Lost

Lost......tonight.....Oh, my gosh!

I Love this show!!!  How long until it comes back on???

PS.  I totally guessed John Locke in the coffin.

Speechless

I'm speechless.   

I wanted to point you in the direction of Angie Smith's blog  to have you read her post titled "The Past and The Pitcher."  It is truly one of the most beautiful and inspiring things I have read in a long time.

I've mentioned Angie's story a couple of times in my blog.  Her baby girl Audrey Caroline was born and died on April 7.  Angie is an EXCELLENT writer and has so much to share.  

Today, I went to her blog and saw that her 2 month old nephew Luke died on Tuesday evening. He apparently died from SIDS.  This family has been through so much heartache and pain. Please say a prayer for Angie's entire family.

Tag! I'm it.

Here are some answers to a cute little survey that a couple of people have tagged me for:

What were you doing 5 years ago?

1. Getting ready to spend our first Summer in our new house.

2. Enjoying my Little Buddy FINALLY being potty trained! (I was beginning to think it would never happen!)

3. Wondering where in the world we'd go swimming and why there weren't more pools here???

4. Spending LOTS of time with our extended family.

5. Feeling bittersweet about Veruka finishing Elementary School and moving on to Middle School.

What are 5 things on your To-Do list today--in no particular order?

1. Laundry.

2. Go to Mike's school to help/volunteer for Native American Day.

3. Grocery Shopping.

4. Tag books for Mike's school's end of year book sale.

5. Laundry.

(I know, it's just such an exciting life I lead, isn't it???)

3.  What are 5 snacks you enjoy?

1. Chips & Salsa

2. Chips & Salsa

3. Chips & Salsa

4. Chips & Salsa

5. Chips & Salsa

(Need I say more??)

What are 5 things you'd do if you were a Billionaire?

1.  Give lots of $ to LifePoint Church, to build Phase 3---The Kevin Lawyer Wing!

2.  Tell my hubby to quit that job and buy him a cool boat.

3.  Set up trust funds for my kids and set up a college fund for all of my neices & nephews.

4.  Buy a beach house.

5.  Travel and take LOTS of AWESOME vacations with my family.

What are 5 of your bad habits?

1.  Procastinating.

2.  Staying up too late.

3.  Not keeping up with the Laundry.

4.  Not always listening to my home voicemail.  (I know, that's a really bad one....sorry.)

5.  Spending too much time "doing" instead of "being."

What are 5 jobs that you've had?

1.  Lifeguard &  Swim Lesson Instructor

2.  Waitress - (Yes, I still have the 'Waitressing Nightmare' every once and awhile....I'm in "the weeds" with too many tables, I can't get to them all, I hear the people talking loudly and saying I'm the WORST waitress they've ever had...it's awful!)

3.  Bank Teller

4.  Asst. Manager at same Bank

5.  Substitute Teacher

Name 5 places where you have lived.

Sorry, I don't think I want that info out there on the great big WWW.  

But, I will tell you that I lived in the same house my entire childhood.  My parents STILL live there.  I've been married for almost 19 years and in that time we've lived in 4 houses (in 2 different states) and one apartment for the worst 4 months ever!  :)

Who are 5 people you want to tag?

1.  Jennie

2.  Amy S.

3.  Susan S.

4. Jenn H.

5.  Jen S. --- I wish you were still blogging, I'd tag you.

Anybody else who wants to give it a go.....consider yourself tagged!

Happy Memorial Day

This is a picture that I took last year on Memorial Day of our whole gang (including our dog!) We were heading home from a weekend at my parent's cabin and drove through Gettysburg, PA right as they were preparing to start their Memorial Day parade. We picked out a spot on the curb and sat and watched the entire parade. It was a really nice, old fashioned, community parade. I know that Memorial Day is supposed to be about honoring those who died in the service, but it seems in my life, to have evolved into nothing more than a 3 day weekend, where we have cookouts, parades, and go to the swimming pool because it is fianlly open for the season.

I thought I'd take a few minutes to share with you some interesting information I came across about Memorial Day and it's meaning and history. This is one of those pieces of American History that it seems I know very little about.  This morning, I took a few minutes to look up the history of Memorial Day and here's what I found.

"Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service.

Memorial Day is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all. Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868, by General John Logan, and was first observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetary. By 1890 Memorial Day was recognized by all of the Northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I, when the holiday changed from honoring those who died fighting in the Civil War, to honoring Americans who died fighting any war.

Originally Memorial Day was celebrated on May 30. In 1971 Congress passed an act moving the holiday to the last Monday in May to ensure a 3 day weekend for the Federal Holiday. In the past, red poppies were worn and flags were flown to honor the fallen soldiers."

