Sunday, August 31, 2008

I've been awarded!


Lil' ole me. It feels so nice to be appreciated. I know my blog does not reach many readers. And I am totally fine with that. I write for me. I do feel blessed that the few who do read "get" what I'm trying to put on paper.

So if I had to give the award away? Oh, please, don't make me do it. There are so many great bloggers out there with much more to say than I do.

Here's a few to chew on. You decide.


Home Ec 101
Meridith @ Like Merchant Ships
Sarah @ Sarah's Blue Castle
Tammy @ Tammy's Recipes
Mamma Squirrel @ Dewey's Treehouse
Ann @ Holy Experience

Saturday, August 30, 2008

I'm home...sort of...

We just got in the door from a long return trip home from Virginia.

It was such a nice week. As with any adventure, the full impact has yet to hit me. It was just nice to be tucked away in a safe little bubble. (even if the weather didn't always cooperate.)

No school.
No phone.
No Internet.
No television.
No newspaper.

Just me, Jesus, 2 little girls, and 2 proud grandparents surrounded by trees, rain, and other happy people.

It was very hard to pack up to come home. Especially for 10yo. She found her niche.

She was surrounded by kids who spoke her God language. They were free to dance, sing, jump, shout, wave flags, or simply lay down and rest in the presence of the Lord. They even had a chance to sculpt. I watched her come alive.


I knew it being a holiday weekend that no matter which way we drove, there would be delays or traffic. I chose to take a chance and go through DC instead of my parents' old standard route that bypassed it. I took it on the way and it cut off almost an hour.-We didn't hit a bit of traffic though.

Starting out was pretty good, but then we came to the part where 95 split into a million different directions. I had a hunch it was one way, but second guessed myself, asked someone else to double check the map, and then proceeded to follow one of their suggestions. The route got us home, ...but it was definitely the scenic route through DC instead of the quicker one around it. Not really all that bad, but it did add a little time. At least 10yo got to see a bit of the city. She was hoping we'd have time to stop along the way for a quick tour. All in due time. I'm now pretty confident that I could drive in or around DC with little difficulty.

I should also mention that it also added a good bit of time wiggling around through a town in Maryland trying to find the bleedin' Cracker Barrel.

What's with that state anyway?! It seems like anywhere I tried to stop to take a pee we had to search and search for the promised gas station or Mickey D's. It must be against the law to put up one of those beloved Golden Arches- much less the standard 1000 foot tall Cracker Barrel square. We just needed to eat and relieve ourselves. Why did it have to be so hard? I totally wish there was a State of Maryland Complaint Department. I would SO be hitting up the toll free number!


I enjoyed catching up on all 60 of my emails when we go home. (well, if you call mom and dad's house home. It's much easier to just stay here for church tomorrow than to go home and come back.)

And I did try to take pictures this time. Really I did. just didn't realze my camera batteries were low and didn't want to take the time out to buy some new ones. Oh well... there's always next year.

I think I'm bound for bed now ...... ..

Sunday, August 24, 2008

We interupt...

this blog-a-thon to make a very special announcement.

The Momma is taking a short bloggy break. My family and I are heading to VA for a week of fun with the Son.

I know my millions of readers will miss me terribly,but please remember: Even Mommas need a time out from time to time.

While I'm away, flood my comment box with cheery comments.


Come on....you know you want to. You know I'd do it for you.

Friday, August 22, 2008

Staggering Numbers

I know this is a touchy subject. I know many would say in the church, "We can't legislate morality." I know few choose to enter the frey.

Think about this for a moment.

Every 3 seconds 2 babies die.

Everyday 4,500.

Totaling 50,000,000 to date.

Children never given a voice. This is a whole generation silenced.

Gone.




Thursday, August 21, 2008

Quiet Content

I sit here feeling all is at peace in my world. The living room is shaping up to be the perfect shade of pale sunshine yellow, the school year is (mostly) planned, I spent a long leisurely day with my mommy pals, and I am amazed still at the wonderful gift Father God dropped into my lap (an easy, painless trip to The Call.)

Sometimes it's easier to praise Him with my silence than it is my words. Words fail. They've become so cheap. How easily, "I love you," floats off our tongues without thinking of the true meaning.

I praise Him with my thoughts. I praise Him with my contemplations on His goodness and the surity of His Word. I praise Him in my innermost parts.

