My children, the sea captains

We're studying Christopher Columbus this week in history.  And air in science. 

So put these two together and what do you have?   

                     

The Nina and the Santa Maria sailing from Spain to the New World.  Or you know, aluminum foil boats being blown from one side of the sink to the other.  We work with what we've got, people.

                    

                      

What happened to the Pinta, you ask?  Well the Pinta was a casualty of economic times.  Translation?  Aluminum foil does not grow on trees and mama is cheap frugal.

Sleepless in You Know Where

So if you're my FB friend, this is probably a repeat for you.  And I'm pretty sure all 5 of you ARE my FB friends.  Sorry!

I got to tag along with Daniel last weekend for a business trip to Seattle.  I never realized Seattle was such a tourist destination!  It's a fun city!

AND.  All that traveling we lived through last year paid off in frequent flier miles because my ticket was FREE!  It doesn't get any better than THAT, amen?

Driving in from the airport. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Original St*rbucks, with her little topless self.

 

 

 

 

Pike Public Market was a happening place!  We even saw a wedding party having pictures taken there. 

                      

We didn't get any pictures of fish flying through the air, but this is where it happens.

                      

My very favorite place.  It smelled heavenly!

                      

                      

View of the city from the Space Needle

                     

Getting read for the Ducks Tour

                     

One of our driver's silly hats

                     

Building used for exterior shots of the hospital in Grey's Anatomy. FYI, NOT a hospital.

                     

Safeco Field (didn't get to go to a game)

                      

Sleepless in Seattle house

(By the way, I could not find Jason's house to save my life!)

                    

Seaplane (Seaplane, Faith!) landing right beside us in the lake.

                    

Me and my sweetie on a ferry to Bainbridge Island

                    

And I think that's enough, right?  I mean, my word, that's a lot of pictures and they're not even that interesting! 

So, in conclusion, our Seattle trip was tons of fun, refreshing, and it didn't even rain!  (We're thinking they made up all that rain nonsense so they won't get too many visitors.  Secret's out!!)

I smell freshly sharpened pencils

Well, it happened.  Summer has ended.  At least our summer break from school has ended.  And no one is more sad (sadder?)about that than me!

I'm a little stressed about using a new curriculum.  I felt like we (read, I) needed something more structured this year.  We're getting into some history/geography in 3rd grade and Mama needed some direction. 

Here's what we're using this year, if you're interested:

My Father's World (for Bible, history, some science)

Math U See

Spell to Write and Read

A Reason for Handwriting (starting cursive!)

Grammar workbook that I forget the name of (and yes, I know I ended that in a preposition.  Ironic, no?)

nJoy science class (every other week)

art class (weekly)

So.  That's our school plan.  Add to all that working on handwriting with Hayes and trying to figure out the educational value of Star Wars on Playstation, and you've got yourself a homeschool, people!

Prayers are welcomed.

Who's read it?

Ok, who's read Crazy Love?  My friend Heather recommended it and I've seen it around, so I picked it up today at Lifeway. 

Wow.  I'm only on p.42 and I've got to share this passage. 

Worry implies that we don't quite trust that God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what's happening in our lives.

Stress says that the things we are involved in are important enough to merit our impatience, our lack of grace toward others, or our tight grip of control.

Basically, these two behaviors communicate that it's okay to sin and not trust God because the stuff in my life is somehow exceptional.  Both worry and stress reek of arrogance.  They declare our tendency to forget that we've been forgiven, that our lives here are brief, that we are headed to a place where we won't be lonely, afraid, or hurt ever again, and that in the context of God's strength, our problems are small, indeed.

Why are we so quick to forget God?  Who do we think we are?

I find myself relearning this lesson often.  Even though I glimpse God's holiness, I am still dumb enough to forget that life is all about God and not about me at all. ------Francis Chan, Crazy Love

How good is that?  I mean I know that worry is wrong.  The Bible specifically says "Do not worry."  But I've never thought of stress in that way. 

Really, how often do we use stress as an excuse for our behavior?  "I know I yelled at the kids, but I'm just so stressed!"  We wear our stress almost as a badge that reads, "Hey, look at me!  I'm stressed out!"  Like it's a competition to see who can be the most stressed.  Like it makes us seem so busy and so important and like we have so many things going on. 

But doesn't stress, along with worry, do just what Francis Chan says?  Don't they just say that we don't trust God with our stuff?  That our stuff is too big for God?  That because we have so much to deal with (usually alone, right?) it's okay that we act ugly toward our spouse.  Or snap impatiently at the kids.  Or retreat into ourselves and not reach out to others who may need our encouragement because we've just got too much on our plates. 

Oh that we could and would surrender it all, palms up, to the only One who IS big enough to handle all our stuff.  All our mess.  Oh that we would keep in mind that this is not our home and that we're not SUPPOSED to feel comfortable here. 

It's all about Him.  And stress and worry makes it all about me. 

I'll let you know how the rest of the book turns out.....

A summer in pictures. And a video.

Oh the fun that we've had this summer. We had a family trip to Hilton Head, a family trip to Myrtle Beach, Carowinds, pool, cook-outs with friends, fireworks, and lots and lots of playing. Nothing overly exciting and I forgot my camera on more than one occasion. Nice. But here are a few highlights.

Our first beach trip over Mother's Day weekend.

(Nice present, no?)

My cute little beach bum

Ok, first, I was excited to turn around in my chair and see this going on behind me. Second, how old are these people? Don't they look like they should be going to prom??

