Vacation Bible School

We just finished up with Vacation Bible School - aka VBS. I'm just wondering who thought up the idea of this as being a vacation deal... probably some daddy. Cuz seriously! Last week was fun, but it was CERTAINLY NOT a vacation! I feel a digression coming on, so I better just stick to the facts. And those facts are...

• all 3 girls learned Bible verses - I am praying that as they hide God's word in their hearts at such young ages, it will stay with them a long time.
  
• they met new friends!
• Marky brought a friend from school 3 days out of the week
• they got to sing , sing, sing and sing some more - it thrilled me to watch them worship the Lord with their music.
  
• they all said that they wished VBS could go on all summer. (if it did, their mama would be institutionalized and their daddy would have to take them to it, so it's a pretty good thing that it was only for one week)
• someone other than me did crafts and games with them - GLORY!!
• each day that I picked them up, they were happy and excited about all that they learned and did for that day of VBS.

I am really thankful for the time that my girls had in VBS. Our church did an outstanding job of providing a really great program for our kids.

Over night

Last night, we went on a bike ride, with plans to stop at our school so that we could play the game that we gave Patrick for Father's Day. It was a beautiful night, no rain or wind, which we've been having a lot of lately. The only bad part was the presence of a billion mosquitoes who apparently LOVE the fact that it has been raining since April. As I was cleaning up dinner, daddy pumped all of the tires up on the bikes - It's always amazing to me how quickly the air seeps out of them while they sit in the garage...doing nothing. Anyhow - we got on our bikes and headed out to "bunny land" as we like to call it. It is an area just east of us that is swarming with bunnies. They are everywhere. We love to have competitions to see who can spot the bunnies first, as they are very easily camouflaged. One even jumped out in front of Maddie last night! She is always way out in front of the rest of us, leading the pack, and I was pretty surprised that she was able to swerve around this kamakazee bunny! After we rode for a while, we stopped at Zach (our school) to play badmitton. While the rest of the family was warming up, Michael and I went over to the playground. He has changed overnight. I was amazed at how sure footed he was as he was climbing around. Even if he slipped while doing something dare-devilish, he was able to catch himself. I know that he isn't a baby anymore in the sense of diapers and bottles, but I guess I hadn't noticed that he really has changed into a big boy with things like playing at the park. He no longer needs me to watch his every move while he's playing. He is capable and sure of himself. It's a little hard to "let go" of him in this area. The girls were just not nearly as adventurous. But as challenging as it is not to hover, I really enjoyed watching him play and try new things. I still stood close, but tried to control my urges to hold on to him. After we played our game for a while, we rode home trying to cool ourselves down in all of the sprinklers between our house and school. It was a perfect ride, spent with all of the people who mean the most to me.

Catalog living

I have found out what my problem is. It rained down on me like the summer storms that we have been having. Rained and poured. Here it is... I want to live in the pages of a catalog. There. And if I could have my druthers, today I want to live in this catalog preferable on pages 34-35. Or maybe here on page 13. What catalog would YOU like to live in???

Shirtless wonders

He calls "them" the naughty guys. He races to the front door every time "they " are outside. He asks me constantly if he can play with "them". He is both afraid and in awe of "them". "They" are... dun, dun, dun... the neighbor boys. They are a group of about 3 older boys and 1 younger boy who live down the street from us. They are always running around outside shooting one another AND the screaming girls on the block with their very powerful water and slime guns. Their "naughty guy" label happened because they make Michael's sisters scream and swoon, as well as they don't wear shirts (just like all "naughty guys"). Our neighborhood is mostly made up of screaming, whiney, fighting, sometimes sweet, girly girls. I don't blame Michael at all for his deep desire to play with these boys. But truth be told, his mama just isn't ready for that!!! So, he keeps asking if he can play with "the naughty guys" and I say, "not now, you're too little", and he sighs and says ok, all the while waiting for his turn to make a girl run from him in terror as he chases her without his shirt on. He knows that he can't cross the street to be with them, and so he stands on the sidewalk and just watches them. Well, yesterday the girls in the neighborhood (especially MY HOUSE!) were being especially girly (ie. territorial and annoying and snippy). They weren't even worthy of a good chase. Michael was outside with me, gazing with longing down the street and... dun, dun, dun... the neighbor boys came over into our yard to ask him to play with them. They are nice boys when they are playing in our yard, their naughtiness somehow disguised behind boyish grins; this probably because they have been threatened by me that if they touch my little boy with even just a squirt of water from their water gun I will cut off their toes and pull each piece of hair out of their head one by one - understandably they are cautious and fearful as they come over. We offer them a popsicle and some shade. They start to ask him about his gun. They show him how to load it and ask if they can have a turn with it. Michael is grinning from ear to ear because he thinks that they think his gun is cool. He is right. They play in our yard for about 30 minutes and absolute MAKE my sweet boy's day. When Daddy got home last night, Michael excite-ably told him all about his naughty guy adventures. He went to sleep last night dreaming of more boy play-time... shirtless, I'm sure.

summer snack

Yummmmmmm!!!

Vaccinations, VBS and Reality TV

• Some days, it just helps to sweat it all out. To work out at your maximum capacity and just sweat until you are dripping. I've had that kind of week... and it's only Wednesday. So this morning I went to the gym and just sweat and thought. The TVs weren't working so I didn't even have that distraction. There are just some days when everything comes to a head - you're faced with ugliness inside yourself, sadness around you, and realities that are hard to accept. And you can't fix it in one day. Maybe not even in one week. But that's when you ask for God's grace and your child's grace and your husband's grace and your dog's grace... whomever needs to be asked, you ask. And then you wait for the grace to wash over the sadness and the guilt and the yuck; and you accept it and live in it. In the midst of accepting grace, I am trying to offer up a "Broken Hallelujah" as Mandisa sings on her new CD, "Freedom". My hallelujah's have been broken the past couple of days, but I want to stay near to the Lord so I keep offering them up. By faith, I have to believe He hears me.

