For months now we have been worried about the economy — why?  Because the media kept telling us how bad things were and how things were only getting worse.  Every once in awhile they would throw out a warm fuzzy story about the economy, and counter it with a dozen bad stories.

Now there is mass hysteria about the swine flu—why?  Because the media is constantly telling us about the people who died, how many cases were diagnosed, and how many cases were unconfirmed.  This hysteria caused school districts to overreact, health departments to panic, and people to walk around in ridiculous masks.    In reality fewer people have died from the swine flu than die from the normal flu.

The good thing is the economy has been able to rebound some since the media has been too busy telling us we might die to worry about telling us that we’re going to run out of money!  What catastrophe are they going to grab onto next to help us forget to Purell our hands a million times a day?

Wray started his new job today in Dublin, Texas — population around 3,ooo!  He seems to be liking the small town life so far, I’ll have to let you know in a couple of weeks!  I’m anxious  to go and meet some of his new friends.

Stephenville is the closest larger town (25,000+)  and he was going to check it out tonight for dinner.  Dublin only has a couple of eating spots –one is Sonic-Praise the Lord!  He says there is some great farm houses available around there——I won’t even mow our yard, so now he thinks I want to live on a farm? WRONG!  Now when he starts talking lakehouse (Lake Grandbury is about 30 miles away) he’s talking my language!   It’s a little premature to be talking about moving since he’s only working contract right now — but it’s fun to look!

First we have to sell our house here —- if you are looking for a nice 5 bedroom house with a pool in an awesome neighborhood–give me a call!  Or you can check it out on the Coppell Remax website!  The price is good for a custom home, but if you had to pay for  all the great memories here, no one would be able to afford it — it’s a great home to raise kids!!!

After a little over 3 months of unemployment, Wray has a contract job!!!  Praise the Lord!!!  He will have to commute—gone Monday through Friday, but that’s a small sacrifice to be able to pay our bills!  That loud WHEEEEWWW you heard, was my very loud sigh of relief!

I saw the movie The Soloist with Robert Downey, Jr. and Jamie Foxx today — it definitely lets me know that I don’t want to be homeless!  90,000 homeless in the Los Angeles area—how sad!  It is a very good movie!  It makes me realize that we have so far to go as a country in helping people with mental illness.  It reminded me of the book Same Kind of Different As Me – one of my favorites.  Check out the movie and the book!

1.  I wish eating chocolate was healthy for you and exercise was not!

2.  April 30 is the last day to sign up to go to Zambia — I still am looking for more friends to go Week 8!

3.  I am grateful that I have a job I love.

4.  Someone needs to buy my house so I can buy a smaller one!

5.  Forgiving someone 77 times is hard, but it’s Biblical!

6.  I love sitting in the sunshine when it’s not too hot!

7.  I wish there was happier news on t.v.

8.  Tomorrow is going to be a great day!

I hope everyone had a terrific Easter!!!  I love Easter–not just because of the great candy and beautiful clothes, but because of the hope of Jesus’ resurrection!!  Everyone seems to be in such a good mood because they remember the whole reason for this holiday—how awesome that we serve a risen Saviour!!!

Tonight at church I ran into a young man who was in my Pre-K class in 2000.  That year I had 10 boys in my class,  no girls!  It was an awesome year with awesome boys!!  Jack was one of “my boys” and now he is taller than I am.  He is going to be a freshman in high school and his mom  says he’s doing great in school.  He’s as cute as a button!!!!  I just wonder where all the time went, it just seems like last week that he was practicing his letters in my class—wow, I’m old!

Last weekend I was in Houston celebrating my mom’s birthday!  I had a great time seeing everyone —Lexie & MacKenzie were in a fashion show–they were the best!  Macie helped me with the babies – she was awesome!  I had fun visiting with Brandon, Jeff was working so I didn’t get to see him!  Blake & Brett were hanging out having fun — they are terrific!! Conner was in a basketball tournament with his AAU team — he was great!

