DS 3 Made Me Do It...

I'm not feeling all that great today. After church, I came home, laid on the couch and "vegged". While minding my own business, DS 3 was across from me with his laptop and he annonced, "Mom you've really got to blog!" I guess he's tired of seeing my Wednesday post everytime he logs on to see what I might have written about him or his brothers.

He's right.

I, too, have checked my blog over this weekend as if it were going to update on its own! I even secretly found myself wishing I had more comments on my last post. Who am I kidding?

I could do a Sunday Seven, I could do a book review on the book I completed last night, or I could fill you in on the happenings of our family over the past few days. I considered making a slide show, but Rock You was down.

We had a lovely Thanksgiving dinner at my BIL and SIL, Heather's house. There were 18 of us in all celebrating together. This was the first time in about 10 or more years that this group has been together on Thanksgiving. Thank you, Dave and Heather, for hosting a lovely day.

On Friday, DH got up earlier than me to go shopping at Home Depot and some other places. I was about 30 minutes behind him, and much less motivated. I was home by 9:30am and only went back out once to take DS 2.

Saturday morning, I went to the gym for a much-needed After-Thanksgiving workout. In the afternoon we went to my Dad's to visit with my brother, Dan, who is in town for a couple of weeks. It's always fun to go over to the golf course outside their house for a little football. Last night, we got to see this hawk while we were out there. I'm sorry it is a little blurry.

When I think about Thanksgiving, I think about my blessings. And those blessings start with my family. And because of that my weekend has been blessing after blessing after blessing.

Semi-Wordless Wednesday

Reprinted from my November 2006 archives...but still fun to look at!

DS 1 (1992) DS 2 (1992)
DS 3 (1998)

DS 4 and Great Grandma (2000)

Books to Review

You can read about the first two books in my review of the Redemption Series here.
I am fairly certain these are the last two books I even reviewed! In any event, I completed book 3 a while ago and books 4 and 5 this past weekend.


In the book Return we find Luke in the modern day role of the Prodigal's Son. He completely turns his back on his faith and embraces "free thinking" lifestyle. It's amazing to watch as his family handles his transformation from faith-filled to faith-less. I think an important theme in this story is love and grace. While we have to be tough with those we love sometimes, we also have to extend grace.

I also think it speaks to the Prevenient Grace that God gives. That's the Grace that was extended to us before we were willing to recognize it. It's been said that God "woos" us unto Him. And I believe it. Kingsbury does a nice job helping us to recognize that we are all in need of a "return" of sorts when we move from His grip. And she tells the timeless truth that over and over again, He's there waiting for us to run up the road and come home!


Rejoice finds the Baxter's facing a new chapter in their lives. This book deals mostly with the story of Brooke and Peter. Both of them are, like Brooke's Dad, successful doctors. They are faced with a tragedy that shakes them to the core. Kingsbury deals with the stress that marriages often undergo when a horrible injury or death occurs to a child.

Again, the story gives us a glimpse into the faith journey of two people who have been successful and kind of put God in the corner as they climbed the ladder. She shows us how tragedy impacts so many and different responses to it. Of course, we are continually reminded just how precious it is when we can lean on each other to make it through the hard times.

The final book in this series is Reunion. I found this book very heavy and difficult to read. And while the theme of love and the ultimate redemption are prevalent, it was a reminder that we do have dark seasons in our lives.

Although it left me a bit "heavy" feeling, I am glad I read the series. I still don't know that I'll read The Firstborn series or the Sunrise series which continue to spin off from the Baxter family's lives. I will most likely put them on hold for a while as I finish up some of my reading list.

I DO highly recommend these books. They are thought-provoking, easy to relate with, and real life pictures of everyday people.

Happy Reading!

What Dry Spell?

OK, dry spell reference revealed…

This Summer I was really “cooking” on my “To Be Read” list. I was doing so well, in fact, that when the Fall Reading Challenge rolled around I thought, “I can do this!” It will be great to put a list out there and stick with it. I could almost hear ethereal music announcing, "You are woman, we hear you roar!"

AND then, it all went downhill.

I think I quite suddenly developed a severe case of “Book ADD”. I had read three of the four books in Karen Kingsbury’s Five book: Redemption Series and was in the middle of the fourth book, Rejoice” when I accidentally left it at a hotel.

