It sounds shameful that I allowed my children to refer to our neighbor as Old Grumpy. In my defense, we didn't know his last name. We had always called him "Jayla's Grandpa", but now I know that his name was Mr. Fullerton. Mr. Vando Fullerton, to be precise. He and his wife lived next door to us when we moved to Norman in 2004. They were a retired couple whose two daughters each lived less than a mile away and were always visiting. Their granddaughter Jayla often came over and became one of Abby's best friends. The 'Old Grumpy' moniker came into play when he grew tired of my boys hitting baseballs over the fence that separated our backyards and threatened to keep each and every one that landed in his yard.
Matt and I had shared several conversations with Old Grumpy, often in the evening when he stood in his driveway smoking his last cigarette for the day. He told us stories from his days in the Korean War. He was proud of his service and talked sentimentally about things he'd experienced over there. After the war he returned to Oklahoma and became an architect, designing homes and businesses. He had an astute reputation among builders, we discovered later.
The week before we moved from that house in 2007, his daughter told us that Old Grumpy had just been diagnosed with lung cancer. The kids and I went to his house to say farewell before our move, and there he sat in his recliner with an oxygen tank hooked up. He was chatty as always and told us he would miss us. He went on to say that he and his wife always enjoyed it when our girls played with Jayla on their front porch or in the guest bedroom. He recalled how much fun he'd had the previous Easter when the girls looked for Easter eggs with Jayla so she wouldn't have to do it alone.
Sadly, Mr. Fullerton passed away this past April. I wouldn't have known (since we lost touch with his family when we moved) except that I had an inexplicable urge to check the death notices in the Norman newspaper one day and saw his obituary. Reading about his life made me appreciate his military service, the way he proudly wore his VFW cap every day, and the stories he was eager to share. Thank you, Mr. Vando Fullerton, for serving our country those many years ago. Memorial Day has new meaning to me this year.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Random Fun Pics
Madi and her long-awaited American Girl doll, whom she named Josie
The little guys
Flowers for Mommy
Ally and her best friend, Sarah, on the last day of school
My Man Can Cook
Last night I woke up to the sound of someone clamoring around in the kitchen. The empty pillow next to me clued me in to the fact that Matt was the culprit. I went back to sleep and this morning discovered what he had been doing....he made this awesome, super-healthy chicken salad. It's chock-full of chicken, fresh veggies, apples, nuts and olive oil mayonnaise. I am married to one heck of a good cook!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Join the Club....
We've been shopping at Sam's Club for our bulk purchases for over 10 years. Today I got my first membership card. What??? It's true -- I'm official now. No need to send Matt out to do the Sam's run. I can go all by myself. Yay for the membership card!
All playfulness aside, I am thankful, thankful, thankful for God's provision. We always seem to have enough, whether in times of plenty or times of need. The Lord is giving me wisdom about improving my spending habits and I'm honing in on ways to save money; ie couponing, making homemade cleaning products for pennies on the dollar, actually completing those little surveys on the store receipts that automatically enter you to win $1,000, etc. This fine-tuning of my financial habits is ordered by the Lord, and it's the work of the Holy Spirit in my life. I believe it is the final frontier, so to speak, of this great journey we've been on for the past 6 months.
Once I tweak the whole "homemade cleaning products" thing, I'll post the recipes. A few ingredients have been difficult to find but I'm looking forward to making my big ol' 5-gallon bucket of laundry detergent. Yee-haw!
All playfulness aside, I am thankful, thankful, thankful for God's provision. We always seem to have enough, whether in times of plenty or times of need. The Lord is giving me wisdom about improving my spending habits and I'm honing in on ways to save money; ie couponing, making homemade cleaning products for pennies on the dollar, actually completing those little surveys on the store receipts that automatically enter you to win $1,000, etc. This fine-tuning of my financial habits is ordered by the Lord, and it's the work of the Holy Spirit in my life. I believe it is the final frontier, so to speak, of this great journey we've been on for the past 6 months.
