This is possibly one of the most powerful things I have ever seen. I sat at my computer ignoring everything else for 4 1/2 minutes with tears streaming down my face.
Please watch and listen ALL the way through.
I hope this touches you as it has me. Love to all!
Monday, October 27, 2008
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Lily Says (3 Stories About Our Little Chatty Cathy)
1.
With Thomas now in 1st grade his lessons are becoming longer and more in depth. When we do his schooling at home Lily is always around. She absorbs everything around her and finds a way to repeat it or work it into a conversation.
Right now in science and history/geography/social studies we are learning about sounds and communication. She wants her own worksheets as Thomas does his. I was going over different types of communication with Thomas like talking, sign language, etc. Lily is coloring on her worksheet when she suddenly says, "Momma, I'm talking. I'm communicating!"
So amazing! She had picked up the entire lesson.
2.
*Warning: Toddler Potty Humor*
One of the ways we got Lily to stay on the potty while she was potty training was to read books to her. She would climb up and either Thad or I would sit on the floor and read to her. Her book of choice was usually Big Sister, Little Sister which gives cute little phrases on each page about the relationship between sisters. Its also in rhyme which makes it very easy to remember. We read it so many times that she memorized it. Eventually we began to ask her to "read" it to us while she is on the potty.
One day she was going great with her "reading" when she got to the page where Big Sister is a cheerleader. At just the right moment she started to go in the potty. She was exceedingly proud of herself so she announced it right on the tail end of reading the page. This was the result:
"Big Sister teaches me to yell and cheer, 'I'm pooping, Momma! I'm dropping one in!'"
I completely lost my composure, literally falling over laughing! There was no pause between the reading and her pronouncement. Running them together created quite a laugh for me. I had trouble later even relating the story to Thad. I couldn't stop laughing. Even now I got a chuckle as I typed.
I have no idea where, "I'm dropping one in" came from but, WOW, was it funny!
She is so very, very, very vocal its astounding. Every now and then she comes up with something too funny to keep to ourselves. Even if that something might be potty humor.
3.
Just now as I was typing this post Lily pointed to the travel section of the Sunday newspaper asking, "What's that, Momma?"
"It's a cruise ship."
"Noooo, it's a BOAT!"
Thursday, October 9, 2008
It Rained in Nashville Yesterday....
....and all the crazies were out driving.
It seems to me that Nashville has a high number of people that want to test the efficacy of their auto insurance companies. They come out on rainy days and muck up all major thoroughfares in the city.
As a whole Nashville drivers are average. What qualifies me to say this? I have been to and through a great number of our United States. I have experienced more than one 65 mile per hour traffic jam in San Francisco. I have been on the Bay Bridge in San Fran at rush hour. Los Angeles is some sort of civil engineer revenge plot against society - a giant spider web of concrete and cars. I have navigated Daytona Beach and Orlando at Spring Break. I have nearly wet myself twice riding in a taxi cab in Mexico. We won't even talk about Jamaican driving habits, OY! Washington, D.C.? Again, lets not go there. A little closer to home there is the ever popular "Malfunction Junction" right down the middle of Knoxville.
So now you know that I have the credentials to go along with my assessment, here it is:
Nashvillians suffer from a Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde disorder that emerges as the chance of precipitation rises. If water does actually fall from the sky - WHOA, NELLY! These people lose all manner of sense and basic skill and become all thumbs behind the wheel.
Its just our little mark on the world. Forget "Music City" just change our nickname to
"We have a wreck on I-65 Southbound at Trinity Lane."
Its not as catchy but it would most certainly be truth in advertising. Not to mention a nice warning for tourists.
I love you, Nashville! Have a great day and drive safely!
It seems to me that Nashville has a high number of people that want to test the efficacy of their auto insurance companies. They come out on rainy days and muck up all major thoroughfares in the city.
As a whole Nashville drivers are average. What qualifies me to say this? I have been to and through a great number of our United States. I have experienced more than one 65 mile per hour traffic jam in San Francisco. I have been on the Bay Bridge in San Fran at rush hour. Los Angeles is some sort of civil engineer revenge plot against society - a giant spider web of concrete and cars. I have navigated Daytona Beach and Orlando at Spring Break. I have nearly wet myself twice riding in a taxi cab in Mexico. We won't even talk about Jamaican driving habits, OY! Washington, D.C.? Again, lets not go there. A little closer to home there is the ever popular "Malfunction Junction" right down the middle of Knoxville.
