On the Home Front - Last Before School Starts

A peek through my window…. Very brown and dry – some of the flowers are hanging in there. It really looks like fall many places because of the drought.

What’s going on this week… the start of school!!!  Enough said.

What “the boys” are doing… L is spending the night with a friend.  He has a “pool filling up” job that I took him over for last night and will need to do again tomorrow.  M. was quite the trooper and helped me in my classroom and then with groceries today.  We got his school supplies.

On my mind… Aunt.  Have not had any time to update (and don’t really now), but she was diagnosed with leukemia two weeks ago.  It is the most curable type (APL) and she’s finished 7 days (24 hrs ea) of chemo.  We’re waiting to hear if she’s in remission and when she can go home.  Trying to make plans for that – cleaning, getting rid of plants, and taking care of her.

On my bedside table… I had better get busy reading something!  I posted “What Mrs. ________ is reading…” in my classroom so I need something to put there.

I am richly blessed… Hubby has helped with so much and been so patient lately, friends have offered help with the boys, a friend brought dinner last night and one is cutting lamination and doing other classroom things for me.  Beyond that, Aunt is extremely well cared for and many of her friends (old and new!) are visiting her in the hospital (tomorrow will be day 15).

I am immeasurably blessed to have been married to my best friend and the love of my life for 17 years tomorrow.  We went to breakfast this morning and visited a local Route 66 tourist spot.

I’m praying for… Aunt and the new school year.

Our home…  the dining room looks like a classroom exploded there, but everything else is not bad thanks to Hubby and the boys and the little that I did in the kitchen this afternoon.

Menu planning… Monday – sandwiches, Tuesday – something in the crock-pot and Wed – breakfast.  Much to everyone’s dismay, it may stay that way for a while!

A photo or two…

Flashback Friday - Watermelon

To those who know my picky eating habits, I know it won't surprise you that I didn't eat watermelon until after we lived in Sedona (I was in my late twenties!).  Now, I absolutely love watermelon!  There are two things I don't like about watermelon though 1) Getting one home and it being "bad" - like the one Hubby got last week, it was pink. and 2) How expensive the seedless ones are now.  They are almost four dollars each and I remember buying them at Sprouts in Texas for 99 cents!

Last evening we had had a wonderful dark red juicy watermelon with house guests we had known during our Beeson year (and who we saw some when we lived in Texas).  It was absolutely wonderful to see their children 10 years later.  We looked through our pictures from the Beeson year (2002 - 2003) and of course one of Hubby and my all time favorite pictures of the boys was in there.  It's what we've always called "The Watermelon Picture"...

Look closely at what's on L's watermelon he is eating!  Yum Yum

One of first Beeson gatherings was on the lawn in front of our townhouses.  I think it was for the fourth of July.  I also found the second "Watermelon Picture" that was taken in our back yard in Albuquerque the following year.  Our friend (who also has my name!) and her family were visiting.  We met when she came to our garage sale and before our neighborhood was built up, we could see each other's houses even though she lived on another street.  Her family always called if we left the garage door up at night.  Her husband called one morning when he saw the tent you can see in the picture blow out of our yard and get picked up and carted away by construction workers. (Hubby went and retrieved it).

Isn't that beautiful GREEN grass for Albuquerque?

I just noticed in both pictures M is eating watermelon from the rind.  I usually cut it all off and in pieces because that's how I like it (and never with seeds - seeds make it not worth eating), but last night M asked for some on the rind because "It tastes better that way.".  I guess that started at an early age!

We. Have. Been. Gone.

We. Have. Been. Gone.



We cruised to Alaska with friends.



Visited Colombia River Gorge, Multnomah Falls (this picture isn't it!), and Mt. St. Helens (did not see because of fog/snow).  The boys and I spent time in Portland a few days after Hubby left.

M went to church camp and L went to Scout camp.

My nephew visited (before the camps).  We took a tour of Downtown, had pizza out twice, swam, went to the library, and watched Thunder games.

I started arranging my new classroom.

Went to Albuquerque for the 4th of July/Hubby's b-day. 

I'd love one of these for my classroom!

Piloting balloon simulation

We left the boys in ABQ. M for an extra week and a half and L for one.

I went to a four day workshop and stayed with my (Hubby's) Great Aunt.

Aunt (the boys') and I took L. to a church convention.  He also got to meet his pen pal!  Finished the trip with a visit to a stop on the Underground Railroad (and it was awesome!)

As of last night we are all home.  We have one quick weekend trip planned (conference for Hubby - indoor water park for the rest of us) and one visit from friends (ones we lived near in Kentucky!).  We need school to start so we can rest!!

Really, it's been crazy.  I even left out two trips to Dallas (one at Father's Day - golf, waterpark and a Roughriders game and one to pick up L).  Even more than crazy though, it has been amazing!  I don't think that I'd ever like to have another one this busy, but I have been so thankful for seeing family, meeting new people, learning a multitude of skill/info. and the experiences for the boys.  Even more than needing rest, I need to journal some to process each travel and write down at least one "take away".

We have had a wonderful summer!

