Wonderful Wonderful Day

Yes, believe it or not, I actually had a very good day today! It's amazing how you can be so low and God gives you something (or more than one somethings) to cheer you up!

I'll start with church this morning. My dad preached on Luke 7:36-50. That's the story of the sinful woman who weeps over Jesus' feet, dries them with her hair and anoints them with perfume, all in front of the pharisee, Simon. The title, "Real Life Moments". In short, my dad was talking about having those moments with God when He seems so real that you feel as if you could reach out and touch Him. Honestly, I'm not sure I've had a moment like that. I've certainly heard His voice before but I've never felt His presence so closely. Just hearing stories about those experiences really gave me hope. There really is a friend who sticks closer than a brother!! And it's possible for me to feel His presence! You have no idea how comforting that is.

Next, I got to teach the little kids class second service. Garrett, Matt and Jess all followed me upstairs and I think they were more misbehaved than the four kids I had! We talked about how God made each snowflake different and in the same way, made each of us different. Don't forget that He loves us just the way we are. After our short lesson, we spent the rest of the time making paper snowflakes. We taped them up on the window.

After church, Garrett, Matt, Jess and I all went out for Chinese for lunch. How I love Chinese food! Then Matt had to go to the B&B to play bus boy for the three ladies there. Him being our ride, we all tagged along and I got to show Jess around the place without having to do work! That was oh so nice.

Matt then drove us back to my house. We had already planned for Jess to stay but once we got here, Matt just decided to hang out with us. He and Garrett played video games while Jess and I talked. Then it was back to church for Family Night! I lead the singing and the lesson was great and we had cookies and everyone had a blast!

Oh but wait! Here's the icing in the cake! When we got home, we had our usual Sunday night dinner of frozen pizza and watched part two of Emma!! By Jane Austen of course. Emma actually reminds me alot of someone I know. What? Oh, you want to know who it is? Well..... it's me. Yeah, Emma reminds me of me. So many of her faults I see in myself. Here I could launch into a self-degrading rant but I won't. I guess I'm glad that I "know" someone who has some of the same faults I do. Maybe I can actually learn from her. Hmmm....

The only damper on today was Kate wasn't at church. There's stuff going on there and I can't figure out what it is and it's eating at me. I hate having people mad at me. We're going to have to talk soon.

So, I think the above is a pretty good blog post! I got my schedule, deep thoughts and witty comments all in the same post! Score! Until next time dear reader.

By the way, the moon is lovely tonight!

Lazy, I Wanna Be Lazy

What a fantastic weekend so far! I'll pick up where I left off schedule wise.

Yesterday was the normal school and work. Then I went to the Hunter's house for Erin and Rissa's birthday sleepover. That was pretty fun. I hung out with Erin and Shannon most of the time. We ate pizza and had so much Mountain Dew it's not even funny! All the other girls were completely wired so Erin, Shannon and I just sat in Erin's bedroom for most of the time, talking like the sane people we are. I was in bed by 2 and slept in until 11. Oh what bliss! After a breakfast of poptarts, I came home.

Since then, I've cleaned the kitchen, straightened the house and been talking to friends online. I think I'm gonna go fold laundry after this. Maybe watch Pride and Prejudice. Oh! Maybe Northanger Abbey instead! It's been a while since I've watched Jane Austen's attempt at a dark Gothic romance. VERY good movie.

Tomorrow is church as usual. Then my mom and I are probably going shopping which should be fun! I love shopping with my mom! THEN we have Family Night!!! WOOT WOOT!! I'm officially in charge of the singing now. Well, for the next five months that is. Who knows what'll happen after I leave.

Here's a song for you. I know I've used it before but it's been a while. It's also one of my favorites. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCf84ov2MZ4

I hope your day is as wonderfully lazy and carefree as mine! Until next time dear reader!

Thoughts on Worldview

I'm just going to skip what I've done today and go on to my ramblings. First, you should know that in my worldview class, we've been talking about socialism. This week we were assigned to read an essay on feminism. Let me tell you right now, I hate the idea.

