And She's back .... again

Well, I would hate to think that I only posted once in 2011! 

Christmas Letter 2011

Dear Friends and Family:

"Joy to the World, the Lord is Come! Let Earth Receive her King;

Let every Heart Prepare Him Room, and heaven and Nature Sing!"

As 2011 is quickly winding down, our anticipation for Christmas and the New Year is building up!  Eric was an elf in his school program yesterday and did an awesome job.  He is counting down the days until Christmas and looking forward to several days of no school  The work in 2nd grade is a little harder than 1st grade (naturally), so it will be nice to have a break.  Eric has also been working hard in karate.  He recently earned his orange belt and is now working toward a green belt.  He is always happy to give a demonstration, too!

We added a new member to our family in July -- a sweet, little, brown and white puppy named Bella.  She is part Pekingese and part Chihuahua, just a fun little ball of fluff.  The cats, Quincy and Moses, tolerate her, even if they do not love her as much as the rest of us do.  She loves her toys, going outside, visiting Jennie's parents, snuggling, and ...oh... cat food!

We are so thankful for Kevin's new job at Procter and Gamble, where he works on a toilet paper ("don't squeeze the Charmin") line.  The plant is less than 4 miles from our house ... it may take him longer to walk from his car to the entrance that it does to drive to work.  He works 12 hour swing shifts on a rotating schedule, but for the first time in our marriage and even longer for him, he has some weekends off.  Jennie is still working in Clarks Summit.  We are thankful for her job, too.

Our family vacation to Hilton Head, SC in October was great, as usual!  Eric loved being in the ocean even though the jellyfish were bad.  We spent a few weekends at our cottage this summer too, not as many as we had hoped, but more than last year.  A trip to Knoebel's Amusement Park was fun for a day, but next time we will need to take along a friend who loves roller coasters as much as Eric.

The year was not without sadness, though, either.  Jennie's grandfather, Herb Shotwell, passed away in February.  And her sweet grandmother, Shirley Shotwell, passed away nine months later, to the day, in November.  Jennie was at least able to spend some special moments with her grandmother in the months and days before her death, even being there with her when she died.  They were wonderful grandparents. 

Jennie's nephew, Mikey, was also involved in a tragic accident in July that took the life of a 12 year old neighbor boy.  We particularly remember his family this Christmas.  Please keep them in your prayers.

In the happy times and the sad times, we are so grateful to know our hope is in Jesus.  Jesus, whose humble birth we celebrate, whose death on the cross paid the price for our sin, and whose resurrection conquered death that we might spend eternity with Him. Jesus who is the same --yesterday, today, and tomorrow.   Joy to the World!  The Lord is Come!

We love you!  Have a wonderful year in 2012!

The Powells -- Kevin, Jennie and Eric

Big Goals and a New Bible

I cannot write one more post that says I'm going to start blogging again.

It's just too pathetic.

So with that little thought not being said, here I am!

And since I haven't told anyone I'm blogging, I guess it doesn't really matter. Is it silly to have a blog if no one reads it? Maybe someday, I'll share with my friends. I'm sure they have nothing better to do that read my crazy, sporadic musings.

Actually, I'm trying to get on the ball and lose some weight. And if I publish pictures and results, it may help me be more accountable. To be honest, I am extremely unhappy and disgusted with myself. I could just cry when I see a picture of me. Who/what have I become? All I know is that I almost can't stand myself and have to make changes. Starting today, here's to my new weight loss journey ... and ups and downs and struggles and triumphs. And I will triumph ... even 25 lbs would be a blessing, although, I would really like to lose about 80 lbs altogether. I just re-read that sentence and realized that 80 lbs is 20 lbs more than Eric weighs! Oh, to carry around 80 less lbs! "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phil 4:13

Tonight I made Cabbage soup to jump start the new me. (Cabbage Soup is low sod. beef broth, low sod. stewed tomatoes, celery, onion, cabbage, and water) I actually like it pretty well. Lots of flavor.

******

A special moment happened today also. It was a quiet moment, but one that will be important for the rest of Eric's life, I hope. I was able to buy a new Bible for Eric today. He has the engraved Precious Moments Bible from my mom and dad which is special, but he needed one he could USE ... READ ... STUDY ... LEARN ...WEAR OUT! We were in the Paradise Christian Bookstore and I asked him if he would like one. We looked at 3 different Bibles, and finally we happy to buy a Bible just for Boys! I made sure he knew the Bible is for everyone, but this particular one had extra lessons and devotions that boys would like best. We also bought a new cover for it that is easy to carry. It was a very special moment. I want more than anything for Eric to love God and want to learn more about him and obey him ... at all costs. He just learned the Bible Pledge in Word of Life also ... I pledge allegiance to the Bible, God's Holy Word. I will make it a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. I will hide its words in my heart, that I might not sin against God. Amen.

I really do want to be a blogger!

I have good intentions of writing ...

Really, I do.

In fact, I think of posts at random times ... like in the grocery story or in the car driving. And in my mind, I am a brilliant writer. I am fun, interesting, relevant. I even have fans. It's great!

And then I get home, rush to the computer ... and nothing.

BUT!

We just joined the 21st century and signed up for DSL. It's wonderful. And again, I have aspirations to be a blogger ... because now, I can post pictures, and I can post everything faster, and I am re-inspired to be a blogger!

Stay tuned! I promise I might blog as soon as tonight or tomorrow and not next year!

