Its not like the new year is empty.  So many things are already “on the books”.  Some penciled in – possible family vacation this spring?  Some written in ink – pre-paid field trips.  Some exciting – traveling with my mom to Ireland this summer.  Some not so exciting – scheduled dentist and doctor appointments.

The old year didn’t let us down, but there is still relief knowing we get to leave it in the past. My family was quite blessed – we’re all still here.  Hubby is still employed, and likes his job most days. I have my dream job, and still like it most days. Our children are growing and healthy.  The Lord protected my husband when he was in a pretty serious car accident, and helped us replace the vehicle quickly.   It seems the only thing we lost was hair, and of course, money invested in our 401k’s. (ha-ha! and boo-hoo!)

Looking ahead at 2012 – seeing the new calendar pages is like looking at hope, a clean slate, a chance to be all we want to be, or do all we want to do – its there for the taking. All we must do, is simply reach out and take it. Take it with both hands and make sure we squeeze out of it every possible moment of life, joy, love…

In what is sure to be the first of many this year, I offer this Irish blessing to you:

May you always have work for your hands to do.
May your pockets hold always a coin or two.
May the sun shine bright on your windowpane.
May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you.
And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

Happy New Year, my friend.

Happy New Year.

On the way home we drove through the streets of Dallas.  In order to get on the right freeway out of town, I ended up driving by Dealey Plaza.  As we waited at a stop light, I was explaining the historical significance of the Book Depository to the boys.  I explained that the building grounds would likely have quite a few people milling about, because it was the location of a significant and tragic moment in our nation’s history.  I told them that some of the visitors there would likely be people who remember the event happening.  They asked if I remembered it, and I explained that it happened before I was born – so, no I didn’t remember the assassination of JFK.

Then Tigger pipes up and says, “Wow, those people must be really old.”

Yep, nothing like a 7-year-old to zap somber feelings.

Notice the lump on the left side of the bed.

The “lump” is on the move!

Ah, there’s my girl!

