Need a pick me up?

Here's mine for this morning----For David's birthday we went to the Gaither Family Resources and met the Vocal band and purchased their latest cd "Give it away". It has been a fun one to sing along with. David sang the whole way to Cincinnati the other weekend. It also has some very rich lyrics that have blessed me so much. I was listening to the song "Through" this morning and thought you might like to have a pick me up too.
THROUGH by Gloria and Bill Gaither and Michael Sykes
When I saw what lay before me "Lord," I cried "What will you do?" I thought He would just remove it but He gently led me through. Without fire, there's no refining Without pain, no relief Without flood, there's no rescue Without testing, no belief. Through the fire, through the flood Through the water, through the blood Through the dry and barren places Through Life's dense and maddening mazes Through the pain and through the glory Through will always tell the story Of a God who's power and mercy Will not fail to take us through.

Domestic Diva Part II

She does it again only this time it is Spagetti sauce! Years ago I made strawberry jam so for all you out there that can "professionally" I realize that my jars are small but I didn't want to invest in something that I don't do that often. Guess what we had for supper last night? Thanks go to Lee and Bette Towle for the tomatoes. Their cherry tomatoes can be eaten like candy--so sweet.

Kindergarten pickup

Miss Ashley drove the jeep yesterday to pick up Sarah Brooke from Kindergarten and then Sarah Brooke drove home. I was wishing the whole way that I had the video camera. It will take the entire 13 yrs. Miss Ashley has left before she can get her drivers license. She is easily distracted :) At one point she kept her foot on the pedal and decided to tighten her pony tails which means no hands on the steering wheel. Not a problem for a blonde.

Our house revolves around this room...

This room is in the middle of my house and it has the power to make me feel great or greatly stressed. It can make the house run smoothly or serve as a last minute ditch area :) I'm thankful for this room but sometimes I can't bare to step inside. It isn't very big but boy can it hold a lot. If we can't find something then it is probably in this room however we have lost things there as well. This room can smell wonderfully fresh or ever so sour. Spots have disappeared in this room or regrettably stayed forever. Not many people see this room but it is very important to us. We call it our Laundry room :)

Our weekend in words

Friday and Saturday David had a client in town from Georgia. He showed them 29 homes in 2 different towns so that consumed the day time for him. I had a friend stop by on Friday and I got to hold her new baby :) I walked to school to get the kids since David had the van. If we didn't stop and smell the roses along the way it wouldn't take that long but Miss Ashley enjoys life. Saturday I cleaned my house. What else do you do on a Saturday huh? I always feel so much better when I have the house picked up. Sunday morning was routine, hurry and get out the door on time, breathe and make sure you haven't forgotten anything on the way, then piling out at church and greeting everyone as if our life always runs smoothly. ha We had just gotten into our classroom when an elderly lady tripped and fell at the door. It was obvious that she had broken her leg/or maybe hip area. The ambulance came to get her. She has to have surgery today. This was the first Sunday for Pastor Mike and Michelle as a married couple. The trauma made us all feel down but it didn't take long for us to get into the service. We have a couple coming to help us with our music (piano/organ) that recently moved into the area. It is such a blessing. We haven't had an organist in a long time and it adds so much to a small group of singers :) Sunday night everybody (except me--NOT) was feeling chatty and we liked to never got home. We had the typical I don't really know what to fix Sunday night snack and got the kids ready for bed. It was lightning out and I knew they would feel much better sleeping in our room. I made pallets and David and I went to sleep surrounded by our munchkins.

Domestic Diva!!!

I "played" in the kitchen yesterday and made our little family some ketchup. I have never done that before. I always thought the purpose in canning for people was a way to provide food for your family for less money. Well I had this conversation the other day at church and the ladies said not necessarily. They just like knowing what is in it and it is healthier and tastier. Well I think Kroger brand is pretty tasty myself and I buy alot of sale items so canning for me has not been a priority. The tomatoes were free from a garden that I took care of while the family was gone on vacation. All the jars sealed :) It looks really pretty sitting on my counter don't you think?

