The Kelsey's

Just wanted to share this tale before too much time has gone by.  While we were at Campmeeting at the beginning of the month, the three older kids were staying with me in a small dorm room.  We had two keys between us.  We shared them as needed.

It was Caleb’s turn to hold the key between some meetings.  He had it in his shirt pocket and was jumping around through the grass when it bounced out.  He couldn’t find it and he came and told me as much.  We retraced his steps, but found nothing.  I even found out that the science teacher who lived across the street had a metal detector.  We went and borrowed it and went searching for “treasure hidden in a field.”  As people passed they would ask what we were looking for.  One friend, Winston, asked if we had prayed to find it yet.  I said we hadn’t and that I would wait until all my children could be there to pray.  So when we were all there, we did have a little prayer to find the lost key.

Then we went back to searching and found nothing until it was dinner time.  For the last few days of meetings we just got used to the routine with one key.  On the last day, when we were cleaning up our room – no you didn’t guess it, it wasn’t that easy.  I lost the other key!!!

The kids just told me to pay the fines and move on.  I was just too embarrassed to do that.  I had them leave the room so I could tear it from one side to the other.  I found it in one of my pants pockets.  So I put the room back together and then headed over to the registration area to turn in my one key.

When I got there and I told them what room I had, they turned to me and said.  “Oh, one of the featured musical guests at campmeeting found your key on the way to dinner last night and just turned in your key.”  He was still standing nearby so I thanked him and told him that my son would feel much better knowing that he hadn’t caused his dad to be charged for the key.

When we all got in the van to go home, I told Caleb and the others what had happened.

His eyes got real wide and he said, “So God DID answer our prayer!”  Now that’s a faith builder!

If you’ve been keeping up with us – last summer I mowed our lawn with a push rotary mower.  It was quite a work out, but Laura wasn’t real pleased with the results.  So this summer (May 8th in fact… how do I know that?  Read on) Laura went and got a Craftsman lawn mower from our local Sears Appliance & Hardware store on N. Lindbergh.

The third time I used it was yesterday.  That would be June 10th – 32 days after our purchase.  When I came across this:

Is that not clear enough?  How about this…

Well, after that little contact with my mower, the shaft got bent and it was all over.  We figured we’d have to buy another lawn mower (and leave the two broken ones in the back of the shed).  I was talking to my mom on Skype and she said that I should call Sears and try to buy the warranty post mortum.  I figured, “what could it hurt?”

So I called and talked to Ashley.  She told me that you can, in fact, buy the warranty up to 30 days after your purchase.  That’s how we discovered that it had been 32 days.  She also told me that the main shaft wasn’t under the warranty or any extended warranty.  She paused for a moment and asked if she could call me back in 10 minutes while she called her manager.  When she called back, she said that they would do an even swap for a new mower.  When Laura got home from her work out, we scooted over there and made the trade.

I finished the lawn this evening.  Sears Hardware is now my favorite hardware store.  That’ll be where I stop by when looking for all things hardware.  See how being treated well can change your actions and outlooks?

So be nice to somebody and see what a difference it can make.

It’s been gray and dreary all day.  There have been sprinkles off and on.  Of course a day like today is just perfect for Hannah to pack up and take off with her Pathfinder club for a weekend of camping at Spring Camporee.  Well, she won’t be alone.  There will probably be a couple hundred kids trying to put up tents to ward off the dampness for the weekend.

I would much prefer that over the 2nd degree burns she had across her eye brows and cheeks last year just from forgetting to bring sunscreen (and being so fair skinned that she’s almost translucent – some genes we’ve provided her, huh?).

So this weekend it’s just mama and the boys.

Just over a week ago Laura returned from her journey to Maine.  She surprised her folks and got to spend some time talking with her brother.  Not to mention the opportunity to drive through New York City on her way up.  I mean, does it get any better than that?  If we can get organized around here, maybe we’ll do some interviews about our experiences and pull them together into a podcast episode for you.

