I know that I cannot be that dumb to figure out this posting photos! I have read all the "help" comments but my blog posting doesn't have the photo button and I do not have a URL site to post photos from. My photos are on the computer, I know how to download them when I email but I cannot find the "photo button" on the posting site to help me! Can anyone lend a hand, LACY??????????
Thanks!
Maria.
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Graduation
Maria's blog
Another year has passed for the exchange student program. Ema graduated last night, along with 400+ students we witnessed walking across the stage to receive their diploma. Funny thing, each year the principal gives a gift to help the students remember their high school, the past two years the students have received a piece of brick! To signify the foundation that has been laid for their future and also the addition that was added to the school a few years ago, (the bricks were from the previous structure.)
Admist the air horns and screaming friends and families I was amazed that I knew so many people attending. It was pretty cool to look around and recognize these faces and I haven't been really involved in the high school either.
Ema was head back to Japan on June 1st and I am thinking how different things will be here at home. We will miss her although she has been so quiet here, we know that she was with us this year for a reason. I am praying that in some way the Lord will use this experience to mold her future. It is so cool to meet the other students that are her friends and know that the Lord has something in store for Duane and I. Our hearts have been touched by these students and I am looking forward to seeing what comes of the next few years within the exchange student program.
Duane and I are praying and considering becoming exchange student reps here in Wichita this next year. We will see what the Lord brings of it.
Another year has passed for the exchange student program. Ema graduated last night, along with 400+ students we witnessed walking across the stage to receive their diploma. Funny thing, each year the principal gives a gift to help the students remember their high school, the past two years the students have received a piece of brick! To signify the foundation that has been laid for their future and also the addition that was added to the school a few years ago, (the bricks were from the previous structure.)
Admist the air horns and screaming friends and families I was amazed that I knew so many people attending. It was pretty cool to look around and recognize these faces and I haven't been really involved in the high school either.
Ema was head back to Japan on June 1st and I am thinking how different things will be here at home. We will miss her although she has been so quiet here, we know that she was with us this year for a reason. I am praying that in some way the Lord will use this experience to mold her future. It is so cool to meet the other students that are her friends and know that the Lord has something in store for Duane and I. Our hearts have been touched by these students and I am looking forward to seeing what comes of the next few years within the exchange student program.
Duane and I are praying and considering becoming exchange student reps here in Wichita this next year. We will see what the Lord brings of it.
Friday, May 19, 2006
Black Cat and feathers
Maria's blog
I know that being a mother requires a lot of skills, many which I do not possess, but hopefully in time, my children will come to forgive me. Sewing, I would like to think, is one that I have, ok, maybe I wish for it! I still proceed without the skill anyway. Case in point...I was really excited about some material I found for the girls and I decided that I would make them dresses out of it. I gathered the material and took some rough measurements of how tall they were and where their arms would be. And then I proceeded to cut the material. Mind you the entire time I am thinking, "Ok, I don't have a pattern to go off of, I know what a dress looks like, right?" Yeah, so that didn't go quite as planned. I had to give up not too long into the project because of some miscalculations!
I could go on about the hundreds of 4x4 inch squares I cut when Jena was 2 months old, my idea...to sew a quilt for our bed. I was so excited, about 1 year later I got enough put together to sew a bumper cover for Jena's crib that she would soon be outgrowing. I did recover that loss of time though, I used it for Paige's crib! :)
I will spare you the other stories of sewing mishaps along the way to my point for today...we are attending Samuel McKinley's birthday party tonight and the dress is SUPER HERO attire. So, I have little girls with cute, prissy, fluffy dresses and dress up shoes, nothing that resembles a super hero! Duane got on line last night to find a super hero worthy of Jena and Paige and he found BLACK CAT, she is a friend of Spiderman. She wears a simple black outfit with white fur around the collar and wrists. She wears a really cool mask though. So my ingenious idea is to make this costume for the girls. I know what you are thinking, "Maria, the party is tonight!"
Well, well, I came through!
I found that the girls have black leotards and I found a white boa. So I cut the boa and stitched it onto the leotard. Feathers went everywhere, I must admit I didn't think that would happen. But the outfit came out really cute. Now, the rest of the night I will be following the girls picking up the feathers!
I must say that I was beginning to think that I had an issue with finishing projects, I think that I just need to be a bit more realistic in my endeavors. Maybe now I can figure out how to publish pictures with my posts so that you may see what an incredible seamstress I am becoming!
