ANONYMOUS PRAYER

I ask God for strength,
that I might achieve...

I was made weak,
that I might learn humbly to obey.

I asked for health,
that I might do greater things...

I was given infirmity,
that I might do better things.

I asked for riches,
that I might be happy...

I was given poverty,
that I might be wise.

I asked for power,
that I might have the praise of men...

I was given weakness,
that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things,
that I might enjoy life...

I was given life,
that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing that I asked for,
but everything I had hoped for.

Almost despite myself,
my unspoken prayers were answered.

I am among all men(women), most richly blessed!

Last night when I read Naomi her bedtime book, we read the story of Moses. It showed him with the Ten Commandments, and she wanted to know what they were. So I got the prayer book I have had since 1975 and read them to her. In the processes I started to take a closer look at the prayers it had to offer. The book is well worn as you can see, and I'm glad to bring it out again to share with my children. I thought I would share some of them with you too. (One at a time, of course). Peace be with you all.

LEVI the artist

Clearly we have made an impression on our son.

For school he has to do a project on people in the community, due Tuesday. Going through his backpack I find these pictures that he has drawn in preparation for his project. I think they are great!

He has taken an after school art class off and on for the last year and a half. He was a pretty good artist before that but it seems to have taken him to the next level. I love the detail he puts into his drawings. The main one he will write about will be the Landscape Architect so you may see that one again with more detail. Not bad for a young boy! Check out the vet's teeth.
This one is priceless.
The Landscape Architect, Joe???

SOMETHING SCARY (may not be suitable for younger viewers)

I have been wanting to post this since the beginning of school. I have been a little busy but am catching my breath, so here it is.

I have kept some things from my past. For the few things that I felt like I had, it seems I kept all of them for some time and have gradually gotten rid of some of them. My Lidsville lunchbox is something that has been around for over 30 years. My kids don't seem impressed by it but I know that I loved it at the time. Now it kind of scares me. I remember the show too, just not very well. Looking at the box I don't know what my parents were thinking letting us watch a show like that! I'm surprised we didn't have nightmares. I guess they just reassured us that it was only a show and not real.

Anyway, I guess because I went to a private school and had to wear a uniform our lunch boxes and shoes were the only ways to show off our individuality. Having to wear the shoes that I did, this was something BIG. I don't remember having any others so I must have carried this for a while, and it certainly looks like it! As children we are never satisfied, I remember the kids that got to carry their lunch in a brown paper bag and wanting to do that. The biggest thing I remember about lunch was Anne H. always had chocolate powder in a little Tupperware container about 1 1/2 high. I was so jealous, I wanted chocolate in a container like that. I don't know if it was the container or the chocolate since that was before you could get a choice at school. Looking back now it's so funny to think about, what was really important.

Memories from school, it wasn't so bad, I made some good friends. Some of them I am still friends with today. We all have a story to tell, some funny, some not but that's life. Stay tuned, I may have a few more!!

Not the original lid, I'm not sure where that is.
Look at these crazy characters!

JOE'S BROTHER

Joe's brother came for a short visit last week. We didn't get to see him much but we did make it out for dinner one night. We had great time and look forward to seeing him again!

TIME TO SHARE

I got up early and wanted to post some pics of my parents and their friends, Jerry and Gail. The pics didn't turn out so well so I am not going to post them. We just spent the weekend with them and I did not take one single pic until 4am when it was time for them to leave. I think that's why the pics didn't turn out. Some were good of most but eyes shut on others. I had a couple that were too dark, what can I say, that is not my time of day! Anyway, we had a great time and will miss them, already do. The only good part is that they are in the Cayman Islands with my Aunt and Uncle having a great time there. I'm sure they miss my whiny kids but we will see them again soon. Have fun and take some GOOD pics!!!

PEACH PIE

COME AND GET IT!!! Fresh out of the oven, peach pie!

Every summer I look forward to peach season. I guess it is from when I was little, tradition would be to visit my Aunt Net and Uncle Jim. The had a large property with tons of peach trees. I don't remember picking the peaches but I remember My mom and aunt being in the kitchen and bushel baskets of peaches being worked on. Of course, being the kids that we were, I don't remember helping to much because they had a son (several years older) that would play with us. Looking back he probably hated when we came, the 5 of us taking over his house but he never did show it to us. Now the best thing was, they had a PING PONG TABLE. We spent hours playing! They had a big basement and we felt right at home.