And then, if I do pull out paints, charcoal pencils, or clay and tools – I have to clean it all up.  Who has the time?!? No, thankyouverymuch.

 ~~~~~

Last Friday while the kids were taking a class at the Amon Carter Museum of American Art, Hubby and I spent a bit of time walking through the museum.  I found our visit quite illuminating.  Paintings. Drawings. Sculptures.  I paused briefly and looked at most of them.  Some were pretty paintings of flowers and majestic scenery. There were nice drawings, and some odd abstract stuff.  Interesting sculptures made of wood, or bronze.  But I never really got it.  I was walking by these “masterpieces” that likely cost thousands and thousands of dollars.  Pieces by famous artists like O’Keeffe, Sargent, and Wyeth.  I know the names, but really they don’t mean much to me.

As I wandered from gallery to gallery, I noticed people sitting on benches just studying the canvases before them.  I couldn’t imagine why someone would want to spend hours on end staring at these pieces on the wall.  I felt like I couldn’t relate to this whole “art” thing. I felt guilty that this priceless art had little to no value for me.

Then I saw it.  We walked into the room that housed the Feature Photography Exhibition.  The first photograph drew me in.  I studied the light.  I studied the dark.  I studied  the composition.  I studied the medium.  I studied the subject, the foreground, the background, the edges of the frame.  I studied the information given on the plaque next to the picture, and then I returned to study the image again to look for what I missed the first time.

After one, I moved on to the next photograph and did it all over again.  I lingered over every photograph.  I analyzed, examined, and inspected them.  I wanted to imprint the images into my brain so I could recall them later.  I asked questions about the moment captured. Was it posed? Was it spontaneous? Was it planned or was it “happened to be at the right place at the right time?” Who was the photographer?  How did the photographer fit into the story?

I was constantly pulled back to the images on the wall.  When Hubby said that it was time to meet the boys, I wanted to say, “But wait, I’m not done. There are more photographs to absorb, to relish, to admire.

Then, I finally understood why someone would want to spend hours in a museum just staring at the pieces on the wall.  Perhaps I am an “Art” girl after all.

The fact that my grandfather lives in Bastrop, Texas and is so close to one of the largest wildfires in the state makes me worry for his safety.  He also has ranch land that is 15 miles to the east that, so far, has dodged the fires. But without containment, I worry that the place of so many wonderful childhood memories will be scorched by the blaze.

Unrelated to the fires, I’ve seen on Facebook that some old friends have lost family members, others have lost jobs.  I’ve been through both of those at different points in life.  My heart aches for them.

The drought conditions that have affected most of Texas, have also made an impact on us.  Our area hasn’t seen a good amount of rain for quite some time.   We’ve been watering our lawn and foundation to make up for the lack of rain.  However, Hubby noticed a small crack in the base of our exterior foundation over the weekend.   Something else to worry about – oh joy.

~ ~ ~

Yesterday, we received an answer to previous prayers.  The weather has finally cooled off, and we had an amazingly beautiful day.  A welcome change and much-needed respite from the constant 100+ degree days we’ve had all summer.  Wanting to soak up all the glorious weather I could, I grabbed a blanket and headed to the back yard last night.

I started praying and began to pour out my heart to God. 

I lay down and just stared up at the sky.

I worried about those situations and started to say “But, Lord, what about…?.

I could only see a few stars at first.

He showed me that he was there when those events happened.

The longer I stared, the more stars I could see.

He showed me that he is the Great I Am, who has always been and will always be.

Eventually, I was able to see a few satellites streaming across the sky.

He showed me that His Majesty reaches far and wide.

The boys, who had joined me a bit earlier, started giggling.

The pains we have on earth will all be gone one day.

I hugged them close to me and we created our own constellations out of God’s handiwork.

One day, we will revel in His Glory.

Come, Lord Jesus. Come.

Since my last post:

• Both boys are signed up for summer camp (Watch out Allaso Ranch! You may never recover!)
• Both boys decided to get baptized (Woo-hoo!)
• Both boys had birthdays (Woody is now 9, and Tigger is 7.What happened to my babies?!?!)
• Hubby is now a licensed CHL Instructor (Woot!)
• We bought family passes to the local waterpark
• Hubby and I went to Albuquerque while my mom stayed with the boys
• Both boys attended VBS
• My 365-project has died
• And I feel like I’ve turned into a flake.

I won’t share details, but I’ve been dealing with a health issue for the past 6 months.  Lately, the symptoms have been much more intense and painful.  The good news is that the biopsy was clear, blood tests came back with good results, and it is looking more and more like this issue is more of a nuisance than anything else.  However, I feel like I’ve been a flake.  Things I want to do, things I need to do, things I said I’d do – all seem to have fallen by the wayside as I lay on the couch and whine.

One thing I am feeling good about is my decision to continue homeschooling through the summer.  We took a couple of weeks off when Hubby and I were gone, and when the boys had VBS.  Now we’re back on track, and I feel like that is the ONE area of my life that seems to be going well.  I changed things up a bit for the summer.  For math, we’re working on speed drills.  For Language Arts and History/Geography, they’re now working through grade level Lifepac workbooks.  For Science, we’re working through Apologia Astronomy with notebooking/lapbooking kits from Live and Learn Press.

For a very long time, I’ve wanted to do lapbooking with the boys, but it always seemed like I was forgetting something or like something was missing.  The eBook I purchased from Live & Learn Press is absolutely perfect for the three of us.  It follows the Apologia Astronomy book with activities to help reinforce what the book section discusses.  Yesterday, we were able to go outside and use a magnifying glass to burn holes in leaves.  I don’t know about you, but I had never done that. The boys and I had a blast, and we learned why we must never look at the sun. (Because the lenses in our eyes will focus energy like the magnifying glass and we could burn our retinas like the leaves that were burned.)  It was so much fun with all of us sweating as we lay in the grass with our leaves on the concrete.  Very hot, but fun!

Well, I suppose that is all for now.  I hope you are having a great summer!

Last weekend, I hosted a yard sale with a good friend.  My friend had lots of stuff to sell, and due to scheduling, not all items got priced before the sale.  Which meant that Friday morning there was a lot of “Jamie, how much is this?”  and “Jamie, how much is that?”.  I said her name so much that I’m pretty sure Jamie wanted to change her name.

The incident that has me pondering the question, occurred on that day.  A woman arrived at the yard sale, looked around for any treasures she might need.  She located an item that was not priced.  She asked the cost, and was told $1 each.  There were two of them. Individually wrapped.  She looked around a bit more, but only held on to the items that she inquired about.  Once she was finished browsing, she walked up and handed a $1 bill to me.  I looked her in the eye and asked, “Is this it?”  She nodded and walked away.