• Meredith got her kindergarten vaccinations on Monday. She was very brave throughout the process, and was treated to a "Littlest Pet Shop" treat afterwards. I enjoyed hearing the other kids praise her for her courage and celebrate her success in the toy aisle at Target. That's what being a part of a family is all about! On Monday evening Meredith came to me and said, "Mommy, THOSE SHOTS... well THEY HURT! (big sighs and drama)"
  

• The girls are all enjoying a week of Vacation Bible School. Michael was unable to go because I missed the deadline to sign him up. He's been ok with it though because we've done some other things together. It has sort of been a foreshadowing to what next fall will be like when it's just me and him hanging out together. Frankly, it's been a blast :)
• Monday night when I was exercising, the TVs at the gym were working so I was able to watch the episode of "Jon &Kate plus 8" where they announce that they are separating. Now, I realize that it is just a TV show, and I don't want to be too captivated by the story, but I can't believe that they are splitting up!! And as for some reality, I'd love to tell Kate that no matter "how boldly you say that you will NEVER spend a holiday without your children", you no longer make all the rules! THAT'S reality! Mmmm... It was funny to hear them says things like "We'll try to keep things as normal as possible," and "Not much will change for the kids". Whatever...

• For my birthday, I received a total of 8 books, and one that is is on it's way... It was a WINDFALL of GLORIOUSNESS!!!! I think I will go get under my snuggly blankie and go read. So many books - so little time!!!!
  

Father's Day

I am celebrating the Dads that are near and dear to me today. I know many good dads. My brother-in-laws are good dads, my friends are good dads; I am blessed to be loved by a wonderful father-in-law, I was raised by an incredible Dad who is my friend and a wisdom in my life, and I am married to a man who is the best dad of all time. Because I already had 2 kids when Patrick and I got married, he jumped into fatherhood right away. I've never seen anyone take to something more naturally. He loved my older girls as if they were his very own, and then when the other 2 came along there was no difference in how he showed his kids he cared about them. Patrick is incredibly unselfish as a Dad. No matter what, his kids come first. I love that. He loves to play with them and teach them new things, he shows them goodness by the way that he lives, his patience with them is limitless and he brings a quiet peace to our home as the dad. Patrick gives our kids so many opportunities - he takes us on trips so that we can experience other places, we go camping and hiking so that we can enjoy the outdoors. My favorite thing about Patrick not only as a dad, but as a man, is his strong and steadfast character. We are secure with him. I love that even more. Happy Father's Day, my love. You are one in a million. I thank God for you.

Walk with me

I went on a garden tour today. Want to join me??? Come on!!!

Happy Birthday, Lauren!!!

• L - a LITTLE bit of sunshine every time she smiles
• A - she is so ADORABLE when she is telling you like it is
• U - her eyes are UTTERLY captivating
• R - she is always READY to give a hug
• E - everything is very EXCITING when she is around
• N - sometimes she can be a little NUTTY
  

Happy birthday dearest Lauren!!! You are such a special 6 year old. I love you!

So blessed

A sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning of life. ~Isadora James

Awesome recipe

I made this recipe yesterday for lunch for Lisa and I. It was TO DIE FOR!!!! You should make it for yourself today for lunch!

• Waldorf-Salad -Style Penne

• 1 pound whole wheat penne past
• 3/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 11/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 3 ribs celery, chopped
• 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 4 nectarines, 3 chopped and 1 sliced
• 1 bunch chives, cut into 1/2 inch lengths
• 1 cup chopped pecans, candied*
• 1.In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the pasta until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water.
• 2. Make candied pecans*
• 3. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together the mayo, sour cream, lemon juice, cumin and 1/4 cup water. Add the pasta and toss to coat; let sit for 10 minutes. Stir in the celery, bacon , chopped nectarines, half of the chives and half of the pecans.
• 4. To serve, top the pasta with the remaining chives, pecans and the sliced nectarine.
• *candied pecans - In a small pan, add 1 cup of sugar and let melt. Add pecans and stir until completely coated. Let cool in glass bowl.

Fun summer day!

I've wanted to slow time down so many times over the past few days. We've had so much fun. It's just slipping away way too quickly. Yesterday, we had a nice workout, played outside, had a birthday party for Lauren, went to the movie "UP", relaxed, and most importantly just had a

SUMMER BLAST!!!

Sisters Night Out

• awesome pedicures
• yummy mexican food at the Rio
• even more awesome margaritas
• wonderful conversation
• shopping downtown
• a late night walmart visit
• laughter, laughter, laughter

All of this adds up to a FUN night!!!!

Visitors!!

We are SO excited that we have 2 visitors at our house this week. My sister Lisa and her daughter Lauren are here until Thursday. We have talked of NOTHING else for the last week!!! Meredith has been SO excited because it is her first "sleepover" (Lauren is sleeping in her room.) The only thing that has been brought up more than their visit is the fact that Ashley was NOT coming. "WHY NOT?", asked Michael... all day, every day... Even when we were on the way to the airport yesterday Michael said with hope, "Maybe Ashley will be with Aunt Lisa." As much as we are missing my other 3 nieces (who are at church camp), we are completely happy that Lauren and Lisa are here. We've had silly times and good times and I am looking so forward to every minute that is coming up. I had to pinch myself this morning that they were actually here. Michael's first words this morning were "Where's Aunt Lisa?" He is smitten...again...