Reflections on LAST Friday...

LG's 9th birthday was a week ago last Wednesday.  We decided to throw a "Pretty in Pink" party for her.  This included dress up, make up, nails, and a sleepover (which I left optional).  It was a BLAST!

I visited our local Goodwill store to create this dress up box:

The night before the party, we prepared our treat bags and our make up station.  I begged my friend Sandy to come help primp and do the "girlie thing".  DS 2's GF and two girls from my school also  came.  It was nothing less than PERFECT!

Here are the bags we found at IKEA:

And here is LG prepping them with stuff.  We found "Fancy Nancy" stuff at the Target dollar section and used that to make up our treat bags.  Each girl got a diary, body spray, lip gloss, and other goodies we found elsewhere.

When Friday night arrived, we KICKED the boys out.  LG was thrilled that it was "girls only" and the party  began:

 Sandy brought the Karaoke machine AND a "hair streaker" kit.  The girls were able to get a colored stripe in their hair a la Hannah Montana!  Dress up was absolutely HYSTERICAL!  The girls threw together some amazing and wild outfits.  And I'm telling ya' I intend to keep that box until I have grandchildren and they can play in it. It's obvious to me that there are hours of fun right there.  And the imagination and creativity was PRICELESS!

Here is my niece, K, with her "movie star" look on.  You can see the girls digging in behind her.

And look at the outfits these girls came up with!  Each girl modeled for me and I took their picture against the pink backdrop.   Later in the evening they decorated these frames (again from Ikea).  DSs 2 and 4 went to the photo shop to pick up prints and every girl left with a photo of themselves dressed up and in the frame.  It was PERFECT!  Here's the whole crowd including DS 2's girlfriend wearing our Cinderella dress!

LG said she had never had a "real birthday party" before where you get to invite friends.  I have to tell you, it was the greatest joy to watch her enjoying her friends and knowing that she was able to be the young lady God intended her to be on this special night.

Happy birthday (again) LG!  I love you!

It was a call no parent wants to hear.  "Mrs. N, I have A in the clinic and he's been hit in the head with a baseball bat.  We have to notify parents anytime there's a head injury.  Here's the Principal."  The call continued:  "Mrs. N. this is Mrs. R the Principal, A is bleeding pretty bad and the nurse and I want to call the ambulance to transport him to the ER"  In my head I remember thinking, "The AMBULANCE!?!?"  I asked if I could call my DH to come up there.  We only live about 2 miles from the school.  She said, "Yes, but we are going to go ahead and call the paramedics." 

My mind was racing!  DH didn't answer the first time I called.  I ran to my own car, knowing I could not get to the school in the time it would take paramedics to assess and transport him.  Still, I needed to make my way toward that end of town even if it was going to lead to the hospital. 

When the call came in, I was testing a second grade student on our district reading assessment.  Mid-assessment I asked the other teacher in the room to finish the assessment and I ran out.  I'm sure they wondered what was going on.  I called my AP as I reached the car to let her know I was leaving campus. 

The next call I made was to DH.  This was probably only 2 minutes after receiving the call from the school.  DH answered and said he was on his way.  It wasn't long until I got a call from DH and he said he and DS 1 were transporting our DS 4 to the hospital.  I met them in ER. 

DS 4 was bandaged, but in good spirits when he arrived.  He told the triage nurse that he was "orientated".  I think he meant "oriented"!  DH and DS 1 took pictures to send to their friends and our family.  I was going to post one here, but can't get it to upload.  Immediately my other boys texted back and said, "That is going to be the coolest scar ever!"  It seems that his wound is the shape of an arrowhead.  Here's the finished product where you can see the arrow look...

20 stitches later, and a whopper of a headache, DS 4 came home.  He remained in good spirits.  And I remain thankful that this accident was not more damaging.  Only an inch lower and it could have been his eye.  And I will be forever grateful for the "village" that surrounds us to reach out and help in times of need. 

Another Sunday Seven...

When Sundays roll around, I often find myself reflective and thinking about my abundantly blessed life.  There are also times, though, when I am earnestly praying through a darker place in the journey.  I know, though, that these times are small little blips on the radar compared to my entire life and/or to the eternity for which I am heading.  That's why I love the blogging concept of Sunday Seven.  It can be "Seven Anything"...blessings, events, thoughts...anything.  Here's my seven for this week:

1.  It's been a bit of a roller coaster at work for me.  We are still in the "change phase" as we acclimate to a new leader.  It's a fact of life any time the make up of a group changes.  This week a big report was due to the DOE in our state.  We worked hard on it and handed it in on time.  It was good to experience "team" as we worked on it.  I am energized by working WITH people on projects.  It's so much better than going it alone.