Caleb had a cyst removed from his palm last weekend and it’s healing really well so far.  We also recently discovered that he’s going to need glasses.  Caleb has all the interesting things happen to him.  He leads a life of adventure.

Joshua still clings to his guitar and I have the phone numbers of some teachers.  We just have to get to calling around and get him going with some lessons.

Nathan is talking more and more.  When I come home from work, he’s the one who greets me.  He wants to have something to say so bad that usually it’s just some jumbled thoughts or maybe a question.  When he gets real tongue tied he falls back to the old faithful, “I nub you dad.”  You can’t go wrong with “I love you.”

And for me, things are crazy at work trying to figure out how thing work around there and getting acclimated.  My accountant called and said they noticed that my income for the 1st quarter of 2009 has been “erratic.”  Uh, that’s because I didn’t have any invoices in December and all but the last week of January.  That’ll make your business a little unstable.  So hopefully my current assignment will stay steady through 2009, regardless of how shaky it feels.

I’m also trying to work on some software on the side – a class assignment planner for homeschoolers that they could access over the Internet.  It’s coming along, but not as fast as I’d like.  Does that sound like something you’d be interested in?  Let me know, it’ll spur me on to get it done.  We really want to develop an online homeschooling community, called Barnabas Way (check out our blog at http://barnabasway.com/blog ).  I’m looking for two homeschooling families that would like to be beta testers and help jump start our community.  Again – speak up if you or someone you know is interested.

That just about covers life with the Kelsey’s at the end of April of 2009.  Thanks for stopping in to see what’s up.

After the attention that the tea parties around the nation, the FairTax is starting to rise in the consciousness of many as well.  In fact, last week the Missouri house actually brought the state version of the FairTax out to the floor of the House and passed it!  It have support from Democrats and Republicans.  This week it is being considered in the state Senate where it’s passage will be more difficult, but nobody thought it would ever get this far – so stay tuned…

For those of you who might not be able to see our local news, you may want to see the first 30 seconds of the Kelsey’s 15 minutes of fame – check it. (It actually starts automatically – and that can be VERY annoying 🙁 )

[Edited: I changed this to just a link so it wouldn’t play and annoy people…]

http://www.ksdk.com/video/default.aspx?maven_playerId=immersiveplayer&maven_referralObject=1098466368

Why don’t you comment about this below. If you don’t want to get into the politics part, just talk about how great I looked on TV! 😀

It seems like this is the way things have always been.  Monday nights are always hectic.  After work it’s the rush home (love that commute), just in time to participate in burrito night – that’s Monday night at our house.

But no sooner are the dishes cleared from the table than it’s time to grab my videos and such and head out the door to Financial Peace University.  And then get home just as the kids are being tucked into bed.  That’s Monday – or at least it has been in 2009.

Now that’s all over.  Another class of FPU graduates have been released into the wild.  They will now be responsible for conversations in the work place over whether there is such a good thing as good debt and bad debt.  Hmm, if debt is slavery (according to Proverbs 22:7) then is there such a thing as good slavery and bad slavery?  That kind of puts a different slant on things.  They will also be there to encourage people that you don’t “always have to have a car payment” and you don’t “always have to owe somebody.”  They will be an example that you can dig your way out of the mess you’ve gotten into.

It’s tough to reorient your time and not to just let it fall into that mess called “free time”.  But we’ll see how that turns out.

Oh, you want to see the graduating class?  Take a gander.

Here are a couple of shots of our last night

And our official graduation finishing photo…

And there you have it! It was a real blast!

Do you want to be a part of a Financial Peace University class?  Comment on the blog here to get in touch.

P.S. Dave Ramsey’s having a Town Hall of Hope event for Free on April 23, 2009 at a church or location near you.  Check it out at http://www.townhallforhope.com
(Free advertising for Dave…)

Well, it’s finally arrived.  The first inklings of a sign of the end of an era.  Last night, with evidently no prodding on any family member’s part.  Nathan decided to take a stab at pooping on the potty.

