Having a Ball

Gratefulness

2010-01-05T07:02:00.000-08:00

The kids wanted to make posters for Tom when he returned from his sub-zero journey to the Dakotas. Ellie greeted him in Ed McMahon style (her idea), asking me later, "do you think Dad really expects me to give him a million dollars?"

Memorize This!

2007-01-04T21:02:00.000-08:00

For the week of Jan 3rd - 10th, I am going to work with my kids to memorize this verse:

Psalm 19:14
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

3 Parties, 2 Bowling Dates and 1 Fantastic New Year

2010-01-03T04:54:00.000-08:00

New Year's Eve and New Year's Day came with no lack of activities for us this particular year. I think it was God's little blessing to me since Tom was gone for 7 full days from December 28th AM to January 3rd PM. Helped me not to get too lonely or have enough time to feel sorry for myself.

We rang in 2010 with a gaggle of people in family style. It was a great party in a huge house with unique entertainment (a kids' talent show - Luke did his breakdancing routine!)
Some of Kami's friends were there!

See, I told you.... lots of people.. and this was just the kids!

Earlier in the day, we hosted a Bunco party for the girls in Kami's class at school... I was a little worried about 6th graders getting the idea of bunco...

but... uh..... it wasn't a problem. I just sat and relaxed on the couch, while they rang the bell, tallied their points and moved on when they won.

They went four rounds and LOVED it! I just gave out prizes at the end, but wait until they get a taste of playing for $! Ellie wanted a bunco party too, but we opted for a Clue party instead.... I was a little frazzled at the thought of 12 eight year olds trying to figure it out. Clue was much slower paced; there was some yawning. I felt kind of bad because they started talking about all the different ways to die.... "I would rather die by poison," one girl said. "NO WAY!" said another, "that rots your insides out. Just get a gun and get it over with." Nice little heartwarming game of Clue that was. But I think they had fun.

Brooke and Kami are on to something

Savannah showing her card to Ellie and Hallie.

Savannah making an "accusation." By the way, the New Clue (I couldn't find the old one) has all these new-fangled rules, that while making me miss the original simplicity of the game, still added some interest and challenge that the original didn't have.

We went bowling two days in a row... New Year's Eve and Day... here we are with Tiff and LeeAnn's families on New Year's Day.

Ellie and Big Braden!

He was a cute bowler. And better than me. I was absolutley awful at bowling! Confirming my theory that I am completely unathletic. I mean, I could not roll the thing straight!

We went back to Tiff's for homemade lasagna cooked by Mr. Italiano, Joe! It was SuPeR yummy!

On New Year's Eve, Luke got to hang out with the BOYZ. Austin and Cody.

What cutie patooties!

and here's to my boy and the year 2010. Many blessings to you and yours in the New Year.

Faux Paux?

2010-01-02T17:14:00.000-08:00

This year, Tom told me what he wanted for Christmas.

Silverware.

You know it's bad when your husband is asking for new silverware for Christmas. When we were married, we did recieve a full set of everyday silverware, but that was 13+ years ago. There were a few lone survivors from our original set, but for the most part, we had accumulated a motely crew of eating utensils.

So... I went and picked out something that we could use for the next 13 years or so. It wasn't until I lugged it inside the house I realized that tucked up into the very tip top of my kitchen cabinets was a full and shiny set of our "nice" silverware that we had received as gifts 13+ years ago.

Hmmmm. Should I save it for another 13 years? Or should I go ahead and use it now? For the record, I had pretty bad taste 13+ years ago.... I just got rid of our dark green tinted drinking glasses last year. But I really am not picky about stuff like that.... as much as I'd like to be a domestic diva... that I ain't. And I like the "nice" silverware just fine! I would enjoy using it because if there's one thing I hate, that is wasting things. And it sure seems like a waste for my silverware to be unused for another decade. But will I be sorry? Will I look back with angst and think, "why oh WHY did I ever use that nice silverware? How could I be so stupid?" Why do people save the good stuff anyway? To use on holidays and special occasions? To pass down to their grandchildren? Am I wrong? Am I delusional? Am I socially unacceptable? Somebody, come to my rescue.... tell me what is proper yet practical.

9 from '09 and 10 for '10

2010-01-01T20:50:00.000-08:00

9 highlights from '09.

In Chronological Order
1. My 40th!
2. Kami Elected Mayor of Biztown
3. God Using Boxes to Teach Me a Lesson
4. Ellie Falling in Love with Laura Ingalls Wilder
5. Luke Repeating Kindergarten
6. Tiff Accepting Christ
7. I Landed a New Job
8. ORU Basketball Trip to Cancun
9. Christmas Eve Blizzard

10 thoughts for '10
don't want to call them "resolutions" - seems risky to do so.

