Kitchen Bound

2006-09-14T21:53:00.000-07:00

Jazz update

just wanted to update you on the little kitten. I am not sure how many lives it has left. haven't seen her for a while. we are thinking she rode to town with us and now is in a new home. we did not see her wander away from the car, we did not see her around here, with her previous track record, we think she is in town somewhere. poor jazz... so if you see a cute little kitten, looking lost, please don't return her, at least not to us!!!! I don't think i can handle 4 more lives!!!!

2006-09-06T13:17:00.000-07:00

Fun Facts from 1094

What a difference a little over a century makes! I got this from a web page I like to visit about youth ministry. Talk about changing times for out youth of today.!!!!

Here are some of the U.S. statistics for 1904:

The average life expectancy in the U.S. was 47 years.
Only 14 percent of the homes in the U.S. had a bathtub.
Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone.
A three-minute call from Denver to New York City cost eleven dollars.
There were only 8,000 cars in the U.S., and only 144 miles of paved roads.
The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.
Alabama, Mississippi, Iowa, and Tennessee were each more heavily populated than California.
The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower!
The average wage in the U.S. was 22 cents an hour.

2006-09-01T06:19:00.000-07:00

9 lives?

Jasmine is her name, Jazz for short. A stray kitten followed a friend of our home one night from the local gas station. Them , not wanting her, thought Paul is a sucker for kittens, so here he comes home from work with a kitten, and all her fleas!

Since then, we have rid her of the fleas, but she has a little problem. She wants to be an outside kitty, we don't need another inside one. When outside, she tends to get into the wrong places. Let me explain.

I went to work last Monday, got out of the car, went inside, no problem. Next thing you know, I am being drug outside to look at a kitty. Jazz!! She was up under my car and rode there all the way to town. I took her home.

Yesterday, she found herself at the law center, She went to work with Paul! I took her home. I think she needs a new home! The way I see things, she only has 6 more lives left.

Anyone in need of a cute kitty?

2006-08-30T06:26:00.000-07:00

2 in a row?

Okay, I am really going to shock you on this one! 2 days in a row!!!! I have something on my heart.

Have you ever met someone who has made an impact on you in ways that are hard to explain?

I have had the honor of working with a girl from Poland this summer. She is an on fire- born again christian who is not ashamed of showing her faith. She leaves this week. Friday is her last day. I am sad.

Yesterday was our last 'close' together. That is when we get to spend all afternoon talking and rolling silverware. In these times we have had incredible talks, like why are Americans so shy with there faith? We should be bold! You can't tell who here is Christian and who is not. We have talked about how families disown you if you leave the Catholic faith in other parts of the world. about citizenship here in the US. About purity in our youngsters. purity in adults. She has challenged me and my faith through her simple, unselfish ways.

I have worked at the Diner for 5 years and haven't made the impact that she has made in one summer! She will be missed. It brings tears to my eyes to think that maybe God placed her here to get me off my butt and be more of a witness in the work place. And now God will move her somewhere else to make a difference in someone else's life. I thank God for letting us have her for the summer.

If you haven't met her, get to the Dine this week, you will be blessed!!!!

2006-08-29T18:50:00.000-07:00

The Pizza Box Meme

Tina tagged me on this one, I thought "well, at least it is short!!! " so here it goes!

1. What was your favorite thing about being a kid?
Didn't know it then, but not living in the real world.
2. What was your favorite subject in school?
well you know it wasn't typing!!!! Actually, it was math - the hard kind- goemetry algebra- that kind.
3. Who was your best friend when you were 10?
Her name was Karen, she lived on a farm and I thought that was so coool!!!!
4. . If you could be any animal what would you be?
A butterfly so I could flutter around and would already be changed.
5. What would you change about your school, occupation, life right now?
I would find more time for myself. Don't want to change lots in life, just more time,.
6. What's your favorite color?
orange
7. What's your favorite type of crust and topping on a pizza?
Pan Pizza from Pizza Hut - Everything but olives

I tag --
Amie

2006-03-12T14:30:00.000-08:00

Words for the youth...

I ran across this, thought it was interesting.

Bill Gates gave a speech at a high school about 11 things they did not and will not learn in school. He talks about how feel-good, politically correct teachings created a generation of kids with no concept of reality and how this concept set them up for failure in the real world.

