MERRY MONDAY

Hope your Monday's been very merry. I know mine has been. How could it not be with this little hobbit running around?

But seriously, it is easy for us to sometimes focus on what we don't have instead of what we do have. Often times, we just need to ask the Father to give us the eyes of a child to see His blessings. Small children get excited about the little things.

A cupcake sticker.
Twirling round and around just because.
Sucking the nectar from honeysuckle.
Splashing in puddles.
Silly emoticons on an iPhone.
Watching a bird build its nest.
Going really high up on their swing.
A new stack of picture books from the library.
"Popsicles" made in the ice tray from apple juice.
Hot cocoa with marshmallows.
Popcorn and a movie on a rainy afternoon.
Tents made out of sheets and chairs.
Honking the car horn while driving under the train track.
Sandwiches cut in triangles.
Jumping through the sprinkler.
Reading in bed with a flashlight.
Pouring ingredients into the cooking pot.
Visiting a new park.
Watching old family videos.
Learning how to make clover chains.
Yummy smelling bubble bath.
Puppy licks.
Gummy vitamins shaped like bears.
Using the hand-held vac.
Getting a super hero band-aid.
Sleeping bag surfing down the stairs.
Feeding grass to a horse through the fence.
Throwing stale bread chunks to ducks.
Piggyback rides.
Licking the frosting off the beaters.
Finding animal shapes in the cloud.
Backyard picnics.
Wearing a costume to the store.
Digging for worms.
Eating blueberries right off the bush.
Discovering four leaf clovers.
Getting mail.
Riding escalators up and down and up again.

May we never get so grown up, so "mature", that we lose the ability to look at the world with eyes of wonder and find amazement at how beautiful God's world is, how full of unexpected blessings, how rich life really is, even amidst the demands of our adult lives.

KIDS DAY OUTREACH

Saturday was the second Kids Day Outreach we've held here at We Will Go this year and the first we've held this summer. We'll be holding them on a monthly basis if you, your family, or your group would like to be a part of reaching the children of the Farish District and Midtown with the love and truth of Jesus Christ. 

SOMETIMES THIS OLD FARM
... FEELS LIKE A LONG LOST FRIEND



Earlier this evening, hubby was listening to 70's music on Accuradio and this John Denver song came on. I can never hear his old songs without immediately thinking of my growing up years on the family farm in Crystal Springs. My dad had a copy of a John Denver greatest hits album and I spent many an hour listening to Grandma's Feather Bed, Annie's Song, and On the Road. Those were fun, relatively carefree days...days of building tree houses; eating wild huckleberries; riding my pony and horse; playing with Roxanne, Dee, Penny, Debbie and my brother Edward; swinging on the tire swing; tending to our small goat herd; and playing with my pet duck Kim.

I'm very thankful for those years.

God has blessed us with a life here at Graceland that allows my children to enjoy some of the same simple pleasures that my brother and I enjoyed over three decades ago. Though this old world has changed a lot, it's still possible to have a peaceful, rural life here in our corner of the world. And for that, I'm very, very grateful.

THANKFUL THURSDAY

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I'm thankful for living in Graceland with cute kids and copious amounts of kittens.
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WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

(well, almost wordless)

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"Redneck Swimming Pool" that Super Dad set up for the kids a few years back.

A FOUR YEAR-OLD'S TAKE ON THE OLYMPICS

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Our family is not big on sports. We might watch a total of 6 to 10 hours worth of sports in a whole year. The last week has definitely been a completely different scenario as we've been watching the Olympics basically whenever they're on...even past midnight on several occasions. It's been fun watching 3 year old Miss M and 6 year old Princess LG try to tumble along with the gymnasts, the oldest teenager having meltdowns when the Americans don't get gold, and the whole family (well, almost the whole family) cheering along for Michael Phelp's and his incredible wins. But not every single member of the family is quite as enamored.

This morning, I'm interviewing four year old T and his reaction to the whole thing.

Good morning, T. Are you enjoying the Olympics?

No.

Why not?

Because we always watch it.

But why don't you want to always watch it?

Because I want to watch another movie instead. I want to watch Extreme Home Makeover.

