Family Video....my two cents

Earlier this year we started going to a video store here in Omaha, not far from our house that we thought was too good to be true. It is called Family Video and you can get COUNTLESS free movies. ALL kids movies and educational movies are ALWAYS free...other movies are typically only $1...some are 50 cents even! New releases are only $2. And 99% of the time 25% of the movies there are absolutely free as well! It was a HUGE benefit for our wallets. I would go rent 12 DVDs for the weekend (we don't all watch that many...but the kids watch 3 or so, and Jeff and I watch a couple, etc.)....any way we could rent that many and spend less than $5! It was SO awesome. Until one day that we went to the bathroom. Back behind everything else there is a special little room that houses "Adult only" material. I honestly thought nothing of it. I figured other places like Hollywood, etc., probably had those rooms too. Then my friends husband did a little bit of research. We always wondered how they can stay in business with so many FREE movies....now we know. Their MAIN business is that back room, which by the way is HUGE....the name, Family Video is just a ploy to get people in there. Their "Adult Movies" cost about $12 to rent...with a HUGE business in that back room, they can afford to give out tons of free movies. They have their company meetings in those back rooms, and we discovered that they don't treat their employees very well either. At first, I didn't think that there was anything to do about it, so why bother...but then I thought a bit longer. As Christians, we need to take a stand. Those movies...among other things...have potentially marriage destroying capabilities. Not to mention it is a sin. So we have gone back to Netflix and stopped getting free movies. It was fun for awhile, but I refuse to support something that is wreaking havoc on marriages. Call me silly...but if enough Christians out there thought the same way and took a stand, maybe we all could make a difference. That's just my two cents....

Coco Key!

Thanks to the Omaha Public Library Reading Program, my kids read 30+ books and got free tickets to Coco Key Indoor Water Resort! It is a great indoor waterpark...but it is expensive. We don't normally go unless we have great coupons! Well...FREE is pretty good! All four kids, plus myself, got it free. Jeff joined us later, but I had a coupon for $10 off, so he got in for $10! Aunt Dixie also had a coupon, so she came for a few hours for $10 only too! We were there with Aunt Rhonda, Uncle Mike, Shawn, Kayla and Brooke.

We had a lot of fun! We were there from 10:30 to about 8:30. It was a long day...we have NEVER stayed that long...but we had a great time. Major really did well! I was worried because he doesn't usually like water, but he did REALLY good! MaKenna FINALLY went down some of the smaller slides...after being bribed with a barbie...and her cousin Brooke went down the same rides after also being bribed by Uncle Jeff with a barbie doll!! It was a first for both of them!

Before Jeff got there, I took MaKenna and Major on the Lazy River with Rhonda and Brooke. Major was SOO pooped that he fell right to sleep. We floated for almost 45 minutes while he napped. Later on, Major went on the Lazy River with Jeff...and again...this was the result....

Here is another one of MaKenna. I don't have any pictures of the boys because they ran off and did their own thing. They always have TONS of fun with their cousins at Coco Key!

This was at the beginning. MaKenna was trying to entice Major to get into the pool! It didn't take long and he did...then we couldn't get him OUT!

Lake Powell, Part 4

Not much left to say about Lake Powell. What a great time we had though! It took Jake 4 days to get on that darn slide though! But once he was bribed by Aunt Holly for $20, he did it...then he wouldn't stop doing it! Here he is flying! Cam became a pro at knee boarding!

Major just danced every night like he was the dancing "king". His favorite? The butt dance!! He just stood there with his hands on his thighs and bounced his booty up and down!! Yup...he's mine! :-)

MaKenna just LOVED being in the water...every chance she got...daddy enjoyed snorkling some along with Grandma Gwin and Papa Jerry too! They found things of mine that flew off the boat during one of the storms!! Yippee!

The boys did do a lot of relaxing though....on the Cabana anyway...

Major finally detached from me and let others hold him and play with him....

Thanks to Aunt Holly, Major had an endless supply of duckies to play with and throw in the water...that the adults would ultimately fetch. He was playing a doggie game with us....

Cam finally did get up wake boarding...but not long...and not near as well as knee boarding...

MaKenna, Jake, Cam and I tried our hands at cliff jumping. What fun that was!! Of course the smaller of a person you were...the lower the cliff!!

Blayne and Cam spear fished...Blayne CLAIMS he caught one...but that it slipped off. He has yet to prove that to us.

Jake and Uncle Danny caught a fish with a net. The last night we were there, the fish were THICK by our boat. Who said fish were bright?

