She blogs!!!!

Well now that March has come and gone and April is almost too, thought it would be a good time to catch you up. Not that anyone reads this anyway, but here goes.

Severe Weather

We have had record severe weather here in Arkansas. Snow at the first of March, then rain that caused flooding and then tornadoes that came way too close to home and then more rain and more flooding.

I am trying to figure out how to get my old camcorder hooked up so I can share the video I shot of the Arkansas River. It is absolutely amazing to see the river completely out of it's banks. I drove over to our construction site by the White River and was just in total awe of the magnitude of water. You have to see it to believe it. I saw it and still can't wrap my mind around it. It's actually a good thing that our project is stopped for litigation because that site is under water.

The tornadoes where a little too close for comfort and too many of my friends were even closer then I like. There was officially 10 come through from one wall cloud. I just consider it one that just kept touching down but they call it 10 separate ones. Marty and I were watching TiVo TV so we were behind on the warnings that were coming out. We had just caught up with real time when we really started looking at the path projections. I don't usually get worked up about storms (guess I've been through too many that were nothing) so we don't normally even do more then just watch the broadcast but for some reason we both felt that we needed to get up and get dressed for the weather. So we did and we even got the girls out of their beds and put them in ours. I've NEVER done that. (They slept through it though.) About that time, the phones started ringing. First Mom, because it had just past her and she knew it was projected at us. While I was talking with Mom, John called Marty's phone. I called Stacey because they are just down the street from us and if it was coming our way it had to pass them first. Her family went next door then to a neighbors storm cellar so I didn't have to worry about her. Marty called his mom while I talked to Stacey. She said that it wasn't bad there because it had gone east of them. Christine called me after I got off the phone with Stacey. They were doing well but they were concerned. Their power went out while we were on the phone. We had lost satellite but we still have an air wave TV in the kitchen so we could still see the news plus Marty has his ham radio license. So I stayed on the phone with her. The tornado turned and took the path it had taken when it wiped out Cabot in the 70's. Which was a lot closer to Christine than to us. Like I said too close. They didn't have any damage but there was lots of damage around the city park/pool off of Richie Lane. Needless to say we didn't get much sleep that night. I was on the phone calling friends to check on them.

Later I found out I had friends even closer then I knew: Laura, Melanie, Mr. & Mrs. Merritt, Ronnie & TJ.

It did a lot of damage to the baseball field at Sylvan Hills and my old high school, Sylvan Hills High.

Emily

The other things that have been happening is that Emily has started singing with the Praise Band at church on Sundays. She is really good and is starting to not look scared to be up there. Again if I can get through some technical challenges I'll post some video of her.

She decided that she wanted to do a talent show, so she looked in the paper and found the "Babies and Children's ABCExpo". She was very serious about it and kept reminding us what date and that she really wanted to go. So we took her. She performed Hannah Montana's "Rock Star" for the audition. They only took the top 10 talents for the show. She didn't make the show but she was great about it. She did well but it was her first audition and there were many of the "pageant/talent show" kids that were there also. Who knows, we maybe doing it again.

She is working hard at the moment on getting ready for her second piano recital. She is working on 4 pieces. I don't know the day of the recital yet but will be posting about it soon.

Erin

Little Miss Sunshine is working hard at school. She is still struggling with reading and writing. So if you get a letter from her, would you please be her pen pal? She doesn't like story writing so we are trying to let her write letters to friend telling about her life to get her to practice. She just finished benchmark testing at school and said that it was easy, so lets hope we're moving in the right direction. I do think the glasses have helped though.

Church

We have our first annual Easter Egg hunt and it was a huge success. I got to do the planning this year but I hope to have someone serve as Family Events coordinator and take that off my plate. We had it at a new members home and it was fabulous. They have huge yard out in the country. It worked out great except that it was really wet from loads of rain that we have been getting. Didn't dampen any ones spirits though and we all had a fabulous egg hunt for over 1500 eggs.

On Palm Sunday, the kids started the service with a parade of palm branches then stole the show with a performance of two songs. It was so wonderful to see the kids sing "Come to Jesus" and "Get Up, Get Up". Again, if I can get the technology worked out, I know where a video of it is.


There is more but I guess I can try to type that soon.

Snowing in Arkansas in March

I know that some places it isn't strange to have snow in March but for those of us in Cabot, Arkansas it is. Especially when it was in the 70's only one week ago. We were running around in shorts, getting sunburned and now we don't dare expose any skin to the 29 degreee weather.

My kids are so over joyed at the snow and I'm very glad that they did get to see such beauty. Here are some pictures of the "Spring" wonderland.

How do you like the Christmas decorations in March??? Marty used the big C9 set this year on the Snoopy tree and he liked it so much, he has left them up. He asked me to get different colors so that he could just change out the bulbs with the season. Unfortunately by the time he asked me this they weren't out any more. So if you see ANY color C9 bulbs please let me know or pick them up for me. I'd love to present him with: purple, pink, spring green, kelly green, blue, orange, sky blue, royal blue. It would be so funny.

Check out how it looked like the burning bush in this picture!!!!

Pretty cool, uhhh?

Proud Momma Moment

Emily has a very beautiful voice. This isn't a Momma opinion this is what I hear all the time when people hear her sing.
Emily reads very welll. This again isnt' a Momma opinion, this is what I hear when someone who doesn't know her hears her read aloud.

Well, Emily has decided to join the praise band at church and yesterday was her first day singing on stage on a microphone. Not only did she sing but she read a passage by herself for the congregation. Other then she looked a little unconfortable, it was her first time after all, she did a very good job at both. It isn't her first time reading a passage for the church, because she read one of the readings during Christmas of the lighting of the advent candles.

She is still taking piano lessons and now I guess I will have to get her voice lessons. Oh well, if this is the talent that God has given her, and she is comfortable using it, then I will be glad to encourage her every step of the way.


EMILY - your daddy and I couldn't have been more proud of you yesterday. Keep up the great work for God that your doing. WE LOVE YOU!! Mom

Go 88

If you're wondering why my page is presently black and white, well that is the color of the checked flag and race season is back. I love watching cars go around and the faster the better. My lucky number is 8 which up until last year was also my favorite drivers number. It is still my lucky number but 88 is my race number now. Marty doesn't have a favorite driver, which is good because we don't get cross that way. He just roots for certain guys to not win and the guys he doesn't like I also don't like so it's good.

I'll have to see if I can make a checker flag for my banner.

I love the engineering of racing. It takes so much engineering to get a car to go around the different tracks and win week after week or almost week after week. Each track is unique and requires different technology.

In other news for today - I'm ready for winter to be done.

Today it was close to 70 degrees. So Marty and I loaded the bikes in the truck and to the girls down to the river trail for a ride. We started at the NLR Alltel Arena end this time instead of in the middle at Burns Park like we normally do. Marty and I had done that trail but not with the girls. We got started and decided that twe would just see how far the girls wanted to go. The NLR side is about 7 miles from Alltel to the Big Dam bridge. We made it to boat ramp by the Burns Park golf course which is about 4.5 miles and then we turned around and went back for a total of 9 miles.

Marty and I hadn't had enough yet so we left there and went down to the county farm trail and did another 3 miles round trip out to the peninsula that you can see from I-440 looking toward Penicle Mountain. This is a flat ride and doesn't take as much effort. It was a great ride. Though I'm going to pay for it tomorrow. My knees are screaming at me now. I hurt them growning up and now it doesn't take much. I pray that as I get older that I will not hurt them to the point that I can't do what I love to do - hike, bike and camp.

I haven't gotten to down load my pictures from today yet but I will get them on line as soon as I can.

Denver for a Week & a new job

I can't believe I haven't written since Jan 17. I guess I've been a little bit busier then I thought. I have been in Denver since Sunday and am just now getting a chance to blog about it.

