"Yes! I am a spy!"

Let me tell you, I will not even attempt to describe the good mood that I woke up with this morning! Giddy! Absolutely giddy I tell you!

So, this morning I had to be at work by 6:45 as usual. While I waited for Blacksmith and Skunk Monkey to wake up, I caught up on my journaling! Took me long enough but I had lots to record. Then the boys woke up and Awesome One and Princess Peach joined us. They played the morning away while I cleaned the kitchen and made lunch. After eating and a short rest time, we went to the park!

Oh what a time we had! They were quickly bored with the playground so I suggested we go on a walk in the woods. Well at first, I got whining and complaining..... until I shushed it with "Shhhhh! They'll find me!" All four of them looked at me and simultaneously said "Who?" I then revealed that I am in fact a spy for a secret company. This whole babysitting thing is all an act. The best part? I actually got all four of them to believe me for a while! The older two snapped out of it rather quickly but played along so as to keep the younger two innocent. After all, they don't want Watson or his goonies finding me. ;) So now they are running around with sticks, on the lookout for enemy spies. And it's such a nice day, maybe I can get them to go on another walk!

To get you in the mood with us, here's one of my favorite spy themes, shown to me by a very good friend. Enjoy!

http://www.benbotkin.com/2009/06/music-spy-music/

So, I have a few more hours of watching these spies-in-training and then it's home to eat and off to bible study. I'm looking forward to it!

I hope your day is as good as mine, dear reader. Until next time!

Spring Cleaning In June

I feel so productive! First of all, MY PARENTS ARE BACK!!!!!!! :D I'm so happy! I don't have to be constantly watching the baby anymore or worrying when it gets too quiet. I know that sounds so irresponsible of me but it really is nice.

So, I actually woke up at 7:30 this morning without my alarm going off. And what a beautiful morning it was! Blue skies, sunshine, cool breeze, loverly! Lucy and I walked up and down the driveway countless times until my parents pulled in. Then Garrett treated me to Chinese for lunch and let me tell you, I've missed hanging out with that kid! When we got home, I began the monumental task of cleaning out my room. It took me about 4 hours with a short break to make cupcakes someplace in the middle. Yeah, my room got a little cluttered during the school year. I know what you're thinking. "A little?! HA!" Now I gotta ask my mom and Maisy if they want any of my stuff and get rid of the rest of it. But besides that, I'm done!

I have two things for you to listen to today. The first is my dad's sermon from a few weeks ago that I thought was amazing! Yeah, my dad is a great preacher but once in a while, he is really good! So anyway, here you go!

http://www.livingstreamscc.org/sermons/2010-06-13.mp3

Also, here is my song for the day:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZHA9_AwBTM

Until next time!

Being Really Happy!

Well, in the past 24 hours, I've discovered that there is a difference between pretending to be happy and being really truly happy. Who knew e-mail could have such a big impact on one's life! First, my life is ruined. Now, you couldn't trade me lives for the world! Ok so I know I've used this song before but today, it is the essence of me! Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPUmE-tne5U

I am really happy! So happy that I can't express it adequately! If you have a lack of happiness today, let me know and I'll lend you some of mine! My insides are filled with shooting stars and fireworks and the happiest music you can think of! I can't stop smiling!

Now I know I may be getting ahead of myself. I realize that all my hopes and dreams could come to nothing and bitter disappointment could be in my future. However, it is worth being gloriously happy for a little while. But I hope that God will let things go the way I want them! I know we have a wonderful and amazing God who loves us very much but who would have thought that He'd even give me a glimpse of something so wonderful! Me! ME!!! I am speechless and in awe of His love for me!

Ok I'll stop rambling. Have a wonderful day, my dear reader! Until next time!

Being Happy

Someone once told me that when I'm down, decide to be happy. So this morning when I woke up, I decided that today I was going to be in a good mood and smile and laugh. And so far I've done a pretty good job!

My parents left this morning and will be gone until Tuesday sometime. The exciting part? They're letting me take care of the kids! BY MYSELF!! :D Yeah. Time for some serious partying! Pizza, dancing around the kitchen, watching good movies, cleaning the house. It's gonna be a blast!

Speaking of dancing around the kitchen, this song is currently my new favorite song. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvHKjDKY_O8

Well I'm off to watch a movie and fold laundry. Until next time!

Trust

I don't know about you but sometimes I wonder if there really is anyone on this earth whom I can trust. Like you, I hate to be disappointed. My circle of friends seems to be getting smaller and smaller. To give you a taste of what I had, here's something I wrote back in November of last year.

