What a great holiday weekend! I love it when the holiday falls on a Friday. It fools my brain into feeling like Friday is Saturday. Then, on Friday night, it's so exciting to realize, "Hey! It's only Friday! We get one more day!!" Even though Sunday is technically part of the weekend, to me it's not really a "free" day. When you have to get up and get dressed up and make a real lunch...well...it's just different. I do try to do the resting thing on Sundays. I used to do all my grocery shopping on Sundays, but that is definitely NOT resting...so I stopped. Not stopped shopping, but shopping on Sundays.
We went to our friend's house for dinner and to watch the big firework show from their backyard. Burgers and potato salad...watermelon and homemade ice cream...swimming until dark...loading sleepy kids into the van after great (not to mention free) fireworks... Lovely.
We worked on the yard this weekend. A couple months ago, my friend Wendy had a girls' night out at her house around her fire pit. It was great!! We do quite a bit of burning and have a mound in the backyard, so I told Roger we should make a little pit like Wendy's. We had some of those bricks that go around a tree...so we used them to go around the fire. As usual, Roger's idea was a little bigger than mine...so now about 20 people could sit around it. We've already used it for smores twice. We had another family over last night with their 3 kiddos... Our boys and their boys with chocolate smeared all over their faces...riding bikes and chasing hundreds of fireflies... Perfect.
Speaking of perfect... I had mentioned in my last post that I got my little bird feeders up and going. I was sitting on the back step this afternoon trying to sit really still so some of the birdies would come to the feeder. The dogs were laying at my feet, asleep. Zane came out and was sitting next to me and I was explaining to him that you have to be really still and quiet so the birds will forget you're there...then they'll come and eat. So, there we sat...trying to be really quiet, listening to the sounds of nature, when all of a sudden, the dog gave us a 3 second fart! Talk about spoiling the moment!! I never really thought about it, but I guess dogs can get gas too. We tried to compose ourselves, but she did it 3 more times!! Well, no birdies were coming near us, so we went inside.
Finally, tonight we got everyone and a visiting little friend loaded into the van to go hit tennis balls at the courts. Naturally, 5 minutes after we arrived, my 6 year old announced that he had to go to the bathroom. We realized that he'd never had the opportunity to pee outside. So, Roger took him behind a tree. All I heard was a lot of giggling. He has officially joined the "pee on a tree" club. If he's anything like my other boys, I'll have to explain that the tree is only if there aren't any bathrooms around...It shouldn't be the first choice...and it surely shouldn't be in the neighbor's yard!
Fireworks, lots of giggling, chasing fireflies, dogs farting... What a great summer so far!
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Wonderfully Boring
The very thing I feared would happen has happened. I have nothing to say. I actually enjoy the fact that things are pretty boring/relaxed right now. I see people write that they have nothing to say on their blogs and I always think to myself that it's silly because I like reading about people's lives....especially people I know. There are ladies that I hardly ever see, but now I feel more connected because I read their blog. So...here are some boring snippets of my wonderful but boring summer...
---deep cleaned the school room. Books SOOOO dusty. Would you like to take bets on how long it can stay that way?
---Packed up last year's school books and computer. They're in boxes next to our door, ready to be returned when I get the UPS labels in the mail.
---Rearranged Katie's room. I think I pulled a muscle in my back.
---A lady I know introduced me to her husband as, "This is Trish Youmans. She's a supermom." I don't think it was a compliment. Spent a day obsessing about that. Decided to ignore her.
---Taking Zane to swimming at 7:30 in the morning 3 times a week.
---Got a hook to hold our bird feeders. Roger chopped down a tree right outside our breakfast nook while I was in Italy. Now, my little birdie friends have gone! So, I got a hook and put it next to the new baby tree. I hung the feeders, and even added a little bird bath, and hoped for birdie forgiveness. I got it...and they're back.
---Did a little birthday shopping. My baby turns 6 on Friday.
