Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Its not fair....

How many times do you hear that a day? I really hate hearing it...but what I hate more is feeling like that myself....most of you who know me would probably say I am a positive person but today I don't feel like one. I am really wanting to shout at the top of my lungs right now! ITS NOT FAIR! You see I have three children, all of which are great kids and really bright and fun to be with for the most part...but my youngest has Cerebral Palsy, mild one at that but none the less he still has it. Most days I can really forget about it but today we had our Speech evaluation appointment. I know he is getting harder to understand, mostly because his vocabulary is increasing daily and of course more words mean more issues of pronunciation. You see as a parent we want everything for our child, and more importantly we hate to see them struggle....even at the times we see it necessary for them to succeed. Today was just plain HARD....I watched as my child struggled and worse yet watched him know that he wasn't up to par in his little mind! Even at 4 years of age he is self conscious already....how does that happen so young? See its not fair! :( I hate feeling like this....

Well I am off to read for my class tomorrow ...pray for me I am very stressed ~
Until next time...

Monday, September 29, 2008

Quick note

Its been a while...I think almost a week...wow!
Well let's see to catch ya up ~
*We are still on shaky ground with employment
*I am still enrolled in school, first "real" class this Wednesday
*Still not in favor of Obama
That is the short version.
I am really tired and have some more reading to do before bed, so I will update you some more tomorrow!
Until next time.....

Thursday, September 25, 2008

College Success

Success.....

Today I start a class for those returning to school after a long period....yes its been a looooong time for me, really almost 15 years...wow that sounds bad doesn't it?

I am heading back to possibly pursue Nursing, or something like that anyhow...
The class tonight is two sessions, tonight and then next Thursday. I also start a Psychology class this next Wednesday. I am a little nervous about how all this is going to fit into my current life.

Well ~ wish me luck! I will let y'all know how it goes....

Off for the kids final splash in the pool before closing it down.....

Until next time....

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

New attitude!

I had such a bad day yesterday...was just in a bad mood all day long for no real reason. Don't ya hate those kind of days? I sure do! Anyhow...this morning is different. I woke up this morning knowing that today is a new day, another chance, a gift really! I walked on the treadmill, gave my little guy a quick shower before school and will soon be leaving to take them to MAFA. While on the treadmill I reflected on some things....in the last 4 months I have lost 11 pounds, decided to go back to school, and have started the never ending climb to get out of debt. Whoa ~ I thought....that is a lot of major changes. I mean really like life changing stuff! I was listening to my Ipod while I walked and a song really struck me this morning more than any other time I heard it...Matthew West's "You got something to say" it was so much more than a song today....it really spoke to me. I do have a lot to say (those of you who know me well can truly attest to that! Keep your giggling to a dull roar please) anyhow I will include the words to the song here at the end... I think that is alright, isn't it? Not like I am stealing them ....well anyway I will post them. Think about it...you all have something to say! So speak!
Wake up, 7:32 AM
Can't believe it's time to do it over again
Yesterday, it took all that you had
And you're wonderin' if you'll ever get it back
But the whole wide world is waiting for
Waiting for you to step out that door
Come on and let your life be heard today
You got something to say
If you're livin', if you're breathin'
You got something to say
And you know if your heart is beatin'
You got something to say
And no one can say it like you do
God is love and love speaks through
You got it, you got itYou got something to say
Yeah, yeah
Something to sayYeah,
oh Listen up,
I got a question here
Would anybody miss you if you disappeared?
Well your life is the song that you sing
And the whole wide world is listening
Well the answer to the question is
You were created, your life is a gift
and The lights are shining on you today,
'cause You got something to say
If you're livin', if you're breathin'
You got something to say
And you know if your heart is beatin'
You got something to say
And no one can say it like you do
God is love and love speaks through
You got it, you got it
You got something to say
Yeah You got something to say
Come on, come on, yeah
Sing na na na na na na na na
Na na na na na na
Na na na na na,
yeah Listen up,
I got a question here
Would anybody miss you if you disappeared?
Well your life is the song that you sing
And the whole wide world is listening
Oh You got something to say
And no one can say it like you do
God is love and love speaks through
You got it, you got it
You got something to say
Yeah Something to say
Come on, come on, yeah
And the world is listening now
And the lights are shining down
Shining down on you today,
'causeYou got something to say
So just say it
Until Next time.....

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Life ....

