Up Before The Sun

I'm not sure how well today is going to go.  A little being woke us up at two-stinkin-thirty this morning.  The claim was that her bed was lumpy.  Later I found out that she had just had a bad dream (about a lumpy bed??) and was afraid to go back to sleep.

After waking us up to the report of a 'lumpy bed', instructions were given to 'go lay down on the couch and watch tv if you have to'.  Now, I admit that being woken up before the sun makes it extremely difficult to be a good parent.  I don't recommend giving a 5 year old instructions to watch tv at 2:30 in the morning.  IF, said child is able to turn on the complicated tv and cable system, then there's no telling what she'll end up watching.  Turns out King of the Hill was on - another score for parent of the year.  Good thing she doesn't know how to work the telephone, who knows what would have happened if she had landed on the Home Shopping Network!

I'm just glad that today is a school day for this little girl.  I think I'll say an extra prayer for her teacher.  And plan for a nap when school gets home. 

The Weekend Squall

I find it odd that all through the week I am able to maintain a somewhat clean and presentable house only to have it completely obliterated by gale force winds on Saturday morning.

The other problem is that it takes all Saturday and Sunday to repair the damages.

Oh the joy of raising whirlwinds.

Always - Little Word, Big Impact

Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!

Philippians 4:4

I've read this verse many times in my life, and most times I get the thought of "Yeah right.  Always?  It's hard to rejoice in every situation!".  But there it is.  A command.  On the other hand......maybe Paul didn't realize what it would be like to be waiting and sitting in the Department of Motor Vehicles.

I have about a month and a half to get myself down to the DMV before my license expires.  Oh the joy.  I could only wonder at the hours of wasted time spent waiting in line with a bunch of unhappy people in a dingy crowded building.  And so today, I packed two snacks and a book and took myself down to the DMV.  After going to the wrong location, I finally found the building and stood in the long line just to get my number assigned to me.  I was number G115.  And they were on G093 when I sat down.  I had no idea what the other letters and numbers were for.  The big screen in the building was flashing up numbers like B109 and C063, with an occasional 'G' number thrown in for good measure, I guess.

After getting my number, I found a seat in the middle of a pretty much empty row.  I sat down, updated my Facebook status (what else is more entertaining that letting others know that I am waiting in the dungeon of doom with the rest of my city's humanity?), then I opened my book and began reading.  Soon a lady and her husband came and sat right next to me.  I was a bit annoyed as I casually looked around the room and saw that there was plenty of empty seats around the room and yet they chose to sit right beside me!  Then the lady began to fan herself and wafting her perfume directly into my breathing space.  Seriously?  Sit next to me and make me smell you also?? *sigh*

That was when I checked my email and saw a response to my Facebook status - I would LOVE to be sitting in DMV reading a book right now!.  I sat and thought about that little statement.  My friend was right.  How often would I love to sit somewhere and have nothing else to do than read a book somewhat uninterrupted?  My days have been filled, for years, with little beings constantly surrounding me, asking me for things, as the household requires errands and cleaning and host of other things from me as well.  And then I realized what a blessed day I was having.  There I was, sitting in the DMV and my children were all safe and happy at school and I am able to sit down and relax and read my little book in somewhat silence.

God be praised!  In the middle of the DMV!  Who knew?!

And so I sat and continued reading.  And my next door neighbor stopped fanning herself.  Then my number was called and within 15 minutes I was done and outta there!

Rejoicing.  It's a matter of perspective.  And choice.

All That AND The Kitchen Sink

Isabel says she loves me. She tells me all the time. Often she'll say "I love you forever!". And I kinda like it.

Today we had another talk about how much we love each other. It went a little like this;

Isabel - I love you one hundred!

Me - Well, I love you a thousand.

Isabel - And I love you a thousand a hundred!

Me - Oh yeah? I love you a million!

Isabel - *silence, as her mind works to come up with her next line. then her little face lights up as she says* I love you a lotta numbers!

Me too, little girl, you have no idea.

One More Reason To Love Target

Today I am thankful for Target's plastic bags. I have quite a lot of them and I use them for many things. They make for great bathroom trash can liners. Also, the bags are good for when I clean out the kitty litter.

But today I am thankful for Target's bags because they don't have holes at the bottom, like most grocery store bags. I am thankful for the hole-less plastic bag today because Isabel got sick and I needed something that wouldn't leak as I cleaned up the mess in the garage.

Yep. Target's plastic bags rock!

New Recipe!

I attended a moms event at church the other morning and in the newsletter I found a delicious recipe for Tomato Basil Soup. Yesterday was a chilly day so I decided it was perfect timing to have soup for dinner. Although I had my doubts as I was making it, it turned out great AND everyone liked it! I'll definitely add this new recipe to my dinner repertoire. Next time though, I'll make some bread to go with it. Can't beat homemade soup and warm bread on a chilly night!

~ Tomato Basil Soup ~

1 onion, finely chopped

3 carrots, shredded

2 16-oz cans stewed or crushed tomatoes

1/4 cup fresh basil

3 cups chicken broth

1 cup heavy cream

2 Tbsp butter or olive oil

1 tsp sugar

1/2 tsp pepper

Saute onion and carrots in butter or olive oil until soft. Add tomatoes, basil, chicken broth, heavy cream, sugar and pepper until heated through, but no boiling. Next puree ingredients in a food processor or blender. Serve garnished with fresh bail and sour cream (optional).

Pool Table

On the other side of our pool we have a nice table and umbrella that came with the house. It may not look very big, but it seats up to eight people! The covered table comes in very handy when we have people over, either for a party as it gives extra outdoor seating, or as a nice far-away place for the kids to sit and eat as the adults enjoy their meal together. We have also used it a lot this summer for eating our nightly dinner.

When it gets really hot, having a place to eat outside has been great. The kids love it too. In fact, almost every night before dinner Mae will ask one of us if we will be eating outside. And if the answer is 'no, not tonight' then there is the inevitable disappointed sigh coming from her direction. (I have NO idea where she got that from!) But most nights will find us dining outside.

I picked up a nice-sized outdoor serving tray so I can stack plates and glasses and a side dish or two and carry it out to the table. Also, I have invested in some plastic plates and cups to help save our glassware and everyday dishes from the occasional drop off the table onto the concrete.

Having a place to eat outside has been so nice and it makes me appreciate the blessing of our house even more. So, if you're ever in the neighborhood, stop by and join us for dinner!

Isabel's First Day

Yesterday was a great day! Isabel was so excited to go to her new kindergarten class. In fact, here she is the night before as she was making her sandwich and packing her lunch. Can't you just feel her excitement?


I half expected Isabel to have either a hard time going to sleep the night before her first day or that she'd get up super-early the day of. I was wrong on both accounts. In fact, Ryan had to wake her up at 7:00 so she could get ready to leave. However, it didn't take her long to be WIDE awake and ready to leave!

Here she is as we were about to leave the house.


Then again walking to her class (I just love these shots!)


And here she is lined up with her class and rest of the school before the day got started.


Then she went with her class into the classroom, where she found her desk, put her stuff down, then came to the door to wave goodbye. I was strong and didn't cry. I wanted to. But I didn't.

When it was time, I went back to Isabel's school to pick her up. Where she had had a great first day!

Isabels says "I love kindergarten school!". I'm so glad that she does, but I hope she still likes homeschool days with Mom.