~ busyness ~

Busyness — is that even a word? Doesn’t sound right when I say it out loud. I love the one definition I found  – full of distracting detail.   Most days I find myself so busy.  I hit the ground running at 6am to get one kid off to school, then the other off at 8:30.  In between, I’m inhaling some coffee, getting the dogs out, making breakfast, making lunch, making the bed, getting a load of laundry started, warming up the car, signing school papers, shutting lights and TV’s off and whatever other tasks need to be handled.

Then it’s off to my full-time job.  Yes, I have a 40-hour a week job.  Sure, I work from home and don’t have to commute, but I still have to work.  Most people who have never worked from home think it must a dream.  In some regards it is.  I’ve had the best of both worlds in Kyle’s 12 years.  I’ve been able to work and be a stay-at-home mom. I’m here every morning to see the kids off, and every afternoon to welcome them home from school.  But, there are also alot of distractions to overcome when you work from home, and if you are not disciplined, its way too easy to try to tackle all of the other things that need to be done.  The other down-side of working from home, in my opinion, is the isolation. It’s lonely, no one to chat with, take a coffee break with.  But I know that I am so very blessed to have a GREAT job with a GREAT company, and for that I’m thankful every day.

So with the morning routine and the 9-5 job, there seems to be a million other things that need to fit into 24 hours.  You know — getting groceries, post office and bank visits, vet and doctor appointments, preparing dinner, keeping the house clean, volunteering @ school, going to the gym, watching your favorite TV show, keeping up with FaceBook, and sleeping (which no one who lives in my house does well or gets enough of).

Lately, I’ve just felt so overwhelmed with all that needs to be done on a daily basis. Clutter, dust, piling laundry and unswept floors really drive me crazy. But I’m finding myself walking by these things in confusion just not sure how to get it all done. I try to go to the gym at least 3 days a week during my lunch break, but the entire time I’m there, I’m thinking what needs to get done when I get home, and who I’m going to have to taxi around to where. 

Some irony here – my church recently started a women’s bible study on “Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World”..! Its about trying to be more like Mary in that she yearned to sit at the Lord’s feet and build her personal relationship with Him.  But I’m definitely more like Martha – meeting the busy demands of day-to-day life.  The irony is that last Thursday was such a crazy/busy day, I was spent and did not make the study that evening.  That’s bad.  I really need to make time for myself, and for myself and Jesus.  More time to pray and read the bible and reflect.

So, I’m really trying to work on these things.  Part of my problem is that I don’t delegate well, so I try to do everything myself.  I’ve always been like this, so it’s a hard thing to change.  I also can never really sit.  I always have to be doing something, or multi-tasking.  I know that so many women can relate to my story.

So, one of my goals for this years is to have a closer relationship to my Lord, and to do it with less stress and busyness and greater joy.

Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

~ settling in ~

It’s been a while since I’ve posted.  The holidays have come and gone, and I’m settling in to 2010.  I’m very hopeful that this is going to be a GREAT year, and I’m excited to see what God has in store for me and my family. 

Kate has been with us for over 5 months now, and things are the best they have been. It took a while for all of us, but now Kate is just a regular member of the Bateman family.  I think this finally feels like ‘home’ for her. She has a birthday coming up – sweet 16 on 1/22.  She does not want any big production for her birthday, just a dinner out at Olive Garden.

Kyle got his braces last week.  It took him a few days to adjust to the feeling of them, but he is doing well, and following orders about what not to eat, and brushing.  He continues to do well in school (hard to believe the year is 1/2 over).  He also continues to shine in his Faith, as is definitely an example for his peers.  He has gotten really into his hobby of coin collecting, and is becoming quite the expert on coins of all kinds.

Our latest exciting news is that the Batemans are going on a cruise in March.  This will be a first for all of us.  We are taking a 3-night cruise to the Bahamas with the Beaver, Lyman, Mitcheltree and Godfrey families.  We are really looking forward to having a GREAT time.