One year later ... or 35 years all together

Well, it's my birthday again. And since I posted last year for my birthday, I thought I should make an update.

I am so blessed! I've had a wonderful day with family and friends. I woke up to open a card from my dearest Angie, and then our campground neighbors first thing before church showered me with "Happy Birthday to you" and a beautiful card and gift. My church friends sang to me and afterward, Kevin, Eric and I had lunch with our good, and dear friends, the K's. Even though Mr. K did a great job embarrassing me, I was still happy to be in their company and they also gave me a beautiful card and gift. Sadly, Kevin had to go to work and I missed him very much. But Eric and I went to my sister's house, which always feels like a "Homecoming" and my parents came and my brother and sister-in-law and their son and it was wonderful! I had the best time being with everyone .... laughing, telling stories, listening to the kids play (and fight!) and giggle and being outside on this lovely evening ... the moon just as big and round as can be... They also gave me gifts that I love and just seemed so perfect. The only things that would have made it better were to have Kevin and Mike, Sarah and Mikey, and Gramma there with us! But the children were wonderful. Emily, Seth and Eric are finally old enough to sing the birthday song and it was the sweetest music ever.

Coming home, I discoverd a sweet card and gift from other campground friends and I just felt so blessed all over again. Birthdays are nice, and its' so especially nice to have such great friends and family who love me ... just the way I am.

And can I tell you, lately, the way I am, has been a little bit weepy and nostalgic, and scared and overwhelmed. But these good people all keep reminding me and pointing me to the Lord, who is in control and is watching over me and is faithful to keep all his promises. Oh, that I may trust him more now and in the year to come.

Over the Hump

I think we've finally turned the corner in the potty training saga. Eric is finally using the potty! He tells us when he has to go ... most of the time. We still need to remind him throughout the day and ask him from time to time to "just try". In 10 days we've only had 5 accidents.

Of course there are little things to master, such as ... pull up your pants before you leave the bathroom, "shake it " over the potty, don't touch toilet seats with your hands, DEFINITELY do not put your hands in "the stream", and other such nuances of potty etiquette. I haven't even really got to Wiping yet.

I must say, this whole experience has been and is as bad as everyone said it would be. When moms would say, "Oh just wait until potty training!", I now totally know what they meant. To you mothers of mere babes, "Just wait!" I have absolutely no advice to offer ...only luck!!

In case I have failed to mention in all my whining and introspection, I am soooo proud of Eric. Every time he runs to the bathroom on his own, my heart leaps and when he announces his good effort, I am cheering him on all the way. This is a major passageway into boyhood from babyhood. And by boy is doing it well.
Way to Go Eric. Mommy really is as proud of you as she tells you she is ... maybe even more.

A Bird Humming & More Potty Training Chronicles

It's such a gorgeous sunny day ... fluffy clouds ...0% humidity ...and even a gentle breeze.

This is such a welcome relief after the extreme heat and humidity early in the week. I feel like today is the rainbow after the great flood. And in all honesty, would I be able to appreciate today so much if I had not suffered Sun. - Wed.?

The potty training continues. As the opening of school is Aug. 27th and looming closer, I get more and more anxious for Eric to be done. Sometimes I think we are making real progress ...like 2 times he's actually told us he had to go, and then did. And then I feel like he is developmentally behind ...like the other night when he pooped in his pull up twice within a 1/2 hour. I mean, what's so hard about going to the potty? I think math is way harder. Does this mean fractions and algebra are going to be worse than this? I dread the thought. I'll start praying now.

I have already turned potty training over to the Lord. When Eric says his prayers each night I also have him say, "Help me to pee in the potty and help me to poop in the potty, too." And then I have him say, "Be with mommy and daddy and help them have patience," because by bedtime we are almost all out.

One special moment yesterday morning when I told Eric to sit on the potty and he was ignoring me and trying to change the subject fast, he said, "Mommy, I just want to look in your window and see a bird humming." (We have humming bird feeders on our picture window and the little darlings are very active and fun to watch!) Potty training stopped being important for just that one minute, when I delighted in my son and his sweet little boyhood innocence.

Then I remembered that he was totally playing me to avoid the potty.

So we compromised. I pulled the little potty in the living room facing the window so he could sit and do business while he watched for ....

a bird humming!

Successfully employed for a week!

Friday evening ... Eric is all tucked in bed after stories and songs, the house is picked up, a favorite soft music cd is on, Kevin just came home from work, and I have 1 week of work under my belt (with a holiday in there, too!).

I'm not going to lie. I feel a little more spent than I usually do. I am so incredibly grateful that I get to ease back into work with 3 1/2 hr days for a few weeks before I go to full days. I also want to add that I like my job, the school, and the people I'm working with. I feel incredibly blessed.

And I want to take this opportunity to thank all my friends, family and church for their wonderful love and support. So many of you have said or sent a kind word of encouragement, helped with Eric, given me gifts, and prayed devotedly. All of it has meant the world to me and I do so appreciate it and you. I love you all so much!!

As for potty training: This past week was a bit of a setback, but we are not daunted. Lots of change and mom and dad have not been as diligent either with reminders and encouragement. We will start anew tomorrow with big boy underwear! I counted 9 pair that are clean tonight. That should get us through tomorrow even if every time is an accident. We are going to save pull ups for long outings and overnight only (and if Gail wants them for naptime ...I wouldn't blame her ... no fun washing blankets if an accident happens)!

So tonight I'm going to bed tired, overwhelmed a bit, but feeling loved! God is great and life is good.