Isn't life funny....how a little thing like a job can cause sooo much stress in one's life? Job Searching, First day job jitters, job politics, and then of course job loss....all of them are stresses that add to our everyday lives. I remember one first day on the job years ago, before marriage, kids, etc....it all started with a cold/sinus infection, I woke up all ready for my first day on the new job feeling awful. I knew how bad it would be to call in, not that I would have anyway...but instead I took the good ole sinus med out on the market at the time, SUDAFED. Well after arriving at work it went down hill incredibly fast...I was feeling so nauseous and light headed and started sweating profusely....it was really bad. I excused myself to use the restroom and didn't think I would make it back to my desk alive....literally! When I did, my new boss looked shaken after seeing me...what was wrong with this girl, she was thinking, she asked if I was alright and I told her just a head cold....HA! What was wrong with me, I was thinking to myself??? Needless to say I left work shortly after this conversation with my new not so impressed boss....she thought I know I was either on drugs or pregnant I am sure. I was neither, but I was never to take Sudafed or like products again...after leaving there I went straight to the doctor who said my blood pressure had plummeted so low on the cold meds that it was a wonder I could even stand up....what a first impression.
Well...that job lasted a long time for me after the first day! Thankfully the company was very gracious and all were very concerned about me, they even later attended my wedding. :)

So stress....my current job is teaching. I teach my children school. Can be very stressful but very rewarding at the same time. My hubby's job is stressful as well, mostly from wondering about this Michigan economy~he has seen so many layoffs of those around him now for so long its to the point where I dread if he calls early in the day or comes in not so late from work, thinking that he was let go...its an ever present threat here. Not a good stressor, from that stress in the past year he has ended up with anxiety issues, fear of taking vacation, staying later to do whatever they need, always putting work first ....its a rough road to haul! We have seen so many of our close friends leave the state in the past three years its ridiculous. We understand their leaving but the loss is still there....hard to see life long friends torn and tattered from the battle of a job!

So what to do ? I have been praying for peace a lot lately ....I know who is in control and trust him completely. I still fear for these uncertain times though mostly for my kids, what this would do for their sense of security. God is all knowing and already he has the outcome in his plan, we are not worthy of what we have currently and of what good he has for our future.
Thanks for listening to me ramble.....

P.S has anyone joined us in the New Testament Challenge yet? I would love to know...leave me a note!
Until next time....

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Employment~ Life

Hi everyone,

We are still employed as of today, going into a new work week we are skeptical of course but hopeful! They will be letting lots go soon, we just don't when our time is up so to speak....will he be there until they close their doors or gone sooner, will they even close their doors or will someone step in and purchase what is left?? So many questions so few answers....life is full of uncertainties it seems lately! We are just going to keep going along until we are told not to I suppose....

I just wanted to post for those of you were wondering! I'll keep ya informed!

Please keep praying for us and the many others who have met with uncertain times ahead....
Until next time....

Friday, September 19, 2008

Jobs Jobs and No more jobs....

For those of you who know the Michigan economy you already know how bad it is...for those who do not....well it stinks, has for a quite a while now really but we are still hanging in there.

Yesterday at work Marc gets the "old polish up that old resume speech", what does that mean anyhow? I mean really why not just say really worry that you may not have a job soon! Isn't that awful! I mean what else can he do really? Polish? What does that mean, as if he can add some super great things there that ensure a new job in the waiting? UGH! The whole thing is just awful! Anyhow...so now I have a sick feeling in the pit of my gut, and I am sure my hubby's is worse! That wondering if today will be your last day? Will they give us any notice, will we get our vacation time that was built up at the very least? Will we get a severance package? All the endless questions whirling in my mind....with asthmatics will we go long without insurance, with Caleb's CP will he be able to get any therapy??? Oh the list is forever long in my mind...
Yes I know the Lord will provide for our every need and I need to just trust that but in my human heart I am still struggling, that nature of I can fix things is battling the one who holds the future in his hands....
I want to scream "its not fair!" But what good is that? Does it help? No!~ I am hanging on to the verses I just read the other day in my bible reading, Matthew 6:25-34.
Praying for good outcomes ~
Until next time

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Apple Orchard, Bedtimes, & Bills....Oh no! :)

