Nothing Normal

Schools OUT!

2006-06-01T08:11:00.000-07:00

Thursday, June 1, 2006

Well, school is finally out - for the summer! The boys and I are enjoying the time off from the "regular schedule". Gary and I have established a new "rule" for this summer - no computers on (we have four of them!) until after I get home from the afternoon newspaper route! I have to tell you, it has been the most peaceful summer so far! The boys don't like it - but it encourages them to get out and play outside more. (Well, the younger two, anyway, the older two are getting better at their band music).

It is going to be a rather busy summer - between Sky's going to youth camp, both Jordan and Sky going to band camp, Sky's football weight training, all of us going and working out at the YMCA almost daily, and Jordan and Sky both going to band camp! Add to that, we will go to Missouri the end of the summer to see Gary's family. I'm excited about all I want to accomplish at home, too.

In April, I was asked to be the "Chair" of our local Christian Women's Club. I am thrilled at this opportunity to serve the Lord! In April (my first meeting to chair), we had 36 ladies there and EIGHT gave their hearts to the Lord!!! How exciting is that!!! I am so thankful!!!

Sky did manage to graduate 8th grade, which was no small feat after the year we'd been through!!! He was "home schooled" for a time last fall (he had been in trouble) and was hospitialized twice in the second semester - for treatment of depression. He missed a lot of school, but he worked hard to keep caught up (with us pushing along the way!). I'm ready for high school for him now. I do feel we finally have him on the right medications, at the right dosages.

I'm looking forward to what God will do this summer! Praise His name!!!

It's a NEW year! Happy day - happy year!

2006-01-09T05:49:00.000-08:00

Well, we are "off to the races" giant smile. The new year has begun very nicely. All the boys (all four of them - Junior in high school, 8th grader, 5th grader, and 3rd grader have all returned to school. My days of homeschooling (for now, at least) are over. My real love is substitute teaching. What a great job! I can't believe they pay me to do that! I have been able to return to the classroom. (I did do some subbing while homeschooling, but it was always very nerve wracking!!!)

Poor Gary was very sick over the holidays - a stomach 'bug' of sorts. I won't go into the details (you can thank me later) :-) I'm so glad that he is better now. I guess sneaking in the bathroom after him with bleach water and disinfecting everything he touched helped keep anybody else in the house from getting it!

Christmas was absolutely wonderful! The boys were each thrilled with the day. (That is no small feat with this group! lol). Anyway, we are so thankful for how the Lord used friends to be such a blessing to us during Christmas, too. Gary and I had not exchanged gifts for each other for the past couple of years. Mr. Checkbook just wouldn't let us. This year, we were able to give to each other, and we both really enjoyed that!

Our living room is "done". Well, almost. I did save one of the wooden frame pieces from the window where the fire actually started. I will be clear-coating it (even today!) and painting on it "To God be the Glory"....for that is the 'theme' of the room. It is a beautiful room. I had a friend ask me "Is this the room you always dreamed of having?"
"No, I told her. It is way, way more beautiful than I could ever have even imagined!" I am so thankful to the Lord for how He worked things out for us. I am glad that Sky was home - and we were spared from losing absolutely everything! He's my hero for sure!

My older brother had his SECOND heart attack on November 1st last year. (He is only 48!!!) He is doing very well, and made a good recovery. I did decide it was time for me to "get it together" and find out my numbers! My doctor's appointment in December went beautifully! I am glad that my cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure were all very good.

God has been so faithful - and we give Him the praise! May each one who reads this see Him this next year!

Melody

We have sure been through the fire!

2005-11-18T08:40:00.000-08:00

I can not believe it has been sooooo very long since I have posted!!! We have been through so much since I was here last!

The most impacting event happened on Monday, September 26, 2005. It was NOT a day like any other day. My son had been in trouble at school - again. I was so upset with him. He had been a bully. That is the bottom line. He has been taught better! He has been raised with Godly values in a Christian home. He has been in church ALL his life!!! What I am saying is that there is no "reason" for his behavior. He simply has made bad choices....that affect the whole family. It is sad, really. On that fateful day, I began in the principal's office....with the principal, school counselor, and a local police officer. Son (and his two friends) were dealt with, and each suspended from school. Son for a full week.

That afternoon, I was scheduled to substitute teach at the school. I asked them. Do you still want me there? And they assured me that they did.