Okay, my first time in Denver is very uneventful. I flew out Sunday and arrived around 4:00 pm. I didn't have a rental car so was kind of stuck at the hotel. I am not a very experienced traveler and not a very adventureous person on my own, so I basicly went to my room, went to dinner across the street and then back to my room. Monday through Thursday was class from 7:00 am until 5:00 pm each day and again being the safe, cautious and boring person that I am I didn't miss any of my classes. I did miss one yesterday, but I was trying to change my flight for today for the earlier one. I had originally wanted all day today to explore and make the most of my trip but did I say yet that I'm rather cautious and unadventerous when alone? Well I didn't want to try to get around by myself and I didn't know what to do with my luggage and I didn't have transportation.

I really wanted to see the mountains up close and personal but I guess I will have to do that another time. I'm pretty sure if I was not married I would rarely adventure away from my house because I'm just too cautious. Now you wouldn't know this if you really knew me because when I'm with a group a friends, I'm always the one that takes the dare. I've just got to try it and if my friends are standing there encouraging, well, you just never know what I might do. Alone me is a complete different person.

I did get to see a really neat snow fall. I will have to upload photos later because they are giving me errors at the moment.

The other news is my new job. I am, as of Feb 3, 2008, the State Irrigation Engineer for NRCS in Arkansas. My official office is now Little Rock though I will be working on the same projects that I've been working on since 1996. Thus the reason why I am actually in Denver, an irrigation conference. I have been learning how irrigation is done in the western states so that I can have a better understanding when I communicate about my job. I'm excited, scared and overwhelmed but I can do it. It will require more responsibility but my boss seems to have confidence in me and that is good.

Way to Go Emily

Have any of you heard of the 4th/5th Grade Talent Search by Duke TIP? Well I hadn't either until yesterday. Emily is in GT at school and she brought home a letter from Mrs. Gairhan yesterday. In this letter was an application for the 4th/5th Grade Talent Search. This is an honor given to the top 5% of students in their grade level. It is Talent Identification Program (TIP) offered by Duke University. According to the provide material this program is designed to help academically talented young people become inspired to learn through exciting educational opportunities through formal recognition, praise for performance, and a clear message that continuing to develop their intelligence can be fun and fulfilling.

Marty and I are so very proud of her. My nephew, Dylan, has been recognized by Duke University and many doors have been opening for him and now Emily is being offered unique opportunities also.

Emily, daddy and I love you so very much and are so very proud of all your hard work at school. We pray that you will take every oppurtunity that opens to you and use it to your best ability. God has blessed you with the world and the ability is yours to make the most of it.

Day 13 and Friends

Still doing the 30 day challange:

"I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me." Song of Solomon 7:10

Okay this day's encouragement is too personal to put on my blog but let's just say that in this department my husband rocks my world and I never feel that I'm not his desire.

Thank you God for giving me such an amazing man.

Revealing myself to my friends:

In honor of Tiffany in Japan, I'm taking the challange of blogging these personal questions. Here is what you didn't know about me.

1. What time did you get up this morning? 4:28 am cst
2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Can't remember
4. What is your favorite TV show? Numbers
5. What do you usually have for breakfast? coffee and muffin
6. What is your middle name? Joann
7. What food do you dislike? vegetables
8. What is your favorite CD at moment? CD??? you mean ipod playlist right?
9. What kind of car do you drive? 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
10. Favorite sandwich? Nutella
11. What characteristic do you despise? Lying
12. Favorite item of clothing? bathrobe at the moment
13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Australia
14. Favorite brand of clothing? don't have one
15. Where would you retire to? in the mountains in a cabin
16. What was your most recent memorable birthday? 2006 when Marty got me my Canon rebel digital camera
17. Favorite sport to watch? Nascar
18. Furthest place you are sending this? Japan and Germany
19. Person you expect to send it back first? doubt anyone will
20. What is favorite animal? wolf
21. When is your birthday? April (month of the diamond)
22. Are you a morning person or a night person? Morning
23. What is your shoe size? 8 ½
24. Pets? 2 cats
25. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? Nothing new but exciting - Christ died for you
26. What did you want to be when you were little? A baby doctor
27. How are you today? Healthy and doing better then last week
28. What is your favorite candy? Snickers
29. What is your favorite flower? Gardenia
30. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? Feb 3 - I have a business trip to Denver and I have never been there
31. Mountains or the beach? mountains
32. What is your full name? You know my middle - why my full
33. What are you listening to right now? Nothing
34. What was the last thing you ate? Muffin
35. Do you wish on stars? Yes
36. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Purple
37. How is the weather right now? It is clear and sunny
38. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Stacey
39. Favorite soft drink? When not dieting - Mt. Dew
40. Favorite restaurant? Red Lobster
41. Hair color? brown
42. What was your favorite toy as a child? baby dolls
43. Summer or winter? Summer
44. Hugs or kisses? Both
45. Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate
46. Coffee or tea? both
47. Do you want your friends to email you back? Well, I always love emails from my dear friends. Lets me know they are still keeping tabs on me.
48. When was the last time you cried? Last week everytime I drove in the drive and saw our empty yard
49. What is under your bed? clothes
50. What did you do last night? Disciple IV bible study
51. What are you afraid of? Loosing Marty or my kids
52. Salty or sweet? sweet
53. How many keys on your keyring? car ring - 1, work ring - 4, house ring - 8
54. How many years at your current job? 15
55. Favorite day of the week? Saturday
56. How many towns have you lived in? 4
57. Do you make friends easily? yes
58. How many people will you send this too? blogging it - so I don't know
59. How many will respond? didn't we already do this one?
60. If you could experience anything in the whole world, what would you want to do and why? Scuba diving, Snow Skiing, White Water Rafting, Backpacking in the Rockies and the Appalachians (I love the outdoors and these are things I want to do before I can't)

Loosing Focus

This has been a long stressful week and it has caused me to lost my focus, my excitement, my enthusiasium. I know I have lots to get done but I don't want to do it. My shoulders hurt and I want to go to bed. I don't want to go out and sale Girl Scout cookies, I don't want to go purchase things for Sunday School, and I don't want to plan more activities - girl scout or church. I just want to be. That is me today: flustrated and unfocused.

One of my dearest and best friends called me this morning and she was soooo excited. She has been gone all week at a conference and she is fired up about what she learned and wants to spread the word. (Which I'm very glad for and support her 100%) I just am not excited to hear it. Not that it is her or the subject, it's just me. I don't like being this way because I support her work and her enthusiasium, I just wish I had it too. She wanted to get together this afternoon and normally if she has been gone as much as she has I'm right there. Drop everthing, reschedule, There. But today when she ask, I just couldn't and it has been eating at me since I got off the phone. I'm not a put my friends at arms length type person. I'm the hug, high fives, support beyond any cost type. This mood has got to go.

Dentist/Orthodontist = Evil Tormentors ????

Have I told you about my daughter and her adversion to any professional person working in her mouth? Well ..... today was the routine check up for Emily at the orthodontist. She has had a spider for about a year and a half and we go every 9 to 12 weeks for him to check in preparation for braces. Now she has seen this man since she was 7 and she is now 10. He has talked her through every process thus far and has caused her the bare minimum of pain (I can a sure you that the cat has hurt her far more then him or his staff.)

Today's visit started like all the others. She goes in smiling and the assistant calls her name, she and I go back where she promptly climbs up in the chair grabs the gameboy provided and begins to play. The assistant calls for an x-ray which just brightens her day more and she hopes out of the chair heads to get the x-ray and comes back with an even bigger smile.

The assistance takes a look in her mouth and talks with her about her 3 loose teeth and they laugh and carry on. Doc walks up and looks at her mouth, talks to her about her 3 loose teeth, tell me to look at the front top because he thinks the next time in he will start putting brackets on the front, and then he promptly turns to the assistant and says "take out her appliance".....

You would have thought he just told her to jab a hundred needles into my child. Emily came completely and totally unhinged. She was hollering, crying and begging for Esop (her lamb she sleeps with). She was unconsoleable by him, the assistant and Mom. We tried to console her for about 5-10 minutes. Nothing would calm her down. And they haven't even touched her!!! Remember he has only given a verbal instruction to his assistant. The doc is getting flustrated with her, as is mom, and gets in her face about her behavior and tells her Mom will have to leave if she doesn't stop. He explains that it won't hurt and exactly what it will take to get the spider out. NO. Not working. He finally makes her open her mouth and pulls the right side off and then the left. She never even screamed about pain. She was fighting him and crying though. Then she wouldn't allow him to scrap the glue off completely. When he's finally had enough he asked her if is actually had pain and my stubborn, mule headed daughters says "Just a little." She doesn't know what pain is!! She can't even consided that it actually didn't hurt and that she was wrong. And to think we still have to put braces on?????

