The Continuing Madness...

...that is little caffeine. I really feel like I'm recovering from some addiction; I knew it was but I didn't expect my brain to come alive at the slightest lick of coffee.

I've noticed a renewed craving for chocolate. Which brought me to the discovery of a most delectible product. I think EVERYONE knows how good Reese's Peanut Butter cups are.

WELL, they now have a wonderful cup filled with peanut butter and banana creme!!! I know it doesn't sound that great, but just think about how good pb and banana sandwiches are and you get the picture!

I am a Space...

...Something!! Going on ONE cup of black tea.

Count it people...ONE!!

Running around like a mad person today...Open house at kindergarten. Ruth is acting out and not telling me it's because she's nervous for school tomorrow. Damn hot day. Damn CHUBBY Pencils!!!

You ever seen one? I haven't.

Caffeine, Cramps and Catching Up

Whew! I finally finished reading through all the PW blogs on the blogroll. Gotta say I love keeping up with you all. So encouraging and refreshing.

I am off caffeine...I don't know why. I know that my brain has built up a dependency on it and I don't really remember what it's like to function without it. So I thought I'd give it a shot...on a week that corresponded to a crippling period! These things combined have aided by inability to answer my phone nor really want to hang with any peeps. I apologize to all who know me this week and hope you won't think I've taken a vow of grumpy seclusion!

The bright spot in my weeks has been my slowly and prayerfully putting together a group for the fall. My passion in life is to see women become all that God sees in them and I am finally getting a chance to lead a group. I have to carefully and prayerfully ask 3 women to be in this group and it's uber hard! There are so many people who I'd love to see on a weekly basis and get down into their souls. Anyhoo, I think I've found 2 and am continuing to seek Him for the last woman.
My dream is to have this group meet weekly FOREVER...okay, that's a little drastic, but at least for a couple of years so that we all have a solid group of chicks who know us well and can keep us going. Thanks to my core group of women who were with me through my high school years and beyond. Thanks to the Lockie's and Gammill's for being amazing couple's who called out my Self.

Generation Gap

Finally had one of those conversations with Ruth that makes you realize the age gap. We were sitting in the NWA club room on our way home from Florida and the kids were entertaining themselves by playing with an unplugged lobby phone. I noticed Ruth couldn't figure out whether the end with the cord attached was the talking part or not! That seemed so foreign to me, so I went on to explain to her that back in the day, ALL phones had cords and had to stay attached to the wall.
Her eyes got huge and she said, "But Mom! What if you need to call someone while you're in the car?!"
"Well honey, you didn't talk on the phone in the car, you just had to wait until you got home to call someone."
The poor kid almost fainted with horror. I went on to explain a time when you couldn't leave a message for someone, you just had to call back. I think she thought I was lying! How times have changed.

We spent four glorious days on a Florida beach courtesy of my father and mother-in-law. I could've spent all day trying to catch waves on the boogy board if my stinking legs wouldn't have gotten tired. Hubby was stung by jellyfish a couple of times and I sunburned a most unfortunate area...my hips!! Do you know how painful it is to wear pants when they keep rubbing those burns! Now I can finally buckle down this week and acknowledge that my sweet girl starts kindergarten next Wednesday.

Barreling Along

It's been busy around here since last Thursday. A cousin who I don't know well, my sister (the eminent and glorious Aunt Bink!!!), and my sister's friend all came into town. They are staying, all three, in our very small living room and using our very small bathroom. My dear hubby has realized his luck in our only producing one girl after all the clothing and accessories that entered the house with the three females. Both children are sporting neon yellow nails on fingers and toes. My son sees the advantages of superhero looks in the yellow polish.
I got to check off another Denver attraction on Saturday...Six Flags Elitch Gardens! I am, by Grand Design, a high junky. That translates into a deep love of those few attractions that can still strike some "oh my gosh I'm going to fly off this ride and die" type reverence into my heart. I went with my sister and her friend, so I didn't have to take care of anyone. So fun to scream my head off with terror. Our lunch consisted of nachos, popcorn chicken, curly fries and smothered funnel cake! Still blows my mind that I live in a time and country where amusement parks are available to me.
Saw "The Bourne Ultimatum" with my hubby and was floored by how well done it was. Man, that director should be given a bonus for how well he pulled it off.
Kids and I are battling colds and gearing up for New Smyrna Beach, Florida on Wednesday. Jason's folks rented a condo for 4 days.
I'll catch y'all in a week!