Unfortunately our trip ended badly in that Jeff and Grandma Gwin came down with Strep Throat. Thankfully they waited until the very last day when we were headed back in. However, it made the drive home VERY difficult for all of us. You know how it is when you are sick...especially with something as bad as strep. You can only keep your eyes open a short amount of time. He would drive for an hour...maybe two...then it was my go. I would drive for 4 or 5 hours until I couldn't stand it anymore...I would wake him up...he would drive an hour or two so I could sleep...then it was my turn again. At one point when the sun was coming up, we DID pull over in a rest area to sleep for 30 minutes or so...neither one of us could stand it anymore we were just exhausted. It helped that we came home a different way. We left directly from Lake Powell, so we came up 89 through Utah and drove on 70 through Colorado. BEAUTIFUL drive and very trecherous especially at night...so it kept me very awake and alert...once the sun started coming up, that is when we were on 80...and it is straight...and boring...and it was SO hard to keep my eyes open! Anyway...we got to Lincoln, I called the doctor and said, "I can have my husband in in an hour." They got him in, and sure enough he was miserable with strep! Poor guy. He was literally OUT OF COMMISSION for almost an entire week! In our 12 years of marriage and 13 years of knowing him, I have NEVER seen him that laid up, EVER! Thankfully, no one else got it! WHEW! Well...except Grandma Gwin. I don't know what the two of them got into that they would both get strep. Poor guys!!

Filleman Horses

The horses are doing great! Here is a picture of Knight Rider and Blondie in our back yard. They stayed for a couple of days before going out to the ranch. They seemed to really enjoy it. Knight Rider especially LOVED Duke. They made FAST buddies. We had lots of people come over to see the ponies...and we had tons of fun with them while they were here.MaKenna made fast friends too because she LOVES to spoil them rotten with yummy food!!We took them out to the ranch though and finished up the stables and put up an electric fence so they can't freely graze....the pasture has a lot of rich alfalfa in it. They have a large area to graze in...just not the whole pasture. When we go out there though we let them out, and Lisa lets them out too. Peanut is still hanging in there. She will see the doctor early next week. Keep sending up horsey prayers!!

MaKenna is such a natural with the horses. She is a pro at bareback riding. Here she is on Blondie. No saddle in this picture, but we did finally get a tiny little saddle. Tiny for both the horse and MaKenna's little bum.

Sadly, we had to take Knight Rider back. We realized that we bit off more than we can chew. We just don't have the time needed to devote to a "toddler" horse as far as training goes, etc. So, he went back to be with his mommy. This is how my redneck husband transported him. In a dog carrier. Why spend the gas and haul a horse trailer if you can just put the horse in the back of the truck? :-) So rather than getting our money back for Knight Rider, we traded Barb, for a mini saddle, reins, bit and bridle. We put them all on Blondie the other day and she did okay. She has some work to do...but we will get there. I forgot my camera that day of course, so I will post pictures of that after this weekend when I take my camera! Bad mommy!!

Major is such a big boy!

The week that Cam went to camp briefly Major decided to start climbing out of his crib. So...we took the crib slats down, now he has a toddler bed. He had a tough time the first few days, but now he does just fine! He also attempted to climb out of his highchair...so we dismantled that as well. Now he sits in a booster seat! Such a big boy!!

Of course now we have the other three kids on the bench on the other side. Which means, more arguing...no room for friends to eat with us anymore, etc.

Camp Fiasco

So much has happened this month that I am behind on my posts! We did have a camp fiasco this year. Sadly. Cam has been to camp 3 years now and LOVES it! The same camp...Timberlake Ranch Camp.
It is a Christian camp where they have TONS of fun and learn about the bible at the same time! This year Jake finally decided to go. He is our more timid one when it comes to being away from home. Cam was to go Sunday through Friday, and Jake...being new...was to only go Wednesday through Friday. It is about a 2 hour drive away....so I had to drive there Sunday, Wednesday and Friday....but they were so excited, and I know the camp is well worth it.

So I dropped Cam off on Sunday after church. Here he is in front of his cabin. Now remember...this is the Sunday after we got home from Powell...so it is only 5 days later. Dad so far was the only one to get strep throat. Thankfully...

Here he is in his cabin...this picture was taken right before he said, "Mom...you take too many pictures." I am a mom...what can I say!?

Here is MaKenna going up the stairs to Cam's cabin.

