God is Amazing!!!

So, I know I left a lot of question marks in your brains after my last post, and I do thank you for your prayers. They worked. I know it is "wrong?" to ask God for signs. But I did. And he gave them to me. I will quickly outline the last few days.

Will was back in his cycle, and playing games and being manipulative.

I had enough, and knew I had to speak frankly with Will about my feelings, and be willing to leave the relationship if he could or would not hear me. I prayed and told God that when I went to talk to Will on Saturday, if he did as he usually did (blame and manipulate) then I was going to tell Will we needed to divorce. If, however, he acted in a calm, civilized manner, and listened to me, then I would know that God did not wish for me to leave.

The next day, Will called me at work. He was calm. He was rational. He wanted to talk. We did. He listened to me and did not blame or manipulate. I didn't leave him.

Things are not perfect, nor do I ever expect them to be, but I am grateful I have a God who hears me and cares about me.

Thanks for your prayers.

Love, Tonja

Life? !

I am feeling like I am at a crossroads. It is one of those times where you have been fighting and fighting against the stark truth you know deep down inside, but I guess hoping that if you ignore it, it will go away. And it is scary to finally acknowledge the truth openly. I have no idea what the future holds, but I have to believe it can only get better.

Pray for me, if you think of it. I could really use it.

Love, Tonja

First Day of School - 2008

Here are all 3 of my kiddos who are "going off to school".

Issa, first day of college.

Luke, first day of kindegarten.

Issa, bright and early, ready to conquer the world....
or at least algebra, english, chemistry, freshman orientation and choir!

Emma. She did her coursework for the week at midnight, so she's sleeping in a bit. So far so good...Way to go Emma!

First day of school 2008.

Hot and humid. (we reached our first 90 degree day today).

First day of school outfits....altered to something a little cooler.

With their backpacks all filled with all kinds of good things,

Abbe and Luke could NOT wait to get going!

Not a bad word to be said by anyone of this first day of school.

Each and every one is excited to return tomorrow.

YAY!

Love, Tonja

Summers End

Well, summer is about over. The kids have gone to Mamma's and are home again. Issa has turned 18, and gone to her college convocation (which was awesome...I am really excited for her. UW Baraboo is an EXCELLENT fit for her), tomorrow is cow chip, then we have a couple days to get things in order, and then school starts. Yes, summer is over. I could wax so poetically now if I let myself flow. The summer of my life is coming to and end as well. No more babies. I am nearing 40. I guess you could say I am coming in to the Autumn of my life. That is ok. I love autumn. I hope this stage of life is as lovely as the season.

Anyways, that's what's on my mind tonight...
Love, Tonja

Saturdays

Today has been a rather typical Saturday in everything except my Maurissa has been home all day. We went to Baraboo earlier today and ate at "The Pizza Ranch". They had a buffet and it was quite good. I saw a brochure for it when I was up in Baraboo last week to get Abbe and Luke's hair cut, and I have been obsessing about trying it. So, now I got that out of my system. We will probably go back if we are ever in Baraboo and starving.

I am thankful Maurissa has been around. She got her hair cut too. In a sassy shorter layered style that suits her well. And we have just had a really nice time talking and just hanging around. Emma is off with Mathew of course.

Baseball and Summer School are done for the summer. I just have two more weeks of full time daycare left and then Abbe and Luke go to MN for a week, and then Issa, Emma and I go for 5 days. Then home for Maurissa's College Convocation on the evening of August 27th, Cowchip that weekend, and then...School starts! I am looking forward to it, because I think my life will settle down quite a bit. Only one drop off in the am, and one pick up in the pm, and I have gotten it approved to work 4 - 9 hour days amd one half day, so I will have a little time to myself each week. I desperately need that.

Well, I have rambled on long enough...
Love, Tonja

Another one, all ready!

Ok, I hope I do not get a phone call that my mom is in the hospital after she sees that I have blogged yet again in less than a week. I am sure at the very least she will faint.! Sorry mom.

Today has been a typical late July day. Hot. There is some rain off to the west and I really hope it makes it here, as we really need the rain. Never thought we'd say that this summer, but it is true! The grass is getting dry.

My oldest and dearest friend Stephanie is coming in September. I am soooo looking forward to that. I have missed her. We don't talk nearly as much as we used to due to both of us having four children and working. But even when we go months without talking, as soon as we get on the phone we pick up right where we left off. I pray all of my children have a bosom friend like I have in Steph some day. She truly is a very special gift from God.

Our little puppy Teddy got "Fixed" on Friday. You'd never know it. He is a spunky as ever. We can't slow him down. He and Luke are a good pair. Neverending energy. If I or anyone else could figure out how to harness that energy, I could easily go off the grid and have energy to spare!

Well, I guess that is about all that is up for now. I want to go watch my Sunday Shows. I watch Hometime, This Old House, and Ask This Old House, and then I watch America's Funniest Home Videos. Then it is bathtime and bedtime for the little kids, and then, hopefully, for me too.

Love,
Tonja

Ramblings

OK, so this is what's on my mind.

1. I hate cars. I wish we could catch a ride in a bubble like in Meet the Robinson's. Every time we think we are going to get ahead, one of our cars needs some maintenance. GRRRRR!

2. Time is going by too fast, and yet not fast enough. This year, Abbe turns 8, Emma turns 17 (tomorrow) Issa turns 18 and starts college, and my little boy starts Kindegarten. Too fast. However, being the introverted person I am, I long for the time when all my kids can care for themselves, and I can have time to myself. A conundrum. But not really. I know that time will come all too fast, and if I don't slow down and enjoy them while I can they will be gone. So that's what I will do.

3. I hate politics. Enough said.

4. I love Fall. I know we are in the middle of summer, but Thursday I register my little kids for school, and that's fallish, and this is the time of year I start scanning the scenery for "Changing". Changing delights me to my soul. I love summer for it's beautiful flowers and butterflies. I love Spring for the promise of new life. I adore Winter (until my birthday), but I never tire of Fall. It is cool. It is beautiful. I love the apples, and pumpkins and gourds and leaves.

Ok so that is what's on my mind tonight. What's on yours?

Love, Tonja