I was so upset with son, and I was aprehensive about leaving him at home. I called hubby and told him to please call and check in with him. He didn't want to. He was more upset with him than I even was. I arrived at school, looked up at the sky and said "Lord, you need to get ahold of hubby's heart to know what is really important". My first class was adolescent psychology. It was very interesting. The discussion was about how children's ares of "self-control" and "responsiblity" are not fully developed until AFTER the teen years. I laughed and told the Lord, "You knew just what I needed to learn today, didn't you?"

Then, came my lunch break. I'm still not overly comfortable with everything, so I always just take my own lunch and stay in the classroom. I was talking on my cell to hubby and said "son wanted me to leave my phone on in case of an emergency, but I don't know what that could be except, oh, say a fire.". Just then, son beaped in. I went to the other line and he said "Mom, the couch is on fire." I just couldn't believe it.

I told him to get a pitcher of water and put it out. He did and started coughing and saying "Mom, I can't get it out." Then, I heard the smoke detector going off in the background. I said "Get OUT! Just GET OUT!!!" I went back to hubby and said "I can't talk, the house is on fire!"

I grabbed my stuff, called 911 and ran down the hall. Racing into the office, I said "I'm so sorry, I can't finish subbing today, my house is on fire!" Hubby, in the meantime, called home and told son to get out and call 911. We were both on the phone with them at the same time. I was so relieved, though, because I knew that way he did get out of the house!

When I got home (I heard the sirens by the time I got to my car in the school parking lot - we live really close), the fire department, and the police and the ambulance were already here. It was the same police officer that I saw at the school that morning. He kind of smiled and said "well, haven't you had quite a day?" I laughed and said "You think?"

We are still rejoicing that son was home. If he hadn't, we would have surely lost everything...including our dear dog! It truely was "God works all things together for good to them that love Him!!!"

Since the fire, my cousin has been in the hospital quite a bit. She is only 28 and nearly died. She was born with spina bifida and has had health issues off and on. She is doing better now, but is still having touble with a bed sore and may still have to have more surgery and skin grafts on her back.

What we have been through with the fire is nothing compared to Joy.(cousin). Then, on November 1st, my older (only 48) year old brother had his SECOND heart attack. He is also doing much better, but we have been through so much!!!

Son did go back to school, but it didn't last long. One week, in fact. I am now home schooling him. That is a trial in and of itself! On some days, I think "now this isn't so hard" others, I think "what in the world was I thinking?" I don't know for how long - one semester, or the rest of his school career. I just don't know. I do know I had always said "oh, no, not me! I can't homeschool" But here I am. Now, my attitude is "Lord, whatever You want from me. I will do it". See? I have grown!

We have been through so much this year - it has been such a hard, hard year. BUT GOD, He has been with us, He has clearly directed us, our home will be more beautiful when it is done than I could have dreamed! God is soooooo good! We Praise HIM!!!

God is soooo good!

2005-08-29T06:41:00.000-07:00

Monday, August 29....wow...I am amazed at how much time has passed by since my last post. We have cerainly been through so much, but God has been so faithful and so good - we give Him all the praise!!!

Gary is back to work full time. I miss his company...he works around 50 hours a week. Mr. checkbook is really happy, though. Smile.

Jordan is doing so wonderful. We are so pleased. He has had his first follow-up with the therapist and the doctor. He is responding well to a very low dose of Zoloft (25 mg) so we are not upping the medication now. He has made good choices and decisions. It has been a hard summer, with lots to learn. But, as I have heard, character develops with adversity. He has more character now.

Sky is also doing so well. He is playing football, and that is so good for him! Just within the past week, I have had two adults compliment me on his behavior! A first! We are proud of him. Our town is so very small, the school doesn't have a football team. They play intermurally (or something like that) for now. Within a couple of weeks, the board is supposed to make their final decision on whether or not the school will sanction football.

Chase, who struggles the most with school, has been burdened with a TON of homework (he's only in fifth grade! good grief!) He has had a great attitude about it all...I am so proud of him. He hasn't gripped about the work at all (a first for sure! lol) He has done so well. He is in the regular classroom this year, at least so far, and seems to be doing well with it. How awesome!

Noah, ah, Noah. He turns 9 today. My baby. Smile. I told him that he needs to make sure he really enjoys this year. He looked at me and said "why?" I reminded him that this is his last year in "single digits". lol.... He is really growing up, and has such a wonderful, obedient attitude. I am so thankful to the Lord for each of my boys.

