25 Random (or not so random) Things about Lynnet

There is a little meme going around Facebook and since I've been so absent about posting, I thought this possibly would be either boring, entertaining, enlightening, or TMI!

Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.


1. When I was little, all I wanted to be was a Mom and wife. What was I thinking? This is the hardest job on the planet, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I thank God the the beautiful children that He's loaned to us. They are a precious gift. They have enlarged our territories, our hearts, and our home. Without them, our lives would be dull and full of stuff... I love having a daughter that has become a tremendous blessing and two boys that have shown me how fun and rewarding boys can be. I'm going to miss them when they leave home.

2. We've home schooled more than public schooled.

3. I'm not a follow the rules person, which can really get one in trouble. I stick my foot in my mouth and most time I don't realize what I've said or how it's come out. I'm a rebel and pay dearly for it.

4. I wanted to go to veterinarian school, but knew I couldn't handle the math, so I did journalism for a few years, but didn't like how cut-throat it was, so I ended up in education. Still realize I can't do the math and it's so cut-throat! I got the best of both worlds with all the weird critters as well!

5. I was born in Okinawa, lived in FL and Boston, but loved growing up in a small town - you know the place, where every one knows you and your momma hears about what you did BEFORE you even get home!

6. I don't like sports, I don't mind NASCAR, can't stand football, but married a totally handsome football player, that knocks my socks off with his kindness, love, and devotion. The Razorbacks??? Don't get me started!

7. Okay, spent a month in Haiti with CIY. One of the most beautiful, yet destitute places on earth. Ate goat, threw spaghetti on the wall, saw roaches the size of a bird,swam in the ocean with sharks, and went to church with the chickens.

8. I love critters of all kinds, but horses and cats are my favorite. I used to have a pet chicken, rabbits, a bird that lived FOREVER, cats galore, gerbil, fish, and sea horses. Sorry dog lovers, but they smell, slobber, and jump on you. I can't stand wiener dogs, though a lot of people I know have them...

9. I got to interview L. Bruce Laingen (former 1979-81 Iranian Hostage) and James Doohan (Scotty from the original Star Trek) in college, met Twila Paris backstage, but was too tongued tied to talk, Dr. Ruth embarrasses me, and I'd love to have lunch with Darrell Waltrip!

10. Contrary to belief, I love food! I love to eat rich chocolate cake in a bowl with milk, love ICE CREAM (now that's a surprise), used to make chocolate chip cookie dough just to eat the dough (probably explains why I can't make a decent cookie), and I love to eat cake batter...

11. Speaking of food, I love to cook and bake, but didn't really learn how until I got married. Hubby just wishes I'd follow a recipe the same way twice or just following a recipe would be great! I love teaching my kids to cook, and seeing them experiment and get in there. I Love to bake bread, but I don't like using a bread machine because I love to feel how the dough feels in my hands.

12.I almost drowned when in 1st grade, don't like to swim (maybe this is why I'm claustrophobic)

13. I'm really dragging this out... I love to have people come over to eat, just for the chance to relax, cook, and have a lot of fun. We love to have company, hope they don't mind the dirt!

14. I'm so totally insecure and afraid of failing. Maybe that's why I have so many unfinished projects. Anyone want to help??? Some Mamma Mia therapy would be great!

15. Speaking of Mamma Mia, I love those sister chicks that accepts you for who you are, love you in spite of it, are not afraid to laugh, love, act crazy, cry, and dance. You know the ones... when your heart is breaking, they hold the pieces until God puts it back together.

16 I love my children fiercely, but am not afraid to let them fail so that they will learn to soar. I'm so proud of them, want them to follow His leading, realize their potential, and pick up their rooms. I love them as babies, toddlers (okay some of those were rough years), etc, but I'm really enjoying them as teens. I miss my babies though... :~(

17. My mother made me take Judo when I was in 1 & 2nd grades, but I really wanted to take gymnastics. they gave me a medal because they felt sorry for me. I flipped and pinned my oldest once when he was giving me a hard time and he's more cautious now! :~)

18. I had a pen pal from Finland for 25 years and regret that we ever lost touch.

19. Worked as a counselor in the inner-city with EAPE in Camden, NJ for two summers. Best time of my life! I think I'd still be there if I hadn't met the most wonderful man in the universe! I laughed harder, cared deeply, learned hard lessons, saw places and people I've never forgotten, swam in the Philly Art Museum fountain (remember the steps that Rocky ran up?), seen NY, the Poconos, a monastery, and Washington DC, attended a bagpipe concert, slept in skives, fooled airport security, and had the best time in my life... A part of me still longs for that time. Gosh, that makes me sound like a wild woman!