I know that being a mother requires a lot of skills, many which I do not possess, but hopefully in time, my children will come to forgive me. Sewing, I would like to think, is one that I have, ok, maybe I wish for it! I still proceed without the skill anyway. Case in point...I was really excited about some material I found for the girls and I decided that I would make them dresses out of it. I gathered the material and took some rough measurements of how tall they were and where their arms would be. And then I proceeded to cut the material. Mind you the entire time I am thinking, "Ok, I don't have a pattern to go off of, I know what a dress looks like, right?" Yeah, so that didn't go quite as planned. I had to give up not too long into the project because of some miscalculations!
I could go on about the hundreds of 4x4 inch squares I cut when Jena was 2 months old, my idea...to sew a quilt for our bed. I was so excited, about 1 year later I got enough put together to sew a bumper cover for Jena's crib that she would soon be outgrowing. I did recover that loss of time though, I used it for Paige's crib! :)
I will spare you the other stories of sewing mishaps along the way to my point for today...we are attending Samuel McKinley's birthday party tonight and the dress is SUPER HERO attire. So, I have little girls with cute, prissy, fluffy dresses and dress up shoes, nothing that resembles a super hero! Duane got on line last night to find a super hero worthy of Jena and Paige and he found BLACK CAT, she is a friend of Spiderman. She wears a simple black outfit with white fur around the collar and wrists. She wears a really cool mask though. So my ingenious idea is to make this costume for the girls. I know what you are thinking, "Maria, the party is tonight!"
Well, well, I came through!
I found that the girls have black leotards and I found a white boa. So I cut the boa and stitched it onto the leotard. Feathers went everywhere, I must admit I didn't think that would happen. But the outfit came out really cute. Now, the rest of the night I will be following the girls picking up the feathers!
I must say that I was beginning to think that I had an issue with finishing projects, I think that I just need to be a bit more realistic in my endeavors. Maybe now I can figure out how to publish pictures with my posts so that you may see what an incredible seamstress I am becoming!
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Head massage anyone?
Maria's blog
Ahh yes, a head massage. I received one from my hair stylist this morning. I had been extremely anxious all morning, not knowing why. But after I received the head massage and was treated like a person instead of a slave, the world seem to be running smoothly again.
Ok, truth be told, there are some days when I try to hide from my children. This morning was one of those days. Paige whined for almost 3 hours straight and Jena just continued to talk to me...some days I can deal with it, but when I find myself with my head in the toilet just to have a moments peace I know I am in for a long day. I wasn't vomitting, I was scrubbing the bathroom, I hate cleaning the bathrooms, so it must have been a bad morning for me to volunterily clean the bathroom.
I whisked my children off to Jamie's house and rushed to my appointment. I have to say I really like my new hair cut. When I find clumps falling out in my hand, always after pregnancy, I start to freak out and go cut my hair.
Tomorrow my day will start off with another massage, this of my spine, from the chiropractor. Annie and I were involved in a car accident this weekend. We were rear-ended by a white minivan. I don't know why that part was important, but if you happen to spot a white minivan with a little bit of my bumper on it, smile and wave. The gentleman that hit me was extremely apologetic, especially after he saw me pull Annie out of the car!
Anyway, hope you all can work in a massage for your head. It really helps to clear your mind of any anxious thoughts and then you can laugh at yourself when you see how messed up your hair looks when it is over. It just isn't the same when you massage your own head, have someone else do it for you!
Ahh yes, a head massage. I received one from my hair stylist this morning. I had been extremely anxious all morning, not knowing why. But after I received the head massage and was treated like a person instead of a slave, the world seem to be running smoothly again.
Ok, truth be told, there are some days when I try to hide from my children. This morning was one of those days. Paige whined for almost 3 hours straight and Jena just continued to talk to me...some days I can deal with it, but when I find myself with my head in the toilet just to have a moments peace I know I am in for a long day. I wasn't vomitting, I was scrubbing the bathroom, I hate cleaning the bathrooms, so it must have been a bad morning for me to volunterily clean the bathroom.
I whisked my children off to Jamie's house and rushed to my appointment. I have to say I really like my new hair cut. When I find clumps falling out in my hand, always after pregnancy, I start to freak out and go cut my hair.
Tomorrow my day will start off with another massage, this of my spine, from the chiropractor. Annie and I were involved in a car accident this weekend. We were rear-ended by a white minivan. I don't know why that part was important, but if you happen to spot a white minivan with a little bit of my bumper on it, smile and wave. The gentleman that hit me was extremely apologetic, especially after he saw me pull Annie out of the car!