He came downstairs with no pants on, holding out his hands saying that he needed a new pull-up.  It was getting dark in the room so I couldn’t see anything unusual, so I replied just a minute… (I was looking something up, how unusual).

Next I heard Caleb call down that he needed help cleaning up the poop.  What?!? As I came upstairs he explained that Nathan had tried (an ‘A’ for effort at least) to use the toilet.  He mostly got it all in there.  Just a little on the lid, some on his leg, and little portions helping to keep his fingers stuck together.

We got the little guy some relief.  He wasn’t sure whether to cry or cheer.  We left the toilet in its somewhat soiled condition as mommie would be home in a few minutes and it would be good for her to see the evidence.  Plus I had done the fingers, the leg, and the unwiped bottom – well, frankly, I was pooped.  (wah-wah!)

My father-in-law called right as we were running down stairs as we heard the garage door opening.  We took Laura up to the scene of the crime.  She couldn’t believe it.  We all cheered for such a great accomplishment.  Nathan exclaimed one of his all time favorite sayings: “I so happy!”

When he gets a handle on the idea of proper body waste disposal, it will be the end of a decade plus of childhood incontinence.  I’m not saying it won’t be a welcomed change, but it’s just another signpost in life saying the time marches on.

Aside:
On another note, we went and signed our taxes at the end of the night. My dad just started doing taxes for H & R Block; he asked us to help him out, so we did. He found way more money than our normal tax guy had. It was quite a good deal. Way to go dad! I don’t like getting refunds because it says that the government has been playing around all year with money that could’ve helped my family. But we’ll take it back happily.

(Yes, I know March is supposed to be in like a lion and out like a lamb – artistic license…)
Wow!  Did the month of March just – slip by?  I guess it just did.  Oh so many things to keep track of I’ll just have to give out little snippets of random news.  Let’s see…

New Internet Connection
We upgraded and are going faster now, one idea was that it would be easier to post audio podcasts and maybe even video podcasts – – stay tuned for some experimentation!

New Tax Man
My dad’s working with H & R Block now and we signed up to be tax guinea pigs. He’s had a hard time getting us to get our act together. But it’s all over but the signing now – tonight, in fact.

Working on an Internet Start-Up
It’s not really official, we haven’t put the word out much of anyplace. So you’re basically the first to know if you’re reading it here. But we’re creating an online community for homeschoolers called “Barnabas Way.” Right now it’s just a blog: BarnabasWay.com/blog but you can check it out and make sure you tell your homeschooling friends that it’s coming. I’m sure I’ll share more details as the firm up.

Looking at Irons in the Fire Worth Dropping
I’m taking inventory of all the things I’m involved in and trying to figure out what can be cut back. Between church, work, politics (FairTax? Tea Party? Run for office maybe?), 2 started books, 5 or so blogs, video archiving, an aging body, audio engineering, Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University, media uploading, server maintenance, peacemaking ministry, kids growing faster than I can follow, and a house that’s starting to need handyman help ready or not. Some things are going to have to change.

Financial Pinch is Full On
2008 was not a great year for us financially. I was out of work in May, December, and half of January 2009. So we are still building our savings back up. It’s very frightening living from paycheck to paycheck. Some people do it all the time – I wouldn’t be able to take that. We have touched the bottom of the pool and are swimming to the surface as fast as we can. It’s still not fun when your lungs are burning and you can see how far you are from the air. There are many out there worse off than we are. But it is more personal when you’re being touched by the situation specifically. We’re praying that some invoices will get paid TODAY!

Well, that’s just a few of the things happening in March at the Kelsey’s. I’ve got to run off to work. I’ll try to get a little more out to you tonight.

It took a while, but it’s finally happened.  Caleb has both of his big teeth.  When he was three or so (ok, it’s 4 am, I’m not capable of doing year math – that’s why it’s not exact), we were in Atlanta for our first Peacemaker conference and Caleb smashed his face on a stone step at the hotel.  His lips and gums were swollen and black.

Eventually that left front tooth discolored, and thanks to his rambunctious brother, it came (was knocked) out.  He went a long time with just the one front tooth.  I was worried that he might have damaged the root of the permanent tooth.

