A Surprise and Pumpkin Farm Fun

Yesterday I received a huge surprise at work. OK it wasn't JUST my surprise...it was for me and LG from my wonderful DH! He had to be out of town for a few days upon her arrival and so he's been calling her and talking with her each night to try and make those important connections. Well...yesterday he decided to connect with both of us by surprising us with this:

Isn't he wonderful?? I know we were both beaming when we received this beautiful gift. She carried it so carefully to the car and we put it on the piano when we got home so that we could see it often.

Last night, DS 1 came home to meet LG. She loved meeting him and getting to know yet another person in our family. As I said before she comes from a rather large and very interconnected family. Her knowledge of her family tree absolutely astounds me. I am fairly confident she'll have our family tree down in no time!

She has connected with all the boys quite well. They have played frisbee with her, helped her with coloring, and watched TV with her. I think she enjoys the positive attention and they like doting on a little girl!

Today, DS 4, LG and I headed off to our local Pumpkin festival. We had a ball even though it was SO DARN HOT!

I love some of our pics from the festival! They enjoyed riding the ponies, painting pumpkins, looking at the baby animals and riding on the hayride. We'll have to go back later this week to get our big pumpkin. It was so hot when we were leaving that I didn't even want to head into the tent where they were. We'll go in the evening.

Last night we had a small group gathering at our house for church. It was fun for all of them to meet LG for the first time. She enjoyed being a hostess and helping prepare the food. She talked with people and made sure to hug them all as they left.

Tomorrow we will be "reverse trick or treating" here in our neighborhood and in two other neighborhoods in town. This is when we go door to door and hand neighbors bags of candy to use for Halloween. It's a great activity that catches people off guard and extends a surprising act of kindness all at the same time.

All's well here in our world. In so many ways it's almost as if it's always been. I love that.

Our Little Girl (LG)

If you read my last post, then you know the changes that have occurred in our house this past week! It has been a flurry of activity in a home that has so many flurries already! But it's been great!

We completed our home study last week and were asked to attend a staffing for LG on Tuesday. There were no less than 20 people at the staffing! Many were there representing one child or another...but still all had history with this case. Incredible! While there they named each child, discussed his/her placement and future goals for each one.

When we discussed LG, they mentioned that DH and I had stepped forward for LG. I have to tell you how wonderful it was to get the affirmation from people who have been working with her and her family for a long time! At the end of that meeting, they decided to let LG transition herself to our home. She would come to visit then we could "move slowly" so as to make it a bit easier on her.

On Wednesday, I brought her to my room at school for breakfast and she told me that she knew we wanted to take her to our house. I explained that she would come for a visit and only stay when SHE decided to do it. Until that time she could sleep at her Uncle/Aunt's house.

She came. Each boy and DH treated her like a PRINCESS! They sang Hannah Montana songs with her! They helped her with make your own taco night. They talked and smiled and laughed with her. She loved it.

While on our way home later that evening, she said, "When can I come back to your house?" I said, "Whenever you would like to." She said, "How about tomorrow?" I asked her if this was a visit or if she wanted to stay. She replied: "I think I'll come back tomorrow like I did today. Then, on Friday, I'll just come to stay!"

As of the writing of this post, LG is sleeping in HER room in HER bed! She decided to stay last night--one night earlier than her original plan. We went and gathered her things and she's here now.

Of course, I cannot go into the history of this case in a public location, but suffice it to say she still has many hurdles to overcome. I cannot tell you though just how "right" it feels! She fits well. She's happy. Last night she told me she feels "safe". There is no better, or more necessary, feeling than that one if she is to make the road to healing successfully.

I promise I'll get around to more regular blogging again! The whirlwind has left me a bit flustered! Thank you all for your prayers. We are doing great and excited to make this journey with LG.

Pink is in the Air!

If you've read this blog for any length of time, then you know that I feel 100% called to my job. I work in a school that has a very "needy" population. Among hunger and poverty, we also see kids and families that find themselves in foster care. All of our children absolutely tug at your heartstrings. It is a beautiful little learning community. Every once in a while, though, a child or family comes along that just holds a special spot in your heart.

