Monday, Monday

Another rambling Monday! This one very different in ways as Kolby is home in celebration of Columbus Day. Really?! Columbus Day? I think it is just Midway's excuse for a teacher workday. Most parents are going to mandatory 30 minute conferences with teachers today,but Mrs. M and I have already conferenced twice so I get to sit this one out.

We had a great weekend. The weather was perfect! I love days where it is sunny and the high is in the 70s! It seems we only get a few of those days a year in the late Fall and early Spring. This weekend we had two of them and I loved it! Friday night my Mom and I took dinner to my cousin as it was her first night home from the hospital. Baby Susannah is doing quite well, and despite the fact that I keep calling her Savannah, she seems to fit right in. So far she is a sweet laid-back baby!

Friday night Rhett had his first sleep over with his little cousins Scarlett and Justin. I have never seen him more excited! From all I have heard, they had a great time. Thanks R & M for hosting! Rhett had a 9AM soccer game Saturday morning that he almost didn't want to leave Justin's house to go to, but a bag of doughnut holes and the promise of new soccer shirts pulled him away. The bluejays lost but still had fun. Rhett does not understand why he did not get to score a goal this time. Much to learn about sportmenship he has! (Yoda would be so proud of that last sentence!)

Kolby hosted her cousin Samantha for a sleep over at our house the same night. As usual the girls planned to do a months worth of activities in one night and pooped out around midnight! Sweet girls! Poor Sam woke up with a high fever which really put a damper on the girls plans. It was not fun to have to call my cousin to say her oldest had a fever the morning after she brought a new born home from the hospital...but such is life. Sam went to the doctor with her Dad and spent the day in bed at her Grandparents. From what I hear she staying away from the baby and feeling better.

Saturday afternoon was Kolby's school carnival. It was so much fun this year because the weather was perfect! We had a great time and the kids came back with arms full of prizes and candy. Rhett won a dozen cupcakes in the cake walk! One of my favorite memories is winning a cake in the cake walk at my school carnival when I was in first grade. I thought it was the greatest thing ever! A whole cake just for me! Kolby has won a cake the last two years and was very excited for her brother. Rhett carried those cupcakes around like they were made of gold. It was really cute.

I'm glad my kids are able to make some of the same great memories I made a child. I have been thinking a lot about the memories my kids will have of their childhood. It is so easy to get caught up in the schedules and worries of today. I have to stop myself from time to time and remember that these ARE the best of days. My kids are growing so fast. I hope and pray that Rob and I truly appreciate these times for what they are and seize every opportunity to make great memories with our kids. It's easy to loose that perspective.

Sunday it was the perfect weather again. After church and lunch the kids played in the yard with neighbors while Rob and I attacked the flower beds ! After three year of trying to keep a flower bed around one of the trees in our front yard, yesterday I gave up! Rob dug it all up. All the bulbs, all the mondo grass, and all the annuals and perennials that I have planted over the years have died mid-season and eventually been over taken by our ever spreading Bermuda grass. I ran to the closest nursery yesterday afternoon and bought $25 dollars worth of jasmine.

Yes, we planted the whole bed with ground crawling, hard to kill jasmine. If the Jasmine dies, I think we will pave over the whole yard!!!! We also transplanted a strange tree/bush that sprouted and grew five feet this summer in one of our side beds to the backyard. Still have no idea what kind of a tree/shrub this is but I hope it thrives as well in it's new home. There is probably a lesson in all of that. The plants I tried to bring in all died, but the one thing that sprouted all on it's own thrived.

I'm sure DJG could pull a great analogy out of that, but I have two little ones waiting for me to make their lunch so I will leave the analogies for another blog. Happy Monday everyone!

P.S. I detect the "ZOE afterglow" in so many of the blogs I read today! I am glad it was good for all of you! Despite my cries of being green with envy, I am truly glad so many in blog land were able to attend and I look forward to hearing about all you learned! NEXT YEAR!!!!

It's a girl!

Miss Susannah!
Just a few weeks ago I was saying "It's a Boy!" but today my other cousin gave birth to her third beautiful baby girl! Little Susannah Jane arrived this morning weighing 8 pounds, 12 ounces and measuring 20.5 inches long. Mother and baby are doing great! My cousin didn't find out what she was having prior to this morning and we were all very anxious to meet this baby! She is so pretty ! So sweet!
I love babies...and it is a good thing because we have had 8 of them in less than 8 years on my side of the family! Welcome to the crew little one! We are all so glad you have finally arrived!
Here are the other 7 greeting # 8!

GO BLUE JAYS!

Tonight was Rhett's first soccer game. In his team sport debut, our little rookie scored a goal! The Bluejays went on to sweep the Kangaroos 7-3, though we really don't keep score. It is so fun to watch the little mob follow the ball around the field. Occasionally the ball gets away and finds the goal! The kids are all 4 years old so their shin guards could double as knee pads and their soccer shorts look more like knickers! It is quite a sight! We all loved every minute of it! Rhett looked so cute out there...And his coach (pictured) is not only wonderful with the kids, he is HOT! :) Way to go Coach Rob!!

It was a great victory for my favorite guys and so fun for Kolby and I to cheer them on. I look forward to many more Bluejay games! (11 to be exact) These are the days!

A bit of house cleaning.....

1. Three new blog buddies were added to the list of those I frequent last week. CHECK THEM OUT! A belated welcome to you Chris, Meredith and Lauren!

2. I am so green with envy reading about all of you planing to attend the ZOE conference this weekend! I may swear off of blogging until the conference is over! But I know you will have incredible things to share and God will be glorified. I want to hear all about it next week. I truly hope I am able to make it next year.

3. I have an addiction to confess. I am hooked on the Broccoli salad from the Wal-Mart Deli. It's a little embarrassing... and as my sister said "and from Wal-Mart of all places!" Yesterday I even tried to call and get the recipe, but the deli lady said it came in a prepackaged kit and she didn't know what was in it. AND no, they do not sell the kits. So if any of you have a recipe for a broccoli salad that has red cabbage, red onion, golden raisins, carrots, sunflower kernels and something else crunchy with a tangy slaw like dressing....Please save me hours experimenting in my kitchen and pass it on.

4. Matt Elliot had an excellent post yesterday concerning the Ashley Smith/Brian Nichols story that broke last week. Really, go read it here! Aren't we all glad God uses broken vessels as none of us are without our cracks and imperfections!

And finally, I just wanted to thank all of you who have asked about and prayed for us since I blogged about Kolby's reading disorder last spring and summer. I feel very happy, grateful, humbled and blessed to report that since May, Kolby's reading has improved by an entire grade level! I truly praise God for the wonderful people at Baylor who worked with her for 5 long weeks this summer at CAMP SUCCESS and for those who continue to work with Kolby every week!
My little girl has regained some of her confidence, wants to read, and is doing very well. We still have lots to work on... Apparently spelling is a hereditary issue. :) But all in all, I feel like God has answered our prayers in so many ways on so many different levels! He continues to bless us with incredible teachers, professors and administrators. There are many things wrong with our education system today, but there are also many, many things that are right! There are some incredibly gifted generous people out there giving their all to help children. Teachers are my favorite people!
If you are a teacher NEVER, EVER doubt the incredible impact you have on the lives of your students and their families. THANK YOU for all you do and the spirit of love in which you do it!

Blessing to you blog world!

4 restaurants and a roller rink

Our weekend in 125 words ...

Magic China with the fam
Target
Sleep
Birthday party
soccer practice
Meet and shop for PTA
Work on more PTA
Shop for PTA more
Home
Walmart
K: SLUMBER Party
Will she make it?
R: I'm sleeping over at Mama K's !
Date?
YES!!!
Panera Bread
Walk the market center
Pirates of the Caribbean
Sleep
12:30 AM
please come get me!
TEARS
Homesick & embarrassed
Assurance and hugs
Tucked in bed
She sleeps
I don't
Nursery at church
Family invasion of Taco Bueno
You will take a nap!!!
Football
Open house with neighbors
Laundry
Work on PTA
Church family skate night
FLASHBACK
Rb & K tear it up
R Can I have a quarter?
Fazolli's with Sanders & Barnhills
Quiet kids table
Big talk grownups table
Baths
Bed
GREAT WEEKEND!


I love Mondays! Really I thought I would never say that, but it is true. Monday is the only day I don't HAVE to be anywhere in particular. No Baylor tutoring, no soccer, no church, no PTA, no lunch dates, no nothin'! Rob and Kolby have to go to work and school but Rhett and I are free to stick around the house in our PJ' s till noon if we want...and today that is what we want! Hope you have a great Monday!

PS I will not be at ZOE : ( but my friend will be. I told her to tell you guys "Hi" for me. So if someone named Laura from Waco Texas says "Hi" and acts like she knows who you are...you'll know who she is! Comprendo?