20. I struggle with God as a Daddy figure, am thankful for a wonderful man, my FIL, that is just the Dad I needed. I'm so thankful that God gave me a husband that is the kind of Dad I yearned for growing up and never had, and that I wanted for my children. I'm so proud of him!

21. I absolutely love Spring, the colors, the smells, the new growth. I do not like Winter, the cold, the deadness, the cold, the yucky cold. I need warmth and color, I need t-shirts, fresh air and windows open. I need Spring!

22. Whew! Almost there... Just a few more... I love to play games - cards, board games (I love the game of Life while growing up), Railroad, Apples to Apples, etc. but just absolutely can't stand Monopoly! I can't play PS or Wii games that well, but I can make others laugh trying.

23. My favorite scripture is: Psalms 30:11-12 because He has taken away a period of mourning for me, and is drawing me back to a time of celebration.

You did it: you changed wild
lament into whirling dance;
You ripped off my black mourning band
and decked me with wildflowers.
I'm about to burst with song;
I can't keep quiet about you.
God, my God,
I can't thank you enough. (The Message)

24. I started blogging this last year and it feeds my need to write and journal. I'm a tad bit addicted to it, but I love it. I've made some incredible friends, learned how to make my own laundry detergent, been challenged, and have prayed more.

25. Whew. Finally the last one. I'm really at a loss at what to write that could be interesting, I enjoy rollarskating, hate shopping,don't follow deep conversations or sermons well, love a good chick-flick, crave time with Hubby, have been playing my flute for 33 years (that really makes me sound old) and wish I could be a better player. I like a clean house, but realize since we have kids here all the time it will never be BHG, but it's our house. I'd love to travel, especially with Honey - maybe to Australia, Alaska, or even the East Coast.

Okay, if you've made it this far, you're a better friend than I ever hoped for! You're a brave soul!

Addicted to Blogging...

Things have been so crazy lately, that I've had a hard time making here to write. It just drives me crazy! I've visited a few of blogs that I'm keeping up on, but I've missed writing. What I write may not be interesting to a lot of people, but it fills a need in me - to write. Yesterday, while working on the challenge (I was cleaning), I found a journal I had started during Honey and I's engagement and first few years of marriage. It was certainly enlightening. How can it be that it's been so long since I've written? We've taken a new student in our home, planning and teaching takes much longer than it ever did when it was just Youngest and Only. I can't tell all the background, but he's not had any type of schooling for two years. So instead of being on the 5th grade level, he's more on the 2-3rd grade. I've missed my blog friends, but my kids have missed things a bit as well. Youngest had a slight meltdown, missing one-on-one time with me, so what did I do? I skipped Wednesday night group, took Only and Youngest to McDonalds (with a play place) and we just relaxed. Youngest played in the play area with some other kids and Only caught up on a book she had been yearning to read. I've just been a little overwhelmed and tired mentally. Thankfully God scheduled a ice storm to give me a two day break! I know there is a reason that we have this new child coming to our home for school, we don't what it is yet and may not know for years. So if I don't post as often as I did before, please don't give up on me... I'm still here and I'm checking in with what you're writing. Oh, yeah, come Monday, I'm going to start watching a 9-week old... Let the Eye Rolling begin! I promise, if it gets to be too much, something will give, but we will settle into a routine.

Random Picture Challenge

Time for another Random Picture Challenge. We were supposed to find picture #8 from our January folder. This is what I have....a picture of one of us supposedly giving out kitten a spin rinse in the toilet. I must say that we took this picture as a joke because a friend sent us directions on how to clean a toilet... We were going to send this pix to her to show her it didn't work very well! Joke's on us! Tex came out unscathed, smelling great and happier once he was fluffy and dry.

Shhhh...

Honey and I have been married for 18 1/2 years, with 3 kids and so many experiences behind us, but I'm so much looking forward to the rest of my life with this man I love. He gives so much for & to the family. He's a true blessing and leader, friend, and well... This sounds like a good challenge and reminder of what is important to the men in our lives. Well, I've got to get going, lot of cleaning to do to start the challenge. Gotta get those cob webs out of my room! Anyone have a dust rag and trash bag?