2.  I took my Mom to the doctor on Wednesday of this week.  This is very frightening for her as she hasn't been in more than 20 years.  And she's so afraid they are going to tell her that she is "going to die".  The appointment went well...although there are more in the future.  The highlight of the day for me, though, was getting to eat a light supper with my DS 3.  I love it that he is going to school in my hometown.  It makes it a bit easier to see him more often.

3.  My friend Sandy and I led "Brownies" for the first time on Friday.  LG is part of an after school program that is designed to help with homework/academics but also provide enrichment.  My friend Debra leads this program at our school and has asked for months if I would volunteer to be the Brownie leader.  I told her I dropped out of Girl Scouts.  That didn't shake her.  So, there I was Friday with my "Great Big Brownie Smile" and 18 3rd grade girls who want to be part of something.  Thank goodness Sandy is an experienced Girl Scout!

4.  I LOVED the fact that the new shows started up last week.  I really don't watch much TV in the summer. For that matter, I watch limited during the school year.  But DSs 3, 4, and I have found some shows over the last year or so that we like to watch together.  So for me, this means we'll be sitting together enjoying and talking about the shows we are watching.  It's a good bonding activity for us.

5.  DH took DS 4 and LG to "Coastal Clean-up" yesterday for DS 4's extra credit.  It's funny because we have done this with all the boys.  DS 1 even called when they were leaving and said, "Must be for Ms. S's class."  He was right.  It's kind of a middle school tradition for us.

6.  I took LG to Tampa yesterday to see her older brother.  He is in a medical shelter up there as he has MD.  He's doing pretty well.  We thought it was a funny coincidence that he is going to the same school where I went for 7th grade!  Anyway, visiting him was good for him and LG.  We played cards and they played games together.

7.  I made a huge trip to Goodwill yesterday.  LG's "Pretty in Pink" Slumber/Birthday Party is this coming Friday night.  We are going to do dress up, modeling, make-up, nails and everything "girlie".  So I went to get the dress up box done.  I am very excited to see what the girls come up with for costumes to walk our homemade runway!

That's it from my neck of the woods this week.  Happy Sunday!

Another Monday Comes Around...

We celebrated DS 2's 21st birthday yesterday with our family.  His actual birthday was Friday the 10th.  I'm telling ya' it hit me hard.  My guys are almost all young men now.  It's hard for me in some ways...but in others...I'm so glad to see them successfully enter the next phase of their lives.

DS 2 has recently moved to Tampa for school.  It's been a rough transition as he was quite connected in Gainesville with a church and small groups.  He and his GF have been seeking ways to get connected as they really don't know anyone at the University.

Thank goodness this weekend they think they found a church and started to make some of those connections.  I am thrilled for them!  And you know it does a Mother's heart good to know that even though 21 hit, his main concern for the weekend was finding a church and a small group.  God is good.

I spent a majority of the weekend in Orlando at the Florida Reading Association Conference.  My friend Sandy and I presented there.  I love going and just sensing the pulse of reading instruction.  It helps me be better and more well-versed in what I do.

Another week is here and I'm going to (once again) be SWAMPED!  Sooo...not sure how much blogging I'll be able to do.  I still don't like that part of feeling off kilter and out of balance.  I keep telling myself "I'll get it all back."  But then things go off kilter again.  I am hoping.  Really I am!

Reflections on a Saturday...

Our church is all about outreach.  If you've followed this blog for any time at all, then you know this already.  One of the things we are going to do to reach out globally is a monthly flea market.  So today was the first stab at this little undertaking.

First of all, I am well aware that it's no "little" thing.  There's all the collecting of stuff.  There's the sorting.  Pricing.  Setting up.  Etc. Etc. Etc.  But our church is filled with people who love to give so the team was large for this project.

It was a HUGE success!  I am still no fan of trying to make money 25 cents at a time.  And I really hate it when someone seems to want to bargain down a nickel or so.  But this was a slightly different flavor.  People knew it was for girls in Belize today.  So, in some cases, people even donated EXTRA money than their treasures cost!  I loved that!

Perhaps my favorite story of the day, though came from this little guy.  I do not know him, but isn't he cute??  He came to my table with his two quarters in hand to buy this train.  He was holding it as if he just bought pure gold.  So I walked over and asked him if I could take his picture with it.  He agreed.

I said, "You and Thomas smile!"  He stopped.  Looked at the train.  Looked at me.  Then said:

"He IS smiling already!"