Well alrighty then. Obviously, NBC hopes that he is in the very, very, very tiny majority of potential viewers.

Now for an entirely different viewpoint, here's the 14 year old.

I'm almost 15.

So give me your reaction to the Olympics.

I've been journaling every night how many medals and records Michael Phelps has gotten that night so my kids can be like "Oh my gosh, you were there for that historical event?" and I'll be like "I kn-o-w" but I get a little bit too much into the gymnastics. Last night I went up to my room and cried after we didn't get the gold and Sasha (Alexander Artemov) fell off the pommel horse. Sniff. This has been the most interesting Summer Olympics because before this I've always liked the Winter Olympics WAY more.

So there you have it sports fans...and even those of you who aren't...our reflections on the Olympic games thus far. GO USA!!!

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IN LIGHT OF HER RECENT BIRTHDAY...

My beautiful, vivacious, and imaginative 2nd daughter celebrated her 13th birthday a couple of weeks ago. In light of that, she wrote on her blog a timeline of her life. That girl is such a hoot! Here's how she defines her life, year by year, up to the present---

"If you're anything like me you like to know everything about people. So here's a timeline of my entire life up to here:

Year 1: I just made my loud and grand debut into the World. Back then I was just a ball of legs, one Alfalfa curl, two enormous green eyes, tiny button nose, and very grabby hands. Oh yeah, and one very big mouth!

Year 2: Growing everyday in everyway (except heightwise, I was just a tad short)

Year 3: I perfected my skills at being the most obnoxious girl alive. Also I began to realize at that age that I had a very good arm at throwing rocks at boys. Yes, that was a talent that I mastered when I was quite young.

Year 4: We had just moved houses and churches. The age four was a year in which I had to adjust to many things.

Year 5: I began to settle down. I was finally used to my new life in the country and I had started to embrace the change. I also discovered how shiny money was (I was quite your Sylus Marner!).

Year 6: I met my bff that year. So far we've been best friends for seven years, three months, one week, and six days. Yes, I have been counting. I could also probably figure how many minutes, hours etc. too if I had enough time, but I don't so this will do.

Year 7: I met my best guy friend that Fall through Homeschool Group. It was also my very first romance. What a big step for me, I was growing up.

Year 8: Was filled with nail polish, posters, pink clothes, giggles, and secrets. I was rather a Ms. Popularity at 8. I'm ashamed of it now, but back then I pretty much dominated the Pop scene. I wasn't mean, but I definitely WAS annoying!

Year 9: Was a struggle for me. I gave up my popularity crowd for my bff and was much happier. Everyone still knew me, but I wasn't up there calling all the shots and being followed by a stream of paparazzi. 9 was yet another big milestone in my short life. I started to see what really mattered and got my act together to get rededicated to God. I also started wearing a bra! Definitely a BIG deal :)

Year 10: I entered the tweenage stage and got my first pimple, on my birthday! What a great gift. At 10 I was still very boy crazy, but thankfully was about to get over that phase. At 10 I thought I was going to be future Mrs. Orlando Bloom so my bathroom door was covered with ripped out magazine pictures of my future husband - much to the annoyance of my older sister (who I shared a room with!)

Year 11: Was a bit rocky for my family because we had to cope with the sudden miscarriage of a baby. After the miscarriage my Mom was not allowed to try to have kids again for fear of death in labor. But we managed, life went on and I continued to grow.

Year 12: Has so far been the absolute best! At the beginning it was a little hard. Both of my step-grandfathers died in the span of one month and my entire family was plagued with lice. We found out that the bugs were living in our hair the day before my birthday! Whoop-dee-doo. Year 12 was a blossoming year for me and there were a few confusing patches. I had to get used to what was happening inside of me. But besides that my 12th year was filled with romance, mission trips, chickenpox, and absolute fun! It was my God year.

Year 13: I can't say much yet about this year since it just started 5 days ago. All I can do is pray that it will be just as wonderful as all the rest, and then some!