A casual conversation

I had a great conversation with a man in the doctors office this morning and I wanted to reflect on it here. (Warning : This could take a while! ) This man has served in the military in Iraq and he is about to serve again. He had been talking with two other women when I walked in. They were talking about how disheartening it was to see a protest like the one last Saturday in Washington DC where Cindy Sheehan and 100,000 others called for an end to the war, NOW!

He said he, and others in his unit, felt like these protests were a stab in the back. He talked about the need for someone to stand up and fight for freedom and what is right. He talked about telling his mother and family not to ever join such a protest even if he lost his life, because he is doing what he believes in and is happy to serve. He said he had heard from those who served with Casey Sheehan that he would have never wanted his Mom to do this.

He said all these polls saying America doesn't back this war sicken him. He also talked about how Americans are spoiled to all the freedoms we enjoy and that we don't realize what a privilege it is to live in this country. He talked about how there are those in this world who feel we have too much freedom and would love the chance to snatch those freedoms away. He talked about how horrible it would be for the US if we just pulled out of Iraq. He said that those who have been there understand how important it is for this war to be won. He said he didn't think the US would ever be able to pull out of Iraq completely ...Unless we want to see the whole region explode and acts of terror on our own soil.

The soldier was calm, well mannered, and very respectful. He wasn't gritting his teeth or pounding his fist. He just seemed resolved to do what needs to be done. I have a world of respect for that man!

The other two ladies and I told him that we think most of America understands that we have to stay the course and stand behind our troops by helping them, not calling for them all to come home now. I told him that I think it is sad that the news focuses so much on the radical groups who give their lives over to protesting. (Really, do these people not have jobs? How can they even afford to sit out in a pasture for 20 -30 days protesting?) We talked about the fact that there are hundreds of thousands of us who don't take polls or take the time to stand out in the streets to show our support of troops and their efforts to win this war, but we are behind them 100% and resolute to see this ugly thing through.

We asked him about his family and and the places he had served. We all said how much we respect military families. We thanked him for serving for us. He grinned and said he thought it was great that three strangers would be so open and caring.. He was saying "Every where I go I meet people like you who build me up. That is why I am willing to fight. That is what makes America great..." Then I was called back to see the doctor. I was sad for our conversation to end. I shook his hand and again said thank you. He said it was his pleasure. I never caught his name.

I have thought about that soldier all day today. I have thought about just how much freedom we enjoy here in the good ole USA. I have thought about the families of these brave men and women that go without and suffer immeasurable pain when separated...And to think I start to feel sorry for myself when Rob works late three nights in a row! I have thought about what that soldier said about having to win a war in Iraq to keep a war off of American soil and ensure freedom. I have thought about the pain of the families who protested last Saturday and the commercials that show grieving Moms and Widows asking President Bush to bring all our sons and daughters home NOW, no matter what the consequence. I have thought about what Jesus would do and what God wants us to do.

I wish there were easy answers. I wish no one had to loose a loved one in a far away land for a cause they don't really understand let alone believe in. It's easy to support a war you don't have to fight. It's easier to be against a war in which you have lost someone you love deeply. It must be hard to go fight for something, even if you believe in it, knowing so many do not understand or appreciate what you are doing for them. We humans are complex animals.

Sometimes it seems like all the options are bad and none of the answers are right. But this I know, our God, who does understand, and who always knows what is best and what is right, is in control. He is in control when nations rise and fall. He is in control when storms rage and when storms wane. I may never understand the heart and mind of our awesome God, but I believe in my heart and mind that he is good and he will save all who come to him. While we are on this planet we must do our best to fight what is evil and show great love and humility to bring honor to his name. We may never solve the worlds problems or know complete peace but we press on. In the end, this world is temporary and fleeting and God is in control.

Well enough reflection... Now back to action. I will fold the towels and clean up the juice spills with a bit more gratitude in my heart today because of the man in the doctors office and the incredible God who loves and directs us all.
I will appreciate the freedom to take my children to church tonight and the option I have not to.
I will tell my kids I love them as I tuck them into their soft safe beds and hug them extra tight thinking of the sons and daughters fighting for us so far away.
I will pray for the man I met today and pray I am the person I need to be tomorrow.
Everyday is a gift.

Love-n-logic VS Spanking

This forward came to me from another stay home Mom friend. What do you think?

LOVE AND LOGIC vs SPANKING
(A PSYCHOLOGICAL CONUNDRUM)

Most of America's populace think it
improper to spank children, so I have
tried other methods to control my kids
when they have one of "Those moments."
We recently went to a LOVE AND LOGIC
class where the instructor encouraged
us to give our kids choices and to
come up with creative ways of disicpline.

One alternative I found effective
is for me to just
take the child for a
car ride and talk.
They usually calm down
and stop misbehaving
after our ride together.

I've included a photo below
of one of my sessions with
my son, in case you
would like to use this technique.
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S

Tag - you're it!

Clarissa tagged me, so here it is.
7 answers to 7 questions

7 things I plan to do before I die:
See my children baptized.
Spoil my grandchildren.
Return to Nairobi, Kenya.
Travel to Alaska, Hawaii, Paris, Switzerland, China,and Brazil.
Take yearly vacations with my husband.
Volunteer somewhere on a weekly basis.
Meet George W Bush.

7 things I can do:
Plan a party.
Cook.
Spot a bargain.
Install a ceiling fan.
Plant a garden.

Talk to absolute strangers about almost anything.
Scrapbook. or design invitations and cool stuff on the computer.

7 things I cannot do:
Keep on a set schedule for more than a week.
Listen to talk radio.
Jog.
Sports.
Finish the laundry.
Stay mad at my husband for more than two days...I have tried!
Think of seven things I can not do because I know I can do most anything I put my mind to doing...Its just putting my mind to doing it that gives me fits.
( OK as DJG reminded me.. I can not SPELL!!!)

7 things that attract me to people: (in general ~Rob knows why I love him!:)
Signs of Faith in hard times.
A great laugh which is heard often.
A can-do attitude.
Not taking one's self too seriously.
Generosity.
Compassion .
A non-judgmental nature.

7 Celebrity Crushes:
Peter Reckle~ Bo on DOOL
George Clooney
Ben Aflec (only in Pearl Harbor)
Greg the yellow Wiggle
OK add this to my list of things I can not do...
I don't have celebrity crushes really!

7 things I say the most:
NO! or TURN OFF THE TV!
Wow!
Oh my!
Is there a nicer way to say that?
Right now!
Good job!
I understand. (Learned this at a PTA parenting seminar...There is a story behind it that I'll share later)

7 bloggers I am tagging: (but don't feel you have to do this!!!:)
Elizabeth
Lauren
Susan
Kendra
Deana
Jenni
Meredith

Blame it on George!

Pavlovs dog learned to drool at the sound of a bell. Tiny infants automatically turn towards the sound of their mother's voice. When faced with a tragedy or problem, no matter how big or small many on/in the media automatically blame George Bush. It is ridiculous. It is ignorant. It is a harmful, hurtful, and very dangerous trend for our society take on the roll of victims and blamers, yet that is what appears to be happening when I see the news. It is to the point I can't stand TV anymore.

But I guess in some ways people are right to blame George Bush, especially for what has happened here in Texas.... After all he was our Governor for six years before we lost him to Washington. It may be that his leadership in Texas back when he was Governor helped the state accomplish the biggest evacuation the US has ever seen in the face of Rita this week. Were there problems? Yes. Was it a bit chaotic? YES! But by the time the storm hit last night somehow those 100 mile traffic jams were gone. Somehow the evacuees from Katrina that our state has been caring for 3.5 weeks now were moved out of harms way. Somehow the nursing homes were evacuated and the hospitals had emergency generators that were not, and had never been, in flood likely basements! Our people in distress were rescued. We were out of harms way. AND THE STORM WEAKENED AND TURNED! I guess that is all Bush's fault too? The man does pray quite a bit after all!

Maybe Bush is responsible for laying a foundation for excellent communication between the Governor and local leaders, despite their political affiliations. Maybe Bush should share in the blame for Texas being able to harbor and care for hundreds if not thousands of Katrina evacuees in such a short time.

When Katrina struck our neighbors to the east, Texas took out pre-existing emergency plans and put them into action. When Governor Perry (who was Bush's Lt. Governer in the last term)needed help, he asked for it. This weeek our state government was ready. Our local governments were ready. The people of Texas were responsible and did not wait or expect the government to take care of them. That is the kind of leadership and citizenship our former Governor and current President inspired. I would have to agree that what has happened in Texas over the last few weeks is partly George Bush's fault, and we are so proud of him!