Rule 1: Life is not fair - get used to it!
Rule 2: The world won't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.
Rule 3: You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out of high school.
Rule 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss.
Rule 5: Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your grandparents had a different word for burger flipping: they called it opportunity.
Rule 6: If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.
Rule 7: Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent's generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.
Rule 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.
Rule 9: Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you FIND YOURSELF. Do that on your own time.
Rule 10: Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.
Rule 11: Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.

2006-03-11T06:02:00.000-08:00

SUMMER IS COMING........

Today is supposed to be 60 degrees outside. Hello it is March!!! I think I can deal with it!

Yesterday at work the 'girls' and I made a commitment. One pound per week until Memorial day. That is 12 weeks, 12 pounds. Of course we gave ourselves the weekend of freedom before we start. We start on Monday.

So the question is, How?

I love to bake, I love sweets, I love choc olate. And I like pop.

I know a gal who has lost 23 pounds by just cutting out pop from her diet. She looks incredible. And she just happened to come into the dinner yesterday after we had made the 'diet deal'. I think it was a sign. NO MORE POP.

Wes, one of the 'girls', decided that he wasn't going to change his diet, just work out more. Yah, not for me, I am allergic!!

Sue is going to eat fried food and not drink pop. yuk!

Mari just quit smoking, so she is already struggling with that. I think we all would rather see her quit smoking than quit eating!

And Karla, well Karla is just happy!

So, maybe the combination of them all, no pop, exercise(yuk), accountability, and watch what we eat. (That means no more fried combos)

I let you know, maybe....

2006-02-10T06:07:00.000-08:00

Its not every day that you get to eat out with your family and your fish!!! Let me explain....

I woke up yesterday morning planning to bake a cake for KC's B-day party. My oven didn't work!! Didn't realize how much I depended on my oven. I guess we are buying a cake this year. She is so disappointed. She always looks forward to how it is decorated. That is how the day started.

After work, we decided that KC was going to have to skip her piano lesson to get ready for her 10 girls that are coming for her party toninght. We had done nothing to prepare! The boys were dropped off at Walmart, (the fish needs food you know!) Kc and I went to HObby Lobby. I love HObby Lobby!! She wanted to get something fun for her friends party gifts. ( that is a whole other story. I think it is a competition to see who can give the best party gifts!) Hobby Lobby always has something cute. We found it. Took longer than we expected. Went to get the boys, they had gotten the fish. All is well!

Not really, By now it is 6:30. Everyone is hunger, we let the kids decide where to eat. Steak and Shake it is. " Well the fish can not sit in the car, They might freeze!" Yes, we drug the fish into Steak and Shake! Zack and I could not believe it! Of course, we make Dad and Kc carry them. Kc had the snails and Dad had the ghost shrimp. (a favorite of Ruddy's) We got a few looks to say the least!

So much for keeping the fish warm! On the way home, I roll down my window to get snow off so I could see better, and roll it back up. Kc does the same. No problem. Zack does the same. Big problem. His does not want to roll back up. Needless to say, not only were the fish cold, but Zack and Kc were freezing! Not me, I love heated seats!!!!

Well, that was pretty much my day, a little more exciting than what I had to eat!

This morning, I woke up to KC reminding me that she needs treats for her class, "Okay I have time to bake cookies!" , I say. Oh wait I have no oven! No bakers it is! Amazingly she make it to Jazz band on time at 7:30. What else will my day hold? You will only know if I update.....

2006-02-08T19:53:00.000-08:00

I Must update.....

Today for Breakfast, I had the nornmal, 2 eggs and toast. For lunch, a Diner bacon cheeseburger with American and swiss, Grilled onions and pickles! Yumm! oh ya, and fries!! (Can't have a burger and no ff) You must try it sometime! Supper was nachos at the youth cafe after service. I didn't even have time to snack bettween meals today. Proud of me T?

2006-01-13T15:36:00.000-08:00

People

I have had an interesting week at work. I love people!

ON Wednesday, the 1918 Club was in. I know what you ae thinking. 1918? Well, everyone in the club was born in the year 1918. The party meets every other month. They are the best!! This week there was about 20 in the group. Some of them have spouses or drivers.so they all were not in the 'group'. Do the math on that one. That makes then what? 87? Think about what all they have been through in the years. Born at the end of the First World War, lived through the depression, WW2, The Civil Rights Issue, Vietnam, Korea, How many presidents? How many admendments to the Constitution? It would be so fun to sit and listen for hours on where they have been and what they have learned in life. Do you think that the war in Iraq really has really taken them by surprise. Or anything else that we are going through?

