Lynchpin

Sport concepts for real life.

2010-05-25T08:22:00.000-07:00

1. How might you incorporate the ideas listed on page 119 into your teaching?

It is interesting how the concept of using sports to encourage top performance was used even by Paul, a new testament bible writer. Paul spoke mostly to the Romans and knowing their love of the Olympic Games, he taught many life lessons for Christians using the philosophies of the Olympic trainers. Press on towards the goal to win the prize... Phil 3:14
As a society, our love of sports has not diminished and although the world of competition is slowly falling away for our young ones ( as they now only award participation ribbons in many schools and refuse to acknowledge winners) the love of the sport, the challenge, and the triumph is still prevalent.

If I had a class, I would use all of the concepts from below to teach students. I would teach these concepts at the very beginning of the year. I would spend a week focused on these concepts because I see their value in encouraging achievement in and out of the classroom.

I heard a story of a group of athletes, the Vikings. While other countries used slaves to row their boats daily the vikings always rowed their own. When it came time for battle, the vikings, who were strengthened because of their hard work were stronger, fitter and mightier than their opponents. Thus they were a force to be recon with.

What an appropriate concept for everyone. Talent will not get you to be the best at anything, even pro athletes train hard. We need to teach our students that the same goes for the muscle of the brain. My favorite concept was 'show up for practice and for the main event.

10 concepts used in sport to encouraged top preformance.-Coil, Encouraging Achivement

1. Show up for practice and for the main event.
2. Know where you are heading and know what the goal is.
3. Have several game plans, not just one.
4. Don't count on the one thing that is the least likely to occur.
5. Work toward small goals (short-term goals) to reach larger goals.
6. Practice skill before the big preformance.
7. Don't give up because you get a penatly or make a mistake
8. Figure out what you want to accomplish and then plan backwards.
9. Have a choach and have people who cheer you on.
10. Work as a team to get things done.
I would also add a few to use with sports and life.

Start out slow, practice slow and repeat, you will get faster and better at what you are doing.

Don't cheat, it is no fun for anyone and in the end you only cheat yourself.

Find a mentor (someone to cheer you on) and be a mentor (someone to rejoice with).

Learn to be a good sport, when you lose and win.

Encouraging leaning online class journal

2010-04-24T11:18:00.000-07:00

Killer phrase Posted by Michelle Lynch at Saturday, April 24, 2010 12:17:31 PM MDT
Journal ~

Respond to the following:

Add at least 3 more thoughts to the "Killer Phrases that Discourage Achievement" on page 34. Discuss one that resonates with you and how you might change your attitude about it.

Here are 3 more "Killer Phrases that Discourage Achievement."

I really don't like this kid so what do I care if he/she succeeds.

I, myself, am done learning!

The system really sucks.

And one more... This students doesn't want to be here why should I care more about their academic achievement than they do?

THE SYSTEM SUCKS!

I have heard a number of teachers state that if they could just close the doors and teacher their students thing would be so much better. But we can't. As teachers we have to deal with administration, budget cuts, politics, parents, CSAP and so on. Our focus is never only on our students. Most teachers don't get into teaching because it is a convenient job, they don't chose this type of career for the pay or the days off, at least not anymore. Most teacher get into teaching because they care about students They want their students to achieve and if they could devote their resources, emotions and creativity into the student they most likely would. Teachers teach because they care. But, I have seen as years go by and an idealistic teacher becomes jaded because of many disappointment in the system, their attitude changes. I think for my own personal attitude I would try very hard to remember and write down why I got into teaching in the first place. I would keep my eye on the prize, aim for the goal and do my very best. And if the day come where the system has broken down my resolve and I become an ineffective teacher I would seek a new career, opening the position to a new enthusiastic teacher. I would knowing that I did the very best I could and that I gave every one of my students the very best that I had to offer.

　

This has been my real life experience with my own adopted children and I wasn't even paid for caring for them, but I can hold my head up and honestly say. " I didn't count the number of years, I made the number of years count."- author unknown

Heart Break

2010-02-20T10:31:00.000-08:00

Every time my world starts to mend,
My heart gets broken once again.

Every time things seem alright
I allow in love and let go of the fight

How many times can a heart take a cut
and bleed out profusely before you give up?

How deep can a person sink down to despair
Before it's too much, thinking life’s too unfair.

Why, oh God Why did I open my heart?
Why did I let them in from the start.

God is the healer, the forever mender,
He sews up my gaping wounds and makes my heart tender.

To love again, to have hope and a prayer.
When I only want, hate, destruction, despair.

Daily I walk this life full of pain,
disappointment, frustration, Loss and no gain.

Daily I walk in the JOY of small things
That I've learn to value because of the pains.

My hearts hurting now, but it won't be forever
God will mend it by His precious SPLENDER

And my world will begin to mend...
and hurt will come once again.

But in-between those deep dark places,
God's love will shine and fill my heart spaces.

He is Good and He does love me,
Pain will come, but He will set me free.

And when the day comes that I draw my last breath
I will say I've hurt deeply...
but it is cuz I loved best.

The Eye of the Princess

2010-02-20T10:27:00.000-08:00

Princess' eye is doing fantastic after the eye surgery , the doctor says everything looks better than she expected. Her eye sight is slowly returning as she had lost it again after the surgery. the glaucoma looks to be gone and all is healing well. Praises be to our Father in Heaven, the Healer and the doctors he brought into our life.

Update on Princess' eye.

2010-01-16T13:50:00.000-08:00

Okay, here is the latest.

On Monday we meet with a Dr. Ruth from Children's eye surgery in Arvada 10am We are meeting at Children's Hospital. She is going to do an extensive exam. She is looking for signs that Lauren's eye "shifted" or moved when she was in the accident.

We have already had one DR. look for this exact thing and he said it did not move. It will be good to have a second opinion.

Two choices are left. If the eye did move this is what is blocking the drainage and this is why the pressure is so high. In this case Lauren must have surgery on Tuesday. It will be a major surgery with a 50% success rate and a 50% chance that she will have to have the surgery again. They put a penny size tube in her eye. there is also a chance that this could allow too much drainage.

If It looks like the eye did not move then the DR wants to do a surgery on Wed that will involve a small incision in Lauren's eye with a small stitch.

Last night I received a call from Porter Hospital for intake for Tuesday's surgery. I am hoping this is the Dr.'s was just covering all her bases for the worst case scenario since we haven't met with her yet and she hasn't done the full exam yet.

God's will be done. Thank you all for your continued prayers. We love you all and covet your prayers and encouragement.

Michelle, Carl and Lauren Lynch

36 years old

2010-01-06T08:05:00.000-08:00

On Sunday we went to the Miniature Museum with our dear Svaldi friends. Nothing says you are old like seeing the toys you remember playing with when you were a child displayed behind a glass.

On the 29 of January I will be 36 years old.

In prior years by this time I would always have my birthday plans made for some fun and exciting, out of the ordinary celebration. I love my birthday.

This year it is now the 6th and I have not thought of one thing to do. I guess with planning my Oldest Daughters wedding Ceremony for June 12, and her baby shower for March. With becoming a grandma and a mother in law in one year this has placed my birthday celebration on the back burners.