So let the rest of the world blame Bush for global warming, rolling blackouts in California, terrorist attacks, gas prices, interest rates, deficits, consumer spending, credit card debt, acts of nature, and oh, let's not forget incompetent Governors and mayors not being able to do their job when a crisis comes. I for one am proud of our President for taking a deaf ear to his critics and doing what he feels and knows to be right despite approval ratings and popularity polls. If other leaders in this country would do the same, America would be a better, stronger, more secure place. If that were to happen, I am almost 100 percent certain that Bush's detractors would never say "America is great! Let's blame it on Bush!"

So go ahead blame Bush! He can take it. In two more years he will retire to Texas and then there will be someone else to blame. Who in their right mind would ever want to be President? Then again I guess the next President can just blame it all on George Bush!

I feel better having that out. Sorry to rant. Sorry to be so political, but I just can't help myself! Let's just blame it on George Bush!

Evacuating

This picture should auto matically update with the storms progress.
I talked to some friends from Houston who are busy packing and trying to secure their houses so they can get out of the area before the storm hits. How stressful to try to put your family and your most valued possessions in a car and drive away not knowing when or what you will come back to! Hoping some of them end up here with us to ride the storm out. Glad to know they are willing and able to leave because they know protecting their family is the most important thing.

May God bless all the residents of the coast as they ready to get out of the storms path! I hope this hurricane season is a freak incident that will not be repeated! Dear Lord, please muffle this growing storm and rescue those who cry out to you!

PAWS for the moment...

I hope I am not breaking any copy right laws by plagiarizing the title of a section from my high school newspaper that ran back in 1986, '87 and '88. I was a San Angelo Central Bobcat back in the day. Our newspaper, The Campus Corral, ran a section where the editors ( I was the ad editor) gave "paws up /down" to different school events/happening. For example:

Paws Up To >>>
The Lady Bobcats for making regionals
The Drama department for wining state
The cheerleaders for blah blah
Paws Down To>>>
Drinking and Driving
Smoking in the boys room
Tutorials during lunch

You get the idea. My friend (Hi Anita) and I made fun of this section to the point we incorporated "Paws up" or "Paws down" into our vocabulary. Almost 20 years later, I still bust out with a "Paws up/down" comment from time to time. With it raining outside, the thermometer barely hitting 80, high school football and Mexican food on the agenda for tonight, no errands to run , and no places I have to be today... I just have to say PAWS UP TO FRIDAYS!

Here are a few more in no particular order if you care to paws with me....

Paws down to...
Ads in comments on blogger.
Hurricanes
Cancer
Alheimers
People who drive too fast down our street.
The PETA guy in front of the Baylor Bear Habitat. (Lady & Joy love their new million dollar home, thank you!)
The cost of dental work.
E-mail forwards.
Tummy aches
Protestors in Crawford.
Car bombs
Telemarketers
Taxes

Paws up to....
The thousands of volunteers working to rebuild the lives of the evacuees from New Orleans!
The state of Texas for stepping up to the plate!
President Bush for stopping the buck!
Churches going outside themselves to help people who need it!
Waco getting a Rosa's Tortilla Factory soon!
Kolby acing four spelling test in a row!
MK and family for being featured in the Wacoan ...AGAIN! :)
Sari making it safely to South Carolina for her BMW training...she is going to be an auto show rep. like me!
Circle of Friends weekend at Gymboree! Click here for printable coupon
The incredible chocolate Birthday cake from SAMs for Nana that we didn't have to make!
BUSH'S CHICKEN!!!
Baby Kelton!
The good people of Mississippi who got hit harder but gripe and blame a lot less!
The dollar spot at Target!
Football season!
Sweater weather (hoping)!
People who leave comments on my blog !
Rhett being melt-down free for almost eight hours now!
Old friends who make my day when they e-mail/call me!

Feel free to add your own PAWS here. Have a great weekend blog world!

Grandparents Week

It's grandparent week at Kolby's school. Yesterday my Dad got to go brave the cafeteria along with throngs of other 2nd grade grandparents and special seniors. It is so fun to see the faces of the kids when they see their grandparent there waiting for them...Of course I always feel so sorry for those who don't have a special visitor on such days, but such is life.

This year on PTA we have two grandmothers as Room Moms. They are the primary Moms for their little ones. They bring a different perspective to the table to be sure! But both are so young and loving and seem to be having a grand time with it all.

I only knew three of my grandparents and all three had a huge impact on my life. I am so glad my kids have all four grand parents and some great uncles and aunts to boot! We are blessed by that generational love and wisdom.

Today my last living grandparent turns 94. We're having a little party at "the home" for her. She doesn't know much these days but she knows when something is for her and she loves to see all the little kids, even though I'm not sure she realizes that they are her great grandchildren. Kolby and Rhett only know Nana as the little confused lady in the wheelchair who lives in "an apartment." I hope someday when it is easier to remember, I will be able to tell them of my spunky Nana who could play the piano, cook the best desserts, and play a mean game of bridge.

Grandparents Day was last weekend I think. Somehow I always forget that day! But for me and Nana, today will be Grandparents Day. Happy Birthday Nana!

Birthweek

Today ended our week long celebration of Rhett's fourth birthday. It's been fun! Rob was off last Monday and this Friday. We have eaten out many times. We had a family party with my parents and sister, another with Rob's mom , sister and nephew, and today we had the real party. A week of partying can take it's toll on a 4 year old! This is my little sleeping Jedi tonight at 7:30PM.
We are all happy and exhausted! Happy Birthday Rhett! Here are some glimpses of our week! Going to bed early to get a good start on next week!

The first cake on the real birthdayRhett's costume and light saber were a birthday present.Celebrating again with silly string and cousin Drake. A few hurried group shots from today's party! We had lots of fun!

Hope in the Bittersweet

For days I have wanted to post something but in the face of all that is going on in the world right now, but just can't find the right words. I feel like most of world I know is either living in collective denial or collective gloom. I really don't want to be part of either of those.

I really just want to load up my van with survival gear, trash bags, and lots of anti-bacterial cleaner and head for New Orleans and start cleaning... But I have this life here with kids, a husband, a house, a mortage, bills and several responsibilities...Though some of those responsibilities seem more like a pleasure to enjoy in the face of what is happening to so many. So no, I guess I can't abandon my family and go crusade to clean New Orleans. That makes me feel guilty. Anyone else feeling this way?

Monday was Rhett's birthday. As it was Labor Day, Rob was off and Kolby was home. We had a fun day of going where Rhett wanted, seeing a movie, and even though his birthday party isn't until next Sunday, we had my little family over for hamburgers, cake and presents. Star Wars rules the house this week. We are having so much fun and Rhett loves his presents ...But I keep feeling like we should be somewhere else helping someone. Where? I am not sure. Who? I do not know. I've felt like this around Rhett's birthday before.

Rhett was six days old the morning I sat on our couch nursing him and praising God for our first normal morning home. Then I watched the second airplane hit the second tower of the world trade center live on Good Morning America. It was September 11, 2001. The whole week before our family had been so worried about Rhett because he was in the special care nursery and gave us a real scare or two. My whole pregnancy had been a bit scary as I had several miscarriages in between Rhett and Kolby. I was never more tired or grateful when we finally got to bring Rhett home on September 10th. I thought the bad part was over...and for us personally, in most ways it was. I was so happy that Rhett was home and OK and still so sad and scared for our country and all who suffered in the 9-11 attacks. It was bittersweet.

My mom says the older she gets the more bittersweet her life becomes... Sweet as she watches her children grow and have children and bitter as she has watched her father die and her mother whittle away to a somewhat familiar stranger who lives in an alziemers unit down the road. With the events of 9-11, and now this current crisis in New Orleans, I think I understand what Mom means. Life is a combination of bitter and sweet and it is impossible at times to feel one and not remember the other.

When will life just be sweet again? When will there just be joy, pure joy without the familiar tug of sorrow for all the pain of this world? I ask these questions not knowing the answer... But here is what I hope. I hope that in an all-loving, omnipotent God I can find joy in the midst of sorrow. I hope that when the tunnel is long and the light at the end seems too dim to guide me, HE will be the light shining in me that will direct my steps. My hope comes from believing that as big as the disaster is, my God is bigger and in him all things are possible.

While life is bittersweet, hope is the shining light at the end of the tunnel fueled by faith and secured by love. At times like this, I THANK YOU Lord for giving us hope. There is a song from my youth that keeps coming to the surface this week . I find myself humming it when I am not thinking about it. It comforts me. Maybe it will comfort some of you out there in blog land too!

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.
On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.
On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.
On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

My prayer continues to be that I will be a blessing to someone who needs me today, as I have been so blessed in my life. Lord open my eyes to what I can do and give me the strength and courage to do it!

Katrina Junkie

I can't stop watching the coverage. I can't stop wondering how these people must feel. I can't stop hoping that this is all a bad dream. I can't help wondering why everyone is trying to blame someone.