Also, this week, the 'meeters' were in. We call them this because they met in the middle. One lives up North and lives down South. They grew up together, went to college together, and raised their children together. They met about once every 2 months at the diner. This time they were celebrating Christmas. They brough each other- not kidding- at least 6 gifts apiece. Then after they were done with that, One brings out the last gift. I was the other's birthday this month. A little backgroung here. She had lost her husband about 6 years ago. Since that time all the photo had been lost or destroyed. I didn't ask why. The gift was a restored picture of her and her husband, taken from a small old 'red' snapshot back in the 60's. Now it was blown up to 5x7, no more red, and centered (everything else in the picture was gone) . She had the original with her. It was incredible. I could not tell if the tears were pain or joy. It made me cry and think of the vaule of friendship. God has really put that on my heart lately. I wonder what it is he is really trying to tell me?

2006-01-10T19:03:00.000-08:00

Projects

Kc and I have started a new 'project'.

Ist we , with Dad's help, peeled wallpaper off of the walls in her room..... 2 layers of paper. Then we had to scrub the walls to prepare for painting. That in its self is a project. Next we put texture and primer on the walls. And finally, we added color. Well some color.

For her Christmas present this year, KC got a Total Room Makeover!!!! No, not from a TV show where they actually come and do the work, But from the workers in the house, mom and Dad!!! (KC has helped more than we expected. )Funny what kids will work for when they really want something!) The gift included walls, floor and accessories. How fun. I can't wait until it is done.

Okay, so what color? Not only one color, but several. Tonight we painted blue (Alpha blue) and pink (cherry soda). We are still adding yellow (canary), purple ( Purple Majesty), green (Kelly green) and orange (Deep Tangerine). Enough? No then we are adding shapes and stripes. It will be ....What should I say.....Bright and colorful!!!!!

I will try to keep you updated on the progress.

2006-01-05T08:06:00.000-08:00

Selfishness?

Last night at the youth sevice at church, the topic was broken relationships, specifically divorce. Heavy topic for teenagers. One or two comments stood out for me. One , coming from a youth student, was that divorce was the result of being selfish. I'ts all about me attitude. I wonder where that perspective comes from. Aren't we supposed to grow out of that at about 2 or 3 years of age? Ponder that for a moment and lets think about how GREAT our relationships could be if we were not selfish.. Not only our marriages, but also our friendships and our relationship with the Almighty!

The other comment was that a marriage is not 50/50, but 110/110. if we each give 110 percent instead of 50. I left that message thinking I need to appoligize to my God, my husband, and to my friends for not giving everything I have to our relationships. If you fall in that catagory please know my heart. I love you all. I know I let my selfishness get in the way sometimes.

On a brighter note about last night, we did get free popcorn.!!!!!

2006-01-03T06:16:00.000-08:00

I got this from Tina's and Heth's blogs. I know it has taken me a while but thought it would be fun. So here goes....

1. What did you do in 2005 that you had never done before?
Stayed at a Fishing resort in Northern Minn for a whole week with my family

2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
No, kept it for about 2 weeks. Didn’t make one this year because I never keep them!!!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Lots of friends!!!!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
My Grandmother at 94.

5. What countries did you visit?
Just U.S.A

.6. What would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005?
More quality time with the kids.

7. What dates will remain etched in your memory and why?
Nov 16- 18th . Changed our marriage for the better.

8. What's your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting Paul to a marriage retreat

9. What was your biggest failure?
Following through on what we learned

10. Did you suffer an illness or injury?
I had walking pneumonia last Jan. (did I spell that right?)

11. What was the best thing you bought?
The boat. Not just any boat. A fishing boat!!!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Zack’s He has really become more responsible.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and disgusted?
My own – most of the time

14. Where did most of your money go?
What money?

15. What did you get really really excited about?
Zack got baptized this year and has really started to develop his own spiritual walk with Christ.

16. What song will always remind you of 2005?

17. Compared to this time last year are you?
a) Happier or sadder? happier
b) fatter or thinner? Fatter by all means
c) Richer or poorer? richer

18. What do you wish you had done more of?
Developed closer relationships with family and friends.

19. What do you wish you had done less of?
Gossiped

20. How will you be spending New Year's Eve?
With friends playing cards and eating too much food!

21. Did you fall in love in 2005?
On Nov. 17th. With my husband all over again.

22. What was your favorite TV program?
Sue Tomas F.B.Eye

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No. I hope the opposite!

24. What was the best book you read?
His Needs Her Needs

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
.That Christian Rock music is not all that bad!