Shameless Contesting

I am a contest entering addict...have been from a young age. So now I'm trying for a TV from Best Buy. The ladies over at 5 Minutes For Mom are hosting. Here's the link: http://www.5minutesformom.com/2032/insignia-37inch-flat-panel-lcd-hdtv-contest

The August Itch

Let me just tell you, I LOATHE August! For some reason mankind has deemed it the month where nothing happens. Events taper off and most church-related activities take a month of rest. I completely understand that church staff need at least a month to regroup for the coming year, but it makes it tough to stay focused. Can't we somehow rotate? Some Bodies take June or July off?
Which brings me to my "itch". Ever since we were married 6 years ago August is my month of discontent. I get this burning desire to run out and find a job...any job, to fill my month-sized itch! Traditionally for us (and most ministry funded people), August is a tight month...very tight. I'm sure this is a reason for the itch, but I think it's also because the Body gets lazy about its spiritual condition. They have somehow have set God aside as they make the yearly school switch. I would argue that we, as individuals in the Body, should be very diligent about our walks in August to give us the peace we need to help shuffle our kidlets back into school.
Anyone else get the "August Itch"?

All Is Right in the World

The kids made it home late Wednesday night (around midnight). I felt my daughter climb into bed and put her arms around me and in my half awake state I felt at peace, knowing I was back to mothering. It was a little disconcerting to go back to doing 3 tasks at the same time...I'm not whining since I was tired of having no demands placed on me over the last week.





I don't think I mentioned this, but God has given us a month's worth of a break from our normal strivings. Finances have actually been more than bargained for this month (no daily wondering if we can buy gas) and all four of us have been able to do infinately fun activities. I love it when He answers yes!



It seems like we, as believers, have had a history of discounting the physical body as a positive part of His plan for us. I'm currently reading "The Female Brain" by Louann Brizendine; she gives factual account of the hormonal shifts that happen in the brain throughout a woman's life. She also lists the way that the male and female brain grow differently starting at eight weeks from conception. It seems like we fight and deny those physical parts of us when we ought to strive to understand and embrace them. Take PMS...it happens and I think we should try to understand the physical part of that and not chalk it all up to unexplainable things.
I'm not explaining this well, am I? Thoughts?

Bleached Bees, Salted Slugs and Copulating Frogs?

I have reached my kid-free limit!!! As of yesterday I had a major hankering to have my munchkins back! What did I do yesterday? The title says it all.

My garden has been riddled with holes and I finally flushed the 20 slugs out yesterday. Mind you, I've never actually done the salt trick before and it was interesting to watch. I piled them up and dumped it on them!! I had a small moment of regret when it looked like one of the slugs was silently screaming.

While hanging clothes on the clothesline yesterday I discovered that yellowjackets inhabit one end of it. Nasty looking SOB's!!! They looked ready to eat my face every time I walked by the clothesline...so I grabbed a bottle of bleach, sprayed and ran!!! I'm slowly taking them out and then I have to remove the nest.

Okay, the "Copulating Frogs." I spotted these in the Nicaraguan market last year and a girl on our team bought them for a "Worst Foreign Souvenir" competition. I have been coveting those frogs since last year. So a dear friend of mine unsuspectingly agreed to purchase them...she was very embarrassed when she realized what they were. The best part? She gave them to me at the church Tea Party. Nothing says good manners like frog statues.

What am I going to do with them??? If you're not careful I may give them to you!

Living it Up, Mother/Wife Style

Thank you to everyone who told me about their fantasy alone time...seems pretty consistent across the board. (Lots o' reading people!) And read is what I have done...normally my book count is one every two days...but I'm ripping through a book a day, just like I did in jr. high! Best book so far would hands down be "The Time Travler's Wife". I was crying so hard at midnight last night when I finished this great novel!