Over and over I hear "How can this happen in America, the richest nation in the world??? That strikes me as odd that some think America is immune to disaster, chaos and human suffering. I guess we would like to think that. Denial is a strong and dangerous thing. Horrible things happen even in a nation that is a "superpower". SUPERPOWER...I think that Katrina deserves that title more than we do.

Did we honestly think that all our technology, infastructure and expertise could match a natural disaster of Biblical proportions? News flash...Americans are fragile, frail, faulted human being who hurt and cry and bleed. I love this country, don't get me wrong...but things happen here just as they happen all over the world. We are no better than any other nation in the only eyes that count...God's eyes. We play God sometimes but things like this remind us that only God is God. Our government is not all powerful. Bad things,really bad things, happen to us.

I think this hurricane is the biggest challenge to our nation since the world wars. It is not going to be easy to recover. We will all feel the affects of this horrible storm. No one is going to be exempt. And the people who lost everything...God please heal their hearts and give them courage and strength to start over! Give us unselfish compassionate hearts to help do what ever we all can to help.

My heart hurts for so many of the refugees of this storm! On the other hand, I am a little ticked at a few of them.... Shooting at EMT's trying to evacuate hospitals...Stealing TV's and jewelry when you could be helping rescue people from their flooding houses.. Lord help these people know you and know your grace and discipline.

America is one of he most complex cultures in the world. What did we think would happen if in less than a week a city of several hundred thousand had to be evacuated..When NOTHING is working and hundreds if not thousands are stranded in flooding?
My mom said tonight that she feels guilty for enjoying her good life while so many are suffering. I wonder if we shouldn't feel more guilty for not truly enjoying and appreciating our lives when we see true suffering in the lives of so many.

Just some Katrina ramblings. No words seem big enough or deep enough to capture this tragic event, but thankfully we have a God who is!

WE HAVE INTERNET!

So exciting! And per request, here are some back to school pictures




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Rhett's birthday is Monday...can you guess what type party he is going to have?

We have a problem?

Yes! I have a new network card installed on the computer and it might work just fine. I however do not know because the installation disk was faulty and does not have the correct drivers for my Windows. Sigh.... Maybe all this is a sign?

In the mean time... my house is cleaner than it has been in a long time, I have considered scrapbooking again, I actually read the paper this morning, I went TO the Childrens Place actual store to see if they had a good sale, and I have started reading a book... a real book with pages that turn instead of scroll. Life with out internet...who knew??? :)

I sure do miss all of you. I had to call Elizabeth today to make sure that all my blog friends survived the storm... Can you believe how bad it is? Without the computer to bring me my info, I have started watching the news again. Two observations ... First, commercials are more annoying than I ever remember. Second, there is a reason our local news people are still local! OH MY!

Hopefully the computer problems will soon be over and I can return to my beloved net! But really is this sabatical from the net a problem? I can't complain about an old computer or a downed internet when so many in LA, AL and MS have lost so much.

I can't imagine what it will take to rebuild all the homes and businesses destroyed in the storm, let alone all the shattered lives. Is re-building even possible? I know of a family at Spring Valley who will soon have seven additional people living under their roof. Storm evacuees. They have no idea how long they will be here... but they are enrolling their kids in our school. It is going to be a long time before all these people have a safe place of their own again. Seems so unfair that some have so much while some have lost everything. My heart and prayers go out to all of Katrinas victims.

Rob and I were married nine years ago today.... I would tell you all about it, but I did that last year! So I'll just say Happy Anniversary Honey! I am married to a great guy! :) Be back in blog land as soon as possible. I have to say it is really nice to be missed! :)

P.S. My parents computer will not let the spell checker pop-up so you can all just appreciate my disgraphia for what it is! :)

Oh Happy Day!

What a difference a week can make! Last week after I posted the death of the green car and the computer, Rob was able to fix the car! It was just a $10 thermostat. I am so proud of him! Then Sunday night, spurred on by Rob's accomplishment I sat down with the system restoration disks and revived the computer! The internet is still out because we need a new network card. We think that the terrible storm from two weeks ago may have zapped us! Our electricity was out for over four hours. ANYWAY I have been told that a network card is easy to replace, so I hope to get around to that this weekend.

This has been a very busy week for us! Kolby started school Wednesday~ and loves it! I had a big PTA blast-off luncheon that my friend Emily and I were in charge of on Monday. We started teaching Wednesday night 3's. Rob had two softball games Tuesday. I had PTA meetings Wednesday and two today. And Rhett-r-roo has a yucky old sinus infection! It has been a week!

Not having internet acess at home has driven me crazy! I feel so out of touch! I'm sure after my long absence noone even reads this sad little blog anymore, but I hope to be back to regular posting soon!

I have to share a Rhett story from today...
I took Rhett to my 9am PTA meeting. I usually try to avoid doing that at all cost, but it couldn't be avaioded. Besides that i knew at least two other 4 year olds would be there. He did fine during the meeting. As I was leaving I stopped in the office to ask our principal a question. I put my bag and Rhett on the bench inside the office, handed him his Leapster, and told him to stay put while I talked to Mrs M. I heard the Leapster music and assumed he was happy. I never left the room where he was and I kept hearing the Leapster sound so even though my back was to him I thought all was well.

About three minutes later i turned around to get my stuff and Rhett was gone. The Leapster was still going but Rhett was no where to be found. At first I did not panic. But after searching all through the office, the adjoining cafeteria, the stage the bathrooms and two halls I was terrified. I ran out to the parking lot to check our car...no Rhett. I started screaming his name. A million thoughts...none good, raced through my mind. A dozen silent paniced prayers raced to heaven As I raced around the school calling Rhett.

I was walking into the office to tell the staff to lock down the school and call the police when across the cafeteria I saw my friend Shae who works at school walking towards me, Rhett in tow. After thanking God and Shae profusely, Shae informed me that she just happened to go to her car to get something and she spotted a short kid in the parking lot. When she got closer she recognized Rhett and of course demanded to know where his mommy was. He said i was in the building. She asked him if he was supposed to be outside and he sorta grinned and said no. So she brought him in to find me. I felt so blessed and happy that he was OK and so angry that he wandered off. AAAGGGHHH!

I don't think I could catch my breath for an hour! Terror! I think I broke all the love and logic rules of parenting after Rhett and I were alone in the car. He now thinks I will call the police to take him to ajil if he wanders off like that again or bad people will take him away from us forever.... It scared him a bit too to see me cry, and that is a good thing.

Who knew parenting would be such an adventure? Thank you God for keeping my little boy from harms way!

Hope you all have a great weekend!

A sad, sad day

It is a sad, sad day in the Grosz house hold. In the last week two old friends have left us.... our computer and our green car.

After 7 years of dutiful service, our dear friend Gateway kicked the bucket four days ago. I never realized how dependant I was on my computer until this week of not having one. It is driving me absolutly crazy! I use the computer for everything! Shopping, communicating, getting news, all projects, PTA work. pictures, keeping up with blog world... It's almost sad how down I am about the death of my computer... and loosing all the information on my precious hard drive is just killing me! Addresses, pictures, tax information, countless down loads, and my entire invitations business... all gone. Yes, I know I should have backed it all up but, I didn't. Now I am praying that some techno genius somewhere can revive my computer just long enough to get a few things off of it. Not sure when a new computer will come into our life so this may be it for my blogging as well.

Then the car died..or at least it is close to death. My 1995 hunter green all leather Mazda 626, the car I bought, the car Rob inherited when we got the mini-van, the "paper route" car, the "go to work" car, the "we don't bother fixing cosmetic things anymore" car, the "don't drive her out of town" car, the "do we look trashy for parking her in the drive way?" car is finally on life support. Rob maybe be able to patch her up and send her back out for a few more weeks, but it isn't looking good. I have been really sad about loosing this car!

I am struck by how attached I get to things. Things that can be replaced, but still things that we work hard to pay for. Things that are temporal and have no feelings. Just things. Maybe this is God's way of telling me it is time to let go of the things, or at least not hold on to them so tightly.

Still, I will miss you Gateway and Green car! You both have served me well and I will not forget you!

PS ~ Anyone in blog land have an extra computer laying around? :)

It's a boy!

Here is the newest member of our clan! Born to my cousin a few days ago, little Kelton weighed 9lbs 11oz and is 21.5 inches long. AND... NO she did not have a C-section! Yes, my cousin has lots to brag about these days...this cute little guy tops the list of course! Congrats Eboo and Hi-me!

That hurts!

OUCH!
To read the story that goes with this picture, click here!

Have you ever heard a story that sounded as bad as this picture looks? You know one of those tragic true stories where just thinking about it makes you cringe? It seems I have heard of several of those heart breaking, life-altering, teeth grinding, heart peircing situations lately. Seems like there is lots of hurt in the world.