26. What did you want and get?
A new coffee pot.

27. What did you not want and not get?
A new job!!!

28. What was your favorite film this year?
Didn’t see many. But did like Legend of the Zorro.

29. What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?
Can’t remember, I am too old!!!

30. What one thing would have made your year measurably more satisfying?
Not taking the promotion at work.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion in 2005?
old!! Not hip.

32. What kept you sane?
Paul

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
none

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
none

35. Who did you miss?
Dave and Chris Lycan And Pastor Jim

36. Who was the best new person you met?
Karla F. And my brother’s fiancé -Jodi

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005.
Never leave a child behind when you leave an event. I left Kasey at the Junior High after a basketball game. Still feel guilty about that one!

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
“I want to know you, better than I do.”

2005-12-22T08:18:00.000-08:00

Christmas giving

I baked cookies with KC last night. We had a great time. Every year we do that together. Last night I was beginning to wonder why I did it this year.
In the two days that I have worked this week, I have taken home 3 plates of cookies, cupcakes, and one large coloring book. I love this time of year. I think that people, who eat at the diner regularly, think that we are to skinny. Actually it is their way of saying they appreciate us, but it is making me fat!!! I have given away 2 things of cookies so far, mostly the ones that my family will not eat.

The coloring book is a different matter. I love the lady that gave it to me. She eats ‘with’ me about 3 days a week, by herself, and reads the entire time. It is ‘her time’ as she says. Last year she gave me one for KC and the smaller cousins just loved it. (More so than KC did) So this year when she gave me another one, I could not refuse.

I wonder what I will bring home today?

I do know one thing for sure; people are a lot more generous to us this time of year!! Thank you to all!!!!

2005-12-19T12:47:00.000-08:00

What are they thinking?

I love to read. What I really like to read is novels, but sometimes find that a waste of time. Mostly I read 'think' books. I like it when you can read one chapter at a time and think on that chapter for a day.

I just finished an incredible book. For Women Only by Shaunti Feldhahn. The by line reads, ‘what you need to know about the inner lives of men’

She surveyed hundreds of men and asked them this “What do you want your wife to know about you? “ Why? Because she was writing a novel and wanted to get inside of the mind of a man. Scary thought! She ended up writing a different book instead. She did another survey that had a variety of questions, she includes some of these in the book. Very interesting. She posted the survey on her web page. www.4-womenonly.com

I think every married women should take the time to read it. We would understand our men better!!!

Here are some examples:
1. The number one thing is that they love us and want to be able to tell us anything.
2. Respect is different than love. Then need to know we do both.
3. We know they are visual, but did you know that the images stick in their minds like a rolodex and can be brought up at any time?
4. Most men want to be romantic but are afraid of failure?
5. Of course the obvious was there, but we don’t need to go there!!

I There are more in the book, just wanted to highlight a few.
Great book, I give it 4 stars out of 5 stars.

2005-11-18T07:34:00.000-08:00

Fun....

“If I would have known I was going to live through it, I would have enjoyed it more.”

That was quote from ‘Mark Lowry goes to Hollywood.’ For being such a funny man, he always leaves you with something to think about.

He was talking about living through a tornado, on a boat! It was comical, in his best story telling ways, he then says it was fun, if only he could do it again, knowing that he was going to live through it.

Life is sometimes like a tornado. Isn’t it? As Christians, I know we will live through it into the next world. That is the thought I am taking into my weekend. I vow to have fun while I am here!!!

2005-11-15T09:16:00.000-08:00

Silly Putty

Since my children were little, they have always played with silly putty. It is such a cheap toy that gives hours of enjoyment. It stretches, molds, copies ink, is fun to just hold. (So they tell me)

The last time I bought silly putty was probably a year ago. Zack has had that same ball of Yuk for that long. Do you know what silly putty is like when it is past its prime? It gets slimly, sticky, and gross. Not to mention the germs!!!! He took this same silly putty to the Fall Retreat. I remember thinking “that needs to go in the garbage!”

Last night, it found its home. The end of its life!

It is bedtime, I am all snuggled in with a good book, and I hear a commotion in the other room. Zack thinks that this OLD silly putty would be fun to sick on his belly and then it would be fun to peel off. Well it went on fine. Removing it was a different story. I have never seen anything in all my 13 years of parenting that was so funny. By the time he got it off, his stomach was so red. The silly putty was in so many different pieces, it had nowhere to go but in the garbage!