That leads me to the next plus of alone time. I slept in until 11:30...people I haven't done that since a Saturday sometime in high school! I don't even get to do that when I'm sick!
I've gone to a tea party for my church and shaved parts of my anatomy that haven't been shaved in many moons. I've gone to the chiropractor AND this amazing place where you can get a 35 minute heated massage for free (some of you may remember me working there). Denver is having free days at the DAM (Denver Art Museum) and the Botanical Gardens...so, I will be experiencing both of those for the first time. I've lived here 6 years and haven't done most of the cool things around town. The big thang is that I am going to the new "Harry Potter" movie on Sunday. Eeeee! I'm as happy as a little school girl!

Here's a link to the massage bed chain...they're free all over the country (check for Canadian locations) www.migunworld.com
And finally for your afternoon enjoyment (I know it was mine)...the best play doh and toy recreation of a mammogram ever! http://www.alittlepregnant.com/alittlepregnant/

What Would You Do?

I am feeling really ADD today because I am kidless for a week!! They are in MT spending time with their grandparents. There are so many things I can think of to do that I'm feeling overwhelmed by the freedom of it all.
How do I use it well and what would YOU do with 7 days of freedom?

Up in the Air

Not a lot of time to sit and chat lately, my parents came for a brief visit at the same time as my husband and daughter's return from Nicaragua. Much fun was had by all while my parents were here. We went to an old school amusement park and I was delighted to find that my kids are terrified by nothing!

We ate some quality Mexican food and played "Speed Scrabble". I am so glad that their visit went so well since it's been 3 years since my dad has been here for a visit!

My hubby's mom also loving paid for us to get an air conditioner. I didn't know how good the timing was until my son was burning up with fever the same night we got the A/C. He was much more comfortable dozing on the couch.

All that leads me up to today. Son still has a fever, but insists that we still head to MT tomorrow. The kids are spending their annual week with J's mom. They get to see Jack and Mae (a horse and donkey) and no measly 102 degree fever will deter my son.

Stay tuned people!

And I Quote...

I got this out of a fiction work of decidly non-Christian nature. I read it through once and dismissed it...then I read it again:

"America has invested her religion as well as her morality in sound income-paying securities. She has adopted the unassailable position of a nation blessed because it deserves to blessed; and her sons, whatever other theologies they may affect or disregard, subscribe unreservedly to this national creed."

- Agnes Repplier, Times and Tendencies

What a great way of saying how I feel so much of the time about our state as American Christians. What happens to all those believers when the U.S. has something bring it down to a lower level on the world stage??? Nowhere in history has a country stayed on top forever! Eventually, my fellow Americans, there will be a country doing better than ours. I'm sure the Romans never saw the end of their Empire coming.

How can I as much as is up to me, separate God from my American mindset? Some days I do that better than others. Then I get caught up in the ability to eat out, or go to The Body Shop and buy lotion on sale. Meaningless, meaningless, everything is meaningless! (I mean that in the nicest way possible)

Thoughts or opinions, dear readers?

Poor, poor Second Child

I feel a little sad admitting this, but I feel like I've never looked at my son the way I've been looking at him the last couple of days.

My hubby and daughter left here on Wednesday, so I have had three days of treating him as the only child who needs attention. He's thriving under all of the individual attention...and I'm seeing him for just him.

I think God knew I needed this time with him to reiterate His desire for me to keep him home next year. I went through the whole tug of war with sending him to 2 years of preschool because his sister had that opportunity. Now I'll be giving him a different opportunity, to be seen as himself. Thank You for this insight.

Guilty TV Pleasure

The TV station "Bravo" used to get a big, fat "Pfffff!" from me...UNTIL we went nomadic and they started airing "Kathy Griffin's My Life on the D-List". So funny! Also, they've got "Top Chef" and just started in on "Last Comic Standing".

I think what my viewing choices say about me is that I like colorful comedy.

I suppose that's what my Top 5 Comedy List says about me too:
1. Austin Powers (all 3 of them)
2. Jackass 1&2
3. Borat
4. Mystery Men
5. Ace Ventura 1&2

Can I get a "whoop, whoop" from all those sisters who have the funny bone of a man!

Won't Do it

So, I'm grouchy. (See, my daughter's face...totally captures my emotions...I'd rather have my son's expression!)