---Took the kids to hit tennis balls a couple of times in the evening last week. We had a great time! I'm trying to keep us away from the TV.
---Had a followup to a mammogram. Everything is fine. I held it together until the Dr. told me I was fine...then I fell apart.
---Contacted a realtor in Tahlequah to sell our land/cabin. We just never use it.
---Went to the library...again, trying to keep kids away from the TV.
---Started a new book...and actually read past the first chapter!
---So thankful for my summer and the freedom to do nothing...or anything... Still 9 more weeks!!
---deep cleaned the school room. Books SOOOO dusty. Would you like to take bets on how long it can stay that way?
---Packed up last year's school books and computer. They're in boxes next to our door, ready to be returned when I get the UPS labels in the mail.
---Rearranged Katie's room. I think I pulled a muscle in my back.
---A lady I know introduced me to her husband as, "This is Trish Youmans. She's a supermom." I don't think it was a compliment. Spent a day obsessing about that. Decided to ignore her.
---Taking Zane to swimming at 7:30 in the morning 3 times a week.
---Got a hook to hold our bird feeders. Roger chopped down a tree right outside our breakfast nook while I was in Italy. Now, my little birdie friends have gone! So, I got a hook and put it next to the new baby tree. I hung the feeders, and even added a little bird bath, and hoped for birdie forgiveness. I got it...and they're back.
---Did a little birthday shopping. My baby turns 6 on Friday.
---Took the kids to hit tennis balls a couple of times in the evening last week. We had a great time! I'm trying to keep us away from the TV.
---Had a followup to a mammogram. Everything is fine. I held it together until the Dr. told me I was fine...then I fell apart.
---Contacted a realtor in Tahlequah to sell our land/cabin. We just never use it.
---Went to the library...again, trying to keep kids away from the TV.
---Started a new book...and actually read past the first chapter!
---So thankful for my summer and the freedom to do nothing...or anything... Still 9 more weeks!!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Everyone Home - At Last
Well, my men will be home tomorrow night, and we'll all be together. Roger and the big boys are in Dominican Republic with our youth group building a new church for a group of believers that don't have a place to worship. They left last Wed. So, I took the 3 little ones and we went to Branson on Tuesday. We stayed 5 nights and had a blast. We returned on Sunday and I hit the ground running with my list. I always get so much done when Roger isn't here. I don't have to stop and cook, or clean. We can have cereal for dinner and everyone loves it! With my trip done, and the boys' trip almost done, we're staying put for a while. No other plans but work and trying to stay cool as the temps rise.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
When In Rome...
Well, I have news... the Colosseum is real!! So is the Vatican!! I went. I saw. I was moved...
I will refrain from giving you all the details that are only interesting to me, but it really was a fabulous trip. The only thing that would have been better is if my family had come with me. But, going with a girlfriend comes in a close second!
I won't bore you with all the pictures that you could easily find online or in a book. Plus, they really don't do Rome justice. Do you remember when you visited a historic place in the US? Perhaps you've been to Washington DC, or to Gettysburg, or to Philadelphia. When you visit those places, you often have this feeling...almost a solemness of what occurred on the place you're standing. The idea that you're standing on a piece of history is quite awesome. Well, imagine that history being multiplied by about 20. Where the US is about 200 years old, Rome is about 3000 years old. I stood on the place that the apostle Peter was martyred. The apostle Peter!! He knew Jesus for goodness sake!! I stood in the cathedral where Peter's remains were right under my feet. I saw the place where Julius Caesar was stabbed. I walked the halls of the Colosseum where the gladiators fought. I walked under to ceiling of the Sistine Chapel where Michelangelo painted the most important piece of art in history. When I stood in the Sistine Chapel, is was so moved by the gift that God had obviously given this man. We just don't see art like that anymore. I'm not even a real "artsy" person, but I know an incredible gift when I see one.