I replied, "OK, you smile then!"  And this is the precious little picture I got.  His Grandmother came over to me just after this little photo exchange and told me that he started preK this week.  When his mother asked him how the first day went, he replied:

"I TOLD Miss A [his teacher] the whole alphabet, my name AND I counted for her AND she still wouldn't let me come home!"  I almost laughed until I cried right there.  I LOVE that little spirit!

On another "garage sale" note.  I was taking money and this lady walked up and said, "Aren't you Susan?"  While checking my mental filing cabinet and trying to figure out WHO she was, I said "yes".  She then said, "I used to cut your hair."  As it registered that she is the lady that cut my hair more than a year ago and I haven't been  back, I wanted to CRAWL UNDER the MONEY TABLE!  No.  I wanted to PAY HER to take her stuff.

Am I the only one who hates to switch hair dressers and feels like it's close to divorce?

The rest of the day has been pretty quiet.  Football is playing in the background.  I'm trying to get the kitchen back together and the boxes put away.  And all is well in our world.

Hope yours is also well!

When Sunday Seeps into Monday...

I started a "Sunday Seven" yesterday as a quick update on life in my world.  But, I never went back to it.  It's not that I didn't have the time.  I did.  I just didn't make that my priority.  Then, when fatigue hit early last night, I just let it hit and suddenly found myself planted squarely in Monday without a blogpost!

Since there are no numbers that go with "Monday"...except maybe "Monday Million"---which we all know isn't going to happen---I decided to do my Sunday Seven on a Monday.  Is that OK?  Of course it is cause it's my blog.  And that's the good thing about blogging.  It's a little like Outback Steakhouse:  "No rules.  Just right."
So here's my seven...

1.  My brother, Greg, spent last week in the hospital with acute pancreatitis.  His is diet induced and he knows he's got to change it drastically.  I am thankful that he is OK and home now.  And I'm thankful that he can make the changes and step firmly on the road to better health.

2.  Last week was our first official week of school.  It rained for the first few days of parent pick-up.  That is NOT FUN!  Heck, it rained for the first few days period.  Anyway, we muddled through the puddles and made it through the week without incident.

3.  Saturday was a great day.  Our church, in keeping with its outward focus, threw a "Breakfast for Belize". A local restaurant owner kindly made breakfast burritos for $10 and the proceeds go to support our orphanage in Belize.  I LOVED watching my DS 3 serve the tables.  Here he is practicing.

4.  After the breakfast, I went up to Tampa to see DS 2 and his GF.  We made a trip to IKEA!  It's one of my favorite places and we had a BALL shopping for his apartment.  He is sharing one of those apartments that has four locking bedrooms with a common area.  His roommate is not the neatest person, so he spends a lot of time in his little room.  We measured and searched for storage solutions.  And I think we succeeded.  The only thing I FORGOT was to bring the CAMERA!

5.  DS 2, A, and I took my Mom out for supper Saturday night.  It was a lovely evening that was filled with good food, conversation and laughter.

6.  Church energized me yesterday!  I love our church.  It's so focused on reaching out to others both locally and globally.

7.  After church I ran errands.  Alone.  I liked that.  It felt good to just be out and stroll through stores and the mall by myself.

So, there ya have it.  My weekend in the Sunday Seven format.

Thank God it's Friday!  I love my job, but getting back into the swing of things is just plain difficult!  I am simply an eight hour girl.  I am just downright cranky when I don't get a full night's sleep.  I think it's also been a different kind of week because I am learning to navigate our new leadership at school.  That is not a bad thing, it's just different.  It's kind of like those first years of marriage when you're really on your toes trying not to cause rough waters, you know?  It can be draining.

My brother is in the hospital with acute pancreatitis.  This is not the first time he's been admitted with it.  He is diabetic and has some other health issues that have caused this to flare up.  Primarily they think it can be controlled with diet and medication.  But, if you've ever tried to completely shift your diet from whatever is your norm, it can be very tough!  I am still requesting prayers for him.

Guess what I am doing tomorrow???  First of all, I am going to go to the Breakfast for Belize for our church. One local business owner is going to be making Mexican breakfast burritos for $10.  All proceeds are going to support our church's children's home in Belize.  It should be a great time.

But then...after breakfast is done...I am heading up to Tampa to see DS 2 and his GF.  We are making a trip to IKEA!!  I LOVE IT!  And the fact that DS's GF has never been makes it even more fun.  I can't wait.

OK, I have got to get ready for work on this fine Friday.  I hope you all have a wonderful day and an even better weekend!

Random Dozen

It's been a while since I've participated in Linda's Random Dozen...but it was out for a bit and I was out for a bit and it came back and I sort of came back.  So we haven't crossed paths for a while.  Today, though, it's been rainy here in Florida again and I really didn't want to fuss about it, so I thought I'd grab the questions and answer them.  So it's a little late.  That's nothing new for me.  It's still Wednesday, and I think the idea is to post answers on Wednesdays.  And it's EARLY for anyone who lives out west, so let me quit babbling and get to the good stuff....

