Temperature in the low 70's. sunny. light breeze.
Every window in the house open to let in the light and sweet breeze of Fall.
I love days like today. If I could find a city in the world that was like this every day I would move there.
Beautiful and peaceful.
I just sigh, and soak it all up. These kinds of days are far and few between in Nebraska. Mostly it is either extremely hot or extremely cold or extremely windy. We rarely have days in the middle. Where it just feels like peace outside.
So, I'm headed out to my swing, to soak up the warm sun, and soak up His word. I need to get my fill of both before tomorrow roles around and it's sopping cold and wet again.
Come on in...
Friday, September 24, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
What's up with blogger?
I really don't like it when you take an already good think and change it around, which then makes that already good thing worse, instead of better.
Like blogger.
What was wrong with the way it was?
Why did you have to go and change the composition around, the picture editing...I don't know how to navigate through all that.
My last post took me like 1 1/2 hours. A should of been ten minute post, took 90 minutes.
I don't have time for this.
I don't have time to figure out why my pictures won't move around the page and go where I want them to. I don't know why my whole page moves around when I hit the back key. Or why one second later nothing happens when I hit that same button. I don't know why it shows my words in one place and then when I 'preview' it they are somewhere else.
Dunno.
Not impresses.
And I want my old blogger back.
Like blogger.
What was wrong with the way it was?
Why did you have to go and change the composition around, the picture editing...I don't know how to navigate through all that.
My last post took me like 1 1/2 hours. A should of been ten minute post, took 90 minutes.
I don't have time for this.
I don't have time to figure out why my pictures won't move around the page and go where I want them to. I don't know why my whole page moves around when I hit the back key. Or why one second later nothing happens when I hit that same button. I don't know why it shows my words in one place and then when I 'preview' it they are somewhere else.
Dunno.
Not impresses.
And I want my old blogger back.
Up up and away
Two weekends ago we drove out to Ditmars Orchard in Council Bluffs for a hot air balloon festival.
This is our second year going and it was even better this time because...
Isaak was there, always better with the hubs
Friends were there, always better with fun company
and during the 'glow' we got to go right up to the balloons!
You can't go wrong with this kind of rock star seating....
or deep fried apple pie with homemade ice cream (there was also a behemoth size bag of kettle corn that was too big too finish)
or a live band
or being just steps away from an orchard that just begs to be ran through
apple anyone? (what can I say, I couldn't resist!)
I am like, right.there. They took the rope down this year and let everyone come up to the balloons and get an up close and personal viewing of it all. So cool. And warm. We just love this festival at the end of a dirt road in the middle of no where. Looks like fall is officially rollin' into the midwest.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
My girl and our quirks
I have this little quirk.
I like to wait to eat my dessert/snack/late night treat until the movie or show I'm sitting down to watch is starting.
I can't eat it during previews.
I can't even eat it during the opening credits.
I wait until the show begins.....(I don't know why, just something weird about me that I blame on my mom, because she does the same thing.)
And, so does Sydaleigh. Every night after dinner she takes her cookie to the couch, holds it in her hand, or rests it on the arm, and waits to eat it until the movie starts.
She won't nibble on it, or pick at it. She just waits. Waits to eat her treat. Even if she devours it in the first 30 seconds of the movie, she still waits to enjoy it until then. Just like me. And just like my mom.
What an odd little quirk to pass down. And something randomly special that we all do. :~)
I like to wait to eat my dessert/snack/late night treat until the movie or show I'm sitting down to watch is starting.
I can't eat it during previews.
I can't even eat it during the opening credits.
I wait until the show begins.....(I don't know why, just something weird about me that I blame on my mom, because she does the same thing.)
And, so does Sydaleigh. Every night after dinner she takes her cookie to the couch, holds it in her hand, or rests it on the arm, and waits to eat it until the movie starts.
She won't nibble on it, or pick at it. She just waits. Waits to eat her treat. Even if she devours it in the first 30 seconds of the movie, she still waits to enjoy it until then. Just like me. And just like my mom.
What an odd little quirk to pass down. And something randomly special that we all do. :~)
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Weird combos right now
This weekend was just an odd mixture.
An odd mixture of weather.
It was drastically uncomfortably hot weather one day. So hot and humid (and I'm a humid kinda gal) that I couldn't even be next to my girls outside, it was all too close, too hot, and too sticky.
Followed by so incredibly cold, like 40 degrees colder in 24 hours, that we were putting on the socks, the coats, and the heater. The stinky heater that should not have to come on until November had to be cranked on.
It was an odd mixture of busy and 'do nothing'.
Saturday was slooooow. Slow from the rain and the clouds and the cold. We stayed inside most of the day, only going out once to pick up a Barbie coloring book and some gum. The rest of the time was spent indoors, getting reacquainted with our construction paper and glue.