The blessing of Only

We looked at the stick in disbelief. It showed two lines - pregnant with our second child, Oldest was just 4 months old, they would be 13 months apart. We were stunned. But still yet, we're still stunned - that 15 years has passed so quickly. We never saw it coming. We were so busy with trying to survive, that the 10 lb. baby that we were blessed with, has blossomed into the most beautiful daughter that we could ever dream of. I'm so thankful for her. We're so excited about seeing what God has in store for her, seeing her realize God's full potential in her life, and becoming the woman that God intended. We pray that as she continues to grow, that Only will listen with her heart to the whispers of God, to those gentle pushes, and that she will step out to find her wings. I love her ability to put things together and make it look so pretty, to watch her with little kids, to cook with her in the kitchen, see her dance, hear the sewing machine whirring in her room, hear her laughing at a book she's reading, her music, see the choices that she's making, her gentleness... I love to watch her with Honey and pray that God is preparing not only our hearts to let her go, but the heart, mind, and soul of the young man that will become her husband, if God so chooses. Is Only perfect? No, but neither is her Mom or Dad. I'm including the lyrics of a song that we included in a card to her when she traveled to Australia as an Ambassador for the US a few years ago. Happy Birthday Only! We love you! FIND YOUR WINGS LYRICS by MARK HARRIS It's only for a moment you are mine to hold ,The plans that heaven has for you Will all too soon unfold , So many different prayers I'll pray For all that you might do , But most of all I'll want to know You're walking in the truth , And If I never told you ,I want you to know As I watch you grow. Chorus: I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams And that faith gives you the courage . To dare to do great things I'm here for you whatever this life brings. So let my love give you roots And help you find your wings . May passion be the wind .That leads you through your days And may conviction keep you strong . Guide you on your way May there be many moments. That make your life so sweet Oh, but more than memories. Chorus: It's not living if you don't reach for the sky .I'll have tears as you take off But I'll cheer as you fly .

Works-for-Me Wednesday

When our kids were little we used cloth diapers and made our own baby wipes. I loved knowing what went into them as Oldest was a little sensitive to the bought ones. In a few weeks, we will start watching a baby for a some friends when she goes back to the classroom, and I'm considering making them again. They last forever! Here is how we made them. Since most parents have these supplies on hand anyway, these are relatively inexpensive to make. Supplies:

• 1 roll of Bounty paper towels (it's gotta be a really strong paper towel)
• 2 TBSP Baby Wash (choose a natural wash!)
• 2 TBSP Baby Oil(I've heard some people use olive oil
• 2 Cups water (I like to use warm water, as it mixes easier)
• Container to hold wipes (we used to use a 10 C. Rubbermaid container with locking lid, but we keep old crayons in it now). You just need something that has a locking lid

1. Cut roll of Bounty. I mark the center using a ruler and ink pen, then used my electric knife (or you could use a sharp serrated knife) to cut the roll in half.
2. Place 1/2 roll of paper towels in container.
3. Pour solution over towels.
4. Seal tightly and let set for a few hours or overnight.
5. Open container, remove cardboard center, use from the middle.
6. This will make two large rolls of baby wipes.

Wipes are great for cleaning off tennis shoes as well! This is what worked for me!

Random Picture Challenge

This is a picture is of Youngest clowning around in the tub, the 21st picture I took in May! For more random pictures, visit www.4littlemen.blogspot.com! where she is playing a little game to pass these winter days. Go to your MAY picture folder and click on the 21st picture. This is your random picture! Now post it on your blog, hop over to her blog and either comment or take a number on Mr. Linky. Make sure to check out everyone else who has taken the challenge!