Maybe I have grown up. YEA RIGHT.

I know when the pains and bitter sweetness of this last year have finally loosen their grasp I will get back to my childish and fun loving self.

I am still sore from the toll this year has taken on my heart but even more so I am in awe of the healing the Great and Awesome God has done there.

I planned on holding onto the cynicism and disappointment that I have been nursing since April. This has been a really rocky road. I lost my beloved step dad, my daughter Angel became Angela ( my name for when her personally is totally unrecognizable and she tries to destroy our family) Princess lost her eye sight in one eye in that terrible accident, then Beans decided to rock our world with violence, leading us to believe we had lost her too.

I constantly worried about getting an Ulcer.

Yet through this things God was able to grant miracle upon miracle… and I WAS ABLE TO SEE THEM. I just have to stand back speechless to the wonders and promises of our God.
LAUREN'S EYE SIGHT CAME BACK, ANGEL CAME BACK REPENTANT, I AM GOING TO BE A GRANDMA, AND I GAINED A SON-IN-LAW AND BEANS, BEANS WANTS TO BE IN OUR FAMILY.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11

This year I will be 36 years old. I have the greatest friends. A family that has pulled together in times of tragedy and sorrow and a GOD who can completely restore a broken, battered and bitter heart.

I Must be a Princess, I must be deeply loved.

closing Ala Carte

2009-10-13T10:55:00.001-07:00

CAT

2009-10-13T10:04:00.001-07:00

I have no experience with cats, so I really can't be a judge if ours is weird or not. In the mist of a deep, heart to heart with my hubby, with tears and frustration spilling over, our cat decided that this is the time to go berserk. I think he thinks he is superman as the zips around the house, zooming up the funiture and curtians, leaping over knick nacks on the end tables. He had us laughing so hard. He is just what we need during this time.

Psalm 13

2009-10-13T09:28:00.000-07:00

How long, O Lord? will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and everyday have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? Look on me and answer, O lord my God. Restore the sparkle to my eyes. My enemy will say "I have overcome him and my foes will rejoice when I fall.

But I trust in your unfailing love; My heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord for he has been good to me. Psalm 13

I can't believe how often my mind think "it just isn't fair that Jim died."
As if Life and death has some sense of justice. As if God doesn't know what He is doing. AS if He is not in control. Things come up during the day and I think about Jim and again I think, it just isn't fair, he shouldn't have died.

Then we lose my oldest daughter, she is pregnant with my grand-daughter (she found out yesterday) living with a guy she moved in with 1 week after meeting him. She is happy with her life as it is.

Now, Beloved, Her boyfriend refuses to come around here because of shame? embarrassment?, fear? I am not sure. So Beloved takes him to her biological mother's house to hang out all day there. He will go there into a house of "thieves" comfortable around those who rejoice in sin and lies and encourage others to join them.
V. 2 How long will my enemy triumph over me? v 4 my enemy will say, "I have overcome him and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
And "Falling" I am.

Offered Communion yesterday at church, My heart festering with bitterness and disappointment, hardening against my loving God, broken with my unworthiness. My tears soaking my shirt as I stared at the communion element in my hands.

"Take communion with Faith" my sister in Christ leaned over to whispered to me.
So simple,
It is not what I do or don't do, It is not who I am or how I feel at the moment.

It is what HE DID, WHO HE IS, HOW HE FEELS ABOUT ME. It is about the sacrifice He was willing to pay for ME. FAITH

V"6 I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me.

Stand Still

2009-10-08T11:26:00.000-07:00

This is what I wanted, this is what my heart yearned for, I had only to take little steps of obedience and God did the rest.
So why am I so anxious, fearful, tearful? Why am I pacing around like a caged animal one minute than wanting to crawl in bed and sleep for hours the next?
Why do I have so many confusing emotions and none of them the “right ones”

I should be over joy-ed with gratitude to God for giving me my hearts desire.
I will have a restored relationship with my daughter, my angel, I will get to hold my grand baby and pray over her. God has taken the deep longings of my heart and fulfilled them.
Why am I not screaming His Praises from the rafters. He is defiantly worthy of them? What is wrong with me? My heart is terrified but where my head says, “it is okay, this is in God’s hands.” Then my head jumps right on board with my heart. OH Brother.

I know I should be praising and thankful, will God think I am not grateful, will He disown me?

Who should I call, Whom should I reach out to , who will tell me the right way to handle this or the right way to feel, or the right way to be?

“Stand still, Stand still, Stand still.” My head screams out.
I stand still and that still small voice finishes for me, “ AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD.’ Praise be my Lord. He is God no matter my circumstances . He loves me and fills the longing of my heart no matter how I act. He knows me He know I will get there. I need not fear because HE IS GOD. He will lead me step by step, He will guide me and heal me and hold me and love me through all my emotions.

Thanks be to God.

Got to go, must praise.

I can praise Him for who He is.

Betsy's Burritos

2009-09-26T10:18:00.000-07:00

WE had Betsy’s Burritos last night for dinner. They were delicious.

You won’t find a recipe for Betsy’s Burritos unless you ask Betsy herself.

Betsy Burritos were made for my family by my dear friend Betsy during the week right after my step-dad passed away.

We had many wonderful meals prepared for us by compassionate friends during this week of pain and sorrow and all were very special to us, but my kids absolute favorite was “Betsy’s Burritos.”

Later, they were to become a favorite of all of ours because of the love that went into them.

Shortly after my dad died, Princess was in a terrible accident, breaking her wrist and losing the sight in her left eye. As soon as we discovered her blindness we rushed Princess to a specialist named Dr. Diana Reeves.

Her advice was to treat the eye aggressively in hopes that some of her sight would come back, although the out look was not good. “You have nothing to lose at this point.” she informed us.

Treating the eye aggressively involved injecting the wounded eye with a steroid. Princess had to be awake and alert.

Five stinging drops preceded the injection, one at a time to numb, sterilize and prepare the eye.

Dr. Reeves was patient. She explained each step to a very distraught and sobbing 6 year old.
She did not force us to restrain Princess while she did the procedure, she simply explained and waited until Princess complied with each step. Carl held and soothed her and I promised her a vast span of treats and presents, even at one time promising to purchase Princess a pony.
Princess slowly allow each step.
What should have taken 10 minutes took 2 hours. Finally the whole horrid procedure was over. We gathered Princess to us, thanked the Dr and went out into the fading light of the evening.

“Princess,” I said trying to make my strained voice sound cheerful although inside I was weeping. “Do you want a hamburger for dinner.” “ No’ she said between sobs.
“Ice cream?, chicken nuggets,? anything you want honey,” I tried again.
“I“, sob, sob, “want” sob, “Betsy’s Burritos.” she stated
Betsy’s burritos? I thought, I remembered receiving the compassionated meal during our sorrow week but my emotions were so overwhelming, I don’t remember tasting anything. I couldn’t have told you what was in Betsy’s Burritos, and I was too distraught to call her.