And yes, the groom totally has on sneakers and the bride and all her attendants have on white flip flops.

A little family photo shoot at Harbor Town

Taken by Becca

Imagine my joy when I saw these chairs set up on the 18th green, across the marina.

Apparently we had just missed our second wedding of the day!

Well, I think this speaks for itself.

End of the year party for softball for our little athlete

Second beach trip to my parents' beach house. When we weren't on the beach or at the pool, this is what we were doing. My kids call it the Bob and Larry game. Not sure it's real name. Also there was way too much Uno.

On the other hand, there could NEVER be too much of this little guy, 6 month old cousin Ty.

It's a bird, it's a plane....

I could never get them to look at the same time.

4th of July festivities (photo courtesy of my friend Melissa since I didn't take my camera. Thanks!)

My husband spent 10 days in the Amazon area of Brazil. This is a baptism service that they attended.

Sunset on the river (forgive me, I forget the name but I know it's not the Amazon.)

Dad's fan club at the airport (And yes I do own more than just this green dress, ha!)

We went to Carowinds last week when the kids were at the grandparents. Daniel took this with his phone so it's hard to tell, but we are actually lying down! The whole roller coaster ride you are lying down! I totally freaked out the first time I rode. This is just after the second ride.

It's been a great summer so far. We are gearing up for another mission trip to Brazil in September. Daniel is leading this trip to the same area we have been to 3 times previously. You can read about those trips HERE. Fundraising is in full swing. Click on the links if you're interested in a soccer tournament or some good old barbeque.

Oh! I almost forgot I said something about a video!

Lately

So I've had a love/hate relationship lately with the ole blog.  Well maybe not so much love/hate.  Maybe more like love/indifference.  Add to that the fact that I just wrote a post only to have my computer start doing crazy things and Live Writer closed down before I saved it and you've got me wanting to throw my computer across the room. 

Ok, maybe it is love/hate with the computer.

I really wanted to pass along a link I found yesterday on JMom's blog.  I took the time to watch the video and I'm telling you, TAKE THE TIME.  It's the site of a wife and mom who recently passed away from cancer.  The video is her talking to a group at her church a few months ago.  It is inspiring and encouraging and just amazing.  I can't even tell you how blessed I was to watch it.  Just go.

"Cancer does not define me. Neither does being a wife or a mother. All these things are part of who I am but they do not define me. What defines me is my relationship with Jesus."---Rachel Barkey

A little quiz

I REALLY need some help on the blog front. I saw this on Nicki's Facebook page, so I thought I'd play along. I know. The excitement is palpable.

1. What bill do you hate paying the most?
Doctor/hospital/radiology bills from Daniel's ER visit last month. I mean, what in the world do we have insurance for??

2. Do you miss being a child?
Not really

3. Chore you hate the most?
Emptying the dishwasher. It makes me love Daniel even more when he does it for me.

4. Where was the last place you had a romantic dinner?

I think the fact that I can't remember means it's time for a date night.

5. If you could go back and change one thing what would it be?
Some stupid choices about boys to date in college.

6. Name of your first grade teacher?
Mrs. Tucker

7.What do you really want to be doing right now?
Talking to my husband.

8. What did you want to be when you grew up?
A teacher and a mommy (And now I'm both!)

9. How many colleges did you attend?
Just one. Western Carolina University---Go Cats!

10.Why did you choose the shirt that you have on right now?
It's comfy and it was sitting on my chair in my room.

11. What are your thoughts on gas prices?
I hope they don't go as high as last year.

12. First thought when the alarm went off this morning?
No alarm this morning. Yay!

13. Last thought before going to sleep last night?
Only 4 more days....

14. What famous person would you like to have dinner with?
Not sure. Maybe Beth Moore.

15. Have you ever crashed your vehicle?
Unfortunately yes.

16. If you didn't have to work, would you volunteer?
I don't have to work right now (well except with the kids and in our house and yes that IS work), and don't volunteer but am getting ready to start.

17. Get up early or sleep in?
Both but mostly sleep in. So glad my kids can get their own breakfast!

18. What is your favorite cartoon character?
Probably Jerry from Tom and Jerry. He always makes me laugh.

19. Favorite thing to do at night with your guy or girl?
That's really none of your business....

20. When did you first start feeling old?
When I realized my grays wouldn't color anymore.

21. Favorite lunch meat?
Turkey

22. What do you get every time you go into Wal-Mart?
Not EVERY time, but a Dr. Pepper

23. Do you think marriage is an outdated ritual?
No

24. Favorite movie you wouldn't want anyone to find out about?
Can't Buy Me Love (and now you know)

25. What's your favorite drink?
Dr. Pepper or sweet tea with fresh lemon

26. Who from high school would you like to run in to?
Ashleigh (it's been too long this time!)

27. What radio station is your car radio tuned to right now?
91.9

28. Sopranos or Desperate Housewives?
neither

29. Worst relationship mistake that you wish you could take back?

See #5
30. Do you like the person that sits directly across from you at work?
Love them both

31. Have you ever had to use a fire extinguisher for its intended purposes?
No

32. Last book you finished reading?
Between Sundays by Karen Kingsbury

33. Do you have a teddy bear?
No

34. Strangest place you have ever brushed your teeth?
In Cuba and Brazil with bottled water. Or on an airplane.

35. Do you go to church?
Yes

36. How old are you?
36!