Just about the same time, I won Alan Alda’s biography from my sweet friend Jill. I read it ¾ of the way in ONE weekend. I have loved what I have read, but it is deep. It requires thinking as you read.

I started The Memory Keeper’s Daughter as well in the midst of all of this until I could go buy another copy of Kingsbury’s book. I thought I’d read The Memory Keeper’s Daughter while I was in Savannah. I was WRONG! My SIL, Heather, told me it was a “page turner” for her. I thought that would be the perfect book to tide me over so I could finish the Redemption Series. I already know that “one person’s page turner can be another person’s albatross.” Seriously, it’s not THAT bad. I am enjoying it….I’m just not riveted to it…YET. I DO plan, however, to finish that book.

The fact that I also had professional books to read in preparation for upcoming trainings at school didn’t help. I started those at school and am holding pieces of each in my head until I can call them “complete”.

On our first night in Savannah, right after I'd met sweet Daisy she said, "I just love reading the book reviews you do you on your blog!" And because we'd just met, I resisted the urge to say, "Yeah, I haven't been really keeping up with THAT have I?" That night I actually found myself picking up The Memory Keeper's Daughter with DAISY in mind! I mean she might NEED my reviews, you know?

At the end of October, I “won” Mosaic by Amy Grant at another blog. I have been dying to read this book. I stopped reading all together as I thought that I’d get that book in the mail very soon. I haven't received the book yet, and sadly neither has one of the other winners. So I thought I'd better just press on into at least ONE of the five books I had started but not finished.

As if all this wasn’t enough, I agreed to review John C. Maxwell’s book, “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership” in the midst of all the textual chaos that had become my reading life.

I reminded myself that no one is grading me on whether I finish the Fall Reading Challenge or not. It’s my competitive nature that is drives me to finish. And I also reminded myself that, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” And this weekend, I decided to take a step. And in the end, I ended up taking TWO steps.

I finished the last two books in Kingsbury’s series. I’ll review them tomorrow. I decided that this was, oddly enough, the “right time” for me to hear the lessons that these two stories tell. I needed to laugh and cry with her characters this weekend. I needed to think about the spiritual implications for me, and my own life, as a result of my reading.

When I really dig deep, however, I realize that it’s a pattern that I repeat over and over again. It’s not just with books. It’s with time. It’s with relationships. It’s with family. I tend to bite off way more than I can chew then I can’t even bring myself to take the little bites necessary to finish one of the task(s) at hand. I wallow. I whine. Then I start in to fix the mess I've made.

While I don’t think floundering around doing nothing is a good thing. Perhaps a little chaos is OK once in a while. For me, anyway, it helps me remember that I have to take action if I want things to change.

And that’s a lesson that never wears out!

A Wish...and the End of a VERY DRY Spell

First and Foremost....It's our SWEET blogging friend, Lazy Daisy's birthday! Daisy is a....

Delightful darling diva who

Adores her family and

Invites all who are around her to share

Sunshine, stories and laughter.

Yes, she's one in a million!

Go wish her some birthday love! Happy hapy birthday, dear friend....you ARE LOVED!

I'll have to come back later and post more about the end of the dry spell...until then...

Happy Monday!

Sunday Seven: The Random Variety

Connie over at Little Red Hearts from God tagged me for a meme that I've been watching float around out there. It's a RANDOM THINGS Meme where you are supposed to list seven random things about yourself. I decided to play along and just blend it with my Sunday Seven list.

1. I CANNOT be around loud noises. This includes drums, fireworks, balloons popping, guns, etc. As a result, I have watched July 4th fireworks from INSIDE the car on more than one occasion. I also get very nervous when these things are around.

2. I walked on my tippy toes as a child. As a result, they checked me for Muscular Dystrophy and I had to wear "special shoes" that would tip my toes upwards. I didn't wear them as they were clunky and ugly and hard for a girl to wear around without being embarassed. I still have problems with my feet today as a result. I cannot do squats at the gym without my feet coming up off the ground...although we are working on it.