Instead, I'll call them strong thoughts for the new year.

Thought 1. Simply said, Pursue God. Put away distractions. Focus more on the life-giver because He brings me PEACE. Nuthin' else works. Most everything else I think brings me peace ends up stealing it in the end. Ironic, huh?

Thought 2. Slow Down. Say NO more. All those YESES are getting me nowhere but on "E." As my friend Rena said in a post yesterday, "Where is my peace? What have I traded it for?" My list is long.

Thought 3. Play tennis. Have fun. Enjoy it. Watch out Serena! (This is a huge leap for me.... I have zero athletic ability, but I have a great group of ladies encouraging me and some killer tennis skirts! I'm trying to stick with it.)

Thought 4. Fill myself and my family with better food. Cut down on ~~poison~~ sugar.

Thought 5. Love more. When in doubt, love. When entertaining thoughts of bitterness, just drop it. Because bitterness kills, but love covers. (Rena, if you have that link, send it to me!)

Thought 6. Take care of my skin. Wear sunscreen, even though I really need a tan. I am a WHITE girl. Don't be afraid to use expensive products to help with skin problems and issues that began when I worshipped the sun in my 20's. If I had only listened to my Dad. That's why I put my name in for Georgie's FAB giveaway!

Thought 7. Think of those in need and try to help. Be a better friend. Even a small action each day would be great. A phone call. A note. A prayer. A hug. Chocolate. (Dark of course)

Thought 8. Give up the basketball angst. I've got it. I hate it and I'm giving it up. No amount of pain or worry about our team has ever made a difference. This year I'm giving up the angst. God is much bigger than basketball.

Thought 9. Become funny. It's something I've always wanted to do. I have a long way to go on that one. Ha-ha. A more realistic goal is learning from my blog friend Kathleen. She blogs well and she blogs often. Writing is one of my favorite things and I want to more consistently document our family story like she does! Now if I could just be funny doing so. Wouldn't that be great!

Thought 10. Teach my kids more scriptures. That's no joke. I want to share it with them while I still can. It's more valuable than anything on earth. See for yourself it's benefits: Psalm 19: 7-11 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

A Christmas Carol - 2009

2009-12-30T23:29:00.000-08:00

Does anyone sing "Come on Ring Those Bells" anymore?

I learned the Christmas carol in school as a kid and sang it at the top of my lungs.

I hope it will make a comeback if you haven't heard it;

it's such a fun song with a message!

Come sing along with us now... and enjoy the images of our Christmas 2009.

Perfect Pairings - 2 Corinthians 9:15

2009-12-27T07:01:00.000-08:00

My amazing granny gives away a new handsewn quilt with each holiday. She draws a name out of a hat and the winner is always beyond thrilled for a gift so special, so unique, so cherished. This year, Miss Maggie's name was drawn! Granny's gift is beyond wonderful, and during this time of year, I want to meditate on the most wonderful, live saving, peace bringing, joy infusing gift of all:

"Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift [of Jesus]!" ~2 Corinthians 9:15

This is What a White Christmas Looks Like

2009-12-26T14:50:00.000-08:00

The Blizzard of 2009. A mere dusting for those who live even 100 miles north of us, but a gargantuan "weather event" for meterologists around here and us snow rookies. It was indeed a white Christmas... and here is what we saw: Snow starting to accumlate on Granny's porch on Christmas Eve.
Excitement on the faces of all the kids! It's SnOwInG!
Big winter coats and snow boots!

Terrible visibility during the harrowing ride home. Would love to say I wasn't a backseat driver, but oh no, that didn't happen. I'm sure it didn't help Tom's sense of calm for me to squeal out: "slow down!" "watch out!" "I'm too young to die!!" (j/k on the last one). Cars and trucks in the ditch (look carefully and you will see this pick up truck nose down).

More cars in the ditch on Christmas morning.

And more cars abandoned on the side of the road while driving out to Nana and Papas.

Snow plows.

It was like a car graveyard.

More snowplows.

Papa on his 4-wheeler out on the farm.

Snowball fights.

Rides in the snow (Tom and Maggie)

A dusting of snow on a beauty.

A warm and toasty friendship.

Fun in the white stuff!

The making of snowangels.

A perfect Snowangel!

Big SmilesHappy FacesSledding in the park with Uncle Jon. Tom and Ellie!

May your days be merry and bright, and may all your Christmases be white.

The Battle

2009-12-24T11:19:00.000-08:00

Basketball is a matter of prayer in our family.

Some people think it's just a silly game, and God doesn't care about that. "He has bigger things to worry about than your little game."