I love my daughter but I've never so not wanted to be her mother then that moment. I don't mean for that to sound bad because I would never trade her and couldn't ask for a better daughter - most of the time. I just don't get this side of her. Her fear is very real to her but unfounded. I don't know how to get her through this. Rational reasoning doesn't work, grounding doesn't work, offer of reward doesn't work... any ideas????

Oh and if your wondering, she isn't any better at the dentist when she gets her teeth cleaned.

Sad Day

Scout Foster Bowie
October 2006 to January 6, 2008

Some days you just want a do over and try to change the events. This is one of those days for our family. Many of you know that our dog, Scout, has been sick since September. Even though we thought we had his condition in hand, sadly he passed away last night. I'm a dog lover. I always have been and our dog is like one of my kids. Some people think that is stupid but everyone is entitled to their opinion. Scout wasn't but 2 years old and had already had a hard life because he was hit by a car when he was 10 weeks old. We adopted him from our vet and had hope to give him a better life. Well things just don't work out the way we think some times. Instead, we had to wake our kids today and tell them that the dog they loved was gone and watched as they cried. All the while, knowing that we couldn't take away their pain because we couldn't even take away our pain.

Bye buddy, we miss you already. We love you!

Strong Character

"Love suffers long, and is kind." (1 Corinthians 13:4a)

"My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)

My husband is one of those considerate men who knows who he is and isn't afraid to show it. He isn't super physical strong but he is so very emotionally strong. I know how he feels most all of the time (because like all men he does get quite and not talk at times), but I never have to guess how he feels about me and our marriage. Thanks to God for creating such a wonderful man.

For all he does

"....through love serve one another." Gal. 5:13b

Day one of encouraging my husband was rather easy. I had a staff meeting at church and didn't really see him but about 30 minutes before I left and 30 minutes before we went to sleep. Though it really won't have been hard anyway. I have always said that God blessed me far beyond what I ever deserved when He brought Marty into my life and that still has not changed.

Today I'm suppose thank my husband for the way he serves me and our family. Well where do I begin? Marty has always been a doer. There is no job that he won't do and most of them he doesn't have to be asked to help do. I know. You don't have to say it. He is fabulous. He takes care of feeding the pets, he washes dishes, he washes/folds/puts away laundry, he makes sure the kids have their baths, he cooks, he vacuums, he does anything and everything and NEVER complains. I have the greatest husband and he loves me on top of all that. He makes me feel special and perfect and sexy.

He is Mr. Wonderful and he's all mine. THANK YOU God for such a wonderful but undeserved partner to share my life with.

New Year - New Adventures

It's a new year and have you done what everyone else always does and make new year resolutions? Do you really plan to lose weigh, get fit, spend less and save more?

Well I have made my resolutions with my husband and my family and I do plan on doing my best to keep them.

One that I am planning on doing is only 30 days and it is the 30 day Husband Encouragement Challenge for Wives (see www.ReviveOurHearts.com). I resolve for the next 30 days to: not say anything negative about my husband ... to my husband ... or to anyone else, about my husband and instead to say something that I admire or appreciate about him ... to him ... and to someone else about him!

I also resolve to pray for 31 days for him.

To get started - I am to thank him for "choosing me" above all other women. I plan on tell him this in person but so every one else knows without a doubt - I LOVE MY HUSBAND and I am so glad that he is my partner in life. I can't image going through life without him and love to experience each day with him. Going camping, hiking, bike riding, or doing work around the house is all fun because I do it with him. I thank God for leading me to him and for blessing our marriage.

"The heart of her husband safey trusts her; so he will have no lack of grain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life." Proverbs 31:11-12

If you care to join me in this challege then please go to www.ReviveOurHearts.com and click on the link to the challenges.

Wonderful Christmas Day

It was a wonderful Christmas Day with family. We went over to my brother's house and opened presents, played Mexican Train and ate deep fried turkey. It was a very relaxing day.

The girls seemed to enjoy their gifts. Emily got two pandas, a telescopy, a panda calendar, loads of clothes and a camelback backpack. Erin got two giraffes, a MP3 player (she calls and ipod), a giraffe calendar, loads of clothes and a camelback backpack.

It's so nice seeing pure joy and love and happiness on my children's faces. You don't always get to see it and to experience it is just so rejuvenating. It tells you that your doing alright raising them.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE!!!!!!!

Christ was born on Christmas Day and came into the world to be my saviour and yours! I know I haven't been in the spirit of the season but God is good and has a way of changing me when I least expect it. It's not because my shopping is done or that I've been spending some great time with my "sisters" and their family, but He gave me something that I have been searching for the past 17 years now. A pleasant, warm family holiday with my husband's family.

Now, don't get me wrong, I've loved them since we were dating and they have always loved me and welcomed me to the famiy but we all know that each family unit is unique and does things differently and it is hard to join any's family. Marty and his sister are 5 years apart and different as night and day and we just have never been very socialable, but I so enjoyed spending last night in her presence and it makes me sick thinking of the past missed oppurtunities. We have all changed as we have grown and had families and I think that it has finally reached us all at the same time that we are family and special to each other. Watching Emily and Erin play with Sorcha was so beautiful. Hearing them make her laugh and share with her was a true joy.

I know that Christ was working here. I can't explain it but it's something I know.

And I'd like to show you the very special necklaces Anna made each of us and the craftmanship and thought she put in them is awesome.



I pray that each of you have a very Merry CHRISTmas and that you tell each and every member of your family how important that they are no matter what differences you have.

Just can't

I've been trying to get in the Christmas spirit and I just can't seem to find it. We didn't get the tree until Saturday and didn't put it in the house until Sunday. It finally got decorated on Tuesday. That's is about the extent of my decorating. I just haven't done it. My shopping is in the same state of not done. I've got nothing, NOTHING, for either girl and have just today purchase a present each for my sisters in Florida. I still have two brother-in-laws, one nephew and one niece in Florida to purchase for before I can mail their gifts.

I have made some small purchases but nothing is striking me as "the" gift to give. I love giving. I so want to purchase a gift for absolutely everyone I know and for ever child of my dearest friends. Well, so much for that this time. I just can't.

I'm not normally a "I can't" person. I'm normally a think positive it will work person, but something just isn't there this time.

This is really sad to me too. Christmas is about God's perfect gift to us and about family and love and hope and good cheer. It's not suppose to be stress and I don't a have time. My sisters aren't coming "home" this Christmas and there have been no special plans made with our parents. While my friends are taking trips to visit relatives, we've got no "family" plans. Now why is that? My mom and brother live just down the road as does Marty's mom and dad yet there has been no talk of being together. Maybe this is why I'm not in any rush to celebrate which is a terrible reason because then my girls are missing out on the joy and warmth that I always remembered from my childhood.

I'm not depressed guys, just random thoughts as I'm home alone while Marty is doing inventory. Now you see why he doesn't leave me alone with my own brain very often.

Emily is in "Faith Finders" at church and much to her dad's and my surprise, she read the reading for the lighting of the advent candle this past Sunday. We didn't know that the class was doing this and I just happened to luck into having my camera there. She is such a great reader and she did an outstanding job.

This coming Sunday the girls will be singing during the worship service. The children who wish to sing, will sing "Jesus, Born on this Day" and "Joy to the World". It should be very beautiful. So if you're able and would like to hear them then come this Sunday at 10:30 am.

Well, time for bed

Christmas Survey

I was tagged by my good friend Tiffany who is the main reason why I blog and who has the most reason to be sore at me for not doing it lately. (This is her hint to do it. THANKS Tiff.)
On with the survey...