1. What is your favorite Mexican dish?  Without a doubt, my favorite Mexican dish is a good burrito sans the beans.  I HATE BEANS!  They're mushy and make me choke.  Some Mexicans might argue that it's not Mexican without the beans, but for me it's the best.  

2. When you were a kid, did you get started on your homework right away after school, or did you procrastinate?  I have to be honest, I really didn't GET homework much in elementary school.  In fact, I remember a few projects, but not really having nightly homework.  By 6th grade, though, we had it and I procrastinated or forgot it entirely!  It was definitely not my forte' and probably cost me a few grades.  

3. What is your favorite store for home furnishings?  The Pottery Barn, hands down.  Not that I can afford what I see there.  I just love looking through the magazine, wishing and then planning to achieve the look for less.  

4. When you were young, did you like school lunches? Yes I did.  I loved Beefaroni day and the rolls the most.  They don't even really make anything from scratch anymore.  It's all processed.  YUCK!

5. Is religion a crutch?  Hmmm...this is a loaded question.  I'm not even going to ask how we went from Mexican dishes, to school lunches, to religion being a crutch!  ;-)  I'd say for some it is.  I don't think it's so for everyone, though.

6. In your region, what is the "big" (most popular in the community or state) high school sport? Football, hands down.  

7. Do you consider yourself rich?  Yes, though it's so much more than monetary for me.  I am richly blessed with family, house, home, and everything I need.  My DH used to say that most Americans should take a trip to a third world country to realize just how RICH most of us really ARE!

8. Which of these would you have the best chance for success in administering:
A) CPR  (my answer)
B) Heimlich Maneuver
C) Changing a flat tire

9. Which dance would you prefer to learn & why: 
A) Salsa
B) Hip Hop
C) Waltz--because it's everything I'm not...graceful and smooth and rhythmic!
D) Swing

10. What's the worst news you've ever delivered to someone?  I remember telling my kids that their Grandfather had died.  That is definitely the worst.  

11. Name something you learned in college that had nothing to do with classes or academics. How to room with someone else and get along.  

12. New variation on an old question: If there's a song in your head that just won't get out, what is your favorite (or most repeated) line in that song?  I don't get this...generally it's the chorus that I am singing.  Today, though, I found myself humming line one of a song we sang at church on Sunday.  I hummed it over and over and over.  I hope that I answered that the way it was intended...I'll have to come visit and see what others did.  



Happy Wednesday!

The Chicks and the Nest and the First Day of School

Yesterday was the first day of school for three of my children.  It's at this time of the year that I really feel the need for the "chicks to be in or near the nest".  Of course, with two of them somewhat "out" of the nest, it makes it a bit harder.  I thought I'd give a first day of school update on all five of them to try and fill my need to connect with each of them...yeah, yeah, it IS about me sometimes!  ;-)

DS 1 has moved back home for a semester.  He is being sent to several "schools" through the Army.  Right now he is away in SC for 15 days to get some kind of warrior training.  Let me say this definitely shows my "female-ness" cause my DH and the other boys all know exactly how to describe this training in very macho sounding terms.  One thing I do know is that this will promote him to a Sgt.  I am so proud of him and happy that he's going to be able to get some of these experiences under his belt. 

DS 2 moved to Tampa to go to school at USF.  He hit a snafu in his plan last night after meeting with an advisor.  It's at these times, when they face hurdles, that you really get glimpses into their character.  DS 2 is doing his best to come up with an alternate plan and keep moving himself forward at the same time.  I love what my DH told him, "This little blip on the screen does not define your life."  It does, however, further define the man he is becoming.  Today, I'm praying for an extra dose of direction and favor for him.  

DS 3 started his Junior year of HS yesterday in the POURING rain!  Their school starts at 7:20, so he is up and out early.  I thought he was going straight there (in his new car) yesterday...but he texted me to tell me that the kids in his Bible Study met at someone's house first to pray.  Yes, I said PRAY!  They met together to pray for their year.  Pray for the school.  Pray for their strength to be lights on the campus.  I LOVE IT! 


DS 4 started middle school.  Middle school.  It's so hard for me to believe that he's there on one hand.  But on the other hand, we've been waiting a long time for it!  He came home ready to organize notebooks, did his homework, and was excited about his day. I find this age is the time I am praying more and more for their experiences, their friends, and the adults that will be part of their village.  Speaking of his village, he is in a multi-age program that the older boys also were in.  He will have the same four teachers for his entire middle school program and he is in class with 7th and 8th graders.  I love this.  They know our family.  They know our older boys.  It just makes it a bit less mysterious.  


