"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!