Computer is here, but author is MIA

The new computer has arrived.  Actually it came last Friday.  I started this very post on Friday evening promising more frequent updates to the post.  Well, I got frustrated pretty quickly because I was trying to hurry and get to bed for the BIG DAY Saturday.

Saturday we got up and headed out to the BIG DAY.  About 40 miles into the trip, I began to realize that my kinda scratchy throat on Friday night was quickly developing into a terrible cough, back and leg aches, and general misery.  However, it was the BIG DAY, and I couldn't turn back.  I actually contemplated having Chad leave me at some chain restaurant and calling my mom and dad to come and get me to take me home.  However, I was as excited and nervous as the STAR of the day, and I had to be there.

So, naturally, I went.  It was A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. and stressful and ridiculously expensive.  However, the STAR was able to shine like a million bucks.  And, even when she didn't really shine, she thought she did!

After the BIG DAY, the STAR, Daddy, and I went to bed.  Sunday morning, I'm not sure what happened.  Chad and Taylor disappeared and I slept until after 2PM.  I finally crawled out of the bed long enough to shower and find nourishment.  Shortly after that, I was back in the bed. 

Monday was probably one of the most efficient days of my life.  I did not expend one Joule of energy that wasn't absolutely necessary.  Out the door for school by 7AM, back in the recliner to sleep by 7:30.  Out the door to doctor by 11:00 AM, back in the recliner to sleep by 12:30PM.  Out the door to pick girls up by 2:55PM, back in the recliner to sleep by 3:30PM.  My super-wonderful husband even came home early and cooked dinner.

Tuesday I drug myself back to work.  Ask someone who saw me at LC on Tuesday.  People said "Do you feel bad? Are you OK? and Why are you here?" all day long.  I heard, "Dang, if you feel as bad as you look, when's the funeral?"  It was that  bad.

Today I am much better.  However, I'm still not fantastic.  But I promised blogs, and I want to deliver.  So here's your blog.  The problem is that this fancy new computer has Windows 8.  My old computer had Windows -3, I think.  It was before Windows started numbering, I'm sure.  Regardless, I can't figure out how to do a darn thing on this computer.  I finally watched a tutorial video on how to find the start menu and the control panel.  Then, I log on here to update the blog and get side-tracked by my friends blog update.  I clicked on her blog to read about her life, and there is no "back button".  I was stuck.  So after scrolling and tapping and clicking, I accidentally found the back button at the bottom of the screen.  Hang on, there is a point. 

Today's blog is to say I was so excited about this new computer; however, within hours I was too sick to even care that we have a computer.  Now I'm well enough to know and care about the computer, but I'm too dumb to use it!

The big meeting at work is over as of today.  I will learn to use this fancy machine and Bob and The Girls will be updated with the fun stuff from the end of 2012 and the BIG DAY from this week.

I'm an old dog learning new tricks.  Be patient, but don't give up on me.  I will deliver!

Be careful what you ask for!

I've recently been in a funk. As much as my husband tries to understand, he doesn't get it. I think it's the testosterone vs. estrogen phenomenon! But here'a brief glimpse of our recent weeks...

After a completely normal, enjoyable date night without the girls, I had a meltdown. Yes, you know the one with tears that you can't even explain, but it sure feels good to let them flow. That's the kind I had. I really don't know what triggered it, but I finally decided (which may or may not have been the real source) that I was bored with life.

Now, here's where it get's crazy. I told him that our life is too perfect! Yep, that was my diagnosis at that moment.

Here's a picture of our "problem"--Chad and I don't fight. We have jobs we enjoy. Our children, friends, and family members are healthy. Our children are rather well behaved. They do well in school. We can pay our bills. Chad comes home each night. He loves our children. He helps care for our chilren. He even washes clothes.

Sounds miserable, huh? I told you it was crazy. I eventually decided that our lives are boring and predictable. Yes, "predictable" was the word I used. I told Chad that it seems like we get up, say "good morning", get ready for work, get the kids ready for school, kiss goodbye, go to work, come home, kiss, debrief, eat, get ready for the next day, kiss goodnight, go to bed, and REPEAT.

Nothing on the list is bad. I actually enjoy most of the items on the list. The lack of impulse or interruption was what I was bored with. Well, apparently when I was having this conversation, God was listening (I know, right?). He decided to add a little unpredictability to our lives. Within the month following that conversation with Chad things began to happen...and happen...and...happen!