Anyway, hope you all can work in a massage for your head. It really helps to clear your mind of any anxious thoughts and then you can laugh at yourself when you see how messed up your hair looks when it is over. It just isn't the same when you massage your own head, have someone else do it for you!
Friday, May 12, 2006
The grocery store
Maria's blog
It is funny how certain people can really affect you without them knowing...
For instance the cashier at the grocery store can make you feel better about spending your month's worth of grocery money in one trip. If she smiles while you hand her the ONE coupon that you have. Or if she has a sticker that she shares with your children, knowing that it won't even last the drive home.
There is one gentleman that works at our grocery store as a bagger and almost every time I come in he asks about the girls. One day we were driving down the road and Jena saw him standing near our house waiting for a bus and she said, "Mommy, there's that funny man." I didn't quite understand what she meant by funny man, but then I remembered the time I went to the store and he told me how many days were left until Christmas, "67 more days," he said. I just laughed because he had it all in perspective. He was excited about Christmas and he made me think that I should have been too.
Another time, at a different grocery store, a gentleman stopped me mid-decision between cinammon rolls and orange rolls. (I was in a major craving during my pregnancy with Annie. The only time I remember leaving the house at 10:30pm and driving to the store to statisfy my silly craving of chocolate milk and cinnamon rolls.) This man began to tell me how he was a photographer during the Vietnam War and this one particular day he was working at a hospital, following a doctor and photographing him at work. A pregnant woman came in and was in labor. So this man stood behind the doctor and photographed the woman delivering her baby. I thought that this was a little odd for him to be sharing this initmate moment with a complete stranger. Apparently, she didn't care since she was in another world of pain. But he was so alive telling this story. He then began to share how some people like to save the vernix (the milky, cottage cheese looking stuff all over the baby after delivery) and spread on their skin because it is a "great moisturizer." I just laughed while he continued on with this story. I don't think he understood how I was jonesing for these cinnamon rolls or the chocolate syrup I knew that was waiting for me at home. But thinking back on those trips I am thankful that I am not always so focused on myself to not stop and listen to another person's story. It has really made me realize that the Lord has given us oppurtunites to be Jesus to another, even if it is at the grocery store.
So listen up the next time you are at the grocery store. Even if it is the Musak advertising Oreo cookies on the next aisle, you might get a chance to learn something really incredible about someone else or get a really great deal on Oreos! :)
It is funny how certain people can really affect you without them knowing...
For instance the cashier at the grocery store can make you feel better about spending your month's worth of grocery money in one trip. If she smiles while you hand her the ONE coupon that you have. Or if she has a sticker that she shares with your children, knowing that it won't even last the drive home.
There is one gentleman that works at our grocery store as a bagger and almost every time I come in he asks about the girls. One day we were driving down the road and Jena saw him standing near our house waiting for a bus and she said, "Mommy, there's that funny man." I didn't quite understand what she meant by funny man, but then I remembered the time I went to the store and he told me how many days were left until Christmas, "67 more days," he said. I just laughed because he had it all in perspective. He was excited about Christmas and he made me think that I should have been too.
Another time, at a different grocery store, a gentleman stopped me mid-decision between cinammon rolls and orange rolls. (I was in a major craving during my pregnancy with Annie. The only time I remember leaving the house at 10:30pm and driving to the store to statisfy my silly craving of chocolate milk and cinnamon rolls.) This man began to tell me how he was a photographer during the Vietnam War and this one particular day he was working at a hospital, following a doctor and photographing him at work. A pregnant woman came in and was in labor. So this man stood behind the doctor and photographed the woman delivering her baby. I thought that this was a little odd for him to be sharing this initmate moment with a complete stranger. Apparently, she didn't care since she was in another world of pain. But he was so alive telling this story. He then began to share how some people like to save the vernix (the milky, cottage cheese looking stuff all over the baby after delivery) and spread on their skin because it is a "great moisturizer." I just laughed while he continued on with this story. I don't think he understood how I was jonesing for these cinnamon rolls or the chocolate syrup I knew that was waiting for me at home. But thinking back on those trips I am thankful that I am not always so focused on myself to not stop and listen to another person's story. It has really made me realize that the Lord has given us oppurtunites to be Jesus to another, even if it is at the grocery store.
So listen up the next time you are at the grocery store. Even if it is the Musak advertising Oreo cookies on the next aisle, you might get a chance to learn something really incredible about someone else or get a really great deal on Oreos! :)
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Telling the story twice?