"I discovered that he really was my best friend. I went to him for everything; encouragement, support, sympathy. He was also the first to know anything exciting I had to tell. We prayed for each other daily and had light conversations about school as well as deep conversations about Jesus. I depended on him more than I cared to admit..."

Well there you go. Gone. And now I'm having trouble understanding why. Why God? Just when I was content. Just when you gave me something that made me smile to think about. Something I had pleaded with you to not take away from me. Why?

Here is that answer I got: "Trust me." *sigh* Trust. Leaning on Him because I can't do this by myself. Making Him my best friend as He probably should be in the first place. It's that head knowledge that needs to become heart knowledge. Maybe, in time, I'll get there.

So there's my thought for today. Until next time.

On My Heart

"I wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken." Psalm 62: 5-6

"Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides You, who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him." Isaiah 64:4

"Love is patient..." 1 Cor. 13:4a

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Prov. 3:5-6

"For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light." Col. 1:9-12

Never Alone

Well, here I am again. Seems like more bad than good happened today and since I'd rather not focus on it, I'll just give you the overview. First, the kids weren't as obedient and easy today as they have been. That always makes for a short tempered babysitter. Second, I got a not so pleasant e-mail from a good friend today. No, it didn't help my day any but it made me appreciate the friends I do have. It also makes me appreciate all the more the One who knows me better than a brother. And here's my song for today:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyDt6ujGr9o

This brings me to the good part of my day! When I got home from work, Rachel came over and we spent a very nice two hours together. I cherish each moment I have with her and I am so lucky to call her my friend!

So that's all I have today. Until next time!

Just Keep Walking

Well today has been quite pleasant, though quite hot. I've had the kids all day as you probably guessed and they've been pretty good!

We spent the morning hanging out in the yard, riding bikes, swinging while singing whatever song popped into our heads. Then we packed up some lunch and went to a friend's house to eat. After lunch, we all went walking on the Pennsy Trail. You know that song Dory sings in Finding Nemo?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmyUkm2qlhA

Well we changed it. "Just keep walking. Just keep walking. Just keep walking walking walking walking..." And that opera part? Yeah, we did that too.

Now we're back, all hot and sweaty and tired out. Two more hours and they leave!

Now I'm off to go check up on them. Until next time!

Tales Of Adventure

Well I have returned victorious my friends! Returned from the wild red fields of Texas. I have battled the feared Bridezilla and come out with very little amount of bruises and scars. Let me recount for you the tale...... in fast forward.

Thursday: driving all day and alternating between sleeping, texting and reading.

Friday: slept in late, read and texted most of the day as no one would give me any task to accomplish, went to the disastrous rehearsal, back to Uncle George and Aunt Carla's and went to

bed.

Saturday: The big day! I was at the church to get ready by 9. In the course of 8 hours, I had my hair pulled, hairsprayed and twisted into knots twice, my face slathered in makeup and my feet shoved into heels that any woman would loathe to look at. But apparently I looked "beautiful". All for you Kristin. So the wedding went well and I think everyone besides me had a good time! Why not me? Because I had a pounding migraine. So I spent 4 hours trying to look happy while my head felt like it was going to explode. Lovely. I went straight to bed when I got home.

Sunday: Father's day! I again slept half the day away and when I

got up, I spent the other half texting and reading. I would have been

socializing but no one was doing anything! I mean seriously, how much video games can you

play in one day?! Well, my brothers set a new record. We had chili for dinner, packed up

our stuff and went to bed quite early.

Monday: Usually hated by..... well, by everyone. But I welcomed it! We headed home very early! I spent most the day texting and listening to music. I also read a little but hardly enough to talk about. 13 hours later, we got home! And I had like 15 e-mails! Yeah, Facebook loves me.

Now I'm finally telling you all about it! And by the way, all the pictures are from the trip. :)

Until next time!

Leaving

I am so excited for tomorrow!!!! Why you ask? Well tomorrow, bright and early, we're leaving for Texas!!! :D My cousin's wedding is this Saturday and I am IN it! Yeah! Like, I'm a bridesmaid! I CANNOT wait!!!!

Today's been going pretty well. I've talked to three of my guy friends (which is becoming the usual) and the kids have been behaving really well today. Tomorrow is Jack's birthday so this morning before he and Austin woke up, I decorated the kitchen. I also brought cupcakes which may have been a mistake since the kids went haywire for a little bit. But so far, everyone is alive and well (besides losing a piece of my sanity). They are now watching their usual afternoon movie that should keep them busy for like two hours! I can't wait to go home!