My parents at Christmas with their grandchildren

My nieces and nephews are some of the greatest people I know and certainly the very best parts of my brothers and sisters.  I have always been a huge supporter of my nephews and nieces, I have seen them  play just about every sport there is—I have driven many many miles to see them participate in a sport. So I have to say that I get a LITTLE bit upset when someone yells at one of them — especially if they don’t deserve it! (Conner is on the front right in the blue shirt and light khakis)  Such was the case last Saturday at Conner’s basketball game –his coach is an Ass!  I don’t always agree with  coaches but to say that this guy should never be allowed to coach is an understatement.  I don’t have a problem with coaches who are loud as long as they are coaching, but when it’s belittling, then I have a problem.  He called time outs and very loudly screamed at any player who had made a mistake, and usually put them on the bench.  The other team won, not because they were a better team, but because Conner’s team shut down and quite playing together, and started just trying to make it to the end of the game.  It was very obvious as each one got tired of the screaming and just went through the motions.

I asked the parents when they were going to take their children off this team.  They said their kids wanted to play with their friends — my suggestion–find another coach!  It made me sick to sit there and watch those children be treated with such disrespect and those parents watch it happen.  My boys have played for bad coaches, but I could never one this bad.  I know it’s tough when you are in the middle of it, but sometimes we need to speak up on behalf of our kids!  I hope one of those parents will do it before their kids absolutely hate the game of basketball.   Conner is a good basketball player, but sadly, I don’t think he’ll stay with the sport long—why should he when his coach is such a jerk, he can find another sport where he excells and doesn’t have to put up with the crap!!!!  And I’ll be there to cheer for him every step of the way!!

We had our second team meeting for Camp Life!  This year is going to be another awesome experience!  The theme this year is John 3:16—we’re going to tell all those sweet children that God loves them!!!  There are still a few spots left to sign up, so check out Family Legacy Mission, click on Camp Life and you can see all the options!  Week 8 is going to be amazing with lots of awesome people–like me!!!

Almost everyone is still raising support to go, so you can still send money if you don’t want to send yourself!!  If you are going to be near Prestonwood Baptist Church on Saturday, go on over to the Sonic on Midway and eat, all the tips will go to my new friend Hannah for her Zambia trip.

God is ready to do unbelievable this summer in the lives of the orphans in Zambia — you don’t want to miss out on the blessings — sign up today!!

I’ve always thought I was pretty good with kids—I’ve given birth and raised three, fostered over 50 and been a teacher or director to preschoolers for 25 years.  I know there are people out there with lots more experience or lots more experiences, but I think it will be hard to find someone that doesn’t think this California woman is not a nut case!  Granted I know that she loves her children, but there is NO WAY that she will be able to take care of all those children!!!!!

For the past month we have been fostering two infants–cute, sweet, adorable, but lots of work and not much sleep.  How in the world will she do it with eight?  I don’t care how much help she has— that’s just more people in her house and more people that her other children have to adjust to.  I have caseworkers that occassionally drop by and that is an adjustment to our schedule, and I don’t have other children living here.  Just trying to coordinate doctors appointments for two is crazy, how is she going to do that with 14?

I keep hoping for the sake of those children that she is getting wise advice somewhere—she’s going to not only need physical help with those children, but help psychologically to be able to do all that she will need to do.  And that doesn’t even take in to consideration the papparazzi that she has camped outside her door!!!  WHAT A MESS!!!!

What a great week for Spring Break!!!  Lots of sunshine, warm temperatures and books to read!    WOW!!  This is my kind of break—I love to sit out by the pool, read, sip ice tea and eat Easter candy!!  And to think that I was wishing for a beach vacation–I got one without the sand right here at my house!  The best part of that is that no one has to see me in a bathing suit, the worst part is that there are no cabana boys to bring me cute little drinks!  Thank goodness for Spring Break!!!!!

The Rives household is doubling it’s fun these days!!!  Monday we got another little baby girl from CPS.  That makes 2 under 3 months–both, just about the same size! (5 pounders!)  As close to twins as we’ll get!  They are really sweet!

The sad part is that 2 moms are out there without the babies that they just gave birth to.  Their loss is our gain–except I guess they are the ones getting the sleep!  I had the good baby last night and Wray had the one that cried, I’m going to try to work that deal again tonight!  We’re just hoping that big bags under your eyes is in style!!!!!!

I just hope we still have them for Easter—TWO TINY EASTER DRESSES–How fun!!!!!!!  I’ll definitely post pictures if that happens!!

Gotta go — I hear crying!