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? both but I really perfer wrapping
2. Real or artificial tree? REAL. I do not do fake trees. I can't... I married Clark Griswald.
3. When do you put up the tree? The first Saturday in December
4. When do you take the tree down? New Years Eve or Day
5. Do you like eggnog? No
6. Favorite gift received as a child? My guitar that I got in third grade because my third grade teacher played one and she was my favorite teacher.
7. Do you have a nativity scene? 4 or 5 of them.
8. Hardest person to buy for? My mom
9. Easiest person to buy for? My children
10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I can't remember so it must not be too bad?
11. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail but I'm usually late
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? National Lampoon Christmas Vacation and Charlie Brown Christmas
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? November
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Mom's fudge
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Colored
17. Favorite Christmas Song? Go Tell It on the Mountain song by Garth Brooks, anything from Tran-siberian Orchestra or Go Fish's Snow album
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Home
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Well can't you
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Tinkerbell
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas morning? Christmas morning except for our Christmas PJs that we get every year.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Nothing
23. Do you decorate your tree in any specific theme? No
24. What do/did you leave for Santa? Cookies and milk

Memphis Zoo Snooze

Have you ever spent the night in the Zoo? We have. Our troop went over to Memphis Saturday afternoon and spent the night learning different thing about animals. We were given personal visits with a hen named Kellogg, an iguana named Indy, a rat named Louise, an American Thestral named Nina and yest a ball python named Monty. If you know me at all then you know there is no love connection between me and snakes and usually I'm not in the same county (if I can manage it) much less the same room where one is not behind glass but actually being touched by girls that are in my care. Well, I made a deal with my girls that if every single one of them (23 in all) and every single parent that accompanied us (9) would touch Monty, then I would also. I just knew I would have at least one person hold out. Well as you can see from the below picture, I was betrayed. I had to touch a snake. No it did not feel like I thought it one and no I do not have plans to do that again. I did it for my girls and my girls only. No one can say that I transferred my fears to my children.

The next morning we were served a light breakfast and then lead on a personal tour before the zoo opened to the public. This is an awesome experience and one I never forget.

4-H Camp

Well, my baby is growing up.

Today the 4th graders head to 4-H camp for an overnight learning experience. Since I'm the girl scout leader and the children's minister, I always go with my girls on their trips but this is a no parent trip and it's weird being on this end of it. This trip is the highlight of the 4th grade. All the kids in all the low grades talk about getting to go when they are in 4th grade and Em has been looking forward to it.

We packed her bag last night and I called her dad on my way to work just to double check that she had everything before they left for day care. (Marty takes them because I'm already gone.) The 4-H center is a really cool place though. It was built back when I was actually in 4-H in the early 80's. I was one of the first 4-H kids to actually "camp" there. It's more like a hotel then camp though because they have dorm rooms not cabins or tents to sleep in. It is a beautiful facility that has a large lake, swimming pool, tennis courts, ropes course and many other activities. I actually went on my Emmaus walk there. They are suppose to do some canoeing and the ropes course and several other enjoyable activities. I'm very excited for her but will miss her tonight. It is so weird to not be going.

Lord, watch over my baby and keep her safe.

Exciting Weekend

Wow! What a fun weekend we had. Saturday evening my junior troop got together for our annual pumpkin carving. It is so much fun to watch the girls as they clean out their pumpkins and then to start work creating their master piece. Most of these girls started this when they were in second grade. As they have grown their skills have grown and we had some very awesome pumpkins this year.

Troop 130 Pumpkins

Then there was the first annual Christ UMC Trunk n Treat. What an amazing turn out! I had my concerns but of course God took care of all of it. We had 8 trunks and 8 activities, plus music, a space walk and hot dogs with chips and drinks. They counted 170 people at 6:00 pm. There is no telling how many people went through total. I can't wait to plan next years event. Course I have to get through Christmas, Easter and VBS first.

Jonah and the Big Fish

Me and my buddy

Thank you Lord for all the blessing in my life

Nothing Exciting

We'll I just read my friend Tiffany's blog and I just don't know what I have to share that is as exciting as her experiences right now. Yeah Tiffany!! I'm living vicariously through you, girl. Make sure we're enjoying every minute of life.

No, seriously, we all have wonderful lives but it just seems like I don't having anything different to say.

This past weekend we took the Girl Scouts on an overnight camping trip at Petit Jean Mountain. I had two girls that had never slept in a tent and two moms with little camping experience. We really had a good weekend. I love camping in October. The weather was beautiful and the girls had great time. At least that was what they told me.

Also this past weekend Kristi and I went to our rehearsal/training for working the next Noahs of Ark Walk to Emmaus. We were so excited that when we got back we were able to get two people to also go on the walk as pilgrims. One was a lady that I have been praying would go since my walk 2 years ago. God is good all the time! I can't take pictures of the walk because it isn't allowed but I will write what I can. Please pray for the pilgrims of Walk 131 starting Thursday at 6:00 pm until Sunday at 5:00 pm.

For those that know that I love math, here is an email that a dear friend just sent me and instead of just forwarding it, I thought I'd post it here.


Beauty of Math!
1 x 8 + 1 = 9
12 x 8 + 2 = 98
123 x 8 + 3 = 987
1234 x 8 + 4 = 9876
12345 x 8 + 5 = 98765
123456 x 8 + 6 = 987654
1234567 x 8 + 7 = 9876543
12345678 x 8 + 8 = 98765432
123456789 x 8 + 9 = 987654321

1 x 9 + 2 = 11
12 x 9 + 3 = 111
123 x 9 + 4 = 1111
1234 x 9 + 5 = 11111
12345 x 9 + 6 = 111111
123456 x 9 + 7 = 1111111
1234567 x 9 + 8 = 11111111
12345678 x 9 + 9 = 111111111
123456789 x 9 +10= 1111111111

9 x 9 + 7 = 88
98 x 9 + 6 = 888
987 x 9 + 5 = 8888
9876 x 9 + 4 = 88888
98765 x 9 + 3 = 888888
987654 x 9 + 2 = 8888888
9876543 x 9 + 1 = 88888888
98765432 x 9 + 0 = 888888888

Brilliant, isn't it?
And look at this symmetry:

1 x 1 = 1
11 x 11 = 121
111 x 111 = 12321
1111 x 1111 = 1234321
1111 1 x 11111 = 123454321
111111 x 111111 = 12345654321
1111111 x 1111111 = 1234567654321
11111111 x 11111111 = 123456787654321
111111111 x 111111111=12345678987654321

Now, take a look at this...101%

From a strictly mathematical viewpoint:

What Equals 100%?
What does it mean to give MORE than 100%?
Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%?
We have all been in situations where someone wants you to GIVE OVER 100%.
How about ACHIEVING 101%?
What equals 100% in life?
Here's a little mathematical formula that might help answer these questions:

If: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Is represented as:1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.

If:

H-A-R-D-W-O-R- K 8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%

And:

K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E 11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%

But:

A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E 1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%

THEN, look how far the love of God will take you:

L-O-V-E-O-F-G-O-D 12+15+22+5+15+6+7+15+4 = 101%

Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that:While Hard Work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude willGet you there, It's the Love of God that will put you over the top!

DeColores

Happy Late Birthday, Tiffany

Okay we know that we are late but on Tuesday (your birthday) each one of us had a sick child so we are just now getting to have our margarita in your honor. We love you and miss you. Hope to hear from you soon.

Trust me when I say we did your birthday up right last night!!!!!

Never play mexican train dominoes while drinking margaritas.

Sick Children

It's day 3 at home with my sick child. Em came home Monday from school with a fever and looking very much unlike her lively self. She was crying and just so upset. I can't stand to see my kids feeling this bad. For the last two days we have been fighting this temp that has gotten as low as 99.8 and as high as 104.2. You can easily tell when it has risen because she just looks lifeless and just wants to be under the covers. She isn't reading and is really watching very little tv. NOT my healthy child at all.

We went to the doctor on Tuesday and she has an ear infection and red throat. So she is on antibotics but it isn't working yet. Let's pray that she will be well soon and can go back to work and I can go back to work.

Tag your it

Okay I've been tagged by Tiffany because I've been to lazy to update my blog.
Tiff, I do this for you!!!!