Why do I share this with you? So you may laugh with me? Maybe, but mostly, silly putty is cheap. If you want to get Zack a Christmas present, he has no more silly putty!

I hope he never grows up!!!!

2005-11-14T10:30:00.000-08:00

'Oatmeal'

It is Monday morning, I have an unexpected day off, and I have done absolutely nothing so far, well Maybe I shouldn't say nothing. See since I thought I was working today, I made no plans for house cleaning, baking and such. I even have T bringing dessert for INSTE tonight.

I look around my house and see all kinds of things that I could do, but instead I thought I would have 'Oatmeal' It seems like an oatmeal day. This is what my time with 'my oatmeal' has left me with..

I really wonder if this time is so valuable, why don't we do it more often? Most of my time with God is in the shower, I find myself, lately, hurrying through it, because of the schedule conflicts and busy life I lead. I don't really think that is what God wants. He want oatmeal time.

I thought a lot about Keith's message on Sunday. Have I ever said things to the speakers like that? "If I knew you were going to be that good, I would have invited a friend! " You fill the time with something." I remember some conversations with Pastors that they have heard these kinds of things and it breaks my heart. I know my tongue is not always tame as I would like it to be, I find myself wanting to watch it closer.

I thought also about the pressures that are put on a pastors' wife. She is first and mostly a mother. Then I think about my life and my kids, are my priorities where they should be? Does my ministries get in the way there? Do they know that they are more important than the youth kids? Are they pushed aside on Monday night? Will they grow up to resent the little things like that, or do they see it as God being important in our lives?

Then I think about Epleys and I could blog alot about that subject. Mostly it makes me think that I am excited about sharing a marriage with the man I love. Here and in eternity.

Well INSTE is not getting done this way, neither is the things I could do with my 'unexpected day off'. I just love that thought!! Everybody needs one every one in a while!!! Tell your bosses!!!

2005-10-26T08:50:00.000-07:00

Every harvest party, I look forward to the Beams' creative costumes. What will it be this year?

I remember Tyler getting struck by lightning, THAT WAS MY FAVORITE! Once Nate had computer discs all over himself. I was so computer stupid back then I didn't even know what he was! How funny is that?

So, what will it be tonight? I am sure they have put more thought into it than KC did. It was 9:00 last night and KC finally decided what she was going to do. Procrastination at its finest!! I'm sure she does not get that from her mother.

I guess I will wait in anticipation for the costumes of the night. Maybe I will even update and tell you the favorites of the party. Maybe- don't count on me!!!

2005-10-17T22:00:00.000-07:00

This afternoon, I was minding my own bussiness, dinking in the house, (one of my favorite pass-times), when I looked out the window and the Wartburg cross country team was running our hill. Nothing out of the ordinary, except that I really don't understand the whole running cross country concept! Not to mention running our hill!!!! rumor has it that it is called 'sucide hill' and they run it when they make the coach mad. back and forth about 15 times. anyway....
I notice that Twix our dog sees them as playmates, so I go out to do my best to attempt to tie him up, get the job done, go back in to finish dinking, and look outside and notice that the dumb goats are out!!! Need to get them back in, about 10 minutes later, mission accomplished.

Once again I am dinking. making apple crisp with KC, (caoching her mostly, she did most the work) look out side to check progress on the runners, (we don't want to miss the cheer at the end , it's comical!!! ) We stood in our kitchen and watched one girl runner walk around the tree in front of our window and, how should I say this, peed in our yard.!! KC and I could not beilive it! she even looked our way to make sure the coast was clear, I guess she could not see us. It was probably a better choice than the ditch where the guy runners could see.

Afterwards, we were thinking we should have;

got a picture
ran out and yelled mid stream
gave her some toliet paper so she wouldn't have to drip dry
untied the dog, she would have had fun with that one

we just don't think that fast. Maybe there will be a next time!

2005-10-02T06:35:00.000-07:00

One Liners in lyrics

Zack brought home a cd from Pastor J this weekend. I have to admit the cd is much better than the guys was in concert. I want to share some of the lyrics with you.

Chapter 1
'no parades no balls just long days topped off with last calls for alcholol go to sleep wake up and repeat the same routine ........
real life is reality TV no wonder our youth don't believe in anything........
21st century America likes its witchcraft civilized.'

Interesting . What does our culture dabble in and say it is okay. Just what is Satan up to?

God bless us as we sweep this mess under the rug don't want to walk barefoot on the tile and step in the mud out of sight out of mind and pushed to the side for someone else to rationalize....