So now you know that I have the credentials to go along with my assessment, here it is:
Nashvillians suffer from a Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde disorder that emerges as the chance of precipitation rises. If water does actually fall from the sky - WHOA, NELLY! These people lose all manner of sense and basic skill and become all thumbs behind the wheel.
Its just our little mark on the world. Forget "Music City" just change our nickname to
"We have a wreck on I-65 Southbound at Trinity Lane."
Its not as catchy but it would most certainly be truth in advertising. Not to mention a nice warning for tourists.
I love you, Nashville! Have a great day and drive safely!
Thursday, October 2, 2008
A Couple of New Adventures
In the past few weeks there have been 2 significant changes for me. I am truly excited about both.
Most of you know that Thomas takes home school tutorial classes in fine arts every Friday at Family Christian Academy. One of the classes offered to the middle and high school students is Creative Writing. The teacher from last year followed God's call to Europe and the space was vacant. In early summer I offered to tutor if a student needs a little extra help. (That's the joy of homeschooling, we share our talents with each other!) The administrator asked if I would consider teaching the class! Of course, I was thrilled to be asked but let her know that it probably wouldn't work since Lilianna and Elisha are home with me. She said she would pray about it, and I did, too. Weeks went by without a solution and nothing new from the administrator so I figured God's answer was no.
When I took Thomas on the first day of school, a Wednesday, the administrator approached me again. I started to explain the I had found no solution for see to Lilianna and Elisha. She cut me off halfway through my sentence with a gleeful, "Oh and I have someone to watch the babies here in the school while you teach!" I was so excited I got teary eyed. I had really wanted to teach this class and just as I had given up hope, God got me with a sneaky "yes." It got even better a week later when they asked me to teach Speech class also!
So that's New Adventure #1, I now teach middle and high school students Creative Writing and Speech on Fridays! Its amazing. I love the curriculum I chose and my students. The sitter is working out well. If the kids need me she just brings them to me. I even taught Speech a couple of weeks ago while holding Eli because he wanted to fall asleep on Mama.
New Adventure #2 is something I've done before but not in 9 1/2 years! I am now a consultant for The Pampered Chef. I am selling again. I thoroughly enjoy their products and their company. Everything is high quality and long-lasting. I have pieces that are 10 years old and work like the day I got them. If you are interested in hosting a Cooking Show in your home or just a catalog show please let me know! I love this new business, and I am excited to help you!
Most of you know that Thomas takes home school tutorial classes in fine arts every Friday at Family Christian Academy. One of the classes offered to the middle and high school students is Creative Writing. The teacher from last year followed God's call to Europe and the space was vacant. In early summer I offered to tutor if a student needs a little extra help. (That's the joy of homeschooling, we share our talents with each other!) The administrator asked if I would consider teaching the class! Of course, I was thrilled to be asked but let her know that it probably wouldn't work since Lilianna and Elisha are home with me. She said she would pray about it, and I did, too. Weeks went by without a solution and nothing new from the administrator so I figured God's answer was no.
When I took Thomas on the first day of school, a Wednesday, the administrator approached me again. I started to explain the I had found no solution for see to Lilianna and Elisha. She cut me off halfway through my sentence with a gleeful, "Oh and I have someone to watch the babies here in the school while you teach!" I was so excited I got teary eyed. I had really wanted to teach this class and just as I had given up hope, God got me with a sneaky "yes." It got even better a week later when they asked me to teach Speech class also!
So that's New Adventure #1, I now teach middle and high school students Creative Writing and Speech on Fridays! Its amazing. I love the curriculum I chose and my students. The sitter is working out well. If the kids need me she just brings them to me. I even taught Speech a couple of weeks ago while holding Eli because he wanted to fall asleep on Mama.
New Adventure #2 is something I've done before but not in 9 1/2 years! I am now a consultant for The Pampered Chef. I am selling again. I thoroughly enjoy their products and their company. Everything is high quality and long-lasting. I have pieces that are 10 years old and work like the day I got them. If you are interested in hosting a Cooking Show in your home or just a catalog show please let me know! I love this new business, and I am excited to help you!
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Our Family Celebration
September 6 was a very fun day! We took this day to mark our 10th anniversary, renew our wedding vows ans dedicate Elisha to God. We had a wonderful time. Here are some of the details:
As with our wedding, my dad presided over the vow renewal. He also did Elisha's dedication. Both were held outside under an arbor on the waterfront of Drake's Creek which is an offshoot of Old Hickory Lake. It was a beautiful day.