Thank you for taking the time to watch me grow from a wailing infant just a few minutes old to a 5'ft. brunette, green-eyed, newly teenager girl. I hope this timeline helps you begin to understand me. But my own family doesn't even know me all that well and they've had to put up with me for 13 years, 5 days, 5 hours, and 42 minutes! I guess my Cell leader is right when she says it takes a lifetime to truly know someone. Well, I got a long way to go if I ever want to know anyone on here decently! So I'll quit typing so I can begin that long process."

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WOW...I do love that girl! And I'm looking forward to a lifetime of getting to know her.

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YOU'VE COME A LONG WAY, BABY...

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...and I can't wait to see where God's going to take you. I'm sure it will be absolutely amazing!

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I love you and am very, very blessed to be your mom.

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Happy 13th Birthday, B!

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REFLECTIONS ON THE 4th by a TWELVE YEAR OLD

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My daughter B wrote this on her blog a few days ago about the recent celebration of our country's Independence Day:

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exactly five days ago people all across our purple mountains majesty country celebrated 232 years of freedom, american-style. i wonder if back in 1776 our four fathers imagined that we would be this free for this long. god has been very kind to us to allow us to be this prosperous for so long. i just pray and hope that it will last for many years to come. after all, we need to think about our kids. just kidding, i thankfully don't have to worry about being a 'mum' for at least ten more years (thank heavens). so how did you celebrate our country's birthday? did fireworks burst in the air above your house into millions of radiant and dazzling colours? did you pig out on potato salad, kfc chicken, or greasy hamburgers? or did you just not care? well, my family went to the beach and watched tons of fireworks. so romantic, in a weird way. it's amazing how this year has passed, already we're over halfway to 09', america's 233 isn't actually that far away. so, what are you going to do to benefit our beautiful country this year? are goals set, lists made? i don't really have a list, but i do have a goal. it is that i will change our world a different way everyday. maybe you could help me, i need plenty of it. after all, one girl can't change the world all on her own, but, she definitely can make a huge difference.

YOU KNOW YOUR SIX YEAR OLD IS SICK...
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...when she is sitting on the couch contentedly watching a sewing show on PBS. Oh...and the fact that she's been throwing up since last evening.

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Looks like this 4th of July might turn out to be, er, um, pretty "eventful" for this family of nine.

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Pray for us, okay?

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DANCE NICELY
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My two oldest boys just walked in as I was once again watching the video of THAT'S HOW YOU KNOW from Disney's Enchanted. They started talking about how on Mother's Day I want to watch this movie again with my hubby and how we'll be kissing and dancing and being all romantic.
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My oldest son D, who just turned 11, started saying how Dad would be dancing all funky and he demonstrated a goofy, disco style. My 9 year old son P said "Mom will make him dance nicely if she wants. She can make anybody dance nice."
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Awwww-w-w-w....so sweet.
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And yes, I adore Enchanted. After all, my son P and friend Christi both say I AM Giselle!
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And another aww-w-w-w-www. We were just looking at the Youtube list of other Enchanted videos and my son P saw "Ever, Ever, After" and said "Mom and Dad live happily ever after".
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Happy little sniff-sniffs and sighs over here at Graceland...a place far better than even any fairy tale setting.

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CINDERELLA REMIXED
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Just a little bit ago, 6 year old LG was helping her big sister A clean off the table after lunch. Big sister told LG that she was just like Cinderella because she was working like a servant girl. LG said "no, its because I have long beautiful hair but then the evil stepmother cut it off".
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Hmmmm...of course she doesn't have an evil stepmother...she doesn't even have a stepmother!
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But her hair did get cut and by me.
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So what does that make me in this fantasy world?
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AS REQUESTED

Four year old T has been asking me for DAYS to post on my blog what he has to say about his stuffed panther... so here goes:

"Ki-Kat is a ROCK STAR!"

Gotta love that boy.
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I'M TOO TIRED

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I had hoped to write about the weekend's events, but the combination of getting over that strange sickness and a busy mom day has left me too tired to think. SO...

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...in lieu of having to do any thinking for myself, I'm going to ask my very smart, well spoken, and in-a-silly-mood teenage daughter some random questions...that way she can do the thinking and I don't have to be cohesive with my thoughts.