Try to sell it to God and see if he buys your sales pitch.....

This song is talking about hidden agendas, Everone has one from the liberal media to the conservatives. What do we want ours to be? That kinda makes ya think. If someone was talking about me, without me present, would they know what my agenda in life is? Would God buy my sales pitch??

Interesting......

2005-09-30T19:16:00.000-07:00

Pen Pals

Cool story for you.
I served a table of five yesterday, 4 older people, older than me anyway, and one younger girl, about 23. The first 4 came in, never having been there before, looked lost. It seems they thought they were late and missed the young girl. They came from Minn. to meet his, get this,... pen pal. She was from Parkersburg, Ia. Had been his pen pal since the 4th grade. They had never met before!!!!! It was a school project that continued long afterwards. It warmed my heart. They were so cute, taking pictures, video, gifts, the whole nine yards. They came at 11:30 and were still there when I left ant 3:00! I do love my job!!!!

2005-09-29T08:39:00.000-07:00

Switchfoot?

Okay. What is God up to?

Last night I fell in love with a new CD. Before service we open up the 7th and 8th grade room for pre-service prayer. We always play some kind of worship music in there the entire time, usually hard core, kid friendly, rocky, worship music. Last night we played "Hillsong United". I loved it! I stayed in there the entire time just to listen to the cd. (and pray of course!) Maybe there is hope for me being a youth worker after all!!!!

To prefix this thought, let me remind you of the 'God Experience ' that I had at Breakaway last year. I had such a challenge with the music down there the first day, that God had to almost slap me in the face and tell me to get over it before I would enjoy the weekend. Until then I don't think I was very usable to Him! That is another long story.

All I have to say is... Watch out Switchfoot, here I come!

2005-09-28T15:11:00.000-07:00

Fish Tanks....

Do fish smell? through the water? through the tank? Paul says no. I say YES!!!! I walked into the house today and had the "What is that smell?" issue. You know that smell that is in all pet stores and makes you say, "whatever is making that smell, we don't want one?". I think we have one. It is called a fish tank!!! I think the rest of my family thinks that we don't have enough animals around here. Paul is reliving his high school days. When we were in school, he would have girls over and his pickup line was " Do you want to see my piranhas?" (They were in his room. It didn't work on me!) You don't want to really know what they did with those fish. But that is another story. Paul has gotten 2 piranhas that he keeps in a tank and feeds little fish to. I can't tell what stinks, the big fish or the little fish! Or both! So,,, if you come to my house and find a bunch of candles lit out in the game room, I am only tying to get rid of the smell, -nothing else.

2005-09-21T07:14:00.000-07:00

Proud Momma

Today was "See ya at the Pole"

Zack and Kasey both had brought up the issuethat they wanted to go. (I WANTED IT TO BE A THEM THING AND NOT A MOM THING.)

i ROUND THE CORNER TO THE JUNIOR HIGH AS zACK AND i ARE TALKING ABOUT "WHAT IF YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE THERE?" He a says, "then I pray by myself." that was the first time my heart melted. We round the corner, nobody is there! He jumps out - excited to pray by himself.

on to Irving. There are 2 BOYS at Irving. (At Irving the leaders stay with the kids. They can't lead them in prayer, or initiate then to pray, but they stay with them.)

The boys are 5ht graders, so they haven't done this before. Kasey knows she has to take charge, and she does, With alittle coaching, she gets them together and form a cicle around the flag. HOLD HANDS, and pray for about 3 min. The boys of course loose focus, (they are boys) KC is certinately uncomfortable. She wants over to me, says something about the pray. and then agrees that They won't hear from God in a simple 2 min prayer. She goes aver by herself to the flag pole as the boys are off being boys, and puts her head down. My heart melts again!
Then she noticed that other kids are showing up for Chorus Club. She sticks to her devotion. My heart melts again. How long did she stay? I don't know, I left, one proud momma!

Drive by the Junior High, 4 boys, holding hand, sitting around the pole. (sitting because one is in a wheelchair.) My heart melts again, one proud momma.

God is working in our youth

2005-09-15T17:43:00.000-07:00

First time for everything!!!
I want to be just like my heroes! So I am trying my hand at blogging also!! Yes I have jumped on the bandwagon. Took me forever to figure it out but, you know I am not as computer friendly as some!!! Actually I really want to be able to respond to all the great Blogs I am reading lately. I am loving it!!!

So I am not expecting to be real exciting or creative, but we will give it a good try! I heard a comment about communication at lunch today - this is a good start.