Explore. Dream. Discover.

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.

(Mark Twain)

I thought this was a good reminder for all of us...Maybe this summer you will try something new ~ An adventure ~ Begin a new project or take a class & learn something you've always wanted to, but never had (made) the time! Make time for yourself ~ You deserve it & you're worth it! Go for it!

More Than One Herb?

I just have to share this story...My dad's name is Herb. He has many OCD's and quirks and sometimes we even refer to things he does as "herbisms". Well, anyway, my dad is a great guy, but here's a little background information...He has what's know as "Pack Rat Syndrome". For those of you who don't know what that is...He saves EVERYTHING!! I don't just mean papers and stuff (which he does have a LOT of), he also has this collection of Panasonic Slim Line cassette tape recorders (the old black rectangular kind that they don't even make anymore!) He tapes things all the time - Like here's an example: Growing up we'd be at the dinner table & Herb's taping us...(My brothers would often have some fun when my Dad would leave the room for a minute ~ They would make weird noises into the tape's mic and then shut off the tape) It was funny at the time. Now, I have my own family & he comes over my house & tapes my kids! They think it's great - They keep asking him to rewind the tape so that they can hear their own voice! Also, at the beginning of each tape he talks into it & says something like this" Testing, testing, today is Friday, June 24th. It's about 9:00am...etc..." This may sound odd to some of you - It is definitely odd to me - but I guess because I grew up with these weirdnesses around me, I just learned to get used to it...

Well, recently, my Dad asked us to search Ebay for some of those tape recorders for him and believe it or not - There are still a bunch of them out there...We won two for him and they just came in the mail yesterday. (Why we are contributing to the madness I really don't know ~ Sorry, Mom!)

***Now here's the really funny part!***

We open the tape recorder to check that all of the pieces are there & there's a cassette tape in one of them! So, of course Danny & I were curious & HAD to listen to it ~ Although I did throw out a few scenarios to Danny before we listened such as "What if the tape says Congratulations on winning my auction, now this will self-destruct!" Anyway, it was a man with a Russian accent saying "1-2-3- Testing...Testing...and then we could hear a few kids in the background and then he started speaking in Russian. We were CRACKING UP! I guess for as weird we may think our father's quirks are ~ There may actually be more than one Herb out there!!!

No Weeds Allowed...

"...his enemy came and sowed tares [weeds] among the wheat..." ~ Matthew 13:25

I've had a good morning so far - even though it's not even 8:00am yet! I woke up at 6:00am with the baby & fed him, changed him & he went back to sleep. Then I challenged myself & completed a 1 hour Tae-Bo work out! That was tough, but it felt good when I was done. The kids are all still asleep so I was able to sit down for a few minutes & have some quiet time of prayer & reading. I found a devotion this morning in the book Minute Meditations for Busy Moms that has to do with gardening and I'll share it with you now...

Anyone who has a garden knows that in all the work, the biggest challenge is WEEDS. They have roots that can choke out all of the neighboring flowers. In a short time, a beautiful section of your garden or yard can be destroyed if you aren't diligent. You can control weeds as they appear above ground - but not their seeds. Some weeds are still able to germinate after being underground for many years. They seem to lie in wait to germinate at just the right time to choke the life from any nearby plant!

Not only are weed problems part of our gardening, but we have weeding problems inside ourselves. While we're casually living our life, an enemy comes and seeds our lives with tares. That's what Jesus was talking about in the parable from which the verse above was taken. The trouble with tares is that they are so like wheat one may have trouble distinguishing between the two. In the parable, it was nearly impossible to pluck out the tares without uprooting the wheat.

When wrong seeds come into our lives, we have to get rid of them before they germinate and confuse us - contaminating the harvest that God has in mind for us. I pray that God will let me be aware of seeds that will become weeds in my life or the lives of my family. I pray also for him to help me uproot spiritual weeds the first moment that they crop up! Are there any things in your life that should be watched? Watch out for the weeds!

No More Pencils...No More Books...

We are "officially" finished with school for this year. Last night we attended our End of the Year Awards Ceremony sponsored by our Homeschool Group. It was such a wonderful evening ~ There was a slide show presentation, piano recitals, skits/songs & then each family went on stage to present their children with their awards.

Rebecca received her award for "Terrific progress in handwriting and continued excellence in reading and math, as well as for completing the 1st grade" and Matthew received his award for "Great enthusiasm in learning his letters and numbers and much improvement in his coloring skills, as well as being promoted to Pre-K".

We plan on doing a lot of reading with Becky this summer & she loves to do workbooks so that should keep her going over the summer. She is also learning her multiplication table. Matthew will be continuing with the phonics sounds and beginning reading skills he has already mastered, but at least now we can have a more relaxed schedule around here!

