Spring Forward..

Spring came forward during this "spring-forward" time change weekend--finally! It was a gorgeous two days and one of those times I really LOVE living here.

DS 1 was with us most of the week last week as he was on Spring Break. It was hard for me not seeing him as much as I'd like, but nice to have him around still. He had to do a "drill weekend" for his Guard unit, so he left on Saturday evening.

I know it's wishful thinking, but I do hope that the boys settle somewhere near us when they are finished with schooling. Even if they can't do that, I hope we are somehow able to see them regularly, cause I sure miss them when they are gone!

DS 2 came home from his mission trip Saturday afternoon. I have only talked with him briefly and am excited to hear about his trip to Nicaragua. He has agreed to do a guest blog...so hopefully you'll get to read about it soon as well. The pictures are gorgeous and heartbreaking all at once. When I said, "I can't wait to hear all about it!" He said, "There's SO MUCH to tell!" That's where we left it. I cannot tell you how much it warms my heart to know that my guys love being out helping people so much!

I don't know if I mentioned that DS 3 is in the midst of track season once again. He is pole vaulting again this year. If you've read this blog for more than a year, then you might remember that last year he "no heighted" the season. (This means he didn't make it over the pole.) Still he stuck with it to my amazement and awe! Now here we are in a new season and he is clearing 8 ft! Anyway, we went to see him the other day for just a bit and I was once again reminded just how much I admire his focus and drive.

Another thing DS 3 has discovered is just how much he likes biking. He took a long bike ride this weekend to our local national park and hiked back there a bit. He loves just being out there and discovering new things.

Speaking of bike rides, DS 4, LG, and I left Saturday to ride around a bit. She made it about 2 feet ok 2 blocks before something happened and she decided she didn't want to do it anymore. She is really still learning and it's quite a chore for her to get started. DS 4 and I took her home and we continued our own ride. It was fun to ride with him. We went about 12 miles total. I could tell you I payed dearly later, but I'll spare you the details.

Sunday was another gorgeous day. DS 3 and I walked downtown a bit and had lunch down there. Then I took DS 4 to the skate park for a little bit while I did my homework for small group. So nice to sit outside, soak up the sun, and read a bit.

DH and I had small group last night. This is always an interesting time. I have to say we got the nicest compliment last night about the kids. They generally stay in their rooms during our small group so they don't interfere. One of the participants said, "I have to say you really have good kids! As many times as we've been here, we've never heard them during our time." Our sermons at church recently have been about having "reference points" that help give us a picture of reality. I needed that reference point! I am very PROUD of my kids for MANY reasons. This reference point reminded me again that I need to say it more often!

There ya' go...our weekend in a nutshell!

It's Raining, It's Pouring!

It's been raining all day. We really needed it...there have been wildfires and horrible conditions in Florida due to the dryness. So I am thankful.

But rain does something to people...little people and big people. The little people at school today have been wired beyond belief. They are antsy. They are fidgety. (Of course, it may have just as much to do with this being the last week of school.)

The big people? Suffice it to say that some around my school have been quite CRANKY today!! They are on edge. They are snappy with their responses....

Come to think of it....that may ALSO be due to the fact that it is the last week of school!?!?!

I think I'm going to go home and do what I LOVE to do on a rainy day....curl up with a good book and try to forget all the cranky edgy antsy people I have been around today!!!!!

;-)

Storm over...all is well....

The cleaning storm went extremely well (probably only a category 2 storm vs. the category 4 that it is sometimes)...The news reporter and her camera operator were here for all of about five minutes. NOW I can enjoy the calm AFTER the storm!!

The Calm before the Storm

I spent the morning getting my hair done. The salon I go to is a bit like those you see in Steel Magnolias...conversation is often four or five way. It's small and welcoming and everyone loves seeing the transformation from the time you enter until you leave. Anyway after my visit this morning, I was relaxed and calm.

Then I came home.

I walked into the house and all seemed fine and normal. Then, my darling husband (who is the epitome of calm) announces that our local cable news network will be here by 3:30. HERE? At MY HOUSE??? Admittedly, my first thought was "WHAT did the boys do?????" I have no history that causes me to jump to such a conclusion...it's just how I'm wired.

After I had that moment of shock, dh explains that it's the one year anniversary since our church was devastated from hurricane Charley. One year. We are still cleaning up and repairing the building that was damaged. It seems like forever on most days. The news channel interviewed my husband last year and they are doing the follow up. Of course, last year's interview was done on the CHURCH property (which is 35 miles from our house). So much for my after-salon calm.

Why today? Why here? It's beautiful outside today. It's sunny. There's not a cloud in the sky. Dad has already prepared the boys that the turbo cleaning and picking up will begin. Even though it's quiet and beautiful outside (and really calm), as soon as I finish typing this blog....hurricane MOM will hit at our house as we start to tidy up and get ready for our unexpected visitor. It's not all that different than one year ago when Charley visited...except he TORE up during the storm.

I guess that I'll hope for "calm" and "normal" on another day!

I love this song by Natalie Grant:

This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we'd be held.

On her website she talks about a very low point in her life and shares a scripture that came to her during this time from Deuteronomy:

"The eternal God is your refuge,and underneath are the everlasting arms" (Deuteronomy 33:27, NIV).

I can't help but think that there must be so many people in the path of Hurricane Dennis who are right now crying out, "Where IS God in all of this?" And yet, I think this scripture makes it very clear that He is holding the hurting and lonely and devastated. Thank Goodness!!

I remember the amazing love that was poured out right after Charlie hit last year. It was absolutely amazing!! And it was SO evident that God used so many people to bring hope and healing to those hurting people.

I wish it didn't take a tragedy for us to realize that He is there all the time! May we all know what it is to be held this week.

Storm Prep

Here we go...Dennis is poking around the Gulf and we are waiting to find out what is going to happen. So far it looks like we are not going to have a direct hit from this storm...but it's hard to tell. That's actually what we confidently thought last year on August 13th when Charlie tore a totally unexpected path through Charlotte County and the rest of the state. We learned a lesson with that storm...

I have my water. I have extra food. Candles. Water. Batteries. Water. Flashlights. Water. A brand new can opener. Did I mention water? According to the list...we are ready.

Growing up here, I have always said, "At least with hurricanes you can prepare...it's nothing like the scare you must get in California where the Earth shakes without warning." Now THAT would seriously bother me!!

You know what, though? I don't know which is "better." Last year, I was a bit nervous. I wasn't downright scared...just very tense. And after seeing the wrath of Charlie...my tension grew for subsequent storms. It really can wreak havoc on people. The thing is your nerves can be raw for days at a time.

So we watch Dennis knock on the door of Florida or Alabama or Louisiana or??? Where ever he enters, it could be bad. It's a big storm. We prepare as best we can. Today the thought occured to me: maybe a surprise visitor is better than the kind that threatens to drop by for days...I don't know.

It's Raining

It's raining this morning. I love rain. I hate rain. I love it when it rains on "my time". I hate it when I have to go out in it. I realize that I really am a "sun" girl. I need to see it. It keeps my affect up. I find that I am more groggy, and sometimes downright sulky on rainy days.

As I think about the rain and the sun. I realize that it is not unlike our lives...except the words should be turned into reign and son. When I let schedules and "stuff" have reign in my life, there is no SON. But, when I let the SON (Jesus) be in charge, then HE reigns over my life and all is well. I pray that Jesus the son has complete reign in me today so that I may be a light into other's darkness.

I think I love the rain today!

Blessings!