For me, I am glad to have some "down time". It is quiet with all the boys gone to school and work, but I am busy as always. I have lost 17 pounds, but I don't know how - I wish I did...I would certainly do more of it!!! lol... I started getting some compliments, and decided to weigh. I was glad I did. I have been very involved in Christian Women's club. What a great ministry of evangelism. The Bible studys are awesome, and in the past year, I have finished the study of Mark, Colossians, Phillipians, and we are now studing Luke.

Again, all praise be to God, who has worked all things out for his good!!!

Keep us in your prayers, though, please.

God bless,
Melody

Rough summer...sheesh

2005-07-27T07:21:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, July 27, 2005

Wow. You just never know what you can handle with the help of the Lord until you are tested. I guess this is the summer of testing for us.

Gary's surgery has gone remarkably well. The therapist told him last week that "he was well ahead of schedule" and the Doctor has released him to go back to his regular job 3 days a week for two weeks, then back to "normal". It has been stressful financially, though. We figured that he is making roughly $800.00 per month less than he had been. This doesn't sound like much, but our budget is quite tight, and it has been HARD!

I guess today, I'm feeling like being "real". I just need to vent.

Our oldest had to be admitted to a hospital the other day. He is quite upset with us...or he was the last time we saw him. We just couldn't have him thinking thoughts like he was "if I didn't get to talk to ....... (girlfriend) I was going to kill myself." He has been cutting, too. Man, this is hard to write. Like I said, today is the day to be real.

We go see him tonight. We are nervous. Does he blame us? Is he just BSing his way through treatment? Will we ever have to go through this again? Oh, Lord, I hope not.

I'm really, really angry too. And I don't know how to deal with it in a Godly way. The other night, we found that he had snuck out of our house and went to the girlfriends. Gary had taken me there and gone back home to be with the other kids (good thing, the youngest had gotten up with a very bad headache...we almost weren't there for him!!!). I digress....

Now, this is teenage stuff, and not that serious in the scheme of things. We know that. It was his talk. "If I didn't get to talk to her, I was going to kill myself". Guess I've typed that already. I'm just so numb. Sorry to repeat. He needs to become emotionally healthy without his co-dependency on her.

Oh, the anger.... I called the mom Monday and asked if Jordan had ever done this before. Well, guess what?!??! He HAD. SHE (mom) DROVE HIM HOME!!!!! I asked her at what point she was going to tell us. She WASN'T going to. That is why I'm so ticked. So, let's just help him be deceitful. This woman professes to be a Christian!!!

My energies now must be with my son. We must do our part for him to be healthy. We would certainly appreciate all your prayers, though.

Doing my best to hold my head up high...

Melody

And now...recovery!

2005-06-10T12:50:00.000-07:00

Today is Friday, June 10th. Gary had his surgery yesterday. He did very well. :-) On Monday, our second son had his birthday...14!!! Yikes! Time does fly! We went to the neighboring town for his birthday. When we were leaving, Gary had already gone to the van. The third son was so sick. (This "dr." thinks it was a combination of being over tired and low blood sugar). Anyway, we don't have air conditioning in our house, so he was freezing cold in the restaurant. Gary took him to the van, and I stayed to pay and such. Then, the surgeon came in. I recognized him from my work at the computer shop. :-) I went to him and said "Hey, you're Dr. Eby, right?" and he just looked at me strangley (I'm used to that! ha!) and said "yes". I told him that my husband was scheduled for surgery that very Thursday, and I hoped he would do him right. We got a good laugh about it, and when I saw the Dr. again yesterday after the surgery, he assured me he had done Gary "right". smile. I did learn so many lessons yesterday....

I'll so a post about those later. Anyway, Gary really did do very well. In fact, the pain meds made him sick (I think he might've had a reaction to the pain meds), so he is only taking advil. I told him the Doctor's office would prescribe some other meds, but he said he is ok. He has already begun therapy. They sent home this contraption he puts his leg into and it exercises his leg for him. He is very faithful to do the exercises the way that he is told to.

He really doesn't like to be so sedintary (my dream...lol!), so he is not really happy about it, but he is coping so very, very well!!! We thank the Lord that he did so well...we were home by 1:30 p.m. My folks had come to be with the boys (a 2 1/2 hour trip [one way] so we were very thankful to not have to worry abou that.

We really appreciate all the prayers of so many folks. We know God is working all things together for our good!

And the Doctor said....

2005-06-05T20:05:00.000-07:00

Well, Gary went to the Doctor on Friday morning for the results of the MRI on his knee. The procedure is called ACL Reconstruction. I just watched the video showing how it goes. Poor Gary!!! Man, oh, man. The Doctor did say that "back in their day" in high school, if a football player would get this type of injury, he was done. Career over. But now, if they do this reconstruction, they can be back on the field the next season.