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  Who are you going to marry? Captain Wentworth, Darth Vader, or Aragorn. I know that Darth Vader is going to die, Aragorn is going to leave me, so I will get Captain Wentworth in the end. Its all very sad really.


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  What's something good going on in your life right now? Its kind of a good and bad thing but its kind of fun to have older hot guys ask me out and its kind of fun to tell my friends about it because they get jealous. But the bad part is that I have to turn them down because I'm being a good daughter and good daughter's don't date when their parents don't want them to. [Said in a very pouty voice]


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  What's something sad or bad in your life right now? Well, one thing is that I'm about to have to get up and feed the puppy. Another thing is that people are trying to get me to realize that I can't marry my fictitious boyfriends when I say I can! And (with little, squeaky breaks in my voice) my worship band is not performing right now.


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  What'cha listening to mostly now? Hawk Nelson, Paramore, Flyleaf, Switchfoot, The Jonas Brothers....I guess that's about it....OH! BOYS LIKE GIRLS!


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  What do you like most about your mom? That she gave birth to me and didn't abandon me.


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  What do you like most about your dad? That he's willing to give me time because most other dad's don't.


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  What's the best thing that happened today? Ummmm....hmmm....uh....I woke up alive and...and....ummm....I'm thinking......I came up with new story ideas and spent a lot of time with my imaginary boyfriends and yes that is plural because I have one for each dimension and time periods and since there are a lot of dimensions and time periods that interest me I have to have a lot of boyfriends...but not the pioneer or the Victorian times because those are boring.


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  What's the worst thing that happened today? I woke up. I realized again that my imaginary boyfriends were just that, imaginary and fictitious, and I didn't get enough time on the computer.


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  Who do you miss the most right now? I'm not telling you.


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  If you could live anywhere, where would you live? On this world? Yes. Colorado and Australia.


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  Well, your dad just came in and said you have go to sleep now. Is there anything in closing that you would like to say? Fly away birdies, go home to the sun. Good morning sunshine, the earth says "hello".

W.O.W. She's really in a random, bizarr-O mood tonight. And she's finding herself extremely amusing. She says that I would be laughing, too, if I wasn't being such a "hobnob". I think I'm just actually too tired.

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Goodnight sweet daughter.

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Ten more minutes til bedtime.....tee hee tee hee......

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(Photo taken of A's hands after dying eggs at Easter. And "yes, I meant to do that but the dye wouldn't stay. If it had stayed, it would have matched my dress." )

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SOME SCENES FROM OUR WEEK

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Just thought I'd post a summary of recent happenings along with some photos as I'm not feeling in a terribly creative, wordsy mood.

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Two weeks ago someone unintentionally blessed us when the they dumped a dalring little black and white part border collie mix puppy beside the road behind our barn. She was such a cutie that it was a given from the beginning that we would keep her. The boys immediately named her Indie. She captured our hearts right away, though she did try their patience frightfully those first few nights when they had to take turns getting up with her. It gave them a crash course on parenting and gave them a better appreciation of what we had to do for them as babies.

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This past Wednesday I took the kids and a couple of B's friends with us to the Hattiesburg Zoo where we were meeting Granpere' and getting D back. D had been staying with his grandparents and earning money helping my dad with his nursery business to earn money for boyscout camp.

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Today was a scrimmage game for B's softball team which is playing fastpitch this year. She played catcher today and has the bruises to show for it. She was also able to score one run. Her team, the Star Bursts, shone brightly. I know...that's a terrible pun, but I just couldn't resist. They beat the other team 11 to 2.

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NEWS UPDATE...and MY BACK IS KILLING ME!

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My back is absolutely killing me. I was climbing up on a roof to help a local social justice action group fix up a house for a homeless family to move into and I injured it terribly.

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Okay, not really. I was actually cleaning out my attic, moving some boxes around, in an attempt to simplify my life and find a lot of items to donate to a local charity when I pulled something in my back.

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Uh...not that either. Sadly, it was quite mundane, NOT helps-related at all, and actually a bit humiliating. I was getting out of bed this morning and pulled my back. Sigh....you know you're getting old and you're already out of shape when the simple act of getting up does you in and puts you down for the day. Sigh....

