Bright Sunshiny Day

Eight Things!

My friend Amber tagged me....and I'm in a bit of a blogging slump, so maybe this will get me blogging again!

8 TV Shows (this will tough)

1. The Biggest Loser (my word are they a piece of work this season?!)
2. Clifford the Big Red Dog. (every. day.)
3. The Office
4. Little House on the Prairie (If I see a rerun, I must stop and watch.)
5. Um.
6. Without a Trace
7. Um. Can't think of another.....

8 Favorite Resturants

1. Johnny B's Burger and Shakes.
2. Babe's Fried Chicken House(Shout out to Amber)
3. Uncle Julios
4. Chilis (kids can't eat here, tho)
5. We don't eat out much....
6. Krispy Kreme or Macdonalds breakfast
7. IHOP
8. The Cotton Patch

8 Things That Happened Today...

1. I over slept on purpose. Never a good idea.
2. Wednesday is homeschool day. Today we took a quiz on Detectives in Togas, worked on a two point expository paragaph, Histroy dates, read another chapter in Togas - story mapped and vocab, handwriting, math lessons and facts, spelling, researched our Roman projects.....and on, and on, and on
3. Taxied to and from piano
4. Priced some books for the resource center at church
5. Did not avoid Dru*dgedotcom, but should have....
6. Listened to the children play
7. Visited with Dereca for a while. (shout out Dereca!)
8. Leftover chicken fingers, baked potatoes, green beans for supper

8 Things I am looking forward to

1. Thanksgiving (break!)
2. Saturday morning....we love our slow Saturday mornings around here.
3. Twight movie!
4. Putting up our Christmas decorations and then eating supper at IHOP
5. Starting a Biblical counseling class at church next spring.
6. Being motivated to start counting my points again. Y'all. I HAVE TO.
7. Getting the Christmas shopping all done
8. Andy's next vacation

8 Things on my wish list

1. Pool. (ha, ha)
2. Wood floors in the front living room, brick floors in the kitchen/breakfast room. New carpet.
3. Dogs that got along. *sigh*
4. A different pres!dent.
5. Healthy babies for all my pregnant friends (my goodness! there are lots of babies on the way!)
6. Completed Roman projects.
7. Books. Lots of books.
8 Kitchen-y gadgets...

Pretend I am tagging eight people. I am too lazy to link tags. But you knew that! Ha!

Dont' forget  - I moved to www.andreaj.blogspot.com 

Not too long ago....

I had lunch with a friend.

This is unusual because:

1. I had no children with me and it was the middle of the week.

 2. It was as if I was sitting across from myself.

 The girl I was ten or so years ago. Have you ever met yourself coming and going? Not in the frenzied, "where did I put my keys and why I am trying to leave anyway?!" kinda way...but in the way that screams "Do you REMEMBER THAT GIRL?" And you know, God is so gracious to me, because I do remember that girl! And as I sat across from my precious friend I just nodded my head and said, "Oh. Yes. I remember." And I 'm glad I do. Because God knew what he was doing when I walked the same road she has found herself on. And He knew that I would need to remember. For my friend. Life throws us into a direction that we would not have chosen for ourselves. Most of the time. But along the way, God gently leads us to those who can comfort and those who need comfort.

Girl, I've got your back.

And I'm so glad you eat ranch with your chips and salsa.

Tap, Tap, Tap.....Is this thing on?

You know the old saying..."be careful what you wish for?" 

I'm here to to tell ya...."Be careful what you wish for!"  You might just end up with all your children sleeping in your room.

Last week was one of those crazy weeks.  Our family was spread out from the Metroplex, to North Texas and then to New Jersey and Connecticut.  Andy was gone on business, E and C were gone to see Gigi and Pops in my hometown, so Super Bubbie and I (along with the Golden Wonders) held down the fort for a while.

You know, paring down to just one kid  - when you are used to children coming in at least two at a time - is just SO NICE.  He napped and no one else was awake. I got to read some.  And did not have to answer one question! He went to bed early  - leaving me with my cheesy girl movies and blue bell. He was just fine having a bowl of cheerios for dinner. 