One such family is a family of nine cousins that have been primarily raised by older relatives. They have quite a history. Let me also say that there is a HUGE network of extended family nearby as well. I have 13 cousins and I think it would be almost like having us all live in the same town and our children going through the same school.

Anyway, back to this family. I have worked with 6 of the 9 cousins over the years. In particular, I have worked with the oldest three in a sibling group of six. The oldest brother has a horrible illness and is in care for that. The middle brother is in the 6th grade and doing quite well. I taught him reading while he was in second grade. This is where my soft spot began to develop. Their younger sister, A, is 8yo and in the 2nd grade. Middle brother and A have tugged at my heartstrings since the day they arrived on our campus! I have always said if they needed a place to go, I'd take them in a heartbeat.

They are sweet, kind, loving children. Last year all the children were removed from the home for a time and farmed out to relatives. The only one who was not placed with relatives was the sister, A. She went to a foster home. This broke my heart! While they were dispersed, her brother called me on my phone (I had given him my number in case he ever needed anything) and said, "Just take care of A. I don't know where she is and I want to know she's OK." So so sweet! I did, in fact, watch out for her during that stint in foster care.

At that time, I thought I needed to look into what it would take to bring her to my home. DH and I were foster parents though in the 90's in another county, so I thought it would be too difficult to re-up our license so fast. I did nothing about it and she eventually was returned to her relatives along with her cousins and siblings.

Circumstances this week led them to be removed from their home once again. I cannot go into the entire situation here, but suffice it to say it's not good. Although she's with extended family, they are looking for a place for A to go.

While relaying this story to me, and knowing my connection to the family, the counselor at my school talked to me yesterday afternoon and asked if my foster care license was still good. It is not. It has lapsed---really lapsed. Our last foster child lived with us in 1993 in another city--before DS 3 was even born!

Still, I went home that night and talked with DH. It wasn't quite what he was expecting---but he was willing to see what the possibilities are. We talked to the boys in a family meeting after that. There wasn't one person in my house who wasn't willing to make A a part of our family!

I have to tell you my boys' reaction was so sweet. When we called him at school, DS 1 said, "Mom paint my room pink. She can have it. She needs a family and ours is a great one to go to." DS 3 said, "She might get scared at night. I'll move to DS 1's room so she can be closer to your room in case she needs you at night." I might add that DS 1's room is smaller than his room. DS 2 said, "I am just sad that I won't be here for all of her growing up years." DS 4 said, "Wow! I wonder if she's a 'girlie girl'?" followed by "I could help her with her homework!"

I have to also add that they ALL noted that it was quite a "sneaky way" for me to get a pink room! I love my boys so much!

We agreed to see what the possibilities are by calling the agency the very next day. I prayed that night that if this is what God wants for our family and for A, that it will happen. It will be nothing short of a miracle if it is able to all fall into place. I mean this is government. There is paperwork. There are hoops to jump through. If it happens, the placement could be a day, a week, a month, or a lifetime. We have no way of knowing that at this point. We understand the system and will have to work within it.

The next morning, I talked to our school counselor who talked with the case worker. She asked me to call her. I couldn't believe how FAST the entire thing sped up! It turns out that we can take her on a "non-relative emergency placement" with a few steps: fingerprints and a home study.

While on the phone with the caseworker, she gave me more history than I knew before. My heart broke even MORE for these kids. She even asked me if we'd be interested in adopting A--if it ever came to it!

DH came to my school that afternoon to at least intersect with her since he may not be here when she is placed with us. She walked with us and talked to us for quite a while. Wednesday we were fingerprinted.

Wednesday night, the boys and my FIL helped move all the furniture in the bedrooms to make it ready for her to come to our home. This included completely taking beds apart to get them out of one room and into another. Teachers at my school who know started bringing me "girl stuff". Yesterday, we had our home study. It seems that it will all happen early next week!

I'm amazed...simply amazed!!! The mountains have just moved this week in such big ways. I believe that is a beautiful picture of what we are supposed to do as Christians...reach out. So, I'm asking you, if you are a "pray-er", to continue to pray for our family. Pray for A. Pray for her family.

We are trusting that we can be her "for-now family". If it comes to the place where she is available for adoption, then we will seek to become her forever family. We can't see down the road at this time. We only see this step. And we are excited to make it together!

