Rock Your World

I was concerned about the day yesterday as it started with Gabby greeting me with with a groaning "How much longer til coffee is ready?".

But it turned out to be absolutely beautiful. Maybe a tad windy for my liking heightened by the fact that I forgot to put down paperweights in the office before opening the windows, but beautiful all the same.

The kids played outside every chance they got. Riding bikes, swinging all together, pushing Wyatt around in his little truck and playing on the trampoline. Brian asked me yesterday afternoon, "How hot is it out here? Like 100' degree's??!!!" I let him know that it was 81'. And while I thought that was the end of our conversation he in his oh-so-boy-style continued, "I'm sweating! My butt is sweating. It's so wet it feels like diarrhea in my underwear. I'm..." I had to cut him off. "OK! I get the picture! That's enough!"

Yesterday we also had a small earthquake that lasted 10 seconds. I had no idea. Truly with 4 kids running around, who feels a small shake? I have this intense fear of items collapsing, although I've never been in a building as it collapsed. I still have visions of the news reports of the newly opened hotel in KC on New Years Eve that collasped when I was in my teens and realized that all buildings are not weight proof. This has proved to be an annoying fear as I don't like bridges, tall buildings, heavy items in our house, lots of people in any one place. I am uncomfortable with just having a piano in the house. I realize though that it is not a fear of falling, but a fear of falling and getting hurt. I'm working thru it and holding onto the fact that God is in control of all things. Both the good and ones that appear as not so good. Back on track. I'm however not terrified of earthquakes. I have this interest and desire to actually feel one. Not a huge one, but just a small tremor. To feel the earth...move....under my feet.

I started a new diet plan this morning, it's called the stomach flu. It works great and is so easy to stick with. But life as a mom continues.

Message in a Bottle

As we were standing on the bridge overlooking Sager Creek bubbling along, there was a dark glass bottle floating on the surface that contained a paper. The girls and I were both excited just to spot it. Wishing we had a way to grab it up, but without a net or some daring soul to jump in the frigid spring water we had to just stand and watch and wonder the thousands of possibilities that were contained within. Even now, 4 days later I catch myself wondering about the message in the bottle. Was it something that would have changed out lives? Or just a fun experiment? Was it intended for us to find and we just didn't grasp the opportunity with determination that we were going to get it? Were we just lazy? Or did God not intend for us to find it at all?

I pray that as each message in life that passes our way, that we will capture it and learn from it.

Movin Movin Movin

We are moved, but still a far cry from being settled. It actually looked better when everything was still in boxes rather than partially put away. I'm tired. It's been an emotional move.

We have a little nook off the kitchen that we use as an office. After seeing my sister's red office, I knew that this was the direction I wanted to go.

This is the office before in cream.

Here it is in Garnet Red (a Better Homes and Garden collection color)

1 Down, and about 5000 more to go

So this week has been exhausting in a good way. We got the green light with the house and our friend/investor/blessing of a family signed the final papers. So each evening we've been heading over to paint and get some things crossed off the list before moving in. The first completed project is the laundry room. She went from dark brown paneling with a light that required you to manually screw or unscrew the bulb if you wanted to see anything. To, with a little money, sweat and skill later, we have an apple green "happy" laundry room, complete with tract lighting and a real light switch. Thank you honey! And thank you dear lady friends for blessing me with your most precious possession of time and fellowship to help me!

The Making of an Igloo

Makensie has really wanted to make an igloo and while with each snow we had good intentions and looked up directions, it just never happened. But today, we just couldn't resist. The snow was so wet and heavy and it was still raining sleet adding to the bonding power.

Inside:

Allen helped us for awhile, but had to leave. He is so generous in helping others. So the girls and I finished. Notice the heavy leaning and an architect I am not, so this was the best we could figure out.

Done! Hope it lasts at least for the day.

Shocked on a Whollllle - Notha - Levvvvvvelllll

Gabby: Mom, when our cat dies, can we stuff her like the deer? That was we can play with her forever?

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Compliments of our new neighbor we just met 1 hour ago: Can Gabby stay all night tonight? It's my daughter's birthday.

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Compliments of our new neighbor at 9pm (we just met 4 hour earlier): Do you have any chicken nuggets? My daughter doesn't want to eat what I cooked for supper.

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Gabby: What's wrong with her boobs?
Me: That's what happens when you don't wear a bra.

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Compliments of our new neighbor at the 22 hour mark: Can you babysit for the girls this afternoon? I need to go run some errands.

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25 hour mark: Since you homeschool anyway, can you homeschool my son?

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Compliments of the 7 year old neighbor girl: My mom wants to know if you can come over and talk to her?

Me: Um, can she come over here?

girl: She wants to know if you can start babysitting us?

Me: (only in my head) I thought I already was. And I thought both of your parents didn't work.

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Compliments of the 5 year old neighbor: The police have been to our house before and arrested my dad.
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Compliments of the 7 year old: Can I play now or do you want me to come back later?
Me: (only in my head) I'm guessing it's only to be both.

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After returning home and finding my front door wide open and the neighbor girls waiting across the street for us to get home:
Me: Did you see anyone come over?
Them: No.
Me: Was my door open all the time?
Them: Yes. But don't worry, we walked thru and made sure that there were no robbers here and nothing was missing.
Me: thanks.
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Compliments from our new neighbor girl after playing at our house for about an hour: My mom said to ask you that if you have to go anywhere if you would wait until they get home. They went to run errands.

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Lord unto the least of these. Help me remember that all these kids want to be at our home for a reason. Help me keep my heart and home open to witness of you. Give me patience and grace and love for them as if they were my own.

Date Night with my hero

Nothing beats rootbeer floats with Batman in March.