crossrhodes

Got the green light from DH to buy a new computer. I can’t share a desktop w/ DS anymore. Every time I get on after he’s used it, something crashes. Then I have to scan for spyware, viruses, and other questionable files before I can get started.

Who among you have kids who learned to use the computer before they could spell the word? Parents have to be very careful when kids have access to the internet. Don and I have not allowed a computer w/ internet connection in James’ room behind closed doors. Our computer is in the main living area w/ a view of the monitor from the kitchen. But he doesn’t even have to look for inappropriate content. They come to him without permission.

About a year ago, I installed an internet filter (CyberSitter that watches everything including email and chat. I love this software! It allows you to choose filter categories ranging from sexually oriented content to cartoon sites. You can turn off internet access completely or specify time frames during the day. It also has an accountability feature that sends a detailed log of all internet-related activities to an email address you choose. There’s so much more! One w/ major control issues can go overboard w/ such software :)

It’s no secret. I told James when I installed it and it has kept him accountable. Sometimes he forgets… like one time he asked to use the internet for homework. Hours later, the homework still wasn’t done. CyberSitter told me he spent 2 mins on homework and the rest of the time chatting and surfing video game sites. That never happened again.

I know… I’m a meanie… teaching my kid work before play. *grin*

I have so many things to do before we all go back to school next week but all I want to do is create something! If it weren’t for my handy dandy Outlook and Palm, I wouldn’t get anything done.

Whenever I have a quiet moment to focus on a task, my brain is overwhelmed with layout ideas, web design, photo projects, and new low-carb menus to improvise. I am constantly pre-occupied with thoughts that have nothing to do with running a home. If I entertained this creative itch 24/7, I would be behind on everything. And if I did something creative for a living, I would be a workaholic!

(Urgh !#$%*&? Get out of my head! I’ve got bills to pay, back to school shopping to do, laundry to fold, floors to clean!)

When my niece moved to Hawaii a couple of years ago, I started a scrapbook for of her new life in paradise. I made a couple of pages and she’s added on more.

When she came back to visit, we had a blast! I left all my scrap supplies open to her and she went at it! She finished an entire baby album in the same time it took me to do 2 layouts. Go figure!

Children are less anal perfectionists as most grown ups like me :) Her lines weren’t all straight and she doused glue like there’s no tomorrow, but she finished what she sought out to do. And with more practice, she’ll be a professional scrapper in no time. Here’s her 2Peas gallery.

One time… at band camp…
Might as well be boot camp but, no, it’s marching band rehearsal. We’re back to the grueling afterschool schedule, late nights at competitions, and rushing to get a homecooked dinner in his stomach before shuffling him back to school in the evenings.

This takes as much work for us parents as it is for the kids. I try to feed my family healthier meals but I can see why a lot of busy parents default to McDonald’s. It can be done but it takes a lot of preparation. This, among others, supports my philosophy that one parent should be home with the kids… not only to keep an eye on them, but to also protect them from the evil hydrogenated oils, refined sugars and chemical preservatives in convenience foods.

It would really help if James was more responsible for his own obligations. But what 15-year old has his priorities straight?!?! He left for band camp this morning. On the way to drop him off at school, he asked to stop at McDonald’s because he forgot to pack a lunch. He was told ahead of time to bring lunch for the bus ride. It was written down on a list. The day before he left, I reminded him to check everything on the list. But his priorities were on the video game… like he had to have his fill before going days without the Xbox at band camp. We can’t keep following him around or doing everything for him if he’s ever going to learn to be a responsible adult. And it couldn’t happen soon enough!

Honey, look what I got!?!?
Don can be really thoughtful when it strikes him. Last night he went to Walgreen’s to buy milk or something like that. He came back with several shopping bags, all excited like a little kid at Christmas. “Honey, look what I got!?!?”

Yeah, he seems a little old for plastic toys… but these are not for him. They’re for my nephew, Ethan. Wherever there are kid-stuff for sale, Uncle Don has to buy something for Ethan. It’s been suggested that maybe Don is anxious to be a daddy again. But he isn’t like this with my other nephews and nieces. I made a scrapbook page about this phenomeDon. I think Ethan just reminds him of a younger James… his brown-skinned, bowl cut, Pinoy-nosed son :)

As for me, myself, and I…
Beginning the week of Labor Day, I’m down to working 2 days a week instead of 3. I had to make a decision between a class on Monday or working on Monday. Knowing my office won’t be there thru Christmas, I decided the class would be more beneficial in the long run.

I ordered all my textbooks yesterday and saved 60% buying used books online instead of going to the college bookstore. www.campusi.com gathers up-to-date prices on new and used books from various sites including ebay, amazon, barnes & nobles, etc. What took me so long was deciding between the older and newer editions of the same books. Publishers have a bad habit of issuing “new” editions with a significantly higher pricetag when there is nothing significantly “new” in the content. It’s a marketing ploy to compete with the used book market.

On a different note, last week at a wedding reception I was teasing my mom about her jewelry. I told her she ought to give me one of the two gold bracelets she was wearing. And just like that, she took one off and put it on me! But first she asked which one I preferred. Aren’t mommies awesome?!?! I’m not comfortable wearing jewelry but I haven’t taken off the bracelet since. It reminds me of the Refiner’s fire that tests and purifies. In the end is a beautiful, brilliant gold that is strong and pure.

I’m glad I had that scripture hidden in my heart when I recently underwent a fiery testing of my faith, trials that are necessary for me to be mature and complete, not lacking anything. I was reminded how truly blessed I am to have been raised in a Christ-centered home, in a family which endured many trials and testifies to the joy He promised in the end. My dad used to always say to look at the bigger picture. Part of spiritual maturity is having the ability to discern between today’s battle and the bigger spiritual warfare. There is wonderful joy ahead. I have seen it before.

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I’m in
On to the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
And He’s holding out His hand

But the waves are calling out my name
And they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times
I’ve tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again. “Boy, you’ll never win! You’ll never win!”

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of strength it takes
To stand before a giant
With just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors
Shaking in their armor
Wishing they’d have had the strength to stand

But the giant’s calling out my name
And he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times
I’ve tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
Time and time again. “Boy you’ll never win! You’ll never win!”

But the Voice of Truth tells me a different story
The Voice of Truth says, “Do not be afraid!”
And the Voice of Truth says, “This is for My glory!”
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of Truth

But the stone was just the right size
To put the giant on the ground
And the waves they don’t seem so high
On top of them lookin’ down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus singing over me
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of Truth

-Casting Crowns, Voice of Truth

A preacher said to his congregation, “You think you have a good pastor but you don’t. What you have is a great pastor’s wife!”

We’re in an important position as wives. We have the power to tear down or build up our husbands by our words and actions. And our own happiness could depend on how we use that tremendous God-given power.

The heart of her husband trusts in her,
And he will have no lack of gain.
Proverbs 31:11

That’s all I have for today. Just sharing a bit I heard on the radio.