Toddler Struggles

I guess the title should read 'Mommy's Struggles' for my littlest really isn't struggling at all.

I am finding it good that I my littlest DS has a playmate that comes over on Mondays and Fridays. He is doing pretty well with the visits. They typically hug when they meet and each loves to wave bye/bye when she leaves for the day.

I have found that our littlest one is very strong natured and it is a bit more of a challenge to get him to follow-through with obeying 'no no's. I have been using diversion and also timeouts, but we do also believe in corporal punishment so there are also pops occasionally.

I am trying to not get too hung up on feeling like I need to have him learning his 'ABC's, numbers, etc.' I am reviewing them but he just laughs and wants to do his own thing. I can't even get him to point to his mouth, nose, ears, eyes, etc. He doesn't want to do that. I guess I am also frustrated with his lack of wanting to talk, he is very at ease with using his own language and we can occasionally hear him say some words, but for the most part, it sounds like Chinese/Hungarian and he loves to talk....so there is no lack of our acquiring his language.

From what I understand, I shouldn't be hung up on his language and other skills and just allow him to play and explore all the more.

It can be difficult to adjust when you have such different personalities and interests between your children. So I am all the more having to learn to let go and trust God with my child.

Fireproof

This is a much anticipated, highly acclaimed movie. I can't wait to see the movie, check it out for yourself. If you were blessed to see "Facing The Giants", I understand that this is a movie that is 10x better than even that film.

Enjoy and may your family be blessed in watching this film

Private Alto Sax Lessons

My DS was able to complete his first alto sax private lesson yesterday afternoon. It looks like he will be able to participate in the lessons each week!!! That means alot of road time, gas money and private lesson fees, but it will be worth it.

It seems like this is the busiest and most hectic year our DS has had in his high school career thus far. He is taking two dual credit classes, (having to get up to speed with online college classes and their formats), Pre Calculus, Spanish IV, Band, an independent study for Trigonometry and also Chemistry I.

He has volunteered to learn the french horn and will participate in an ensemble in order to try and make state level as an ensemble.

Mr. LeFevre stated that our son's talent with the alto sax has outgrown his current instrument. He is recommending that we look into purchasing a professional sax. So far it looks like it would be about $3500-$5000 for a decent one. Also, Mr. LeFevre stated that our DS 'will' make state band. (That is a goal that our son has expressed to us, but not to anyone else) I think that confidence from Mr. LeFevre shocked our son... Our DS stated that he guesses he doesn't demonstrate total self confidence with his playing.

Our DS is debating his recommendation for a pro sax, since he doesn't feel like he wants to make music as a career, why invest so much in a hobby? Our son is pretty practical and he's got a good point... Right now he has decided to try to take his playing and skill with this current horn as far as he can.

A good statement made by our son, 'I don't know what direction the Lord has planned for me career wise but for some reason I have been given a gift with some skills and talent for playing the saxophone so we will see what the Lord wants for me to do...." So we will take this one step at a time.

Our DS is starting to consider possible career choices/majors for college study/colleges for study and is leaning towards the sciences/engineering majors. He is considering possibly architectural engineering/architecture/petroleum engineering, etc. But he also loves to debate his high school band performances in marching and with their performing and 'knows that he could do a better job then his director'.

If nothing else, I think that expanding his skill and talent with playing the alto sax and having such a great private tutor will only serve to improve his confidence and expand his capabilities. It might also help him to decide what direction the Lord is having him go...

I must say that he plays the flute for fun, is really exceptional on the alto sax, is making a good sound with the french horn after only 4 weeks and you should hear him on the piano in the sanctuary when we are cleaning up at our church. He sounds so good on the piano and only had a couple of months of lessons when he was about 7 years old. We don't have a piano at the house, so his only time to 'tickle the ivories' is when we are at church. I know that he didn't get his musical abilities from me....In fact, he says that he knows he has inherited one trait from me, music wise, he absolutely cannot sight read, how do you like those compliments?!?

Newest Family Member

Well, we are thrilled to announce that we have a new member to our extended family. Isn't she lovely!!! Cricket is her name...do we now call her our 'Grand Dog'. I think we should....

Proud new owner, our DD.

Cricket is 2 1/2 years old and our DD rescued her from a shelter. She is in the process of getting adjusted to her new home and life with her new owner.

Free Mazagines

Shhhh, keep this quiet....

I just have to tell everyone about a little secret that I am kinda' apprehensive about sharing. But it's been so much fun, that I thought you might want to get in on the action also.

I have found that this website is excellent for getting postings for really nice free magazines. What is the catch, right? No seriously, they are free and they have been wonderful, I am currently overflowing with free magazines. I love all of them, I would never in a million years subscribe to them, too expensive, but I love the beautiful pictures and the awesome articles.

I am presently getting about 8 magazines for free with no harassing phone calls, emails, subscription notices, etc.