After that we went inside to continue our party. Thad and I danced our "next dance" to "Walking Her Home" by one of our favorite Christian artists, Mark Schultz. Our dance instructor, Dana from DanceQuest, LLC, choreographed a routine for us that was perfect for us and the song.
Dancing helped us work up an appetite which was taken care of with some FANTASTIC food from our venue, Latham's Lighthouse Events Center. Mr. Latham provided us with an amazing spread. We had tenderloin, chicken breast, corn with chipotle and garlic butters, green beans, crostini with three toppings including the best spinach and artichoke dip ever! We also had three cakes from The French Confection, golden butter, strawberry, and Jack Daniels double chocolate chip - all covered in dark chocolate ganache!
We played the music of our youth - a compilation of essential 80s and 90s music. All in all it was a fabulous day. Our centerpieces were adorned with lovely hot pink Gerbera daisies and carnations from Flower Express. We enjoyed the company of the friends and family that were able to be with us and missed those who weren't.
If you would like to see the photographs that our photographer, Jon Warren, you can click here to go to our Shutterfly album. Once there you can order the photos of your choice.
Kid Updates
Wow it seems like forever since I posted anything on either of my blogs. I know you all are wanting more kids updates so here is the latest.
Thomas is 5 and in 1st grade now! He is still doing 3 days at Family Christian Academy and 2 days at home. Fridays are "Fine Arts Fridays." He has art, Spanish, science fun, and music. He is doing well. He is very happy to be staying all day instead of leaving after lunch. He is reading very well though he doesn't want to sometimes. He prefers history and science to English and literature.
Lilianna has just turned 2. She has also just finished potty training. She loves her big girl clean, dry panties! She wakes up dry but still has an accident every couple of days. That's mostly because we can't get her to a potty quick enough. She can count to 14 and say her ABC's though she won't do either if you ask. You have to catch her in the act. She talks and talks and talks. Not like a baby but in full, clear sentences as part of a conversation! I'm with her all the time and even I'm amazed sometimes.
Elisha is growing wonderfully! He was 22 inches at birth and at 2 months he had grown to 24 1/2 inches! He almost has full control of his head and pushes up well when laying on his belly. Elisha was recently dedicated back to God at our Family Celebration on September 6. Did I mention that he sleeps through the night? WOOHOO!
Thomas is 5 and in 1st grade now! He is still doing 3 days at Family Christian Academy and 2 days at home. Fridays are "Fine Arts Fridays." He has art, Spanish, science fun, and music. He is doing well. He is very happy to be staying all day instead of leaving after lunch. He is reading very well though he doesn't want to sometimes. He prefers history and science to English and literature.
Lilianna has just turned 2. She has also just finished potty training. She loves her big girl clean, dry panties! She wakes up dry but still has an accident every couple of days. That's mostly because we can't get her to a potty quick enough. She can count to 14 and say her ABC's though she won't do either if you ask. You have to catch her in the act. She talks and talks and talks. Not like a baby but in full, clear sentences as part of a conversation! I'm with her all the time and even I'm amazed sometimes.
Elisha is growing wonderfully! He was 22 inches at birth and at 2 months he had grown to 24 1/2 inches! He almost has full control of his head and pushes up well when laying on his belly. Elisha was recently dedicated back to God at our Family Celebration on September 6. Did I mention that he sleeps through the night? WOOHOO!
Long Live the Shoppong Cart Surfers
Last week I was walking through the parking lot on my way into Aldi. Just then an older gentleman that I would describe as distinguished was coming out. He looked intellectual, structured, staid, and serious. He was pushing his cart with purpose toward his car not as if he were out on a leisurely Sunday shopping trip.
I smiled at him in greeting which he returned with a half grin. As he did this he placed one foot on the bottom bar of the cart, hopped up, and gave two swift pushes with the other foot. He surfed his cart past me with a wide grin that replaced the half one. His eyes were lit with a glee that spoke to me. He still enjoyed his life. Perhaps we all would if we surfed on our shopping carts more often.
*Please note that I am well aware of the dangers here. Sometimes we need to do things anyway! An adventure without a little danger is a poor remedy for the ordinary!
I smiled at him in greeting which he returned with a half grin. As he did this he placed one foot on the bottom bar of the cart, hopped up, and gave two swift pushes with the other foot. He surfed his cart past me with a wide grin that replaced the half one. His eyes were lit with a glee that spoke to me. He still enjoyed his life. Perhaps we all would if we surfed on our shopping carts more often.
*Please note that I am well aware of the dangers here. Sometimes we need to do things anyway! An adventure without a little danger is a poor remedy for the ordinary!
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