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Praise God for icy hot, heating pads, expired prescription strength pain killers (don't send me scolding emails...a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do), and teenage daughters who can run the household for me. Praise God, too, for a sweet hubby who can do for himself and prays for me.

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And speaking of praying, I sure would appreciate y'all's prayers, as well. Throwing a back out of whack is never very pleasant but being the mom to copious living blessings means I need to get back in action ASAP! So prayers of healing would be fabulous. And prayers for my kids as their decrepit mom recovers would be great!

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While I'm here and can't get up and move around anytime in the near future, barring a miracle (and I DO believe in miracles), I thought I'd give a quick news update on the family's happenings.

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Let's see...I guess I'll start with hubby.

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His office has recently moved into a very nice building in the heart of our city. He's within walking distance of the fairgrounds, many popular restaurants, and close enough to some inner city ministries to consider and pray about volunteering in some capacity on a regular basis. He's recently become an assistant scout master for son D's boyscout troop (they call him "Sarge") and he's also teaching the youth/singles discipleship class at our church for 10 weeks. Back before Easter, he led our cell group thru a Messianic Passover meal and then preached the sermon on Resurrection Day. He continues to love learning to play the guitar (he's sounding really good) and dreams of upgrading to his very own electric guitar.

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14 year old daughter A is sporting a very unique, punk-girl hairdo compliments of moi! Her previous new haircut was just too "cute and preppy" and she wanted something different. So at her request, I pulled out my hair cutting shears and took to chopping. I was afraid she'd hate it but she LOVES it...and if I do say so myself, it looks pretty darn good. I told her I could become the official hair stylist for all the metro punk/emo girls. She said, "ummm...that would be about TWO girls" to which I responded, "that's perfect as that's about all I have time for". She is also now playing keyboard and singing on our church's youth worship band and making A's in science. She's PSYCHED about that! Not because she's crazy about science, but because she's not grounded for bad grades.

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12 year old B is now playing softball. This age group is switching to fast pitch this year so she and her teammates are working hard to learn all the new skills needed for this version of the game. B is also on the church worship team. She's learning to play the drums. She's also acing science and has chosen to fast-track herself academically so she can finish her required homeschool classes early and move on to fun electives, a job/apprenticeship, and dual-enrollment at a local college.

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10 year old son D is spending this week with his Gran Pere' and Nana Rose down on the coast. My dad owns a mostly home-based nursery. D will be helping him out with the plant business to earn money for this summer's boyscout camp. D also found an abandoned puppy behind our barn last week so he's the primary caretaker of this adorable poopy puppy named Indie. She's now around 5 weeks old and has really been a lot of fun...though the kids have found out, also a lot of work. The older four are responsible for rotating night shifts with her and they are gaining a better appreciation for parenthood.

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9 year old P is active again this year in cub scouts. He just earned his Bear patch and is working on arrow points (at least I think that's what he's doing, I'll have to go back and edit this once I confirm with him). As one of his requirements, he and his dad have built a wooden tool box and a way cool go-cart. He'll be going to Cub-o-ree this spring and day camp this summer. His reading has really taken off and he read his first chapter book this past month...a young Indian Jones book. He's now discovered SUGAR CREEK GANG books and can often be found either reading one or listening to one on tape. Today he is sporting an awesome faux-hawk compliments of the "Hairstylist to the Punk-Emo Kids of the Sticks".

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6 year old LG is a newly converted fan of THE LITTLEST PET SHOP. She spends scads of time playing with the wee critters when she's not playing with our real animals...including but not limited to 25 baby chicks, afore mentioned puppy, 4 kittens, a terrapin (9 year old P's pet), and various bugs. She also still loves drawing and art. She's definitely into wearing pink and does not like GREEN! This past weekend she had her first "sleepover" at her newest best friend's house. She and Lizzie giggled and talked late into the night and are already asking when they can do it again.

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4 year old T is obsessed with our puppy. He is often found carrying her around like a baby. Its so sweet! He has moved up to the children's church class that I teach and that sister LG is still in. When he's not playing with the puppy, he's usually building train tracks or asking if he can play on the computer. He loves Dora the Explorer, Diego, WonderPets, and Super Y.