LG started 3rd grade yesterday.  She LOVED it!  Her teacher is such a bright spot at our school and I KNOW she'll be a bright spot in LG's life.  She also taught at least one (if not both) of LG's brothers, so she knows her biological family...which helps too.  LG came home and told me all about it.  And then as she'd remember a new detail, she'd add it later on.  I have to say this is where girls are so much different than boys.  The boys kind of ooze details in slow motion if they give them at all.  Girls, though, tell you every. single. detail.  


So, there you have it...they may not all be in the nest, but they all report IN to the nest and for that, I will be forever grateful!  

A Little Thinking and a LOT of Catch-up...

Since it's Sunday, I'm going to use my Sunday Seven (plus) to do some thinking and some catch up today:

1.  I found this quote while doing some study the other day:

"Grace isn't a little prayer you chant before receiving a meal. It's a way to live. The law tells me how crooked I am. Grace comes along and straightens me out.” -Dwight Lyman Moody (1837-1899)

It struck me as such a powerful thought that God's grace continually helps improve who I am.  It also covers me in those times when I am SO crooked.  I love that thought!

2.  I let it come and go and I really shouldn't have!  DH and I have been married for 23 years as of last Sunday evening.  Sunday morning someone congratulated us and said, "23 years of married bliss."  I thought about that.  It's been 23 years, though not always blissful.  Sometimes marriage is just hard work and commitment.  Other times bliss abounds and you know that the hard work and commitment are so worth it.  I think THIS is what defines us and our marriage.  God is good and I am so glad to be married to this wonderful man!

3.  Teachers returned to duty last Monday.  This meant a week of learning about our new Principal and hearing how things were going to run this year under her leadership.  It will be different.  I know she made a HUGE effort to balance the week with a little fun, a little dose of her expectations, and celebration for who we are as a school staff.  It was busy, but good.  Her theme this year is "Cruisin' to Success" and everything is being built around the metaphor of cruising.  There is no question that it will be a year of learning to navigate my role on the ship.  And that's OK with me.

4.  Students returned on Friday for our Open House and "Meet Your Teacher".  Our church has formed a really neat partnership with the school and has done several servant events for the families there.  Each year, we have donated school supplies to be distributed to children without them.  This year, the new Principal gave us permission to actually set up a location and distribute them during this event.  We had 11 adults and 9 youth there distributing school supplies!

5.  This event is definitely worth two bullets in my list!  I have to say that watching it was absolutely amazing! I would check kids off a list and then a volunteer would get that student and help them choose one of 350 backpacks donated by the Rotary Club.  Then they would take their school supply list and let them go select five more things for the backpack!  I loved hearing the connections people made with the kids.  I loved watching parent's faces as they realized that the list would be met without financial strain.  It was an amazing outpouring of love!

6.  I went school supply shopping for my own kiddos this week.  I am so thankful that we have the resources to assure that our kids go to school lacking nothing.  I don't take it for granted.  I remember days when it would have been much more difficult for us and thus, for them.

7.  We had a lovely trip to see my family yesterday.  I love just visiting, sharing food, and laughing with them. Though I had a terrible headache all day long, it was a highlight of my weekend.  I am blessed that we are so close.  And I love the fact that we can just BE together with no other agenda.

7+.  And an extra blessing I received this week...was a lovely gift from Edie over at Rich Gifts.  She sent me a beautifully crafted initial "S" to hang on a wall.  (I will take a pic of it and post...my camera is dead and I can't get any pics off of it right now.)  Anyway, Edie surprised me with a note a few months back and said that she had created this piece for an Etsy shop she was going to start.  God took her in another direction and she was wondering what to do with it.  Then she said she thought of me and wondered if it had been meant for me all along.  Edie, it is absolutely GORGEOUS and I was BLESSED beyond belief that you thought of me. And actually when you did, it was a very rough time where I was struggling with WHO I am and whether God was always listening to me.  It is going to serve as a reminder that  he DOES know my name and is always there.

So, there you have it...some thoughts...and a catch-up all here on a Sunday morning.  Doing the Sunday Seven reminds me just how richly blessed I am!

I have always wanted to be the person that takes the less-traveled road...I can honestly say this poem has stayed with me since my high school days when I realized just what a difference making the less popular choice could make.  I hope this is a lesson that I am passing along to my children and living by example every day.  

The Road Not Taken 

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveller, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference

...Robert Frost

It's True...

Last night I posted this as my Facebook status:

"I can see the hoop.  I just don't feel like jumping right now."