Maria's blog
I might be not as good at blogging as I was hoping. Just check out the previous 2 entries. Hmmm...maybe I should give it up!!
Tonight Duane and I will attend a meeting at the neighborhood elementary school for Jena. She will be attending kindergarten this fall. It is so hard to believe. Duane asks me often, "Are you sure you don't want to homeschool?" My answer hinges on tonight and what I feel the Lord is telling us through this meeting.
Last summer I spent a lot of time praying about homeschooling and I kept coming back to the fact that Jesus was in the public. Jena's personality screams for social situations. Then a few weeks ago Jena came to me and said:
"Mommy, do you know that there are people that don't know Jesus?"
I said, "Yes, Jena I do."
Then she responded, "I have to tell them about Him."
How can I say "No" to that? I know that if the Lord wants me to homeschool her this year, He will make it very clear tonight. But for now I am planning on sending her, no matter how much I will miss her! :)
I might be not as good at blogging as I was hoping. Just check out the previous 2 entries. Hmmm...maybe I should give it up!!
Tonight Duane and I will attend a meeting at the neighborhood elementary school for Jena. She will be attending kindergarten this fall. It is so hard to believe. Duane asks me often, "Are you sure you don't want to homeschool?" My answer hinges on tonight and what I feel the Lord is telling us through this meeting.
Last summer I spent a lot of time praying about homeschooling and I kept coming back to the fact that Jesus was in the public. Jena's personality screams for social situations. Then a few weeks ago Jena came to me and said:
"Mommy, do you know that there are people that don't know Jesus?"
I said, "Yes, Jena I do."
Then she responded, "I have to tell them about Him."
How can I say "No" to that? I know that if the Lord wants me to homeschool her this year, He will make it very clear tonight. But for now I am planning on sending her, no matter how much I will miss her! :)
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Healing Rain
Maria's blog
Rain, rain, go away...come back another day.
Many of us are singing that song here in the city. Rain is nurishing and refreshing. We had a slight taste of it last night at a meeting.
As we were ending that meeting, Pastor Tom, began to pray and he came around Duane and began to pray healing and restoration over Duane. I jumped up and went over to him to join in but found myself too broken to say anything. God's spirit just poured over us. I cried like a baby that's for sure. But the most amazing thing to me is that I was so sure that it was the Lord ministering not just Tom guessing what we needed prayer for. The Lord was leading those men and women in prayer. That is how I want to pray and minister to people. God spoke several initimate things to my heart. It blew me away because I have just been asking the Lord to show me how he loves me and he did in a very real way last night. I just love him so much.
As much as the rain stinks sometimes, if it is the Holy Spirit raining down, I want to play in it, soak it up and get messy with it. Lord, bring more.
Rain, rain, go away...come back another day.
Many of us are singing that song here in the city. Rain is nurishing and refreshing. We had a slight taste of it last night at a meeting.
As we were ending that meeting, Pastor Tom, began to pray and he came around Duane and began to pray healing and restoration over Duane. I jumped up and went over to him to join in but found myself too broken to say anything. God's spirit just poured over us. I cried like a baby that's for sure. But the most amazing thing to me is that I was so sure that it was the Lord ministering not just Tom guessing what we needed prayer for. The Lord was leading those men and women in prayer. That is how I want to pray and minister to people. God spoke several initimate things to my heart. It blew me away because I have just been asking the Lord to show me how he loves me and he did in a very real way last night. I just love him so much.
As much as the rain stinks sometimes, if it is the Holy Spirit raining down, I want to play in it, soak it up and get messy with it. Lord, bring more.
Healing Rain
Maria's blog
I have been noticing many people commenting on the rain...it just makes me think of Ohio, we rarely see the sun in Ohio!
Anyway...last evening we attended a leadership meeting at church. Leading up to this meeting were some "debates" within our household between two members who I will call "nameless boy" and "nameless girl." So, "nameless girl" wanted to attend these meetings and go to the retreat following, but alas "nameless boy" didn't want to and a long debate began. We (excuse me, um) nameless boy and girl were debating one night and some friends, I'll call them, "the Merrymans" stopped by in the midst. "It is on" said the nameless boy to Mr. Merryman. They listened graciously to the nameless couple and gave their input like the godly people that they are. Ok really they spoke some good words and set the nameless couple in their place and the couple decided to go to the meeting.