The ride home was awful. I drove, Carl sat by Princess in the back seat rubbing her head. She eventually fell into an exhausted restless slumber sagging against him, with occasional sobby hiccups. I could see the strain on my husband’s face, I could tell this experience aged him the 20 years it had aged me. Our baby’s raw fear, hopeless case, pain, every inch of is was written in the creases of worry on his face. The tears I stuffed down during the procedure erupted in a torrent of sobs from my soul spilling over and soaking my shirt.
When we got home, we put Princess in front of a movie in our room and I went to work making Betsy’s burritos. My dad was there and so was my mom both as devastated as we were, especially since Princess refused to see them, too embarrassed of the patch the Dr had put on her eye.
They went home, my mom to a home without her husband and my dad to his caring wife.
The most amazing thing happened, after Princess rested and ate Betsy’s Burritos ( or my poor rendition of them) Princess was up singing and dancing like nothing ever happened. Carl and I sank to the couch in exhausted relief.

The next day I call my dear friend Betsy and told her about Princess’s request for her burritos. She was surprised stating there was really nothing very special about them. I disagreed. My daughter loved them, they were delivered during our time of need with love and compassion. They were very special to us. Later that day she delivered a bag of them, each individually wrapped, and frozen. “incase you need them again you can take them out as you need.’ My heart was so moved. She told me how she makes them and now when I have moments when I need some comfort food, I whip up Betsy’s burritos and remember the love my friend put into them for us.

Today and Angel

2009-09-16T11:38:00.001-07:00

I got Angel's address today, I opened up this blog page because I needed the support for sharing my experience with you incase things went badly. I don't know what I expected.

I long to restore the relationship but I am at a complete lost as to how to do that or even if it is the right thing to do.

Yesterday I tried to call to get the address, I was going to say, "Daughter, it's Mom, I need your address to send you some things. Qot.qot.qot. then I was going to say I love you daughter and hang up. I couldn't find her number.

I found it and though; "I will just say, Angel, it's meI need your address so that I can send you all this information that people have been sending us. What last name do you go by. Oh and by the way...I love you." Her cricket phone was off.

Today I again pick up the phone to call her, not feeling the longing or the loving that I felt yesterday, but I called never the less with no plan on what to say.

She answered on the third ring. "Angel," I said, "I need your address to send you some stuff. Qot Qot, Qot. "Angel, I love you" I said and hung up.

I think I included all the important words into the conversation.
That is the step today. We shall see what the step tomorrow is.

Mother of Four?

2009-09-11T09:43:00.000-07:00

Am I still a mom of four, when one so willingly walked out of our lives and acts as if we never existed?

To her, it is as if we are dead or that the last eight years of her life were but a moment. She acts as though Princess and Sonshine were just mere acquaintances instead of a brother and sister who adored her. We are going on 6 months since they have heard from or seen her and yet there is not one day that passes that they don't pray for her or talk about her. We refuse to erase her from our lives the way she has so easily erased us from hers.

How does a person do that? Is there anything inside the body shell she walks around in? A heart, a brain, a nerve? What went wrong?

In a competition, we are equal, her biological mom and I. I may even have a bit more. Lisa had Angel for the first 6 years of her life, then Angel live with my dad and his wife, (her bio grandma) for 6 months. She was then returned to Lisa for a couple months before being placed back into foster care for a year. From foster care she came to live with us and has lived with us from age 10 until she walk out on us 97 days before she turned 18 years old. 8 years she was in our home, 8 years she was our beloved daughter ( still is our daughter) EIGHT years.

I win.

I wish it was a competition.

I haven't won. My daughter rejects us, tried to destroy us and I don't even know where to begin to restore our estranged relationship. Now she will have a child, my grandchild, I may never see or hold and that right there BREAKS MY HEART.

Am I still a mother of 4?

A toast to my future Grandbaby

2009-09-11T09:31:00.000-07:00

8-18-09

I may never get to kiss your sweet, soft, innocent face. I may never get to hold your soft little body in my arms or pray over you with my hands gently resting on your head. I may never get to rock you to sleep, calm your fears with my hugs, or sooth your discomforts with my kisses. I may never get to show you my love.
But know this for certain.....I love you with all my heart!!

But there is always PERHAPS

Papa

2009-09-11T09:24:00.000-07:00

Thank You God for the joy Jim brought into our lives. Thank you for the memories, the lessons, the love and the food. Thank You God for allowing us the time with Jim.

Jim was one of those people who made a huge impact on a person in a very short time of knowing him. It seems that we did not get enough time with him, that there was still so much to do, to learn, to share. Now that he is gone it feels as if we only had such a short, short time to get to know him even though he had been in our lives for 20 years. We love you Jim, your passing is still a raw pain in our lives. You are one of the greatest things that has ever happened to us.

Start them Young

2009-09-11T09:13:00.000-07:00

My Coffee girl.

I heard coffee being made this morning at 6am. The aroma was almost enough to drag me out of bed...., almost. I fell back into a deep sleep for about 10 minutes when I felt a tap on my shoulder. Princess, my 6 year old is standing beside me. "I made you coffee mommy, do you want me to bring you some?" "oh honey, thank you, I am going to sleep a little longer before I get up, but it sure smells good." 10 lovely sleepy minutes later, tap, tap, tap, "are you ready now mommy?" "Almost," I say groggly, " just a little more sleep okay?" 10 minutes later, tap, tap, tap. "Mom, I am afraid it will get cold. I can just bring you some in a cup. "

"You know what sweety, I think I will just get up."

SHE LOVES ME!!!!

July 28, 2009

2009-09-11T09:05:00.000-07:00

She wants to have a baby, yet she couldn't even treasure the family God gave her. Instead she tried to destroy what we had worked so very hard to unite.

We opened our lives opened our family, threw open wide the door to our hearts. We did not take her in as a guest or a stranger but rather a full fledged member of our family, OUR DAUGHTER. No matter what she did, we forgave and pulled her back into our embrace.

I miss the kid who drank coffee with me. I miss the kid who would eat the left over raw veggies that I set aside. I miss the kid that Princess and Sonshine adored, the one who adored them.
Dear GOD, I miss her.

It was God's will we took her in, I know that with every fiber of my being. I am confused how we ended up here but I know that we did the right thing.

That which Christ ties with HIS golden bond can not be easily broken--- bent, frayed, burned and bruised but not truly broken.

the life cycle

2009-07-23T17:35:00.000-07:00

Our spring time visiters. All 4 hatched, grew and flew away.

Our Cat Zero

2009-07-22T20:28:00.001-07:00

I am not a cat person but I have fallen in love with our cat, Zero.
Well he is actually Bean's cat. He has now entered teenagerhood.

He fits in really well, he is fiesty, playful, he does not take the answer "no" the first time, ( like getting sprayed with a squirt bottle when he gets on the table) he thinks we really don't mean it the first 2 times.

He is a great sport and plays along with what ever the kids are playing. He has been the monster, the baby, a boat mate, and a prisioner and numerous other things.

He snuggles with anyone laying down and purrs when we walk in the door. He has made me a believer in the healing power of a four legged friend.

Either, Cat therapy or Cat's therapy or the Cat will need Therapy

2009-07-22T20:22:00.000-07:00

Princess is taking our kitten out for a walk

Answers

2009-07-22T20:10:00.001-07:00

Dearest friends and prayer warriors.

