Does it go like this? or this?

The good news is that Dave is in his new office as of this morning and just right down the street from where I work. It is really amazing that since we have been together, most of the time our work places have been within easy distances of each other so that we can ride together and occassionally have lunch together. It's really great to be able to do that. It gives us more time to talk, etc. Plus, I like having a chauffeur - gives me the chance for that little cat-nap on the way home.

If you have ever put together a piece of office furniture - one of those that comes in a box with 40 pages of diagrams and instructions and 1,000,000 pieces - you have my respect and admiration.

We spent some time Saturday morning hosting the movers and beginning the task of putting some new furniture together. Last night we went back to his office to finish. Good intentions - not enough hours! We spent over 3 hours working on the credenza just last night and didn't get to 100%. By 9:00 p.m. I had had enough of desk drawers, numbered pieces, and pins and poles.

Cheer Up Charlie

We were watching the original Willie Wonka this evening and it was to the part where the mother is singing the sad song "Cheer Up Charlie" when I noticed Dusty was singng along and it sounded like he was crying and he was! The song made him so sad that he had tears swelling in his eyes. It was one of those moments that just makes you say awwww.

Help! My Wii Won't Work!

My Wii is not feeling well =(

The disc reader is broken apparently so I have to send it to Nintendo to get it repaired. Good news is that it will be 100% guaranteed for one year - the bad news is that it costs $75.00 and all the virtual console games that we have bought will be lost as will the progress on all the other games. There is a way to download them on to an sd card but that means I have to go buy another one of those!

What will my Wii Fit trainer say now? I haven't exercised for two weeks. Oh wait, she'll never know...

Crayons while you wait?

Dave, Erin, and I went out to eat last night at a local steak restaurant. When we were being seated, the host (a guy) asked if we needed a kid's menu! I know Erin may look young but to be 16 and mistaken for a 10-year old? Hilarious!

When she was ordering, I had to chime in and let her know that there was a "kid's sirloin" on the menu, you know, just in case she was interested. =) When our dinner arrived, I almost reached over and started cutting up her food for her.

We all got a big laugh out of the whole thing, even Erin. We do have a great time together. I think we even have fun during trips to the dentist!

When you're ready, I'll be here

I have been struggling with what to tell my son. He's angry and confused and frustrated, and so on and so on... He is a great person who has lost sight - he's lost his way.

He won't answer my calls and I don't know where he is. So, I thought I would text him from my daughter's phone and just simply say "When you're ready, I'll be here."

This phrase got me to thinking -- isn't this what God is always telling us?
He's there, He's waiting. We just have to go to Him.

Didn't mean it that way...

Thick-skinned. I try to be most of the time but I admit that I have had moments of weakness lately - been more sensitive. Have you ever said something and at the moment you said it you realized that it just came out all wrong? We all have right? I am guilty, guilty, guilty.

BUT! I have been trying harder to catch myself lately because of things that have been said to me from co-workers, friends, family...things that aren't really meant to hurt my feelings. Phrases that aren't meant to be insulting and may be said out of concern, but have a different affect than intended. For example:

"You look tired" - Usually said out of concern but let's face it, being told you look tired is not flattering, especially when you are tired!!

"You're so skinny" - Skinny is not a compliment!! I was very thin as a young adult and I hated being told that. Lately I have lost a few pounds and feel much more comfortable and healthier but if I hear one more person at work tell me that I am so "skinny," I think I will cry. On the positive side, one person told me they were concerned because they noticed that I had become "more slender" and wanted to make sure I wasn't under too much stress while at work. And another told me that they had noticed that I was taking great care of myself lately and commended me. Well done! Those two got a big smile and a thank you.

It's not that anyone really meant to say something hurtful, but when you are tired, just a friendly smile and greeting and sometimes a hug would do. And for me, losing weight wasn't something I tried to do and was actually a serious health concern - so someone saying "you're so skinny" just made me feel worse. Let me tell you, the "slender" comment really worked to boost my spirits. Mostly because it was said to me out of concern and was not said in a demeaning way.

So, I am guarding my words more carefully - intentionally. Being more grateful, more complimentary and more compassionate. I may not know what struggles someone is going through and I certainly don't want to add to it.

On a side note, three people in our family's small world of acquaintances have committed suicide within the past two months. We don't know what caused them to feel so desparate but maybe a kind word could have made a difference.

Psalm 127

Psalm 127

1 Unless the LORD builds the house,
its builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchmen stand guard in vain.

2 In vain you rise early
and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—
for he grants sleep to those he loves.

3 Sons are a heritage from the LORD,
children a reward from him.

4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are sons born in one's youth.

5 Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their enemies in the gate.

Tower of Bagel

This week's class:

* While discussing the Tower of Babel, one of the boys instead called it the Tower of BAGEL!

* When a car backfires, the polite thing to do is say "Pardon me."

* If moving to another country, the most popular item to take with you is a light saber.

* When I forget something - the kids do not!

* A six year old reminded the entire class that everyone is good at something. How cool is that?

Kids are amazing.

Picture Perfect Weekend

Flowers before the dance. Awwwww...


Proud Poppa


What the cat really thinks about it all.

All Aboard!

For our summer VBS, we were faced with two good choices: Boomerang Express or Truth Trek. It was difficult to decide!! But, sometimes you just have to go with your gut feeling and that led me to....

The Boomerang Express! We're going on an adventure to the Australian Outback to show children that "no matter where they go or what they do in life-it all comes back to Jesus."

1 John 4:9 -– "God's love was revealed among us in this way: God sent His One and Only Son into the world so that we might live through Him"

All Aboard!

(Thanks Sarah for your input!)