A Challenge...

"Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen." ~Matthew 6:9-13 (KJV)

I just came across the following commentary in the book Minute Meditations for Busy Moms by Emilie Barnes regarding Jesus' model prayer for our lives. I am going to challenge myself to live this prayer daily before everyone, especially my children, as they are forever modeling me and looking to me for wisdom & guidance...

I cannot say OUR if my religion has no room for others and their needs.

I cannot say FATHER if I do not demonstrate this relationship in my daily living.

I cannot say WHO ART IN HEAVEN if all my interests and pursuits are earthly things.

I cannot say HALLOWED BE THY NAME if I, called by His name, am not holy.

I cannot say THY KINGDOM COME if I am unwilling to give up my own sovereignty and accept the righteous reign of God.

I cannot say THY WILL BE DONE if I am unwilling or resentful of having it in my life.

I cannot say ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN unless I am truly ready to give myself to His service here and now.

I cannot say GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD without expending honest effort for it or by ignoring the genuine needs of my fellow men.

I cannot say FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US if I continue to harbor a grudge against anyone.

I cannot say DELIVER US FROM EVIL if I am not prepared to fight in the spiritual realm with the weapon of prayer.

I cannot say THINE IS THE KINGDOM if I do not give the King the disciplined obedience of a loyal subject.

I cannot say THINE IS THE POWER if I fear what my neighbors and friends may say or do.

I cannot say FOREVER if I am too anxious about each day's affairs.

I cannot even say AMEN unless I honestly say, "Come what may, this is my prayer."

~ Author Unknown

Weekend Update...

This past weekend we had a lot of great things happen!

First, we'll start with Friday...I had called my good friend Lorraine to tell her about little "Elmo" dog visiting at my house and wondering what was I going to do with him all weekend - We had so many plans and were having a big party here...So she and her mother-in-law pack up her three kids and hop in the car for the over one hour drive to my house with the intent of taking little "Elmo" dog home for the weekend to give him some lovin' and attention (which he would not get as much of around here this past weekend) and possibly keep him as a pet if no one claimed him ~ She was very excited and so was I ~ I had a good feeling about this because her one daughter has allergies and a Yorkie is one breed that they could have. So anyway...

Before Lorraine & crew came over, I had errands to run to get ready for our party on Sunday and on the way home from them I see all of these white signs on telephone poles near where "Elmo" was found and my heart started pounding - They read: LOST DOG~Call Betty. Now, my heart was pulled in two directions - I was thinking how thankful I was for the owner who was obviously missing their little friend, but on the other hand, was disappointed for Lorraine because I knew she secretly hoped that the owner wasn't found and could give a loving home to this little guy! So, I take the paper home, we call Betty at the number posted & she turned out to be an elderly woman who was so happy & relieved to find her little "Beau" (who happens to be 11 years old!) I call Lorraine next & she says well, we're five minutes away...We'll still come over & have a quick playdate with the girls (She was definitely disappointed, but knew it wasn't meant to be) So they come over and the kids had a blast playing together, Betty is reunited with Beau and all was well with the world. :)

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Saturday was Becky's end of the year softball picnic ~ I took the kids so Dan was able to get the yard all ready for our party the next day. They had all kinds of moonbounce/jumping things for the kids - One was even a giant blow-up water slide - It was so cool! The kids had so much fun that day...

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Sunday we had Jake's Baby Dedication at church and then had our families over our house for a picnic celebration. It was a really special day. Things are a lot different when you are standing up there in front of everyone ~ It sure seemed like we were up there forever! I was so proud of Becky & Matthew standing up in front of the church with us and being so well behaved, although there was one point that Becky was standing in front of me & all I see is her waving her arms around ~ I was wondering if she was busting out into an interpretive dance or if she was about to begin a random song or something!

(Background Info. on My Previous Statement: When she was almost 3 years old - We had a surprise party for my Mom's birthday & while my Mom was opening her presents, Becky randomly stood up in front of everyone & asked everyone to pray and then started singing "Stop In The Name of Love"~ not once, but many times...It was the cutest and funniest thing I ever experienced - I laughed so hard I had tears in my eyes! Whenever I am sad, I can just put on the video of her doing that & I start cracking up!) But anyway, thankfully there was no random singing or dancing on Sunday ~ my friend told me afterwards that Becky had slipped her feet partially out of both sandals and was trying to balance on her heels and was waving her arms to steady herself. Phew...that was all!

Dog Days of Summer

Let me share with you a little about my crazy life...This week we are finishing up school with Becky, took Jake to 4 mo. old check up (he got four shots and has been a little bit cranky this week), we are preparing for a big party at our house to celebrate our baby's Dedication at church on Sunday, I am still sleep deprived and trying to diet to lose the baby weight (which makes me extremely crabby!), not to mention it has been 90 degrees all week!