I sincerely apologize for taking so very long to get out an update on our prayer request. I can't thank you all enough for surrounding our family with your love, compassion and prayers. I thank you for asking me it reminds me that we don't just disappear from you minds but that you keep the prayers coming for our family.
Princess's eye is now 90% better. we saw a picture of her eye Monday and we didn't even recognize it. The white spots that were "never going to go away" are almost gone. Her sight which was " was going to leave her legally blind in her left eye," has recovered to being a 20/40. and keeps getting better. My brother is healing "faster than the doctors thought." although he is carrying a lot of stress.

Praise God almighty.

TO THE HEALER, TO THE REDEEMER, TO THE ETERNAL, LOVING, COMPASSIONATE GOD. TO HIM BE ALL THE GLORY.

Angel turns 18 on the 22 of July, there is no change in her. she is still very glad to be gone. She has to call us every night to let us know where she is or we have to file runaway charges or social service will charge us with neglect . Rachel calls to tell us she is with her biological mom and having the time of her life. From what I have heard she is living with a 24 year old man still wanting to get pregnant. He want to take her to Mexico for her 18th birthday.

We figure the 21 of July will be the last we hear from her. this hurts really bad and DH and I feel a lot of stress, sadness and frustration but no matter what there is NO DOUBT IN OUR MIND, that being obedient to God is better than anything life could have offered us.

TO THE RESTORER, HEALER OF BROKEN HEARTS AND THE ONE WHO ISN'T THROUGH WITH US YET. TO HIM BE ALL THE GLORY

if you could just pray, DH will find out on the 24th of July if he will still have a job or if Ritz will be bought out to liquidate. Princess's hurt eye has too much pressure, a side effect from the steroid we had injected the first and only time. Please pray her pressure relieves.

I can't thank you all enough. with lots and lots of love in our hearts for you all.
Me

2009 July 22,

2009-07-22T20:06:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of Princess's Left eye. the White cotton has gone away. Doc says she is 90% better. Her vision that was never supposed to heal is now 20/40. Praise the Holy Healer

Princess Left eye June 11, 2009

2009-07-22T19:56:00.000-07:00

Princess Left eye

2009-07-22T19:55:00.000-07:00

Given the patient's history and retinal findings, she was diagnosed with Purtscher's Retinopathy,

Since that time, the clinical picture first described by Purtscher has been associated with:

Compressive chest injuries
long bone fracture
retrobulbar anesthesia
acute pancreatitis
strenuous childbirth
connective tissue and vasculitic diseases

Patients with Purtscher's (or Purtscher's-like) retinopathy may notice severe vision loss either immediately or up to 48 hours after the event
REFERENCES
Atabay C, et al. Late visual recovery after intravenous methylprednisolone treatment of Purtscher's retinopathy. Ann Ophthalmol. 1993;25(9):330-333.
Behrens-Baumann W, Scheurer G, Schroer H. Pathogenesis of Purtscher's retinopathy. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 1992;230(3):286-291.
Purtscher O. Ber Deutsche Ophth Ges 1910;36:294-301.

Management
No known treatment exists for Purtscher's retinopathy. The retinal whitening (cotton-wool patches) and retinal hemorrhages typically disappear over weeks or months. Unfortunately, however, the prognosis for visual recovery is poor. Speculation is that the visual acuity remains decreased secondary to infarction of either the foveal photoreceptors or optic nerve itself.1 There are reports in the literature of cases successfully treated with large doses of IV corticosteroids; however, this has not yet become the standard of care.6

Princess's right and good eye.

2009-07-22T19:47:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of what a healthy eye looks like. This is Princess's right eye

Broken but will Heal

2009-07-22T19:45:00.000-07:00

Cat has a green cast on his back leg, brother has a black cast and Princess, well you can't miss hers.

A full blown Miracle

2009-07-22T19:34:00.000-07:00

PRAISE AND GLORY TO HE THAT IS THE HEALER AND PROTECTOR.

Monday Princess was not able to even see the big E the one that is the biggest. it represented something 2400 feet away. so her vision was 20/2400 meaning that she could see at 2400 feet what normal people could see at 20 feet. She was legally blind in her left eye.

Wednesday, a number of those from our church gather around to pray and lay hands on Princess for perfect healing of her eye. Thursday, more precious friends came to lay hands and call down healing on our child. All of you have been praying and GOD Heard our prayers.

Today, a mere 4 days later Princess is at 20/70. her vision has improved that much and there is still room for improvement. God be praised. The doctor was astounded, I feel like dancing and sing and crying.

Thank you all.
Thanks and praises to GOD Almighty.

an up date on our life so everything from here on out makes sence

2009-07-22T19:22:00.000-07:00

My brother and my 6 year old daughter were in an ATV accident. My brother was seriously hurt, my daughter by the grace of God escaped with a broken wrist.
Here was my desperate plea for prayers
June 8 2009
Dear friend,

I believe I have sent you all the news of what has been going on with us. My brother Mark and my 6 year old daughter Princess were in an ATV accident.

Mark has 7 broken ribs, a punctured lung, a lacerated liver, a broken wrist and pelvic bone. HE was in the ICU from Monday until Sunday. He was released today after they finally ruled out hospital Pneumonia, His lung is not healing as quickly as they were hoping. He is at home now.

Princess broke two bones in her wrist and 2 stickers, 1 Barbie and a hot pink and bright orange cast she got all at children's hospital. she had a cat scan which showed that everything was normal and her kidneys are good too.

Her left eye has completely lost all sight. she is considered legally blind in the left eye. the disease she has is from a combination of the fracture in her arm and her head trauma.

While Mark was in the hospital we assumed he had thrown Princess from the machine since she had so few injuries compared to his. He recently corrected us. he said he had tried to put her off right as the ATV was going to the left but everything happened so fast he doesn't believe he got her off. He thinks he may have fallen on her, hitting her helmet with his rib cage. GOD DID ANSWER MY PRAYERS FOR PROTECTION. she is not maimed, she is not in chronic pain and she is not dead. HE DID PROTECTED HER and my brother from what could have been a deadly accident.

Princess's problem with her eye showed up 12-36 hours after the accident. there was not way to prevent it and they believe there is not way to cure it. they are however willing to try steroids which this far has worked to decrease the swelling, bring back a little of her eye sight. she still is missing over 85% of her sight. We have to decide how aggressively we want to treat this with no proven cure. we are going to see an nero specialist tomorrow.

to top it all, Bean's 8 week old kitten jumped and missed and fell about 3 feet. he is in a lot of pain and not using one of his legs. We believe he broke his leg. he is at a vet's now. We had just put our dog of 10 years down in November.

DH can't take anymore days off of work between they time he had off when my step dad died and then this.
Angel is still gone and manic making really horrible life choices.

this is taking it's toll on all of us.

yet God is good and His will will prevail.

Angel turns 18

2009-07-22T19:08:00.000-07:00

Today Angel turns 18, the age of so called adulthood.

One day out of the blue, after a year of doing so great,She left, no warning just came home irate and left. this happened in April.

