Sleepover...

While out on our errands last night, we spontaneously decided to ask our niece to stay overnight with us. When I was setting up the "floorbed", Amelia grabbed her pillow and was so excited. I guess we could give it a try. It was late, so after a few giggles and crying spells, everyone was asleep. Unfortunately, it was short-lived. Calla and Chrissy were up by 6:00 a.m. This was one morning I was thankful to use the "babysitter" that sits free in our living room. "Hey girls, maybe you could go watch a video. Downstairs. Very quietly." Once Amelia was up, it was pancakes all around. The girls had to get creative to finish them up because this grocery shopper didn't realize how low the syrup had gotten. Peanut butter?(thanks Stacey!) Jam? Honey? We only had four left so they must have tasted good anyhow. Now they are all taking a well-needed rest and that is next on my agenda as well.

Quiet please...

I had a friend over for lunch today. This is the first time she has come to stay and chat. It was a nice visit, and the kids all played great together. One thing that kept flowing was the conversation. Only the problem was it was almost all me. My friend is a quiet personality and for whatever reason, I feel like I have to make up for it in conversation. I found myself rambling from story to story. Sometimes jumping to a new one and never returning to finish the last. Toward the end of the visit, I kept realizing just how much I was divulging on my guest. She was graciously listening and would join my topic often. Sometimes I need to take a step back and let there be awkward silence. I usually talk too much rather than not enough. And I wonder why my daughter is such a social butterfly and a chatterbox. She is following her momma's example. I have left gatherings in the past and realized I should have kept my words a little more guarded. This was one of those times. Not that there were inappropriate things said, just too many things said. One of my favorite verses to claim is Psalm 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God..." I need to be quiet and allow the Holy Spirit to guide my words rather than fill empty space with frivolity. Proverbs 10:19 is a verse I have brought up for my daughter to teach her to guard her tongue and now it is the same verse the Lord is using to sweetly rebuke me. "In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin, but he that refraineth his lips is wise." Now to begin practicing it myself.

A house full...

I had a house full of munchkins today. I happily volunteered to watch two sets of children today. Two little girls, 5 and 3, came over for and hour and a half this morning so their mom could get to the dentist. I also watched my friend's kids, 4, 2, and 8 months, from 9:30-2 so she could swap some work hours this week. It was noisy but fun. Actually, it was pretty void of chaos for the amount of children under the age of 5. We had a fun craft time at the table for a majority of the time the seven were all here together.

Cutting. Pasting. Drawing. Coloring.

And the inevitable love - Playdoh.

They played well together. Only two minor mishaps. One smashed, skinned finger from a slammed drawer and one new hole in a shirt from a curious, wandering pair of scissors...oops. It sure makes the house seem peaceful when there are only two little girls left playing.

Secret Pal...

Our church has a Secret Pal program. I have joined in every year since Cory and I moved here. I love the thought of giving gifts. It is such a thrill for me. Little things. Big things. I love seeing my Pal pick her gift up from the table.
Last night was our reveal. A few ladies are chosen to decorate a table according to a theme. Then we eat. Have a devotional. Reveal who our Pals were. Fill out new forms and start off on a new year.
I was able to help a sweet teenager decorate her table. We combined our efforts and the finished product was adorable. I will attempt to post pictures later.
I was asked to give a testimony about friends. I was able to think through all of the wonderful friendships I have been blessed with. The main thought I went with was the fact that "friend" is a term we reserve for a special group of people in our lives. The ones who are willing to share our burdens. More than willing to ask us to share our burdens with them. I have had a few of these. And I am truly grateful for them.
I was sure I wanted to sit out of Secret Pal this year. I ended up with a fairly negative attitude about the whole thing by the end and thought I would rather just not do it again. Once I realized my reasoning for not wanting to participate was petty and selfish, I decided to jump in again. I am glad I did. I do enjoy it. I hope to be an extra encouragement to my Pal this year.

My dad...

With the events of the past week, I have found myself thinking a lot about my dad. When the prayer chain was activated last week, I found myself praying for Julaine's kids. They are all about my age. Some older, one younger.

I remember the times of flying out to see my dad after he started to get sick. Hospital visits are strange. While going through rigorous treatments in June, I saw my dad trying to stay hopeful. How can you not. That is the reason you are there. To try and beat cancer. When we vacationed in England in September, Dad was so weak, but still wanted to see us live a part of a fulfilled dream that he hiked and walked and toured around with us. By October, he was a mere skeleton. He could barely walk the stairs. But he still smiled. Still joked around. Still held Calla as much as possible. Still had hope. I remember this departure being the hardest for me, because I did not know that I would see him again on this earth. I did. I was flown out one last time, to see Dad in the hospital. He was writhing in pain. He was barely alert due to medications. But, again, he still smiled when we came in. Struggled to relay to us all he was feeling inside. It is one of the hardest memories for me. You want to remeber him as a vibrant man, full of life. And that is what I try to do But I still see him lying in that bed, with tears on his face, as he tried to say "I love you" one last time.

To lose a parent is a trial that is always borne. You never truly get over the sorrow. God's comfort is more than able. I am thankful for the presence of the Lord in this trial. To think of trying to go through this loss without His comfort is unfathomable. His grace allowed me to build a relationship with my dad in the last few years of his life that I will forever hold dear. I thank God for my dad and for the time I was able to spend with him.

This is a picture of Dad with Calla in October of 2003.

Homegoing...

Our church had another member go to be with the Lord this past Thursday. Her ministry will be sadly missed. She was a sweet lady. She loved to laugh and play the organ. She was always so welcoming. I remember her fondly as one of the people who made me at ease while Cory and I were in the dating game. Every time I would visit the church, she would make a point to say hello. Her daughter was a good friend of Cory's through high school. She was a wonderful lady and we do rejoice that her suffering here on earth is over. But, it will leave a hole in our congregation. We already miss her.

Teaching...

I was an afternoon substitute at the school for a week in late February. I had a lot of fun. I felt like I was able to contribute to a ministry that has already been a blessing to me. Cory attended the school from kindergarten through the 8th grade. I did an internship in college in the K-3rd classroom. And now we plan to send Calla there this coming fall.
My duties were limited to being the facilitator for the LINC classes and videos and teaching 4th grade Math. I helped out with grading papers some as well. I have never experienced LINC before and was thoroughly impressed with it. BJ supplies an internet based classroom with phones to make the class interactive. Technology is so amazing! Nothing like the VHS classes I took back in the day. All in all, I have a new appreciation for the teachers at our school. I was so happy to help in my own little way.

Catching Up...

Almost a month has flown by since I last posted. I am faithful at reading other friend's blogs, almost daily, but a little less faithful at updating mine. So, as is becoming custom, I will spot several entries today to "catch up" on my life this past few weeks.