Well here I am after a long day of school, a trip to the Apple Orchard, and lots of bills to pay! School went well today, this year we are studying the years 1850 to modern times, one of things we will learn this year is the Presidents (starting with the 13th, Millard Fillmore 1850-1853), anyhow~ I never liked History much as a kid, but now I just can't get enough at times. Are you like that too or is it just me? The kids were great about it too, they are making a booklet for them and all the info goes on a sheet then gets filed in their History folders. Anyhow....they both seem to love Science as well! We are just having a good school year so far and that is a "wow moment" for a mom! :)
Okay then this afternoon we did a field trip of sorts, okay so it was an outing at least...headed out to Blake's Orchard and picked some apples (which we needed to make an apple pie, also part of school), and well of course we had to get cider & donuts too. (Not the Weight Watcher approved kind either, so none for mom). The orchards were flooded from all the rain we had this past weekend and it was really hard to get to a tree to pick, needless to say the boys were drenched, shoes, socks, pant legs...you get the picture. But all and all we did fine and brought home some great apples.
Well its bedtime around here and like most days we are struggling to get everyone down and read to and done with Bible reading, etc. Its a never ending thing around here...someone is always getting up for something they "forgot". Why can't you just go to bed, curl up, sleep and give mom that much needed BREAK! UGH! Oh well ...Bills are awaiting me and they don't seem to wait either so off I go to break the bank!
Until next time....
HEY CLICK THESE ADS HERE TO THE RIGHT! Thanks!

Sunday, September 14, 2008

New Testament Challenge

Here it is September already and our church is having a huge campaign for reading the New Testament through together in our growth groups (small groups, new name) and in the weekly services over the next 10 weeks. The slogan is something like "you say you believe it~ but have you read it?" So I ask you have you read through the New Testament? Have you read through your whole bible? What an accomplishment I believe that to be! Truthfully I have started reading many times with the intention of finishing it through the year and have well ....given up somewhere along the lines...
My mom challenged my two older boys (9&10) at the time to read through their entire bible this last January ....she offered to pay them $100 if they stuck to it and read through in a year times, she also provided them with the one year bible to follow. Not just my boys were challenged, all the grandchildren were, with the exception of two youngest then both 3 years old.
Well its been a long haul trying to keep up all summer with it, and while they have fallen behind a couple times, they are still plugging along with it and I KNOW they will finish it within the year. It is awesome for me to consider at such a young age they will have done something that so many adults can't say they have done! I am so proud of them!
Okay so back to Heritage Church and their challenge, are you up for it? You (all my readers) can also join this challenge~you don't have to attend the church to be a part (although you are welcome)...
Let me know if you decide to accept the challenge~the church is even providing a new testament and CD, as well as a study guide for you~ All free of charge.
Interested let me know!
Leave me a note on my blog here ....
Until next time~

Friday, September 12, 2008

Advertisement

Hello out there in BLOG world.... I am writing to let you all know that I am allowing these ads to run here to the right of my blog for a reason....if you click on them I get a pay check eventually! Would you mind making a little note to visit daily if you are on the computer that often anyway, just a click is all it takes you don't have to linger at the site at all, clicking is all that is required! I would so greatly appreciate it! Money is tight trying to raise three growing boys...not to mention the downward spiral the economy has taken in the past few years....
Paid our taxes today and we are broke! We are beyond broke....
Thanks and until next time....

Thursday, September 11, 2008

9/11/01

A day to remember....
I am sure there a few days in your life that you will never forget, but even fewer of those that you know just what you were doing when something happened. Today is one of those days... 7 years ago today, our country was attacked by terrorists right here on our very soil.
I was home at the time with my two little boys then 3 & 4years of age, the T.V was on, but it was tuned to a children's television that would not be interrupted. The phone rang at around 9am and I picked up thinking how nice of a friend to call first thing in the morning...but this call would change my whole day...I was asked was I watching T.V? I said the boys had Barney on but nothing major, why? Turn to a regular channel the Twin towers in NYC have been hit by a plane....I quickly turned it on and watched as the second plane hit...we quickly hung up promising to call back when we had some kind of answer for what we had just seen....did we really just see that? I kept asking myself all day that very thing, was this real, did that happen, what happened? What was next? I quickly tuned back to Barney for the kids and went to another T.V to watch for hours....when it was decided that this was terrorism ...I dialed my sister's cell phone number, she was in Arizona at the time on vacation and I thought I better check in with her....I woke her up and told her to get to a T.V and explained that an attack had occured and she needed to call for a rental car right away since they were grounding planes and who knew when they would fly again. Plus I didn't want them to get on a plane at this point anyway....she told me she would call me back....
Later that week they boarded a plane and flew back here to Michigan...much to my begging and pleading her not to get on a plane....didn't you feel that way? Never wanting to board a plane again after seeing that? I have flown again truthfully it was tough...I never liked to fly before that day but after was even harder!
What has changed in our country in the last 7 years? Are we really any safer? Could it happen again ? Well I am just thankful that I live in a country that came together at a time of horrible loss and am so incredibly grateful to all those who have served to protect our country before, since and will continue to do so in the years to come! God Bless our soldiers on the front lines and here at home!
Thanks for all you do!
Until next time....