Well, I ask you, have you ever prayed your husband would win the contract he's been working so hard for? Have you ever petitioned God that more clients may walk through his doors? Have you ever asked the Lord to instill your husband with wisdom and discretion so that he may succeed at the work the Lord has given him?

Amen. Me too.

Take this most recent game that we played on December 23rd. We were faced with playing an undefeated opponent ranked #12 in the nation with our remaining 7 scholarship players. 7 players. If you don't know anything about basketball, suffice it to say that's like playing Bunco with 7 people. Hard to do and not a lot of fun.

I was nervous. But then a sweet friend of mine who is dealing with a battle of her own sent me these verses:

“Do not be afraid of them; the Lord your God Himself will fight for you.”Deut 3:22

“Listen! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. Go out and face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’”II Chron 20:15, 17b

They couldn't have been more apropos. So I forwarded the verses to the other prayer warriors and into battle we went, equipped with His words.

I was prepared for God's answer.... either way. Win or lose, I was not to be afraid or discouraged, because this was HIS BATTLE!!!

And then... against all odds, we won. WE WON! Big! It didn't even take a last second shot. It was our second biggest win since this this one.

Praise be to God in heaven who fights our battles if we will let him.

Perfect Pairings - 2 Timothy 1:5

2009-12-20T21:52:00.000-08:00

2 Timothy 1:5 ~
I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother and in your mother and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

Follow this link to Baloney's blog and add your own Perfect Sunday Pairing!

It's (Finally) Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

2009-12-21T18:48:00.000-08:00

This is my first December as an official working mom with 3 kids. Albeit, I am working part time, but that along with teaching a class at TCC, having a very busy husband and trying to keep everything managed at home really put December on the back-burner. Ah, finally, with the end of the work week came a newfound joy that bubbled up in my heart.... oh yes... Christmas is coming! Here are some signs that Christmas is indeed around the proverbial corner.

*Baking compulsion... I cannot get out of the kitchen without whipping up some kind of holiday treat, usually including chocolate as an ingredient. Puppy chow is one of our Christmas favorites, and today we drizzled pretzels with white and dark chocolate, dusting them with tiny red and green ball sprinkles. Easy and delicious!

*I actually sat down and watched Elf with the kids. Classic lines:

Buddy: The best way to spread Christmas Cheer, is singing loud for all to hear.
Buddy: We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup.

I LOVE that movie. So does Ellie.

*We had our annual caroling day with friends... driving around town and singing to several different friends/family members. Here are the happy carolers:

Three girls who have been friends since birth...We drove all the way across to granny's house and sang to her and Uncle Rex... she said it was the best Christmas present she could ever get.... and I think she meant it. A tradition my kids have known is going to the Christmas celebration at my sister's country club... Here is Ellie trying to foil Brandini (yes, she picked up a cup in the middle of the trick; Brandini was NOT happy with her)

Luke and Nana (see the cute snowman on Luke's face....)Hallie and Ellie with the famous upside-down Christmas tree.and believe it or not, every Christmas I have a picture of one of my kids with a snake draped around his/her neck. Talk about heart-warming traditions. There is always a little petting zoo at the club and this year, Luke was the lucky one.

Now that we've taken our annual snake picture, it really is beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

Blessings Galore

2009-12-19T20:53:00.000-08:00

Blessing: Uncle Zach

When Uncle Zach comes to town, it is like the rare look at a groundhog as he comes out of his hole or a admiring a blue moon that rarely appears in the sky. We do not get to see Tom's youngest brother very often, but feel so blessed to enjoy his company when he does come to visit. He lives in New York and travels the world, in fact is heading to Rio on Christmas day. We hope he comes back to see us very soon!

Blessing: Basketball

In a stretch of a basketball season more brutal than any I can remember the last 10 years, we have lost 3, count em, THREE players for the season to ACL tears. Unheard of. We have lost 2 to broken wrists and 1 to a high ankle sprain. 1 player quit the team. Though we may get back a couple of these guys in a week or two, right now we are down to 5 scholarship players. That hurts, not only for us, but for these kids, who eat and sleep basketball. Regardless of what is SEEN, the God we serve who is UNSEEN, can do anything. And a couple Wednesdays ago, he did just that. With our "Mighty 7" - this was before we lost 2 other players - we defeated Missouri of the Big 12 in the Mabee Center with a last second shot. Scoreboard and ESPN play below. We're counting our blessings on this one, and praying for other unexpected miracles. Cause we need them right now.
Blessing: O Christmas Tree

Did I mention I love our Christmas tree this year? Oh, how I love it! It makes me so joyous. So beautiful and fragrant and the fact that it was all Tom's doing makes it that much more beautiful in my eyes. I'm trying to get the full effect of every pine needle.

