It's been way too long baby!

Well, 3 mos later....I finally find time to journal more thoughts. Not much has changed really around the Veldheer household. Just a little unemployment, minor health issues, kids growing like weeds, and a puppy that no longer looks like a puppy! And the most important thing going on in my life right now....is that THE KIDS ARE BACK IN SCHOOL!!! Goodness is feels good to have a little time to myself during the day. Now it's time to focus on things I need to do for myself! Like loose some weight!! Seriously, I have never weighed this much in my now 39 years of life. So we are going to make this a family affair. Dustin just was diagnosed having high cholesterol and his weight is also up. Little steps at a time they say...makes the best results. That and staying consistant. Don't give up! Dustin is back in sports at school, and is playing soccer for the 8th grade team. And together we walk! Trying new strategies at meal times. Hopefully we will see an improvement. That about sums up my life...simply said:)

I'm not your typical blogger!

I really only set myself up a blog as a form of therapy for myself. Does that make sense??? I love to read snippets into other peoples lives. Not because I'm nosey! I actually have learned valuable life lessons on love, pain, vulnerability, and mostly about faith. I'm definitely reminded who is in control, and to leave all in His hands. I should jot down my feelings and daily experiences more regularly, but time has a way of getting away.
Recently we acquired a new family member and he is my little sweetie! As I type now, he is lounging in the laundry basket, peeking out between the socks and undies. Clean laundry mind you!! All I see are two black eyes and his black nose! What a goober!
Jere has been gone since last Friday, and should be home late Saturday/early Sunday. The weather hasn't been very cooperative again this year. Each year Jere and his dad go to the U.P. for fishing and fun. He deserves it. I'm not gonna lie....I tend to be a little envious. But, he earns it for all the support that he gives us and the kids. I definitely can depend on my man! Someday the kids will let me disappear for a few days at a time....right???? One day they won't always want me around...right? Jere says I should just do it! But, me leaving for anything other than working a shift at the Pharmacy, would be the end of the world for my kids as they know it. Someday.....
Well, I really should try to accomplish somethings around the house before the man returns.

Time to GO!

It is time for the dishwasher to GO! The thing is ancient! Cheap! Leaks! And it puts food on the dishes that it is suppose to clean!
Maybe today....I do some shopping and see what I can find. It's going to be a pain, but I think it will be worth it! This washer we have now is the original one that came with our house! And we've been here 9 years now!
I also need to, or should I say want to look for a new quilt for my room. I want to finish making my room my private escape area. I love my children.... but I need my own space at times. My own haven.
I've got allergy shot today. And my daughter has her first choir concert at the High School auditorium. She's a little nervous. Needs a red shirt for tonight. Oh, the shopping I need to do:)
I'm just heart broken:-)
Things in my house are finally starting to come together. Now, I just need to put finishing touches here and there. And....my husband needs to remove his old recliner. Things are getting a little crowed in the living room. Anna thinks she can come out and sleep in the old chair, too! I'm tired of battling that one!!!!
Well, I've wasted too much of my day already. Was on Facebook earlier. Time to get my day started:)

Goodness how does one title this???? Ron Dekker lost his battle with cancer on Wednesday March 11, 2009. My heart goes out to the family. I hope they draw strength from each other and hold on to each other as they go through the grieving process. No one knows how they would handle the loss of a parent or a husband, until they actually do. My hope is that Jim got that closure with his dad....that his dad was proud of the man that he became. Every family has their own dynamics. Some children hear daily that they are loved and that they are someone to be proud of. And some don't.
I just pray that they survive the pain and loss over the next couple of days, weeks, months, and upcoming family gatherings. The family is in my thoughts and prayers.