What I have found out is that certain magazines sometimes need to boost their readership numbers and therefore for limited times they will open up prescriptions to additional members for free, no catch, no harassment and I find that I get them pretty swiftly after signing up.

What I have done is added the budget helpers blog address to my google reader as a subscription then when I see that she has posted a new free magazine, I quickly click and sign up. No more than that.

http://budgethelpers.blogspot.com/

Check it out. I just signed up to start receiving 'The Magazine Antiques' yesterday for a one year subscription. Here is the link. I think it is closed now, but go ahead and see....http://budgethelpers.blogspot.com/2008/09/another-magazine-antiques-free-sub.html

Band Booster Mom Goes Crazy!!!!

http://www.frionaonline.com/

Check it out. This is our local newspaper and they are great about uploading pictures of events and are very timely. If you click on the link of photos, review the Maize Days photos, especially page 2 or specifically #28 of 135, there is one certain very handsome young man, or otherwise known as my DS!!!

Gotta' love that band!!!

Frustrated with Teachers

Just wanting to ventilate a little...

I am very frustrated in the inability to find a private alto saxophone tutor for my DS. He is a junior in high school and is very determined to make it to the state band this year. He is very skilled and has advanced to the All Area level over the past two years, but just hasn't been able to get to that last level for state. Unfortunately, to reach the state level, it pretty well requires him to have private lessons.

I have contacted six local schools and even have called schools nearby in an adjoining state. I have also called, emailed and begged a couple of well known alto sax instructors in nearby colleges and universities.

Either no response after two to three varied methods of attempting contact or they are too swamped to take on another student.

When my DS requests something, I am always quite determined to try and make it happen and I am not able to get this latest request even off of the ground.

I guess you could say that I am angry as well as very frustrated. I have even sat down with his local high school director with no help or further suggestions for steps to be taken.

Is that all I can do????!?!???!!!!

I have to let you know about how amazing persistent prayer is...I had posted this vent blog two days ago, I have learned the useful tool of scheduling postings...in the meantime, I have received an email from the Director of Bands/Symphony at WTAMU in Canyon, Don LeFevre.

I had previously sent him an email over 6 weeks ago, called and left messages, emailed and called his secretary, etc...with no response. He is an excellent alot sax player and highly respected as an instructor, in this part of the country he is the cats meow ( too old for most of you?!?). He has agreed to take my DS on as a private student!!!! Whoop, whoop, whoop, (do a little dance!!!)

We are now in the process of working out a schedule for sessions.

Did I mention, that I know exactly who to thank for this....Praise Jesus!!!

Did I also thank and praise him even when I wasn't getting the responses that I wanted, yes...I am learning to praise him at all times, not just when I get what I want, but realising that I have handed my life over to him and allow him to be in charge of everything.

Is it easy to praise him during the bad and difficult times, previously I would have said no, but the more you realise how he works in your life each moment of each day, it is not difficult to do. It is called 'surrender', I surrender everything to him.

Have you?!?

F - Forgiveness. We cannot have a relationship with God without forgiveness
(Ephesians 1:7a)
A - Available. Forgiveness is available for all (John 3:16)
I - Impossible. It is impossible for God to allow sin into heaven (Romans
3:23).
T - Turn. A person must turn away (repent) from sin and follow God (Luke
13:3).
H - Heaven. Heaven is the gift of eternal life now and in the hereafter
(John 10:10b: 14:3)

I would be happy to share my personal testimony with you and pray with you. Please contact me via plnewhou@msn.com.

The Cutest Blog On The Block

Don't ask me how I ever discovered this blog link, but it was a lifesaver. I have tried and tried and tried to find a blog background that I liked for free, I have also downloaded free photo design programs to try to design my own blog background to great failure.

This blog site, thrilled me!!! http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/

It has so many current, cute, free and fun blog backgrounds and it only took me less than 10 minutes to figure out how to upload the html code and preview my changes.

Try it and see...

Pick Your Own

In light of the recent economic changes that we will probably all be facing, I have happened upon a wonderful site. It will help you identify local farms, orchards, plots where you can pick your own produce, Christmas trees, etc.

Not too many around my area of the country, but I will see what might pop up here and there.

Several of the farms make it a family affair and you can really score some terrific fresh produce, veggies, fruit, nuts, etc.

It also has some great links on home canning, gardening, etc.

Check it out...http://www.pickyourown.org/

Exercising Your Rights

Sometimes I feel so frustrated with what is going on with our government. We are fortunate that our national representative makes quarterly visits to our townhall for public discussions, but what to do in the meantime???


I take the time to send brief email messages to the president, senators and representatives when I wish to strongly express my opinion. You should also take the time...

Also, make sure you keep yourself educated and up to date on the concerns that are dear to you.

I like to use the following link for my emails, check it out....http://www.congress.org/congressorg/home/

I just had to get my viewpoints posted on the President's economic bailout plan.

Please express your opinions also.