More Kids' Quips...

2007-01-05T12:15:00.000-08:00

Ellie: (as we drive up to Barnes and Noble and in a very loving tone): Ahhh, this place could be my HOME!
Luke: If there is something in the world that no one knows, then how does the first person figure it out?
Luke: Hey mom, I can play a song on my bottom. Wanna hear?
Ellie: (after listening to me vent on the phone to a friend about my current disappointment): Mom, you just like to let your feelings FLOW. I mean, you just let them out. (thinking a minute more). Your feelings are kind of like GAS. When they get all backed up, you just have to let them out. Me: (wistful) You nailed me, Ellie. You got me.
Ellie: If my room were made of cream cheese, I would have munched down every bite of it. And then I would have started on Kami's.
Ellie (stepping on leaves): I just looooooove the sound of leaves crunching under my feet!!!
Ellie: Mom, for my birthday, I'd like a paper shredder. Me: Why? Ellie: So when I get older and break up with my boyfriends, I can shred their pictures.
Ellie: (discussing fruit) There is one reason I really like the peach. That is because when you get down to the pit of the peach, you take it out and clean it up and, that peach pit, it looks exactly like a Rose Rock. Ellie (whispering confidentially): Mom, I've got a long, blonde hair growing right in the center of my chest.
Ellie is staring at me intently as I am getting dressed in the morning, so I ask, "Ellie, what are you looking at?" She responds, "just checking to see if you have any chest hair."
Luke: Hey, mom... back when they had horses that pulled cars... was there a speed limit?
Luke: Mom, can people talk with their mouths about one thing and think with their brains about something else, all at the same time? Me: (trying it) I don't think so. That's really hard to do. Luke: Well, I can do it. I just said something and thunk something else.
Luke: Mom, people must lose things in Las Vegas. Me: (surprised) Yes, they do! How did you know? Luke: Cuz it's called LOSS Vegas!
Ellie: (while watching a National Geographic special on how the ancients ground large rocks down to make perfectly sized bricks): I bet that took some elbow grease!
Me: (while at Academy picking out athetic shorts) - Hey Ellie, do you like these RED shorts? Ellie: No way!!!! .... they're too..... OUish.
Luke: I have a girlfriend at church and her name is Jayden. Her hair smells like bubbles. I love bubbles. (has a dreamy look on his face).
Ellie: (while watching the fireworks on the 4th of July): Do you know why there are no lightning bugs lighting up right now? They are jealous of the beautiful fireworks!
Ellie: I think a hippopotamus should be called a hippoBOTTOMus. Their bottoms are just SO big!!!
Ellie: Mom, yesterday when we were at the pool, I saw this girl and she was a teenager and she had these boobs, and they were WAY bigger than yours.
Luke: (after dripping ice cream on his shoe): Can I lick my shoe?
Ellie: (gagging after eating a bite of turkey bacon) ICK!!! I think I got the turkey's eyeball!!!!
Ellie: Mom, I'm Glad you don't work at Walmart. Me: Why? Ellie: You'd be gone ALL the time. That place is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! I'd rather live in a car or on the streets than have you gone all the time.
Luke: Dad, I can't sleep. I keep thinking of new inventions.
Luke: I think when you watch a bad show, it makes you gooder. Like Emma... she's really a good girl... and guess what? She watches Sponge Bob. So it must be making her even gooder. Can I try that mom?
Ellie: It doesn't matter if your husband has warts all over his face, as long as you're happy. Right mom?
Ellie: Green is an attractive color. I know that because I wore green today and everyone was looking at me.
Ellie: (Struggling to get on her soccer cleats) Mom, do you think that Mia Hamm had this much trouble getting on her cleats?
Luke: Do Smarties make you smart?
Ellie: I'm not trying to rat Kami out or anything .... but......
Luke: What is Jesus' middle name? And what is his last name?
Ellie: Mom and Dad are the biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiig kahuna!!!
Ellie: Mom, has anyone ever come into your life who is just like you. To the point where that person overtakes you and becomes you? There is a boy in my class who has become ME!
Ellie: I don't like living in a dead end. Me: WHY? Ellie: Because, it just sounds so sad! Dead. End. The sound of it is just awful.
Ellie: I just get so sad when the snow melts away. I hate saying goodbye to it... because it will be so long until I see it again. A year... or more!
Ellie: I think about animals that most people don't think about. I think about the platypus and the scissortail flycatcher. I think about the groundhog and the lemur. Most people think about zebras and lions. Not me. I think about the less thought about animals.
Kami: (proudly) I will be in the Freshman Academy the next time we get a new president. Me: gulp.
Ellie: Do you think Luke will go bald when he gets older?
Ellie: You know those chicken underwear I bought for dad for Christmas? (disgustedly) Those were a ripoff.
Ellie: If I ever get put in prision, I will definitely not try to escape. If you get caught, they put you back in prison for a longer time.
Ellie: Before God makes you, does he make a little model of you in heaven?
Luke: (waiting in the car line at Taco Bueno) This is NOT fast food. This is UN-fast food.
Elllie: A Beauty is quite Beautiful but a Booty is not a beauty.
Luke: I know how to spell pee! P-E-E! And I know how to spell pee pee. P-E-E P-E-E!!!
Ellie: I'm afraid to take a bath because I'm scared that a shark will come through the faucet and bite my head off. Or that a jellyfish may come through the pipes and get me with his technicals.
Luke: Secret Agents don't sleep with silkies.
Luke: Sometimes I pee on the wall.