Psalm 139:17,18 says:
How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!
If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;
When I awake, I am with You.



That's just how I feel. I feel loved and cared for.

"Oh, Lord, Let me never forget your lovingkindness and tender mercies that you make new to me every day."

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

LIFE





Not the most becoming shot of me. Beauty is not the point of this picture. Look at it. Let it sink in.

Ask the Father what His heart is on this issue. You may be surprised at the answer He gives you.

Sunday, August 17, 2008

My latest project

I know I have mentioned painting my house more than one time on this blog that I've been wanting to paint. I know I've even mentioned more than once that I've been procrastinating on doing it...Well...drumroll please...

I have moved past the thinking stage, clear on through the thinking about how to execute stage, through color choices, buying the paint and onto...oh, really a drumroll here would be great....PAINTING!

I KNOW! shock of all shocks I broke down and starting the project. I worked Tues.-Friday of last week. I spackled, I sanded, I primed, scrubbed and painted. I would have been able to finish on Saturday but I was at The Call, y'all. (oh, I know it rhymes.)

I am still so tired. I've wanted to nap all day, but I'm saving it up for a great night's sleep tonight.

I'll (maybe) post some before, during, and after pics-If you're good. 10yo took an oh-so-lovely picture of me painting the wall behind the fridge. I'm sure I look just so cute.

I'm still marinating all that occured in D.C.

I'm baa-aack

All I can say is wow. I'm really very tired, but I'm home and had a great great day. Our trip went wonderfully smooth.


I'll update you all on my week later. It's been quite full. Right now I'm off to church.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Guess where I'll Be On Saturday?

In D.C. baby...!!! ahhh, yeah. I recieved a call back from the organizer of the local bus (she said she tried to get the word out but wasn't very sucessful) and I have a place on the bus!! Oh goody, goody, goody.

I am just soooo pleased. I've been wanting to go to this since early last fall. I was hoping, ...

Oh JOY!

Yea ME!!!

OH I AM SOOOO EXCITED!!!!! SO VERY VERY EXCITED!

I just found out I may have a ride to D.C. to participate in The Call gathering. It's not certain and it's not set but still the idea pleases me beyond words. I'm waiting on a call back from the trip organizer, and the bus may be full...Here's hoping.

Of course 5yo is not happy. Anything planned quickly, and without her make her go instantly to tears. She'll get over it. This is something I've been wanting to do for a full year.

okay...breath...

Monday, August 11, 2008

Slip sliding away

The summer time is just going by too quickly! This week's temps are to be in the low 70's. That's not my idea of summertime people. That's more like my ideal winter! Global warming? How about global cooling. This summer has been very cool and I'm just so bummed.

This year we took the big leap into independent homeschooling. The previous years have all been homeschooling via a cyber charter (schooling at home w/ free curriculum, but considered to be a member of a public school.) I was rejoicing in the idea of being able to swim clear into September if we felt so inclined. Well, we feel so inclined, but the weather just isn't cooperating.

This is where you'd hear me give a long drawn out Wah! if you could hear me.

I guess there's always next year.

The good thing (I guess...I'm so in the mood to complain) is that now that it's cooler I'll quit putting off the painting that needs done around here. We started in the early part of the summer to do some little remodeling type projects, and then it was left up to me to pick out some paint and get it up. I'd rather be swimming.
I've been struggling with this all morning instead: Is it better to caulk all those tiny cracks left between the wallboard (I ripped off all those tacking strips that covered them up) or break down and mud and tape? The wallboard is textured so if I mud and tape the smoothness on the seams will show. If I just caulk, the cracks may not be sufficiently filled.

Why didn't I marry a carpenter?

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Could you pass the test?

Did you know that to become a naturalized citizen of the United States you have to pass a test? There is a reading/writing portion and a civics portion. The questions can be any 10 out of 100.

Some are no brainers like-What are the colors of the American flag.

Others are a little more tricky like-For how long to we elect our Senators?

These are things we learn and then quickly forget. How often do we think about Senators?