Things are getting exciting @ Rocky River Church.  Our permanent building is scheduled to begin construction in mid-March and finish by the end of the summer 2010.  Lonnie is really involved in the Student Ministry, and he loves working with the middle and high school students.  My roots are still planted in Children’s Ministry with the K-5 graders.  There is nothing like coming into church on Sunday morning and getting hugs from all my kiddos.

I’m also excited about a new women’s bible study that just started.  We are doing “Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World”. Its about having balance in your life while developing a deeper, personal relationship with Christ. I’m really excited about it, because I often find it hard to find balance with everything going on in our crazy lives.  At our first meeting, we had over 20 ladies.  I’m thrilled about this group and the fellowship with some awesome Rocky River ladies..! We are calling our women’s ministry FOCUS (Females, Overcoming, Communicating, Understanding, Serving).  Isn’t that cool…!

And, its not too early to start thinking about Vacation Bible School.  Our Family Pastor and K-5 Ministry Team Leader asked me last week if I would consider being the VBS Director for this summer’s program.  I did not have to think too long about it, and of course, I said YES.  Be on the lookout for details on that, as well as a call out for volunteers.

Well, I’m going to try to post more often in the New Year, so stop by.  Wishing all my readers God’s best for each of you in 2010..!

No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.   Philippians 3:13-14

Our Christmas Card

Merry Christmas from the Batemans.   Again this year, I opted not to send cards.  Instead, we have invested that money, time and effort into some worthy causes, including the Salvation Army Angel Tree Program, a couple  adopted families, and a few others we decided to help. However, we wanted to share the good news….That Jesus Christ is born on Christmas day, and that is the true reason for the season.  And that is what we believe, and why we are Saved..!

For the most part, 2009 has been pretty uneventful. We enjoyed lots of summer trips to the mountains or the beach with our dearest friends ~ The Beavers and The Lymans.  My niece, Jen, from Tupper Lake, NY, visited us in the beginning of the summer, and got to see Kenny Chesney in concert for the first time. Bob and Kate also came to visit us over the summer.  And in August, Kate came to live with us full-time. She made the decision to get a fresh start here with us in North Carolina.  It was, and still is, an adjustment having a teenage girl in the house, but Kate is doing great.  She is heading to her Dad’s in PA for the holidays for 10 days, and we will certainly miss her.

Kate and Kyle, both being in new schools this year, settled in nicely, and are getting good grades.  Kate has made lots of new friends and is now working on her driving skills.  Kyle was nominated to the 6th grade leadership academy by one of his teachers for showing positive leadership qualities.  He’ll be getting his braces in the beginning of January – which I don’t think he is looking forward to.

Lonnie and I are both thankful to have good jobs (UNCC and NextGen Healthcare).  Lonnie is lucky to now have the rest of the year off.  I’m not so lucky, as I’ll be working hard over the next two weeks as our End of Quarter/End of Year deadlines approach.

We finally sold my Dad’s house in New York in July.  It was a very bittersweet time for me.  The house had been our family’s vacation home since I was a little girl.  We spent summers on the lake and winters on the ski slopes, and so many memories were made there.  But, we were certainly happy to be rid of the burden of the upkeep and expenses on a vacant house.

This past October, the Batemans added a new family member, when Dad and Nelia got married.  We love Nelia very much, and Kyle is once again blessed to have a grandma.

I thank God each and every day for ALL of the wonderful blessing I have in my life.  Wishing all of you a very blessed Christmas.  Remember, that Jesus Christ is the true meaning of the season.

~ committed ~

Well, my original title for my blog was committment, but I wanted to post a definition, and I really did not find one that suited me.  Thus, I changed the title to committed..!

def:  to entrust, esp. for safekeeping; commend: to commit one’s soul to God.

To Commit one’s soul to God….that is what I was looking for in a definition.  I searched through quite a few online dictionaries to find something appropriate.