But.  When he napped - no one else was awake.  And the only question that Super Bubbie seemed to ask last week was, "Isn't THAT funny?!"   And I got tired of cereal for dinner.  So I wished.  I wished for all my people back. 

Eventually, they all came back.  But as soon as we got back in the routine of Bright Sunshiny Day-land, the air conditioner blew.  It smoked and everything.  So last night we all slept in our room.  ALL.OF.US.   At some point during the night I wondered to myself how in the world I gave birth to the three noisiest sleepers in the Lone Star State.  I thought about dropping them at the fire house under the "Safe Spot" protection for kids.  Just for the night, though.  You know how I get lonely during the day.

One had to potty three times.  Two needed extra drinks.  One worked like a super hero on his paci.  The one who had to potty three time cried in her sleep.  And the other woke up at two and whined around about not being about to fall asleep and stay asleep.  Tell me about it.

Miraculously, I seem to be the only sleepy one today.  How DO they do that?  Keep us up all night and maintain their energy level the next day?

It all balances out though.  In another fit of insanity, I took them all to the shoe store this afternoon.  We were fascinated with the behavior of three different sets of kids who were also getting some shoes.  There was running and hitting and whining and wrestling and fighting for snacks.  It even spread from one family to another.  Three kids (who were strangers) fighting over a baggie of dried cereal. OH MY.  I'm sure I stared with my mouth open for at least five minutes.  I was gently reminded that while my kids may be noisy sleepers, they are generally well behaved.  And yep.  They got ice cream on the way home.  I am THAT kind of mom.  I also had no qualms about pointing out the not-so-well-behaved children. 

Bless their hearts.  As good as they are I'm not buying them anymore new shoes.  They'll just have to make do with what they've got until they can drive themselves to the store.

Oh.  And we also got a new air conditioner today.  Good thing.  Supposed to be  105.  Gosh it's hot. 

If You Came to My House....

My sweet friend Leann tagged me for the new fun meme!  Here goes:

You would see:

The yard of the month sign in our front yard!  Yep.  I'm dorky that way.  In the dining room you'd see our dining room table, our old kitchen table that we don't want to get rid of....and the new coffee table for the new living room when I change the dining room to a living room.  You'd also see our video camera set up....spying on the punks.

We’d probably feed you:

Andy's homemade salsa!  And some yummy guacamole to go with it.  I'd  have a pot of tortilla soup on the stove (YUMMO) and The Salad from Market Street Grocery.  Dessert would be either Texas Sheet Cake, Strawberry cake, or Cream Cheese Bars.  Diet coke, water and coffee would be the beverage!

 

We’d undoubtedly ask if you’d read:

Shepherding a Child's Heart.  Right now we are both reading the Master Plan for Evangelism, so we might bring that up.  If you are a girl, I'd give Mitford a mention (like Leann!)  and A Woman After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George.  OH and Holiness by RC Sproul.  Then I'd haul out my Systematic Theology book and try to spur you into a conversation about the sovereignty of God.  We'd have a blast. Finally, I'd run over to my neighbors and get my Restoration Series books by Terri Blackstock back.  Thrilling.

We’d want to play this music for you:

Random play list on the ol IPOD

We’d want to tell you the latest about:

Kids, dogs, punks, decorating projects. Since we've already covered theology, we'd just hang.  I'd show you the colors I've picked for the trim of the outside of the  house and for our master bedroom.  Then I'd show you my fabrics that I've picked for my room.  Then we'd just visit!

We’d probably suggest a game of:

oh dear.  Don't know.  We play trouble and jenga a lot with E and C.  But we don't have very many grown up games.

We might show off:

What?  The yard?  Funny Super Bubbie?  The crazy dogs?  Not sure.  Andrew would  definitely show you his  John Deere tractor that Pops scored at a garage sale.  He can even drive it!