3. DH and I had five kids under the age of five at one time. We were foster parents when our two oldest boys were younger. We had agreed to take TWO kids, but the case worker dropped the first two off and announced, "There's a younger sister....we'd love to keep them together." My heart melted and they came to live with us for a while. Just before this, we "lost" one of our foster daughters that we were getting ready to adopt. A Grandparent showed up just weeks before they severed parental rights and granted us adoption. It was one of the saddest things I've ever faced.

4. I knew from the minute I saw DH that he and I were meant to be together. I am so thankful that God made us friends first, though. There are many many times in our 20 years together where our friendship has sustained us. It's critical for a well-balanced marriage, in my opinion.

5. When I was a child, I was in our Community Theater's production of The Sound of Music and also Music Man. I loved the stage and acted in several church plays as well. This led to me joining the choir in junior high and the Show Chorus in high school. I still love music and the arts with a passion.

6. For a fleeting moment after I had DS 2 I wondered if I'd "ever" have a girl. It was as if God spoke loud and clear that I would ONLY have boys because we needed to raise up Godly young Men who would become excellent Fathers and Husbands. Time and time again I've known that I was supposed to be a "Boy Mom".

7. My Mom and I used to sit at the piano for hours playing and singing through the United Methodist Hymnal and the Cokesbury Hymnal. Neither of us could do too much more than pick at the keys, BUT we'd play together and sing together and I'm so glad we did.

Saturday Photo Hunters: I Love

I LOVE my DH!!

Here's the code to get the blogroll and play along: PhotoHunt

Friday's Feast

Appetizer: What was your first “real” job?

I worked at Hardee's fast food restaurant for a few months. I really consider my FIRST real job the one I had at Busch Gardens. I was a ride operator. I ran the roller coasters, spinner rides, and such. Then I worked on the old boat ride for over a year. I got to give guided tours of the animals and things to see on this ride. It was great fun.

Soup: Where would you go if you wanted to spark your creativity?

The craft store or the scrapbook store. It usually sparks me big time.

Salad: Complete this sentence: I am embarrassed when…

I am embarrassed when I cannot do what the trainer asks me to do at the gym.

Main Course: What values did your parents instill in you?

Faith, Kindness (I hope), Compassion, and Love for Family

Dessert: Name 3 fads from your teenage years.

Since I was a teenager over two decades, the 70's and the 80's, I had to look this up.

1. Most definitely the TransAm was a "fad" at that time. People LOVED these cars particularly after one of my favorite teenage movies, "Smokey and the Bandit" starring Burt Reynolds.

2. SHOES - We went from Earth Shoes




to Penny Loafers
and don't forget, JELLY SHOES!








3. And in my later teens, and early 20's THE BOOMBOX became popular. Who would have ever DREAMED we'd be able to carry our music in a credit card size device? And we wonder just why we have back and neck problems today!?!

Thursday Thirteen

It's been a while since I posted a TT. I decided that I should play along today so I can tell you THIRTEEN Reasons I have worked in the same school for nine years:

1. I LOVE working with struggling students. It's so neat to know that you can make a difference in their lives. I especially love it when the lightbulbs of learning flash in their minds.

2. Three of my children have gone to school here. DS attended 4th grade there my first year. DS 3 attended all of his elementary school grades there. DS 4 is bringing up the rear as he has been here from K - 3 so far. (The photo on the right shows us at the annual Sock Hop a few years ago.)

3. I have a GREAT working relationship with my Administrators and my team. I know I spoke about some of our "dirty laundry" yesterday, but I am SO BLESSED to work with people who really CARE about kids and learning.

4. We have some of the BEST teachers on the planet working in my school. I get to travel to other schools and I am always amazed at just how fortunate our kids really are. This place is FILLED with great learning environments that hook kids.

5. We have FUN at my school. Whether it's a Spring Carnival, an Awards Assembly or the Plays our kids do, we know how to have fun along with learning.

6. We value reading. I know most schools would say they really do value reading, but books are one of the most important things here. They are everywhere. Our children cannot escape favorite authors and books. They KNOW that it's important.

7. There is collaboration and shared decision-making at all levels.

8. I have made life-long friends with teachers on our staff. I think this is huge. Having people who know you beyond your "teaching life" is important.