Anyway, we stayed and ate dinner with him, and then MaKenna, Major and I left for home. Jake stayed home with daddy to help nurse him back to health. We did make a pit stop at my aunt and uncle's home...Dick and Karen Jantzi, in Fairmont. We wanted to say hi!

So...Monday night the phone starts to ring....it is Timberlake. Oh, oh...I didn't get to the phone the first couple times, we were out side. When we came in though and I saw who it was, I immediately called back. They said Cam had a sore throat and tummy ache. He was afraid he had strep throat. Ugh. Something you need to know about Cam...he is a hypochondriac. If he stubs his toe, he thinks it needs to be amputated. The kid is just always worried about something. They put him on the phone and he said, "Well...since dad has strep throat, I probably do to." I asked him if he could wait until morning, he thought he could. So, the next morning, dad and I went to pick him up. This was Tuesday morning...so he had only spent a quarter of the time there. Well...since Cam wasn't going to be there, Jake decided he didn't want to go. Ugh. Well....that saves on gas...but I knew I wouldn't get much money back...if any.

When dad and I got Cam he didn't look too bad...in fact, he said he felt a little better...but we had drove a long way, and I wasn't leaving there without him. So we headed off. The next day, Cam was fine...no strep throat. Go figure. I spoke with Timberlake. They are a great camp, but they do have rules...and some of those rules apply to refunds. Out of almost $600 I sent to Timberlake for the boys, I got...are you ready for this?? I got $17.50 back! So, I just keep saying to myself, "Tonya...you donated to a Christian camp this year!" That makes me feel a little bit better!

Blue Like Play Dough, book review

Another book review! As usual...you will first see the book summary that you will find on the back of the book and the bio on the author. Under that you will see MY TAKE! If you would like a copy of this book for free, I am doing a drawing. Just leave a note in the comments section and I will randomly choose a winner by Saturday the 1st!

Blue Like Play Dough

For more info on the book, please click on the link attached to the Blue Like Play Dough title above.








Book: Blue Like Play Dough
Author: Tricia Goyer


Summary:
In the everyday stretch and squeeze of motherhood, Tricia Goyer often feels smooshed by the demands of life. In Blue Like Play Dough, she shares her unlikely journey from rebellious, pregnant teen to busy wife and mom with big dreams of her own. As her story unfolds, Tricia realizes that God has more in store for her than she has ever imagined possible.Sure, life is messy and beset by doubts. But God keeps showing up in the most unlikely places–in a bowl of carrot soup, the umpteenth reading of Goodnight Moon, a woe-is me teen drama, or play dough in the hands of a child.In Tricia’s transparent account, you’ll find understanding, laughter, and strength for your own story. And in the daily push and pull, you’ll learn to recognizes the loving hands of God at work in your life… and know He has something beautiful in mind.

Author Bio:
Tricia Goyer is the author of numerous works of fiction and nonfiction, including Generation NeXt Parenting and the Gold Medallion finalist Life Interrupted. Goyer writes for publications such as Today’s Christian Woman and Focus on the Family, speaks to women’s groups nationwide and has been a presenter at the Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) national convention. She and her husband, John, live with their family in Montana.

MY TAKE:
This was a really great book! Tricia Goyer mixes humor in with her facts and biblical principles. It was often that you would find me laughing out loud while reading this book. Jeff must have thought I was nuts! The book reminded me thought that I don't have to do EVERYTHING. "By physically going to God every morning, I'm placing myself in His hands. His love smoothes out the rough edges and reminds me I don't need to do everything for everyone. I just need to accept love and give it. He'll take care of the rest.....I'm still not a perfect parent or person. I'm a mess, actually. But I'm a mess that I let God get a hold of. Not because I'm spiritual, but because I was and am desperate. I've done many things wrong, but I do one thing right. When I'm uncertain, I seek God. And I fill up with His love in order to pour it out."

Often times I feel like I am the ONLY one that isn't a perfect wife, a perfect mom, a perfect church goer, Christian, etc. Reading this book though, reminded me that NOBODY except Jesus himself is perfect...maybe others look perfect on the outside, but they are far from perfect behind closed doors. "Only when I depend on my connection with Jesus can I do the things He asks. Only with Jesus can my life produce fruit, good things to bless and feed those around me. When I connect with Jesus, He comes in and fills me and deals with all those heart problems that are beyind my ability to fix."

This book also reminds me to be with God daily. Focus on Him ONLY at least once a day. Jesus knows when we are "blue" and it is typically when we've spent too much time away from Him. Only WITH Him can we keep it together.