Sorry, I got side tracked, back to the peaches. I am a lover of fruit, any fruit but I get burned out on eating the same kind day after day. It would just so happen that when we get peaches (usually given to us by Joe's folks) we get A LOT. As much as I love fruit my kids do too but they are a little more picky. "I don't like the red part where the seed was", "I don't like the peel"..., you get my drift. So when you have picky kids that don't want to eat too much of the peach you look for other ways to use them.

Enter, the peach pie with the almond crumble top! I can use 6 cups which is about 9 peaches in one pie. The kids like it, I use whole wheat flour so I don't feel as guilty when I have that huge slice and It keeps for days without "looking bad". Of course the almond crumble top is what makes it. I am spoiled and probably wouldn't eat a fruit pie with out one any more. Now, any other pie, bring it on! Mom, I tried to hold off on making the pie but the peaches wouldn't last. Maybe next time!

FAIRY FURNITURE

This is some of our collection of Fairy furniture. Joe and I got into making it about 9 years ago when I went over to a friends house and saw her collection. Before that, I had never even thought about doing something so different.

Being outside a lot we have collected a great many things. Nature has so much to offer and I have to resist the urge to pick up most things. I find beauty everywhere! So obviously when you collect things you have to find something to do with them. The Fairy furniture seemed like the perfect solution. Get a small piece of rustic looking furniture and then adorn it with natural gems.

Since there are 2 of us and Elijah was small at the time he helped too. My friend Jane had the furniture class at her farm and we had tons of fun! These first two pieces were made there and then we did the cradle on our own. They obviously looked better 9 years ago but I don't recall having picture of them when we made them. When I was dusting the other day I couldn't resist capturing them to share. As I have said before, my taste is not for everyone but it gives me the best feeling to see something so beautiful that we created. Remembering the times that we spent outdoors, enjoying the day and finding the treasures that were used.

DISTRACTIONS

OK, here I am cleaning and of course I can't take it. I love my house and my belongings (I am a collector) but I hate to take time to dust them. It only makes me realize that I have been slacking and not only do I have to dust the treasures that I have, I need to wipe down the walls and then the baseboards and once you do that there is the windows, ect........you get my point. Of course I'm not going to do that. It just makes me think I should.

Some good things about cleaning.
1. It always makes me feel better when I quit (not to be confused with been done).
2. I listen to good, loud music (my kids won't let me do that when there home).
3. I get a work out.
4. Makes me realize I have some really cool stuff (not for everyone but just for me).
5. Well, can't think of too many good things, but I know it's the right thing to do (especially when company's coming over, even if they are family).

Some music that has MOVED me today.
Rascal Flats- Feels like today
Dolly Parton 1- The RCA years
Match Box 20-yourself or someone like you
Turned up with feeling!

ON A LIGHTER NOTE

Ok, this was supposed to post after the next one but I haven't figured it out so here it is. Just look at it after you read the next post, that is the way I wanted it to come out so consider yourself informed.

I am really, really happy to have the rain. We are getting lots of continuous rain and it is beautiful. After the last post I could not leave you without a smile (at least these things make me smile). Cat, living out back that needs to be spayed. We will hopefully catch the momma cat so she will be spayed also. This is one of her four litters that we know of since she started having them in our back yard. What a cutie!
My little cutie, posing for the camera. Just as with the popcorn on the deck, WHY would you want me to take your picture like this??!!
Big fish caught at my friends, Donna and Vickie's place.
Little fish caught at my friend Donna and Vickie's place. Once again, why? but pretty cool.
Crayfish, you know where. We have seen tons of these this summer. Lots of clear water and lots of time spent staring at it.

ANOTHER.....what can I say, ramble?, writing??

It's a rainy morning. I have things I need to do. I have had my coffee but I am not motivated yet, close, just not yet. I know that once I start I won't be able to sit down again until time to pick up the kids from school.

I have been thinking about family a lot lately. We have had Joe's sister and her kids in town. His brother is in for this week and my parents are visiting this weekend. We have had birthdays in the family and with school starting back a little last minute togetherness. It has been nice. I am a thinker though. I think about the people I know that have loved ones that are sick, really really sick. I think about there lives and what I can do to help. I think about all the kids out there that don't have any one to turn to. I think about our world and all of the disaster we have seen. I feel like we have to live our lives like today might be our last, but not live in fear.