Once I tweak the whole "homemade cleaning products" thing, I'll post the recipes. A few ingredients have been difficult to find but I'm looking forward to making my big ol' 5-gallon bucket of laundry detergent. Yee-haw!
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Little Miss Graduate
I made her put on the cap and gown so I could snag a photo with my camera phone.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
One Fine Day
The kids' last day of school was yesterday. (It was originally supposed to be the day before, but too many snow days -- or rather, *ice* days, necessitated tacking on an extra school day at the end.) Anyway, we had a hectic morning to tackle and it went beautifully. Matt kept the 3 youngest home while I whisked the schoolers off to VCA at 8 am. I then scrambled like a madwoman to finish my errands and get back to the school by 9:15 with a half-dozen graduation balloons, table cloths, and decorations to set up the refreshment tables for the kindergarten graduation reception. Whew! Got it finished; it was all pretty snazzy-looking, too!
Matt showed up with Katie, Luke and Nathan, all of them fed and dressed and looking adorable. (Wow -- he did a good job!) We attended Madalyn's graduation ceremony and -- though I still think all that pomp and circumstance for 6 year-olds is a bit silly -- we enjoyed watching the processional of 23 delighted kindergarteners in their miniature caps and gowns. Sadly, though I charged it up in the morning, my camera gasped out one last tiny flash of battery life and then died. No pictures of Madi in her graduation attire. : (
Okay- off to the reception followed by the all-school assembly to close the books on another great year at VCA.
That was finished at 11:45; now for the all-school picnic! If you know Matt, you understand that crowded picnics are not something he enjoys even a little bit. This was the 4th-annual end-of-year event and in the past, he didn't even consider attending. (Frankly, this time last year it
would have been difficult to convince him to leave the office even to attend Madi's graduation!) But wow!-- let me brag on my husband here. Not only did he stay for the picnic, he fed our hungry gang lunch while I did a shift manning the sno-cone machine. Later, we chatted with teachers and friends while the kids took off in all directions to partake in the various activities that awaited them.
We finally gathered up all of our children and headed back home around 2 o'clock. Laundry, naps and play time filled the rest of the afternoon; then in the evening Matt picked up take-and-bake pizzas and a few movies and we closed out the day with some good, old-fashioned family time.
Although we don't know yet what school options we have for the Fall, or even in what city or state we'll be living; we will always have wonderful memories of our last day at Veritas Classical Academy. It's been a fascinating, challenging and fun 4 years, and we're grateful for all of our experiences there. Our children have matured and overcome obstacles and challenged themselves. They've reached goals and learned more than I could fathom trying to teach them myself. God bless the VCA!
Matt showed up with Katie, Luke and Nathan, all of them fed and dressed and looking adorable. (Wow -- he did a good job!) We attended Madalyn's graduation ceremony and -- though I still think all that pomp and circumstance for 6 year-olds is a bit silly -- we enjoyed watching the processional of 23 delighted kindergarteners in their miniature caps and gowns. Sadly, though I charged it up in the morning, my camera gasped out one last tiny flash of battery life and then died. No pictures of Madi in her graduation attire. : (
Okay- off to the reception followed by the all-school assembly to close the books on another great year at VCA.
That was finished at 11:45; now for the all-school picnic! If you know Matt, you understand that crowded picnics are not something he enjoys even a little bit. This was the 4th-annual end-of-year event and in the past, he didn't even consider attending. (Frankly, this time last year it
would have been difficult to convince him to leave the office even to attend Madi's graduation!) But wow!-- let me brag on my husband here. Not only did he stay for the picnic, he fed our hungry gang lunch while I did a shift manning the sno-cone machine. Later, we chatted with teachers and friends while the kids took off in all directions to partake in the various activities that awaited them.