Two names you go by:
1. Charolette
2. Jo
Two things you are wearing right now:
1. Shorts
2. Jesus rainbow t-shirt
Two of your favorite things to do:
1. Hiking
2. Scrapbooking
Two things you want very badly at the moment:
1. A well child
2. A hair color and style
Two favorite pets you have had/have:
1. Scout (our lab)
2. Honey (the sweetest but stand-off cat)
Two people who will fill this out:
1. Good questions?????
2. ???????
Two things you ate today:
1. Fiber one bar
2. Just got up so nothing else yet
Two people you last talked to:
1. Marty
2. Krisit (last night)
Two things you're doing tomorrow:
1. Going back to work (fingers crossed)
2. Field survey
Two longest car rides:
1. Arkansas to Melbourne, Florida
2. Akransas to Lubbock, Texas
Two favorite holidays:
1. Halloween
2. Christmas
Two favorite beverages:
1. Diet Coke with Lime
2. Margarita (cheers Tiff!)

Really Good Day

Yesterday was a really good day and it was even a Monday.

I was up on time and out the door on time so there was no rushing to beat the clock. Instead a did something that I've rarely done and that was to turn off my radio and pray. I prayed from my house all the way to work which is about 28 miles or 30 minutes. It was just right to start out my day like that. I believe that it helped me stay calm and focused yesterday.

Well, work went smoothly, I got something accomplished, I recorded all my food intake, I got to go walk for 15 brisk minutes at lunch, and I got to have a wonderful afternoon with my family. Marty had gone to school with the girls for Emily's birthday and so he was home at 3:30 with the girls and we had all evening together.

I cooked salmon and rice which both of my children ate some of and that was really really good. The dishes got done and all the home work was done. We did discover that we are going to need to get more computers in my house. We do have two but one is being rebuilt by a friend at the moment (no pressure but could use it back). Emily had a research project to work on and Erin accesses her Math book that way. She really loves math and looks forward to having work to do on the computer in her Math book. Well that meant that I didn't do anything on it (which really was a bad thing) but I could have balanced the checkbook or did some church planning or some scout planning.

I have been told before that when we put God first and start our day with Him that all things will fall into their appropriate places and yesterday was a wonderful example of it. I am going to try this on a daily bases, so, yes, I started to day with prayer and today is progressing just as nicely. Priority is a hard thing to do but all things are possible with God.

General thoughts

I guess I haven't been posting as much lately because school has started back. It's not really that we have had that many activities it just processing all that is going on.

The girls are loving school and their teachers. I'm so glad they have who they have. You might remember I posted that I was concerned but I'm quickly getting over that. They have very little homework and all their papers have been 100's or 90's.

Emily says her teacher is very funny and puts a lot of science into the classroom. She does great with science so the combination is great. Erin's teacher seams to be more math oriented and that is Erin's subject. She is all about the numbers. Well she likes bugs too. It is so cool to hear my girls talk about habitats and environments and sedimentary/metemorphic/igeneous rock types and species of trees when we are out on hikes or just around the yard. I don't think I learned these type of things until 8th grade earth science. School is way cooler then when we were in it.

That is one of the great wonders of being a parent, rediscovering the world as your children learn it.

Labor Day Weekend

What a fabulous weekend!!!! We had a great family weekend.

Saturday we got up and went down to the river trail and road bikes for 5 miles round trip. Then we came home changed and headed to a friends house to enjoy their pool for an hour or two. We came home and Marty grilled pork chops and then we set around and played Skip Bo for the evening.

Sunday we got up and went to church and then came home and loaded our GPS for an afternoon of Cabot geocaching. We haven't cached in a year and just had to get the new ones that have popped up so close to home. We finished with another evening of Skip Bo.

Today we got up and packed for a morning at Pinnacle Mountain. We started on the west end of the base trail and walked it's 1.5 mile to the East Summit trail head. We then took the East Summit trail up to the top of the mountain, where we rest for a bit before we took the West Summit trail back down. While on the way up, Grandma called and we invited her and Pop to come out to meet us for lunch at the bottom. We were almost down when Erin almost stepped on this guy.

She loves bugs so I took this picture so she could draw him and tell about him in her nature journal. We then proceeded on down and was almost down when Erin took a tumble. She skint her knees and bruised both of her palms. She was a trooper and through some tears she walked on down. We cleaned her up and ate lunch with Grandma and Pop. Then the girls talked us into take a walk on the King Fishers trail. There we found the following critters to look at:

It was a very nice walk around.

We finished the afternoon off back in our friends pool and then dinner at Chili's. What fun to spend time with your family.

God never gives you more than you can bear.

Whatever your cross, whatever your pain, there will always be sunshine, after the rain .... Perhaps you may stumble, perhaps even fall, But God's always ready, To answer your call ... He knows every heartache, sees every tear, A word from His lips, can calm every fear ... Your sorrows may linger, throughout the night, But suddenly vanish, in dawn's early light ... The Savior is waiting, somewhere above, To give you His grace, and send you His love .. Whatever your cross, whatever your pain, "God always sends rainbows .... after the rain ... "

To get out of difficulty, one must usually go through it! God never gives you more than you can bear – so bear it willingly and you will rejoice in your rewards!

School has started

Well, yesterday was the first day of school.

Here are the girls just before we leave the house. Erin is starting 2nd grade and Emily is in 4th. They are both very good students and are very excited about getting back to schedule.

Erin's teacher was very welcoming and warm which really made for a great start.

Emily has the new teacher who happens to male. She is very focused on the fact that he is male and was a little apperhensive about him.

I picked them up instead of them riding the bus home (upon their request) and was glad to hear that they both had a very good day. Em says that her teacher is funny but very strict. We'll see how this will work for her. I'm sure she will be fine.

Scouts also started last night. Wow are we going to have a full year. I have 12 Junior scouts and Cris has 12 Brownie scouts. We will be having lots of wild times together learning about being women in today's world.

The juniors got to pick our troop crest last night. By votes, they picked the Unicorn crest to represent us with it standing for our Friendship, our Adaptability and our Creativity.

What if I stumble????

Thursday, September 27, 2005, I left for a 72 hour spirtual retreat that, at the time I didn't know it, would change me forever. I was excited and scared all at once about going. This was something I had never done before and I was doing it alone. There were 5 other women from my church going but I had never taken any religious class or activity before without Marty. He wasn't even allowed to go with me to drop me off.

On the drive out, my fear rose and by time the sponsors from our church had left, I was in near panic mode. Friday, I walked around in a haze trying to figure out why I was there but actually started settling down. I talked with the ladies from my church and made some friends that I didn't expect to make. On Saturday morning, I received the answer to why I was suppose to be there. God's grace came so hard to my heart that I'm still in awe of the power of Him. Knelt at a foot the cross I laid down my pride, my selfishness, and my selfpity and I picked up my cross and have been carrying it every since.

Until this Saturday and then Sunday...............I stumbled and then fell. The pain in my heart is so heavy. I'm confused and bruised. I'm human and I'm subject to all human conditions. God knows I've experienced most all of them at some point. God's grace is so devine and I know that when I asked His forgiveness it was unconditional given to me but the feeling of letting Him down is so strong. Letting anyone down or being anyone elses stumbling block is something that truly weighs on my heart.

With being the Interim Children's Minister for the church, the very thought of the possiblity of causing someone to turn from God because I stumbled or fell due to my humanist causes me to be so ill. I know there is only one perfect Christian and none of us will ever compare to His glory, but ...............

I can't find the words, yet I can hear some of my friends as they will read this. "Don't be so hard on yourself." "You have to forgive yourself as God has forgiven you." "We all suffer from human errors." I know. Just hitting earth after being among Angels since October 1, 2005 can really hurt.

God, I'm listening. I don't know what your telling me but I'm trying to listen.


DeColores





What if I stumble, what if I fall?
What if I lose my step and I make fools of us all?
Will the love continue when my walk becomes a crawl?
What if I stumble, and what if I fall?

Father please forgive me for I cannot compose
The fear that lives within me or the rate at which it grows.
If struggle has a purpose on the narrow road you've carved
Why do I dread my trespasses will it leave a deadly scar?


DC Talk's - What if I stumble - from the Jesus Freak album

The count down has begun.

In 9 days Marty and I start back Disciple. We will be doing IV this time and have been doing Disciple Bible study four years. This will be 5.