The sticking point is that the insurance may not cover it. So, we are praying that if it is meant to be, that the insurance will cover it with no problems. Otherwise, it is not meant for surgery to take place. At least not now. If they do co-operate, the surgery will be scheduled for Thursday. So, we wait. And pray. And trust God to take care of us as He sees fit.

Thank you for your kind thoughts and prayers. Please continue them!

WHAT A WEEK!!!

2005-05-24T16:14:00.000-07:00

I appreciate those who came to visit my blog...and I apologize for being "absentee". You just have GOT to hear what has gone on in this household!!!

On Friday, May 13th (yeah, yeah, yeah) as I was preparing to go in for my last volunteer day this school year (gathering up the tissues and all)....Gary called. Now, Gary is my sweetheart. We have been together for nineteen years now...and we are so blessed! Well, he asked when it was that I was headed for school, or rather his exact words were "where are you?" This was so uncharacteristic of him...I knew something was up, er, wrong.

Between 11:30 that day and noon, he was at a house making a delivery (he is a FedEx guy, after all). Well, nobody came when he rang the doorbell, so he was filling out the door tag (you know, the one that says "FedEx was here" smile). Anyway, I digress....

It was at that point when he heard it. A deep, long growl. He turned around, and couldn't see the dog. Just could hear how angry it was. Well, he did see that he had a straight shot for the gate....and he ran for it!!! He got to the gate and was totally flustered, and couldn't get the gate open!!! He jumped over the gate - and landed WRONG!!! He "sprained" the outer ligament of his knee. His left knee, mind you, he was still able to drive the truck back to the station! (What a man!) I took him to the medical place and they put a brace on him, and put him on crutches. He went to see the orthopedic yesterday (the 1st doctor said there was too much "play" still in the knee). So, we wait now for an MRI to be done. We would appreciate all your prayers...if the ligament is torn, it will mean he will have to have surgery.

The good news (and there is always some!) is that he only has to go in until around noon (he, obviously, is on 'light duty') and he is able to have daily Bible study with the boys that way! :-)

There has been other "drama" going on...we are STRONGLY ENCOURAGING our oldest to break up with his girlfriend. It is just too much, too soon. Just not good at all!!!

So, in addition to my other responsiblities, you may call me "Nurse Melody" if you choose to!

Yikes! School's almost out!!!

2005-05-12T09:10:00.000-07:00

Oh, my goodness! There is (counting today) only five more days of school left. I am so ill-prepared for summer vacation! lol... EVERY year I say "This year will be different" .... and then, every year is essentially the same. lol...

The younger boys get sent home with "packets" .... pages and pages of work to do to keep up so they start out the school year on track. If we work a little at a time, it really isn't so bad, we'll just need to be organized. It is neat for the kids at school...those who complete the packets get to go for an afternoon to one of the parks in town and have hamburgers cooked on the grill, and play time. :-) Everybody wins! That's what I like.

It is harder with the older boys, but they do love to skateboard. I'm glad for that, because it gets them some great exercise! (Has anybody ever tried to skateboard? It really is harder than it looks). They also have church camp (I believe that will be really good for Sky) and band camp (for Jordan). They are both going to be involved in marching band this year. Sky is too young to march, but he will be a 'gofer'. (One who runs onto the field and sets it up before competition and gathers up flags and such after the competition. There will be lots and lots of band practices. It's good though...keeps them off the streets and out of trouble! lol..

I'm sure, as always, that the summer will FLY by! I can't believe that 2005 is almost half over already!!! It goes just too fast!!!

Mother's Day 2005

2005-05-09T07:52:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day 2005

This day did not begin like any other day. It was special right from the start! I knew to wait a few minutes after waking up. Gary came in (carrying a pillar candle that was lit)...then one by one each of the boys carrying a little lit candle (in a container, of course!). They gathered around the bed and told me "our lights represent the love we have in our hearts that is there from you." It was so sweet. Of course, (as Chase said "there were tears of joy"). smile.

They each brought me a card and a "squishy" pillow. They said "I love you" and "World's Best Mom" and "#1 Mom" on them. The cards made me cry. The oldest made me a certificate that said I received the "Mom of the Year" award.

We drove to see my mother, and my grandmother. We had a big family get together in honor of Mother's Day, my father just turned 70, and my folks just celebrated their 50th anniversary. We covered it all. lol....