Tomorrow we leave for Texas (as you know) and we'll be gone until Monday. So this is my last post for a while. I'm not taking my laptop (since I won't have time to use it) so thank goodness I have a phone with texting! There will be SOME kind of communication with the outside world, especially on that 12 hour car ride. EEK! I want to leave right now!!!!

Have a lovely weekend dear reader! So long!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEIzyhu5txE

Better And Better

Ok so you know how yesterday started out terrible and got better? Well, today just keeps going up too!!

First of all, I decided to wear my purple skirt this morning and it's really fun to twirl in. :) Yes, I have been dancing around the kitchen all day. Second, I woke up at 5:30 like I was supposed to which resulted in getting to work on time (haven't been late yet!). I then spent the morning hours talking to four of my guy friends, one of them being David from Brazil (whom I haven't talked to in two years)!!! Made my morning! I was also attacked by a fish. A stuffed fish, but nonetheless, a fish. But anyway, I also had packed a lunch so I feel like I ate something. :) None of that gluten free, milk free stuff. Blech!

Think that's it? Oh no! It gets better!!! Like a week ago, I sent in a poem to a magazine. They were looking for Christian poetry and prose to publish in their spring edition. Well, today I got an e-mail saying that mine has been chosen!! I'm going to be PUBLISHED!!!!!!! :D Talk about highlight of my month!! Someone is paying me for my writing! It's really kinda crazy to think about! I can't quite wrap my mind around it. Maybe once I see it on the glossy magazine paper. It's just too fantastic!

So now the kids are watching a movie and I am sitting here, reveling in success. :) Now, nothing could ruin my day. Absolutely nothing!

Until next time!

A Grand Journey

Today has been quite interesting. Of course I'll tell you why!

It all began quite horribly. I went to bed in a not so good mood to start out with (and no I don't really know why). I woke up at five thirty as usual and then rolled over to sleep for five more minutes. I woke up again at......... SIX EIGHTEEN! And of course I had to leave at six twenty five. So I jumped out of bed, did the fastest get ready routine you've ever seen, grabbed the essentials for the day and flew out the door, broomstick and all.

I got here on time but I was NOT in a good mood. No coffee, no shower, no good morning and goodbye to my parents and I was still quite tired. So I spent two hours fuming about my poor state of being and thinking that the Imperial March was definitely the theme song for today.

Then the boys woke up! They both came out, one by one and greeted me with "Good morning Case." :D I also got a text from Garrett, telling me good morning in a quirky way (I love that kid!). After I downed a little breakfast, I was feeling like the world just might be a bearable place. The boys and I did devotions as usual and then I spent a little time on my computer and got to talk to three of my good friends which also helped my mood.

Lunch was the tuna salad I had made last night (and was ever so glad I had it). Then Awesome One and Princess Peach arrived. They played for a little while but were getting kinda testy with each other so I took them to the park! We were there for a good hour, during which they had fun and I received some pretty unwelcome attention. However Garrett helped me get rid of that (I love texting!) and I ended up having a pretty decent time playing with the kids. We got back just in time because an afternoon storm blew in. Towards the end, when all the lightning and thunder had calmed down, we all went outside to dance in the rain (which earned me the Best Babysitter Award)! Then they all watched a movie and by the end, all the designated parents had come so I came home! So it's been an interesting day because I went from being in an absolutely horrible mood to being in a fantastic mood! Today's probably been the best day of babysitting so far and I hope tomorrow will be just as good.

Now, here's a song for you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7I22osC0YM

And no I don't usually like country but I do like Taylor Swift. :) Until next time dear reader!

A Lovely Saturday

Today was great! I got up at beautiful 9:45 this morning!!! :D Showered, dressed, said good morning and goodbye to my siblings and headed straight over to Dawn's house.

I can sum up almost the entire day in one word: painting. Yup! That's what we did. We painted. Like mad women, we painted. And let me tell you, it looks awesome! Now my back and neck hurt but it was so totally worth it. We're doing Steve's room sometime soon. :)

To celebrate our amazing work, we went by Starbucks! Instead of coffee today, I had a Strawberry Lemonade. Yum!