Feminists think that woman should be equal to man in every way. They should have the freedom to be politically and socially active. They should have all the opportunities that men have. Worst of all, the occupation of homemaker is degrading. CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?! To stay home, nurture your marriage and care for your children is a degradation! PALEEEAASE!

Ok, I'm not saying that women shouldn't have the opportunities that men have but in some situations, you just go too far. For example, in the Bible, God used men to lead homes, countries and in the church. Those roles have been laid out and the men have been cast. In Genesis, it says that God made woman to be a helper to the man. A HELPER! Sidekick, assistant, secretary if you will. Don't take that occupation and make it inferior!!!

God gave us the desire to bear children and care for those children. So why is staying home such a bad thing? Why do women have to have a full time job to be considered successful? Why can't the heroine be the woman who's biggest adventure is completing all the laundry that day?

So I'm going against the world. My dream job is to be a wife and mother someday. I actually look forward to teaching my children, cleaning my house and cooking for my family. My adventures will consist of accidentally making pancakes with baking soda instead of baking powder and folding laundry after my kids have messed it up for the third time. I will be the feminist's worst nightmare AND PROUD OF IT! I will look conformity in the face and say "HA! I found God's plan for women and I'm happier than you will ever be!"

Ok, I'm finished now. Thanks for letting me unload. Maybe next time I'll rant about the Loch Ness Monster or the existence of flying monkeys. We'll see. Until then dear reader!

Tales of Adventure

Here I am again! So far it's been a pretty good week! I have to tell you right now that Monday was probably the best Monday I've ever had in my entire life. And that's saying something for a Monday! Worldview class was spent sitting in Starbucks, drinking a peppermint mocha. In Biology, we got to dissect a cow's brain which was VERY interesting. For lunch, the board let the Biology class go to Taco Bell/Pizza Hut (aka, Taco Hut or Pizza Bell). I'm not exactly sure why but I tagged along anyway. Pizza was better than the sandwiches they were serving. Moving on. In drama, we started blocking! Then I went to Shannon's for the rest of the afternoon and most of the evening. We watched a movie and had a fabulous time hanging out. To top it all off, it snowed ALL DAY!!!

Tuesday and Today were spent doing my Biology outline. I also worked today as usual. The kids were SO wound up but it was fun anyway.

Now I must tell you about my new obsession! A friend of mine took the song 'Castle On A Cloud' from Les Miserables and created his own version of it which I absolutely love. I just had to share it with you!

http://www.rlewatkins.com/audio/Castle%20on%20a%20Cloud.mp3

Isn't it beautiful?!? If you don't agree with me, take a walk. Adios.

So there you have it. All my musings for today. Until we meet again!

GASP

AIR!!! Wonderful air!! You know, that stuff they call oxygen that you breathe. Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale, etc. I love it!! You don't know how much you like air until you don't have it.

This weekend was the busiest weekend of my entire life. First, I got through the SAT on Saturday without putting my hair out. I'm so proud of myself. Then right after the SAT, I went to a friend's bridal shower which was kinda fun. After that I hung out at home for about an hour before going to Joyce's for the girl's retreat. We ate pizza, did a bible study, played games, painted nails, watched Mamma Mia and stayed up really late talking.

This morning we went to second service at church. Mom got us fries and burgers for lunch and I took a wonderful nap! Then I watched The Mask of Zorro, ate pizza, studied for our Biology quiz tomorrow and now I'm here writing this!

Tomorrow's Co-op and I'm going to Shannon's afterwards to watch a movie. Then besides the usual work and school this week, not much is going on!! Only a week and a half until my birthday!! Woot!

Holding My Breath

Wow! I realized today that I haven't blogged since last Saturday. I apologize. Let me catch you up with my life.

Sunday was good besides the sinus headache I had all day. We all got to church on time, lunch was awesome and I was so relieved when my mom got back.