But just a few weeks ago it showed up and started to come in.  And then the other one started to make an appearance.  In fact his remaining front tooth had become rather stubborn.  Look.

It was hanging in there even as the bigger tooth came up behind and started pushing it out.  In fact, as it pushed that baby tooth forward we started to see our families best ever “Larry the Cucumber” impression.  It was even in 3-D.

It’s all over now, and I am so very thankful.  Whether it’s Christmas or not.  All I wanted was his two front teeth.  I don’t foresee Caleb as a hockey star, but either way – I think I’m going to invest in a mouthguard for him that he can just take with him everywhere he goes.

Oh, keep your teeth in…

The last week or two around the house have been interesting.  One of my least favorite sounds is that of “munch, munch, munch” on the frame inside the walls or up in the attic.  This sound is followed closely on my no-no list with the sound of little clawed feet scurrying about in those same spaces.

We have been hearing these things recently.  A couple of weeks ago we had actual combat taking place.  I am sure it was on the roof as it went across the whole house, even our bedroom which has a vaulted ceiling – so there is no attic space above us.  We heard the battle right over head.  Some foe was vanquished – we heard their pitiful cries for mercy.  None was given.  We got to hear some poor creature meet it’s untimely end right above our heads that morning.

It wasn’t long after that when we started seeing a little gray flash out of the corner of our collective eyes.  I thought I saw something in the basement, but decided it was just a shadow of a little car hanging from the light string…

Then Laura said she thought she saw something while Facebooking one night.  Then a few nights later the kids saw it – the mouse!  It scurried behind the couch.  There was much screaming and running about.

We decided something draconian must be done.  So at the beginning of the month I did a bunch of Googly research and bought some Victory traps, some glue paper, and some smelly concoction from a web site (that hasn’t arrived yet in the mail).  We set the traps and waited – nothing.

Late last week Laura saw it again.  Only this time the creature was so bold to stop and give her a stare back before scrambling away.  We decided that these traps were not actually self baiting as they claimed.  So late Saturday night, I added a dab of peanut butter to one trap.

About 30 minutes later… <!”SNAP”!> and it was over.  I looked and saw a wiggly tale and a shaky arm.  Looking a little close I could see that a spine had been broken.  It was about as quick, painless, and efficient as such things could possibly be.

I woke Laura up to inform her, secretly hoping she would get up and help with the aftermath.  But I guess grossness only pertains the the kids’ issues.  She just said, “That’s great dear” and rolled over.

So I went down and wrapped my hand in a plastic bag and grabbed the corner of the trap.  I was afraid that it’s friends would come out to defend their compatriot against me.  But Reepacheep was evidently occupied elsewhere.  I picked up the corner of the trap with the limp body dangling off the other side.  I managed to take it out and put it on the garage floor.

I then got a freezer bag and placed the trap and all inside.  I also stuffed in the grocery bag that I used as a glove.  So all the biohazard material was contained.  I left it in the garage to show the family that the deed was indeed done.  I also replaced the trap with a new one with peanut butter – nothing has happened since.  Did we actually have just a solo act?

When everyone got up the kids were facinated.  Hannah couldn’t bear to look, but she was willing to have Joshua take a picture for her on her camera so she could gross out her friends.  We do have pictures, but I haven’t posted them because we do want this to be a family friendly web site.

What do you think?  Should pictures of vaquished vermin be placed on The Kelsey’s family blog?  Or is that just T.M.I. (too much information).  Share your feedback with us by commenting on this post.

This is a great little video that was referred to me in an e-mail.  It is a great little piece for homeschool students and any adults that are unsure about how all the different political systems compare to each other.  I like the fact that it shows that “left” and “right” are not adequate labels to describe the governmental options.  Check it out.

I would be very interested in what you thought. Feel free to share this link so other people can learn this important lesson, before it’s too late. Copy it from here:

http://www.thekelseys.net/index.php/how-a-republic-dies/2009/01/

So, what did you think?