Stated she couldn't stand living here anymore, would rather live under a bridge with other homeless people. She lasted there two weeks begging then made her way to her bio mom's work then taken in by her bio mom.

People ask, "have you heard from Angel?"
so many other awful and wonderful things have happened since then that we forget about Angel and her hatefulness until that time when she calls every night to check in.

See, we had to threatened to file a runaway report if she didn't let us know where she was every night or social services threatened to charge us with neglect.

So, yes, she calls every night to let us know how wonderful she is doing, how she loves her tatoo, and how her 24 year old boyfriend wants to take her to Mexico on her 18 birthday and how he pays for everything for her, or how she is snuggling with the bio mom who abandoned her when she was 9 to the foster care system.

The calls are excruciating to listen to.

She is now 18 and tonight we won't get a call, there is no need, she is an "adult" now, we are not longer responsible.

This is bitter sweet, an end to one pain the start of another.
Good bye dear Angel. Good bye, it has been hard and painful and I know sometimes wonderful.
Good bye and good luck to you in your future.

THis song makes me think of this, a soulful sound to our pain.
I am listening to it a lot today.

Fire And Rain
------James Taylor

Just yesterday morning they let me know you were gone
Suzanne the plans they made put an end to you
I walked out this morning and I wrote down this song
I just can't remember who to send it to

I've seen fire and I've seen rain
I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I always thought that I'd see you again

Won't you look down upon me, Jesus
You've got to help me make a stand
You've just got to see me through another day
My body's aching and my time is at hand
And I won't make it any other way

oh, I've seen fire and I've seen rain
I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I always thought that I'd see you again

I’ve been walking my mind to an easy time
My back turned towards the sun
Lord knows when the cold wind blows it’ll turn your head around
Well, there’s hours of time on the telephone line
To talk about things to come
Sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground.

oh, I've seen fire and I've seen rain
I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I always thought that I'd see you, baby, one more time again, now

Thought I'd see you one more time again
There's just a few things coming my way this time around, now
Thought I'd see you, thought I'd see you fire and rain, now

Today

2009-05-15T17:44:00.000-07:00

Today, out of the blue, 6 year old Princess said..." I miss Papa's voice." I do too.:(

Grief

2009-05-14T13:45:00.000-07:00

Grief feels alive.

Twirling it’s sharp fingers into your mind, weaving a tight fist around your stomach squeezing your heart.
Sometimes it feels like a sucker punch given when you lease expect it. Today, I was walking in Target and saw a three package of condiments ( Ketchup, mustard and Relish.) it was the pack to feed an army of people. Whoosh, the sucker punch came. I couldn’t get out of there fast enough. “we will never need that again.” I thought through my tears.
See, my parents would buy those kind of things because between Jim’s kids and us my parents DID feed an army, but the party was never just limited to family… friends were invited in, friends of family members who my parents may have never met before were invited in and treated like family. “Eat, there is plenty of food.” my mom would say. Jim would cook it, my mom would organize it and together we would eat it. Millions of my greatest memories center around the family meals mom and Jim would prepare for us. Even if it was just my family there to eat, it was always a good time. Someday maybe I will be able to look at the large relish stuff and think of the good times, not hurt for the thing that will not be again.

Prodigals

2009-05-12T17:16:00.000-07:00

"A Prodigal is someone who leaves the boundaries of their roots, heritage and safety of their home. A Prodigal is someone who is away from their support system., No one to support them, no one to give them good advice. But the good thing about Prodigals is they have somewhere to go when they come to their senses.... HOME." T. Stipe

simple solutions

2009-05-12T17:13:00.000-07:00

Today as Sonshine and I were waiting for our car pool buddies, I was reading to him from the headlines on a Woman's Day magazine. "Oh look Sonshine, do you want to know 132 ways to keep your house clean?" He said, "I bet I know the first one, Live alone."

Beloved got her permit

2009-05-11T09:50:00.000-07:00

Beloved has been driving us everywhere. No, not driving us crazy, actually driving us in the car. Yesterday we drove on the highway. She went from Kipling to Wadsworth. Princess got a bloody nose she wanted me to take care of but I had to let her bleed because I was very focused on holding my breath while we were on the highway. Beloved did awesome and as we exited she relaxed her white knuckle grip on the steering wheel. She said, " my hands are sweaty." I admited mine were too.

the valley

2009-05-11T09:39:00.000-07:00

Sometime during the week, while we were wondering where Angel was because she had run away we received a devastating call at 12:00am Sunday morning. My beloved Step Dad Jim had died of a heart attack. This man and my mom were the first to encourage and pledge faithful support when we decided to adopt two preteen girls out of foster care. Jim was not blood related to me, my husband or my adopted daughters but unless you were told, you would never know. He loved us with all he had. Him and my mom were constant partners in raising two hurt and troubled teens and sometimes the teens hurt and troubled parents who adopted them.
I talked to Jim probably once a day and visited him at his business for coffee at least a couple times a week. Before I was pregnant with my son I worked with him as a cater and after my son was born, I would take him, his playpen and work in the shop. When my husband was between jobs, Jim gave him a job at his business although they couldn't really afford to hire someone. I miss him so much

Jim.

2009-05-11T09:28:00.000-07:00

Jim
1941 -2009

Jim was born in Milwaukee, WI, He is survived by his wife Sue and his 3 sisters: Susie, Diane, Carol and Brother Mark. Jim has called Colorado home since 1963 where he raised his four children: Kenneth, Todd, Lisa and Andrew. He worked for the Denver Post for many years and also founded and operated several businesses in the Denver area. In 1993 Jim married his best friend Sue and together with a lot of love and food, brought their two families together. He became a father to Michelle, Robert, and Mark and a wonderful father in law to Carl, Nicole, Christine, Robin, Gary, and Barbara. Because of his life long dream, love for people and passion for food for the past 16 years, he and his wife Sue have owned and operated Ala Carte, Cakes, Catering and Deli in Arvada. Jim was a volunteer for Ride the Rockies and a trustee at the Elks Lodge in Arvada. Together, Jim and Sue made a tradition of devoting time to make cookies for the Arvada House during the holidays. He donated his delicious cakes for local fundraisers and silent auctions. He loved bowling, teaching his kids to play cribbage and spending quality time with everyone especially his 15 grandchildren. His kids remember their dad as a man that loved fishing, camping and enjoying the outdoors. Retirement plan for Jim meant becoming a full time Grandpa.” He was sweeter than all the candy he ever ate,.. Or gave the grandkids.” said his daughter in law Christine. Jim was a beloved husband, father, papa, grandpa, son in law and a friend to everyone.

Angel

2009-05-11T09:02:00.000-07:00

My daughter Angel, has a mental illness. She hate when I say that. She is bipolar and on a manic high right now. She looks so much like a Schizophrenic it is scary. Her symptoms first showed up when she entered Jr. High. School. She really suffered a manic high when she entered high school. Then the low where she tried to commit suicide.
She did so well for a year and a half, getting good grades, relating well with others, was fun and enjoyable to be around. This last year she attended every class, arrived on time, took part in the passion play and many people commented on what a great person she was how she was going to do so many great things and help so many people with her passion for the disabled.