We finally gathered up all of our children and headed back home around 2 o'clock. Laundry, naps and play time filled the rest of the afternoon; then in the evening Matt picked up take-and-bake pizzas and a few movies and we closed out the day with some good, old-fashioned family time.
Although we don't know yet what school options we have for the Fall, or even in what city or state we'll be living; we will always have wonderful memories of our last day at Veritas Classical Academy. It's been a fascinating, challenging and fun 4 years, and we're grateful for all of our experiences there. Our children have matured and overcome obstacles and challenged themselves. They've reached goals and learned more than I could fathom trying to teach them myself. God bless the VCA!
Monday, May 17, 2010
Knee-deep in....ick
Dear Stomach Flu,
How can I express my dismay at your presence? You are not a welcome sight, especially this last week of school. Please go away and take your nasty residual germs with you.
Sincerely,
Sick Mom of sick kids
P.S. I add this several days later...
Dear Stomach Flu,
Thank you for helping me finally get out of that certain weight range that had been stubbornly hanging around for too long. I am now in the range I have been obsessively trying to achieve. After dozens of hours of exercise and 4 months of clean eating, who knew that all I needed was 12 hours of puking to do the job? Sigh....
How can I express my dismay at your presence? You are not a welcome sight, especially this last week of school. Please go away and take your nasty residual germs with you.
Sincerely,
Sick Mom of sick kids
P.S. I add this several days later...
Dear Stomach Flu,
Thank you for helping me finally get out of that certain weight range that had been stubbornly hanging around for too long. I am now in the range I have been obsessively trying to achieve. After dozens of hours of exercise and 4 months of clean eating, who knew that all I needed was 12 hours of puking to do the job? Sigh....
Thursday, May 13, 2010
"I Made It Through the Rain...."
(Note: This post was started on Thurs. May 13 and published Sat. May 15. Hence, the confusing dates...)
"I Made It Trough the Rain...". I'm old enough to remember that Barry Manilow song. Yikes. However, we really have made it through the rain. And golfball-sized hail (baseball-sized in some parts!). And tornados. And 70-mph winds at 3 a.m. As I inspected our property afterward, a prayer of thanksgiving burst forth because we didn't suffer any damage -- not one loose shingle. Not even a crack on the glass backboard of our basketball goal.
Others were not so lucky. A mother of 3 lost her life. Her young children are in critical condition and their home is gone. Her husband is left to grieve and rebuild. A family from our childrens' school lost their home as well but are thankful that the 4 of them were unscathed. It's been quite a week weather-wise. More storms are predicted, but hopefully not as violent and damaging as those we've had.
In life, one never knows when a great storm is going to rip apart everything you're accustomed to. Life can change in a heartbeat. The night last November when Matt called me to tell me he had just lost his job was the start of our storm. I totally expected he'd have new employment by now. It's been just about 6 months....it's one heck of a storm. Our house has been on the real estate market since January 23 without a single offer. Lots of interest, but no bites. Big, big storm.
God has been doing a lot of work in my life and Matt's since our storms began; the kind of working that brings me to my knees, awash in sorrow for my sin and unteachable heart. He's teaching me A LOT now, and I think I'm finally to the point of "a ha! That's what this is all about!" As I look at our dwindling bank account and the empty inbox on Matt's email account each day, the storms seem more and more severe. However, I know that the work He's doing in my heart is worth it. Our marriage is so much stronger than it has ever been. I now attack housework with joyful ambition in anticipation of potential buyers. I'm learning to think before I speak. I deal with my children less harshly and more lovingly.
Eventually we will get through this storm --this will not be the death of us. How much better the end result will be when we start our new life and I'm closer to being the person I was created to be!