So here is a sampling of the Citizenship Test questions. How many can you answer correctly? Could you pass the test? (answers are here)


19. How many amendments are there to the Constitution?
22. What makes up Congress?
25. How many Senators are there in Congress
28. How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?
29. For how long do we elect each member of the House of Representatives?
32. What is the highest part of the Judiciary Branch of our Government?
34. What is the supreme law of the United States?
35. What is the Bill of Rights?
38. Who becomes President if both the President and Vice President die?
41. Who said, “Give me liberty or give me death”?
48. Who nominates judges for the Supreme Court?
49. How many Supreme Court Justices are there?
54. Who was the main writer of the Declaration of Independence?
56. What are some of the basic beliefs of the Declaration of Independence?
58. Who wrote The Star-Spangled Banner?
63. What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
64. What special group advises the President?
66. Which President was the first Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Army and Navy?
71. What group has the power to declare war?
72. Name the amendments that guarantee or address voting rights.
74. What are the first 10 amendments to the Constitution called?
75. Whose rights are guaranteed by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights?
76. What is the introduction to the Constitution called?
77. Who meets in the U.S. Capitol building?
80. Name one right or freedom guaranteed by the first amendment.
81. Who is Commander-in-Chief of the United States military?
84. How many times may a Senator or Congressman be re-elected?
90. Name one of the purposes of the United Nations.
92. Can the Constitution be changed?

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Bridegroom

Ihop Prayer room has FREE web cast during the Global Bridegroom Fast the first Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday of each month. Yippee!!! I can get my prayer room fix.

Go! Run over there, and get some prayer or worship time in. You know you'll feel better afterwards.

It's not like I'm not capable of subscribing for myself. It's just $10 for unlimited access to the prayer room. 24/7 intercession, praise, and worship. I just wasn't home very much in the month of July to really have the time to remember to do it.

BTW, I don't mind so much that my gift subscription wasn't renewed. I was hoping that it was just a temporary glitch. I wish I would have just had a heads up.

That's all people. Now you may click the little linky thing above and head right over to IHOP. If you go right now, and I mean RIGHT NOW! they will be playing the most beautiful violin/piano ethereal soaking and worship music.

No...really. Go now.

Saturday, August 2, 2008

Back to Normal

Just checking in to let you know that I am feeling much better today.

After yesterday's post, I packed up a bag and headed to my parent's house. My mum wanted me to help her with some summer time duties. It's cheaper on gas just to stay over for the weekend.

So as I went about my business, I did some praying. Driving in the car I did some more praying. It was a deep blackness that had tried to consume me. It was a little tricky to shake, but I did. By bedtime last night I had forgotten all about feeling underneath the mountain. Instead, I was feeling on top.

This morning, I ordered my day with some Bible reading- before I got dressed or let my feet even hit the floor. I kept being reminded that I was to be transformed by the renewing of my mind in the Word.

Today I feel totally back to normal. Great! Happy! Cheerful! It feels oh so much better!!!!
okay, I'm off to hop in the pool. Yippee!! It's a well deserved break after multiple jobs well done.

Friday, August 1, 2008

'Member that post?

You know the one where I quoted Trent Resner and Johnny Cash..."I hurt myself today, to see if I still feel."

Yeah, that one. Why do I keep doing it to myself. It's like a little test to see if I'm really okay or something. (and no, I still don't mean self mutilation here folks, I'm talking metaphors) I did it then and I did it today. It's like sucking air through a cavity just to make sure it still hurts. Duh. You know it will until you get it fixed. So today I guess I sucked a little air. I thought I had that darn thing fixed. Found out...I didn't.

My hands are shaky and heavy and I feel like I could easily slip into "complete mess" mode. Why did I do that? I was feeling really good.

See, here's where self determination steps in. I knew when I blew air through that little hole there was a chance that it would still send shock waves through my spine. I had my guard up, so it wasn't a complete surprise. Nope. I knew it might hurt. It did. Now what?

I'm not gonna let it lick me, that's what. I'm not gonna let it sneak up on me again and attack me and have me all undone. No. I let it happen before. Willingly. I did it to me. This time, One more time, I'm climbing back on top.

You heard me. You will not have me you blasted aching tooth!!! As soon as I'm done typing up this post, I'm off to my prayer closet for a little more dental work. I may have to have a little cry...but that's all part of being in the chair.

I'm so thankful that my Dentist has the best drugs...He knows how to doll them out liberally too.

This time I'm looking forward to the drill. I'll do anything to get that nagging aching pain as far away from me as possible!