Random Dozen #6 (for me)

1. I've always wondered why we were taught both printing and cursive. Do you prefer to print or write cursive? (Keyboard is not a choice.) I do a little of both. I print when I am taking notes at a meeting. I write cursive when I am writing a letter to someone. In my observation I think women write in cursive more than men do. And anymore it's really a lost art. My kids really have had to learn the hard way. I remember my DS 1 going to take the SAT in 7th grade for the Duke program and he said the hardest part was signing his name!



2. Are you a dreamer or a realist? Wow, I am certain most people in my family would say I'm a dreamer. But I'd like to say I have a foot in both places...a dreamer who knows and understands reality.

3. Billy Joel or Elton John? You're killing me! I love 'em both! I will tell you that DS 3 and I enjoyed a Billy Joel marathon while traveling this summer...I got a compilation CD with 43 of his songs on it. It's GREAT!

4. What is the scariest movie you've ever seen? Not just horror flicks but also ones where the tension or suspense is killer, for example, Flightplan (2005): A bereaved woman and her daughter are flying home from Berlin to America. At 30,000 feet the child vanishes and nobody admits she was ever on that plan. Um...Silence of the Lambs gave me the CREEPS....but I'd have to say Mercy with Kathy Bates is probably the scariest movie I have ever seen all the way through!


5. Now what is the scariest real-life moment you've had? Wow! That's a hard question. I have had a couple of times where I didn't know where one of the boys was and worked myself into a frenzied panic.

6. What word do you misspell without fail? I usually misspell committee or recommend and have to spell check to be sure I'm right.


7. Name something you like to do but are not really talented or good at? Hmmm...I don't do too much that makes me uncomfortable. I love karaoke and I'm not that good at it. I usually do group singing though to avoid embarassment.


8. Do you get your emotional/mental batteries recharged by being around people or by having alone time? Again I think my family would say by being around people. And most of the time that's absolutely true. There are times, though, that I LOVE just being alone with no noise...nothing...just alone. (I feel like I'm answering "it depends" a lot this week!)

9. Have you ever been on TV? I was on Romper Room when I was four. I was SO EXCITED! I was on the news and the education channel a couple of years ago when I was the teacher of the year in our county. Other than that, no.

10. Apple or pumpkin pie? (Don't be greedy.) PUMPKIN all the way!!

11. How many magazine subscriptions do you have? I think we have three or four of them.

12. What lesson do you have to keep re-learning? Letting go and letting God.

Earnestly Praying Today...

I have a prayer on my heart today. I cannot share the details and specifics here...but I am asking that if you are also a "pray-er" that you would just ask for God's will to be done in this situation. Let me assure you that ALL IS WELL. I know that HE does know the details and the specifics and that He CAN move mountains that need to move if necessary. Thanks, everyone!

My Weekend Window

What a busy weekend! Actually, it was relatively mild as our weekends normally go, but I thought I'd fill you in just the same.

Friday, DS 2 went to the U2 concert then up to Orlando to stay with his friend Matt. He called us at 11 after the concert to tell us that his phone had died and that he would text as soon as he got to his friend's house. Well, I woke up around 12:45am and started my "Mother worry".

I texted his brother, my DS 1, and asked if he was awake. He said "yes". I asked him to text DS 2's friend Matt and tell him to have my DS 2 text BOTH his Dad's phone and mine. DS 1 said, "OK". (Keep this little tidbit in mind.) And not 20 minutes later, DS 2 texted and said that he had arrived safely. I went back to sleep.

Saturday morning I took my FIL to Ikea. We went to find furniture for their family room. Let me just say that almost any trip with him is an adventure. We had fun. Found furniture. I told him that my DS 1 rode the cart through the warehouse section. Not to be outdone by a 20-something, HE had fun riding the cart (like a skateboard) up and down the warehouse aisles! I have a picture, but don't know how to transfer it from my phone to my blog.

Not long after I got home from that trip, DSs 3 and 4 and I headed out to see Brandon Heath, Leeland, and Franceska Battistelli in the Follow You tour. I'm pretty sure anyone who listens to Christian music knows of Brandon Heath (Give Me Your Eyes) or Francesca Battistelli (Free to Be Me) who are BOTH wonderful....but you may not know about Leeland.