In 10 days the girls start back to school. Emily has a male teacher and Erin has a teacher that moved from K to 2nd grade this year.

In 10 days Girl Scouts start back on regular meetings.

In 12 days our Wednesday night cell group starts back meeting every week at our house.

In 24 days Emily starts piano lessons back.

I could go on and on. We schedule everything, can you tell. I'm a very structured individual but even this gets to me sometimes.

I am excited about all of these starting back though. I may be a nerd but I love planning and since I'm the scout leader and the children's ministry, I'm always planning something. We have a very exciting new year in scouts since Emily moved up to Juniors. There is so many activities and badges and things to learn. I've got so much planned for them that I don't know how they will find time for school.

Then there is the new program that we are starting for the 4th through 6th graders in Sunday School. We're starting a new group called Faith Finders and have the really cool curriculum that even has it's own website that the kids have access to. They give us the feed back on it as to what they want us to teach each week and they do the choosing of the games they do, so that they get a hand in their activities. The ones that I have talked to are very excited about it.

Lots of different great things and then a few sad.

We have our going away/back to school scout party tomorrow. It will be Alexis' last event with us. She and her mom are so cool (check out her blog). Alexis is one of Emily's best friends and Tiffany is quickly becoming one of my very close friends too. It's great but now we are gonna have to communicate via our blogs because she will be in Japan. I'm very excited for them and am actually very envious too. I'm not really a mover type person but I'd love to see other parts of the world and learn different cultures. I just do it through my military friends. I told Tiffany that Alexis is gonna have to get a webcam so she can still attend our meetings. I've already sent her an invitation to our private troop blog so she can still communicate with the girls. Another thing that is wonderful about Tiffany that we are going to miss is she knows all of the Camp Story Girl Scout songs and she has been our teacher. So the webcam will have to serve two purposes, to keep Alexis connect and so Tiffany can still teach us music.

I'll try to get a picture of Tiffany and Alexis tomorrow at the party.

August already

I can't believe that it is August already. Scouts, School and Small Group are starting back and I just can't see where the time is going to come from. We stay too busy these days. I'm always feeling somewhat rushed. I love all that I do I just wish I had more oppurtunity to do it. Thers'e only one activity on my plate that I'd like to give up and I can't because it's the one that pays the bills.

Work is not what it use to be. It use to be interesting and busy and changing. Now it's slow, stressful and full of politics. I don't like politics.

Well, I know I have to make the lemonade out of lemons so I won't complain. I have job with great benefits and when we do have funding it is rewarding. I just have to make it through these slow periods I guess.

There are so many topics talk about some days and others I've got nothing. Today I could change subjects over and over. I could talk about scouts and how excited I am about this coming year. I could talk about the girls going back to school and how excited I am for Emily and concerned I am over Erin. I could talk about Children's Ministry at our church and how I'm looking for servants to help out in all departments. I could talk about starting our cell group back and that I'm not ready because my house is a disaster. I could talk about the walk that is coming this weekend and how excited I am for the women who are going. I could talk about my friend who might be going on one of the next women's walk in Oct or Nov. I could talk about how I wish more of my friends would blog and that it actually flustrates me that they don't. I could talk about the dear friend who is moving in a week to Japan and I'm going to miss.

Pick a topic. Any topic. I've don't know which to discuss. Maybe it isn't my life that is busy but just my brain with too many thoughts.

Family time

We've been having a very full summer and not much family only time so last night after SLUFY we went and had a dinner at Applebee's and planned to come home and have a family tv night. Well the best laid plans were not last night. Instead we came home to find this:

Meet Snowbell or Snowball. The girls had her named in about 10 minutes but keep going back and forth on which of these two names they like. If you were the "wonderful, thoughtful" person that left this precious gift on our doorstep, Mommy and Daddy would like to meet you so we can personally.... ahhh.... "thank you". She is a very sweet kitten and we're not sure what we're going to do with her. At the moment she resides mostly in the wash house with some trips into the big house. Mom isn't sure if the itchy eyes and sneezing last night are from her or being on the floor on the carpet. If they are because of snow then other arrangement might for sure be in the future.

Another part of our family time was getting up today and going biking. Daddy packed the truck yesterday so we could get an early start today but we were alll so tired that we sleep late. That's okay, we still made it to the county farm out by Maumelle Park and went for about a 5 mile ride. We found a new part of the trail that they've constructed and rode it.

It was a beautiful day and we really enjoyed having time together. We ate lunch at Maumell Park after the ride and just enjoyed the day. It was hot but the breeze from the river was really nice.
Then in the afternoon we went to the Launius' house and swam in the pool for a while. It was really nice to cool off and relax. Now were going to watch Mary Poppins before we go to bed. Family is a wonderful thing to have.

New Blogger

Welcome Cre8iveOne to blogging. I helped my friend, Wendy, last night in setting up her own blog spot. She has been staying at our house for the last 2 weeks while she works at SLUFY. This has worked very well for us as Emily and Erin are attending SLUFY and she has been able to help us with transportation.

I don't know if she will use her blog much but it was her idea and I said I'd help her. Though her first post says I pushed her into it, this was her idea. I do hope she'll do it so that I can keep up with her and her family. It's too easy to loose touch when your more then an hour away and though I think of her and my other friends from college often, getting time to really chat with them is slim to none most of the time.

My arm hurts

Have I told you my arm hurts? If you haven't seen me recently then you haven't seen me wearing my brace again. The wrist that I had the ganglion cyst removed from in July of 1999 is having issues again. I've been to the specialist and have had an MRI. The MRI shows nothing so the Dr. suggested getting a shot in the location of the pain and if that didn't work, he would order a bone scan. Well, if you know me, then you know I don't like shots so I refused that idea. He said he would put me in a brace for 6 weeks and we could see what I thought after that. I think he thinks this will change my mind about the shot. Though I'm very uncomfortable and it hurts to be on my beloved computer, I don't think so. Shots hurt and don't try to tell me I'm being silly. I've talked to too many people that have had cortizone shots and EVERYONE has said they hurt. Thanks. No. I'll pass.

The weather here is unusually comfortable. It's not too hot and in the evening and early morning it has actuall been in the lower 70's and upper 60's. I so wish we have been camping. We love to camp and have not been able to get out as much. If we do go, I've got to be back for Sunday morning so we can't go far. Gonna have to get a better plan for this some how.

The girls are loving SLUFY this summer and we have had an extra bonus with them going. My friend, Wendy, from college is one of the teachers and she has been staying with us during the week. It has been a lot of fun seeing her and her girls and just being together.

Harry Potter is complete

I finished it! Now I'm waiting on Marty so we can talk about it. Until then I have to remain silent or go outside if a friend calls who has finished it so we can talk.

Yes. I got my copy at 12:01 am and read the first 2 chapters before turning the light off and going to bed. I then got up at 8:00 am and read until 9:30 pm only stopping for short breaks. I never went outside and I understand that it was a beautiful day out. Oh well. I still read it and am glad I did. It was very well written and I really enjoyed it and I plan on reading it again to see all that I missed the first time.

Wish I could write like that but since you've read my blog, you know I'm not gifted at writting. Oh well.

Just wanted to let the world know that I've read it and that it took me 14 hours to do it.

VBS is over Wahoo

Okay, I can finally get back to blogging. Last week was VBS and I had NO time to set at my computer. If I wasn't at VBS, then I was back at work working on a deadline that came up. Both are complete now so I have more time.

Well, okay, no I don't but it isn't as hectic at the moment.

I do need to call a Children's Ministry meeting and a Scout Leaders meeting; plan the Back to School Scout party; the Emmaus Quarterly is on the 5th of Aug; Marty's birthday is the 4th of Aug; Mom's birthday is the 6th, Bryce's birthday is the 12th, Dylan's birthday is the 22nd; there's a walk the 9th-11th; disciple IV starts the 19th; School starts back the 20th; our first scout meeting of the year is the 6th; and the Sunday School promotion day is the 19th.

I did say it wasn't hectic didn't I????