I told my friend, Ellie, that I would blog when I was ready.  And a couple of days is certainly not enough time to come to grips  with the loss of Joe. Ellie’s Heart & Soul & Soulmate.  Joe’s earthly battle ended early Sunday morning, December 6th. But Joe’s legacy will carry on and never be forgotten.  For all who knew Joe – his passion was for his family and for Jesus Christ.  This Sunday, countless friends and family with gather to rejoice in Joe’s legacy.  Of course, there will be sadness in that he is gone, but so many will rejoice knowing that Joe is hanging out with Jesus and free of the torments of illness and cancer.

“Committed”, however, is a lifestyle that Ellie “was” to Joe.  Ellie personally taught me about what it was to ‘love’.  Her unending love and care never ceased. I sat and listened to Ellie talk about how her and Joe fell in love. Joe, who was nearing his final days, listening and hung onto every word she said, nodded and smiled.  I was deeply touched and inspired by the conversation, and felt no greater love existed than between the two of them.

I am simply humbled tonite to know and have the friendship of the Bagley family. Ellie, you are an inspiration to so many women.  You are gracious, accepting, God-loving and COMMITTED.  And you and Joe have so much to be proud of in the wonderful, loving children in Joe and Liz, that you have raised.

My continued prayers rise up for the Bagley Family ~~ God has great things in store for all of you in this earthly place, and we all look forward to the time when are all reunited with Joe again..!

In God’s Best ~~~

~ Tuesday Thoughts ~

I really needed to post this last week, and title it ~Thankful Tuesday ~, but I’m a week behind.  So what.  My life is crazy, busy, stressful, and I’m just getting around to it. 

• Everyone always starts their “thankful” posts that they are thankful for their God.  It’s a no brainer, right?  For me, I’m thankful that Jesus Christ gave his life for mine.  And I’m thankful and proud that I publicly professed this in August of 2008.  God is good for sure, and I’ve been blessed incredibly by HIS grace.
• Lonnie ~ Husband ~ Best Friend ~ Confidant ~Inspiration ~ Married almost 21 Years ~ Enough said.
• Kyle ~ Son ~ Inspires Me Daily ~ Wonderful ~ Loving ~ Loves His Lord ~ Great Things In Store ~
• My Parents ~ Strong Family Values ~ Passed Down ~ Always ate dinner together ~ Shared so much ~ Miss them both dearly
• In-Laws – Mom-in-law — Lois – Huge influence in my life – she lives on &  incredibly missed ~ Dad-in-law – happy and proud for him starting a new life with a new love – Nelia ~ if you ask me —- that takes courage…!
• Kate ~ my sweet niece – you have taught me alot.  you have given me stress.  you make me laugh. you make me cry.  i just want you to find your happiness.  I pray for you every day, for your bright future — you deserve it, beautiful…!
• Friends: Beavers & Lymans  ~ y’all have been there and stood beside us in everything —- Good, Bad and Ugly.  Y’all are such a blessing to our family.
• Rock Group Family ~ sharing God’s word with an awesome group of friends that would be there in a moment’s notice if needed and no doubt:  Peele’s, Wohlfarths, Lymans, Micheltrees, Beavers, & Crowells.
• Friends: Lynnie & Karen – my 2 oldest friends from NJ ~ the distance is hard ~ but the love never ends…!
• Rocky River Church ~ a place of fellowship that is so warm and welcoming. A place where Lonnie, Kyle and Myself were all baptised and “reborn”.  A place of people who would be there for you no matter what.
• Pastor Jimmy ~ awesome leader ~ faithful friend ~ tells it like it is ~ Great Sermons ~
• Pastor Travis ~ student leader ~ multi-tasker ~ students love u ~ glad to be part of the student ministry w/Lonnie
• Thankful for awesome job for the last 15 years with NextGen Healthcare Information Systems…and proud to be part of start-up of this great organization.
• Country, Freedom, Democracy – the Right to Vote – Freedom.
• ….and finally – however cheesy it may be — I’m thankful for Kenny Chesney and for his songs that have so much meaning to me. 