Blessings both Big and Small

2009-12-18T07:07:00.001-08:00

Blessing: I got a job!!

Yes, this may be one reason my blog has been so neglected lately; however, it is a great job for me. I am working in half-time position as Gifted/Talented Coordinator at Jenks East Intermediate - helping with enrichment for 6th grade students. I just so happen to be partnering with a very, very good friend who works with the 5th graders. I am still getting adjusted to working and managing everything, but the blog will NOT be put on the chopping blog nor will reading your blogs, though I haven't been able to read lately. Sorry! Blessing: Bunco Babes

My new friend Tiffani (pictured on the left), who should win the Nobel Peace Prize for uniting people, put together a Bunco Group. New to our city, she has pulled 16-20 of us together for this very fun activity! I have never been in a Bunco group before, and never really had time for much "me" time, so I am loving the time with my new Bunco friends! (Many of whom are also from my and Tiffani's church!)

Blessing: O Christmas Tree

Never in the history of my very fine marriage to Tom has he been around for the decorating of the tree. Ok, maybe he was around a couple of times, but slept through it on the couch. This year, however, not only was he around (a miracle in and of itself), but he went and picked out a tree, brought it home and helped us decorate it!!! We have always used an artificial tree, so can I tell you how awesome it is to come home to the fresh pine smell everyday? Tom so made my Christmas this year by picking out the perfect tree for our family. Thank you basketball for allowing him to be available! I love our tree with all my heart! The blessings keep flowing abundantly... more to come tomorrow!

Cancuuuuuuuuun!

2009-12-04T19:57:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures of Cancun in no particular order because I am too crazy to rearrange them and if I would've been smart I would have uploaded them in the preferred order but I didn't so now they are all helter skelter and don't really tell a story but I can't worry about it because it is December 5th and this week of vacation in Cancun was so wonderful but put me behind Christmas-wise and the only thing I have done to this point is my Christmas cards, which is great, but there is not one, I repeat not one Christmas item up, they are all still in my attic. Deep Breath. So not as to neglect the documenting of our family story, I add these pictures with a few phrases to help me to remember in the future what fun filled experiences we had in Cancun, Mexico in November 2009.

Hallie and Kami on the beach,

Luke and Khloe bury Ellie alive!Luke relaxing in a hammock.

Every room at Moon Palace Resort had a hammock.
Interestingly, my mom and dad's hammock was stolen one night,
ut management replaced it that next day.

Kami and Tom taking in the deep blue expanse.Preparing to Parasail!Gotta love birds that dive headfirst into the water for their lunch.Game Time!

Luke and Josh poolside.

Hallie has excited eyes while parasailing!

Fun with sand.

We love our players.
Roderick is the one on crutches.
He tore his ACL just a couple days before this trip.

Thanksgiving Day fun? Wet and Wild Water Park

The kindergarten crew.

Luke and Lauren by the Palms

Don't palm trees make nice background?
This is Kami and Mackenzie waiting to swim with the dolphins.

Looking for shells our last morning in Cancun.

The "toilet bowl" - what we called this very cool ride at Wet and Wild.
This is Scott riding it
(before he was flushed out like a piece of well, you know)
and we all took a turn on it!
Never seen anything like it!This is Kiki, Kami an Hallie enjoying
an exhilirating trip on the parasail!

It's That Time of Year Again

2009-11-21T22:36:00.000-08:00

Once November hits, my world spins a little faster than normal.

Basketball season arrives.

If I could cuss on my blog, I would do that now.

Because (insert cuss word), it can really be tough on a family.

Yes, I am thankful my husband has a job. I am thankful I have a husband. I am thankful for health. Believe me, I am counting my blessings.