Monday was Co-op as usual. We watched the rest of Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Coat in drama. Our play is about a cast who is putting on that play. I can't wait to perform it! Did I mention I got a lead role? When I got home, I did a bunch of homework for worldview class.

Tuesday was paging! Paging is when you spend all day at the state house, learning about how government works (or is supposed to work at least) and doing jobs for either the representatives or the senators (depending on who you're there for). This was my fourth time but I enjoyed every minute of it! We went on a tour around the place and then went to the mall for lunch. Then we went into session with the reps. Bob Cherry was my representative. He's pretty awesome. We got home around 4ish. Then I went to my mom's jewelry party next door which was kinda fun. I was really tired though so I was kinda out of it.

Wednesday was spent doing school mostly. Around lunch I ran Kate's book (read and edited) and a Dr. Pepper to her house for her and got some milk for my mom. Cow juice goes fast at our house. I had to work that day too. My little 3rd grade admirer was there again. Still hitting on me. :) He's so adorable!

Today was much the same as yesterday. I worked on my SAT review and my worldview paper. Didn't quite get as much done as I would have liked but oh well. Worked again and now I'm here.

Tomorrow will be the same. School and work.

Saturday is going to be absolutely crazy!!! First I'm taking the SAT for the last time. Shannon and Keenan are taking it too. I'm glad not to be by myself. After that I might be going with Shannon to a friend's bridal shower. When I get home, I gotta whirlwind pack and go to Maisy's basketball game with my mom and Lucy. (The boys are gone on a retreat this weekend.) THEN I'll be going to Joyce's for an overnight with the teen girls on our own retreat! I'm tired just thinking about it. Maybe Sunday I'll be able to breathe again.

Until next time.

Better And Better

Just so you know, I'm feeling alot better today! I think yesterday was the worst of it. I was tired, heavy and just plain feeling rotten. Thankfully my grandma was here or I wouldn't have been able to do deal with everything. I even went to work. Then my computer got a huge virus thing that messed with it so that made my day about as bad as it can get.

Today, I slept in until 8 and woke feeling much better. I still have a cough and stuffy nose but I don't feel as just blah as I did yesterday. I got the whole house cleaned by noon and then my friend Carl fixed my computer! WOOT! It runs like a dream! Dad brought home McDonald's for lunch which was nice. I love not having to cook! Then I got the kids showered and prepared their clothes for tomorrow. THEN Maisy, Lucy and I watched Oklahoma! I love that movie! Then I got them all to bed and here I am writing to you, dear reader.

Tomorrow it's up and at 'em pretty early. Dad and Gavin leave for first service as usual and the rest of us will join them for second. After church, Larry and Joyce are taking us out for pizza. Then mom gets home around 4ish!!!! I can't wait! Don't get me wrong, it's been good experience to play mom for a weekend but I'll be glad to have my old responsibilities back. Though I have definitely learned something this weekend. I've learned how hard it is for my mom to keep up with everything and why she's so tired all the time. So I've decided to start looking for things I can do daily to help her out more. I hope I can keep it up.

So there's my thoughts for today. Hopefully I'll be able to blog again soon but we'll see. Until then dear reader, adieu!

Not Exactly Ideal

Well I survived the first day playing mother. And guess what! I'm getting sick! Joy.

Today didn't go quite as planned but that's ok. Got up at 7 and made eggs for everyone as was on the schedule. Got everyone ready for the day (including myself) by 10 and then helped the kids with school. Leftovers for lunch (Chinese! mmmm!). After reading with the kids, Lucy went down for a nap and I got an hour and a half of snooze time myself! Then I went to work which wasn't fun today. A family at our church brought over dinner so I didn't have to cook! While Maisy was at basketball, I made my cobbler (as planned) and then folded laundry while watching Much Ado About Nothing. I love Shakespeare!

