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Christmas Morning

Chores

Dynamite takes 1st place in Turkey Tournament.  It's great to be on the winning side!

It ain't a family get together without dressing up uncle Matt.

Psalm 37:5

"Commit your way to the Lord."

Talk to God about whatever may be pressuring you and then commit the entire thing into His hands.

Acquaint the Lord with your way.

Burden the Lord with your way.

Recognize your dependence on Him.

Never snatch the guiding reigns from His hands.

from "Streams in the Desert"

Great Tips for Living

do something fun everyday

drink before you get thirsty

when your body says you're tired - sleep

eat food that tastes good... but eat healthy

give affection

receive affection

take quiet time for yourself

Debbie Silver

Unconditional Love - the closest thing

Sydney used to call me - MAMA-SHE-SHE-DE-SHE-BE-SHE

It's October and the Spiders are out!

And there was God - right outside my classroom.  Showing his artistic side.

Sunset Splashing

Softball Ready

Big Boy

Big Boy - Joe - disappeared for one whole week!  Where did - ja - go BIG BOY!

Spectators

I know this is a crotch shot.... I just can't delete it for some reason.

Catching

long Road

Buddies

12 Year Old Smile

Jail

Hand in Hand .... God is in our Land

You've Arrived

Cartwheels

Looking Cool

Rhapsody in Blue

Yikees - Motherhood

As I go through my day I have all these brillant sentences.  And today was no exception.  However, I sit now and draw a blank.

I can say this.  Raising a daughter is reliving your life again.  The good and the bad.  And boy oh boy the bad can be difficult to relive.

Have you every stopped to think as a mother - Oh dear - I think I'm totally messing this up!  It starts with little things like - It's my fault the girls don't like tomatoes.  Then it's - I should have read to them more, then they would love to read.  And works it's way to - she's got a complex because of me.

I know this is an awkward place to end this, but I'm trying to be an involved mother and need to get a decent meal on the table.

For My Friend Julie

My good friend Julie works for Cabelas.  So of course I had to go to the store in Arizona.  I bought a tube of delicious chapstick and some adorable shoes.

Vacation

Cabelas
Cracker Barrell
Queen Creek Olive Mill
Pool
Ping Pong
IHOP
Pool Volleyball and Basketball
Pool Slide
Card Games
No calorie counting
Reading on the lounge chair
Hot Sun
Unlimited towels
Villas
Heavenly Beds
Jacuzzi Bathtub
Balcony
Books
timeless-ness
awww

Cave Creek

Summer So Far

Monday

Yep, That's Amelia

This world of horses and horse shows is new to me.  Amelia loves it and wants to join this community.  I find it almost daunting.  I like the atmosphere.  The dirt.  The beautiful creature.  I like the country music, the laid back way.  But there is the feeling of competition in the air that I struggle with.  I know that it is all for fun.  Amelia has fun.  However there is a little voice in my gut wanting her to do better and better each time.  I look around at all the other kids/teens and we are just a part of the crowd.  Where will this take her?  Where will it take me?  I don't know.  Hopefully somewhere good.

It's Over

Sydney played her last game tonight against the Orange Crushers.  She pitched the last two innings.  Struck out 2 players and go an RBI. Not too bad.  Her team got 4th place in the tournament (out of 11).  Not too bad!

She was sad to lose.  I told her that's okay.  I was glad she cared.

Closing ceremonies Saturday afternoon.  Go lightning!

Airforce One

Game Face

observations

Always, there are some soaking it all in and others choosing to ignore.  Readers that can't put their books down and others unable to concentrate.  Writers trying to avoid and those who are eagar to express their thoughts.  Listeners wanting to know the truth and children choosing to be bored.

Always....

And so I forge ahead.  Read the chapter.  Sing the song.  Tell the story.  I know that the net I throw out will catch a fish.  The seed that I sow will take in the soil that is good.

But my heart breaks for the wanderer, the apathetic, the procrastinator.  I watch you and my heart aches.  Listen!  Learn!  Try!

Please just try....

Reagan Library

The Lord's

I used to have so many thoughts, so much to say.  I really like the idea of being a great writer.  When I look back at some of my thoughts and posts, Wow, I'm actually impressed.  But I come up blank right now.

Lot's is going on.  Everyday is busy.  Everyday.
Softball Practice
Games
Riding Lessons
Piano lessons
Dinner
Call Committee
Dirty Washclothes
Bills
Dishes


This is the ho-hum life I lead.  No creative comtemplation. 

What meaning does this picture have?  This growing beauty - called my daughter!  I once told Dave (before we were married) that I wanted to have kids (a boy) because I wanted a piece of him if something were to happen to him.  Hmmmm.... I wasn't predicting the future....  Now look at her.  It's a girl - but with many likeness to Dave.  I got what I wanted.

I've said before.  I have to remind myself sometimes that these girls belong to him too.  And I have to remind myself that they are not either of ours.  They are the Lord's.

Garnet

Amelia submitted a poem about her mom to this Jewelry story.  She was a winner and was honored to select a garnet just for me.  I had the garnet set in a ring (cha ching) and will take a snap shot of it - soon to come.  This lady spent about 15 minutes talking it up.  We sure felt special.  Amelia was very proud, and embarrassed.  I didn't let this moment just go by.  These are the little moments to remember.

Dreaming

What to write. 
Write freely. 
Be quirky. 
Be Funny. 
Be honest. 
What is it on my mind?

Dream big
Be creative
Wonder
Believe

I'm sounding Disney

Maybe all these visions
have a place in
reality

Be Brave

Artistic Hand

Sydney's art was submitted into the Lutheran High Art Festival this year.  She calls her hand "artistic" - My Artistic Hand. 

After stepping back to look at her piece, she said, "Why do you think my art got in?"

Reflection

"He seldom reflects on the days of his life because the Lord keeps his heart glad."

My days are filled
busy
satisfied
lazy
not so lonely

I plug away
wake up
work
relax at night
sleep

No need to dive
into His word
I seldom reflect
because I am
happy

Is that okay?
I wonder
do I drift?
unknowingly?

Perhaps Solomon
brings me
comfort
The Lord
has made me
Happy

Oceans

Yesterday was "Earth Day".  The 3-5 Grade went to Downtown Disney to see "Oceans"  It was spectacular.  Although I could have lived without the pity party for the warming climate and polar bears. 

I also had to continually remind myself that God created all that AND he watches over it!  Read the last chapter of Job for Biblical Proof.

Amelia told me this morning that she wants to be a journalist/photographer/oceanographer.  She will take pictures of ocean animals and write about them.  I think I like that!

Here is a picture of a student I had in first grade exploring a "jaw" skeleton.

Another Collage

Riley's Farm

Walk through Old Towne

This Spring Break, the girls and I needed to get out.  The cleaning people came to our house early (8:30) so we scurried on our clothes and headed to Old Towne.  After having a healthy pile of chocolate chip pancakes, we crossed the Orange Circle and walked through Chapman University.  It was a beautiful morning with lots of great opportunities for picture taking.

Special Box

Easter

Nearing the End

Today was Sydney's last game of the season (not counting the tournament that begins Tuesday).  She is more in love with the game now than when she began.  The girl pitched awesome and even struck a few out.  Her comment in the car was "I'm just so in love with the ending of the game!"  She finished the game by striking a girl out.

Later this afternoon, Sydney played her first piano recital.  Video on that is soon to come.