I knew she had $2 worth of items.  She knew she had $2 worth of items.  I could have stopped her – but I didn’t.

Honestly, I was a bit astounded.  This woman attended my old church.  I didn’t know her personally, but I recognized her face.  I’ve heard her husband speak several times.  I don’t know him personally but I did hold him in high esteem.  By association, I did the same for her.

I  was so frustrated Friday night that I didn’t sleep much.  She could have asked to get both items for $1, and I’m pretty sure Jamie would have agreed.  But she didn’t even ask.  Instead she left her character in shattered pieces lying on the table where she picked up the items.  I tossed and turned and just kept asking myself why would someone lose their character, their integrity, their respect, over one measly dollar.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

That same day, my husband completed his Texas Concealed Handgun Instructor training.  He spent the majority of the week in a classroom with a test at the end of class time.  Next, the students moved to the firing range.  Oddly enough, the part of the class spent actually firing weapons is very short.  Authorities are basically testing students to make sure they have the knowledge to handle firearms safely, and make sure they can shoot accurately with both a revolver and a semi-auto.

Hubby told me that he was one round from having a perfect score.  He said that all rounds with his semi-auto went just where they were supposed to go.  He said that all of the rounds that fired from his revolver went where they were supposed to go, but there was one round that did not fire due to some kind of malfunction.   He placed the unfired round back into the box and packed up his stuff. As he was packing up, he told me that one of the State Troopers commented to him.  He didn’t know the guy was watching, but apparently the guy noticed the unfired round and made some comment about how Hubby did the right thing.

He was one shot away from a perfect score.  Instead of asking for a re-shoot, or just firing another round, he walked away with his character fully intact. His character, his integrity, his respect skyrocketed because he did the right thing, even when he thought no one was looking.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

One dollar?

One shot?

What’s the cost of your character?

Outside My Window…is the calm after the storm.  Earlier we had a high in the mid-90′s, tornado sirens, a little bit of wind, and some rain.  Thankfully, the siren turned out to be for naught – and it’s now a cool 73 degrees outside.

I am thinking… that I really need to get my school planning in gear!  The annual home school book fair is in 2 1/2 weeks.  In the past, I’ve been prepared to order/buy curriculum for the next school year when I attend.  If I’m going to do the same thing this year, I’ve got to get my stuff together!

I am thankful for… my sweet friend, Jamie.  We hung out most of this past weekend.  I’m so grateful for her friendship.

From the learning rooms… we’re having fun finishing some curriculum way ahead of schedule.  Woody has finished his reading curriculum for the year.  I know he would be far into the next level if I had it on hand, but I have not purchased it yet.  For now, he’s finished his third grade readers.  In the meantime, he’s enjoying his library books.  I’ve been thinking about looking into the AmblesideOnline.org and ABookInTime.com books for him to read until we get the level of Sonlight. (If you have experience with Ambleside, please let me know!)   Tigger is four (short) books away from finishing his second reading curriculum for the year.  He read all of the first grade readers, and he’s almost done with the second grade readers. ~ I LOVE that my kids love reading!

From the kitchen… I really need to go grocery shopping.  Tonight I was very thankful for the Schwan’s BBQ Pork that I had stowed away in the freezer ~ made for easy and yummy bbq sandwiches.

I am wearing… a t-shirt and capris. Yup, what a surprise.

I am creating… backups daily because my computer is making funny noises.

I am going… to sleep well tonight because I had so much fun playing with the boys in the pool at the YMCA before their swimming lessons.

I am reading… One Second After.  I picked it up at the library today after an acquaintance recommended it.  So far, so good.

I am hoping…for more rain.  We really need it.

I am hearing…a song that we sang at church this weekend.  It’s been playing in my head for the past three days.  “Sons and daughters of the King, Lift up your voice and sing. Love drove the darkness out, When Jesus rose and life poured out.”

Around the house…I’ve been “shining my sink”, doing a “swish and swipe”, and making my bed everyday.  It’s funny how one little thing makes such a huge difference.  The domino effect of each those three simple things is HUGE.  Because I “shine my sink”: dirty dishes don’t accumulate and counters get wiped immediately.  Because I “swish and swipe”: the dirty clothes moved to the laundry room and the counter top stays clean.  Because I make my bed: the bedroom doesn’t become a dumping ground for any miscellaneous items. ~Because of all of these, my house is relatively “company ready” at any moment.

One of my favorite things… I bought each of the boys an insulated water bottle.  They’ve been drinking a lot more water. Yay!  The bottles are insulated so the cold water stays cold.  I’ll do almost anything to encourage them to drink more water.

A few plans for the rest of the week… more swim lessons. Dad’s Night at Science Etc. but Hubby can’t go due to previous obligations – maybe I’ll go in his place.  A field trip to the planetarium with Science Etc.  And, Homeschool Day at a local gymnastics place.

Here is picture thought I am sharing… the back side of today’s storm.

I Know Why the Mockingbird Sings
I might not know why the caged bird sings, but I now know why the Mockingbird sings. This weekend, we had a Mockingbird move into the Bradford Pear tree in our front yard. He announced his residency around 10PM Friday night.

Frankly, I think he’s a bad neighbor, he is loud, he is obnoxious, and worst of all, he is nocturnal. When he decided to sing a serenade at 1AM, I was more than a little aggravated at him. And, somehow, I knew it was a him and not a her. I guess I assume all girls, regardless of species, know that at 1 o’clock in the morning you need to be sleeping, or at least have the common courtesy to keep quiet.

Since he wouldn’t let me sleep, I decided to do some quick Internet research on Mockingbirds. And you, you lucky devils, get to benefit from my midnight serenade. Now you, too, can wow your friends and relatives when you flaunt your knowledge of Mockingbirds at your next dinner party.

• The Mockingbird is the state bird for five different states: Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas.

 

• Both sexes sing in the fall to claim winter feeding territories. These areas are often different than their spring breeding territories.

 

• Mockingbirds mimic other bird’s songs. They have also been known to imitate other sounds they hear such as rusty hinges, whistling and dogs barking.

 

• Female mockingbirds often build a new nest while the males finish feeding older fledglings and teaching them to fly.

 

• Scientists have found that female mockingbirds are attracted to males that can make the most different sounds.

 

• Unmated male mockingbirds sing more than mated ones, and only unmated males sing at night. I guess my new neighbor was desperately seeking a date, because he sang all stinking night.

So now you know all you’ve ever wanted to know about Mockingbirds, and then some.