Then something flipped her switch. She shot back into manic behavior. She took off to live on the streets, under a bridge with other run away teens that she didn’t know. She did this for two weeks, was finally arrested and made her way to her biological mother’s work stating that she didn’t want to live on the streets anymore. She is now living with a woman who is proud that her 17 year old daughter got a tattoo that Angel’s 23 year old brother gave to her with his new tattoo gun.

We adopted Angel when she was 10 years old. We loved her through many out of control behaviors, through her lies about us, her hatred towards us and all we stood for. And we watched God heal the hurt and scars her bio parents inflicted upon her.

Then this. She has lied about us again, trying to destroy our family. Slashing out at us with invisible but sharp knifes that cut so deep and fast we don’t even know we are cut until our hearts are bleeding sorrow all over the place. I run around in circles trying to understand her behavior, trying to find what when wrong, but it is like trying to find a corner in a round room. She is sick. She is mentally ill. I have a friend that tells me this is the best day in age to have a mental illness, because there are so many great medicines out there. I am reading a book called A Brilliant Madness” by Patty Duke and Gloria Hochman. The author in there quotes, it is the only mental illness with a positive side. Apparently, in their manic state they are very creative. I have yet to see any positives.

I have no answers, I have no solutions, I have pain and frustrations and disappointment.

So… I will take my baby Angel and lay her at the feet of the only ONE who can make beauty from ashes. I will lay her at the feet of the ONE who paid the full price for her. He has the answers, and the solution, HE can deal and heal my pain, frustrations and disappointments.

I am so con fused of where Mental Illness fits in with God’s plan. Where does God fit into someone who isn’t right in the head, who seem helpless to make good choices and instead driven to make destructive choices? If the Holy Spirit lives inside Rachel how is she doing all these things? Does God hear the prayers of a lone mother? Does He capture her tears?

I trust. I just Trust.

Do you have an arm like God’s and can your voice thunder like His? … Then I myself will admit to you that your own right hand can save you. Job 40:9, 14
Who has claims against Me that I must pay? Everything under heaven belongs to ME. Job 41:11
INDESCRIBABLE: Chris Tomlin

composer: Lora Story

From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea
Creation's revealing Your majesty
From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring
Every creature unique in the song that it sings
All exclaiming

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untamable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God

Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go
Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow
Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light
Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night
None can fathom

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name
You are amazing God
All powerful, untamable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
You are amazing God

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God

All powerful, untamable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God

Incomparable, unchangeable
You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same
You are amazing God
You are amazing God

Warning.

2009-01-27T10:36:00.001-08:00

I wanted to share with you all the exciting and somewhat frightening event that happened to us last night around 1:30 am.

We have a carbon monoxide detector located next to our room and after 7 years of having it, the voice warning went off last night. "warning, Carbon Monoxide, Warning." she said.

My husband and I woke up surprised. After discussing it, we decided that it was because we had had a fire in the fireplace and closed the vent when we finished. The heating vent must be pushing the "whatever" up. we decided to go back to bed. about 1/2 hour later it went off again. We got the kids all up and warm and called the fire department.

The Arvada Fire department rocks. they were here in about 5 minutes.

They came in with their detector and then told us to evacuate. we did have a high enough level of carbon monoxide. ( actually they had told us to leave when we first called but it was so cold outside. so we kind of waited instead.)

They tested each of us to check our oxygen levels. two of my children tested high enough that they put them on oxygen for 10 minutes. my 5 year old is one of those children. ( small bodies are more prone to the poison)

It was the fireplace that caused the carbon overload. Thankfully we were all alright and after airing out the house and 10 minutes of oxygen we were able to get back into the house and go to sleep.

things we learned.

Keep the vent to your fireplace open for 24 hours after putting the fire out.
Carbon monoxide spreads evenly so all the rooms tested with the same amount of CM.
Having a monoxide tester by our room is good but also one in the basement is needed and you can pretty much put it anywhere.

You probably already know this but I thought I would share from our experience. I don't know if this could have ended badly or not but I guess better safe than sorry.

Michelle Lynch

Warning.

2009-01-27T10:36:00.000-08:00

The big Freeze

2008-10-12T18:48:00.001-07:00

I haven't cooked much all week then I guess I got motivated and cooked 8 meals in the past two days. My friend Jenn motivated me when I went over to her house and her freezer was full of meals.

Chicken was on sale and so I just bought a whole bunch, grabbed a book on tape and camped out in the kitchen with my recipes from "Don't Panic it is in the Refrigerator" and "Once a month cooking."

It must have been that cup of coffee I had at Sonshine's game at 4;30pm. I had so much energy that I just started cooking up a storm around 7:30pm. I finished the main part around midnight.

I also threw in a boneless pork roast and cooked up some butternut squash to eat for lunch today. Wow did I feel on top of the world. I though I would be so stressed out and sorry I started the meals but I wasn't.

Tonight I finished listening to the last CD from the book on tape, when I finished up my meals The house smells good, the kitchen is even clean and my family will eat great.... at least 8 times this month.

Picture day

2008-09-27T16:34:00.000-07:00

Sonshine had pictures today with his soccer team.

We needed to be there by 1 pm and at 12:35, Sonshine couldn't find his uniform. He solved his problem by putting on a mis match throw together multi blue uniform. I was not a happy mama. I has spent the summer helping him organize his room so that he could have a place for everything and everything in it's place, including his uniform.

How in the world did he misplace it? I started in with the usual "you better find your actual uniform or you can forget going to pictures..." "I am not wasting my time helping you anymore, I can't believe you lost your uniform, why isn't it where it needs to be?" and so on. He was frantically looking, angry and frustrated.

Then suddenly all that wonderful parent training kicked in. Since groaning at him wasn't working and we were both just getting angry and more frustrated I decided to change tactics.

"You know what Sonshine, I am taking on a problem that isn't mine and I am very sorry, I want to take you to your picture, I really don't want you to miss them." I said. " I am going to take you as soon as you find your uniform. The pictures are at 1pm and it is now 12:50."

I walked out of the room disappointed and assuming that we would be missing pictures. but, this way if he missed pictures it would be his fault not mine.

His little sister piped in. "I'll help you look brother." together at 12:57 they located the missing uniform and we hussled to pictures, we were late and I half expected the pictures to be over but he made it just in time. Afterwards, he thanked me for taking him to pictures. I never expected a thank you.

Frustration

2008-09-27T16:27:00.001-07:00

AHHHHHHHHHH. I blog so much that I can never remember the user name or the password. I have wonderful things to say... to share, Yet it takes me a very very long time to figure out how to get on here and by then I must move on to the next thing, like taking care of the kids or I have forgotten what I wanted to write in my frustration. Don't panic though, I have now written the important information down and I am set to go the next time I get a chance to share my thoughts of the day.

Boy I hope I remember what I did with the information I wrote down.

Hello again

2008-07-25T17:21:00.000-07:00

Has it really been that long? October since my last blog.
So much has changed.

School starts in 18 Days, (not that I am counting) and it seems we just now have the routine of kids home all day down.