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Shorter days and more to do....

Have you ever noticed as the days grow shorter you seem to have more to accomplish? It seems that way here, as summer fades into the past and we are abruptly met with Fall I just seem to be more and more behind. The hours are just not there anymore...we are getting up earlier, packing more in and still unable to keep up! If school were it~ well then we have that covered, but if we need to eat, wear clean clothes, and pick up around the house, not to mention shop for those things to eat or wear....ugh! Well I think you get the picture. Ever thought why we can't just eat PB&J for dinner? It sometimes would make life easier....
I often wonder how other moms do it? Okay let me know rephrase that how other home school moms do it...only because when you home school its all here! ALL of it, the good, bad and the ugly. :( Some of it is really ugly...well at least right now the house. School takes our priority this time of year and as that shift occurs other normal activities seem to take a back seat in our lives. So as I look for more time to do that stuff I realize that back in the days where our country ran a little differently, when kids didn't have so much of a schedule to keep, or at least one that wasn't revolving around home....well back then KIDS HELPED! Aha! Epiphany here.....they need to pick up the slack! I am going now to make a list of what they can do to help around here....
Yes truthfully I have already started that list now I need to put into practice....so instead of only destroying the home they can pick it up as well! What a novel thought !
Until next time,
Wish me luck!

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

I want to "Pump them up" (thx Arnold)

Well with the new year under way ....we are working hard to encourage our children in their daily lives. I want this year to be all about being "pumped up", yes they need to learn as we go but more importantly I want them to each know they can do anything they put their minds too! My eldest has not really struggled with not feeling he measures up but my middle one is always wondering....you can see it in his face as well as his actions. That is going to change! We are what we think, right? I really believe that! When we hear we aren't good at something or that we struggle to do something as good as someone else we belittle ourselves. For everyone negative thing we hear about ourselves we need soooo many more positives to just erase (if that's even possible) one negative statement. My older two kids are at a very vulnerable time in life for boys...entering the teen age time is hard on everyone but I want my kids at the advantage ....being PUMPED up will hopefully help them to get through those incredible years ahead....
Well that is all for now....
Until next time...

Monday, September 8, 2008

A new year well school year anyway....

Well we have our second week of school underway and well so far so good, things seem to fit well with all of us this year. Caleb is enjoying preschool and when at home, most days he is working on a preschool book to do his part while the rest of the family does their studies. The older two boys are working hard already and putting forth a great deal of good attitudes and helpfulness with getting through the day! I am a fortunate mom!

Last week we attended a rally with John McCain and Sarah Palin at Freedom Hill. It was a great event for the kids to get to see what running for President is all about! We enjoyed our time and had a chance to see even if far away an actual candidate for President! A moment in their history! :)

Well I am off and running again now on to the next event.....the MAFA mixer to kick of our year there!

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Back to a schedule

Well here we are back to a Fall Schedule at the Steppey Household! Its nice in some ways to be more scheduled but its also nice to just relax for the summer! Now we are all back to school....Caleb is back in year two of preschool, 4 years old now he attends 3 days a week. Luke & Austin are back at Homeschooling here, now in 5th & 6th grades. We are trying a new main curriculum this year with My Fathers World, 1850's to Modern day, so far so good! I am also going to try to go back to school this year for a bit of a career change now ....Nursing. I am really struggling though with the how's and when's of how it will come together but praying for guidance about it!
Its been a long time since I updated this blog so I am going to try to be more regular now that we are more time conscious...
Also since I last blogged I have lost 10.5 lbs! I am working on some more but would like to maintain this weight loss first to see if keeping it off will be as hard as losing it! :) Well I will get back to ya soon!
Till next time.....