The Yukkies...

Hi Everyone,
Our family is on the verge of getting sick. If you feel led, please pray for us. We have no health insurance right now and this makes it an even bigger deal for us. Kleenex is our best friend right now. Oh, we had to get a humidifier. Wal-mart has this pretend fish tank one. I bought it and the kids love it! So if you become in need of one...check it out. It comes with three fake fish that swim. It might be a good idea for those kiddos wanting a pet. VERY low maintenance...you don't even have to feed them anything other than good ol' H2O. Be blessed!

Back to School

Yesterday was the 3 Brevicko's first day back at school after Thanksgiving break. The normal dread was in full force Sunday but they surprised me yesterday when they all came home with positive days. To my surprise, what they ate on Thanksgiving was not discussed in their classes. Maybe everyone was literally "sick" about it. The first day of the week is a busy day in our house: J2's got basketball practice, C's got tumbling, and I's got soccer practice. Soccer is almost over...two more games. I's team has named him "little rocket". He's pretty fast. Short legs do have their advantages. He's also, as I've already shared, a very determined little boy. He asked me if he could be homeschooled again. He wants to stay home all the time. He tried the "my tummy hurts" yesterday on the way to school. Then I heard a "toot" in the backseat...gas. He thinks that's the funniest thing right now. His two favorite movies are: The Pacifier (I love it too!), and Open Season. C's just got her hair cut short into a bobb. I think it looks adorable on her. She's one of those girls who can wear short hair well. Plus, lots less tangles!!!! Thats very important these days. Brushing out one of her tangles causes so much pain and drama you'd think she was having surgery...seriously! ha! You girls out there can relate, I'm sure. J2's exhausted most of the time. His basketball coach has them practicing every evening. They have their first tournament this weekend and it's through Saturday. Texans, from what I've learned so far, take their sports VERY seriously. I like it! They are very team spirited and supportive. Lots of cheering going on at the games. J2 told me, after seeing his first varsity b-ball game, that it's just like going to an NBA game. I saw my first last week...it really is! Not quite as flashy but close. It must be cool for the kids who are playing...especially at home games. J2's team is 3 and 0 so far. Go Eagles!!! (Proud mom)
On the homefront, it's cold here! We're lighting fires daily. Love that part about the cold weather...but not much else. I do like wearing warm winter clothes too. Just had to order the kiddos some new winter clothes. It's getting quite expensive as they grow. Hand-me-downs have become more appealing as the number of our children has grown. J2's clothes can be passed down to I...and it's pretty neat b/c J2 is 8 yrs older than I...so about the time those styles have come around the "fashion cycle" again I-can fit in them. The only problem with that is storage...so we usually on keep the nice stuff...the stuff the grandparents have bought them. Ha! Although, I have gained a little wisdom through the child rearing years...I can buy less but better/longer lasting clothes for the kids or more but cheaper/short lasting clothes for them. I prefer the first the more they grow. I don't like the wash it all. The less the better! I'm learning that for me, simplicity is the better way to live and keep it all moving smoother. We have very little "nick-knacks" in our house now. Through the years, they've "vanished" b/c of all the dusting they require. I'm guess I'm real practical. But that's okay for me. I like it! Get the needs met and just a little extra. That's about all I can realistically keep up with and sometimes not even that much. This morning, as I was taking sheets off the bed to wash, I noticed the messy room that is forever being cleaned..."I'm teaching my children to manage their messy rooms, not clean them. I do the same thing! Ouch!" Something new to work on...in my self first. It's funny how it usually ends up being me the one that needs to change first before our children.
C is so funny...we were eating leftover's last night together and she sits by J2. She kept reaching over and fixing his hair while he was talking. Of course, it irritated him. He told her to stop. She said his hair was making her antzy b/c it was sticking up in the front. Cute! J2 had just come home from practice. I - blessed me so much last night. We were at the table and all started eating at different times for some reason. We all said our own blessings and started to eat and talk about our days. Love that time of day! I- said, "I've got to pray about something. I'll just do it by myself quietly." So he proceeded to close his eyes to pray and everyone got louder in their conversing. He got frustrated and kept asking everyone to be quiet. I guess it was distracting him. But then I found out what he was praying about. He was praying for his soccer team to score goals at their game tonight. And also for a friend for his birthday. He's becoming quite spiritual on his own. He loves to pray! And God has done some really cool things for him in answer to those prayers. His sister was lying and he was getting in trouble for it too until someone fessed up with the truth about something that had gotten broken...daddy's tool. He was really upset b/c he knew she did it. He begged her to tell the truth but she was not budging. Typical. His dad told him to go inside and get C and tell her to come outside. I was in the living room as he walked by to her room. I stopped him and asked him to come over to me. He was really upset...tears streaming down his cheeks. He kept saying, "I know she's lying and now I'm grounded b/c she won't tell the truth!" I told him that God know's who did it and if C is lying. Can we pray about it? He immediately bowed his head and said, "God, I know C's lying. Make her tell the truth so I don't have to be grounded." Then he went and got her and pleaded with her a little more. Within five minutes...NO JOKE!!!...As Russell asked her some questions in the living...I was witness...she told the truth! She admitted to accidentally breaking it. She was afraid she'd get in trouble so that led to lying...we've all been there. Anyhow, I was off being grounded and had such an increase in his faith in God. God is faithful! I encourage anyone to try praying about those tough issues with your kiddos. God is real! He will come through...not always the way we expect...but He always comes through. And I believe, He really loves to hear our children pray and loves to answer their prayers. Their faith is so innocent and for I...strong! I wish I had my little champion's faith. I think God has a big plan for his life. Not sure what yet.
C told me last week she wants to be singer. She asked to take singing lessons. J2's still loving golf. Not playing much lately with basketball. He still hasn't made the team. Hopefully next year. Be blessed!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hi Everyone: Family and Friends,