I refuse to post when I'm like this!

Life is stressful, blah, blah, no money, blah, blah, spouse and child attempting to get to Nicaragua AGAIN this week (that's right, they didn't make it last week.), blah, blah, blah, BLAH!
I love how I'm such a whiner when there are people who are starving and who have to watch their loved ones die slow and painful deaths around them. Way to go American Whiner!

The Sendoff

My dear hubby and my sweet girl are heading off to Nicaragua tomorrow. They will be visiting our worship pastor and his family who are there encouraging the "glue boys" and families who live in the dump.

I feel at peace about them going, but this is the hardest for me that we've ever done. Every trip in the past I've been with my kids overseas or they've been stateside in the care of family. Now I'm setting her in His hands and have no ability to step in and help her along. There are big bugs, malaria and all sorts of things that could hurt my child! I think my poor husband thinks I consider him incapable. He's more than capable...this nervousness is all a part of my growth.

I'm asking y'all for prayer for them, for safety and growth in their relationship. Pray that I take this time with my son and use it to encourage him as an individual.

Oh Man, Tagged!

I feel so special...I've been around the blogging scene long enough to have been tagged. So, here it goes:

What were you doing 10 years ago? Pfh, being a brainless high school freshman

What were you doing 1 year ago? Getting hives because we were nomadic and were living with different people every 3 weeks.

Five snacks you enjoy:
1. Lightly buttered popcorn...preferrably a whole bad just for me.
2. Cadbury Creme Eggs (right Trish?)
3. Tortilla chips w/melted cheddar cheese, salsa and guacamole
4. A cup of tea
5. Raspberries, blueberries, any berries!

Five songs that you know all the lyrics:
1. Love Potion No. 9
2. Jennifer Knapp's first album "Kansas"
3. Most Ace of Base songs
4. "Share the Well" by Caedmon's Call
5. "Hands" by Jewel

Five things you would do if you were a millionaire:
1. Go to college for as long as I wanted
2. Get a lifetime membership to 24 Hour fitness
3. Buy a cabin w/ land in Montana
4. Fully support our church and all its missionaries
5. Shop at Whole Foods for everything!!

Five bad habits:
1. (Can't believe I'm admitting it) picking my nose
2. Making my kids wait for things hoping they'll forget they asked for them. (Great example I am!)
3. Burping loudly (Hey, it's inherited)
4. Doubting God when the going gets rough
5. Swearing (bad habit or guilty pleasure, you be the judge!)

Five things you like doing:
1. Reading
2. Playing guitar
3. Escaping to open space alone
4. Cooking new dishes
5. Watching good movies

Five things you would never wear again:
1. bangs
2. straight leg pants
3. skin tight patterned shirts
4. bicycle shorts
5. Neon colors

Five favorite toys:
1. Gamecube (I am a video game junkie)
2. library card
3. Jason
4. computer
5. My kids because they cause me to stretch and relax sometimes

I'm not tagging anyone cause I'm just no good at it...so, the buck stops here.

@#*j& !!!!!

Having one of those days when I feel like swearing about every little thing. A day when (if I had the ears who'd listen) I would whine about things that I'll feel silly about mentioning tomorrow when He solves it.
(Warning: Mild swearing)

Damn scooter that breaks on the way home from church forcing my spouse to walk it home and almost miss work

Damn white car with 1 slowly flattening tire, one bulging tire and one realignment needing done.

Damn finances that has us at a grand total of $5.00 for the forseeable future.

Like I said, all things that I'll feel silly whining about later AND feeling a little ashamed for how typically American my whining is.

File Under...

...Things You Never Want To Hear Kids Say (Again)

While playing video games with my 3 yr old son:

"Mom?"

"Yes son?"

"I like your butt."

"Uh...really."

"Yeah...when it's moving...in your pants."

Talk about your weird conversation! I think it's probably just because that's his eye level...kinda made me laugh.

At a local VBS this morning said by my 5 yr old daughter.

Speaker: "And if you accept Jesus in your heart, when you die you will go to heaven."

Ruth stands up in the front row and happily shouts, "Then I want to DIE TODAY!!!"

Oh, my kids.