So, on this Memorial Day, fly your flag, and take a few minutes to think about and pray for the families of all of the brave men and women who've lost their lives so that we may be free.

Please Pray

I just returned from the bus stop, where I heard the sad news on the radio that Christian singer, Steven Curtis Chapman's 5 year old daughter was tragically killed yesterday. Apparently, she was playing in the family's driveway and her teenage brother did not see her and accidently struck and killed her with the family's SUV.  Please keep their family in your prayers.  Pray that they would have peace and comfort, on this dark day.

It just makes me think, we never know.  

WE NEVER KNOW. 

 

My time could be today, or my husband's time could be today, or my child's time could be today.  Am I ready?  Are you ready?

These past few months, I've had the opportunity to witness amazing faith in action, in the midst of incredible pain and sorrow.  I personally, have learned and grown so much.  I am grateful.

Please continue to keep my friend Suzie Lawyer and her kids in your prayers. 

Please continue to keep the family of Emily Burke in your prayers.

Please also continue to pray for Angie & Todd Smith.  Todd is the singer in the Christian band, Selah, and they had a baby girl who only lived for 2 and half hours.  I've been following Angie's story, and her faith in God is truly inspiring.  You can read her entire story on her blog.

Out of the Mouths of Babes

This past weekend, Bri was away at our church's Men's Summit. It was just me and the gang and we actually had a pretty good weekend.   Saturday was filled up with Baseball, a Bday Party, and then Veruka & I went shopping.

Sunday morning I had to teach. I then left church and went directly to Oriole's Park at Camden Yards where they were having Little League Day.  Mike's baseball team was participating in their parade. Bri coaches his team, so he and a buddy left the Summit early to meet the boys before the parade.  Mike had spent the night at his friend's house and his Mom had driven him to the ballpark.  Of course our lesson was LONG this week and I got there just as the parade was ending....you know how those things are...Mr. Murphy and his Law were hard at work. Luckily, Gma & Gpa were able to go, so if I can get their pictures, I'll post some.  It is a pretty neat experience for the kids.  They get to walk (parade) around the field before the game and high five the O's players.  My boys have participated the past 3 years, and it is a really cool thing. (I mean, really, how many people can say that they got to walk around the field of a Major League Baseball team???)

I wanted to share a quick funny about my lesson that I taught on Sunday.  (As you may or may not know, Bri & I teach Kindergarten & First Grade Sunday school at our church.) This week's lesson was about money.  I talked about how everything we have comes from God, including our money. Since God gives us our money, He wants us to use it in good ways.  Some of those ways are:  saving it, giving it away, or spending it. It is okay to spend it, but that we need to be wise and not spend everything.  We did our whole lesson around this basic message.

Well, after class one of the little boy's Mommies came back, with a smile on her face, and told my friend who checks the kids in and out of the classroom, that she had asked her son what he learned in church today.....he told her he learned that "God loves money and God wants me to love money!"  

(Hmmmm, maybe we might need some clarification this week.....Thankfully, this Mommie is a friend of mine!)      :)

Did You Used to Have Big Hair???

Perm + gel + curling iron or crimper + lots and lots of hairspray=

Oh Yeah! You better believe I did! 

The biggest of my 'big hair days' were late 80's early 90's. Here are some pix from '88 & '89....when I was in college.

Sorority Days ...that's me on the top left.

This was when I caught the bouquet at a friend's wedding. (Bad Pix quality...but you can still see the hair!)

More Sorority Pix...

Going out on a hot night on the town. Bri is taking the pix....so you don't get to see him. (Your welcome, honey!) Note, how everyone had big hair, but mine,of course, had to be the BIGGEST!

When my kids see pictures of me from back then, they say,

"Mom, how did you get your hair so big and so brown???" :)

Prayer

I have been doing a Bible Study by Angela Thomas with some women from my church and at the beginning of each week's lesson, Angela has written a prayer.  She has a beautiful way with words, so I'd like to share her prayer for this week with you.

He'll Raise You Up

Father God, In  this last week of study,  remind us that your truth never ends.  There is always more with You.  Let this just be the beginning of our transformation.  A life that is becoming, growing, and changing into Your likeness.  A heart that is being healed.  A soul that yearns for more.  

Where the way is narrow, let us walk with a righteous confidence.  Where we have given judgement, let us lay it down with humility.  Where the foundation is sinking sand, let us tear down and rebuild on solid rock.  Make us amazing women with profound and amazing lives.

Every time someone looks toward us, let them see Jesus. In our brokenness.  In our accomplishment.  In our obedience. In our forgiveness.  Make us women who reflect your grace with passion.

Take each day and give wisdom.  Open our eyes and soften our hearts.  Lead us by Your Holy Spirit.  Make this life a beautiful offering.

Because of Jesus and His love, Amen.