School Day 2...

August 15, 2007

No, I won't post every day about school but how can I resist when they are all smiles. Yesterday I had a dear friend/cousin call me and offer to walk me through the process of making a web album. Thanks Leanna! You all will have to look through the more mundane photos that I can now include :) Anyway I was practicing to see if I could do it and this is the result. How did I do teacher?

School started today

Our family now has a second grader and a kindergartner. Weston Elementary is within walking distance of our home. The kids have been so excited for school to start. Cameron woke up yesterday and wished the day away all day. We met Miss Chavez, Sarah Brooke's teacher, yesterday. She seems like a really sweet lady. She has taught for 8 yrs. The last 4 yrs have been at Weston. She is getting married in Nov.
The night before Sarah Brooke's big day. She woke me up in the middle of the night wondering how we were going to know when to get up and get ready. I assured her that we had set the alarm. She is our sleepy head so it never occured to me that she always wakes up after the house is a buzz and wouldn't know that we use the alarm. She came back in later with her tummy hurting and feeling like she was going to throw up. I think it was just nervous excitement.

This morning all ready to go!

Experiencing Cincinnati

We had never been to Jungle Jims grocery store before. They have any and everything your recipe could possibly call for on that all important must have ingredient list. Need a cow head or pig snout to roast? How about chicken feet to boil or slice of bone for your stew? Ever have to have a cow tongue then head on over to Jungle Jims. They have every ethnic group represented and at times you could feel like you were in a foreign country.
The place is so large that they have a map for it. David is sitting under the lost sign. It is a museum/grocery store.
The kids standing outside the exit of Jungle Jims. His goal was to make ordinary grocery shopping a fun experience. He succeeded. I could have looked around much longer but we had to be off to experience some more of Cincinnati
Graeters Ice Cream Parlor. Not many things tast better to me than chocolate so why not double your pleasure. Miss Ashley and I shared a double chocolate ice cream in a waffle cone. Big chunks of chocolate in chocolate ice cream. We spent the night with Uncle Jerry and Aunt Annie. That was just the beginning of our weekend! We went to the wedding of Pastor Mike and Michelle on Satuday morning. I borrowed Aunt Annie's camara and will post the pics as soon as I get them from her. It was an all day event :) The wedding was a sacred/sweet experience. We came back to Aunt Annie's and enjoyed being with family the rest of the weekend.

One week of summer break left.....

But I think the heat is going to be here for awhile longer. Today we registered the kids at our elementary school just around the corner. We met the principal but will have to wait to meet the teachers. The kids are very excited. I wanted to take a picture but the roof is under construction so the front of the school is very unimpressive. Sarah Brooke will be in Kindergarten and Cameron in second grade. I might have to be moped up off of the floor after leaving them. They will do great though.
I have been about the normal things of running a house this week. The kids are doing very well with our August tradition...no movies. Family Life Today recommends taking the month of August and turn your T.V off. The no T.V. is not a problem here so I decided to make it no movies. This is our second year to participate in the challenge.
Have I posted already how very excited and proud we are of our new Pastor and Michelle? God has blessed us. Their wedding is this weekend :) Even the kids are wanting to go.
I'm outta here back to those routine things that never have an end.

Happy Birthday Daddy!!!

Today is my Dad's birthday. My parents live in Kansas so I don't get to celebrate with them like I would like to. I love you so much and I'm proud to call you mine. I hope you had a good day and felt our love coming to you today

Parsonage remodel

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

One for each of the girls

What fun it was to go see our friends Charles and Kristens baby girls. The pictures don't capture how small they are. I forgot how small babies start out. They are good size for twins but 5lbs. plus a little oz. doesn't look very big in real life.

This is baby Joelle. Yes, she is real. Miss Ashley couldn't get enough. Great fun!!!

Here's the proud parents. Don't they look great. They had possibly their last restful nights sleep for awhile. They wished and wanted twins and God gave them the desires of their hearts. They are beautiful babies and perfectly healthy.