So THAT'S Why He Calls Me 'Red"....

Ok, let's face it. When I stepped into the tanning bed yesterday, I knew I wouldn't emerge looking like a female George Hamilton. However, neither did I expect to look like Clifford, the Big Red Dog.
$16 for lotion and a month's worth of tanning to stave off the annual "Don't wear shorts; you look like an albino" comments from my husband. He meant well in suggesting I go tanning, and I appreciated having a few minutes to imagine I was laying on the beach in Hawaii, breathing in the smell of coconut and feeling the cool breeze pass over me.
7 minutes is all it took to turn me into a human french fry. My kids keep asking me what the pink stuff is all over me. Yep, that would be my skin.
Sigh...guess I won't be wearing shorts this summer.

Snakes and Snails and...Action Figures

This is why I love my boys. Now that Zac and Seth are teenagers I'd forgotten how creative little boys are when it comes to their toys. I'm glad I saved their favorites so many years ago, in anticipation of a few more little tornados of testosterone gracing our home.

Luke's favorites are Spiderman and Buzz Lightyear.

Old Friends

Yay!!! I got the opportunity to do something Saturday evening that is a rare treat for me. I went to dinner with a friend! Not just any friend, but one from my college days whom I have not seen in 18 years. She lives in Dallas but was in town this weekend with 3 of her 6 children for a Junior Bible Quiz regional competition. (Her 12 year-old twin boys are on the winning team. )
I took Nathan and Seth with me (since at 13 he is compatible for conversation with her boys) and we met at the Poblano Grill. I must say, that was the best "cheat" food I could have chosen! I will have to double my time on the elliptical tomorrow but it is worth it.
Anyway -- so we had a great time catching up over dinner, then Tanya and the boys came to the house for dessert so they could meet Matt and the rest of my tribe. We had such a lovely evening. It was a nice break from the tedium for me and another reason why I am grateful for Facebook, since it has allowed me to re-connect with people from my past.
On a side note -- whew! 3 showings in the past two days and another tomorrow. Thank you for praying!
Goodnight, all!

Ahh, Life...

My sincerest apologies to my faithful blog followers (all 3 of you). It's been a while since I've posted. Life has been busy with end-of-the-school-year projects and all sorts of other time-consuming activities. Matt came home last night after an 18-day absence, and I know things will run much more smoothly with his help. Did I mention that the realtor called at 9 tonight and asked to show the house at 9 tomorrow morning? Tomorrow is a school day so I will be up until the wee hours getting the house ready, followed by waking up my houseful to get them off to school. Good times.
I'm not complaining; I'm truly thankful for every showing. One of these days, maybe one will lead to an offer, which could lead to a sale. So, off to dust the window sills I go.
Goodnight, all!

It's Greek to Me

Tuesday I was on hand at VCA to help with the 2nd grade Greek Festival. It was the culmination of their studies of the ancient Greeks. Another mom and I made laurels from ivy and "togas" from oversized teeshirts for each student and wrote their name on the front using Greek letters.

We started off the festivities with a feast of Greek food, followed by a presentation by the students about what they have learned about ancient Greece. It was then time for the first annual 2nd grade Olympic games.

Here are a few pictures, though I didn't take any during the Olympics. (My hands were full with Katie, Luke and Nathan, who all spent the entire schoolday there with me.)

It was a really fun time for the kids and parents alike!

That's Ally reciting her piece about the ancient Olympic games.

My Newest Challenge

Sigh....I have come to the realization (again) that I really need to hone my people skills. I don't mind confronting others about things, but I tend to use sand paper instead of velvet. I think the book of Proverbs is a good place to start, since Solomon speaks frequently about relationships.
This will be a work in progress but I'll let you know how it's going.
Rats. I really hate it when I mess up a perfectly good friendship.

A Good Morning

My heart is swelling with joy watching Luke put his beloved toys in Nathan's hand, saying "here, Nay-nan!"
Yes, my two-year-old is learning to share and trying to play with his baby brother! This day looks promising!

Friday, April 9, 2010

My eyes sting from the tears that can't seem to stop tonight and my heart is heavy with sadness over the events that occurred in the life of dear friends today. It's one of those times when there are no words that seem adequate to speak to someone grieving.
I am reminded, however, that our Abba Father -- our "Daddy God" -- knows our grief. It is His gentle hand that will wake us in the morning and help my friends through another difficult day. It is His loving arms that encircle us and draw us close in the midst of pain. After all, our Father watched His own son die brutally as an innocent man. I can only imagine the tenderness He has for a mother whose womb, and now arms, are empty.
He is our comforter, He is the Rock I cling to, He is the Lover of my soul. He is the one who mercifully carries the sickly baby into Heaven and restores her. I know she's playing at the feet of Jesus right now, healthy and beautiful and whole. He loves her even more than her parents do. What a loving, merciful God I serve.

Say Cheese! (...or not)

I came upon the awful realization recently that I do not have a single photo of my eight children all together. It doesn't seem possible, but sadly, it is. However, with Zac being home for Spring Break this week I figured I could snag at least one absolutely perfect shot. I lay in wait, camera in hand, ready to pounce on the first opportunity to get them all in one location and smiling simultaneously.

I finally found my chance last night, after celebrating Madalyn's birthday at Johnny Carino's. (we celebrated early since Matt and Zac won't be here for her actual birthday.) The kids were dressed fairly decent with no sideways baseball caps or mismatched socks, so I wrangled them all to the recliner and squished them in as much as possible.

Sigh....Now maybe you understand why we pay big bucks to let the professionals do this.

Ahhh, Much Better!

It is no small coincidence that he is pictured by the refrigerator again. And yes, he really is that tall.