Speaking of coffee, most of you know that I'm a coffee person. I love my coffee with lots of cream and sugar. Here's a video for you to watch and even though it's in French, it's still pretty funny. It's about coffee. :) Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGtKGX8B9hU

By the way, about that cheesecake. Heh, turns out we just ate it too early. I found out that after being in the fridge overnight, it was fine. And it's a HUGE hit! Everyone that ate it loved it! I'll definitely be making it again soon.

Well I think that's it. Until next time!

Wearing Your Heart On Your Sleeve

I just had the most interesting conversation (or maybe it was an argument) with Princess Peach. She thinks she has a boyfriend! Yes you heard me correctly. This seven year old little girl thinks she has a boyfriend! The question that comes to my mind is "WHY?!" Why are we encouraging kids to have feelings for the opposite sex when, at this stage in the game, boys should have cooties! It's completely pointless and of course I'll tell you why.

1: You're 7. You can't drive. You aren't going on "dates" or spending time with this so called "boyfriend".

2: You should be focusing on being a kid. Boys have cooties (as I said earlier) and one look from them should make any girl go "AH! Get away!"

3 (and most importantly): You're practicing giving your heart away! At 7 years old!!!!

It's the last point I want to hit on the most. Princess Peach didn't understand why I don't have a boyfriend, being 18. I told her that want to be able to give my heart, whole and unbroken, to my husband on our wedding day and say "Here. I saved this just for you." (I didn't even get started on the courting vs. dating thing) You definitely aren't saving yourself pain by going through boyfriend after boyfriend like changes of clothes. They chip away at your heart and leave permanent scars that many girls don't even realize exist. So why start that at 7?! Why wear your heart on your sleeve? Why not protect it for someone who's worth it?!? I just don't understand.

Ok I'm done ranting. I hope you have a wonderful remainder of your day dear reader! Until next time!

P.S. The cheesecake I made last night didn't quite turn out as I would wish. Making notes for next time. At least mom and dad liked it. :)

That's "Master" To You

Today has been awesome! I woke up at 5:30 yes, but while I was getting ready, the sun turned the sky absolute golden! It was beautiful! Golden yellow and blue blend really really well. Then I got in my car to leave, turn it on and what do you know! Fireflies is playing on the radio! It made my morning!

Breakfast and devotions was the usual. Awesome One and Princess Peach have been here all day again. They drove me crazy this morning! After we ate lunch however, we went to my house so my mom could go to lunch with one of her friends. It was oh so nice to be home for a little while. You never realize how much you love it until you've been gone forever. So while we were there, I got to spend some time with Lucy, pushing her on the swings and singing songs. Then I found some lightsabers and had a competition with the kids. Me being the awesome babysitter that I am, I won almost every time. I say almost because it would be bad sportsmanship not to let them win once in a while. It was great fun! Except I didn't feel very threatening standing there in my pink skirt so I had to suffice with the most evil glare I could conjure up and swinging my red lightsaber back and forth menacingly. It seemed to work pretty well. :) All I needed was a theme song!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bzWSJG93P8

Now we're home in the wonderful air conditioning (great invention that!) and the kids are watching Prince Caspian as I write this. When I get home later, I'm going to be making a chocolate chip cheesecake! :D I can't wait to try it!

Until next time!

Cabin Fever

Oh yes. I've got it and I've got it bad. I am burning up with cabin fever and it's only Wednesday!!! I have two more days to go! Lord, give me strength.

Today was almost the usual except for Awesome One and Princess Peach being here all day. They ate breakfast this morning and we started reading the story of Joseph. Then they played until lunch, we went for a walk, watched Night At The Museum 2 and now they're out playing in the backyard until their parents get here. I have Bible study tonight and I will be oh so glad for some grown up company!

So, I found a couple good soundtrack songs today and thought I'd share with you. Enjoy!

First something kind of epic:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoWn9dNzDLI

And now for a little Irishness. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxpLYXl3j9w

I figured we'd take a break from Michael Buble. Surprised? :) Until next time!

Here And There And Everywhere

I know that you've probably heard this a thousand times from a thousand different people but I do aspire to be a Proverbs 31 woman. And I'm kinda getting a small taste of it. Verse 15 talks about how she gets up while it's still dark and begins her work. I can say that this summer, I have that covered and I am exhausted. I don't know how she manages it! Good thing the kids are awesome!