These guys are simply amazing! My boys "discovered" them several years ago at a Youth Weekend where they led worship everyday for a week. Soon after that, we bought their first CD and LOVED it! My favorite song so far of theirs is "Yes You Have"--although there's one on the new album called "Via Dolorosa" that is simply amazing.. There's no video to really watch here, but you can listen to "Yes You Have" a fabulous worship song here:


And I can't put that song in without also giving you the powerful lyrics:

Every tree and every stone Every rushing wind that moans They sing Your praise My God, they sing Your praise Every star and open sky Tell of Your glory divine They shout Your praise They shout Your praise, yeah

You've stolen my heart Yes, You have! You've stolen my heart Yes, You have! You've wiped away the stains And broke away the chains Yes, You have!!

With Your love You set me free Three nails gave me liberty So I'll sing Your praise My God, I'll sing Your praise Oh, with Your love You forgave my sin Forgot my past And brought me back again So I'll sing Your praise I'll sing Your praise, yeah

If I ascend into the sky Or hide behind the night I can not run Your love is chasing me If I fall into the sea
Your hand will rescue me No one will take Your place Because This is all for You
Yes, this is all for You You're the King of the world You're the King of the world

Leeland really has a heart and a passion for faith that well-surpasses his age. The worship was amazing...The story of Leeland and Brandon Heath going into Cambodia through an organization called "Feed the People" was touching. Here is a short video of their trip and the song that is the theme of their tour:



Anyway, we had FRONT ROW SEATS! So fun! DS 2 came and met us there. This is where I found out just how strange my texting with DS 1 must have been. It turns out that DS 1 was AT Matt's house waiting for his brother! So, I don't think he had to text AT ALL to ask Matt to have DS 2 text my phone. I called him on it and he really didn't see any reason I needed to know they were sitting only feet from each other. And I guess I don't "need" to know...but I think I "want" to know those types of things. Perhaps this is part of my nest becoming more empty!

Yesterday, was relatively quiet for us. Just a lazy sort of Sunday. I needed that to prepare myself for this week. I've hit the ground running today already and I don't know if it will stop until next Saturday.

So, that's it from my neck of the woods! Hope you're all off to a great week.

Random Dozen #5: A TOUGH one for me!

1. On an average, how often do you splurge and buy something for yourself? I used to do it far more often than I do now. I would say maybe once every other month now. I used to have what I called "Be Nice to Susan" days. These were days I'd go to the mall and just buy something new or take myself to dinner or some other kindness I "thought" I deserved. I have realized though that the satisfaction from this sort of thing is rather short-lived. In his book "Intelligence for Your Life" John Tesh discusses this in great detail. I shared it on my blog when I reviewed this book:

"Money "cannot buy happiness"...but actually, it CAN. The thing is, the dopamine (happiness hormone) that is released when we purchase things is short-lived. At the most, big purchases (house, car) can last about 3 months. Then it's GONE. But, Tesh reveals, scientists and therapists have found that money can buy sustained happiness when it's used to purchase "experiences". He writes: "it's the experiences--the memories--that give lasting happiness, not the fanciness of the experiences." I love that."

2. Are you more like Hall or Oates? Just kidding. Real question: What is the last creative project you began/finished? Feel free to post a pic of it. I'm so SAD to say that the last creative project I began AND finished was my scrapbook of DH's and my Alaska trip. I'll try and post a picture of it if my camera is cooperating.

3. OK, Goldie Locks, do you consider your house too big, too little or juuuust right? OK, I know it's more than "just right"...but there are days when I absolutely would love to have ONE more room or ONE more space in it. Yet, I know that my house is a space that is a blessing to us and I try not to think about what "more" I want, but to be thankful for what I have. (This goes along with the happiness question for me... because I often think "If I only had so-and-so's house, I'd be more satisfied.")

4. What is your favorite outdoor chore? Ewwww....NONE! OK I suppose if I had to pick one it'd be decorating for the holidays. I love getting the outside all ready for the celebrations that are coming.