In most of these situations I don't know the people that well but my heart hurts for them. I have blogged about my confusion over the heart felt, right Christian response to tragedy. It's something I struggle with, balancing compassion and sympathy with a positve outlook.

However, other peoples tragedies serve to remind to me that my life is good and I am blessed. They remind me that we all, every last human on the planet, NEED God. We all NEED to serve him. We live in a fallen imperfect world. The only perfection any of us will ever know is through the blood of Christ. The closest to perfect I will ever be is when I bow before him.

All my life I have heard that death is the great leveler, meaning all are equal in the face of death. I have not found that to be true, at least from this side of death. I have known people who died terrible deaths while others seemed to die with ease and peace. I think Christ is the great leveler.

All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God ~ the rich, the poor, the strong, the weak, the smart, the dumb, the big and the small...ALL All need Christ. I love that thought. It comforts me when I feel unworthy, encourages me when I feel down, inspires me when I feel drab, and it humbles me when I feel boastful. We ALL need God. ALL!

On a somewhat seperate note, the baby I talked about Sunday is doing better. They are slowly weaning her off the respirator and the oxygen and hoping she will be home in a week or so. My friends parents are back from their cruise. I think my friend went home from the hospital yesterday... I can't imagine how hard it would be to go home with out your baby! But overall, things are looking better.

These precious little babies are all miracles! We forget that don't we? As a parent you don't ever want to hear that anything is wrong with your baby, not even temporarily. Being a parent has done more to show me my complete dependence on God than anyother thing in my life. Heaven help all who venture into the wonderful but sometimes heart wrenching world of parenthood!

There is a mother/daughter girls night out at church tonight. Kolby is so excited. NO ONE enjoys a party more than my little girl!Wonder where she gets that? :)

Back Again!

I just returned from the Texas State PTA Summer Seminar in Austin. It was a great weekend but a very tiring weekend. I was privileged to go to five outstanding classes. Three on parenting, one on dyslexia/ADD, and one on appreciation. I also got to spend a few hours in the Exhibits hall talking to all sorts of vendors, promoters, child advocacy groups, educational product salesmen and fundraiser. Our group collected quite a stash of samples and brochures...much to weed through. We were also given all sorts of free stuff! I have an entire bag of cool stuff!

Conventions like that are fun to me. It's a bit of a high. I love to watch all the people and get into the speaker sessions. It's a little like camp was for me when I was younger. I drove back today with my head spinning with new ideas for our PTA and for Rob and I to try with the kids.

The parenting classes were so good. My favorite was led by a man named Dennis Mitchell. He was funny and straight forward. None of that pie in the sky parent theory junk. Just practical, logical, easy to implement parenting patterns. He was an excellent presenter. He had everyone in the room (about 300) in stitches! I'll talk more about this later.

Besides the conference being so good, it was just fun to get away and get to know some of my fellow PTA buddies better. Last night five of us ate at PF Changs. YUM!!! It was so fun because we all ordered something different and shared. It was so good. So many laughs! Good, food, good friends, good times. Our PTA pays for the board ( or whoever wants to go from the board) seminar fee, and gives us enough for lunch. I think that is generous! I almost feel guilty because most of my sessions were about parenting issues...but really that is part of what PTA is for, to provide parents with resources to be better parents.

I learned that the state of Texas estimates the value of an hour of volunteer work to be $18. Based on that figure it is estimated that volunteers donate 20 million dollars worth of volunteer time to Texas schools every year. That number is thought to only be half of its' real value since only 46 present of all Texas school districts track their volunteer hours. This also does not include volunteer hours from private schools. I makes me feel better about the world to know so many parents and community members volunteer in our schools.

Back on the home front... Rob held down the fort with the kids. They had a great weekend that included buying a clearanced Star Wars Slip-n-Slide from Target, renting movies and dinner at the ever popular Chuck E Cheese! WHAT A DAD! It is so nice to be able to go away for the weekend and not worry for a minute about my kids. Rob has never once acted as if keeping the kids was a burden. I don't have to leave written instructions, ask my Mom to help him, lay out clothes, or leave pre-cooked meals in the frig. I just get myself ready, leave, and call at bedtime. Rob can handle it! Sadly I have friends whose husbands can't. I think that is just sad. LOVE YA' HONEY!!!

Must unpack and do laundry. This week we are going to start trying to do all those things we want to get done before school starts. (Only three more weeks! YIKES!!!...deep breathes....) Tomorrow we are off to the Children's Museum after Kolby's camp. Then we have a birthday/swim party tomorrow night. The rest of the week is pretty busy with activities every day and night... but for the first time in 6 weeks none of us plan to leave town... Of course the week is young! Have a great week blog world!

P.S. I have a friend in Plano who delivered a little girl two weeks early last night. From what I understand, the baby has had lots of breathing problems and as of late this afternoon was put on a breathing machine (a vent I think)to help slow her respirations per minute and let her lungs rest and finish developing. No one has said the baby won't be ok, but it is so hard to watch a tiny baby have to go through all this when you just want them to be ok and go home! PLEASE pray for them. I am not comfortable posting their names as I know they have not yet been able to reach all their family. (My friends parents are on an Alaskan cruise!) So just pray for K, C and baby L. I think God will know who you are talking about! Thank you!!!

Precious Days

I seem to be surrounded by pregnant people or people who have just had a baby. Talking with them has taken me back to when Kolby and Rhett were born. I feel very sentimental about my children's baby days...and its hard to admit that they are over. One of my pregnant cousins is going to be induced next week. Talking to her last night reminded me of those precious moments after Kolby was born. They were so full of anticipation, emotion, and honestly a little fear.

The minute I saw Kolby I expected to feel instantly bonded. Truthfully, I didn't... though I was completely amazed by her! It was overwhelming to know that the bundle of pink baby girl in my arms had formed and grown inside me. It sounds sorta silly I guess, but most of my pregnancy with Kolby I just felt sick, swollen, and fat. It wasn't until Kolby was born that I truly appreciated my pregnancy. It's strange to say, but I remember finding it hard to believe she was mine. Yes, I was right there and witnessed her coming out of my body, but still it took some time to absorb.

Kolby's eyes were wide open the minute after she was born. She really didn't cry much. Her face was all squishy and her nose looked huge because it was flat to her face. Her whole face was a little swollen and puffy. My mother kept saying how pretty she was.. I kept very quiet. I remember everyone coming in and holding her. I remember thinking it all didn't feel real and I kept wondering if I would wake up to find it had all been a dream(it was only 5am).

But what I remember most were those tiny baby blue eyes looking back at me. Kolby looked at me as if she understood the miracle that had just occurred better than any of us, and she was waiting for us to catch up. Kolby was born looking confident. I know that sounds crazy, but if you know her, it isn't much of a stretch.

When it was time to feed her, the room cleared and it was just me, Rob, Kolby and the nurse. I was panicked at the thought of nursing, but the nurse and the baby knew just what to do! About ten minutes later Kolby drifted off to sleep and Rob took her off to the nursery to get all cleaned up. When they left I sat in bed and cried. I can't tell you why I cried, hormones I think, but I cried until I feel asleep.

An hour or so later Rob brought Kolby back in. If he hadn't been with her the whole time I would have sworn they switched babies! This time she really did look beautiful! Her face wasn't swollen. Her little head had already started to look more round and less squished.. and her nose wasn't so big after all.

It suddenly hit me that I was a Mommy. Her Mommy. I cried again. Rob just laughed at me. We slowly started making phone calls letting everyone know "It's a girl!" I think we woke up many that morning, but no one griped!

Baby Kolby, just four hours old!

Fast forward 7 years, 5 months and 9 days.... Kolby is watching Kim Possible and eating jelly toast that she made herself. She is wearing light pink Pj's with hot pink feathery cuffs. She talks a mile a minute about everything. She still has that confident gleam in her eye. WHERE DOES THE TIME GO?

Rob mentioned that Kolby would be going to college in ten years the other night. I can't even think about that. My mind can not reach that far. But it made me realize that everyday with Kolby and Rhett is a gift. There are no days to waist. It will all be over way too soon!

So on that note I am off to make some memories with my two precious gifts from God. I hope you too make a memory with your blessings today!

While We Were Out...

The kids and I rolled in to Waco yesterday evening around 6:30pm. Isn't it funny how just four or so days away can make you look at your little world differently? Last night as we drove in our driveway I was pleasantly surprised by the red brick house before me. For months I have only seen the grass in the beds and trim that needed painting. But yesterday when I drove in I just saw my home ... and it looked good.

We went to Arkansas last Thursday to visit my good friend Susan and family who moved to Arkansas almost two years ago. We had never been to their neck of the woods and it was way past "our turn"!!! Susan was sweet enough to send us passes on Southwest so we could fly instead of drive. This was my kids first time to fly and one of their few trips out of Texas. Despite the three hour delay on our flight Thursday, both kids loved the airplane. Rhett complained that his "ears weren't normal" during our decent, but over all they did great!