Colossians 3:15 ~ And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

~ inspiration ~

My good friend, Ellie, always inspires me, and inspires me to blog.  I retired my blog a few months back, and Ellie was my inspiration to start blogging again.  Most of you who read my entries know the story of the Bagleys.  But for those who don’t, let me tell you that the Bagley family is a devoted, Christ-centered family that has been through their share of adversity.  Joe (who is my age give or take a couple) was diagnosed with brain cancer somewhere around 2001.  Since then, he has fought the battle against the nasty “c”, and has endured endless surgeries, chemo and radiation.  During this time, we’ve witnessed miracles…Praise God…! And we’ve been there during the worst of days…! But Joe has devoted his life to Jesus Christ, and soon he will get to meet his Savior…!  That is a definitely a reason to be joyful – imaging Joe’s “cancer-free” stride in Heaven hanging out with Jesus.

I had an opportunity to hang out with Ellie today for a couple of hours.  Just some plain, ole girl chat time.  Sure there were tears, and sadness for the ones left behind. That was hard.  Makes me cry typing this now.  But grief is hard – otherwise it wouldn’t be called “grief”.  There isn’t much earthly joy in losing a loved one.  The worst part of  it is wondering “how does this world keep spinning when I am so grief stricken and sad?”.  I’ve been there – many a time – lost my mom, my mom-in-law, my dad, my sis-in-law.  Well, loved ones – it does keep spinning because God’s love for us is never ending.  Not saying it’s easy, because it’s not.  It stinks, and it’s hard, and it takes time.  But I have learned through my trials, that time does heal our broken hearts.  And with God’s Amazing Grace, we will be reunited in time with our loved ones…!

Something really cool happened today  that I feel the need to share…!  Joe’s hospice CNA was there to care for Joe, get him cleaned up, shaved, and out of bed into the recliner.  After all was said and done, he picked up Liz’s guitar and asked Ellie is she minded if he played a song.  He sang/played “How Great Is Our God”..!  It was AMAZING…!  Really.  Me and Ellie boo-hoo’d…! God places people in our paths for a reason…!

So I dedicate this post to my good friend Ellie.  Girl – your love for Joe is amazing..! You inspire me everyday to appreciate EVERYTHING I have in this earthly life.  I was there to comfort you today, but I think you did more for me today…!  When I left and held Joe’s hand today, I was really touched by his strength.  And I’m moved more than words can say by your strength.  But don’t feel you always have to be the strong one..!  You have soooo many people that love and support and your family…! 

Again – thank you, Ellie, for always inspiring me…!

~ Tuesday Thoughts ~

I really want to blog, but life lately has me going in 10,000 different directions.  Anyway ~ some thoughts for the day:

