Sweet Summertime

We had fun getting ready for Mary Kathryn's shower....so sad we can't be there today.
We are off to our first summer swim meet.

First Day of Summer

When they woke this morning, we had a little talk, a regrouping, a meeting of sorts. I reminded them that everyone in this family was a contributing member. As the school year began to wind down, things got out of control at the homestead. Clothes were not washed, no one had clean underwear (lovely), beds were no longer made, meals consisted of drive-thrus and junk, and children and parents were easily agitated. We needed to decompress.

Thanking Him today for fresh starts, tightly made beds, clean underwear,
and new bathing suits. Ahhhh.... Sweet Summertime.

Tender Endings

Today was "Fairy Tale Fun Day" in third grade. My students dressed as characters from the tales we've read, we made Hansel and Gretel cottages (a.k.a. gingerbread houses), read fairy tales to the Kindergartners, and watched my favorite modern-day fairy tale, Nanny McPhee.

I was going to use that movie time to wrap up some classroom tasks that have to be done before the last day, but I didn't. I just sat and watched with them. Mostly, I just watched their precious faces watching.

And when Emma Thompson quoted her last line of the movie...

"When you need me, but do not want me, I will stay. When you want me, but do not need me, then I must go."

....my heart ached and the tears fell, because, once again I know, they no longer need me and I must let them go.

Memorial Day Memories

We usually make a Flag Cake for the Fourth every year. Today we decided to celebrate our soldiers with this smaller version. I've never used the tiny round "shortcakes." Aren't they cute!


My sweet friend, Jennifer, is just days away from kissing her husband goodbye as he goes to serve our country in Iraq for 6 months. Jennifer and I have history. She introduced me to Andy and was a precious part of my days when we were both single, teaching, and living in Atlanta...just out of college. She held my bouquet when I said, "I do!" We've made many memories together. I know these next several months will be tough as she cares for her 4 munchkins on her own without daddy. They live in San Antonio. You can pray for them if you think about it. I know she'd appreciate it.

Happy Memorial Day!

Yee Haw!

We went to the Rodeo last night with our dear friends, The Wickisers. It was a rip-roarin' good time. My favorite event is always the calf roping. I got a kick out of Rebecca's keen awareness of the teenage cowboys roping those calves. She was happy 'cause the cute one won. My heart always beats a little faster when the young boys start ridin' those bulls. After all, they are somebody's child.


I think Andy and I, both, would have loved to have grown up on a farm. I read The Pioneer Woman and ponder how I would have loved that life...I think, maybe, I don't know. One of my sons might have wanted to be a bull rider...

...never mind. I like my life.

Cheesy

I Love you truly
Truly Dear
Life with its sorrow
Life with its tear
Fades into Joy
When I feel you are near
For I love you truly
Truly Dear.

Sixteen years ago this dashing young man asked me to marry him...
...And I said "YES!"

Working for Him

This is what my children do when they unload the dishwasher. They put the plastic stuff in the "drainer" to drain.... so they don't have to dry it. They assure me they are coming back to put it away when it's dry. This rarely happens.

Tonight, while Caroline was unloading...

Me: Caroline, you are going to have to dry that stuff because I need the "drainer" cleared out.

Caroline: I am NOT doing that. There is just too much. I don't feel like it.

Me: Well, I am NOT cooking your dinner. It's just too much. I don't feel like it.


She halfway laughed and started drying the plastic stuff. And our little "moment" in the kitchen made me think about a lesson I just learned today from a book I have been reading. Funny how God does that.

"When service is unto people, the bones grow weary, the frustration deep. But when Christ is the center, when dishes, laundry, work, is my song of thanks to Him... JOY reigns."

Maybe if I learn to sing this song of thanks to Him, my darling children will too.