9. We have a great awards program and arts focus. Our kids get recognized quarterly for their academic accomplishments. It's nice to be able to celebrate when they grow and improve. Our arts program works to include so many of our kids in a variety of ways.

10. We ARE closing the achievement gap that we hear so much about.

11. I get to spend my days doing what I love...teaching kids and adults about reading.

12. We have received many many awards and honors including one this year from the prestigious Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Some of our students will get to perform there this Spring as a result. {The mural to the left is one of several that were created by primary students. It is made of ceramic tiles and adorns the walls in one of our primary buildings.)

13. Overall I think it's a community, a true place of learning and caring where kids can thrive in their younger years. I love our school motto: We Try, We Learn, We Succeed!

What DO you do with your time?

Two weeks ago I was in our weekly Administrative Team Meeting at work with my boss, the Assistant Principal, the Math Coach, the Media Specialist, and the Technology Coach. And with that audience looking on, I had an interesting and quite unexpected interchange with my boss.

In my job, I am a Literacy Coach. This means that I do not have a classroom. My job is to go into teacher's classrooms and help them implement their Reading and/or Writing instruction. It is my job to be a resource to them when they are looking for materials or need help with a lesson. I also handle professional development and the textbook room at our school among other things.

Anyway, on this particular day I shared that one of the teams was asking that I devote all my time in January to them as they prepare for ONE small portion of our state test. The resource person who used to do that is no longer here and her job was "rolled" into mine. I stated that I simply cannot do that because there are almost 50 classrooms out there for me to support. Narrowing down to seven when over half of those will be testing in that first quarter doesn't seem to be a fair use of my time. I told my boss that there was no way I could commit to that much time with just one team. He said, "Why not?" Things escalated for both of us. Then he asked me the question that pierced my Literacy Coach heart, "What DO you do with your time?"

I was miffed. I work very hard. I am regularly here before and after my duty day working...and he knows it. Not only that I have to log in my hours bi-weekly and send them off to the state. One of my colleagues later told me that I should never play poker because my face and body language clearly spelled out exactly what I was thinking (and refraining from saying).

Before I go further, I should note that my boss and I have a wonderful working relationship. Sometimes I feel like I am working with a brother because we don't hesitate to push each other when we need to be pushed. We say what needs to be said. And occasionally we have these very frank "tug-o'-warish" verbal exchanges. There is a great deal of respect that goes both ways. It's a unique and special working relationship in my opinion.

But just like every good relationship, there are days like the one I described above where you just get cranky! Quite honestly, I stewed about it pretty much the rest of the day. I mean, HOW could he challenge me like that? WHY couldn't he see it the way I see it? And WHAT could I possibly do to get someone else to understand how I spend my time? HOW do you account for every minute of every day when much of it is putting out the unexpected fires that creep up? Still, we did not revisit the conversation. But the question has not stopped marinating in my heart and mind.

Three days later, he and I had a meeting with our local education channel. They are going to work with us to put a DVD together for parents. I had written scripts for five chapters of the DVD. I had arranged parents, conversations and filming schedules. When the TV reps left, my boss turned to me and said, "Wow...WHO decided we should do this? It's A LOT!" I smiled and said, "I'm pretty sure it was YOUR idea." He shut the door and said, "OK, I'm sorry for asking you what you do with your time." I thanked him for that.

First of all, I was thankful for his recognition that I am NOT sitting in an office eating bon bons all day. Oddly enough, however, I was strangely glad that he asked me the question to begin with...because it led to a great deal of reflection about my time and how it is spent. It brought the issue of my job performance, and how I can better serve those in my school, to a level of consciousness where it had not been for a while. I am quite content with how I do my job, BUT (and this is a big one) there is always room for improvement for every employee.

And as I really reflect on the whole situation, I KNOW this is something that has much deeper meaning than one exchange between a Literacy Coach and her Principal. I can almost hear others in my life asking, "How DO you spend your time?" And I can see places where I need to step it up and change priorities.

And then, the most difficult thing is picturing the ultimate Boss, God, saying, "How DO you spend your time?" And again, I see those areas where I fall seriously short and need to change.

And so, as painful as it may be, I'm sending the question out to you: How DO you spend your time?

I hope that, like me, you find areas where you are using it well as well as those places that are ready for a change.