So I guess I started and ended my day as I planned. Tomorrow Grandma comes over so I can finish my homework. For dinner, I think she's making the same thing we had tonight. Praying I don't get any worse than I am! I've been eating vitamin C and Zinc like candy today. Hopefully this stuffy nose and cough will pass before next Tuesday.

Well I'm off for now. I hope you sleep better than I will.

The Calm Before The Storm

Ok so maybe it isn't too calm around here. My entire family is sick and mom's leaving tomorrow morning! So guess who gets to play mommy and nurse for four days? ME!!!! But I got it all figured out. Did you just scoff at me?! HA! Let me show you!

Thursday:

- SAT review is the only school work I have so I can help Maisy and Gavin with THEIR homework and watch the baby

- Eggs and toast for breakfast

- Grilled cheese for lunch

- Working at Zion while Garrett, Gavin and Maisy watch Lucy

- Frozen pizza for dinner

- Making peach cobbler while Maisy is at basketball practice

- Movie

- Bed

Friday:

- Grandma is coming all day so I can do my homework!

- Cereal for breakfast

- Chicken nuggets for lunch

- Working at Zion again while the siblings are in Grandma's care

- Grandma's making dinner for us!!!!!

- Movie

- Bed

Saturday:

- Cleaning and doing laundry all day while keeping up with baby

- Breakfast and lunch are on your owns and dad's buying dinner

- Get all the kids showers, give baby her bath

- Movie

- Bed

Sunday:

- Get up early and get everyone ready for church

- Get self ready for church

- Make it to second service at 10:45

- Lunch out with Larry and Joyce

- MOM HOME!!!!!!

So you see? I've got it all figured out! I'm ever so proud of myself! :) Now just to get everyone healthy again.

Well that's it for tonight. Hope you have a good weekend!!

The Big Hill

I feel like I'm going up the hill of a roller coaster, waiting for the big plunge. Mom's leaving in two days and it'll be interesting to see how we fare without her. Garrett, Maisy, Lucy and my dad are all sick! They are plagued with stuffed heads, stuffed noses, coughs, heavy limbs and slow minds, hence a couch day for almost everyone. I'm having sinus issues again today but that's not abnormal for me so I'm praying it's just stubborn sinuses and I'm not getting sick.

Well I guess I should relate to you the past two days. We'll start with Sunday. Church went well. The sermon was great and all the teens were there! It had been a long time. After church, Matt and I got pizza and took it back to the B&B. There weren't that many people there but they had SO MUCH STUFF!! I made 13 beds in an hour and fifteen minutes which is a new record! Then came the pitch in. The food was good but all in all, a less than desirable evening. I won't go into details.

Monday was wonderful! Co-op went well. We were supposed to have a quiz in Biology but our teacher forgot it so we got out of it.... until next week that is. I got a 98% on my last Biology test which is HUGE! I've NEVER gotten that good a grade on a Bio test before! Then we were assigned our parts in drama class! And guess what! I got one of the leads!!!!! Granted, there are like eight lead parts but still, I got one! It was yet another bright spot in my day. After Co-op, my grandma and I went shopping. My Christmas gift cards were burning a hole in my pocket. :) I got some jewelery, new shoes and an awesome hat! Yes, I am excited about my hat. Then we went out to dinner and she brought me home. So it was a better day than I've had in a long time!

Today's been pretty good too. I woke up a little bit late but I've got all my Worldview homework done for this week! I also have worked my schedule around so I don't have any homework on Thursday. Grandma is coming all day Friday so I should be able to get some stuff done then. Also, I got my birthday party invitations made up and printed so I'll address those today too. And I started my SAT review yet again. I can't wait until that's over.

Well, if you'd pray that I don't get sick, I would appreciate it. I don't have time to be sick!! Now I'm off to finish some more stuff. Until next time dear reader!

Too Much!!

Wow this post is shamefully overdue! I realized last night that I hadn't blogged all week..... but then I also realized that nothing really interesting happened all week either. I guess I'll catch you up though. Be prepared for a ramble.