Any how VBS is over for another year and was a huge success and there were an average 90 kids there. Most we had never seen and some that are promising to come back in the fall and Kristi has already said that she wants to be the director next year. She's already looking into the 2008 VBS material and is excited about it. That is awesome!!!!!!!!!

Happy 4th of July

Just wanted to wish everyone a safe and glorious 4th of July. Celebrate and enjoy the freedom that we so take for granted. Pray a prayer for those that are at this minute are fighting to keep that freedom for us who are not at home with their families today.

A River Runs Through IT!!!!!

The start of this 2 night Girl Scout weekend started with lots of laugher and excitement. Here are the girls just before we loaded up and headed north to Blanchard Springs Recreation Area, just north west of Mt. View, Arkansas.

We got to our campsite about an hour and half later then planned due to several traffic delays on Hwy 5, but we got the tents up before dark and got the girls fed. We had 6 brownies and 5 junior Girl Scouts this trip and 6 adults. The campsite was beautiful with a clift to our south, an open field to our west and restroom facilities to our northwest. We had 5 tents, though you only see four in this picture. Two of our dads went and their tent was located to the south east of the girls. The brown patches in the grass show the location of tents from previous campers.

We woke to a beautiful morning on Saturday and after breakfast we allowed the girls to explore the shallow cave at the base of the clift just beyond the fence of our campsite. Below you can see a picture of us at the mouth of the cave.

We did some try-it/badge work and then loaded the vehicles for the short drive to the Ozark Folk Center in Mt. View (about 14 miles away). Upon arriving at the center, the girls were asked to help make soap and wash clothes as they did in the pioneer days. We headed from the soap making to musical instruments. The girls were allowed to try different musical instruments such as spoons, guitar, lyre, and mandalin. Several of the girls showed some real musical talent. Next was a visit to the candle maker's shop where each girl received a pair of candles that they each got to dip in hot, colored wax to decorate.

The Center offers a program called Pioneer Kids that at specified times has activities for them to do. We headed there next and the girls were able to work with clay to make pinch pots. They really seemed to enjoy making a creation of their own. It was lunch time so we headed out of the Center to the picnic area for our lunch and rest. Then it was on to more adventure. We visited: the toymaker, basket weaver, broom maker, art gallery, blacksmith, country kitchen, seamstress, cooper, wood shop, quilter, pottery maker and finally the jewerler. It was a very busy afternoon.

They learned many new things. Below they are pulling cotton seeds out of the cotton boles. We had a very hard time getting them to leave. They wanted to stay until they finished the whole basket of cotton.

We headed back to camp and gave the girls a break while we started prep for dinner. The brownies gathered up to work on a try-it while the junior began working on their outdoor cooking badge. They learned how to prepare food for cooking, what a dutch oven was and how to use it. They learned how to do dish clean up using the 3-wash basin system. They were cooking tater tot casserole and brownie cheesecakes in the dutch ovens when a small rain shower hit. It was just an hour light rain and then back to business. Since they hadn't learned about fire and fire maintenance yet, after the rain they listened to Mr. Marty and Mr. Kevin on what they did to keep our cook fire going during the rain. They then prepared their hamburgers with the option of carrots, mushrooms, potatoes, onions and celery in foil packs. They gave them to the dads to place in the fire then helped the Brownies make their foil packs. Dinner was a real delite and the girls heard lots of praises from the Brownies and the adults on their hard work. After dinner, the Brownies headed to the showers while the Juniors learned about clean up, then they got their showers.

Quick note: Never sing "Johnny Appleseed" grace before dinner while camping, even if it has already rained that day and the weather report said that there was only a 20% change of showers. We all agree that this songs must be completely erased from the Girl Scout song book.

We set around the camp fire for about 10 minutes then s'mores were the next on the list. We had just gotten everyone theirs and had just started the adults when drops of rain began to fall. We had already received a weather report from home and knew that we would likely have rain for about an hour (according to what the radar showed). So we were expecting it, we just thought we would have enough time for S'mores first. Not so. The girls headed for their tents, while the adults started getting everything under cover. The light rain turned in to heavy rain quickly and all I can say is never trust the radar. Trust your gut. The rain grew heavy and set in for the night. Everything was going well until Tent 2 hollered that they were getting wet. I head to check out what was happening there and discover that the floor of their tent was indeed taking on water. It was like walking on a waterbed at first then it started to seep through. We moved these girls to one of the leaders tent and moved their wet gear to the other leaders tent. Did I mention that it is still POURING down rain? We get the girls in the new tent and then we have a discussion of what options we had. We decided that since most, if not all, of Tent 2's sleeping bags and clothes were wet that it was best to get them home. We decided to leave the adult men behind to stay with our stuff and us leaders would take the girls home to warm beds. We went to Tent 1 to let the leader who was sitting with those girls during the storm know, only to find that those girls were sound asleep. I mean dead to the world asleep. Oh well, they were dry now but it wasn't going to be long before they weren't, so stick to the game plan. We woke them up and started loading cars. We loaded all of them in two vehicles. Every trip to the vehicle, we noticed that it was getting deeper and deeper. Not a good sign at all. We finally got them all loaded in and I must say I'm very proud of the girls in our troop. Though they were in a scary situation, they cried some but we were able to calm them down easily and no one completely freaked out on us. We got them all back to Cabot safely around 1:15 am and everyone's parents came and picked them up.

After 4 hours of sleep, Kristi and I headed back up to get the equipment that the guys couldn't get loaded in their two trucks, while Cris watched our girls and had her husband cook us a wonderful lunch/dinner (what do you call it when you eat at 3:00 pm). Below is our rain soaked camp site. After getting everything loaded, we made a quick stop to walk the short trail to the Blanchard Springs Caverns exit. Below is the picture of the exit. This was what the girls were suppose to get to see today and then go in the caverns to see what the water made inside, but I guess we'll be planning another trip.

We made it home with everything and then started sorting all the stuff. We washed all the dirt off the tents and now have them hanging out to dry on my back porch.

We had a great time that I'm sure everyone will remember but I'd rather not have a "River Run Through Our Tents."

SLUFY

Tonight we had a parent meeting for the SLUFY. SLUFY (Summer Laureate University for Youth) is a summer enrichment program for Gifted and Talented Students and Emily and Erin were excepted into it this year.

Erin will be taking a walk on the wild side for home base and then head over for mathematical adventures. She will be learning about animals and their habitats and explore special patterns.

Emily will uncovering mystries in Mystory 101 then she will take cooling off in Antarctic Blast. She will be a detective in solving, writing and developing mysteries. Then she will explorer th Antarctica to learn about global warming on the ice caps.

It is promising to be a grand two week adventures that they will start July 16. Were very excited for them.

Exercise

Well, I finally got back on the treadmill. I only did 10 mins but it's a start. I did 50 crunches and 10 regular sit-ups. I had to do the sit-ups because my girls had to tell me how they have to do them at school and that I was going them wrong. I have never really minded crunches but I hate full sit-ups. I did them though, just because my daughters wanted me to. Course, they also had to do them and we even managed to get Daddy in the act. He did jumping jacks and push-ups, but since his ribs are still so sore from his boogie board accident in Florida, he didn't do the sit-ups. He'll get his chance though. We may make this physical activity increase be fore all of us now that the girls seem to want to coach me. I'll keep you updated on that.

Bitchology

I received this from a friend this morning and it fits today so I'm posting it here. I don't know the author of this but I would like to thank her, whom ever she may be. I'm with you, sister.

When I stand up for myself and my beliefs, they call me a bitch.

When I stand up for those I love, they call me a bitch.
When I speak my mind, think my own thoughts or do things my own way, they call me a bitch.
Being a bitch means I won't compromise what's in my heart.

It means I live my life MY way.
It means I won't allow anyone to step on me.
When I refuse to tolerate injustice and speak against it, I am defined as a bitch.

The same thing happens when I take time for myself instead of being everyone's maid, or when I act a little selfish.
It means I have the courage and strength to allow myself to be who I truly am and won't become anyone else's idea of what they think I "should" be.
I am outspoken, opinionated and determined.
I want what I want and there is nothing wrong with that!

So try to stomp on me, try to douse my inner flame, try to squash every ounce of beauty I hold within me.
You won't succeed.