Tuesday Update...

DS 2 is happy that he only had "Strep C". This was better than the "Mono" that they were trying to rule out. He is feeling much better. He and his Grandfather went to graze at our local Publix Supermarkets tonight. They do a special holiday preview with holiday food...and rumor has it that they didn't just go to ONE store, they went to THREE! Yep I think he feels better.

DS 3 is still not feeling great. He perked up just now when he and DH talked about some plane that's parked at one of our local private airports.

DS 4 was home today, but will be in school tomorrow. He's feeling better and only slightly sniffling.

DS 1's knee is slowly healing and he's getting around better each day.

I'm so glad DH has been home to run sick bay!!

And the Mom? She has a horrendous headache, but she's FINE.

Nothing more exciting or profound than that over here today.

Passing it on...

We are definitely passing something around our house! DS 2 has been sick all weekend. He still has this rash and is waiting to get a diagnosis from the doctor. DSs 3 and 4 also were home today. DH ran "Sick Bay".

Last night, when everyone was moping around here not feeling well....DS 4 said, "Someday I'm going to tell my kids and grandkids about this." I said, "About what?" He said, "When we were all sick and M had a rash."

Um. OK, you do that....

You never know when you'll make a memory!

Sunday Seven

Last night was DS 2's Deb Party. She and her family, along with two other Debutante families, hosted this party. It was set up as a Roaring 20's Speakeasy. Here are seven snippets about our evening with these society people:

1. DH and I were ready to go. DH's costume was the one that DS 2 was originally going to wear. The Deb picked it out for DS 2 in July and was a bit frustrated when he didn't have it by the first of August for this Nov. 10th party! She obviously doesn't know how the other half lives...I mean...it's kind of fun living on the edge sometimes, if you know what I mean. I ordered the costume in late September and I think it looks mighty fine on DH.


2. DS 3 was our photographer. Don't you know he LOVES taking these "kissing" photos. At least he knows we love each other! Or maybe it's that we LOVE embarassing our kids...only DH and I know for sure!






3. When we arrived, there was a photographer to take our photo. This is DS 2 with DH and me. I know DS 2s suit was the right style, but I'm not sure about that color...trust me, though, it "suits" him to a T!





4. This is DS 2 with his Deb and her other escort. He's learned that sometimes the whole society thing can be high maintenance, but he's having fun at all these parties.

5. Here are DS 2 and I inside the party. He wasn't feeling well at all, but was so gracious to go and have a good time for at least half of the party. He took this picture of the two of us with his long purple arm. Not too bad, huh?


6. DH and DS 2 enjoyed the Craps Table. They gave them chips to play with and DH did pretty well. Of course, it's easier when it's not really your money on the line.


7. The photos below show DS 2 and his Deb ready to be introduced. Think bridal party intros if you've never done the Deb thing. The three Dads who were paying for hosting the party also spoke about their daughters, after all intros were made. After the food and intros, there was dancing. DS 2 did take advantage of learning Charleston lessons.

We had a nice time, but it's weird being in a room full of people where the only people you know are 17 and 18.

DH and I sat with some nice people for dinner, but it still is not my cup of tea. Even though there ARE down to earth people in the "group", it's mostly about what you have and who you know. All I could think was how surface level it really is. I even wonder how much of it is driven by the ladies. It almost appears to be flaunting and trying to outdo each other. It seemed to me that the husbands were less worried about working the room.

On the way home I told DH I wanted to throw a party of my own and invite every "everyday" person I know. I'll bet it'd be fun! Do you wanna come?

Oh By the Way...Saturday

It's only 3:49 and I'm EXHAUSTED already. Here's a rundown of our Saturday:

DH and DS 3 went to an airshow. Apparently they were having balloons, boats and planes at this thing. They were up at 4:30am and left by 5:15am. I have to say that you REALLY have to be into the whole airplane thing to get up at that hour on a Saturday.

DS 2 has been sick for two days and broke out into a rash last night. This morning, he woke me up at 6:45am and said his throat was killing him and the rash had spread. The doctor's office has Saturday hours, but no one at the answering service knew if they even answered their phone on Saturdays since it's by appointment only. So, off we went to the urgent care clinic.