My aunt and uncle from Maryland (who we hardly ever get to see) came to surprise my folks. Oh, and were they ever surprised!!! My mom just cried and cried and poor dad had a time just getting through the prayer so we could eat! We did have a great time visiting with everyone. There were so many people there! Most of these family we only get to see once a year. We don't do a "family reunion" as such, this is as good as it gets.

My boys (for the most part) were on their best behavior and I was proud of them. It had been a particularly hard week, so it was a great ending!

Choices

2005-05-03T20:52:00.000-07:00

We all have choices in life. This is true. It is how we make those choices that counts. Last week, I had my "yearly case review" of my 10 year old son. He is so funny. He does things his own way...marches to the beat of a different drummer, as it were.

He is now in fourth grade. He has made amazing, dramatic improvements this year! It really has been something to watch! Just a few years ago, he was scared to death to be in front of anybody....for any reason (made those little plays that they do in school little nightmares!). This year, not only was he WILLING to participate, he had TWO parts! Awesome!

He also has times of stubborness. smile. One day, after school, they were in line to have me come and pick them up. It was drizzling a bit, and I have told the boys that if it is raining, I want them to put on their jackets. He didn't want anything to do with it. I mean, NOTHING. The teacher on duty gave him FIVE chances (way too many, in my opinion) to put his jacket on. She finally said "If you don't put your jacket on, you will loose all your recesses tomorrow." He still wouldn't put it on! Just amazing to me! We were discussing in this meeting that he doesn't always make "good" choices. The school psychologist told me there were no "bad" choices. If he is told he can choose, then whatever he picks, it must be "right". Hummmmm. I still haven't quite come to the place that completely works for me. There are certainly positive consequences and negative ones.

Another son doesn't think about consequences much - at all - if ever. He is getting to spend a LOT of time with me this week as a result of his choices. Just silly, stupid, unacceptable stuff. He did tell me today to "hang in there, Mom. You'll be proud one day". I asked him how long I might have to wait. ha ha

Have you made good choices today? What positive or negative consequences will you have because of your choices?

In honor of Tim

2005-04-27T08:52:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, April 27, 2005

John Timothy Matthews. Age 38. Tim was the brother of a dear friend of mine from Nashville. When I moved to Tennessee, it was without knowing a soul. I was alone. (I can't imagine what I was thinking!) smile. Beverly and her family took me in, and I became part of their family. Her brother, Tim, became like my little brother. Tim was quirky...but so much fun! There were always laughs when Tim was around. I was there when Tim graduated from high school (was that really 20 YEARS ago!?!). It was a big deal. Not everyone was kind to Tim...he put up with a lot of, well, bullying. It was such a big accomplishment for him. I'm so glad I got to be a part of it.

The last time we were in Nashville, when we got to church (the same church Gary and I were married at nearly 20 years ago), Tim was the first one up to us in the parking lot. He was so glad to see us...and made us feel so welcome. I can't imagine going there now and not having Tim be there. I can't imagine how his family who got to see Tim every day will cope with his passing. Myrt, John, my heart goes out to you....and Beverly, Dale, and Linda, too. May God give you comfort.

WE WON!!!

2005-03-28T05:41:00.000-08:00

Our town is soooo excited! Our basketball team is number ONE in the state for their size school! How exciting! We allowed our oldest son to go to the game (it was 3 1/2 hours away!) and the second oldest and I went to the "impromptu" parade at 9 p.m. (when the team came home) and then to the pep session! How exciting it was!

I kept laughing to myself though...it was as if I had ANYTHING at all to do with it! I did cheer them on. :-)

Our town needed this...the school needed this! (Especially in light of the tragedy from January - a student took his own life at the school).

I'm glad this is where we live.

I'm nervous

2005-01-25T08:53:00.000-08:00

I'm nervous today. It is going to be an unusual day. I have to take my son to counseling. He wrote some "disturbing" poetry at school. Bummer. Did he really even know what he was doing? I have no idea. I don't think so.

I'm thankful that God is in control. I have to believe that to keep my sanity. I would be a real mess if I didn't believe God was in control!

What can I say?

2005-01-25T05:49:00.000-08:00

What can I say? Sometimes, things seem quite out of my control. This is a bummer. I just gave some trash to my 13 year old. He threw it behind our lockers. (Not where trash goes!)

So, what gives? Why would he do that? It's not what he was taught. It is not how his parents are. Anybody know anything? :-)

Nothing Normal

2004-10-27T08:44:00.000-07:00

I don't even know where to begin. lol...my "newbieness" is showing! :-) I am married, and have four sons. God definately has a sense of humor!