Surprise home birth during birthday celebration

Yesterday I stayed in my jammies until 12:30 p.m. Usually, I would have been dressed hours ago, but yesterday was different. I was celebrating two three exciting events. 1. I celebrated the day that Honey blessed this earth. Yep, his 43rd birthday. He has been such a blessing to me. I , and I'm so thankful that God brought him into my life. God knew that I would need a husband that would love me for who I am, be the Daddy I desperately needed and wanted my children to have, and, the son to his parents. I love how I see him interacting with our kids and other's children. I love his boyishness, his charm, his Faith, his ability to seemingly know to fix anything around our house, plus fix the vehicles. This is the man who stood by my side as each child was born, held my hand through countless surgeries, sludged through three house flooding, learned how to scrapbook, taken me to car races, written the sweetest notes... I could go on, but simply he is the love of my life. I called his parents yesterday morning to thank them for raising him to be the man that he is. They did a fantastic job! Did I mention that he's just the most amazing, handsome and non-perfect man that I've ever met??? 2. The real reason I stayed in my jammies so long - Oldest drove himself to school! Oh, the day before, when I knew it would be one of the last times to drive them to school, I could have been weepy and full or sorrow, but he's been working so hard and anticipating this day. This is one of those goals that we've been working toward: From teething rings to Car keys. I have him text me when he gets to school and when he's leaving school. He was so sweet yesterday. "Mom, um, I'm going to Sonic while I'm waiting for D to get out of trumpet lessons, do you want anything?" Now, I know what he was doing, and I had to smile, but I was also thrilled that he called to ask/let me know, what he was doing. Yes, I think he's going to be okay. Does that mean that I don't pray for his safety each morning? No, I do so much more. He's priceless and I'm proud of him! 3.In the midst of all the excitement of watching the Florida vs. OK game last night (rats, OK lost!), we were busy rolling out the pizzas (14 of them in all (thank you very much) while all the younger kids were playing in the back bedroom. Suddenly we hear "There are babies!!!" Now we really didn't get too excited because we have a mouse that is expecting anyday. It wasn't until they came running in saying it was the OTHER mouse cage (the Egypian Spiny Tailed mice)! We rushed in the other room and that's when we realized that we no longer had 3 female mice in that cage. Yep, 2 females and a male, and we had 2 SEPARATE liters! How in the world!!! As if we don't have enough to wonder about, we saw two small mice still with their umbilical cords still attached stumbling around near the tikki hut and 2 other few day older mice near them. Thought I'd show you what a 2-day old Egyptian mouse looks like! Anybody out there want a new pet???

Works-for-Me Wednesday

First, let me say that I'm a certified cat person, but let's face it, we have two cats. As much as I love them, Cats = trouble. How do you keep them from leaving their mark on furniture, walls, door facings, clawing or digging on the indoor plants, or jumping on things they shouldn't (cabinets, tables, etc). We found that a simple spray bottle does the trick. We heard about this from someone else and used it with our first cat, and now that we have a new kitten, we had to start over again.

The trick: Get a small trigger spray bottle (like the one on the left), cheap at Dollar Store, or some other place. Make sure it will spray at least 5 ft. away (don't get one of those tiny spray bottles, on the right) Pour about an inch of white distilled vinegar in the bottom, fill the rest of the bottle with plain water. The cat won't care if it's filtered or not. Each time the cat does something they're not supposed to, spray them. They will quickly learn what they're not supposed to do.

How does it work? Keep the bottle handy. Each time that Sweet Kitty does something he/she is not supposed to, get your bottle (works best if they don't know you are reaching for it, you want to catch them in the act of "evil disobedience" ), take aim and squirt. They don't like the sound or being squirted with water and vinegar. This isn't going to hurt them, and is cheaper than having them declawed. It also helps to have a scratching post, we made ours out of an old post, Sisal rope, and carpet square.

We've even started just making the sound "Chch!" (or whatever sound your bottle makes) of the spray bottle, and they quickly stop. Now, we don't' just do the sound all the time, but vary "Chch!" (or whatever sound your bottle makes) with the actual spraying, that way they don't associate the sound with not getting sprayed. Our 10 yr. old cat still remembers that the sound is associated with being sprayed and stops her misdeeds.

Head on over to Rocks In My Dryer to read more ideas from other bloggers.

Friday Fill-In

I've been wanting to do Friday Fill-In by 1. The world is in need of a Savior. 2. "Wahoo! Your Shurley English came today." was the last thing I said. 3. I wonder why cats can't sleep at night like the rest of the house? 4. He is the same today as He was yesterday and He will still be the same at the end of all things. 5. There's something to be said for having all the laundry done. Spending a relaxing day with the family and hearing their laughter ring through the house. 6. Somewhere warm, with a good book and my Honey is where I want to be. 7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to possibly scrapbooking (didn't get that far in life), tomorrow my plans include basketball practice for Youngest and worship practice and Sunday, I want to fully worship, write lesson plans, & relax!