The message

Hello fellow bloggers and visitors. I am still alive, I've just been VERY busy this summer-we've been working on my daughter's room-turning it from a little boys theme to an appropriate room for a 7 year old girl. All we have left to paint is her bookcase and find a desk for her and she's set-as soon as those are done, I'll post pictures! Although things are still quite busy for me and probably will be until school starts (or even after-I have been offered a temp job at a local attorney's office while his secretary is on maternity leave end of August until sometime in October).

I felt compelled to post today-I had a nightmare last night that opened my eyes. I dreamt that I was at a friends apartment with a lot of 10-13 year old kids. My children weren't there and I knew they were safe, I also knew that I had the appropriate markings to be safe, but what it boiled down to was that an assassin was coming to slaughter any kids that did not have the right sticker on their wrist. I was just sitting there waiting for the doorbell to ring, knowing that "at least I'm safe and my children are safe". The doorbell rang, the host let the "man" (I use this term lightly as he was no more than a teenage boy himself) in. He checked my wrist and moved on-the kids were sitting on the floor-playing video games or singing-I'm not sure, but they were having fun. He went to the first girl and checked her wrist-I remember him lifting it up so gently like a friend would. Then he said "I'm sorry." and took out a large knife. That's when I realized that I could NOT sit by and just watch this happen-it wasn't enough that my kids were safe and I was safe-I didn't try anything before because I thought it wouldn't help.... I was scared. But now I KNEW I had to do something. I ran towards the assassin with all my might and yelled at the top of my lungs "RUN!!!"

That's when I woke up. The scariest part of the dream was that I had sat so long not even trying anything to help those kids. I thought for a little while and realized-I'm doing that now. There are kids in the world that are sick, scared and dying. Because I don't see them and because I give to various charities, I feel like I've done enough-plus MY kids are safe.... I'm safe....

NOT ENOUGH.

I know that God wants more of me-he just gave me a wake-up call. I don't have a lot to give, but I have more than others. Plus, I have this blog-a perfect spot to get other people's attentions. All I'm saying is to do what you can, don't think that you can't help-you can. I'm posting some links to some of my favorite children charities-I invite you to comment with any more links to charities you can think of, too. Maybe together we can make a difference in children's lives.

Unicef-Unite for Children: (one of my faves-who remembers trick or treat for Unicef?)
www.unicef.org

One (fighting aids):
www.one.org

Feed the Children (both in United States and worldwide)
www.feedthechildren.org

All right, that's a few, I know there are many more great charities out there. My challenge to you is to give if you can, but also, please let us know of any more great charities out there that might need our help. Also, there are many local organizations that are trying to help kids, too. I for one will be donating to our local "Feed our children" charity-providing free lunch to hungry kids in our community. Don't forget that donations are usually tax deductible and you feel GREAT giving back. Good luck and God bless!

Like sands through the hourglass..

I'm finally posting today-sorry it's been a while. I've been helping at Vacation Bible School (VBS) at my church this week every morning. It has been a great experience (hopefully) helping kids to know God better. I know I wouldn't have been able to participate like this if I was still working, so I'm grateful I can be there.

As awesome as this whole experience is, it also wore me (and my kids) out! Which meant my kids have been a little bit "owly" in the afternoon/evening time lately. Tonight in particular was interesting-as my hubby and I were breathing a sigh of relief (and contemplating our "yippee the kids are in bed!" cocktail") my daughter felt the need to get out of bed and come holler that her little brother is out of bed. Ugh!

I wouldn't trade this week for the world, though. A high point for me was yesterday.... (dramatic pause).... I turned 35! It was a great day (ornery kids and all). After VBS (where some of the kids made me a special necklace AND I got flowers from my niece and nephews) and a quick lunch, we went to my favorite park for a spell (yep, I'm bringin' it back-it's a cute expression). Then we headed to our favorite ice cream parlor, headed back home, had some pizza and I got dolled up to spend some time with my sister and mother and crew.

As I looked in the mirror (all the while hubby was trying to get the rapscallions to bed-haha!) I liked what I saw. Yes, I wish my waistline is a little smaller-I won't be wearing any bikinis any time soon, or ever for that matter... But my skin is (fairly) clear, my face has a "sun-kissed" look to it, which is so nice, because it means I can get by with little to no makeup. This is the most sun I have been able to get in years-when I was working I just couldn't find enough time to get outside-now we're out every day we can. With time flying by like it is, I'm so glad that I can take some time to be with my kids.

PS & FYI-we signed our refinance papers today. We were able to bring our monthly mortgage payment down by over $120. Calculate that by 30 years and it makes a HUGE difference. Mortgage rates are starting to creep up, but they are still much lower than they were a few years ago, so if you're in the position to refi & haven't yet-it's something to think about.