As a mother I am trying my best to instill in my children love, thoughtfulness, kindness, and the fact that their actions don't affect just themselves but they affect others. I don't try to cram this down there throats but I do take every opportunity to point out examples and to be a good example myself. Which is not always easy when they don't even pay attention to me. I see it working, slowly the doors open and the light comes in. I am nothing if not persistent. I just pray there are loads of other parents that feel the same as me and truly take the time to guide their children in the direction they need to be. I think everyone needs to be told how to act and then follow through with action. Children never just get "it".

School is just starting and I have read and heard so many stories on bullying that I guess that is where all of this is coming from. That, and the gloomy day, little sleep and the fact that my kids are back with children who I know are influencing them . They may not realize it but it happens. I have already seen a improvement in Naomi. Her class is so positive so far this year and I really feel we made the right decision to change schools. Levi is having a great time as usual. If there are things going on in his class he will be oblivious to them! Elijah I am still trying to figure out. The fact that he is a teenager doesn't help but when I pick him up he has NOTHING to say. Which is not like him. I don't know if he is overwhelmed and just needs to chill (that's my bet) or if something more is going on. Later in the evening he talks and seems happy, it is just such a change for him to say so little. Children have a way of keeping their parents guessing.

In close, (I know I have rambled on) I just want to say, I am thankful for all that I have been blessed with. I know my parent struggled with us but they did the best they could. I am trying to do the same with my kids and in this crazy world we live in I pray my kids will learn to do the same for their children.

BEAUTIFUL DAY

We could not resist the beautiful weather today. We hadn't been to the farm for a while because of the heat. With temps only reaching 80s and overcast we thought we would try it today. As soon as we got there the cloud cover vanished and the day got HOT. We were there so we thought we would make the best of it. Joe needed some flat rock to work on a wall at the house and we had brought the motorcycle for Levi to ride. The butterflies were out in droves so I was glad I brought my camera. I got some really good shots! Levi was on the dirt bike for the first time with being in control. He is not ready to be turned loose yet but is ready to go again!!

THE REST OF THE STORY... to be continued

I brought the treats to school as planned but when I got there the teacher forgot her schedule and had to get to gym. She ask me to leave the treats and the class was excited to see what I had brought. They would probably be happier to have the drinks after gym anyway. So I left the treats there and went on my way.
We ask Mamaw and Papaw to go to the Mexican restaurant with us to celebrate. The dinner was great and the staff topped it off with singing happy birthday to him, which he LOVED! He is shy but really loves the attention. It was killing Naomi but she did pretty well (minus the whining and begging for balloons). After dinner, sitting with his balloons and the toy of the night.
At the restaurant, Elijah didn' t want to get in the pic.
Loving it!
A little more confident once the singers were gone.
The proud parents!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Levi

This is my BIG, baby boy. He was born such a short time ago, I can't believe how he has grown! He is smart, sweet, handsome and funny. I am so happy to be his Momma and thank the Lord everyday he has brought me such a wonderful gift. He has already received his birthday present, so I will bring a treat in for his class this afternoon and maybe we will get to go out for dinner. I wish you all could be here to celebrate with us! It is going to be a happy, happy day!!! I thought this was soooo cute. I hadn't seen too many hospital pics were the eyes were shut. They sent a note with this saying they tried their best but he would NOT open his eyes, enjoy.
MY, how you have grown!

SCHOOL DAZE

Well, this is it! We did it today without to much of a hitch. Got a little later start than I wanted but with the pictures and all it was worth it.

I didn't see any work from the others but this is what Naomi came home with. I think she did pretty good on this one, I would have like to see what the other kids did but I am proud.
I'm not sure about this one. I don't know if she was supposed to do something other than color it all in but you can see that's what she did.

So if your interested, I have a little something to tell you about the day.

Naomi got 2 compliments today which meant that she got pebbles(teacher's reward system) to spend at the end of the week. She had a great time, a little shy on the drop off but said that she didn't whine or cry. Ate most of her lunch, learned a song, was glad to get to say the Pledge of Allegiance and is ready to go back tomorrow.