One final thought: yesterday was May 14 and a rainy Friday, much like the rainy Friday on May 14,1993 -- the day Matt and I became husband and wife. Last night we had the best anniversary celebration we've ever had. We hired a babysitter (a rare occurrence for us) and had a lovely dinner at a nice restaurant....just the two of us. We spent hours talking and laughing and enjoying eachother's company. I truly can't remember the last time we did that. I surprised Matt with an anniversary gift that thrilled him and he didn't even get upset that I'd spent money for it. (A refurbished Ipod Touch 3G for him to use while he works out.) It was truly one of the happiest kid-free times we've shared in our marriage. I will never, ever forget it, because the evening was perfect.
Storm? What storm?
"I Made It Trough the Rain...". I'm old enough to remember that Barry Manilow song. Yikes. However, we really have made it through the rain. And golfball-sized hail (baseball-sized in some parts!). And tornados. And 70-mph winds at 3 a.m. As I inspected our property afterward, a prayer of thanksgiving burst forth because we didn't suffer any damage -- not one loose shingle. Not even a crack on the glass backboard of our basketball goal.
Others were not so lucky. A mother of 3 lost her life. Her young children are in critical condition and their home is gone. Her husband is left to grieve and rebuild. A family from our childrens' school lost their home as well but are thankful that the 4 of them were unscathed. It's been quite a week weather-wise. More storms are predicted, but hopefully not as violent and damaging as those we've had.
In life, one never knows when a great storm is going to rip apart everything you're accustomed to. Life can change in a heartbeat. The night last November when Matt called me to tell me he had just lost his job was the start of our storm. I totally expected he'd have new employment by now. It's been just about 6 months....it's one heck of a storm. Our house has been on the real estate market since January 23 without a single offer. Lots of interest, but no bites. Big, big storm.
God has been doing a lot of work in my life and Matt's since our storms began; the kind of working that brings me to my knees, awash in sorrow for my sin and unteachable heart. He's teaching me A LOT now, and I think I'm finally to the point of "a ha! That's what this is all about!" As I look at our dwindling bank account and the empty inbox on Matt's email account each day, the storms seem more and more severe. However, I know that the work He's doing in my heart is worth it. Our marriage is so much stronger than it has ever been. I now attack housework with joyful ambition in anticipation of potential buyers. I'm learning to think before I speak. I deal with my children less harshly and more lovingly.
Eventually we will get through this storm --this will not be the death of us. How much better the end result will be when we start our new life and I'm closer to being the person I was created to be!
One final thought: yesterday was May 14 and a rainy Friday, much like the rainy Friday on May 14,1993 -- the day Matt and I became husband and wife. Last night we had the best anniversary celebration we've ever had. We hired a babysitter (a rare occurrence for us) and had a lovely dinner at a nice restaurant....just the two of us. We spent hours talking and laughing and enjoying eachother's company. I truly can't remember the last time we did that. I surprised Matt with an anniversary gift that thrilled him and he didn't even get upset that I'd spent money for it. (A refurbished Ipod Touch 3G for him to use while he works out.) It was truly one of the happiest kid-free times we've shared in our marriage. I will never, ever forget it, because the evening was perfect.
Storm? What storm?
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
A Posting with No Title
There are times (like now) when I have so much to say and just don't know how. I write new posts practically every-other day but I delete them because they just don't express what I'm really trying to say. I find that so frustrating...I started this blog as a way to write out the things that jumble together in my mind and my heart, whether it be good, bad or ugly. However, the grammar freak in me won't post it if it's too wordy or clogged with confusion. I spend so much time editing my own writing that I never actually publish it.
I know. It's sick.
So again I say, I have so much I want to share here tonight but my mind is a cluttered mess. I will tell you this, I am so glad to be hearing the sound of my beloved snoring softly next to me. He's home. He was only gone for 6 days this time, but it's so nice to have him HOME. If this season of difficulty we've been in has taught me anything, it's taught me to appreciate him more and realize that I've been blessed with a good man. A very good man indeed.
This is about the spot where I would usually scrap the post because I don't know how to end it. So, I'll end it here and just click "publish". No re-wording, no obsessing over sentence structure. Just click and done.