I already told you about Monday so we'll start on Tuesday. Tuesday was pretty boring actually. I did school, played DDR with the little siblings and watched Shane for Literature. Wednesday was the normal. School and work. Thursday I didn't have to go in to work because of all the snow!! So I got extra homework done instead. Yesterday I finished my homework, went to work and then helped my mom clean and cook for an elders dinner (that went well I hear).

Here's the order of events for today so far: Woke up late, coffee, scalding hot shower, Celtic Woman while getting ready and now I'm blogging! Could this day get any better?! My mom is cooking mounds of sloppy joe for the Pitch In at church tomorrow. Oh tomorrow. I have church, then working at the B&B and then back to church for the Pitch In. Hence I won't be home ALL DAY! WOOT WOOT!!!!!

Why am I so excited? Well, my mom is leaving early Thursday morning to go to Minnesota to stay with her best friend until Sunday afternoon (it was my dad's Christmas present to her). That means I have four days where I'm chained to this house and these children. Oi! So, tomorrow I'm gone all day, Monday there's Co-op and then I'm going shopping with my Grandma to spend my Christmas gift cards. Tuesday and Wednesday are the normal school, school, work and then I get to play mommy for four days. Yippee.

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad my mom gets a chance to go away! She really needs it. But I'm not sure how I'm going to get any school work done while taking care of at least three children and a house. That doesn't include working at Zion Thursday and Friday. So if you don't get anymore posts from me by the 18th, I died.

The next week is even crazier! Co-op on Monday, Paging at the state house all day Tuesday (YAY!!!), working as normal and then the SAT for the last time on Saturday!! Yet another week I'm really gonna have to crunch. We should just skip this whole school work thing for two weeks. It would make my life so much easier.

Ok I think I'm done rambling. And now you're caught up with my schedule for the next two weeks! Have a lovely day my dear reader, wherever you are and whatever you're doing.

A Day

It's strange. I have much to tell but nothing to say. I'm not sure what's wrong with me today. I've been kind of listless and...... not really in a bad mood but not in a good one either. It's just one of those days I guess.

Well I suppose I should tell you the good things about my day. First, my mom bought us Starbucks on the way to Co-op. Then we got to dissect a cow's eye in Biology class. Then we got our scripts in drama for this semester's play. Then my friend gave me a pretty locket as a belated Christmas present.

So it was a good day. Too bad I am so out of humor. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

Getting Back Into It

Well, a few more hours and we can say goodbye to Christmas break. I guess I should update you on the happenings for yesterday and today.

Yesterday I spent half the day cleaning (while rolling around like a ninja), folded laundry while watching Carousel (very depressing musical), played piano until my fingers fell off, beat my brother in a nerf gun war, played some DDR until my feet fell off and watched Robin Hood with my family. Talk about a run on sentence.

Today I had church this morning, ate lunch with my family and then hung out with an old friend. We sat around at her house for a while, catching up and then went to see The Princess And The Frog. Who knew that a frog could be so postmodernist. (Me thinks this worldview class is ruining the way I watch movies) Anyhoo, my dad's out buying pizza and we're gonna watch the rest of Robin Hood: season 1, tonight. Then to bed.

Tomorrow we begin the second semester of colorless routine. Oh the thrill. Oh the joy. GET ME OUT OF HERE!!!

A New Start

Hello dear reader! Welcome to 2010. I am convinced that this year will bring big things... at least to me. Just hang with me and listen to my list!

1. I'm taking the SAT for the LAST TIME on Jan. 23!!

2. I'm turning 18 in Feb.!

3. I'm graduating high school in May.

4. I'm either going to Brazil for six months or starting college, both big things.

So there you have it. 2010 WILL bring big things! But through all these big things I want more than this world's got to offer. I want the second chance at life that I get each morning from Jesus. Here's a song that kinda talks about it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETghIHIibkc

I pray that God brings you good things during this new year, big and small, and that He shows you His face in all of them. Until next time!