Get a FREE Blog Makeover!

I am feeling so much better this morning, although still not 100%.  Now Charlie has it. He's staying home from school today.  Poor guy!

Yesterday, Mike had an early dismissal.  Normally,  I try to do something fun on those days, but that was not happening yesterday in my condition.  Instead, the 2 of us had "Movie Monday." When he was in Pre-School and in Kindergarten we used to have "Movie Monday" every Monday.....so this was kind of fun for both of us.  We snuggled up on the couch with a blanket, turned on the fireplace, and watched a movie while it rained outside.  Perfect!  

We watched the movie "August Rush" and it was EXCELLENT!  I had never heard of it, so I don't know if it won any awards, but if it didn't, it should have.  It stars Kerri Russell and Robin Williams as a bad guy.  It's rated PG, and we had to fast forward through one kissing scene....yuck....it also had a couple of bad words...so it may not be good for younger kids.  It has some "deep" story lines....the boy is born to unwed parents, given to the state for adoption, and is hoping his real parents find him.  Robin Williams plays a creepy guy who has a bunch of kids working for him.  All of this was over Mike's head.  For him, it was about a boy who could play great music and was searching for his parents. It will make you want to learn how to play an instrument....great music, very inspiring.  If you're looking for a good movie to watch, check it out.

Also, I wanted to let you know that Darcy at Graphically Designing is having a post-Mother's Day contest where she is giving away a FREE blog makeover!!!!!  If you're interested, go on over to her blog and check out the details.  You have to enter today or tomorrow, because the winner will be chosen Thursday. Good Luck!

Mother's Day Thoughts

I hope that you all had a Happy Mother's Day yesterday.  I had a crazy, busy, hectic, jam packed day that was anything but relaxing, but at the same time was reflective of my life at this time, in this season.  Although it was busy, it was full of love.  

Brian and the kids made me breakfast in bed (a tradition in our home) and they all made me cards and gave me their home made gifts and flowers.  Then, the race was on to get everyone showered and dressed and off to church so that Bri & I could teach.   It is always a challenge with everyone getting dressed on Sunday mornings...."brush your teeth"......"no that doesn't match,".... "that shirt is too small,"...."brush your teeth"...."comb your hair"..... "hurry up, we're all waiting for you"...."please, for the last time, go brush your teeth"..."no, I don't know where your Bible is"...etc. We hustled out the door and arrived at church 5 minutes before service started. Normally, that would be fine, but when we're teaching, I like to be early so that we can see the stage, see the props and do a run through.  I was a little stressed at cutting it so close. (Okay, I was A LOT stressed....not a little stressed.)  We had just enough time to read through our scripts, which seemed to have ONE MILLION words this week.  We huddled in the closet and prayed for God to give us the words to get us through the lesson.  The next 30 minutes of teaching were exactly the opposite of the prior 30 minutes.  The lesson was great. Brian and I had a lot of fun with it. We managed to say about 900,000 of the words and ad lib the rest.  We have been teaching together for the past 5 years and I have to say, that we both really enjoy doing it together.  It is one of the few times that the two of us are together without our own kids, and one of the few times we are focusing on someone else, other than ourselves or our own kids.  It is one of the few times we get to laugh with each other over silly things.  It is one of the few times we see glimpses of the people we used to be before we got overwhelmed with our busy life and kids.  Afterwards, we sat in the service and as I listened to our Pastor Joe, I also thought about why it is that we cause ourselves so much stress.  I need to do a better job at finding balance.

We left church and Bri & 2 kids went to his parents, so that he could see his Mom for a little while. I took Charlie home to change and then drop him off at his baseball game an hour early for practice.  Then, I came back and picked up Brian and the two of us went to Charlie's game. He had been scheduled to have a double header, but thankfully the second game was cancelled due to rain.  His team won, for the first time all season, so that was exciting!  The boys each gave their Moms a long stemmed red rose for Mother's Day...it was very sweet.   I didn't get the chance to see my own Mom, but I did get to talk to her on the phone for a few minutes. Straight from the game, we headed back to Bri's parents where we ate some leftover food, visited for a couple of hours and then came home.  I wasn't feeling well and ended up curling up in front of the fireplace at 7:30PM when we got home and fell asleep.  Brian put the kids to bed and helped me get to bed around 10PM.

Today, I am sick.  

It is probably just a bad cold or maybe the flu, but I am sick. My head hurts, my ears, nose and throat all hurt.  I am tired.  I feel like I've been hit by a truck. I slept until 7:15AM and felt like I could've just stayed in bed.  I would have, but it was pouring down rain, so I wanted to drive the boys to the bus stop.  I seriously contemplated staying in my pajamas since nobody would see me, but for their sakes I changed.