And if that makes me a bitch, so be it.
I embrace the title and am proud to bear it.

B - Babe
I - In
T - Total
C - Control of
H - Herself

B = Beautiful
I = Intelligent
T = Talented
C = Charming
H = Hell of a Woman

B = Beautiful
I = Individual
T = That
C = Can
H = Handle anything

Hiking and A Wedding

This morning we got up early and headed to Pinnacle Mountain. It was a lovely morning to go climb a mountain. We started up the mountain at 7:34 am and reached the top at 8:15 am. We relaxed on the rocks and enjoyed the view and breeze then we headed back down at 8:30 am. We reached the bottom at 9:06 am. 41 mins up and 36 mins down. We would have been up it quicker if we had let Erin set the pace. She was one mission this morning and had the most energy.

After we came down, we headed home for showers so I could run the girls to their hair appointment at 11:00 am. The girls were flowergirls in the Merritt/Thornton wedding at 4:00 pm and we had their hair done along with the bride and her bridesmaids. The girls were really loving being with the bride, Lindsey, and her bridesmaids, because it really made them feel like big girls. They couldn't stop talking to anyone that would listen and hugging anyone that would let them.
Their hair looked fabulous, thanks to Spring at the Taj salon. The only problem was when we went to leave a thunderstorm had blown in and so the girls had to put garbage bags over their heads to get to the car. Again, thanks to Spring for helping get the girls out to the car. No problem, the hair was not damaged. I've never seen my girls work so hard at keeping their hair fixed.

We headed home so I could dress for the wedding then off to Conway for the before wedding pictures. We got there and got the girls in their dresses and they were ready to go. See the photo below to see how my "babies" have grown. Daddy and Mommy were all choked up about how quickly it will be their wedding.
The girls did fabulous with their part and helped make this a fabulous wedding. Lindsey and John had a beautiful wedding and we were blessed to be a part of it. We wish them a long life together full of happiness and love. Though I don't feel right about asking newly weds to babysit anymore. I've lost my babysitter!!! Oh well. I will be adding a link to Crystal Goss's site when the wedding pictures are available to view. I know I will be buying some of those.
All in all it was a GREAT day.

Last Day Relaxing in Florida

Being the last day before we have to make the long drive home, we decided to go spend more time in the sun on the beach. We got up had breakfast (at 10:30 am) and headed to the sand. We got to the beach around 11:30 am and didn't leave until 3:30 pm.

We sprayed on the sunscreen, setup our staging area and hit the waves. We had 4 boogie boards, a pail and shovel, googles, snacks and drinks. We were good. Marty spent most of his time in the waves on a boogie board, I spend time on a board, on a towel, looking for shells and watching my kids. The girls spent time both on a boogie board and body surfing. Emily is really good at body surfing waves but Erin perfers the boogie board. Which they both happen to be rather good at it. Course it helps that they are both so light so it's easier for the wave to pick them up. Us larger people are so lucky. Marty happens to be sporting a very nice bruise on his ribs on the left side thanks to a wave and a miscalculation.

It was a GREAT day at the beach. I would have taken more pictures but I was too busy being in the water.

After the beach we head back to Dianna's house and cleaned up for dinner with both my sisters and my brother-in-laws. It was wonderfully relaxing time and I really don't want to leave. But tomorrow the vacation is over. Time to head back to reality.

Bummer.

Last two days at Disney World

We had a grand time visiting the Mouse at Magic Kingdom and then Animal Kingdom. It was Marty and the girls second time to the Magic Kingdom and all of ours first time to Animal Kingdom.


We had breakfast the first day with Mickey, Pluto and Lilo & Stitch at the Polynesians Resort's Ohana restaurant. It was very nice to start the trip out this way. Breakfast was delicious and and the service was fabulous. Then the characters came around to visit us. That was really nice too. So the girls got to see Mickey before we ever entered the park.

The Animal Kingdom was day 2. Animal Kingdom is right up our liking. The Safari ride is the coolest thing. Erin loves and collects giraffes and there were three almost in touching distant of the safari vehicle and 2 more that we could see. The lucky part was that they were on Erin's side so they were almost in her face.

Now this wasn't as exciting for Emily because she loves and collects panda bears. Although they have an Asian area, there were no live panda bears which kind of disappointed her and bummed her out some. She still had a good time though.

The weather is beautiful

I've got a moment and will do my best to get this updated. It has been a long last week. Because we were leaving on Thursday evening for vacation, we had lost of little things to get done at home and work.

Work is very busy with a special project and from the time I walk in the door until I walk out I'm at my desk on the computer. This isn't bad because I like being busy but my right wrist that I had surgery on in 1999 doesn't really like it. I has been hurting for the past two week since I spray painted for VBS. Something is not right with it and I will be making an appointment when we return to see the hand special that did my surgery.

Monday was take the girls after school to the library to sign up for the summer reading program and then shopping for clothes before a church meeting at the pastors' house. Have I ever mentioned that shopping with Emily is a true adventure that I'd just as soon avoid? She is rather particular about her clothes and her taste and mind don't agree. I thought this wouldn't happen until she was a teenager?

Tuesday was another fun filled day because my suburban, which we are driving on vacation, decided that it didn't want to start after I dropped Emily off at a birthday party sleep over. I was stranded at her friends grandparents house. Luckily the neighbor took pity on me and came over while I was waiting on John and Marty to come to my aide and he fixed it. Seems that one of the battery cables had come loose and just needed to be retightened. For the recorded, I had no tools in the truck because we were cleaning it out to get ready for the trip, so this scout wasn't prepared. Shame on me. John was nice enough though to ask us to bring the sub over because we had been needing to get the rear air fix. He worked on it all evening while Marty and Erin and I went and shopped again but this time for Marty and me. You can now hang meat in my sub. THANKS John.

Wednesday was a whirl wind of work, packing and cleaning the house.

Thursday was the final day of work for Marty while I did the last minute errands: rotate tires, drop off bears for sewing, pack the bags, load the sub, grab a nap. We did all of this just for this.

Tammy works at the Cape and she had received passes for this launch and was able to get us within 5 miles of the launch pad. It was a totally awesome site and well worth the drive down.

Yesterday we spend the day at the beach trying to ride boogie boards, though we didn't do very good. Erin rode one and Emily rode one but that was it. Matt said it was a bad wave day.

Well I will post more later.

The Weekend

The weekend started off Friday evening with a birthday party for one of my dearest friend's son. Cordell turns 7 later this month, but to have friends from school come they had it Friday night. It was a great evening of laughing and joking and talking with friends.


Saturday was a buzy day. My 3rd grade brownies bridged up into juniors. It is a truely awesome occasion. Emily, my oldest, is now a junior. This also marks a land mark for me because now I'm a junior scout leader and there are a lot more badges which require a lot more work.

We had it at the city park but had to use Plan B for the location because you can't reserve the pavilions and a lady had gotten there at 7:00 am to get the pavilion for her family reunion at 10:00 am. That's okay because we are Girl Scouts and we come prepared. I called parents and had them bring lawn chairs, sent Marty to borrow some from friends, I already had tables and Cheri called Mike for more tables and we just set up our own location next the bridge. I think it was actually better because the girls were closer to the parents this way and could be heard better. We had our Court of Awards first, which is where we give activity patches and badges earned to the girls, then we bridged the 3rd graders. I was very pleased with how it turned out.

Next we were off to the house to unload, change clothes, and water the Butterfly Memorial Garden before heading to Kristi's house for her girls' birthday party. That was lot of fun, about 10 girls, 2 boys and a Karaoke machine. How relaxing!! Hee Hee. It really was a lot of fun.

Then us adult girls took Tammie out for her birthday. Enough said. This we must do more often.

Sunday was the sad part of the weekend. Kristi's little sister, Sandi, lost her battle with cancer and has gone home now to be with our gracious Lord. Kristi was able to make it see her sister before she passed away but it is still hard to let go of someone so special. It makes me realize how much my own blood sisters mean to me, as do my christian sisters. I have been blessed with so much and this only makes me remember that more. Thank you God for the lesson you have given me through this experience.

(I will post pictures when I get a chance.)