june 13

We did something today we have not done in a long time...skipped church. Nate has had a fever since Friday at lunch. He has been super clingy and "sleeping" (i use that term loosely) with us each night. I have been working this weekend. I go in today at noon. Today is Chip's birthday. He is exhausted. He was going to take the older two to church at 9 so I could stay home with Nate and he would be back so I could leave for work on time. At 7:40 he said, "Oh its already 7:40. We have got to start getting ready." I suggested they just not go. He was relieved. It really was one of those things that would not have set him up for success for the rest of the day. It makes me think of Amy Grant's new song "Better than a hallelujah". Would it really glorify God for Chip to go to church only to be distracted because he was so tired and then be really irritable with the kids all afternoon?
A few minutes later he was covered up with a blanket in the chair trying to rest. I suggested he just go back to bed. He was in shock. He asked if I was serious. So, he is getting some much needed rest before he has to spend much of his birthday on daddy duty. I hope this helps it be a little better birthday. Poor thing did not get a real present. He bought a desk for his office the other day and we are going to have cupcakes tonight. We really need to do more to make birthdays special around here. Maybe next year...

June 11

This evening Chip asked me if I went by the Goodwill today. I said "No, why?" He responded in all seriousness, "Because I need some clothes for the social tonight." We just cracked up. I thankfully have not had to dress up for any theme socials in a few years. They usually start around 7:30 pm. Kids' bedtime. The kids and I were usually standing around at the beach project watching everyone poor out of their rooms in their "finds" from the local Panama City Beach Goodwill stores--kept in business only by the thousands of dollars spent by Summer Beach Project students over the past 20+ years.

Ella was about 10 months on this project. She was too clueless to know what was going on. Streed was 2 1/2 and was a little scared by Chip's appearance. I must say there were some seriously scary college students dressed as geriatrics on this particular night in 2007. Here is what the kids looked like watching everyone scurry on their way to their fun night of geriatric bingo.

Streed's last t-ball game

Here is one of the pics that a friend took at Streed's last game. I LOVE it!!! Can you say "poster size" for his new room.

June 9

Sweetly sings the Nightingale,
And the cuckoo in the dale.
But the Robin I love dear,
Singing all the year.
Robin! Robin!
Merry Robin!
How I love you dear.

I found this earlier in the week in Streed's Robin Hood book. I thought I would use it to say Happy Birthday to the Robyn I love dear.

Happy Birthday!

June 5: Part 2

After breakfast we packed up the fam and headed to a brick store to look at brick and stone. It is so fun (not) taking the kids on these adventures. After looking at brick we headed to look at the progress on our house. They have it wired and a few things framed based on some of our decisions. The kitchen was all open to the den. I opted to extend the wall a little to give me more cabinet space. Can lights were in. That was super exciting. I love that window over the front door and the tall ceiling in the foyer.

On the way home we took back roads rather than the interstate. About halfway home we witnessed a white truck lock up his breaks and plow into the back of an unsuspecting Honda Civic. Chip was on the case. He whipped the truck around and called the police. Within minutes the Crystal Hill volunteer dept was on the scene. As was Chip. He had actually spent some time with this department a week or so ago.

Here are the kids enjoying the action.

Here is Chip wishing he was a fire fighter.

Here am I enjoying the beauty of a wild honeysuckle vine. I was also able to teach the kids how to taste it.

June 5: Part 1

We were invited to experience an Egyptian style breakfast with our upstairs neighbors.
It was absolutely delicious. Chip was nervous about if he could stomach it but he too loved it. The menu was beans, falafel, olives, tomatoes, some awesome white cheese similar to the consistency of cream cheese but with lots of flavor, some type of wrap, lettuce, sour cream with seasoning and hot tea with milk and sugar.
Below you will see a pic of Nate eating the falafel. He loved it. They are super hospitable. They moved in the same day we did. I think this is an ordained relationship.

June 4

Woke up and did a quiet time
God blessed this and the kids slept in
Played with friends at an indoor play place
Lunched at Chick-fil-A
Nate napped
Others did not
Straightened
Talked a little on the phone
Got dinner started
Swam
Ate dinner
Visited upstairs neighbors
Online
About to eat some dessert!
And I think I may watch Twilight
Good night

June 3

Today Chip's dad has a scary experience on the way to work. His 2005 truck stalled or cut off, not real sure. So, he pulled off the road. His doors would not unlock nor would his windows go down. He thoughtfully pulled out his owner's manual. While looking through it he began smelling a burning electrical smell. At that point he saw smoke coming from under the hood. It quickly began pouring into the cab. At this point he had to kick the window 6 times to get it to break so he could escape. He made it safely out. Some people driving by stopped and helped put out the fire before the fire dept arrived.

Scary! Me in my flip flops would not have fared so well. Chip is getting me and anyone else he knows a tool from work that cuts your seat belt and breaks your window.
We are so thankful that Papa is OK.

June 2

I know it's summer but during the kids naps (Praise HIM) I am online signing up for a Mom's-N-More group at church for the Fall, printing off forms to join a homeschool group and forms from the Arkansas Department of Education stating a "Notice of Intent to Home School". Included in these forms I have to fill out is a waiver stating that "the State of Arkansas is not liable for the education of my child". (Thank God for that!) This is scary and official. But I am convinced I can teach him, and want to teach him. I am excited about the opportunity to train him in ways of righteousness and help to prepare his heart for the Lord as well as teach him how to read. We are going to take schooling year by year and reevaluate at the end of each year. And, each child is different. We are following where we feel led to go at this point in our journey of parenting.

Until then, we will enjoy the pool as long as we are living it up at the apartment.

next time i take a "timer picture" i will make sure to have on a suit with straps:)

June 1

I was going to blog each day this month since I did that last summer. I guess I forgot yesterday because I woke up sick and spent most of the day in bed either sleeping, reading Francine Rivers' A Lineage of Grace or checking to see the results of Noah's MRI. For Mother's Day Chip got me A Lineage of Grace. I have loved most of the other books of hers that I have read and this one is just fabulous. It is actually 5 books in one with study guides at the end of each book. I think it would be fun as summer reading or for a womens' book club. It has brought stories of the Old Testament to life for me. God truly chooses His people and works His plan for His purpose. It is so encouraging.

Once I started feeling better I showered thinking I was going to make it to Streed's final t-ball game. Chip advised me that it would be too hot so I should stay home with Nate. So, Nate and I listened to Pandora radio and looked at countless granite colors online. I am not sure how he felt about it but I had fun. I am going to get some pictures tonight that a friend took at Streed's game. I will add them to this post hopefully later tonight.