Arkansas (or at least the Conway/Little Rock area) is so pretty to me. I love the trees and the hills. It rained every day we were there. Susan's husband was working from Friday to Monday and was not home. (He is a pilot.) So what did we do with four kids with four straight days of on and off rain storms? We re-decorated and reorganized several rooms in Susan's house!

That wasn't the plan at all, but that is what happened. We mainly focused on converting their playroom to an office. We decided we would pull a "while you were out" thing for Susan's husband Mark. Several late nights and a few hundred dollars later, we stood quite proudly in the new office. It is almost weird to me how much I actually enjoy decorating and organizing other peoples homes! It seems so much easier than doing my own. Am I the only one who feels that way?

I would post before and afters pictures ...but I'll leave that to Susan since it is her house. Go over to her blog and bug her to post pictures if you want. I wish I could have seen the look on Mark's face when he walked in late Monday night to see what all we had done. He told me himself that he loved it. Susan said he even mentioned something about a spa weekend.... Mark if you read this....I'm all over that idea!

And what were the children doing while the decorating divas did their thing? Miracle of miracles I have never seen four kids play so well for so long together. Susan and I were both amazed and very grateful. We did make it to the pool one day and we ate out a lot. Rhett loved playing with boys and with big boy toys. I think Kolby loved being the only girl, and therefore Queen. It was a great visit.

Meanwhile back in Waco, we are un packing and continuing the "clean and organize" campaign I began several weeks ago. It has been a slow go since three of the four of us have been out of town every weekend for over a month now, but we are trying.

In other Grosz news, Kolby let me pull her loose tooth today. That's tooth number 10 if anyone is keeping track. The tooth fairy is going to have to rob a bank to keep up with Miss Kolby. We all go to the dentist next week. I have a feeling he will soon refer my small mouthed, extra toothed child over to an orthodontist...and yes, she is only seven!

I guess that about covers it. Ever had one of those times when you are constantly doing things and going but it doesn't seem like much is going on? That is where I am.. Perhaps it's denial... Anyway good to be back and wish me luck with the projects... Less than one month until school starts. You don't know the panic fear and dread that sentence just produced in me!!! Take care blog world! :)

Nick remembered

A year ago today my distant cousin Nicholas Whitaker died in a Dallas hospital while waiting for a second liver transplant. His heart couldn't take the strain and it stopped. He has been memorialized many times since then. I talked about him on this blog a lot last year so I won't repeat all the details. I just couldn't let this anniversary go by with out recognizing him and the loss of his precious life. He died way too soon. He is missed by all who loved and knew him. We'll never forget you Nick!

So much to say, So little time...

Usually when I take a break from blog world it's because I can't think of anything to say. This week it has been the complete opposite! Too much to say... Every time I sit down to blog, I don't know where to start and have to get up and go again.. Today has been a bit slower paced.

I've said before I love the lazy days of summer but am not to fond of the heat... I think I need to move to Canada. Do they have heat index of 106 in Canada? Actually it is a bit cloudy today and a little less furnace-like.

Kolby has completed three days of Camp Success and loves it. She is very proud to be a Baylor student telling a new little friend who asked where she goes to school "Right now I go to Baylor but normally I just go to Spring Valley." That girl! She always makes me smile... In between the times she makes me see red and want to pull my hair out! :) I have had many a weepy mommy moment in the past few weeks realizing how much my baby girl has grown up. I would swear she was just learning to walk yesterday...Where does the time go?

As far as the Rhett report goes.. He is happy as a clam! He loves Mothers Day Out, swimming, movies and all the time he gets to spend with his big sister. He is also acting so big lately! Today he called me from my Moms house on the phone by himself. He talked for a minute before I realized it was Rhett not Kolby! They sound just alike on the phone but I clued in when he asked me to bring his trains over. Rhett currently has a black eye. We have no idea how/when he got it. He is such a rough and tumble little guy that it could have happened a dozen different ways! This summer Rhett has fallen in love with traveling! We will take our fourth trip in four weeks this weekend... That is more than we usually average in six months!

Last weekend we went to our big Fort Worth reunion. Saturday night we ate with 6 other families who we met at church when we first moved to Fort Worth. These people became the core of our Fort Worth friends. When we met, our group consisted of 7 couples, a 3 year old, and a new born. Now our group has grown to 7 couples and 18 children- 17 of those are 8 or under! Though some of us had not been together in three years, there were no awkward moments or strange silences. We all just picked up where we left off. It is truly a blessing to have friends like that! Below is a picture of most of the kids (4 are missing).

As I sat there with my best Fort Worth friends I felt like I was home. These ladies and I became mommies together. We were young married career girls when we met. In less than a year we were all stay home Moms. (OK, one friend had a 3 year old when we met but she worked full time. When we were having our first babies, she had her second and stayed home from then on.) Our husbands became daddies and the sole bread winners of our households at the same time. Our kids played together in their cribs and were each others first little friends. I get all teary-eyed just thinking about it.

We weathered pregnancy, playgroups, baby showers, Gymboree sales, photo ops, bunco, BIRTHDAY PARTIES, carnivals, church splits, miscarriages, second babies, and Bible Studies together. When we celebrated, when we mourned, or when life was just ho-hum normal, these friends were there. Our families did guy's nights, date nights, girls nights and family outings together. Four of our families had no family in the Fort Worth area so we were all like a family to each other. It was a very special time in our lives.

I don't think I will ever have another group of friends like that again. Not to say that I don't have great friends now because I do and the circle widens every year we live here. It's just that the Fort Worth group formed at such a formative time in my marriage, my adulthood, my parenthood and in my spiritual walk. I think of Fort Worth as my own private Bethlehem, the place my family was born. We were so blessed to have such a great group of Christian friends at that very unique time in our lives.

And even though we don't live down the road, or get together like we once did, these friends continue to be so important to me. We e-mail and call each other. We pray for each other and marvel at how fast our kids are growing. If I have a deep deep concern I know I can pick up the phone and call one of these friends and they will listen and be there. We keep up with each other through each other. I have no doubt that we will always be connected because of all that we shared and continue to share... Not just in life experience but through Christ. Godly friends. What a blessing!

Lord, Thank you for bringing friends in to my life and planting them firmly in my heart. Thank you for the example and encouragement they are to me. I pray our children will be friends and have the type of friendships we share. May we bring each other closer to you as the years bring us closer to each other! And thank you for all my old and new blog friends. What a blessing they are to me as well! It is so exciting and comforting to think that someday we will all be at home with you!

That's all the time I have for now. Starting tomorrow I'll be out of town again for a few days.. Have a great weekend blog world!

This picture is from Destin Florida. It was in an AP story about the damage in Florida from Dennis. It reminds me of a comment Mike Cope made on his blog about the Cof C signs you see on the outskirts of so many towns. Wonder how the church faired in the storm?

Fort Worth Reunion

Last year I shared this picture from our Fort Worth friends reunion here in Waco.

















Here are the FW friends one year later at our reunion this past weekend in Fort Worth. Baby Brooke made her reunion debut! We had an incredible time and loved seeing these precious friends. Honestly I feel more like they are our Fort Worth Family More later!



PS I just finished un-installing HELLO from my computer! The new blogger photo thing is too cool! Last month I learned to download pictures from the camera. This month the blogger photo thing...my pictures feel so liberated! :)

Open letter to the terrorist

I wrote this Thursday after watching all the coverage n the London Bombings... I wasn't going to publish it as it is a little more opinionated and darker than my normal Mommy post. However, I decided that I would post this because I plan to publish this blog into a book for my family someday. I want those who come after me to know how pointless I think all this violence is and how ticked off I get when I see people hurt for no reason!

To the terrorist:
I don't get it. I must be really slow. Somehow I don't see how bombing subways and buses in London, Spain and Moscow further your cause. Who are you and really, what was your point? If you were trying to make a political statement...All you have said is that you are ruthless killers who have have no regard for life. Not too PC a statement to make if you are trying to get the world to see you as anything other than crazy.

If you were trying to wage war, who were you waging war against? The single Mom of three who had just dropped her kids off at a daycare and who was going to work to be able to feed them that night? Did you you think you would get the worlds respect by killing a 79 year old man who was on his way to see his wife in the hospital? All you have gained is more of the worlds disdain. You blew-up some trains and a bus and made a big mess. Now what? Do you truly think the world is going to listen to you and meet whatever selfish demands you make? Yeah right.

You only created a greater rift. You only further alienated yourself from anyone who values life. You may have killed a lot of people and hurt even more, but in the end you have hurt your cause more and sealed your fate as murders who must be hunted down and stopped. If you were aiming for the sympathy of the world and attention to your cause...You sorely miscalculated. Really, what did you think this would accomplish?