Goodnight, everyone.
I know. It's sick.
So again I say, I have so much I want to share here tonight but my mind is a cluttered mess. I will tell you this, I am so glad to be hearing the sound of my beloved snoring softly next to me. He's home. He was only gone for 6 days this time, but it's so nice to have him HOME. If this season of difficulty we've been in has taught me anything, it's taught me to appreciate him more and realize that I've been blessed with a good man. A very good man indeed.
This is about the spot where I would usually scrap the post because I don't know how to end it. So, I'll end it here and just click "publish". No re-wording, no obsessing over sentence structure. Just click and done.
Goodnight, everyone.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Happy Birthday, Allyson!
Today is Ally's 9th birthday. We celebrated last Sunday by going out for lunch at Poblano Grill followed by ice cream at Braum's. We did it early because we had to make ourselves scarce during our open house, but it worked out great because we had no idea then that Matt would be out of town this weekend!
This morning she had her favorite breakfast, chocolate chip pancakes, and opened her gifts. I found a brand new still-in-the-box Nintendo DSLite for a steal on ebay, so she was thrilled to finally get her own gaming system. We'll head out to Target later so she can spend her gift card on accessories for it.
Abby made Ally's cake this year. She spent hours in the kitchen, and made the entire thing from start to finish. It was made up of individual cupcakes and decorated as a cake. She did such a great job! For her first cake attempt, I give her a 10!Sunday, May 2, 2010
Zero-and-a-half...
...that's how old Nathan is, according to Allyson. It's true; our silly monkey turned 6 months old today! He sits up, spits up, chatters excitedly at the ceiling fan and loves playing in his exer-saucer. He's bald as an egg and has a sweet, happy face that lights up when you smile at him. His eyes are the famous Varnell name-that-color (brownish-green-hazely), so he resembles his daddy quite a bit.
I am so thankful for his sweet nature and the way he makes me melt when his eyes catch mine. Nater-tater, I am so glad I get to be your mommy!
Our Estate, For Real
Our realtor held an open house here today and suggested a few days ago that we drop the asking price slightly and rearrange some rooms to spark new interest from potential buyers. We spent all day Saturday and part of today doing just that. Our dining room is now a second living room, our family room is now the dining room, and since our master bedroom now contains our only TV, I guess it's basically the family room.
Wait.....what?
We decided that we needed to perk up the living areas with bright colors, so Matt spent a few hours in the floral department at Hobby Lobby yesterday. I imagine he garnered more than a few peculiar looks from shoppers who witnessed him putting together several dried flower arrangements. Yep, I'm going to get mileage from that one. heheheh
I'm only posting "after" pics of the room makeovers, because I forgot to take "before" pics. I really hope this transformation will finally bring a buyer, because this new set-up is not conducive to our size family. Furthermore, today's open house yielded exactly one visitor. Just one. Oh, poo.
Even still, I hold to the promise in Romans 8:28..."And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Thank You, Lord! Without that confidence, I'd be a wreck!
Former family room, now the dining room
Former dining room, now a small sitting area
Our master bedroom...taken over.
Wait.....what?
We decided that we needed to perk up the living areas with bright colors, so Matt spent a few hours in the floral department at Hobby Lobby yesterday. I imagine he garnered more than a few peculiar looks from shoppers who witnessed him putting together several dried flower arrangements. Yep, I'm going to get mileage from that one. heheheh
I'm only posting "after" pics of the room makeovers, because I forgot to take "before" pics. I really hope this transformation will finally bring a buyer, because this new set-up is not conducive to our size family. Furthermore, today's open house yielded exactly one visitor. Just one. Oh, poo.
Even still, I hold to the promise in Romans 8:28..."And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Thank You, Lord! Without that confidence, I'd be a wreck!
Former family room, now the dining room
Former dining room, now a small sitting area
Our master bedroom...taken over.
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