This picture shows a small portion of The Pieta, a statue which shows Mary holding the crucified body of Jesus. Yes, I know that this didn't really happen, but look at it! Michelangelo did this when he was 24 years old!! Anyway, I was moved.
OK, I lied...just to prove that I was actually there, here are just a couple of pictures :-)
Here's me on the way to the Colosseum.
Here's the inside of the Colosseum. I was right...a picture just can't do it justice... It had a seating capacity of about 50,000. The magnitude of what went on as "entertainment" was very sobering.
Here's me next to a big marble bathtub. A girl could really relax in this. This is in the Vatican Museum, the place that houses the Sistine Chapel. We weren't allowed to take pictures in there, but it was amazing.
Here's the view from my hotel room balcony. That long blue thing you see going across the picture is an awning that covers seating for a parade they were going to have the next day. Just past the awning, you can make out some arches, which are a tine bit of the ruins of The Forum. This is like the "Washington DC" of Rome. It's the center of ancient Rome's government, trade, etc...
Here's a picture of me sitting in front of the famous Trevi Fountain. I believe that is a statue of Triton...he's huge! Tradition says that if you make a wish and then throw 3 coins in the fountain, your wish comes true. The city takes the money in the fountain and gives it to a local orphanage. All the water in all the fountains in Rome is fresh and clean. You can take your water bottles to any fountain and fill up! This is one of the largest and most beautiful fountains. During the time we were at the fountain, we saw 3 wedding parties taking their pictures there.
OK, that's all. I don't want you to fall asleep at your computer!
I will refrain from giving you all the details that are only interesting to me, but it really was a fabulous trip. The only thing that would have been better is if my family had come with me. But, going with a girlfriend comes in a close second!
I won't bore you with all the pictures that you could easily find online or in a book. Plus, they really don't do Rome justice. Do you remember when you visited a historic place in the US? Perhaps you've been to Washington DC, or to Gettysburg, or to Philadelphia. When you visit those places, you often have this feeling...almost a solemness of what occurred on the place you're standing. The idea that you're standing on a piece of history is quite awesome. Well, imagine that history being multiplied by about 20. Where the US is about 200 years old, Rome is about 3000 years old. I stood on the place that the apostle Peter was martyred. The apostle Peter!! He knew Jesus for goodness sake!! I stood in the cathedral where Peter's remains were right under my feet. I saw the place where Julius Caesar was stabbed. I walked the halls of the Colosseum where the gladiators fought. I walked under to ceiling of the Sistine Chapel where Michelangelo painted the most important piece of art in history. When I stood in the Sistine Chapel, is was so moved by the gift that God had obviously given this man. We just don't see art like that anymore. I'm not even a real "artsy" person, but I know an incredible gift when I see one.
This picture shows a small portion of The Pieta, a statue which shows Mary holding the crucified body of Jesus. Yes, I know that this didn't really happen, but look at it! Michelangelo did this when he was 24 years old!! Anyway, I was moved.
And...the food was amazing. The driving was frightening. The language is beautiful. Now, I'm going to say something here, but I'm depending on you to not read anything into this...but, I could listen to a man speak in Italian all day! I don't need to know what he is saying...and he doesn't even need to be speaking to me... Actually, watching Italians have a conversation is as entertaining as the language itself.
OK, I lied...just to prove that I was actually there, here are just a couple of pictures :-)
Here's me on the way to the Colosseum.
Here's the inside of the Colosseum. I was right...a picture just can't do it justice... It had a seating capacity of about 50,000. The magnitude of what went on as "entertainment" was very sobering.
Here's me next to a big marble bathtub. A girl could really relax in this. This is in the Vatican Museum, the place that houses the Sistine Chapel. We weren't allowed to take pictures in there, but it was amazing.