One Thousand Gifts

#1401- #1426

Creating new memories

Waterfalls

Feeling of being at home

Marveling in God’s creation

Learning new things

Getting there and not being stressed about different plans

Sleeping in front of an open window

The sound of the flag flapping in the breeze

Beautiful wildflowers

 
Precious moments shared before they leave for camp

Bravery

Bro-in law who washed and vacuumed my car!

Praying as a family

A great church

New friends visiting

Temps under 100

Furminator for J the dog

Teaching things out of the attic

Hubby’s strength to move them

L sewed on his own Scout patch

Both boys home safely

Flexibility

God speaking

For Aunt – painting nightmare over

Options

Office supply stickers

Unplug for Noursihment

Could you imagine using using electronics in the pool?  It doesn't make sense, but that's not even what the pool is for!

Besides, nourishing your body, dinner time is for nourishing the hearts of your family and it's really difficult to nourish a heart if everyone is "plugged in". 

On Sunday, Hubby and I took M out for a quick lunch before having to be back at the church for him to leave for camp.  At the table next to us, a dad was using his I Phone, one teenage daugther was reading a book while she was listening to her I-Pod and another teenage girl was playing a video game.  Really??  The Mom was waiting on the food and carried it to her plugged in family.

That night, Hubby and I went out to dinner with our small group.  A family was there celebrating the son's birthday (He looked about seven).  I remember thinking it seemed kinda quiet for a birthday and then Hubby pointed out that the parents were each on their phone.  Really??

No opinions here, just reporting what I saw.  It's a reminder for me too.  While we don't have electronics at our table, if I'm quiet and lost in my own "world", it can have the same effect.  Same with driving in the car, maybe they pull out their Kindle to read because I'm the one not engaging them in conversation?

Dear Father, please help me use the time we have together as a family wisely.  Help me to lay aside whatever circumstances are happening to use the precious time you've given us to love and nourish the children teens You have entrusted to our care.  In Your Son's Name, Amen.

On the Home Front - It's Been a While!

A peek through my window…. It is now officially hot for summer!  The last I checked it was 96 degrees.  Our neighbor’s crepe myrtle is blooming.  Can’t actually see it from my window, but just a few houses away, a neighbor is almost completely packed in their U-haul and we’ll have new neighbors next Friday.

What’s going on this week… camp, working in my new classroom, dates with Hubby, running workshop, projects at home, taking Aunt out someplace special as a belated birthday.

What “the boys” are doing… one is watching ultimate Frisbee on TV (I hope he’s packed for church camp) and the other is in his room with Hubby packing for Scout camp.

On my mind… a very different kind of summer, the best plans for the boys, getting ready for a transition.

On my bedside table… read three “Green” series books and started “The Quilts of Lancaster County” series – read one and have two more on my Kindle.  I read my “Daily 5” book and need to get “Café” to my bedside table so I can finish it soon.

I am richly blessed… to have had so much time away with friends and family, no cooking, no laundry, and seeing new and wonderful places.  On our cruise, Hubby lost a navigation system he had gotten as a graduation gift seven years ago.  He looked where he thought he left it and checked lost and found, but nothing.  I was sad for him, mostly for the sentimental value.  That was three weeks ago, and M. just found it in his backpack!  We were all so excited.

I’m praying for… Rosalie and my family – I had a cousin pass away today.

Our home…  is quieter and cleaner.  I cleaned for family coming, but now everyone is gone.  I’m fairly caught up on laundry and am starting to go through school things, so it’s about to get really messy!

Menu planning… leftovers tonight, out with small group tomorrow night, and then I have to figure out what to do with Monday – Thursday with both boys gone.

A photo or two…

Great Gift for A Friend or Yourself!

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. 
Psalm 37:4

Hubby used that verse in his proposal over seventeen years ago, so when I saw it on Dayspring's inspired deals, I was immediately drawn to it.

DaySpring has a special Tote sale going on right now—they are Buy 2 Get 1 Free! This includes both regular price and clearance totes. You can go to this section on DaySpring.com for a great selection and a great deal!  I was so excited that totes were the inspired deal for June - you see, some girls love shoes or purses, but I love totes!

I didn't quite know what "oil cloth" meant, but after receiving it, I figured out it means that it feels smooth - did you follow the link and see the fun detail on the handle and even inside?  There is a zippered pocket, cell phone pocket and a couple of other small ones.  The website says "With a classy look and an inspirational message, this tote bag is ideal for carrying extra items when shopping, traveling or going to work!"  I definitely thought my tote was classy and it came just in time for me to use as my carry on for vacation!

Hubby has been so patient to put up with all my totes over the years - when he cleans the closet, he knows not to even consider getting rid of any! 

I've even discovered a great use for totes - gift wrap - gift wrap that makes an extra gift!  I got this one - for Aunt's birthday

I learned "jute tote" means burlap look and feel.  Aren't the colors great?  They said "Summer!" All the messages on the Dayspring totes are great reminders of God's word and our hope in Him. You'll love these!

Disclosure: I received two totes free from Dayspring in return for my blog review. All opinions are completely mine and true.