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2 year old M is really talking as well as still singing...especially Hannah Montana songs. She told her big sister A that she was going to be Hannah Montana and marry the Jonas Brothers (all THREE?!?!?). Girl's not afraid to dream big, is she? One of the things she loved about Easter this year were the bright colored plastic eggs she got when the homeschool group had its annual egg hunt at a local nursing home. She would play with them for hours at a time. Wherever I was, she'd come and plop herself down and arrange the eggs one by one in patterns. She also loves getting M&M's when she goes potty...I know, I know...TMI...but you fellow parents out there will SO relate....and taking walks with Mommy.

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My Grandma Mc is recovering from bladder cancer surgery and facing another one in a couple of months. The kids and I went down to see her in Florida and spent time with my mom who is taking care of her. If you think about it, please pray for both my grandma and my mom. While there, we took advantage of the opportunity and visited the local aviation museum. The kids had a great time and I had to promise them that we'd go again with Daddy and spend much more time next visit.

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And me? Well, you already know what's up with me but I'll summarize it for you readers who might not have frequented my blog before. I'm still processing what God showed me in Swaziland and is continuing to show me. Still trying to figure out what He wants me to do with this passion for the Swazi people that some days is overwhelming and still leaves me in tears. I'm still making my GraceWorks jewelry and using the proceeds to benefit various ministries primarily ones that help out orphans and widows in Swaziland. We, as a family, are praying about the direction that God wants us to go in ministry-wise. And hubby and I are coordinating a "Summer of Significance" for our church youth and their families. We will focus in on ministering to the "least of these" in our metro-area such as parties for children at a shelter, participating in a worship service at a homeless church, and ministering through music at local nursing homes. The purpose is two-fold: to show the love of Jesus and to change our hearts and lives so we get away from just living for ourselves and instead learn to live a life that is other-focused. One of my main hopes for the summer is that the youth and their families will see that God can use ordinary people in extraordinary ways when we're just willing to live out what we say we believe.

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We appreciate so much all of your prayers and expressions of support. The people God has put in our lives truly are one of our most precious treasures.

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BTW, the drawings are still open for a free book and a custom-designed bracelet. Just click on the links:

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Confessions of a Good Christian Guy book

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LAUGH bracelet

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IGNORANCE IS BLISS

This year we started a new homeschool science curriculum. Daughters A & B have really enjoyed the frequent experiments and have both told me how much they like the Apologia curriculum. But now their first test looms large and they've begun to work through the study guide. This endeavor has not added to B's affection towards the curriculum. In fact, she is detesting the test preparation so intensely that she scribbled off this poem...a poem ode to science.

SCIENCE

What is it?

Why do we need it?

Don't you think we would be so better off without it?

Rules and schools are tools for fools---
I don't give two mules for school!

As I sit there reading of the Big Bang,

I ask myself, "when will I use this?" and "what the heck?!?"

Down with Science!

I will not stand for this!

After all, ignorance is bliss.

---B.J.M., Age 12, 7th Grade

AN ALIEN ENCOUNTER OF THE FOUR YEAR OLD KIND.

My oldest daughter recently had a conversation while outside with her brother T. I asked A to relay how it went:

"Two jet planes streaked across the sky. 'Look!' T said, pointing. 'What is it?' I asked. 'Aliens!' he screamed. 'Aliens are coming! Aliens!' 'Where're they landing?' I began to name his best friends 'No, no' he would say to each one. 'So where are they landing?' He gave me the best 'you-are-so-stupid' look a four year old could & then said 'At our [pronounced "ouw"] playground!' 'I don't see them...' 'They're invisible!'

T'S "ALLERGY"
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4 year old T told me this week:

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"I am allergic to whales. Beccause when I looked at the whales my face turned red. After it turned red it turned blue and green and brown. Very, very funny."

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I WAS BORN BY CUPCAKES

Four year old T informed me that I was "born by cupcakes". When I asked him to explain this he said:



"When you were in Grandmommy's belly, she was making cupcakes. She ate one of the cupcakes and then you were born."



Guess that helps explain why he's so sweet on me!