Yesterday I realized just how MANY hoops I jump through daily.  Heck we ALL do it. There is nothing inherently special about my life or my hoops that make it all that different than the next person's.  And most of the time what is required are just "fact-of-life" type jumps that we do because we know it's the right thing.

I have to say that I am facing some hoops that I know I have no choice but to go through.  I know that I have to jump and complete each task that the individual hoop requires.  But there's one problem.  I don't feel like jumping.  I've even made a running start a couple of times only to come up empty and unable to press on through.

I need a little motivation, chutzpah, and strength and I'll be fine.  But for now, I think I'll just stand for a few more moments and refuse to jump!

Busy as a beaver...

It's only Tuesday, but I feel like this week has come and gone twice in 48 hours!

DS 4 was supposed to go back to camp this week for a second visit.  Instead, he fell while jumping a fence the other night and suffered an injury that prevents him from playing sports and other camp activities...so he stayed home.

I went up to visit my Mom last night.  She hasn't been to a doctor in more than 20 years...today I took her to one.  It was a good visit.  The doctor was very kind and assured her that she's going to be alive and kicking for years to come.  I enjoyed visiting with my Mom more than I can say.  I miss being closer to her and regret that I don't make the drive more often.

DS 1 is home and may be here a while.  He is possibly going to take part in the oil spill clean-up here in our state with his National Guard Unit.  If he doesn't get to go to that duty, then he'll be doing several special trainings this semester through his unit.

DS 2 is preparing to move to Tampa as he switches schools.  I am happy for him to take the next step in his schooling.  And it's not too bad that he's going to be closer to home, too!

We took LG to visit her siblings today.  It was a good visit.  I am so thankful for the family that has taken her three youngest siblings.  They are such a nice family and I couldn't be happier that our paths have crossed.  Since we will be carrying out visits for years to come, it's great that we have the potential to be more than acquaintances but true friends.  I love that!

I am busy preparing to head back to work on Monday.  I have so much to do to get ready and am wondering just HOW it's all going to happen.  I know it will.  I just have to pace myself so I'm not working all the time between now and then.

Looking forward to picking out the marble slab for our kitchen countertop tomorrow morning!  Our doors should be here next week (thank God) and the remodel should be even further along.  I'll show pics when it's ALL done.  I cannot do it until I have a true before and after.

That's it from my neck of the woods.  Hope you're well!

A Blast from the Past

Several years ago I used to do a "Sunday Seven"pretty regularly.  It could be "Seven" of anything...blessings, things you did that week, or any other list you could come up with.  Today, I think I'll do a Sunday Seven since it's been a while.  It will be the "Sunday Seven: Summer Edition"

1.  Today I am especially thankful for a/c!  Ours broke last night and we woke up to it being 81 degrees in the house.  I grew up in FL without it and I don't know how.  I am thankful for this sweet little luxury--especially on hot sticky days like today.

2.  I am thankful for my ability to read.  I enjoy just laying on the couch and losing myself in a book.  I don't get to do it as often as I'd like during the school year...but can usually make up for it in the summer.

3.  I love how I am learning to look for the little bites out of what seems like a HUGE elephant!  It's a time in my life when I have to "eat an elephant"...or tackle a big task.  I know that I don't face any task alone and that God cares deeply about everything that crosses my path.  I am thankful that I can find the little joys and celebrate the little victories and accomplishments.  Even though sometimes I feel like I'm still at the beginning, I KNOW the elephant IS getting smaller!

4.  I have the BEST family ever!  My kids bring me SO MUCH JOY!  I love watching them go through the ages and stages of life and knowing they are growing into productive citizens.  This week we celebrated birthdays and I've been able to interact with each of the boys and LG in some very special moments.  It reminds me that the greatest blessing in my life is being a parent and having such wonderful kids.

5.  Rain is a good thing.  Today has been rather rainy.  I don't really like the "grayness" of the day...but I know that rain is important for all of us.  And, even though it's gray, I also know that these days when I'm sort of forced to stay inside and just "be" are not always bad.

6.  Facebook is something for which I grow more thankful every single day.  I know it's a little thing, but yesterday was my birthday.  I was absolutely blown away by the people who took the time to write two little words on my page: "happy birthday"!  I heard from people that I haven't heard from in years...I heard from blogging friends and family.  I heard from people I see almost every single day.  But I was BLESSED beyond what I can express.  Never doubt that a simple action can make a difference in someone's life.  It did mine yesterday.

7.  I love my church!  We have been a part of this church since DH left full time pastoring.  It was a hard transition for us.  And the church we joined was in its infancy.  But it's such a BLESSING to us.  I am challenged to grow there.  I see my kids growing there.  I have made friends there.  And for that I am eternally grateful!