Thankfully, I could climb back into bed as soon as I returned, which I did.  Since I awoke again, I have had the chance to just sit and think.  I am in my bed with the lights out.   It is still raining outside.  The TV and radio are off, the kids are at school, Brian is at work and it is quiet.  I've been thinking how rare it is that I am here just "being" me. It seems that most of the time I am so busy "doing" that I forget to just "be."  We go, go, go and the days fly by.  Even when I am here, I am cleaning, or doing laundry, going to this or that meeting or appointment, or doing one of the million other things on my never ending "to do" list.  Today, although I feel awful, I've had the gift of time to sit and think.

I am so thankful for my kids.  It is a miracle that all 3 are healthy.  I am thankful that I have been given the gift of being their Mom.  Many times I feel so inadequate for the job.   I am thankful for Brian.  I am thankful that he is my partner on this crazy journey.  I am thankful that he is so grounded and that he ALWAYS loves me...even at times when I should be unlovable. I am thankful that we have each other and are still together after all of these years.   I am thankful for our parents and our brothers and sisters and nieces and nephews.  I love them all more than they know.  I am blessed and honored to be part of their lives. I am thankful for our many aunts and uncles, cousins and their kids.  I am thankful for my friends, both old and new.

I am thankful for God.  I am thankful for His love and grace.  I am thankful that I have another day, another chance to try to learn and grow, and be a better person.

Tomorrow, I will probably be feeling fine. I'll be up and around and back to my normal, crazy routine but I hope I am able to remember in the midst of it all to take time to just "be".

My First 5K!

Well, today was the day..... I ran in my first 5K!

This 5K is sponsored by Veruka's High School, and the course goes through our neighborhood....in fact right in front of our house. For the past 5 years, I've watched from my porch with my cup of coffee in hand, as the runners go by on a beautiful, sunny morning. This year, we woke up to grey skies and RAIN! Yuck! I am such a "fair weather fan" ...... literally. I cannot stand to be outside in the cold, rain, or snow. I was hoping that they would cancel the 5K due to the rain (what a sissy) but of course they did not. So, Brian, Charlie, & I all braved the rain and ran in our first 5K. Guess what??? We didn't finish last either! We were at the back of the pack, but we weren't the last people. Woo-hoo! This was totally cool, but it's made me realize that I have a LONG (no pun intended) way to go before October comes.

All right, we didn't really get a trophy for finishing, but we should have! :)

Softball & Baseball

Here they are!! One Softball player and two Baseball players. We LOVE watching them play. This past week, from Thurs-Thurs, (because of make up games from rain outs) we've had 12 games between the 3 of them! Is that crazy or what?

PS. The kids wanted me to take this sock picture, so this is for them. :)

Marathon Conversation

When most people find out I am going to run in a marathon, the conversation goes something like this:

Friend: I heard you're going to run in a marathon.

Me:  Yep.

Friend:  Wow, that's great!!

      -OR-

Friend:  Are you insane??

Me:  It's just something that I've always wanted to do.  There's no better time than the present.

Friend:  Have you ever run a marathon before?

Me:  Nope.

Now this is the question that ALWAYS cracks me up....

Friend:  Do you know how long a marathon is?

Me:  Yep.....26.2 miles.   (Although, next time  I might say, No I don't know, how long is it? What?  26.2 miles!!!  I had no idea!)

Friend:  Have you always loved running?

Me:  Nope, in fact for a long time I hated it.  It's growing on me.  It is good 'alone time.'

Friend:  What is the longest you've ever run?

Me:  5 miles.  (I just ran that this morning!  Woo hoo!)

Friend:  Oh, (long silent pause....) Good luck.

Seriously though, I am following a training program and it's all about slowly increasing my mileage and endurance.  I started in March and could BARELY finish 1 mile...(I am not kidding.) I am running 4 days per week and supposedly I am AHEAD of where I need to be at this point in time.

Check back for more updates.

It's Official

Well, it's official!  Yesterday, I registered to run in THIS.

Can you believe it?   It's something that I've wanted to do for a long time.  So, what better time than the present??

Now before you go getting all impressed with me, wait until you hear who is running it with me. My sister, Krissy.....the one who just had a baby!!!   She rocks!  Is she the bomb or what? She and one of her friends are both going to try to do it with me....can't wait!

PS.

If you read yesterday's post and were worried about the comments, it's okay, you can rest assured all is well.  The "anonymous" comments were from our friend Lance.  Yes, we know Lance.  He is the High School Youth Pastor at our church.  He knows our kids, and Brian & I are friends with him and his wife.  He's also a part time stand up comedian...funny guy!  If you want to check out his blog, he is linked on my sidebar.

So, you can breathe a sigh a relief, and rest in the knowledge that robots have not invaded my blog.  Happy May Day!