Thinking of you all today and praying God blesses you and yourr Thanksgiving festivities. Things I'm thankful for this year:

1. Jesus - Salvation - Eternal Life in Heaven (Nothing beats that!!!)
2. Family - good health, still married, and three beautiful children that keep me on my toes and then some. Love being a mommy!
3. Friends - Faithful long term ones. New ones...don't have many yet since we've moved but thankful for the few we've met so far. Looking forward to meeting more having the opportunity to meet more.
4. Shelter, food, car, clothes, all the things I take for granted for each day...breathing...air!!!
5. Bible (my favorite Book of all)- to remind me how desperately I need God and how desperately and faithfully He loves me (us).
6. Holy Spirit - My best friend and continual Partner in life to quide me to what's best for me. He also promises to NEVER leave me or forsake me. Nobody else can promise and follow through with that. It's so comforting to know even when I "feel" alone I'm not. God can't lie!
7. Beautiful weather!!! I love Fall and Spring. Warming up by the fire place. Watching movies. Vacations with my family. Eating yummy food...too much of it usually! But that's what "New Year's Resolutions" are for, right? Ha!
8. Hope for a future that is good, prosperous, and peaceful.
9. Exercising..it is something I can start over as many times as I want to and it's always good for me.
10. Authors...there are many gifted authors out there and I love to read books. I'm thankful they make the time for it...it must take a long time to write a 300 pg book. I can't imagine. May God bless them. Being a writer is a dream for me.
11. Church - Opportunity to gather with people who are like-minded and always ready to encourage or be encouraged. (There are good churches and Christians out there despite of the track record.)

I'm gonna end on a odd number this year to make myself uncomfortable. Lists don't always have to end on an even number, do they? I'm looking forward to learning more about who the real ME is and being happy being the woman God created me to be. NO MORE PRETENDING and living up to others expectations. Although it's a daily battle, my New Year's Resolution is: I'm purposing to live for an audience of One.