March Madness

So we begin another month. Hopefully this month will bring the luck of the Irish. We ended the month of February on a halfway decent note. Jere was diagnosed with Shingles! Luckily we caught it early. He thought it was a zit....one look at it and I knew it was shingles. Doctor confirmed it and got him started on meds.
Jere ended up not having to work last week Friday, so we thought that we would go and enjoy breakfast together, without the kids:) Just as soon as we got seated in our booth, a family got seated behind me. As they were approaching the booths I noticed that the little boy look like he wasn't feeling very well. No sooner had our meals were delivered.....and the mom says "our little guy isn't feeling very well, and he's running a fever." NICE! Do you think they decided to that maybe they should leave. Heck NO! They placed their order and acted as if it was no big deal!!! The little boy made multiple trips to the bathroom, and each time the mother would say "you have to get sick again?" Talk about scarf and leave! Jere was like....if that kids looses it at the table, they are getting our bill! How inconsiderate can some people be! He wasn't even my child and I knew he wasn't looking right, and suspected he was ill. Some people can be so selfish to put their own wants before the best interest of their child. Okay, enough venting.
Went to Menards and bought flooring and paint to remodel the main bathroom of our house. It's odd how something so minor can bring such excitement to me! First a chair, now a new look for the bathroom:) Guess what will be occupying my days?
Parent/Teachers Conferences are tomorrow. Hopefully, we get good reports all around.

Comfy Chair!

I splurged on myself! I now am the proud owner of a ginormous comfy chair. It is my chair and my chair only! It will go in my bedroom for me to enjoy when I want some quiet time. Now with the computer in the living room where we can monitor the kiddies while they surf the web, I had a huge empty corner that will be filled with....that's right folks....my comfy chair! It ridiculous how something so stupid can make you feel like a little kid on Christmas morning.
Still searching for more info on our future dog. I am leaning towards a Westie. They are really cute and I sound like one would be a good addition to our family someday.
Jere didn't have work today! Slow on jobs right now. But it ended up working out for the best....Jere had be take a look at what he thought was a zit on his back, but a zit it was not! It looked more to me like shingles. Sure enough....I was right on the money! Jere has shingles! HMMMMM???? Could there be some underlying stress? Maybe??
Still waiting to hear from my friend on whether her father-in-law is doing okay. My thoughts and prayers go out to the whole family!
Really not much more to share at this time....maybe I will post a picture of my new................ Comfy Chair

The healing begins

Well, its been a couple weeks now since we said goodbye to our little buddy. I think we are finally making progress in the healing department. I've been actually researching dog breeds on line and in books. I'm not ready for a puppy right now....but eventually. And looking at puppies and such seems to give us a little hope for the future. It's hard to how much a dog can be missed and was such an important part of your family.
Been making connections on facebook with old friends and family that I have not been in touch with in awhile. It's scary how the internet is easier to keep in touch sometimes then just picking up the phone. What does that say about us????
Well, I just thought I'd put some thoughts down and do a little reflecting before heading out or the day. Hope today progresses to a better day than this morning!! Crabby kids!!!!!

It's hard to say "Goodbye"

We had to make the hardest decision...we had to put our family dog down. Eddie was my little buddy, and I'll miss him dearly. I know that we did the right thing, but that doesn't ease the pain in my heart. I find myself crying off and on throughout the day, sometimes uncontrolalby. I keep telling myself that at least we were able to give him 2 1/2 years of love and hope.
We got Eddie from a family, and was very evident that they neglected and abused him. And some of his habits he learned were hard to overcome. We struggled with biting issues with him, and we were very careful with him around visitors and children. But, we couldn't take anymore chances. This past weekend our daughter startled him while he was asleep, and he bit her pretty bad. I love my dog, but I love my children more. This bit was on the arm, what if it had been her face? Needless to say we knew what we had to do.
It broke my heart to put my children through the ordeal of losing a pet. I've never really experienced that type of pain myself until now.
I keep asking myself..."What if??" Could we had done things better, differently, or was there something that we were overlooking? I know that I shouldn't do that, but.....
I hope that the pain gets easier to bear. That I can remember him without crying. Well, I guess I've put down enough thoughts for now. I guess all I can do is pray for healing and understanding.

It's been forever!

It's been forever since I last wrote on our blog. It doesn't help when the computer takes huge poop and dies. The budget doesn't allow for it to be fix at this time. So, I resort to using the Cafe' at the grocery store to check our emails and such!
Not much has really happened as of lately. The kids and I just recovered from the stomach flu, and Jere was the only one to manage not to get it! But all is well now. Dustin just turned 13 this past Sunday! I am now the proud parent to a teenager!!!! Boy do I feel old. Just wanted to show that I haven't forgotten the blog, and I had a little time to kill until the son gets off the bus. I actually locked out of the house and I hope my teenage son has his house key:)