AS to the big bad USA hype that you like to promote these days.. No nation is perfect. All nations are under God, not just ours. No nation is going to be able to please everyone in the world. As Americans we have things in our past that we are ashamed of...What people/nation doesn't? Your childrens children will bear the burden of what you did today. You will be their shame. Does the USA have a great responsibility to the world? Yes! But it is a responsibility shared by all peoples and nations of the world. How are you handling that responsibility?

It is clearly wrong to plant bombs in trains to kill people who have no idea who you are or what it is that you want. It is really stupid to think that this terror thing will work for long. Yes, you will hurt lots of people. You will kill innocent people all over the world. You will bathe your request in the blood of people you do not know. In doing so your message, or whatever it was, will be completely lost.

All that will be seen is the blood of our loved ones and allies, the blood of people you did not know and who had never personally done anything to you. You are giving the world cause to despise you. You are ruining any bit of credibility you might have had. By committing wrongs worse than any committed towards you, you have become that which you say you are against.

No God would condone your actions. No civilized people will tolerate it. A hundred years from now, if you have not come to your senses, changed your ways, and realized the value of each human soul predestined to walk this earth, your people will be hated, despised, and if there is hope for our world, eradicated. You will kill yourselves and whatever message you had will die with you.

Hate begets hate, so I will not let myself hate you. I pray that your hearts will be touchedand you will stop using acts of terror as a mode of communication. I pray for your sakes, and ours, you will find a new voice and a new method... For the choice you have made is just madness.

Thank God that this is not all there is! Heaven is a promise I cling to during times such as these. But God did not put us on this planet to die, he put us here to live. While we are here we all have the charge to love each other and help those who need help. Loving each soul, even the souls of those who have gone mad and who have hurt us, is our lifes work and goal. God help us all to reach that goal!

May God show you more mercy than you have shown today. May we all work and pray towards an end to this madness!

Breathe

I can do that in my kitchen now without feeling like I am in a bar. Everything now has that ozone clean almost chlorine like smell...but we're not complaining. It amazes me that there is an invention that can scrub the air. I wonder why we don't have skyscraper size machines like this to scrub the air in our environment?

"Breathe" is also my favorite Michael W Smith song. Still wish Zoe would "do " that one! It is amazing to think of salvation as the air we breathe. Must go find that CD!

Well that's it for now. Short and sweet. Makes up for yesterdays long winded post. Happy Wednesday!

Happy 4th / Burning Down the House....

Happy 4th of July everyone!
Hope all of you had a great Independence Day! As a tradition, our family descended on my aunt and uncles house and pool, in China Spring for the afternoon. As is also our custom, there was lots of good food. I took my potato salad. We had a fun day of cannonballs, diving, and cousins drenching each other in the pool. After we ate and watched a little Star Wars ( yes we are all SW geeks) we drove in towards the Lake and watched the fireworks. There was a bigger display downtown at the river (where we usually go) but, the Lake fireworks seemed enough this year. We had a great 4th!

Oh and about that potato salad...My cousin Ashley told me to just go buy some at HEB in the tub already made. I should have listened to her, but no, late Sunday afternoon I put a huge pot of potatoes on to boil so I could make home-made potato salad for Monday. Sunday evening we went to a cookout at our neighbors down the street. My potatoes weren't done so I set the alarm on my cell and planned to walk back down and turn the potatoes off in 30 minutes.

We had a great time at the cook out! We have great neighbors who we always enjoy visiting. Rhett and Kolby had a blast in the pool with all the neighborhood kids. About 9pm we wandered back down the street. I heard Rob yell something as he opened our front door but, I wasn't sure what he said as he was a ways in front of me. Then I noticed the smoke billowing out the door. Still it did not register. Finally Kolby ran out of the house and informed me I had forgotten the potatoes. OOoopps!

Luckily nothing burned but the potatoes and the pot. I am very VERY grateful that I did not burn down the house making potato salad!!! We have some smoke damage, but nothing too terrible. But, OH what a smell!!! Evidently cigarettes and potatoes give off the same aroma when burned because our house smells like a bar at midnight...

I am typing this from across the street at my parent's while two big ozone machines from my Uncle's restoration business work to scrub the air in our house. Ozone is great for scrubbing the air but, not so good for lungs. We are to stay out the house for the rest of the day. I am hoping that the smell is gone by the time we come home from Rob's softball games tonight. Never a dull moment!

I was totally disgusted at having to stay away from the house today because, as I mentioned last week, I am in full closet clean-out mode. I have tackled two closets and a mountain of items have been hauled off to Good Will and such... But there are still four or five more closets/areas to go. I had planned on getting a lot accomplished during this last day of MDO before Kolby goes to Camp Success next week. I was really grumpy about it all.

When dropping my kids off at Mother's Day Out this morning, I ran into a friend who just hung up her cell from a call from her husband telling her he had been laid off. They have three kids and had just come home from a 9 day vacation. She was beyond shock. Please pray for my friend if you get a chance. I feel so bad for her and for her family! Her awful news put my day into perspective.

This morning I woke up and grumped around because my house smells and I have to stay way from it all day. How dare I? I am blessed way beyond what I deserve to even have a house as nice as ours. The fact that I only made it stink and did not burn it down is another great blessing! We have so much. All this reminded me to give thanks for all we have and to choose to live happily in this moment because today is a gift! We don't know what will happen tomorrow, but there is usually more to rejoice and give thanks for than there is to mourn. In my down time out of the house this blessed day I am going to take time to give thanks and rejoice for all the good in my life. Anyone care to join me?

Happy 5th of July everyone!

A sign?

For the first time in over two years I have had the house to myself overnight. Yesterday and today are the hottest days of the year to date with a heat index of 102. Last night, while in full closet clean out mode, the air conditioner's fan motor died! It was a balmy 87 degrees in here by 10 o'clock. I called the air condtioner people this morning and they had the air up and working by noon today...but still, I can't help but wonder if I should take all this as a sign to stop cleaning? :)

Along came a spider

I'm not sure when it first appeared. It was just a tiny red dot, then it grew a few veiney red legs. By the time Kolby was four it resembled a tiny spider and was about half the size ofa pencil eraser located just underneath her right eye. Over the years it has grown, getting darker and more defined.

It isn't really that noticeable. People who have noticed thought it was a bug bite. I took Kolby to a Dermatologist when she was five. The doctor told us it was a spider vein that might go away on it's own...or we could "zap it" a time or two and it would most likely disappear in a few weeks. (Eveidentally "zap it "is a medical term becasue both dermatologgists used it!:) At the time Kolby didn't want to be "zapped" and I didn't think it bothered her that much . As she has grown older, it has bothered her more and more.

Towards the middle of Kindergarten, Kolby started asking to put concealer on her "spider" for dance recitals and pictures. She started talking about MAYBE getting it zapped. This last year, in first grade, the concealer was requested more and more as the spider seemed to grow a bit. Once I found Kolby trying to scrape"her spider"off with a butter knife. She only likes pictures of herself if the spider doesn't show. Around Christmas she said she was ready to have the spider zapped. We waited until this summer, mainly because it was hard to get in with a dermatologist. Yesterday was the day.

The whole way to Temple (no Waco dermatologists take insurance) Kolby was upbeat, though she admitted being a little nervous. When the nurse asked why we were there, Kolby told her "I want to get my spider zapped." We have changed insurances and had never seen Dr Barton before. He was very nice, and good with Kolby. He too said we could leave the spider alone and it would most likely be gone by the time Kolby is 12 or we could "zap" it. He said he was comfortable with whatever choice we made, but he did describe the "zap" procedure to Kolby and stressed that she would have to be still as a statue as there would be a little spark, and it would hurt like an ant bite.

Kolby freaked. She was suddenly terrified at the thought of a "spark" and pain. TERRIFIED! Like a cat trying to escape a bath, Kolby practically climbed me saying she wanted to go home. I felt sorry for her but, UUGGHH! I don't know why this frustrated me so. Maybe it was the fact that we were there and she had talked about it so long. Maybe it was the fact that I knew she would be better off having a minute of pain rather than trying to sneak concealer in her back pack for the next five years. Maybe it was that I didn't want my daughter to bow to her fear. Some of the people I love most in the world are known for letting fear paralyze them and keep them from a better life. Kolby sometimes shows these signs and I tend to over react to it....

But I stayed cool. I told Kolby it was her decision but if she decided not to zap the spider that was it... No more concealer. No more paying $50 to have it air-brushed off portraits because she didn't like it. No more trips out of town to the doctor. I told her once we got home, we would not come back until she was twelve. Yes, I was trying to get her to face her fear. But, she insisted that she didn't care about the spider being there anymore and could wait for five years or so for it to go away...so we left. The nurse told us that she would keep our chart out and that they would be there another hour if she changed her mind.