We might get on the computer and show you:

Nothing

If it was a long enough visit, we might watch:

The kids would be welcome to enjoy a movie but I cannot imagine what we could watch other than tons of kiddos and all the other stuff above. *this answer stolen from Leann!

What would a visit to your house be like?

Oh....If you read this and want to do it, then YOU'RE IT!

It's Raining!

I love rainy days!  They are right up there on my list of the greatest things ever!  Today is cool, gray and wet.  The perfect excuse to stay home, wear socks with my cropped pants, watch a few extra cartoons and serve popsicles for lunch.

Here is my list  for today - in no particular order:

• the rain - because I am in charge of keeping my neighbor's yard alive this week!
• cooler temps - both outside and on my son's thermometer
• downey fabric softner
• our ginourmous zondervan discount
• deciding NOT to clean house, but to read instead
• cliniques deep comfort body moisturizor - my dry, cracked, winter hands are healed! a miracle!
• vermont nut free chocolates. Hoo-ray for the skippers! yummo!
• clifford the big red dog .... and the sick lil super bubbie who loves that big red dog
• my new parallel Bible (four versions side by side!)
• welch's fruit snacks and philly swirl popsicles
• socks
• Steve Green's Hide 'Em in Your Heart Scripture songs
• spending last night reading a cookbook (psst, tiff, it was the golden plate! I love that book)
• two big dogs who are trying to be good.

"The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.  The Lord is good to all and his mercy is over all he has made!"  Psalm 145:8-9

Odds and Ends

This weekend I have:

• Wrapped up swimming lessons for the boy. Oh. My. Goodness.
• Picked out a new coffee table for my new dining room turned living room. LOVE IT. I should take its picture! Sandra - can't wait for you to help me be inspired by it!
• Spent way too much time surfing Realtor.com. Found a place! I'm pretending that we are moving soon. Yep. It's *NORTH*
• Did my time in the nursery and children's church on Sunday
• Took care of a sick lil boy! So pitiful. We were grateful Gigi and Pops were here to once again keep the puny ones while Andy and I went to church. He's still yucky today.
• Had a movie date with the hubs. Prince Caspian. E and C are hooked on Narnia. We are now on Book 5. Thinking that I am going to let them see this movie even though it's a little more grown up than the Lion, Witch and Wardrobe. They play Narnia constantly! I love when they pretend what we are reading.
• Soccer game Saturday. The other team no-showed so we had a great game of Daddy's vs Girls. Not sure who won?
• Stewed some more about the bombs. We know what they are made of - not going to post it - and we think we know whose doing it. Too bad the cops can't go drag them in for being punks. These things are so loud that our friends four houses down heard them. We have been very impressed with our local PD.
• Our neighbor across the street wants to get the feds involved. He is that steamed about it. For the sake of the punks, I hope the police get them before George does.
• Swam at Kim's and took care of Sadie for her.
• Ate way too many white Cheddar Cheeto's.
• Planted some more flowers in memory of my other flowers that got bombed.
• Read a little.
• OH> And I have my smart reading list ready to share. Want to know what it is? Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem. Read it with me! Our pastor suggested that I read it - because I have so. many. questions. Little does he know that this book will only prompt more questions!

And that's about all I've got for now.

Not Smart....Yet

But I haven't given up on my dream!  Just put it on hold.

Here's why:

I haven't finished Key Lime Pie Murder yet and so technically I don't have to start on my smart reading.

Wrapping up the school year.  It's. Nearly. Over.

Still with the two dogs.

Dallas Stars Hockey.  We made it to Round 2 of the playoffs!  I will be staying up later to  do my part to win the Stanley Cup.  It's that important.  The later I stay up, the less likely I will be doing ANY kind of reading. 

Late nights with old friends!  Tuesday night we shut down Johnny Carinos.  One of my dearest friends from childhood has moved back to the Metroplex!  We met up for the first time in twenty (ok, just ten) years along with our precious friend from childhood that sends her children to the same school as me.  Aside here, but God has blessed this little ol life with some wonderful, long lasting friendships.  Each one is such a gift, and I don't take one minute of the time I spend with my friends (espcially the ones who knew me way back when....) for a second.