Mixed with the hecticness of Friday and Sunday. School, errands, photo session, meetings, running back and forth, catching quick moments here and there to breath.
I guess, writing it all down...this weekend doesn't sound that much different than any other weekend. The weather isn't usually this extreme, but it's Nebraska, you'd think I'd be used to the inconsistency by now. And I guess today only seems so hectic because it's a Sunday. I don't usually plan stuff on Sundays so that I can rest and regroup for the week. So, having 'must-do's' today is kinda throwing my weekend off.
It's been great. I'm not trying to say that it hasn't been. The crumby weather I could do without, but everything else has been fine. This has been a really great weekend actually. I'm just momentarily tired I guess. Feeling super blessed, but feeling tired inside too.
Weird combos.
An odd mixture of weather.
It was drastically uncomfortably hot weather one day. So hot and humid (and I'm a humid kinda gal) that I couldn't even be next to my girls outside, it was all too close, too hot, and too sticky.
Followed by so incredibly cold, like 40 degrees colder in 24 hours, that we were putting on the socks, the coats, and the heater. The stinky heater that should not have to come on until November had to be cranked on.
It was an odd mixture of busy and 'do nothing'.
Saturday was slooooow. Slow from the rain and the clouds and the cold. We stayed inside most of the day, only going out once to pick up a Barbie coloring book and some gum. The rest of the time was spent indoors, getting reacquainted with our construction paper and glue.
Mixed with the hecticness of Friday and Sunday. School, errands, photo session, meetings, running back and forth, catching quick moments here and there to breath.
I guess, writing it all down...this weekend doesn't sound that much different than any other weekend. The weather isn't usually this extreme, but it's Nebraska, you'd think I'd be used to the inconsistency by now. And I guess today only seems so hectic because it's a Sunday. I don't usually plan stuff on Sundays so that I can rest and regroup for the week. So, having 'must-do's' today is kinda throwing my weekend off.
It's been great. I'm not trying to say that it hasn't been. The crumby weather I could do without, but everything else has been fine. This has been a really great weekend actually. I'm just momentarily tired I guess. Feeling super blessed, but feeling tired inside too.
Weird combos.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Luau's, preggos, and a baby
We had the best time throwing a surprise double baby shower for Amy and Brooke last month, or maybe it was the end of July (I'm a wee bit behind in posting this). But it was not your typical baby themed shower, we did this luau style, in the evening. Because, imagining you're on a far away island sipping ice cold tea with friends while you're eight months pregnant is always more fun! :~)
The whole gang pitched in and helped make this night so memorable. I just love these two cakes that Brandi made for baby Vida, and baby Beckett.
In order to keep it a surprise we told them we were having a luau girl night. So we had Brooke make a cheesecake and had Amy bring ice. Ha ha! Gotta love friends that won't even let you show up empty handed to your own shower. :~)
For our first game we played a very competitive sock scramble. And I mean very competitive. These girls do.not mess around!
There was taunting, stealing, and some hiding of socks in bras , oh yes, bras...uh hem...Brooke. :)
and then came Midnight Madness...it consisted of two women facing off to strip down a baby wearing a pee (water) soaked diaper and onesie, changing them, and chugging a 5oz. bottle of water as fast as you can.
now that was funny!
and ridiculously fun.
What a group. What a shower.
And thanks to the beauty of blogging, I just grazed through like 4 weeks and shazam! Beckett is here, down below, in Beccy's arms. He arrived in plenty of time to party it up with us at Liz's 29 and counting birthday luau.
Because one luau is never enough, you must repeat them frequently to truly believe you are escaping to a tropical island. And since I have never escaped to anywhere tropical, I'm all in favor or pretending.
The whole gang pitched in and helped make this night so memorable. I just love these two cakes that Brandi made for baby Vida, and baby Beckett.
In order to keep it a surprise we told them we were having a luau girl night. So we had Brooke make a cheesecake and had Amy bring ice. Ha ha! Gotta love friends that won't even let you show up empty handed to your own shower. :~)
For our first game we played a very competitive sock scramble. And I mean very competitive. These girls do.not mess around!
There was taunting, stealing, and some hiding of socks in bras , oh yes, bras...uh hem...Brooke. :)
and then came Midnight Madness...it consisted of two women facing off to strip down a baby wearing a pee (water) soaked diaper and onesie, changing them, and chugging a 5oz. bottle of water as fast as you can.
now that was funny!
and ridiculously fun.
What a group. What a shower.
And thanks to the beauty of blogging, I just grazed through like 4 weeks and shazam! Beckett is here, down below, in Beccy's arms. He arrived in plenty of time to party it up with us at Liz's 29 and counting birthday luau.
Because one luau is never enough, you must repeat them frequently to truly believe you are escaping to a tropical island. And since I have never escaped to anywhere tropical, I'm all in favor or pretending.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
A new word
Yesterday after dinner....