5. If you knew that cigarette smoking was not bad for your health but would be a weight loss tool, would you use it? Why or why not? Probably if it were not bad for my health. Although it really DOES smell horrible. This is an interesting question, Linda....I guess my gut reaction is "yes"...but then I start thinking about all the "yuck-factor" for me and I think the answer is probably "no".

6. On a road trip, would you rather drive or ride? 100% of the time, I am happier when I'm the driver! I love to drive and sing and laugh and see the sights all at once!!

7. What do you consider a trivial pursuit? Wow. I'd say the pursuit of things that are self-promoting. I don't know if that's really considered "trivial" or just annoying to me!

8. This weekend, we downloaded the movie "Duplicity" with Julia Roberts and Clive Owen. Within 5 minutes, I was bored and annoyed, but I kept watching 5-10 minutes at a time hoping it would get better between small chores. I finally gave up and Jorge watched it alone, and then regretted wasting that time because he disliked it intensely, too. So ... how long do you watch a movie or read a book before giving up on it? I rarely give up on a movie, but if I did, it'd be within the first thirty minutes. A book? I have abandoned it in about three chapters unless I am going on someone's review of it. Usually I'll press through it if I respect the reader and his/her opinion.

9. Is there a song that you really love but are embarrassed to admit because it's not cool or it's racy or because it's by Hall and Oates? I'd have to say that this question is quite interesting because I LOVE so much music! Hmmm...I have some very southern gospel stuff in my car that my kids would die if I put in the player. I suppose the other thing that comes to my mind is at the other end of the spectrum...there are some songs I like that would probably shock my kids like Sir Mix-a-lot's "Baby Got Back". Is that sick? From Southern Gospel to Rap??


10. On a scale of 1-10 (10 = extremely) how spontaneous are you? Funny, DH and I were just talking about this the other day. I used to be a nine or a ten. Now, not so much. I think there are several contributing factors: age, life circumstances, responsibility, etc. But I have to say I miss it. In so many ways I want to be that girl would drop everything at the spur of the moment to go on an adventure. I'm really not sure she's in there much anymore.

11. Are you a food and/or beverage snob? Um only if you consider Diet Coke a snobbish beverage.

12. Who/What are you trying to control in your life? (I hear people gulping and see them sweating in anticipation of how to answer this one.) Without a doubt this is the hardest question! It really makes me have to be raw. I try to control a lot of stuff. I am a control-FREAK. It's not good. It's not healthy. It's something I am working on...but I have a LOONNGGGG way to go. So, control? I'm trying to control my need to control without spiraling out of control! How's that for honest??

In the nick of time...

I NEEDED this today. I hope it encourages you too.

Pretty Packages...

I met another "pretty package" recently. You know, someone who seems to have life all together. They are all around us. Shoot, it occurred to me today that I may even give off that appearance once-in-a-while. Some people will admit their flaws and imperfections. Others would rather continue the facade.

Yet, the truth is...all pretty packages have places that are imperfect. We all have places that don't look as pretty. Those seams that don't quite come together. Or the parts that aren't packaged as well.

An amazing thing happens, though, when God himself reaches into our lives. He takes the broken parts; the parts that don't quite fit; the parts that are flawed and imperfect...and he pours out his Amazing Grace on them. And the parts that aren't as pretty to see are made whole through the eyes of love.

And, that, my friends is what makes us perfect just the way we ARE! Do you know he loves you? Do you know that he knows exactly which part of your life is falling to pieces? And he LOVES YOU! HE. LOVES. YOU. He wants to wrap his arms of love around you and renew and restore your soul. He wants you to be HIS pretty package...for it's not the outer wrappings he sees. No. It's the heart. I love that.

In my mind, there's no better picture for this than when God was appointing David to be king. Samuel was looking at the strong men in Jesse's family. He was drawn to the older boys. The ones with brawn. But, God had other plans:

7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

So beautiful!

Life is one big status update!

Do you Twitter? Or Facebook? These two social networking sites use status updates to keep people apprised of what their followers are doing. Honestly there are days I feel like I'm living life 140 characters at a time (a la Twitter) or update-by-update (a la Facebook).

I remember when I first heard about Twitter, I thought, "You have GOT to be KIDDING me!" Who wants to know what I'm doing every second of every day? Honestly, not many people do. In many ways, the same is true of Facebook.