Where did the summer go? I am just now starting to really enjoy it. Late nights, swimming, camping, sleeping in and all the other wonderful things that go along with summer. I hope to keep up better with this blog so that we can share our lives with you as so many of you have shared you lives with me.
Here is a rundown of our year since last October.

January I turned one year older, yet not old enough to join my dear friends (you know who you are) in a (paying) survey. Maybe next year. Husband and I visited Alaska.
February Princess turned 5 and will be starting kindergarten in the Fall
March- we discovered that teenager hood may feel like it but it is not terminal. After a rocky start we discovered we will survive Beans entering the 9th grade and thankfully she got most of her brain back. And We spent one week in Utah camping, riding ATV’s and loving every minute of it.
April hubby and I went on a Cruise to the Caribbean and it is as gorgeous as it looks in pictures.
May- Beans turned 16 years old. Hubby and I celebrated 11 years of marriage.
June. Swimming, movies, library, etc. etc. etc.
July- Hubby turned one year older, Angel turned 17, Sonshine turned 8.

Beans

2007-10-10T11:31:00.000-07:00

Butterflys

2007-10-09T12:41:00.000-07:00

I have butterflies in my stomach. They are mad and making me miserable. They started with the onset of the teenage years of my older children and haven't let up since. I had no idea butterflies could last so long. I wonder if my stomach will ever be the same.

Raising teenager is challenging and uncomfortable.

I have teenagers and butterflies, maybe that will explain why I have not blogged in a long time. Both do not leave very positive things to blog about. And I certainly do not want to "bemoan" on this blog.

So here I will share about how teenagers and butterflies go hand in hand.

Above, I shared about the butterflies in my stomach. I worry about my girls choices, they aren't always healthy, sometimes down right destructive. I worry about the next moment when I have to confront my daughter on something she is doing that is not acceptable, I worry about what consequences she will face. I worry, I worry, I fear and I Pray. (I am getting better at the praying first part.)

But just as a caterpillar is not a caterpillar forever, my daughter will not be a teenager forever. Angel has proven that God has had her in Hand at all times and she is now a beautiful butterfly. A new creation, who makes good choices, and is succeeding.

I hate the butterflies in my belly and I plan to combat them with a trust in God. He promises "I know the plans I have for your life, they are of good and not evil." -Jeremiah
I choose to trust Him. That is called faith. Every person has faith in something whether it be a paycheck, themselves, or something else. I have learned the faith I want to have is not in myself but rather in my God. I look at my butterfly daughter, Angel, and know I put my faith where it belongs.

I love the butterflies that flutter around, there are even some still out this late in October. My youngest, Princess, points them all out to me.

I remember, butterflies start as caterpillars, plain and slow, eating their way through life. Then they add something special to this world. BEAUTY
My caterpillar won't be a caterpillar forever. The butterflies in my belly will dissipate with my trust in God and they will soar through my daughter as she grow up from caterpillar to butterfly.

Beauty

2007-10-09T12:21:00.000-07:00

Last night My husband, Sonshine(7), Princess(4), and I were sitting on the back porch, My 4 year old daughter commented that my breath was REALLY bad. Then she followed up with " but you are still really beautiful mom." Thank God bad breath and beauty don't go hand in hand.

God has really taken to making sure I know I am beautiful to Him. He does it through my two young children.

One day I refused to put makeup on. I had no where to go until that evening and it seemed like too much work on my relaxing day. "I will put it on later." I decided
"Later came to quick. In my hustle to take Angel to work, feed my family, and get to my appointed meeting on time, I neglected to "put my face on" as my grandma would say.

We pulled into the parking spot when I finally remembered my neglected face. "Oh great," I mumbled, "How could I have forgotten my makeup" My 7 year old Sonshine piped up with "Mom, you are so pretty you don't need any make up." I smiled at him, brushing his comment off as something all little boys say about their mommies.

He hopped out of the car and walked up to a beautiful bush that was turning red and yellow with the onset of fall. "Mom," he said in a grown up voice, "do you see this beautiful plant? It does not have any makeup on and it is beautiful...because God made it. You are beautiful because God made you." I stopped, gazing first at him then at the plant. "Sonshine," I said, "thank you for reminding me how beautiful I am."

I see the beauty in others. My friends and family are the most beautiful people I have ever met. But finding the beauty in me... well that is another story. But my children, my God, will not allow me to see myself as anything less. The world may see a plain girl or they may not notice me at all, but my God notices me and He is faithful to remind me through the eyes and mouth of my babes.

2007-09-01T14:37:00.000-07:00

Big Girl

2007-09-01T14:16:00.000-07:00

Princess started preschool on Thursday. She walked in slowly but with confidence. She wandered over to the table to eat lunch with the other kids, not casting me another glance. I waited a moment, then another, and still another hoping to catch her eye and flash the "I love you" sign. Finally she looked, I threw up the sign with my hand. She gave me a huge smile then flashed the sign back to me. I left. What a big girl.

LIFE is Good

2007-08-29T07:23:00.000-07:00

My God is GOOD, My God is LIFE

I have been up around 6am every morning ( okay almost every morning) to do a bible study. One I have joined with some of the most precious ladies. It is a bible study that requires daily attention, one that helps me with my real and personal relationship with God. I have tried diligently to keep up on the daily lessons so as not to fall behind my dear friends.

I am now more than a week behind.

This last week God has had different plans for our intimate meetings.

My relationship with my 15 year old daughter has been on edge. We have both been angry, frustrated and disappointed with each other. " She is a teenager, it is supposed to be a rocky time." I would tell myself. "She is going through a normal stage." "It won't be forever." All these beliefs did not improve our relationship. My stomach was still sick with worry for her, for me, for our family.

God, knowing me so well and caring for me and my family, met me daily for our intimate conversations. For a while, He allowed me to do all the talking. I poured out my hurt, disappointments, frustrations and anxieties to my Lord. He listened. Then after some wise counsel from a dear friend, I changed my attitude and praised the Lord who listened to me daily.

I am a week behind in my bible study because I have spent every minuted of my bible study time praying for my daughter.

Last night my daughter and I had a conversation. She said, "No one likes me for who I am, No one really knows me." (she expressed that she meant her family) I denied this passionatly, brushing it off as another episode of drama. "If she thinks this, she really dosen't know ME...I KNOW my children," I told myself. "I know what they like to eat and do." I PRIDE myself on knowing my children.

So again this morning, I took my frustration to God, explaining to Him that He needed to fix my daughter's thinking.

If you know my God you already know what happened.

He did not fix my daughters thinking (that I know of), He fixed mine.

"

How many times have you watched your daughter skateboard ?( something she is very passionate about)"
He asked me.
"When is the last time you encouraged her in this sport she is in love with?" "Have you even tried to get to know the people she thinks do know her? The ones she believes likes her for who she is?"

I tried to explain to God that skateboarding isn't really a sport, not to mention it is dangerous and she refused to wear the protective gear. I explained that the kids who skate do drugs and smoke. ( freely admitted by my 15 year old. )

I could feel Him smile at me. "
I will take care of the protective part, you take care of getting to know the daughter I gave you."
He said.

