THE BEGINNING

We are off to a good start. First, there was the putting God back at the top of the life chain...the motivation. Now we are on to the second step, actually living life in the way that does what God wants us to do. Being disciplined to accomplish God's work is a big step, but my mental state for doing that seems to be a lot better.

THANKSGIVING HANGOVER

I am on 192 ounces of Coke today, and I finally think that I have motivated myself to get back in shape and be a role model to my kids. I have become lax, and it has shown in the kids life. They are watching way too much tv, don't eat as healthy as they should and our house is kind of up for grabs these days. But I am going to do my part to make our home better. Now I just have to remember to keep God in the forefront of all that I and we do. There is no reason why we don't do the things I know we should be doing. Sure, I am going to have to fight some things, but it is worth it. I am getting lazy, but that surely will stop. Less football, more family!

CHUCK E CHEESE

It was a great day, and I seemed to do a good job of being nice to people and trying to make friends with other people. For some reason though, when I get home, it turns into get stuff done mode. Who cares how the house looks during a sleepover? I need to change that. I also need to get some time here. We'll see when that comes. I feel bad now for marriages that don't work and basketball teams that are not going to be good. Darn Bolingbrook!

DIVORCE TALK

We went to talk to cuz and it really made me realize how great we have things. When I look at my own particular situation in a bubble, I sometimes realize that things could be a lot worse. I just wish that I could be a lot better in helping people and giving advice. I want to make people realize that they can really fix their situation. I guess it is up to God though. And I also guess that 90 minutes can't fix 9 years of problems. I do feel bad though, horrible that I couldn't really help. In other news, I really do appreciate all that I get to do with the family!

POINT GUARD

We are two days away from Thanksgiving and the fun hasn't really sunk in just yet. I am no closer to getting anything done than I was at the start of the school year. It is a little disheartening, but at the end of the day I am totally exhausted. I can't believe that last year I lived like this every day. No wonder I was a total wack job. Just now I realize that I am getting better, wanting to reach out to people and being just more loving. I still have a ways to go, but I see some progress.

DOUGHNUTS WITH DAD

There is no doubt that the highlight of the day was to spend time with Dad. He is so great with our kids, and kids in general. He made friends with some kindergarten girl and she was just talking to him all day. It was great to have some time with Dad. After that, the day got a little terrible. I was late delivering the ice cream party thing. I wasted all day sleeping. I lost a credit card at Famous Dave's. I just ain't doing anything well and not feeling well about anything I am doing. Lord, show me what you want me to do.

HOLTER MONITOR

I woke up early today and did a little oven fixing. To my suprise, the oven actually works! It was awesome that we don't have to buy a new stove. What a blessing. Thank you Lord. I was in a much better mood, actively looked forward to making friends with people and just tried to be nice to people. It was a good day of loving others, even my own kids. I just hope the monitor recognizes the love I showed to people.

MICHAEL VICK DAY

I was down 40 points going into the fantasy game today, with one guy left. JD had two guys left. 60 fantasy points later, I win 133-131 in what is the greatest comeback in the history of fantasy football. Of course, I am more down about the stove going out. But if this JJC thing comes through, it will surely be an answer to a prayer. I asked for a sign today and bammo, got an email from JJC about a possible teaching job. I guess it works.

SICK DAY

I just can't seem to get on track. I get back into the health thing, get rolling on working hard and then get hit with the sickness bug. At least it was a lot of pooping, so the weight loss was helped. I am down to 175, which is a good weight for me. One of the reasons that Thanksgiving seems not such a big deal anymore is because of the eating problems I have these days. The Turkey Bowl doesn't seem so much fun anymore. Even football is losing its luster. I just feel like everything is a chore these days, which probably means that I need to sleep.

DAVE STEC

It was the classic case of living in the moment and putting people first. Of course, that is not hard with Dave Stec. I could talk to him forever! He really made me want to do something in Ecuador, but I don't know what. It would be great to be able to help out Father Don. And the painting was very disappointing. I wanted it to turn out so good, but I just didn't do a very good job. Mom and Dad keep paying me for work that ain't so great. I feel horrible.

NAP DAY

Even though I slept for ten hours last night, I still found a way to get a two-hour nap in today...and it was awesome, until I dreamt that I ran over a kid. It is amazing how the body is adjusting to eating and being healthy. I have a lot of energy and it feels great! I still have too much of a "me" focus, but it is getting better. Every day I just seem to get more in touch with God's plan.

TILLERS

These days are the greatest. I have a little delimma though. I haven't been eating a lot of great food and it has cost me in the energy department. All day I have been so focused on my hunger that I have been not the best me. I do think though that once my body gets used to eating healthy again, we'll be all set. This is the most energy I have had all day, maybe that eating dinner thing really helps.

SCRAPBOOK DAY

Life is back to normal, focusing on doing what God wants and having enough time to do it. We took a nap, kept eating to a minimum and did some Famous Dave's working! I don't know about the love there, but I did take out of my time to go to Target. Even at Famous Dave's, it was nice to connect with people. Tomorrow, let's get to loving.

VALUE MEETING

We had our home and school meeting today, after a week in which I have just totally exhausted myself, and it was anything but great! When asked for what we do of value; popcorn, free events and other less than stellar stuff came out. I just think I am wired differently. What a great bunch of people though. Really nice people at Southbury, and Liana has been great all week helping me get this stuff done.

HOST

Today I realized that I was really doing a bad job at life this week. I have totally used the Fun Run as an excuse to take a week off and really let our home get out of whack. I have slept a lot more than I need to, not exercise and get away from doing all the things that were getting me back into God. So starting tonight, we are back. Of course, after Friday, life is going to be a lot better. I don't think I have ever disliked this Home and School more, but it ain't meant to be fun or enjoyable. Helping people doing stuff like this is really needed.

LEGOLAND

I had a revelation today. Money is huge in keeping me from being the best "me" I can be. Things are really tight right now, so I really feel like God is saying, don't worry about the money this month. Use your tithing money to take care of expenses that are coming up. So sorry CCC and sorry "real" charities. But I really feel at peace. Some of that money will be for our trip to Legoland. Our kids were great today. No fighting and doing a great job of making friends. And they were so great with not complaining and really enjoying all of the stuff that Legoland has to offer. Seven hours of fun!

EGG HARBOR

I met with Joanne Kutner and got some great insight about college. I also got some great insight about life. Joanne is always positive and always says how much she enjoys spending time with you. She makes it truly about people and is very willing to help. She is a great role model. We also took a three hour nap today...which was awesome. Liana and I had some quality time, which was good. Tessa was happy today. Alexa won an award today and Mark was truly happy for her. We had a great day in the family. On my end, I wish I could have made a difference today.