Today has been very pleasant! Blacksmith and Skunk Monkey didn't get up until 9 so I had some time to vent my inspiration, resulting in a poem. When they did get up, we read the story of Abraham's obedience to God in his willingness to sacrifice his only son Isaac. Went over their Bible verse, decided to split up the story of Joseph into three days (since it's a really long one) and then had breakfast. While I cleaned up the kitchen, they did their chores. At about 11, we ventured into the wide open world, on the prowl for ice cream! Frosty Boy was in order so we got some for us, ran by Grandpa's office to give some to Carl and then home again home again. The next hour was spent eating lunch, cleaning up from lunch and reading while the boys rode bikes in the driveway.

Finally Awesome One and Princess Peach arrived. They played in the front yard for a while. Awesome One brought lightsabers and I joined in their game. Much to their dismay, guess who won. ME! Oh yeah! After that we went on our daily walk. Now they're watching a movie while I write this. Don'tcha just love routine?! :D

Oh! Nine days until I leave for Texas!!! I cannot wait! It's gonna be nice to have a little break from work and how better to spend it than with family?!

Now for a little Michael Buble:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JK2LinUnhGk

I like him a little bit. :) Until next time!

Odds And Ends

Today has been quite nice! I slept in until 6 this morning! *collective gasp* Yeah I know! Scandalous! But never fear dear reader, for I did get to work on time.

After devotions and breakfast with Blacksmith and Skunk Monkey, I spent the rest of the morning writing thank you notes. And guess what! I got them all done! YEAH! :D I also got my open house photo album pictures all labeled and put in their places. Who's been productive? Say it.... say it..... yes! ME!

One thing that I found quite amusing: Reading through my graduation cards, I have so many people's descriptions of me. "Beautiful, amazing, wonderful, lovely young woman of God, etc. etc. etc." But my all time favorite has to be from my literature teacher from Co-op (my favorite teacher by the way). She said I was "thoughtful and interesting"! I loved it! Only Mrs. L.

So, by the time I finished licking all those envelops, it was lunch time and I added a Guarana to my lunch of leftover breakfast casserole. I actually got the boys to clean up their own lunch dishes today! Score! We got everything straightened up just in time because then Awesome One and Princess Peach pulled into the driveway. While they played, I read. They left me alone for a whole hour! Surprised? Me too!

Finally at 3, I insisted they'd been inside too long and that we go on a walk. So we did! We walked around the neighborhood and as we walked back up the driveway, we met neighbor boy. He seemed about my age and his name was..... Patrick I think. Real quick, what is it with all these new guys suddenly paying attention to me?! Can I please go back to being invisible? Anyway, now the kids are watching Kung Fu Panda and here I am!

Garrett and Gavin are gone this week at camp so it's just us girls with my Daddy. He's taking us out to dinner tonight! I can't wait! I absolutely LOVE my family!

Now for one of my favorite songs. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2viFm8f_Lo

Until next time!

Party Party Party!

Well this weekend has been one huge pile of fun! Yesterday was my open house and it was AWESOME!!! There were so many people who came, pretty much everyone I know, have known and will know. We exchanged cards for food (I got the better end of the deal) and with a hug, they left. My mouth still hurts from smiling so much but as my Grandpa put it, "Why should your mouth hurt from smiling Casey? That is just you!" Thanks Grandpa but I do know how Barbie feels now.

Four hours of standing, talking, smiling, hugging, taking pictures, laughing and celebrating and after everyone left, me, Jess, Matt, Garrett and Gavin all stuffed ourselves into my car we went to Frosty Boy for ice cream. Got home about 10, shooed Matt out and Jess and I laid on my bed and talked about the day. I also read the few notes I got from people.

This morning came too early. I got up, showered and Jess and I headed to church, just in time to catch the last few worship songs. We're starting to study Revelation on Sunday morning and I am so excited! I've read the book but never in depth so I will definitely be taking a notebook to church for a while.

At church, I got a few more cards and gifts from yesterday's absentees (best being a full two packs of Guarana!!) and had a good time messing around with Jess and Steve second service. Steve makes me laugh. :) Anyway, afterwards, Jess, me and Garrett went to Chinese (with the understanding that I would be reimbursed) and I took Jess home. Now I'm here with just my family and my room looks like a train went through it. So, until Katie's open house later, you can probably guess what I'll be doing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oY3aljAO7qU

This week should be interesting as I have to get up at 5:30 every morning. :( No lazy summer mornings this week. I'll be at the Kern's all day with my four kids and have plenty of time to read and write thank you notes. Billions and billions of thank you notes. This should be fun! Not.

Well I best go get cleaning. Until next time!

Be Still

As some of you may know, I've had a lot of inner unrest lately (especially today). Many things on my plate cause me to worry and fret.