This book was a great reminder of many things...and it was given through humor...which is just how I like it! I would recommend this book to ANYONE. The subtitle is "The shape of motherhood in the grip of God". Tricia Goyer certainly gives us that shape!

Lake Powell, Part Three

The next couple of days were tons of fun. Major was feeling better...he was allowing me to go have a little fun from time to time! I even got to go out and try my hand at Wake Boarding. Didn't happen. I used to ski...but never wakeboarded. We tried 15 times, and I never was able to get up. Almost...but never all the way. :-( Boy...was I sore though! That is how you know you're getting old...when you don't even actually SKI and you are STILL sore!! Jeff DID manage to get up after several tries and he threw his back out. Thank goodness for Blayne our "on board masseuse"! He helped Jeff feel MUCH better! I had a good time trying though. I think I drank a couple gallons of Lake Powell water...but other than that it was fun! Major enjoyed playing with little Cade. In fact, when I gave Cade this toy of Major's, Major ran up and said one of his first words, "MINE!" Not the word I was hoping for...but hey...it was as clear as a bell!! He has speech in there SOMEWHERE! We just need to drag it out of him! The fourth was fun...here is Major and Aunt Holly and Uncle Brandyn. We had a great view of the fireworks from neighboring camps. Two of our "neighbors" had to have spent thousands of dollars on their fireworks! Well worth the show though!

Here is Grandma Gwin and her youngest grandbaby Cade.

MaKenna is feeling patriotic!

My boy Jake...

Cam coming down the back stairs.

Major feeling patriotic!

Major feeling the sand between his toes! At one point he sat behind that little bush there. Jeff and I were swimming with the kids and he was quiet as can be playing in the sand...so we thought. We went up there after a bit and saw that he was actually playing with RED ANTS and their ant hill!!!! RED ANTS were crawling ALL over him!!! He must have been gentle though...no bites!! Phew...we dodged a bullet there!

Even Major got to have fun with daddy on the jetski!

And in the water and sand!

MaKenna loved playing in the water!

And in the houseboat. Here is her Kung Fu move!

That night we watched the fireworks from up top....and fished. Here is everyone fishing looking up at me!

Tuesday

Well...Tuesday we had a "down" day...so we thought we would do some fun things. FREE things that I had coupons for. I have to get on the ball on our "SUMMER OF FUN" list....school is starting in two weeks!!!!!! THAT IS JUST CRAZINESS!!! Anyway, we started the morning with bowling....Cam beat ALL of us with a score of 115. BOOGER. Then we went to a baseball card shop. For those of you who know me, you know I collected all sorts of sports cards when I was younger. I have them in PRISTINE condition in three ring binders. We took them in there to see if I could send the kids to college yet. No dice. But it was fun to be in there. Then we went to Applebees where I had free kids meals. Yeah...I ended up spending A LOT more than the $10 I thought I would spend because Cam is no longer a fan of kids meals. He now apparently wants ADULT meals, along with the ADULT cups. In fact he whined when the waitress brought him a kids cup. Yikes! My 10 year old is becoming a TWEEN!! Anyway, he had to have a HUGE burger...which was NOT free. The free were the KIDS MEALS. Then they ALL wanted nachos....and then of course my lunch. We spent $20 MORE then I wanted to. I was bummed...but oh well...you can't say I didn't try. Then we went to Red Robin where we had coupons for 4 free shakes! And they WERE free. And they were YUMMY! We took them with us and we went to Scheels. I had a gift card there I wanted to use. I didn't find anything, and the kids wouldn't leave me alone about the ferris wheel, so I used part of the gift card for the ferris wheel. The boys went together and I went with MaKenna. PLEASE NOTE HOW MUCH I LOVE MY CHILDREN. I ABSOLUTELY HATE FERRIS WHEELS!!!!!!!!!!! Anyway, we took turns because someone had to watch Major and he was too little to go on it. It wasn't SO bad...but I still hate ferris wheels! Oh yeah...my kids SAY they don't like Nebraska sports...but they all HAD to have their pictures taken with Herbie Husker....though one of my children did pretend to be picking his nose...nice......

Then we were off to the library and a milk run to our local Aldi. I decided to look back and see how Major was doing on the last of his chocolate shake. He had dumped it upside down and the seal was not anywhere NEAR perfect and he had chocolate shake ALL over him and his seat. So...library and Aldi another day...we were going home for bath and naps!!!