I've decided though that these little status update are akin to puzzle pieces. When you start to put the status updates of a user together, you start to get a picture in your head of who they are and what makes them tick. I realize the picture may or may not be completely accurate depending on the honesty of the updates. Still, it's interesting.

As I reread the list below, I think I realized that I like the bits and pieces, but I also like the "whole picture". In fact, that may be why I am rediscovering the joy of blogging.

Here are some of my updates from Tuesday night of this past week until today--and some editorial behind-the-scenes comments:

An old song has replayed in my head today: "They don't know that I go runnin' home when I fall down. They don't know who picks me up when no one is around. I drop my sword and cry for just a while. Cause deep inside this armor, the warrior is a child." (I need to add here that I was in a funk during that time. It's so hard to be in a place where you need to reach out, but you don't know WHO to reach out to...learning and growing in faith is HARD sometimes. I really remembered that day that the child inside me can just cry out to God and let him know exactly what's happening. I love that!)

I'm about to hit 1 week of eye-twitching! It's making me CRAZY! (And the eye-twitching continues today...we'll be at two weeks if it goes on tomorrow at all. Think it's stress? Maybe.)

Good morning everyone! It's Wednesday...we're HALF WAY!

Heading out to see DS 3 in the air band competition tonight. He's been practicing under wraps for weeks...this will be the "big reveal"!! (I almost called him and begged out of going...I was SO tired. I was going to send my DSs 2 and 4 to represent.) I am SO glad I didn't. I'm proud of all my boys and never want them to think what they do is not important to me.)

Airband is over. DS 3 makes me laugh. For that matter, all my guys make me laugh. Let's just say "I kissed a girl" resurfaced for a moment during his act....so proud. So very proud!! (I'm STILL laughing over this. I so wish the video were available on You Tube, cause I'd share it. He's a HOOT!)

Ready for a LOOOONNNNGGGG day at work. Partners in Print tonight which should be fun...:-) (It was MOST definitely a LONG day...but a good one. I'm blessed.)

It's 4:39 and I'm up...the worst part is I've been up since 3:45! Should I go back to bed or just stay up? That is the question... (Uh, that was NOT good. I'm CRANKY when I haven't had my sleep.)

Survey says....she stayed up...which doesn't mean that in an hour or so she won't CRASH at work!! (I didn't crash at work...cause I had a million things to do there too. I actually didn't really crash until last night when I knew that my DH would be home after being gone all week.)

OK, Jodi saved the day with the Simply Salsa mix, but I think I'm scrapping the homemade guacamole for tonight. Chopped onions for the baked onions and now I'm tired and don't feel like chopping and cutting anymore (I have prayed for this type of relationship with my neighbors and it's been a long time coming. I love knowing that I could run over there and borrow something and she had it. I also loved hosting this event in my home again.)

It's 10:41 and my feet are FINALLY UP after a VERY long day. (They were THROBBING!! And still are very sore...)

I'm up and ready for the day...I have NOTHING that I HAVE to do today...first time all week! (Except finish decorating for October, getting haircuts, and going to approve my in-law's choice in recliners...they asked!)

DS 3 is playing the Beatles in one room...DS 4 is watching Mythbusters where the question of the moment is "Can flatulence be fatal?" Hmmmm...think I'll just "Let it Be"!! (Some stuff you just can't make up!)

Had a great time at church this morning and now relaxing and watching my Fantasy Football team LOSE!!

So you be the judge. Do you know any more about me than you did before you read this post? Are the updates worth it, or not??

These are a bit "boring" if you ask me. BUT I really like reading other people's updates...even when they are the everyday thoughts and experiences they have.

No matter where you stand on it, I hope you're having a happy Sunday and enjoying your visit in blogland!!

Friday Fave Five

My friend, Melli plays this meme on Fridays. She gets it from the host, Susanne at Living to Tell the Story. In this meme, we share our five favorite things from the past week. If you would like to play along just post your 5, link back to Susanne and visit her to see who else is playing along.

1. It turned cooler on Wednesday. What a GIFT that is when you live in southwest Florida. It's been so hot and humid lately that I forgot what it felt like. Although those of you in the north won't think it, the temp dropped to the mid-70's. It was gorgeous!!