So...that said...yesterday was an extremely crazier day than usual at my house - It was like an episode of Everybody Loves Raymond~I'm trying to prepare for the party...deal with the kids...I end up getting in a fight on the phone with my mother-in-law...I have my mom coming over to babysit so I can go to the salon to get my hair done...My husband was going out with a few guys from church after work and wanted to stop by & "Could I please make sure the house is straightened up?"...My oven breaks so I now can't make the cake for Sunday~And in the midst of all of this chaos at about 5:00pm~My husband stops home with the guys & has in his hands an adorable little stray/lost Yorkshire Terrier dog! Agghhh...

Here are my two dogs...Daisy is the Beagle and Dixie is the American Bulldog.

And here's the little lost Yorkie dog...

who my 4 year old has affectionately named "Elmo".

So, now I have the task of getting it through to my kids that this cute little dog is only visiting us (even though as crazy as I am I am toying with the idea of keeping him~Don't worry everyone, I AM NOT keeping him...) and he won't be staying here very long.

Berry Much Fun...

Yesterday we went on a field trip strawberry picking. My mother-in-law came with us & we all had so much fun~But it happened to be one of the hottest days so far...It was 95 degrees! We all had our little baskets to put the strawberries in & we were going up and down the rows to find the best ones. But after ten minutes or so, the kids were getting very hot. So my mother-in-law took the baby up to the greenhouses to keep him in the shade & i was still in the fields with the other two. I was determined to get enough strawberries to make a few batches of jam~I kept saying, "Come on kids~A few more minutes!" Then we finally came out with our treasure of yummy fresh strawberries! All in all it was a blast, however, next year I will go one week earlier when the weather is a little cooler! Now today we will be making our jam! YUM!!!

Last Softball Game...

These are some pics from Becky's last softball game of the year last Saturday. She did a really great job this year! She has really improved in her hitting ~ She barely had to use the T at all! This was Becky's last year in the instructional level

It was so cute to watch the girls out there every week - Watching them hit the ball & just stand there and hearing the coaches & parents yelling "Run!"...Then they remembered that they have to run to first base! :) She says that she can't wait until next year!

Perseverance...

"We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverence: and perseverance, character; and character, hope." Romans 5:3-4 NKJV

We've been having a tough time with our vehicles lately! Dan's car had a flat tire one morning, so he took my van to work. It may have been divine intervention because he was on the highway and a tire on the van went flat! Although Danny was not very thrilled at the prospect of changing a tire on the side of the highway ~ He certainly thanked God that he was the one driving when it happened and not me with the 3 kids in the van. Okay ~ So, we have the tire fixed on the van ~ Tire fixed on Dan's car ~ Good to go...Then this weekend we were driving to my aunt's house for a picnic when we had a blow out on the driver's side tire! Again, Thank God that Dan was driving - (if he had stayed home that day & I was the one driving - I probably would have been on the highway doing 70 mph at the time it happened instead of a side road going 30 mph bc we like to take different routes to her house). Okay - so that's our tire issues...Now onto the saga with DMV!

Danny takes his car to inspection and unfortunately, it fails for some body work in the rear and the hood latch (which has just never been the same since Dan hit that deer). He was not very happy to say the least. So, we fix the body work and the hood and Dan goes back to inspection a second time. Here’s the prognosis: Body work excellent - Hood fine - That is, until the very end when the guy slammed the hood down so hard that he was unable to get it to stay latched. Result: Failed a second time! Now, as if Danny wasn't angry enough ~ His car battery went dead (the alternator was bad) and he had to be pushed out of the inspection place off to the side & I had to come with the kids & jumper cables (Not a very happy day at our house, to say the least!)

Dan works all day the next day (partially in the rain to fix the hood & put in the new alternator. Okay, after much perseverance~Success! The car is working and he has to hood working properly - Now we just have to wait until Saturday morning to reinspect (for the third time!) Well, I prayed all morning (because if his car failed again ~ We would not have a very fun weekend bc Danny would be in a miserable mood!) Well, Praise God!! The thing finally passed inspection!!

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What I took away from this whole episode is that God is always with us! Even though the few tire issues we have endured this past week were an inconvenience and an added financial burden, I feel that we were protected from even greater misfortune and possible tragedy. And as far as the whole inspection station thing goes~I feel proud of Dan for his perseverance not only in going back to finally get the car to pass inspection, but in actually fixing the hood - The day he was working on it I kept hearing the banging of the hammer on the metal of the latch & every time I looked out the window - There he was trying to move the latch to the exact point it needed to be so that it would once again latch properly ~ and his perseverance paid off! Good job, Danny! :)