Why not start now? Who said I HAVE to wait until Jan 1st? Be blessed. Much Love!!!
For those who might remember, I haven't forgotten about the addition to my last post. I've just been busy. Not sure if I'll get back to it or not. Will try my best. Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!

QUOTE: Ladies,
"Then the time came when the risk it took to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. -Anais Nin

Personalities

I've been learning as a mom, especially recently, how different the personalities of our children are. J2 is laid-back but yet very competitive. He loves to joke and laugh. He's very popular at school...not so much in the "in crowd" (thankfully) but with the people he hangs out with are cool. It sounds silly to say that as a parent but that's the way I see it. He's very interested in his hair, looks, including clothes, and the way people think of him. It bugs me in a way b/c I don't want his mind to be saturated with what "others" think of him so much. Even though I'm mom, he's a really sweet guy (heard that lots from others) and he has such a desire to please and succeed. I admire his heart. He's really struggling with his Spanich teacher right now. She's pointed him out in class again and really embarrassed him...and especially disrespected him. He's not one to get angry, for the most part, but he shared with me he became extremely angry!!! We believe what she did was wrong. I don't want to share details. Anyhow, we'll be meeting with the principal, per J2, to get his schedule changed - hopefully. Please pray for him and us. This is really important to him. I do believe there's times when we should "stick it out" but we've done that and we're beyone that step. Believe me, as parents, we've really tried to "go the distance" with this teacher. Anyhow, other than that J2's baketballing (word?) and doing well in his studies. His b-ball couch is outstanding from our perspective. Sad part is they have all week off next week and J2 still has two games and one practice. Discpline...for sure!

I'll be back later for the other two champions! Be happy! Don't worry! Woo...hoo.hoo.hoo.woo.hoo.hoo.hoo.a.hoo (just popped in my head)

Basketball, Soccer, and Cheerleading

This has been one of the busiest weeks of our lives, I think. J2 has been staying after school for two hours Mon-Fri for basketball pre-try-outs. This past Friday and Saturday were his try-out dates. He was exhausted to say the least. And very hungry every night he came home! But it all worked in his favor...he made the freshman basketball team!!!!!!!!! Woohoo!!! Congrats J2! We are very proud of him. Looks like he's got a very caring but disciplined coach as well. This is going to be a long season but we're looking forward to seeing him play and grow in many areas. This is definitely going to keep him and the rest of us busy for the next few months. Last night, we went shopping for his away game traveling clothes: khacki pants, white colored button shirt, black/red tie, and brown dressy shoes. This is a public school! I have to admit...after seeing the movie "Miracle" I have a better understanding of the point in this. Plus, personally, I think it's good. We had to buy new shoes...his feet have really grown!!! I have to say, tennis shoes have changed so much since he was a little boy. They're the same but very different...if that makes sense. And cost lots more. He grows so fast his shoes usually only last for one season and then we have to buy new ones the next year. Clothes too! Now C and I are growing that fast as well and it's trippled in costs. Having children is not cheap!!!!! In the beginning, we could go out to eat, the three of us, buy two plates of food and share some of ours with J2...maybe costs $12 with a tip. Last night we took Joshua out to celebrate and our meal was $54 for the five of us...and that was just for hamburgers and fries. I wouldn't change it...they're totally worth it. Sometimes I just have to stop and look back at life and how far we've come together. It's been an interesting but awesome journey so far. I'm blessed to be a mommy!