During the meeting the Pastor was praying and he came up to the nameless boy, ok I am tired of that, his name is Duane. He began praying over Duane asking the Lord to release His healing over Duane and to restore Himself to Duane. Wow! What a rush of His Spirit we felt, I was sobbing like a baby, just thanking the Lord over and over for answering my prayers.
So often I find that the Lord reveals Himself to us in ways that are only meaningful to us at that moment. The words that were spoken hit me hard because they were only things that Duane and I had talked about. I KNEW that it was the Lord over us. It has been a long time since we have been ministered to in that way! All that to say, I know that God has something big in store and I knew that it was important for us to be there. It was obvious that Satan was doing everything that he could to keep us away because he is threatened by the Lord in us! I know that another couple benefitted from being there as well! :)
Enjoy the rain...we never know how it will affect us and also how in nurishes us. So I say, "Bring it on Lord!"
I have been noticing many people commenting on the rain...it just makes me think of Ohio, we rarely see the sun in Ohio!
Anyway...last evening we attended a leadership meeting at church. Leading up to this meeting were some "debates" within our household between two members who I will call "nameless boy" and "nameless girl." So, "nameless girl" wanted to attend these meetings and go to the retreat following, but alas "nameless boy" didn't want to and a long debate began. We (excuse me, um) nameless boy and girl were debating one night and some friends, I'll call them, "the Merrymans" stopped by in the midst. "It is on" said the nameless boy to Mr. Merryman. They listened graciously to the nameless couple and gave their input like the godly people that they are. Ok really they spoke some good words and set the nameless couple in their place and the couple decided to go to the meeting.
During the meeting the Pastor was praying and he came up to the nameless boy, ok I am tired of that, his name is Duane. He began praying over Duane asking the Lord to release His healing over Duane and to restore Himself to Duane. Wow! What a rush of His Spirit we felt, I was sobbing like a baby, just thanking the Lord over and over for answering my prayers.
So often I find that the Lord reveals Himself to us in ways that are only meaningful to us at that moment. The words that were spoken hit me hard because they were only things that Duane and I had talked about. I KNEW that it was the Lord over us. It has been a long time since we have been ministered to in that way! All that to say, I know that God has something big in store and I knew that it was important for us to be there. It was obvious that Satan was doing everything that he could to keep us away because he is threatened by the Lord in us! I know that another couple benefitted from being there as well! :)
Enjoy the rain...we never know how it will affect us and also how in nurishes us. So I say, "Bring it on Lord!"
Friday, May 05, 2006
Maria's blog
Maria's blog
Duane thinks that I am crazy to join the bloggers. But I think that it might be a great way to stay in touch with family and friends.
I just got side-tracked with a funeral procession outside my window. It is amazing how our lives are touched in so many different ways, while one person is having an incredibly great day another could be experiencing the worst day of their life. We just never know the power we have to bring life to someone or by our words inflict pain or even speak death into someone's life. How often do we do those things without even thinking of it?
So, that was deep thoughts by yours truely.
Duane thinks that I am crazy to join the bloggers. But I think that it might be a great way to stay in touch with family and friends.
I just got side-tracked with a funeral procession outside my window. It is amazing how our lives are touched in so many different ways, while one person is having an incredibly great day another could be experiencing the worst day of their life. We just never know the power we have to bring life to someone or by our words inflict pain or even speak death into someone's life. How often do we do those things without even thinking of it?
So, that was deep thoughts by yours truely.
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Maria's blog
Maria's blog
Hello all!
I've been drawn into the "blog" craze...since I keep hearing that the Marshalls should blog, I thought that I would.
Today is Paige's 3rd birthday, as we were putting her to bed she said, "I'm big now, Mama." Of course she is!We bought her a "Big Wheel" and Duane was outside pushing her down the sidewalk because she isn't "big" enough to push the pedals yet.
I have a sleepy baby on me that I need to put to bed, it would make it easier to type if I wasn't holding her.
Hello all!
I've been drawn into the "blog" craze...since I keep hearing that the Marshalls should blog, I thought that I would.
Today is Paige's 3rd birthday, as we were putting her to bed she said, "I'm big now, Mama." Of course she is!We bought her a "Big Wheel" and Duane was outside pushing her down the sidewalk because she isn't "big" enough to push the pedals yet.
I have a sleepy baby on me that I need to put to bed, it would make it easier to type if I wasn't holding her.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
About Me
- Maria.
- I am a stay at home mother of 4 little girls who fill my life with so much joy and satisfaction. I love it!!!