For the rest of this week we've got soccer, a party, haircuts for all the girls, and life to be lived.  Tomorrow the girls are busy with a homeschool day, Super Bubbie will be busy doing all kinds of stuff,  and my sweet mentor was here for part of Thursday!

And I'll leave you with this from The Valley of Vision

"Teach me that if I do not live a life that satisfies Thee, I shall not live a life that will satisfy myself"

It's My New Thing...

Well.  I came up with something the other day.  Brace yourself.

Driving down the road....maybe coming home from piano, or school....doesn't really matter.  I decided to start on an adventure to become......

are you ready for it?  Wait.....wait.....here it comes......

To become smart.

Yes.  "This is Aj.  She's my smart friend!"  "Look at that aj.....she is just so smart! 

Who is with me?  We can do it!  I am refraining from all sorts of frivolous fiction (well...as soon as I finish up Key Lime Pie Murder)  and am going to spend the summer working on being smart.  Reading the good stuff.  Serious Christian writers both dead and alive.  Biographies.  Great commentaries....and whole books of the Bible.  Done with TV shows and done with fluffy.   Care to join me?  You are inivited as long as you take care to not get smarter than me.  (just kidding)

And while you think I am not serious...and I am.so.serious just wait until you see me next time and ask me a hard question.

And in other news, was last week stormy or what?  One of my neighbors found their chimney in the backyard!  They've not said a tornado hit our neck of the woods, but it was pretty darn close.  Big HUGE old trees uprooted and I saw a camper turned upside down few streets over.  At our house? Nothin'  and guess who slept through the whole thing?!

Your new smart friend, Aj!

((who still has two dogs))

((but they had surgery last week and are on painkillers so this week doesn't count))

In Case You Are Wondering

The dogs did in fact get spayed.  Yesterday. 

AND WE PAID FOR IT.

WITH MONEY.

To thank us for our loving kindness in providing them with food, toys, grass to pee in, crates to sleep in, collars with cute name tags with their cute names on them, AND two little girls who think they hung the moon.....

They got in a huge, HUGE fight in our livingroom last night.  Complete chaos. Children running, baby screeching, husband yelling and throwing things at the dumb animals.The clock is ticking. A bag is being packed...and one grumpy pooch will find herself hitching back to East Texas - if she doesn't change her tune.

((And let me live in the past people.  Punkin and Molly - bought on a whim from some backyard breeder *never* fought.  EVER.  Yes.  I'm holding a grudge against two puppies who don't know better))

Bluebonnets Make Me Sneeze.....

....and a few other interesting tid-bits.  How about it?

I finished up the Shopping for Time  by Carolyn Mahaney and her four daughters yesterday.  It's a great little book about priorities.  And who  doesn't need to get their priorities adjusted?  Frequently?  Well, I do.  Here are some GREAT bullets. 

• Do you plan ahead to maximize your fruitfulness each day, or do you simply let life happen?
• Do you make choices based on Scripture or on what feels good at the moment?
• Do you strategies to use your talents to bless your family and church, or do you employ them primarily for your own personal fulfillment?
• Do you evaluate every opportunity in light of biblical priorities or do you do whatever it takes to get ahead?
• Do you consider whom God would have you serve or do you try to please everyone all the time?  (pgs 16-17)

How's that for a go-to list for the to-do list you go to everyday?!

And since I read that book, the scripture that they often referenced has been running through my already crowded head:

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of time, because the days are evil.  Ephesians 5:15-16

Do I really, really make the best use of time?  Or do I spend way too much time pondering things like.....why DO the bluebonnets make me sneeze?  Or where can I get a decent tee shirt that is not too tight, to short or too see-thru? Or what book am I going to crack open next.....get my drift?

All these things are necessary ponders, but they don't need to be all consuming.

Nope.

Just one thing.  If that One Thing is all consuming....then everything else will fall into place.