And there you have it folks!  Hope this Sunday Seven finds you well!

Book Review: Firstborn Series

OK it took me three years, but I finally picked up part II of the Baxter Family Drama series by Karen Kingsbury. Three years ago, I read her Redemption series during the summer.  I reviewed the first here and the others here  At the end of these first five books I mentioned that I was a bit "tired of the Baxters" and wanted to take a break.  I never dreamed my break would last so long, but it did.  I have now finished the second five book series entitled "Firstborn" where Kingsbury digs deeper into the Baxter family and their relationships.


In the first book, Fame, we find Hollywood star Dayne Matthews who made a huge discovery at the end of the Redemption series.  This book delves further into the Baxter family, but primarily focuses on his developing relationship with Bloomington, Indiana's Katy Hart.  Katy directs the Christian Kids Theater in their town and is offered a part in Dayne's upcoming film.

The book sets up the next four books as the reader learns that Dayne was adopted by a missionary couple and grew up in a boarding school overseas.  His adoptive parents lost their lives in a plane crash in Indonesia when Dayne was only eighteen.  This loss causes Dayne to question God and his Christian faith.  Katy establishes herself as a true friend who is unwavering in her faith even as she faces fame.

While she considers the opportunities Dayne and his agent want to give her, she quickly retreats to her quiet life when she is attacked by a rabid knife-wielding fan of Dayne's.  This seems to be just the reality check Katy needed as she reminds herself that the world Dayne lives in and hers are two very different places.

The second book in the series is Forgiven.  Dayne Matthews finds himself further questioning his faith in this book.  He even dabbles in other religions, namely Kabbalah.  Katy believes that her life has intersected with Dayne's only to convince him that he needs to give his life to God.

Dayne knows that he is the firstborn son of John and Elizabeth (now deceased) Baxter, but does not want to impose his life of fame upon the family.  He knows that a public life means that you could find yourself in the latest gossip magazine and/or chased by the paparazzi.

Back in Bloomington, Katy is forced to help the kids of the CKT deal with a sudden loss of two members.

It's obvious that Dayne and Katy are falling for each other, but both feel they will never be able to have a relationship since they come from such different worlds.

In the third book of the Firstborn series, John Baxter is in a desperate search to locate the son he and his deceased wife gave up before they married.  His daughter, Ashley, knows that she has another brother and continues to urge her Dad to find him at all costs.

I do love how the wisdom of Elizabeth Baxter still lives on through letters she wrote during their early marriage and child-rearing years.  Kingsbury does a nice job weaving Elizabeth's faith and love of family throughout the series.

Dayne Matthews is still trying to deal with the absence of his adoptive parents during his formative years.  He lives life in Hollywood at full throttle for a while and finds himself facing the possibility of being a parent with a fellow actress.  The actress drastically alters the future and Dayne is once again at a crossroads trying to come to grips with faith and God amidst tragedy.  Katy and an old friend from boarding school, help Dayne rediscover his faith.

Katy Hart finds herself back in Los Angeles as she has to testify at the trial of the fan who almost killed her.  She is once again hunted by the paparazzi as they go to great lengths to figure out who Dayne Matthew's "mystery woman" is.

Ashley Baxter continues to push the search for her brother.  She is adamant that the rest of her siblings deserve to know his identity and story.  Her father, John, who has developed a relationship with his first-born son is still keeping his identity a secret from her.

In this book, Dayne makes a life-changing decision as he is forced to decide what is really the most important thing in life.  Katy finds herself more in love with Dayne and further questioning just why their paths have crossed.

The final book in the Firstborn Series finds Dayne and Katy ready to take the next step in their relationship.  While Katy happily prepares for their future in Indiana and Dayne further develops his faith in LA, the rest of the Baxters each come to grips with their newly found brother differently.

Each family member is forced to deal with the fame of their brother via the gossip magazines and the paparazzi.  The most affected seems to be Luke, the only other Baxter son.  This book revisits Luke and Reagan, his wife a bit as they go through a rough patch in their young marriage.

It is also wrought with tragedy.  Dayne and Katy find themselves in the fight of a lifetime.  Ultimately, the Baxter family pulls together in a beautiful picture of service to help Dayne and Katie take the most important step in their relationship.

Admittedly, I found myself skimming some of the pages of books 2 - 4 in this series.  There are times that Kingsbury repeats the storyline and I would think, "Yes, I know!"  But I know that this is as much for the reader who may start in the middle rather than having the entire backstory on the Baxters, Dayne and Katy.