To say the doctor there seemed a bit "off" is an understatement. At any rate, he thought it was either strep or mono. Since they did not take our insurance and no one could tell me if the blood test would be covered, and we wouldn't get results until Monday or Tuesday anyway, we took the orders for the blood draw, the perscription for the antibiotic, and came home.

I pulled in long enough to pick up DS 4 who had a soccer game 45 minutes from our house. We pulled out of the driveway at 9:05am for the 10:00am game. He played Goalie the entire game. They tied 2-2 and he played a GREAT game. One Mom commented to me how well he plays and how "fearless he is". I assured her it was from YEARS of older brothers taking shots on you. She agreed that COULD make a difference.

We came home and I headed to the Mall to get my haircut and find a black purse. Tonight is DS 2's Debutante Party with a Roaring 20's theme. Yes, DS 2 is planning to go for at least part of it. DH and I will be going as well. Should be interesting.

While I was at the Mall, DS 2 called and said, "Mom I need a white button down shirt for tomorrow." Of course, I think this just fits the theme lately of me finding out things in very odd ways. I asked why he needed it. And he said, "Because they are taking my picture for the year book since I won Best All Around for my class."

This is just another notch in my "Oh by the way..." belt. I wonder what I'll learn about my children next? And I wonder who will tell it to me? But the most pressing question..."Just how much time will pass between the event and me finding out?"

Happy Saturday!

Friday's Feast

Here's the code to play along

Appetizer
Which snack do you like to get when you go to the movies?

Most definitely it's POPCORN with butter. I know it's horrible for you when you eat it there and like that...but it's YUMMY!

Soup
What year did you start using the internet?

We were living in South Tampa, so that would have been 1990/91.

Salad
What is your first name in Pig Latin? (Here’s how to speak it if you don’t already know!)

USAN-SAY

Main Course
Name something you are picky about.

Food. I don't like many cooked veggies.

Dessert
Fill in the blanks: I ____ ____ yesterday and I ____ ____ today.

I lifted weights yesterday and I HURT LIKE HECK today!

It's Wednesday Night...Do YOU Know Where Your Grill Is?

For a brief moment during my Meltdown Days last week, I ranted to my older boys that I don't like finding out about their lives from other people.

For example, report cards came home last week and I didn't see DSs 2's and 3's grades until two days later AFTER my friends asked about them at work. Both are A students, so it's not like they were hiding anything...it's just not their first thought.

As another example, I got a call from my FIL last week who told me about DS 2's Halloween Costume...a bowling pin outfit...that he borrowed from his Grandfather (don't ask). I knew DS 2 was at a friend's house during the evening. I had no idea that he had a costume on...or that people thought it was a "winner". Or that it was Grandpa's to begin with (but that's a blog for another day)!

Neither of these incidents are horrible. It just doesn't make you feel like "Mother of the Year" when you don't know the comings and goings of your children. Not that I'm vying for any parenting award...but I, like any other Mother I know, like to at least appear "with-it" to those outside the nuclear family. But, who am I kidding?

Tonight I was reminded that I have a long way to go to get it together and my boys are not always championing my cause. In fact, they may be contributing to my shortcomings.

I told DH (who came home late last night) that our sliding glass door was broken. I explained that DSs 1, 2, and 3 worked from 11:00 to Midnight the other night to get it shut because it is off track and possibly missing the roller that makes it glide. After this, DH made some comment about knowing where our grill is. I thought he was being funny. I thought he was making a comment because now we can't get out the door to get to the grill very easily.

It didn't take long to realize that this wasn't a joke and I was, once again, the only one who had no clue what we were talking about. DS 2 chimed in and announced, "The grill's not missing. I know exactly where it is. It's just gone temporarily." One thing I've learned about raising boys is this...when they start talking you've got to just be very very quiet until the WHOLE story comes out. As if on cue, it happened....here's the story:

DS 2's high school was playing their hometown rival last Friday. DS 2 is a member of the Senior Board and helps organize the "tailgate" party before the game. This is usually an all-day affair. They cook. They play music. They get everyone pepped up for the games. And before the night is over, DS 2 is painted maroon and is very hoarse from screaming at the game.