As I slowly headed home we talked about fear. Kolby talked to her Daddy on the cell phone. Still no dice. We talked about times I have had to do things I was afraid of. We talked about other fears she has faced (like swimming and stage fright) and come away so happy and proud when she didn't let feaar stop her. Kolby had been crying but she quit. Finally, I pulled over on the side of the road and said "Kolby you have wanted to do this for a year and a half. I know you are scared, but I also know you are strong and brave and I know you can do this." Amazingly, she agreed. We said a prayer as I drove back to the Doctor's office asking for courage.

I was so proud of her! She rehearsed what she was going to say to the nurse as we walked in. As we walked the long hall to the doctors office she kept saying "I can do this, I can do this." The Doctor and his staff were wonderful! They kept telling Kolby how proud they were of her. The doctor suggested I leave the room but, I let Kolby decide. She wanted me to hold her hand,so I did. She was so incredibly brave! I have never been more proud of her. As it turns out Kolby's spider was much deeper than the doctor expected. He zapped it several times. Kolby had huge tears running down her face, but she didn't move. I had a few tears too but I didn't let her see!

When it was over she was all smiles and said it wasn't that bad. Dr Barton told her that she might have to come back one more time before school starts to finish the ole spider off. She didn't even hesitate before agreeing! The best part of it all was that she was so proud of herself. She just beamed with confidence! Kolby could not wait to call her Dad and let him know that she had done it. It was a happy trip home!

I told Kolby I would buy her one treat for being so brave. She picked a dairy from the dollar store that has a lock and key. Last night after I tucked her in, I went back in her room to put up some laundry. She had fallen asleep writing in her diary.... Though diaries are secret, I don't think she would mind me telling what her first entry said...

Deer Diary
Today I got my spider zapd.
It didn't hert to bad.
I am brav. By by spider!

I feel like my little girl took an important step towards growing up yesterday! It was a very good day.

Just a side note... Rob took the kids to his parents in Denison today. I decided to stay behind and clean out the guest bedroom closet, and if I have time, my desk. If I am going to expect Kolby to face her fears, I am going to have to start facing a few more of my own. ..and believe me this is one of them!

The meaning of ...

Rhett playing with his star wars toys at the kitchen table one day recently....

"What was Anikin's Mom's name?"
"Shimi Skywalker " I answer not really paying to much attention but proud of my Star Wars wisdom. I'm a cool Mom!
"Anikin's Mom died in Episode two, didn't she?"
"Yes she did and Anikin was very sad."
"What is died?"
"What does "died" mean?" I ask for clarification and paying more attention now.
He nods his head and asks again "What does died mean?"
I drew a blank. "DON"T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT SLEEP!" I think as I remember my Mom saying I didn't sleep for weeks at age 3 because someone told me dieing was going to sleep and never waking up.
"UH ...UH..... Uhhhhhh" think think think.....
"Dieing is when your body stops living."
He looks at me like I am speaking in Hebrew.
OK Try again.
"Dieing is what happens when all the muscles in your body stop working and you aren't awake anymore. Your spirit is still alive but your body is dead. You spirit keeps living. Because Jesus died on the cross, our spirit, or our souls, can live in Heaven when our bodies die." OH NO! I said something about not being awake...I didn't mention Hell, Does he understand???Yikes!
Rhett gives me an expressionless stare.
"What does died mean?" he asked again, slower this time as he isn't sure I speak English.
"Dieing is what happens when you get shot and you fall down and don't get up" Kolby pipes in.
"Oh, like when you get killed?" Rhett asks.
"Yeah, like when you get killed," his older sister answers.

Here I thought Rhett was asking me to explain death, and all it's deeper far reaching meanings. I was trying to answer the question of heaven, where souls go, and whether someone is really dead when they die. But that is not what Rhett wanted or needed to know. Sometimes I make this Mom thing harder than it has to be. Rhett just wanted to know that "died" means that you get killed. Does he know what getting killed means? I am not sure. But one thing I am sure of, if he asks me, I will be ready....

"What does getting killed mean Mommy?"
"It means she died."

Happy Blog-a-versary!

I began blogging one year ago today. WOW! This morning I went back and read over that first post. It seems so much longer than a year ago. So many things have happened in our little world over the last year...And blogging has been a big part of it all!

This morning I also read over some of my blogs about the kids... So glad I wrote some of those things down! I had completely forgotten the Cheetoes incident last summer! Kids grow so fast! Until I stop and look back I sometimes don't realize how precious these days and moments are! Blogging has helped me with that. In fact I hope become better at blogging about these precious moments.

Blogging has also allowed me to vent and express my feelings on current events and topics of the day. As much as I love my kids, they aren't quite up to speed on politics and such, so it is nice to have a place where I can talk about grown up things in the midst of my mommy days.

I am still amazed and feel incredibly blessed by the little band of bloggers I consider my blog family! Being able to reconnect with old friends and make so many new ones is hands down the biggest blessing blogging has brought into my life...But not the only blessing. There have been so many!

Because so many of you are my brothers and sisters in the Kingdom, and most of you hail from the same little "tribe" as me, reading your blogs touches me on a spiritual level. I am so impressed with you guys. When you share your "God" thoughts and your spiritual challenges, I am challenged, encouraged, comforted and sometimes kicked in spiritual pants! You all have prayed for me as I have prayed for you. We have shared joy at births, travels,and milestones (such as potty training), recipes and great triumphs. We have shared challenges, tragedies, fear, and great sorrow. More than anything we share a love for Christ and his sacrifice. We share a heritage of grace and the promise of Heaven. We share the joy and the charge to be Jesus and show Jesus to those around us. We serve a perfect Savior through imperfect means with imperfect brothers and sisters. We share a part our lives through a keyboard! Amazing!

I dream of a day when I get to meet all of you who have come to mean so much to me. It is fun to think about a blog reunion. But if I never meet you in person, I have a very strong feeling we will meet somewhere beyond this life. What an amazing thought that is!!

In the mean time, thanks for keeping up with me. Thanks for all the comments and e-mails. Each has been an encouragement to me in one way or another.

And if there is someone reading this who doesn't know Christ, who isn't a part of our little tribe, or who thinks this all sounds too polished and Pollyanna-ish... I am very honored that you stopped by!

If you read this blog of random wonderings for very long you will discover that I am a very flawed person. Not only can I not spell, sometimes I use bad grammar and I am grumpy. Sometimes I can be mean. Sometimes I make mountains out of tiny little things ignoring the truly important things that are right in front of my face. I procrastinate. I am slow to commit. I am overwhelmed easily. Sometimes I put my foot so far down my throat that it takes days to dig out! Sometimes I am ungrateful and selfish. I am in no way an ideal anything...mother, wife, friend, blogger and most of all Christian.... BUT God loves me, forgives me, blesses me, challenges me and most of all, he claims me as his own. If you read this regularly you may know what a testament to grace that is! I serve an amazing God.

I want to thank you for joining me in this journey. I hope to be blogging along with all of you for the next 365 days and beyond!
Love you guys!
Happy Blog-a-versary!

Happy Birthday Sari!

It is late in the evening but I just had to say Happy Birthday to my little sister!

ALL ABOARD!

We had a great time in Palestine and Rusk, Texas. None of us had ever been to Palestine. (pop. 17,398 SSSAALLUUTTEEE!) It was only two hours from Waco. We even stayed a day longer than planned. The train was fun! But in all honesty I think that a good hotel room and a pool are all it takes to keep my two kids (and me) happy, no matter where it is! No really, we had fun in the big town of Palestine and met some really nice people. We also saw some beautiful old homes and buildings. I loved the trees! Palestine is a nice size small town...It had a Wal Mart and Applebees but no Target. I have never lived in a town smaller than San Angelo, population 100,000 +, (though it was more in the 75,000- 85,000 range most of the time I was there.) My grandparents hailed from Coleman (pop 4,000) and Colorado City (pop 3,500) respectively, so I know a thing or two about small towns. I think I could live comfortably in a 17,000 + town, but that is as small as I want to ever go!

Must catch up with Rob and do laundry! Happy Weekend blog world! More pictures below...can you tell I just learned how to download pictures from the camera this week? :)

The Train!

Papa & Rhett share a love for Steam Engines!

The AIR-CONDITIONED "45" Car ~ Glory Glory Halelujah!

Rhett and Sari chilling on the train!

Moonlight dip with Mama K!

Can we just watch TV today?

Happy to be Home in Hewitt!

YEAH!

We got the call today that Kolby made it off the waiting list and into Camp Success! That is a huge answer to prayers! I can not tell you how pumped and relieved we are! Kolby thinks she is hot stuff going to Baylor and all. Just wanted to let you guys know and thanks for the prayers! RUSK or BUST!