Levi has 2 new students in his class. He was very excited about the reading and science program. They are going to study the human body and then will get to dissect owl pellets! He stayed on green all day and was very happy to see his old friends.

Elijah of course had the least to say but seemed really happy. He said he got lost a few times but that he had 5 minutes in between classes so that helped. He saw some of his old classmates and friends and made some new ones. The girls from his old school ask him to eat lunch with him too (that seemed like a big deal but he played it cool).

Funny Naomi story: We have been worried that Naomi will have a hard time in school. She has definitely regressed in her independence this summer so we have been REALLY reminding her how to act lately. So last night I made soup for dinner. We are all sitting around enjoying our meal and I look over and she is eating hers with her hands. Exasperated I say," PLEASE don't eat like that at school". So she picks up her spoon and starts to eat but gives out toward the end of the bowl and ask me to feed her. So I say, "there not going to feed you at school". So she looks at me and says, "Just don't send me any soup for lunch". Oh, OK.

GOODBYE, COUSINS

Goodbye, thanks for the great times. We are going to miss you!!!!

SCHOOL TIME

The meetings have taken place. The school supplies have been sent in. The only thing left to do is......start!

That will be tomorrow, 7:55 sharp. Say a prayer for us that we can make it on time. This will be the first time in my life I have tried to have 2 adults, 3 children, 5 lunches, 3 backpacks out the door before 7:30! (remember, I love morning as long as I am not in a rush and not responsible for that many other people) I will let you know if we survive :)

HAPPY 13TH BIRTHDAY HANNAH, we love you!!!

THE FAMILY PLAY

The tradition has begun. When our cousins come to visit, Sadie makes up a play for all the kids to participate in. She hasn't figured out Levi is not ready for that kind of pressure. He spends most of his time in the background if he is going to be involved which is seldom. Naomi on the other hand can't get enough. So the play begins with the act "True love". Sadie is the mother and Naomi is the 20 year old daughter who hasn't found her way in life. So Naomi is locked away in the castle and Sadie(the prince) has to slay the dragon and ask for her hand in marriage.



The prince and princess.
The prince carrying his true love.
The celebration.
The audience.
Upper deck audience.
We have been having a good time with our cousins and will be sad when it is time for them to go. As with all of the family it seems we can never get enough.

BIG NEWS

Did you hear the latest??

Naomi has learned to TIE HER SHOES! Now, for anyone who has ever tried to teach this, you know this is not so easy. We have worked off and on for a year on this. I refuse to buy lace up shoes for the fear of the battle once we have located them. As they are not always in the spot they are supposed to be and running out the door is not the time to try and tie shoelaces when she wants to practice.

So you can imagine my surprise when I came home from work and the first thing she said was, "I know how to tie!, Katie (the babysitter) helped me."

Remember, I have been working on this for a year and she gets ALL the credit. I am happy, yet another milestone in my child's life conquered!!

PLAYING BY THE RULES (revised)

I have been tagged by my cousin and fellow blogger, Dina to post 8 meaningless things about myself. I took the time while I mowed the grass to mull this over. I must admit this was harder than I thought. The list could go on and on and I thought of some good meaningful things too, which is what this is all about. Stop and think about our lives and then share with others. (That is what our sermon at church was about yesterday) I think it is fascinating how the world works if we listen to it! So I was up for some fun and I'm sure the list would be different had I not had the time I did to think it over. ENJOY

1. I hate being sweaty and dirty, (unless I am camping or doing something else that I would consider fun).

2. I like to look different but don't necessarily like being looked at.

3. For most of my life I wore a size 6 shoe. My foot grew a 1/2 size with each kid!

4. I wear 3 braids at the nape of my neck because the hair there is straight and wont curl for anything.

5. I have 2 tattoos, the first one I got 20 years ago before tattoos were cool.

6. I love to dream and wish I knew what it all meant.

7. I really like the blog/computer, it has opened a new world for me.

8. I would rather do what some would consider "man's work" than "women's work".

That's better, after sleeping on it. I know it's silly but I like to really think over meaningless stuff.

MAKING FRIENDS

This is one of those pics that were irresistible. The kids had been jumping off the front of our friends boat. This was made when the turtle was spotted! I looked up and could not resist. I got an e-mail today that reminded me, I need to post this because it is so cute. Hope you enjoy and you can appreciate the e-mail even more those that get to see it too!