But allow me to whine for just one moment, will you? Because being married to a coach can really be (insert cuss word) sometimes.

The traveling. The losing. The injuries. The missing. The pressure. The stress. The unknown. The busyness. The absentness. The lonliness. The future. (insert cuss word)

I get this way every season. You think I'd get used to it. But it's hard to get used to your heart getting stripped dry. It is hard to get used to putting up the Christmas lights by yourself for the 14th year in a row. It is hard not to feel sad again when I turn on the radio and hear that the Golden Eagles have lost a game.

But every year, this year being no exception, God humbles me and reminds me that this is where he wants me. It is not coincidence that the dark and cold days of fall and winter are the days I am seeking His face most. It is in fact a privelege... because left to my own devices I would most certainly, certainly try to do it all on my own.

But November levels me. Reminds me.... I need God. I need Him on a very real and personal way. I need Him more than my fleeting prayers and my Sunday sermons and my quick look at His Word. I need Him like I need my next breath.

Basketball season gives me the opportunity to experience Him working in a very real and powerful way in my life. Giving me strength (and patience!) to deal with 3 demanding kids on my own. Giving me wisdom to understand that my life really does not depend on 12 college basketball players, but Him alone. Giving me more faith each and every year. I can feel it growing. It does hurt. But it's just a few faith growing pains. Reminding me that "the rock" is not that round orange ball, as it is sometimes called, but HIM.

He is my rock.

Then come the blessings. The assurance. The peace. They do come. Not immediately. Not at all immediately. Annoying slowly actually. But in His time.

I have a feeling I am not the only one. We all have the things that bring us to our knees. I want you to know I can relate. When you think you are the only one struggling with whatever. Just know I struggle too.

Deep breath.

The cussing is over for now. I am determined to trust in the Lord with all my heart and rely not on my own understanding. In all my ways acknowledge Him and He will direct my paths. I pray you do the same.

Airport Security Diaries

2009-11-27T18:36:00.000-08:00

On our way to Cancun, we got to experience the newfangled x-ray machine at our local airport that looks like something Captain Kirk may have used. Forget the good old walk through xray. On by one, we stepped into an intimidating looking cylinder. We each had to space our feet apart and form our hands, strangely, into a diamond shape on top of our heads. Then, a whirring panel circled around until somebody in uniform yelled "clear!"

I didn't get the magic word "clear," but instead was whisked into a separate holding area, apparently for terrorists and moms alike. I stood there on the mat, my naked feet placed into the printed shoe outlines with my arms straight out in surrender. "Just relax ma'am," said the guard. How could I relax when I feared that someone may perform a body cavity search at any second?

At that same time, another guard notified me that I needed to watch him search one of our bags that had come through the x-ray machine. "Ok!" I said, relieved, dropping my arms. "Don't move," barked the first TSA official, "You are not clear!" 2 seconds later, he bulleted, "CLEAR."

I walked over to the bag searching area. The bag in question was Ellie's black carry-on, covered with neon colored peace signs. Did they think a bomb would be planted in a bag covered with peace signs? He began disassembling the contents of Ellie's bag with his rubber-gloved hands. Remember, this is Ellie we are talking about. The one who wore an elf hat the whole 12 hour journey to our destination. The one who loves gadgets of any kind. A strange little soul. Knowing her bag was being searched and picturing herself thrown in jail, Ellie's face soon matched her hat. He slowly pulled the following items out of her bag:
1 pair of large binoculars.
1 Nintendo DS case with a variety of games
1 pair of neon green vampire teeth
2 large bouncy balls
2 chapter books
1 small etch a sketch
3 rubber rats - 2 black and 1 grey
1 dog wallet
1 duck tape wallet
1 large white and black spotted leopard stuffed animal
and finally, he fished out....
1 pair of metal handcuffs.

Dangling them in front of my face, a smile spread over his.
"THIS," he said, stifling a laugh, "is the problem."

At that point the whole line of officers burst out laughing, as Ellie began panicking.
The tension finally broke and we all tried to reassure Ellie that everything was OK.

She was not going to jail, she was going to go to Cancun and she had probably made everyone's day. As we walked off, the head officer joked with my mom from his platform, "hey lady, are you the one who brought the handcuffs?" "No!" she yelled back, "can you guess who it is? The one in the elf hat!"

Little did mom know that her time was coming. On our way home from Cancun, she was pulled into a separate area and searched with a metal detector not once but TWICE! Can you picture that scene? The officer waving the wand over every part of her body and mom fit to be tied. At least we got a good laugh from it all!

Legos Gone Wild!

2009-11-30T03:16:00.000-08:00

He's a madman I tell you!