He tells me: You see, I took the grill to school on Friday because they needed it to cook for the party. (In my head, I'm coaching myself, "Stay quiet. Stay very very quiet.) He continued: I "parked" the grill in an empty parking space at the school and the administration decided it probably wasn't a good idea to have a propane gas tank in the parking lot on the day of the big game (Me: "Uh, you think??")...so they confiscated it. (In my head, "Oh I am CERTAIN this made great office fodder!)

More details: On Monday when I went to go pick up the grill Mrs. ____ asked me if she could take it with her to South Carolina this weekend for the University of Florida football game. (In my head: "I know it's a 'party school' but dragging a full-size gas grill all the way to SC seems a bit much, don't you think?") He wraps it up: "So, she'll bring the grill back after the game this weekend. See? I know exactly where the grill is."

OK, I'll grant him that. I'm confident there's no need for me to prepare any award acceptance speeches. Instead I think I'll prepare the one detailing how to deal with it when you realize that your grill has been missing from your house for 6 days and you find out that it's taking a road trip to the much-coveted Gator game without anyone in your family. Or maybe I'll prepare one on how to handle it when your grill has a more sizzling weekend ahead of it than you will.

I'm not really a Gator fan (though DH and DS 2 are), but as a football fan, I have one thing to say: I guess it's all for a cause....right????

Oh My Goodness...WHAT Have WE Done?????

If you've been reading this blog for a while, then you might remember my Ducky Day back in September when DS 2 turned 18. You may even remember the photos I posted here. I'd love to tell you that the duck story really WAS completely over. In fact, I thought it was until tonight.

I got home from work late and brought the mail in to peruse. I opened an envelope with our address but no return address. I should have just thrown it in the junk pile, but I didn't. It turned out to be our neighborhood association newsletter. It has the usual stuff..."Only water on Thursdays." "Clean your yards." "If you want painted, you have to get approval." Ya-da-ya-da-ya-da. Then, it caught my eye...the word in CAPS at the bottom left side: DUCKS.

Here's what it says (I've kept errors intact for you to see):

DUCKS--Per the Fish and Wildlife
We should not be feeding the ducks. Now due to the feeding, the Muskovy Duvk has found a home here and now we have a problem, with them. They are aggressive, dirty, polluting the lakes and sitting on top of the lanai cages damaging the screens

(Heather the writer of our newsletter MAY be a distant relative of your letter-writer today!)

Despite the errors, all I could think was, "WHAT have WE done now???" I have a pesky HOA and I am praying that no one saw the duck on my back porch for the 24 hours it lived here.

I suppose I should make sure DS 2 finally returns the cage so we've removed all evidence of our potential involvement in the "aggressive, dirty, polluting critters" showing up here.

Rest assured, I CAN say:

"No sir, I don't know NOTHIN' about feeding any old duck!" Immediately followed by, "The Debutante did it!"

Pray for Jen

Melli posted a prayer request for Jen over at her blog and that made me think that it would be a good idea to spread it around for as many people as possible to pray for our friend today. Melli wrote:

Our beautiful Jen from ... a work in progress is in surgery first thing this morning - she is getting her 2nd Cochlear Implant today - and she's very excited about it! Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers this morning for a VERY successful surgery with NO complications. Thank you!

Here are Jen and I just after meeting at our Blogging Babes Tour last month. She is an AMAZING woman with an absolutely sweet spirit! She is the mother of five children and this past week she has been re-doing her house like a mad woman. I know I am impressed and blessed each time I go and read her blog.

So, if you can, pray for Jen as she goes through surgery this morning and then as she recovers over the next couple of days.

Receiving: It's a Giving Thing

Yesterday was the day that our church has been preparing for the past few weeks. Here are just some of the things that took place to get ready for the visit of the single Moms and their babies from the local pregnancy center:

• We created a cookbook for the Moms complete with disaster stories to share about learning to cook for a family.
• We donated toiletries such as lotions, shampoos, conditioners, soaps, etc.
• We collected flip flops for the Moms.
• Hair brushes and scrubbies were purchased.
• Diapers were gathered.
• The Children's Ministry decorated frames for each Mom.