• Kiddos got report cards last week.  Kyle made the A/B Honor Roll (more A’s than B’s this time), and if it were still a 10-point scale, he would have have had straight A’s…and first time for an A in Math (thanks to kate for all of the help she has been giving him at home).   Compared to how Kate finished up last year at DVHS in PA – she did great, including an A in Math. 
• Halloween came and went ~ Kids had fun working the churchs’ Haunted Trail.  Halloween night was a very damp and soggy one here in NC — first time since we’ve lived here that I recall we had rain.
• Can you believe Thanksgiving is next week?  Kate is going home on Tuesday, and we’ll be heading to the cabin on Wednesday after work thru Sunday.  May have a packed house with friends joining us, but the more the merrier…!
• Our ‘Rock Group’ has really picked up some momentum lately…!  Glad to have the spirit back with this awesome group of people we are doing life with…!
• Looking forward to serving the Salvation Army again this year with the Angel Tree program.  This is really an amazing ministry, and this will be our 3rd year serving.  It gets better every year.
• So excited that the Rocky River Ladies are getting an awesome Women’s Ministry in place.  We are having our big kick-off on December 10th.  I’m so excited to have fellowship with the best group of ladies on the planet.
• I’ve realized in the past few weeks that some decisions are REALLY hard to make, but God has His hand in everything, and we need to trust Him with everything.  It just makes me sad that feelings get hurt and friendships lost along the way.   But I do have faith that time will heal these situations.
• In three weeks, my baby turns 12?  How did that happen?  Like the Kenny Chesney songs goes — “Don’t Blink”…!
• Listening to Third Day while writing this blog —- LOVE THEM…!  ((((Was on a hill my Savior died.  A broken heart, a bleeding side.  Hill of the skull, Mount Calvary.  The blood He shed, He shed for me)))
• Pulled off a good birthday surprise celebration for BFF, Barbara…!  We ate and ate and ate…! It was a blast.  Love U girl…!
• Missing my best girlfriends from NJ — Karen and Lynn.  Y’all have been on my heart often.  Darn it — just move here, why don’t you….!
• I think it’s cool that Taylor Swift won Entertainer of the Year at the CMA’s last week.  She is the youngest performer to ever win this honor.  I love TS, and she is a good role model for our girls.   (Kenny still my Fav..!)
• Rocky River Church student ministry has some cool stuff coming up. Movie night on Tuesday and service project on Wednesday.  Check out the Project 252 page on FB for more details from Lonnie.
• Oh my — have you heard the song “Why” by Rascal Flatts?  I cry every time I listen.  (((Why? is there anything I could have said or done?  Why -  I had no clue you were masking a troubled soul, God only knows, what went wrong, and why you’d leave the stage in the middle of a song))). 
• Forgiveness is a gift to yourself.  I’m giving this gift to myself, and it feels good.
• Christmas Holidays for me = I hate to say = not the happiest of days.  Hate the craziness and commercialism and the shopping.  Love it for the kids.  Maybe it’s my own way of having a ‘pity party’ because most of my family is gone.  My Mom LOVED Christmas…!  I have a bunch of her old ornaments for the tree, but for me it’s always bittersweet hanging those.  Feel robbed that she had to die at 57, and she never got to experience Christmas with her grandson.
• I miss my Dad, too…! He pissed me off most of the time with his strong, opinionated attitude, but he was still Dad.
• I miss Nisey ~ I never thought I’d be raising your daughter.  Wow, life turns on a dime.  I don’t know what I’m doing, and every minute brings new drama.  But I hope I’m making you proud sweet Angel…!

1 John 4:7  – Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

~ Tuesday Thoughts ~

It’s been a while since I’ve posted ~ same old excuse – just busy, busy, busy.  Some random thoughts for a rainy October day:

• Decided to cancel the Orlando trip over Thanksgiving and go on a Spring Break cruise instead.  Really looking forward to our first cruise.
• Kyle and Kate had an awesome time last weekend working the Haunted Trail at the Rocky River Church Pumpkin Patch.  They were pretty scary looking if I do say so myself.
• The kids have Fall Break at the end of this week for 5 days.  Kate is heading back to PA to visit her dad and her friends for the long weekend.
• Dad Bateman and Nelia had a wonderful wedding celebration, and are beginning their “happily ever after”….!
• Kyle was nominated by one of his teachers to serve on the Leadership Academy at CC Griffin MS.  We are very proud of him.  He is having a GREAT year so far.
• Kate is working on plans to do a fundraiser and awareness campaign for “Donate Life” – an organ donor organization in memory of her mom, Denise.
• Lonnie and I are both staying busy @ Church.  He’s been serving as a leader in the Middle/High School Ministry, and I’m looking forward to working on some community outreach projects.
• Continue to pray for the Bagley family – Joe, Ellie, Joey and Liz.  Joe has inoperable brain cancer.  They are such an awesome family, and their faithfulness is always an inspiration to me.
• So VERY thankful for my friends — you all know who are — especially with all of our trials over the past few weeks.  Could not do life without ya’ll….!
• Missing two of bestest friends from New Jersey – Lynn and Karen.  I spent a better part of my life with these two wonderful ladies, and wish we see each other and chat more often…!
• Be sure to check out Fall Festival @ Harrisburg Elementary School on November 7th.  This is an awesome, fun event for the entire family.
• Hope the Phillies win the World Series.  I used to be a Yankees fan back in the day of Reggie Jackson, Bucky Dent, Goose, Sweet Lou, Thurman Munson, etc. , but don’t like the egos of most of the overpaid players anymore.
• Kate-ism # 1:  “Do these boots make my butt look fat?”

“Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass…..It’s about learning to dance in the rain.”

Drama ~~~

Drama:  any situation or series of events having vivid, emotional, conflicting, or striking interest or results.

Lots of it is flowing around the Bateman house these days with the addition of a 15-year-old girl.  I’m not saying it’s all bad.  But it certainly keeps things interesting.  We never had much drama with Kyle.  Kate has been with us two months already.  We inherited an instant teenager, and she inherited a new set of parents.  So we are all adjusting.  And every day is different.  And my motto is now “just one hour at a time”.  And if we get through that — GREAT, we’ve succeeded.

The biggest thing about Kate is that she makes me laugh so much.  Sometimes she says the goofyist things, and I just laugh out loud like I have not in such a long time.  She is by no means serious.  Kyle and Lonnie can often be serious (and maybe even intense at times ).  But Kate is such a free spirit, and whatever rolls off her tongue – well, it is what it is. 

There is always drama of some sort every day — but I’m really learning to “Roll with It”…!

Thursday Thoughts ~~

Wow, I can’t believe it was 4 months ago that I “quit” blogging.  Stupid time justs keeps flying by without any consideration.  Alot has been happening, so since I’m blogging again (for now), let me fill you in…!

• Biggest change at the Bateman house is a new addition — no, not a baby..! My 15-year-old niece, Kate, has moved in with us to pursue her high-school education at Hickory Ridge High.  She has been with us for almost 2 months now, and, well,,,,,lots to be said – lots of adjustments – but we are all settling into routines, and things are going very well.  She is a GREAT girl, and the Bateman family loves her like our own.  It’s cool having a “daughter” around the house.  And I cannot tell you how much she makes me laugh (lots of blonde moments)…!
• Kyle started Middle School in August.  The adjustment was HUGE and not very easy.  Lots of mornings of Mom crying, wishing I could make it all better.  The good thing is that I finally realized that I need to let Kyle grow up, and I can’t fix everything for him.  That was a “BIG” moment for me.  And, things are going much smoother these days…!
• I (and my counterpart, Kim) stepped down from running the K-5 Children’s Ministry at our church.  It was time for us to move on.  Time for some new ideas and leadership in order to take things to the next level.  I’ll have to admit, it was a hard adjustment because it was a major focus in my life for 3 years.  But things are moving along GREAT in that ministry, and I still teach Sunday School once a month.
• My father-in-law is getting MARRIED…! We are so happy for Dad and Nelia.  October 10th is the big day.  Nelia is a wonderful, loving, sweet lady.  Kyle was so excited when he got the news, and asked Ms. Nelia if he could call her “Grandma”.  Can you say BoooHooo…!
• We finally sold my Dad’s house in New York.  The whole estate, probate, house sale thing was a long and difficult process.  It was a very bittersweet day for me in July when we turned over the house and the land.  But I know that life must go on —- it just stinks some times….!
• Bateman Family had a GREAT summer.  Life is too short, and we enjoyed every chance we had to have fun and fellowship.  Whether we were at the cabin hanging out on the lake, or at the beach with the Beaver family, or just having a cookout and swim party at the house, we made the most of every moment.  I highly recommend FUN.
• I hate to name names because you always end up leaving someone out, but I really could not do life without some very important people in my life ~ Beavers, Lymans, Peeles, Mitcheltrees, Heagys, Crowells, Wohlfarths, Lucas’, Davis Girls and my RRC Tuesday Lunch crew…! 
• I’m so thankful that Kyle has an AWESOME group of friends and they are walking together, sharing God’s word.  I love these awesome kiddos, and the “Bateman Hotel” is always open to y’all — Zach, Madison, Ethan, Morgan, Marissa,  Kyle H,  Brody, Danielle, David, Kaylee, Maddie, Taylor, Kate, Justin, Grant, Kyle S., Emilee, Beth.  I’m sure I’m missing some….sorry!

Well, that wraps up the “update”.   Stay tuned ~~