2. I had a BLAST watching my DS 3 at the airband contest the other night. He just had so much fun. Since he's the most conservative of all my kids, it was fun to see him cut loose and enjoy himself on stage. I wish I could link up to the video which came out on Facebook today! Too funny!

3. Last night a team of teachers and I facilitated a parent/student night for K-1 children and their families. This program is called Partners in Print. I LOVE IT! It's a great time for families to learn more about helping each other develop literacy. The best part?? My friends Sandy and Jamie came and helped out just because they're those kind of people! I love it when people just give and don't expect anything in return. They are very special people!

4. Our church served free supper for our K-1 families last night. I love that too. It's so neat to be able to let the families know that someone has provided their supper at no charge. What a blessing!

5. Speaking of church, I'm going to host our second "Partycipate"...our version of a membership gathering...at my house tonight. Last Saturday, we had 19 people over to hear the vision and mission and get to know one another. Tonight, there will be another 25 people. I love getting to know people...especially while laughing and learning together.

Well...that's it! Happy Friday to all!

Some things just make me say...

HUH!?!?!

Yesterday, this little news tidbit came across my computer screen:

Houston Woman Fries and Eats Pet Goldfish After Fight with Husband

Authorities say a Houston-area woman who was burned up at her former common-law husband fried their pet goldfish and ate some of them.... The seven goldfish were purchased together by the couple during happier times....Police spokesman Vance Mitchell says the man reported on Saturday that the woman took the goldfish from his apartment.....Mitchell says the two argued earlier about some jewelry the man had given her but took back. She wanted the jewelry returned....Officers...arrived to find four fried goldfish on a plate. The woman said she already ate the other three

Call me crazy but she fried and ate seven 99cent goldfish to make him mad enough to give back jewelry??? And she thought it would work???? AND this was a police matter???? And it's worthy of national news on the Internet??

I just don't get it!

AND...in OTHER "HUH!?!" News...

DS 3 Takes the Stage With Top Secret Performance

Last night, my DS 3 participated in the school's "airband competition". You might remember when he and my DS 2 shot a video for the Grammy Awards in January. Well, the past few weeks "Mr. Creative" has resurfaced and decided HE'D get on stage for this event.

He kept the plan tightly under wraps except to say "You're going to be SO proud. It might be the proudest moment of your life!" I don't know about you, but when your teenager tells you stuff like that, generally you're thinking quite the opposite! Then last night, just before we left to go to the high school I got this phone call: "Hi Mom. No matter what you see on stage tonight, I just want you to know that I still like girls."

And there you have it, folks, something else that made me say "HUH!?!" There was no waiting once we got there. DS 3 signed his act up to be first on the program. He decided that he wanted to be the FIRST person ever to perform for an audience on the brand new stage AND that if he went first and it bombed, the audience would forget it by the time the night was over. I've raised thinkers if nothing else.

The act did NOT bomb. It was funny. They changed clothes three times and yes, "I Kissed a Girl" (from their Grammy video) resurfaced. And, yes, there was a "son in a dress" involved. It was choreographed well and DS 3--who has not always been my most coordinated child--did a GREAT job moving on the stage. I laughed so hard!

On the way home, he was so excited! He loved the feel of just getting up there and having fun. He is already planning for next year. And yes I am VERY proud of him.

He also noted that one of his friends said, "Wow, I should have done it with you." He had begged people for weeks to do it, but they wouldn't get on stage and go for it. I told him that I have been in that kid's shoes many many times. I've refused to just get out there and do something that I wanted to do because I didn't want to embarass myself. Yet, I also know that when you push yourself to do something like that you usually do have a blast.

I'm a proud Mama. I love it that my guys love to have fun. I love it that they enjoy their lives and occasionally throw caution to the wind (in a good way). I love it that they enjoy school in many ways.

As one of their teachers said to me last night, "Now we just have to figure out which one of your sons looks better in a dress!" He followed up by telling DS 4 (my fifth grader) that he better start looking for a dress now...cause he's probably going to need it!

And THAT made me once again think "HUH!?!?!"

Happy Thursday all!