Tidbits for Today

As a Christmas gift from one of her grandma's Little Mama received a wonderful book that told the story of some very famous operas. As part of school last year we read through most of the book. And the stories were fabulous. When I was on Netflix awhile ago, I thought it would be fun to rent a couple of the operas so the kids could see what an opera is like. Last time it was the Magic Flute. This time was Hansel and Gretal. At first, they were kind of like "Awww geez." I like a lot of things but opera can be tough so I understood. I asked for them to give it a chance. Maurice Sandek (spelling) was the costume designer and we had done an author study on him awhile ago. Anyway, the little guys (Boop and Little Mama) hung through a little part of it but Nature Girl was hooked. "Hey, this isn't so bad." Now the funny thing is, this morning whenever the kids were talking to each other they were singing what ever they were saying as in an opera!! It was kind of funny.

Still having computer problems. Which is really very frustrating. I can't access other blogs. Access to my email (and everything else) is as slow as molasses in winter time. Skype works only occasionally. And the most frustrating of all is it has corrupted my pictures for the last 3/4 years. Thankfully my mom still has them on her computer. Still trying to figure out what the next step is considering a computer guy worked on it for four hours just a couple of weeks ago.

EG was in a pink frilly dress yesterday for church. Daddy looked at her and then the dress and just kind of mentioned it doesn't fit her personality. Have you seen the picture of her snorting?? She is sooo cute and adorable but she can hold her own. Not worried about her being the baby!

I have to wonder also, who designed the highchair we bought recently. (Still kind of bummed that we even had to buy one. Boop broke the tray off the other one. The seat had two tears that were held together by electrical tape. And I think we had already ordered one replacement part.) Anyway, this one has to be designed by a guy or by someone who doesn't have kids. There are soooo many nooks and crannies in it that food and crumbs get caught. In order to clean it properly I should take it outside after every meal and just hose it off and turn it upside down to shake the food out!!

For what it is worth, I started off the day using my brand new somewhat expensive shampoo and conditioner only to find out I bought to conditioners and no shampoo. But in an effort to find joy and thanksgiving in EVERYTHING, it was at 6:15AM so once again I was able to get up early and start the day ahead of the game.

Hopefully tomorrow (or certainly by the weekend) I will be able to post the first day of school pictures. Provided I can get them taken . . .

Silent Sunday

School Shopping Continued

So today I finally finished school shopping with Nature Girl. There was hardly any school supplies left. But, that was OK because we hardly needed any to begin with. She got a notebook, binder and folder all with puppies on them. Some pencils and she opted for crayons over colored pencils. And I think that was about it. Then the fun began, looking for a back-to-school outfit. Each girl gets one. And it is fun to see how different their taste is. Little Mama is girlie girl, ties and flowers and poofiness and skirts and skorts and dresses. Nature Girl is more preppy. Pants, shorts, T-shirts and anything with puppy dogs.

When I took Little Mama she got a flowery, sleeveless shirt with a tie in the back and a flowery dress, both in fall colors (we couldn't find any skorts or shorts.) Because she didn't tease for more, she got an extra pretty blue shirt that matches one of her skirt's. Today, Nature Girl got green and blue plaid bermudas and a matching navy T-shirt with a green bow printed on it.

I don't really like to shop. But, when I am out shopping I feel like I need to buy everything on my mental list of needs because I don't know when I will get out again. One of the stores had a stuff and save so I started buying fall clothes. Every time I do that I regret it because the sizes aren't right or I find something better later. Or I just end up buying too much because I start buying before we need anything. I was restrained today. I am learning.

Hopefully Monday I will post a first day of school picture on the fourth day of school . . .

Random Thoughts For the Day

(Authors Unknown)

We teach what we know. We produce what we are.

More often than not, when someone is telling me a story all I can think about is that I can't wait for them to finish so that I can tell my own story that's not only better, but also more directly involves me.

Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.

I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.

There is a great need for sarcasm font.

The only time I look forward to a red light is when I'm trying to finish a text.

What would happen if I hired two private investigators to follow each other?

MapQuest really needs to start their directions on #5. Pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

I find it hard to believe there are actually people who get in the shower first and THEN turn on the water.

I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

Why is it that during an ice-breaker, when the whole room has to go around and say their name and where they are from, I get so incredibly nervous? Like I know my name, I know where I'm from, this shouldn't be a problem....

I like all of the music in my iTunes, except when it's on shuffle, then I like about one in every fifteen songs in my iTunes.

(Thanks Sissy ;)

New Schedule

So, the great idea I had to get up at 4:55AM to exercise lasted a whole day :( I climbed right back into bed and didn't accomplish anything else I set out to do. As the days wore on and I didn't get up and didn't get up I decided I needed to make a new plan. Part of my intentions of getting up early were to have personal quiet time to read my Bible, pray, and strengthen my relationship with Christ (and read the many parenting and marriage books I have acquired.) Oh, and also shower. Well, if I exercised at 5AM and just came back and crawled into bed until the kids woke up, I was only accomplishing one thing. Granted, exercise is very important and I do want to do it, someday. But, at this juncture in my life I am just not going to be able to accomplish all the things I set out to do. So, the priority had to be my relationship with Christ.

Now my morning looks something like this: 6:15AM get up, shower, 6:45AM read my book, 7:00AM quiet time, 7:15 quiet time with Katie, 7:30 the day begins. I have managed to do it four days in a row. Three more days and I will have made a new habit!! I still am not sure how I will fit in any exercise. Although I am sure with the weather getting cooler, I will be able to walk at night with the kids. I figure something is better than nothing . . .

Never Too Young

As a Christmas gift many moons ago, my mom gave me the calendar "Power of a Praying Parent." And on each day there is a scripture verse or encouraging words that are to help in Godly parenting. The first year I think it sat in my desk in my room. The second year it managed to make it on top of my desk. I think I read daily up until about July. This year I started reading it to EG when I put her down for her morning nap.

The last few days she has been smiling and laughing when I read the scripture verses or words of wisdom. I am starting to think she knows they are the words of God. And that maybe He is speaking to her little heart. Who knows? But it is a very pleasant thought. I don't suppose you can ever be too young to be encouraged by the words of God. . .

Ya Gotta Have Friends

I don't have tons of friends. But the friends I do have are the best in the world! They would do anything for me and I would do anything for them! One such blessed friend and her three boys came to spend the night with us last night on her way to visit her sister-in-law. We kicked the kids outside and my wonderful hubby took care of dinner and my friend and I were able to talk and talk and talk and talk and talk. She is the friend who introduced me to a more healthy and natural way of eating. She is my wheat milling mentor. I also love my friend because once the initial chitchat and catch up are over with we carry on about really weighty topics. Marriage, parenting, schooling, religion, politics. I don't think in the course of our friendship there has been an important topic we haven't discussed. She has told me on occasion that she misses our "conversations." I will be honest, we don't always agree with each other but we have found out that we can agree to disagree. And after our lengthy conversations (last night's was until 1AM) both our eyes have usually been opened to things we didn't see before.

Because she has moved away, our conversations are few and far between. And then can only happen on the phone. Which any one with young children knows, is next to impossible. And too much gets lost in translation through email. Thankfully, she has to drive right passed us on her way to her sister-in-law's house. Which she visits at least twice a year. She will be back to see us next week on her way back home. What will we have to talk about then? I can't wait to find out . . .