Every since we returned from our 6 day stay in Cancun, Luke can think of nothing and I mean nothing but Legos. It's as though he's taking one long drag on his Lego cigarette. Ahhhhhh!

Saturday, while Tom and I unpacked, did laundry, cleared out the Thanksgiving decor, etc., Luke made Lego creations FROM 9 AM to 9 PM. Twelve hours of Legos. No breaks. No commercials. No kidding. The child didn't even want to eat. Yesterday was no different, although I did have to to force him get out of the house to visit Granny and Gran Carolyn. That was like extracting his toenails.Then yesterday evening, I began to find some strange items around the house.
A screwdriver. 3 tiny screws. And the remainder of this little basketball prism that lights up and twirls around on a base in his room. He uses it as a night light.Or should I say USED it as a night light.

Had you guessed what the Legomaniac had done? He had opened up the base (without asking mind you), taken out the spinning motor that is powered by electricity, built a Lego casing for it, and attached legos to the moving parts to attempt to make his Legos creations move.

Shortly after he started his project, I had to make him go to bed, but I have a feeling his newest Lego creation is purcolating in his brain even as he sleeps.

Perfect Pairings - Habbakkuk 3:3b-4

2009-11-28T23:31:00.000-08:00

On the beach in Cancun, Mexico looking for shells and waiting for the sunrise....

God's brilliant splendor fills the heavens, and the earth is filled with his praise. His coming is as brilliant as the sunrise. Rays of light flash from his hands, where his awesome power is hidden.
~Habbakkuk 3:3b-4

Follow this link to Baloney's blog and add your own Perfect Sunday Pairing!

Hankoween

2009-11-05T04:49:00.000-08:00

Perhaps that post title sounds a little racy.
Just trying to be a little creative here.
The local aquarium has HallowMarine
and the zoo has Hallowzooeen.
This is the Hankins' family version! Hankoween.

One blogging challenge is how to make the same types of pictures from annual events fresh and interesting every year.

I am blogging my FOURTH Halloween! I am excited about that fact, but aware that Halloweens 2006, 2007, and 2008 could look scarily like the Halloween of 2009, just different costumes.

Traditions:
We always go to a Halloween party with my sister and her family before Halloween, followed by a grab bag of Halloween parties and decorating cookies at Granny's house. Finally, we have the visit to Granny's on Halloween Eve and then Trick or Treating in the Mackey's neighborhood, followed by a quick strike back in our own neighborhood. It is just about the most fun a kid could have. And with the weather this year, I was feeling the fun... it was absolutely gorgeous... plus there were no heavy winter coats messing with the presentation of my kids' costumes.

Speaking of that... what is up with my kids' choices of costumes?
I guess Luke's choice was pretty typical for a 6 year old boy... he always wants to be mean or scary... this year he was Cobra from the G.I. Joe show....? I have no idea who that is, really. Could be a character of a serial killer for all I know.
Then Ellie chose to be a nerd. I told her she didn't have to dress up to be a nerd. She could just go as herself. Ha ha. She was cracking us up with her suspenders, taped up glasses and pens in her pocket. She collected her Halloween candy in a backpack. Here she is with her cousins, Ana and Hallie. Look how DARLING they both look, and then, there's my nerd. One thing she does have is personality!
And Kami got this totally original idea to be duck tape girl. Duck tape seems to be "the thing" this year... the girls at school are making duck tape bracelets and covering their notebooks in duck tape. If you didn't know already, duck tape (as opposed to duct tape) comes in a plethora of colors. Even plaid. Kam fashioned her costume out of some old clothes and orange, pink and purple duck tape. The costume was actually about $ 40.00 cheaper than the Cobra dude that Luke dressed up as.... she also has a silver duck tape bow and a striped duck tape cape. Here Duck Tape Girl is with her friend Goldilocks at a Halloween party.I thought my girls both looked cute and their costumes were just right for each of them. However, for just once could they possibly look like my sister's children? Just once, put on a frilly skirt and revel in their girlishness? Pleeeease?
I call them the three pretty princesses, because that is what they are. Gorgeous. Adorable. Princessy. Precious. And such a contrast to my nerd, my duck tape girl and my... um... cobra man. Take a look at an up close contrast: the nerd and the ballerina. Sigh. I've given in to it. Don't get me wrong... I adore my kids just as they are. I am not going to squeeze their fanny cheeks into a frilly costume they don't want to wear. I might consider it though! ;-) Costume choice is just a funny part of our Hankoween.So is all the other fun stuff, like getting Boo'd. Did any of you get Boo'd? That is when someone comes and leaves you Halloween treats at night. They ring your doorbell and run away. Then, you return the favor to someone else. My kids got Boo'd and they Boo'd some friends. These lovely teeth above were from one of our fun boos. Like the eyeball cookies we made this year? Ellie called this her "Here's Looking at You" cookie.
Possibly the cutest Halloween costumes I saw were the Oompa Loompa and Willy Wonka, which further proves my point. My kids don't have to be frilly, just coordinated! That would work for me! I am not getting bitter... just sayin'....Eating some severed finger gummies. Oh so yummy.The spookiest house in the neighborhood... visiting it is a Hankoween tradition.Kami and her purple skittle of a sweet friend. This picture just kind of sums up our Hankoween. The preciousness of time with friends and family. Showing love and attention to others. Having a zest for life and breathing in each second.....

