Yummy!

Feelings

I have been really feeling depressed and just kindof numb lately, Im not sure why but I done feel like I am doing anything important. Maybe I let my mind wander to nuch but I feel like i cant do anything right in my husband, my family or anyones eyes. I even have just not even wanted to go to church. I heard this song today and I really like the words. It explains pretty much how i feel.

news.

Just wanted to thank everyone for your prayers. Terry got a job Wednesday. He is working for Bordines Nursery. It is less money, seasonal and there is no insurance but I am not camplaining because it is an incaome and where God has placed him at the moment.

my cousin

My cousin David is absolutely hilarious. We bicker like brother and sister but its more fun than anything. He does some imitations of people like forrest gump, Joel Osteen, he also does an australian and southern accent. We took a video of him tonight because we just didnt have much else to do.

update

Just wanted to say thank you for the prayers. Terry was approved for unemployment and has an interview on Mon. We are just praying that we are doing what God wants and not going through anything in our own strength.