Here's the view from my hotel room balcony. That long blue thing you see going across the picture is an awning that covers seating for a parade they were going to have the next day. Just past the awning, you can make out some arches, which are a tine bit of the ruins of The Forum. This is like the "Washington DC" of Rome. It's the center of ancient Rome's government, trade, etc...
Here's a picture of me sitting in front of the famous Trevi Fountain. I believe that is a statue of Triton...he's huge! Tradition says that if you make a wish and then throw 3 coins in the fountain, your wish comes true. The city takes the money in the fountain and gives it to a local orphanage. All the water in all the fountains in Rome is fresh and clean. You can take your water bottles to any fountain and fill up! This is one of the largest and most beautiful fountains. During the time we were at the fountain, we saw 3 wedding parties taking their pictures there.
OK, that's all. I don't want you to fall asleep at your computer!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Summer Transitions
Do you ever have one of those days when all is right with the world? As the kids are finishing one subject in school after another, our homeschooling time is less and less. And, with the beautiful weather, it's a good thing that we're spending less time on school, because then I would be very grouchy! I have finished some major, time consuming projects in the last week, and I can really feel the weight lifted. It's funny, because I don't feel particularly weighted down during that time, but when it's over, it's obvious to me that I've been a little stressed. And, my family thinks I'm a lot nicer afterwards :-)
Anyway, there have been some afternoons where I actually didn't really have anything to do, or plan, or ponder, etc... (except of course the regular household stuff, which I promptly put off!). I've been doing less driving too, which I LOVE to not do...OK Becky, I'm certain that is NOT the way to write that, but I'm going to go with it...you all know what I mean. One afternoon I took my magazine and my drink out to the chair under our big tree and sat there for a full 30 minutes. The dogs slept at my feet while I looked at a couple of outdated magazines and catalogs. Then, I threw them away! The weather has been glorious...perfect in my opinion. Not too hot, nice breezes...wonderful.
I got my suitcase down last night. One list that I have enjoyed making is what to take on my trip. I'm so very excited, but I'm already missing my family. I've never been away from all of them for this long...8 days. And, I must say, I feel a little guilty for being so excited to do something they aren't going to be a part of. Not guilty enough to stay home, mind you :-) I'd classify it has a healthy guilt. I figured the kids wouldn't really be too excited for me to leave, but they've entered into all the preparation. And, they're excited to get to visit some of their friends during the day while I'm gone. ...I suppose they have no idea what it will be like with me not here to do all the dishes and laundry. But, I know they all know how to do it, so they'll all just have to pitch in. Perhaps this will be a double blessing... I get to go on a great trip, AND perhaps they will be VERY excited, and VERY appreciative to have me home.
Anyway, there have been some afternoons where I actually didn't really have anything to do, or plan, or ponder, etc... (except of course the regular household stuff, which I promptly put off!). I've been doing less driving too, which I LOVE to not do...OK Becky, I'm certain that is NOT the way to write that, but I'm going to go with it...you all know what I mean. One afternoon I took my magazine and my drink out to the chair under our big tree and sat there for a full 30 minutes. The dogs slept at my feet while I looked at a couple of outdated magazines and catalogs. Then, I threw them away! The weather has been glorious...perfect in my opinion. Not too hot, nice breezes...wonderful.
I got my suitcase down last night. One list that I have enjoyed making is what to take on my trip. I'm so very excited, but I'm already missing my family. I've never been away from all of them for this long...8 days. And, I must say, I feel a little guilty for being so excited to do something they aren't going to be a part of. Not guilty enough to stay home, mind you :-) I'd classify it has a healthy guilt. I figured the kids wouldn't really be too excited for me to leave, but they've entered into all the preparation. And, they're excited to get to visit some of their friends during the day while I'm gone. ...I suppose they have no idea what it will be like with me not here to do all the dishes and laundry. But, I know they all know how to do it, so they'll all just have to pitch in. Perhaps this will be a double blessing... I get to go on a great trip, AND perhaps they will be VERY excited, and VERY appreciative to have me home.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Songs!