1. Shannon..stomach virus...vomit in Chad's truck.
2. Taylor...stomach virus...vomit in Blake's diapter bag.
3. Blake...ear infection...fever and no sleep for 5 days.
4. Chad...sinus infection junk.
5. Women of Faith event with speaker of my dreams...cancelled.
6. Kennedy...flu.
7. Chad's mom...gall bladder surgery.
8. Weather...blew a piece of the fence over (remember the dead dog)
9. Chad's job...
10. Texas budget crisis...will I have a job next year?
11. Blake standing up and letting go...

So, things really aren't so boring or predictable in the Dickerson house these days. For the last 6 days we've all been healthy...maybe things will get back to "boring and predictalbe" again soon.

The unthinkable happened at MY house...part 1

Last month we had the entire week of Thanksgiving off from school. Kennedy, Taylor, Blake and I had big plans. I'm not real sure what our plans were, but they were B.I.G. So, the "big girls" stayed with Chad's mother and father most of the weekend before Thanksgiving. That was great, except that it meant on Monday morning (my first official day off work) I had to be in Tyler by 7:15 A.M. to get them so his parents could go to work. Like I said, I'm not real sure what our plans were, but I do know what my plan was NOT--getting up at 5:45 A.M. to drive to Tyler!

But, since my kids were at their house, and they both seem to like their jobs, I did the "favorite daughter-in-law" thing to do and went to get my kids. Since I can't really function that early on a day off, I rode with Chad in the big truck. No, it's really not that big, but compared to The Mighty Moe (Toyota), it's huge! The big truck has four doors and can comfortably seat five people, and we can always squish another person in the middle in the front seat. And since I'm also the "favorite sister-in-law", I called Chad's sister on her day off (early...like 7A.M.) to see if she wanted to run around and shop with Kennedy, Taylor, Blake, and I. Now, if you don't know Mary, let me just tell you that I can't remember a time that I invited her to shop or spend time with my kids that she didn't agree to come along. That woman L-O-V-E-S to shop and A-D-O-R-E-S her nieces!

While we were waiting on Aunt Mary to get to Nanny's house, Aunt Nancy called. Nancy is Chad's other sister. I did mention that I'm the "favorite sister-in-law", right? Well, Aunt Nancy called to see if I wanted Heather to come along and help with the girls while I was shopping. I told her we had plenty of help, but would love Heather to come along if she wanted to just hang out with two of her coolest aunts! Although Heather is only 16, she is pretty smart and capitalized on the golden opportunity!

Now, I know some of my dearest friends are mathematically challenged, so let me just set the scene for you...

Front seat of four-door truck: Shannon, Heather, Mary
Back seat of four-door truck: Kennedy in booster seat, Blake in infant carrier with massive base that makes life so much easier, and Taylor in booster seat with back on it

Yes, we had three car seats in the back seat and three adults in the front of the truck. We were packed in like those nasty little baby food Vienna sausage things! Or, if you like, packed in like sardines!

The girls and I made several stops and had a fantastic time. One of the highlights of the day (before the unthinkable happened) was when we went to lunch. As we walked into Chick-fil-A, Taylor said, "Come on Heather! Let's go play!" In an attempt to save Heather from having to be the heartbreaker, I replied, "Taylor, I bet Heather's not the right size to play in there." Taylor quickly reminded me, "Heather is big enough to come play in here, Mom!"

He's still working on me...

Does anyone else remember that song from VBS or Sunday school when you were a kid? I can't recall all the lyrics, but the chorus was "He's still working on me". I've had a week where God has been working on me. I don't know exactly what his intentions are--surprised you, huh? :) I've been reading some blogs and praying. I have also started trying to do a better job at spending time in my Bible. I'm not good at reading it. There, I've said it. I want to read my Bible. I take the time to read my Bible, and more times than not, I leave my Bible with a "why did I bother" attitude. Not, why did I bother with God. But more, why did I bother reading because I didn't understand and now I'm frustrated. I'm good at school. That's my gift. I can read, understand, retain, etc. However, when it comes to the Bible, I'm at a loss. I can read the words. I believe that God inspired those words. Why can't they "speak" to me like they do so many other people? I think I have Reader's block. I'm going to get out one of the many devotionals that I've bought to see if I can work from a "starting place" rather than just trying to find where God wants me to be on my own. Any one else ever have this restlessness with reading the Bible?