On top of basketball, I has recently begun playing his first soccer league. He is such a tough little guy out there on that field. They play 3 against 3 and they only allow four children on each team. It's been different than what we're used to with J2 but we like it much better. The games are shorter and the boys have gotten much more playing time and have gotten to know one another better more quickly. He really looks forward to going! And he's extremely competitive. I guess growing up with an older brother can do that to ya...that's what "they" say. He's so cute...he is the sweetest boy but when he gets mad...he gets MAD! He and his big brother share a bedroom. This is their second time doing so among our many moves. Both of them...well they're messy when it comes to keeping their room clean. But then again, when I look at mine, my side is usually needing some work too. I do the bare minimum to just be able to find things easily. Gotta work on that. It's amazing how having children and seeing their flaws makes me see my own x10. I don't like that part. But I do. Anyhow, he and J2 were cleaning their room, which was a mess. Clothes were all over the floor...dirty and clean. Garbage can turned over with garbage spilling out. Both beds unmaid. I's toys were strung out here and there. J2's hats, shoes, and school stuff thrown whereever...Trying to paint the picture for ya. Anyhow, they got into an argument while cleaning their room. I was feeling cheated b/c he thought he was having to do most of the work. It could have been true. J2's been known to "take advantage" just b/c he can. Anyhow, I had, had enough! He came to me in my room, after five or six times of telling on his brother, and said, "Mom, do we have any colored tape?" I said, "Maybe in the garage. Why?" "Well I want to put a line of tape down the middle of our room so J2 knows his side and I know mine. He can only cross the line to get his stuff out of the closet and I can only cross the line the get out of the room." He was dead serious! It took all I had not to laugh. I was going to let him do it after we found the tape but somehow it didn't get accomplished. I guess he got over it.

C had her last football game to cheer for this week. She loves it! Her uniform is mostly red and they wear red bloomers underneath. She started at the end of the season and there weren't any red bloomers to be found so I bought her some little red shorts to wear under her skirt. I slept in that morning before her game and her daddy took her. It was an away game too. This means she ended up dressing herself. When I got to the game she looked so cute...they all put glitter on their faces, glossy lipstick, and draw team logos on their faces. I found out later she had done her own at home (explains why my eyeliner was broken). The only problem was she decided to wear turquoise blue shorts under her skirt b/c she couldn't find her red ones. She wore turquoise socks to match. I just laughed to myself and let it go! Didn't seem to bother her one bit out there while she was jumping around cheering. This is the first place I've lived where the opposing team comes over to the away teams side and does a cheer for them and gives them a little gift (usually candy). It's so sweet. Then they shake hands and say "bye". She's taking a tumbling class and is very determined to learn how to do a back-hand-spring. Two of her friends can and that motivates her greatly. Her coach is awesome and I'm so thankful she's able to go to a gym like ours.

LICE...that yukky word that I haven't thought of since elementary school. Well on top of all the games and practices, C got lice from her class. And guess what? I got it from her. We had to sanitize everything, pcik nits and eggs out of hair, spray couches and beds, and wash nearly everything in the house. But I looks like we've conquered them little critters! I'm glad that's over. As a mom, I've had to take a tick out of her head and now we've experienced lice. The tick was so groce to me. But I remembered watching my mom get one out of my brother's head when we were little and I just copied what she did and it worked. Then I did massive research on the computer to find out what kind of tick it was...making sure it wasn't the lime disease carrying kind. It wasn't. So we prayed over her and forgot about it.

Best of all...I got an email from J2's spanish teacher this week. She and he have had some friction so far this year. Anyhow, she's very willing to work through it with him and help him to pass the class. He has to go in early every morning. Anyhow, J2 apparently had been very disrespectful to her in class that day and she was at the end of her rope with him. She even threatened him with a referral. J2 has barely every gotten in trouble at school so far. I think they have some personality-clashing issues, but none-the-less he disrespected her and she was very upset about it. The week before we had a conference with her and thought we'd resolved the issue. Well we were disappointed, of course. I emailed her back and told her I was sorry and asked if we could have another conference but with J2 this time. She emailed me back the next day and told me that wouldn't be necessary b/c J2 had come up to her (on his own initiative) at the pep rally and told her he was sorry. We were all impressed! Not that we doubted him but that took a lot of courage and he was pretty upset with her too for pointing him out in class and such. But he chose the low road and I cried after reading it. It's just when I think I've failed as a parent that something like that happens and it's like God's saying, "Keep going. It's going to be okay." Making the basketball team, etc., is awesome, but being able to say sorry at his age is amazing! Very proud momma and dad!