I even found myself thinking, once again, that I would not continue with the next series "Sunrise" quite yet.  I found myself quite tired of the paparazzi storyline.  Although, I can imagine that it is quite real for many people we would call "stars".   I like most of the storyline and find myself wishing the Baxters were my neighbors, too.  But I get tired of reading about them after a while.

Upon reading book 5, though, and having so many unanswered questions, I went right out and got book 1 of the Sunrise series!  I don't know how far I'll read in the series.  I'm going to go on a book-by-book basis.

All in all I find Kingsbury's writing easy to read and enjoyable. I like the way she writes Christians as "real people" with "real issues" most of the time. If you haven't reacquainted yourself with Bloomington, the Baxters, or Kingsbury's books, then you might want to give these a try!

Sushi Anyone?

DS 3 got his license yesterday. We enjoyed a family dinner at our local sushi restaurant where it's "all you can eat". They put away some sushi. And we were surprised by DS 2's visit to celebrate! I love it that our whole family was around the table together celebrating DS 3. There's nothing else to say except that's the way it's supposed to be!

He's 16 Today...

My DS 3 turns 16 today. I couldn't be more proud of the young man he is becoming! He is witty, funny, organized, determined, daring, and a thinker all rolled into one. He amazes me at times with his thoughts and plans.

This is the son who has created a bucket list and posted it on Facebook for all to see. His list goes well beyond what most 16yo boys would probably write. Of course, it includes a few "crazy things" like driving an Indycar and or running from the 50 yard line to the goal post at an Ohio State football game. But his list also includes some very sophisticated thoughts and goals: He wants to "bring God with him wherever he goes." He wants to be a mission pilot in a third world country. He wants to circumnavigate the globe. I could go on and on...

This is the son who announced rather matter-of-fact like that he finished reading the Bible a few weeks ago. I knew he started back in Sept. or Oct. ...but FINISHED it?? I've never really done that. And to do it in less than a year? All I could think was "Wow!"

This is the son who has extended a great deal of grace and brotherly love to his siblings. He is the one who has welcomed LG into our lives in such a special way. He has developed a bond with her that is very special and helps her feel more a part of our family every day.

I could go on and on about DS 3.

The photo essay above really shows the person he is and the one he is becoming. He is a pursuer of dreams and goals and ambitions. At 16, I can think of no better way for him to be!

I love you, DS 3! Happy Birthday!

The Long and Winding Road...

DS 3 took this photo while driving in northern Kentucky. It has stuck with me since he posted it on his Facebook wall for many reasons. First, because I love the view. Second, because it reminds me so much of life in general.

Lately I have been on what seems such a long and winding road. The twists and turns have taken me places I neither expected or, in some cases, desired. Yet one thing is clear every twist and turn has a lesson (or two or ten) to be learned.

This picture is a reminder that there is beauty at every turn. Sometimes we just have to look harder for it. It also reminds me that the road DOES go somewhere. I may not know where it's going to end up...but it does take us where we need to go. And if it's the "wrong road" there are generally places to get off and go a different direction.

For that, I'm thankful!

More "Where We've Been..."

And for part II of our time away, the kids and I headed over to Ohio to celebrate my Grandmother's upcoming 90th birthday! On our way over, we stopped to pick up my Mom and DS 2.
We had a lovely "pizza buffet" out at my Aunt Sandy's our first night in town. I'm telling ya' this crew can put away some pizza! It's always so fun going out there and hanging out at her place in the country. Relaxing and filled with fun and laughter.
DH flew his own plane up on Friday to join us. He spent time taking everyone who wanted to go for a short ride around the city and country. Here you see DS 3 and my brother SQUEEZED into the back ready for flight!

Here's the crew meeting the plane after a flight. I think in all there were four flights that day filled with happy passengers!

And later that evening, we gathered back out at Aunt Sandy's for Hot Dog cookout and more visiting.

Now one of the things we love to do when visiting our hometown is to go to the cemetary. It's just so inviting and interesting. We visit the graves of our family members that have gone on before us. This year, we found something new waiting for us there...DSs 2 and 3 thought it was a HOOT and decided to model the sign for us. For those of you who can't make this photo bigger, let me tell you the sign says: "Special Offer: Buy one grave, get the second grave free." So here the boys are showing you who ended up with the FREE one:

On Sunday, we met at a local park for the picnic to celebrate my Grandmother's upcoming 90th birthday. Here is a picture of her immediate family with children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren....This is only a fraction of the people who attended this special event for this very special lady.
Here's my grandmother, in the chair with her sister.
Here is another treat we got over the weekend...we got to my brother Dan's new GF. It's so neat to see the two of them enjoy each other and be so happy!

So there you have it....Parts 1 and 2 of "Where We've Been...". Hope all's well in blogger land!