This morning the ladies that were to serve as mentors went early to meet with leaders from this agency for a debriefing. The girls and their little ones arrived shortly after and were matched up with each mentor. Unfortunately, there were only 10 girls that showed up. Originally there were to be 15. As a result five of us did not have a "match".

I honestly found myself wondering just WHY I was there to begin with. I was a bit apprehensive at first since I know that these girls are the same ages as my oldest kids and may not like being with an "older person". Then I got excited about it. I felt certain that it was "supposed" to happen. Briefly, when I realized that I'd be "unmatched", I found myself slipping back to the "funk" I have been in for the past few days. When I went in to sit, the table that had seats included the young couple who just had a baby four weeks ago and one of the visiting Moms who is pregnant with twins and totally new to the area. God is good. I needed to be there. Instead of mentoring ONE Mom, I really think I was able to spend time with TWO Moms.

When the kids delivered the gift totes to the Moms, the one at our table said, "I'm so excited, I needed a hairbrush SO BAD! And I can't believe it, these flip flops will fit me...I'm a size 10!" I thought it was amazing that her needs were met right there. In addition to the items listed above, each Mom received a knitted cap for her baby (and our's got two for her twins) and a special photo was taken so that they would have a picture for their frame. A local clothing ministry set up a baby clothing boutique in the back and let the Mom's "shop" for free.

After our meal, an announcement was made that the pregnancy center has acquired a new house in the south part of our county. The house is in need of repair so that it can be occupied by January 1st. Our church will be taking this on as an extension of our ministry with this agency. I was so excited because I get to be part of the "Kitchen and Bath" team that will decorate and stock these rooms for the residents.

Today was an example of one of the things that has drawn us to this church. It is reaching out all around us to meet needs. I love this. I think Christianity MUST be active. It must entail being the hands and feet of Jesus in the world.

But, and this is a semi-big "but", I think there has to be those times when people in the church "receive" as well. We have Sunday Mornings right now. Because this is a new church, there are not small groups yet. There are not other "growth opportunities" beyond the service. They are coming. I know because we just spent four weeks listening to the vision and mission for the future of this community of faith.

I need to give. And I need to do it more than I do. These opportunities are so precious to me. They are constant reminders of how much we are blessed when we give.

But I also need to receive. This week I melted down. And one of my dear friends from work was there to sit with me and listen while I talked and cried. She gave of herself and I received. And that was wonderful.

I also know that traditionally in churches, I would have a group of Christian friends who could serve as prayer partners and/or support for those valley moments. I miss that in so many ways. I suspect that I can't be the only woman sitting there on Sunday mornings who feels this void. I'm going to pray about what steps I can take now to fill it. It'll require that I give something, I know.

It's really a cycle, isn't it? We give. We receive. We give. We receive. I am again, reminded of Paul's words in Acts 20:35

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.

And what can be more blessed than that?

Sunday Seven

I haven't felt much like blogging since Wednesday for multiple reasons. I kept thinking I'd get on and type, "If you don't have anything nice to say, say nothing at all." Since I wanted to go no further than that, I decided to say nothing. Until now. This morning, I was laying in bed praying for our day, for my family, and such and I felt that familiar nudge, "It's time to get out of the funk and be thankful!" So here I am. And what better way than to complete a Sunday Seven?

1. I needed the time change yesterday. It was a blessing to wake up slowly this morning and know that time was on my side.

2. Today is the day that I get to mentor a young single Mother at the church. We are having a meal as our service. I made two "Make Your Own Yogurt Parfait" baskets. I saw this at a meeting I attended recently and loved it as something different to bring to carry-in meals.

3. DH comes home on Tuesday night and will be home through the holidays. I'm happy about that.

4. I am hoping to go price floor coverings this week. I really want to change out some old carpet for a wood floor.

5. I turned on the music on TV this morning and the first station had Doris Day singing Christmas music. I love Christmas music! It was a blessing to hear it and know that it's that wonderful time of the year.

6. Yesterday the weather really changed here. I opened all the windows for the first time in months. I love that feeling of getting fresh air in the house.

7. My boys bless me so much. I was whining to a couple of them last night and they pretty much told me to get over it. I love them and the wonderful ways each of them take part in our family--both here and extended.

Have a FANTASTIC DAY! I'm going to....