.... even if it is with my Cobra man, my nerd and my duck tape girl.

Fire!

2009-11-07T08:29:00.000-08:00

I opened my window
and pushed out the screen.
Had to capture a picture of the
blazing fire outside my bedroom window,
while it's still burning.
Hot!

A Getaway

2009-11-26T03:17:00.000-08:00

We have been at Moon Palace in Cancun, Mexico for the last 6 days.

I know. I feel guilty saying it after my last blog whine.

That blog post was typed up around 2:30 AM... just a couple hours before I peeled my kids out of bed to get to the airport by 5AM. Tom had been gone for days on end and I was reeling from a truly heart-breaking injury to our point-guard. We had gone and won a HUGE game at Stanford... it was so exciting and gave us great hope for this season. Then the very next game, the oil that makes our team run suffered a horrible knee injury.

The team that was is no more. And the season has just begun. If you are an OU fan, you know exactly what I'm talking about.

Anyway, in all that drama I somehow forgot to mention that we were leaving in a matter of hours to meet Tom and the team in sunny Mexico for a basketball tournament.

I just could hardly bear to think of seeing our injured player, the look on the faces of his teammates and my husband try to hide his disappointment. It didn't seem like a Getaway when the stuff I wanted to Getaway from was not going to Getaway from me!

But I really need to start focusing on the positive, don't you think?

It of course ended up being a lovely, beautiful, fun-filled Getaway. Pictures shall be downloaded soon and include lots of beach shots, parasailing photo ops and even swimming with the dolphins. And don't forget some snapshots with our tall tree players. I will include those too.

We played two games. Lost the first one in a gut-wrenching shootout... it was sooo close. Then we won the 2nd to a poor team that is winless this season. Talk about difficult... this team left their home on or about November 15th and still has one game to play before they return! Good grief! You think the NCAA will pay for marriage counseling for those coaches' wives left at home? I have long thought the NCAA needs to do something to help preserve families. And I'm not kidding about that.

We had Thanksgiving dinner together as a family... because though I haven't mentioned it, my sister and her coaching husband and my mom and dad and mother-in-law all came along on the trip too! The dinner was an interesting mix of authentic Mexican dishes. The most unique Thanksgiving dinner I've EVER had. But the tortilla soup didn't make up for Granny's mashed potatoes.

I also must say without going into great detail that God has worked great things in my heart during this time. He has reminded me of some things and taught me some things that He could not have done any other way. And for THAT, I am thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving to you All! Hope you all had your little Getaway of sorts.

Perfect Pairings - Romans 12:9-10

2009-11-08T09:55:00.000-08:00

My prayer for our children:
Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle
~Romans 12:9-10 (The Message)

Follow this link to Baloney's blog and add your own Perfect Sunday Pairing!

Perfect Pairings - Ecclesiastes 3:11

2009-11-01T17:51:00.000-08:00

Leave it to Ellie, our Halloween nerd (more on that soon) to notice a miniature green spotted bug crawling lazily on a lavendar mum at Granny's house on Halloween afternoon. Ecclesiastes 3:11
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

Disappointment

2009-10-28T22:55:00.000-07:00

He stands imposingly in the doorway.
Broad shouldered, darkly staring me down.
Accusing. Glaring. Denouncing.

I steal a look at him and run weakly to my hiding spot,
like an injured rabbit.
Where my eyes grow bloodshot hot
and my heart red heavy.
Foolish. Scared. Embarrassed.

It seems impossible to face him.

To go up against him nose to nose.
Confident. Empowered. Believing.

I would rather not take the risk.
And turn inward.
Quiet. Paralyzed. Numb.

Or I would rather fight him like a crazy woman.
Swing my fist into his jaw, hair flying insanely.
Wild. Angry. Hurt.

Instead.

I will pick myself up.
I will walk calmly towards him.
I will give him a steel look in the eye.
Mouth set, I will say firmly,
"Move over. I am coming through."

Faith-filled. Moving forward. Expecting God's best.