I finally figured out how to post music to my blog! I am such an un-techno person...it's like learning multiplication in third grade...one step at a time. Anyway, I love the first song. It's for my wonderful hubby. I especially like the line about buying Rogaine. Even though, if heredity is any indicator, Roger will never need it :-). Enjoy.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
My Birthday Present
Well, I promised I'd tell you more about my birthday. Roger was in Dallas for a conference for the week leading to my birthday. He got home late on Thursday night and my birthday was on that Friday. Friday morning, I got breakfast in bed. Now, don't tell my family, but I really don't enjoy breakfast in bed. I mean, come on... who wants to eat cold eggs and bacon in bed? While everyone is watching? But, I would never dream of letting on...so, I eat my breakfast in bed in front of everyone. Then, Roger let me know that he had taken the day off work so I could have a day off too! He planned to do school with the kids, do all the driving, make lunch and dinner, etc... I could go to Fayetteville, lock myself in my stampin room, read in my room...anything I wanted! So, I went over to Fayetteville. I went to the mall. I hadn't been to the mall in about 3 years! I had a real nice time...I just browsed and took my time. No one to keep track of. I could stay in one store as long as I wanted. I at lunch in the food court and read a magazine... it was lovely!!
I thought that was the gist of my birthday, and was very happy and relaxed when I got home around 3:00. Roger said that the kids had gifts for me, so we picked up Zack from school and then I sat down to open my gifts. Sam got me a toothbrush. Nate gave me a huge bottle of Aussie Shampoo. Katie gave me a package of 8 bars of soap. Zane gave me hairspray. It was very sweet, but I must say, I was thinking, "You didn't pay full price for this, did you?" Then, Roger gave me a bag, and in the bag was a book....Italian for Dummies! Then, he gave me an envelope with an airplane ticket! I am going to Italy!!!! Our dear, dear friends live in Germany and I'm going to fly to Germany and meet my friend Toni. Then, she and I will fly over to Italy for 4 days. Then, back to Germany and home!! Can you believe it!! I leave on the 25th for 8 days. The first thing I asked was about the kids. Roger has been working on it for about a month and has pretty much gotten everything covered! I can't believe he was able to keep it a secret from me for almost a month!
I can't even tell you how excited I am. You see, if I had unlimited money, I'd travel. I love traveling, but don't get to do it very much. Roger, on the other hand, is somewhat of a home body. He enjoys vacations and being with us on trips, but if he has extra time or money, he'd rather work on his hobbies at home. So, his gift really is a blessing to me. Two girls on the town in Italy!!
I thought that was the gist of my birthday, and was very happy and relaxed when I got home around 3:00. Roger said that the kids had gifts for me, so we picked up Zack from school and then I sat down to open my gifts. Sam got me a toothbrush. Nate gave me a huge bottle of Aussie Shampoo. Katie gave me a package of 8 bars of soap. Zane gave me hairspray. It was very sweet, but I must say, I was thinking, "You didn't pay full price for this, did you?" Then, Roger gave me a bag, and in the bag was a book....Italian for Dummies! Then, he gave me an envelope with an airplane ticket! I am going to Italy!!!! Our dear, dear friends live in Germany and I'm going to fly to Germany and meet my friend Toni. Then, she and I will fly over to Italy for 4 days. Then, back to Germany and home!! Can you believe it!! I leave on the 25th for 8 days. The first thing I asked was about the kids. Roger has been working on it for about a month and has pretty much gotten everything covered! I can't believe he was able to keep it a secret from me for almost a month!
I can't even tell you how excited I am. You see, if I had unlimited money, I'd travel. I love traveling, but don't get to do it very much. Roger, on the other hand, is somewhat of a home body. He enjoys vacations and being with us on trips, but if he has extra time or money, he'd rather work on his hobbies at home. So, his gift really is a blessing to me. Two girls on the town in Italy!!
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