This Saturday, I am going to the skate park with my daughter. I have offered to buy pizza for her skater friends. I am going to meet her friends who I have held at an arms distance. I am going to get to know who my daughter is so that she can see that I really do like who she is.

P.S She swears to me that she has absolutely no desire to smoke or do drugs,
but I know praying she keeps this attitude won't hurt.
My God is Good, God is my LIFE, My Life is good.

Son Shine turns 7

2007-08-02T18:52:00.001-07:00

My son turned 7 about a week ago, yet it seems that he was just born.... not that long ago. Where did the time go? This year for his birthday we were in Steamboat for a family vacation. He wanted to go fishing with his grandpa, his sister Angel, and his daddy. They planned it for 6:30am, I guess the early bird gets the fish. Grandpa came down the stair of the condo at 6:15am to quietly wake SonSine up. Much to his surprise, Son Shine was already awake and greeted Grandpa with an enthusiastic " Hi Grandpa, time to go fishing?" Off they went, right on time. Their plan was to use fish eggs, however, their plan changed when they found a full container of worms left by someone even earlier than them. Every time they cast their line they caught a fish. Daddy told me later that they were lucky that they finally ran out of worms or fishing may have lasted all day long. What a great blessing, what a great memory for my son's 7th birthday.

Had a blast in Steamboat Springs.

2007-07-30T19:51:00.000-07:00

The Lynch Pins headed on up to Steamboat Springs for sun, fun and family time.

My baby girl

2007-07-21T19:58:00.000-07:00

My sweet baby girl Angel turns 16 years old tomorrow. Where have the years gone? She is content having me drive her places or riding the bus. No hurry to get her driver's license. I am really proud of her.

The Explorers

2007-07-17T19:16:00.000-07:00

This weekend, while I was trying to stay cool in the hot weather, my brother and sister in law, my husband and my 15 year old daughter, Beans, trekked off to climb Mt. Massive. Mt. Massive is 14 thousand feet above sea level. It is also the 2nd highest mountain in Colorado. WOW. They started their climb at 6:30am and reached the top 4 hours later. Hubby said that about 1 hour into their climb Beans looked as though she was exhausted and determined never to climb a 14er again. However, she pushed through, never once uttering a complaint. Way to go!!!! When she got home she talked about what a great time she had and how she was looking forward to climbing again. This is the 4th 14 footer my husband has climbed and hopefully the first of many Beans will climb. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, we hit the fountains in Old Town Arvada. I was blessed to be able to watch my 2 year old nephew. The kids got along great. When Husband got home he showed me the pictures and I felt winded just looking at them they were breathtaking. I may even be persuaded to hike a mountain, but not one called MT. MASSIVE.

crazy at 4

2007-07-13T18:11:00.000-07:00

Kids say the funniest things. Today my 4 year old princess came to tell me, "I am ready to go outside mom, see I have my shoes on." She beamed at me proudly. I said "good job, but you have your shoes on the wrong feet." "I know" she giggled then shrugging her shoulders and said, "I am guess I'm a maniac." Then she walked outside. I had no idea maniacs put their shoes on the wrong feet.

Home Life vs Wild Life

2007-07-12T17:04:00.000-07:00

No, these are not some hairless bears we saw in Alaska, Princess and Sonshine foraging for food ( Raspberries) in the back Yard.

Summer Fun

2007-07-12T15:55:00.000-07:00

I love Spaving. That's spending.... with a whole lot of saving. I scourer the ads, clip the coupons, and shop the clearances.

But even better, I love having fun when the price tag is FREE.

So as summer approached, I rose to the challenge of finding fun, FREE things to do with my family. It was a sort of adventure.

Here is the list of adventures we have had this year:

Monday, Daddy is off and that is the most fun of all.

We have attended a bible study/play date every Tuesday.

Every Wednesday we mosey on over to the local theater and take in a free previously seen movie at 10am. We just saw Eragon, it was even better on a big screen, however seeing Charlotte the spider and Templeton the Rat bigger than life was a little unnerving.

Thursday we take advantage of the fun free things the library has offered with their summer reading program. Bowling, eating at chick fil a, a lakeside trip (soon to be had). Next Thursday we are going to go for Ice Cream For FREE!!!!!!!! What is cooler that that, no pun in tented.

Oh........... and of coarse we have been reading.

Laced in and out of these various adventure, we have attended free, ticked events offered by the libraries. Today we attended two, the second being a magic comedy. Watching the kids laugh and the amazement on their faces at the magic was worth more that all the money in the world.

On the way to each event we listen to books on CD in the car. We have three going right now. "Adventures in Odyssey" when all the the kiddos are there, "Harmless" when only Corine and Rachel ( since it covers topics for more Mature audiences,) and when I get the few opportunities to be alone on a road trip I listen to "Gilead." My kids love it and get upset when I turn the car off. It is magical watching them use their imaginations as they picture what is going on in the story.( I have rented all these books on CD from the library and they will remain free if I remember to return them on time. apparently the due date is not just a suggestion: )

And Friday is just not Friday unless we go over to Uncle Steve's and the cousin's to play football in and out of their pool.

Part of this summer is the fountains they put in front of the Arvada Library. Fully clothed or in a swim suit, the kids love to get wet in the water that shoots out of the ground.

While My husband and I were in Alaska, Nana and Papa opened their pool and that will be our next spot for free enjoyment.

I figure the kids will have to go back to school to get some rest. Our summer has been grand.

Alaska Vacation

2007-07-10T19:35:00.000-07:00

Carl and Michelle infron of a Bed and Breakfast

Just me and Husband

2007-07-10T13:34:00.000-07:00

My husband and I just returned, yesterday, from a wonderful trip in Alaska, Just the two of us. Nana and Papa took to the challenge of watching our 4 beautiful children. (spoiling in reality. but that's what Nana's and Papa's are for:)

My Husband and I took in Alaska and all it's wonders by float plane, raft trip, cruise and open road. What a glorious, and chilly, place. In Alaska you get the diversity of Colorado plus Ocean, Glaciers and big Mosquitoes. We saw Whales, a moose, and a bear from the sky in the float plane as well as a lot of land only accessible by plane. I loved to fly in a float plane, much to my suprise and hope to see the world this way someday.

On land we saw Bears ( lots of them) catching Salmon swimming upstream. We saw moose and more bald Eagles then I have ever seen in my life. We took a trip down the icy river that started from a glacier. and do I mean Icy. We even experienced the feeling of being on some great rapids without a guide, as ours, hitting a rapid too sideways was swept out the the raft into the icy water. That was quite a heart racing time. Even though I knew the rapids we rafted on were class 4s and 5s and offered danger and excitement even with a guide, it sure was comforting when he was back in control of things. ( I think there is a parable in there somewhere:)) And we partyed until 11:30pm even till 1:am on some nights because the sun didn't go down until then. We did miss seeing the fireworks though.

Thank God for cell phones so we could stay in touch with our kiddos who we missed much. We didn't let our missing the kids spoil our "honeymoon." Our 4th "honeymoon" to be excact, thanks to our generous parents who offer us this valuable opportuntiy. It was good for the kids to get a "vacation" from us too and they love staying at Nana's and Papa's.