Today all these concerns, both old and new, felt like too much to bear. So as is my habit in times like these, I went on a walk. I love walking down our street. All the fields make it windy and in the heat of today, the breeze felt wonderful. But the best part is that I get to talk to God..... out loud. Yes, I carry on a conversation with Him though usually me doing most of the talking.

However, today was a little different. I'm walking along, talking away and suddenly I hear a soft "Be still."

Psalm 46:10a came to mind: Be still and know that I am God. So I stopped talking. And you know what? It was then that this thought came to me. God is God and I am not. He's got this! All my worries and all my cares shouldn't be there because He has things under control.

The rest of the way home, I felt lighter, happier and I've been singing this song ever since.

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

I hope that your day tomorrow is sunny and pleasant. Me? I'm gonna be hosting my open house and then Jess is spending the night! :D Can't wait!

Until next time!

Breakfast And Bible Stories

I am absolutely loving my summer so far! Yeah I'm babysitting my four charges every day so I'm not exactly "free", but at the same time, they're all pretty self sufficient so I am free! Like right now. As I sit here writing this, they are all laughing away about something in the living room. It's great! Not to mention that they're really cool kids. :)

However, believe it or not, all this free time hasn't been my favorite part. What is my favorite part you ask? Well, it has to be the mornings I'm at the Kern's house with nine year old Austin and five year old Jack (aka Blacksmith and Skunk Monkey). Tuesday (my first day), sitting at the breakfast table, I proposed we read a Bible story every time I was over this summer. I expected groans and "Do we have to?"s but to my surprise, I was met with much enthusiasm! Even Jack was open to it!

Upon some conversation, I discovered that the only part of the Bible that they really knew about was what is taught at church on Christmas and Easter. That's right, Jesus birth and His resurrection. That sealed what we were going to start with. Genesis 1:1. Tuesday morning we read through the story of creation. And they loved it!! They kept telling me they couldn't wait to continue.

This morning during breakfast, we read Genesis 3 and talked about Adam's sin or "mess up". They had a great time retelling the story in their own words and needless to say, I did too.

I also threw the memory verse idea at them and they were totally in! We (I should say they) are now memorizing Psalm 100.

What really got me though was just a few minutes ago. I walked into the kitchen and found little Jack sitting at the kitchen table, looking down at my Bible. I asked him what he was doing and he told me he was reading Psalm 100. I asked him if he'd read it to me and he said "Sure!" and does it with very little help. It was so exciting! I didn't even know the kid could read and the fact that he's sitting there, willingly reading the Bible to me was fantastic! I just might be doing something right here!

So there you have it. My summer project. Bible stories and verses over breakfast. I'll keep you updated. :) Until next time!

Simplicity

Simple. I think some people dread the word. It means to make less complicated. I was thinking today, I think the world likes to make things complicated. Think about it. What's the answer to so many questions nowadays? "What's the matter?""It's complicated." "Why do you feel the way you do?""It's complicated." "How's this or that relationship going?""It's complicated."

Why? Why must everyday life be complicated? *sigh* That's one thing I want to work on, simplicity. I want to try to be satisfied with the simple pleasures in life. What simple pleasures you ask? Well, a bright blue sky, the birds singing in the early morning, the crickets outside my window at night, lightning bugs and butterflies, smiles from my friends and family. I think you get the picture.

While we're on the subject of simplicity, here's another subject I've been pondering:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMEAr9c0LlQ

Until next time!

Practicing Mommy

I started my job today. It went pretty well! Got up at 5:30 which wasn't pleasant. Given a heart attack by my phone ringing (thank you Carl) which wasn't pleasant. Had two cups of coffee which was pleasant. Got there on time and had devotions and breakfast with the kids which was pleasant. Read, ate lunch, went to the park, watched a movie, read and finally, at 5:15, I was dismissed and allowed to come home. So, I get to practice being a mom this summer. The only difference... I'm getting paid for it. :)

While I'm talking about "mothering", I found this quote a while back but I can't remember who it's from. "Homemaking is the highest, most noble profession to which a woman might aspire." I don't know about you but I give that a hearty "YES!!". I completely and utterly agree and you would never understand until you've had to play (or be) mother.

Another thing. I found this story in the bottom of a drawer and wanted to share it with you. Thankfully I found the whole thing online! It's kinda long but it's really good so read it all!!

http://lilleysofthefield.blogspot.com/2007/04/when-queens-ride-by.html

And last but not least:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NytXT-U-tg

Until next time!