Sydaleigh says, "Mom, what does hate mean?"
Me, "Where did you hear that word?"
Syd, "On 'Up'."
Me, "Well, hate means when you don't like something a whole bunch."
Sydaleigh, "Oh, well I hate pot pie."
Noted.
Thank you.
Sydaleigh says, "Mom, what does hate mean?"
Me, "Where did you hear that word?"
Syd, "On 'Up'."
Me, "Well, hate means when you don't like something a whole bunch."
Sydaleigh, "Oh, well I hate pot pie."
Noted.
Thank you.
Friday, September 10, 2010
A poem inspiried by my dishwasher
O dishwasher, my dishwasher
how I hate you.
If I could take a sledge hammer and pound you into pieces I would
oh yes, I would.
I have had it up to here (five feet one inches in the air)
with your lackluster dish washing performances each day.
You repeatedly leave a mysterious white substance on all of my dishes that was not there upon arrival to your abode.
What is that white substance? I do not know.
Why can't you clean my silverware?
Every knife and spoon also has mysterious traces of noodles stuck to them after running your cycle.
We didn't eat noodles for dinner tonight
where did the noodles come from
where, oh where I ask?
Stop flipping over the plastic cups when I work very hard to anchor them in place
I don't like having dirty water dump out onto the dishes below all because you have some sick humor that likes to flip them over for kicks during your cycle.
Are you a woman dishwasher? Are you like tired or something, of people dumping their messes on you, and expecting you to clean it up for them?
Well sounds to me like you need an attitude adjustment.
or a sledgehammer.
I don't have a sledge hammer, but I can go buy one.
Oh yes, I can buy one.
So stop caking crap onto my dishes dishwasher, oh my dishwasher,
or me and you are gonna have to throw it down.
how I hate you.
If I could take a sledge hammer and pound you into pieces I would
oh yes, I would.
I have had it up to here (five feet one inches in the air)
with your lackluster dish washing performances each day.
You repeatedly leave a mysterious white substance on all of my dishes that was not there upon arrival to your abode.
What is that white substance? I do not know.
Why can't you clean my silverware?
Every knife and spoon also has mysterious traces of noodles stuck to them after running your cycle.
We didn't eat noodles for dinner tonight
where did the noodles come from
where, oh where I ask?
Stop flipping over the plastic cups when I work very hard to anchor them in place
I don't like having dirty water dump out onto the dishes below all because you have some sick humor that likes to flip them over for kicks during your cycle.
Are you a woman dishwasher? Are you like tired or something, of people dumping their messes on you, and expecting you to clean it up for them?
Well sounds to me like you need an attitude adjustment.
or a sledgehammer.
I don't have a sledge hammer, but I can go buy one.
Oh yes, I can buy one.
So stop caking crap onto my dishes dishwasher, oh my dishwasher,
or me and you are gonna have to throw it down.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Not your typical bible study
I lead a woman's bible study with some of the greatest gals on the face of the planet. But, we are not your typical bible study kinda group. Not.at.all...because we are not just bible study groupies, who get together once a week, talk God, go home, and never connect. We are friends. Close friends. Friends who connect with each other more than just Tuesday nights from 8:30-10.
And when you get a bunch of women together, who are deep friends, all moms, thinking that going to Borders to sip coffee and talk scripture is a night on the town, wellllll, it can make for one heck of a variety show. I can only imagine what the poor student stuffed into the corner of Borders was thinking when we showed up and invaded her quiet bookstore study time with our not quiet bookstore bible study time.
I swear, only our bible study would go from talking about Adam and Eve and the beauty of the innocence to, "hey that reminds me of an email I read about this naked overweight guy who likes to dance naked in front of the mirror to appreciate his 'package' before he showers." (while doing the 'naked' dance explained in the email covertly in the chair to not garner weird glances)
or, being in thoughtful conversation about Joseph's grace under pressure or Abraham's trust in God to someone blurting out, "hey this story reminds me of this time this weekend that I peed my pants in the driveway! puddle and all!" To everyone else laughing to the point of tears and having to hold in our own pee, which then prompts other pee story tangents.
We do keep on track. For roughly 20 minute increments (well, that may be a bit generous, I'd say 15 minute increments until someone goes off on a tangent and has to be reeled back in.)
But that is the joy and beauty of a group like ours. Intentionally leaving time in our group for the randomness of pee stories. Because we are not your typical bible study group. And without the pee stories, or talks of guys dancin' naked to appreciate their man parts...we would just be your typical run of the mill bible study. And God did not create us to be typical.
*(miss pregnant gets credit for that pee story by the way, because when you're pregnant, peeing your pants till your bladder's empty in the driveway is a completely acceptable thing to do. And laughing back at her till you cry is also just as acceptable with friends like this.)
And when you get a bunch of women together, who are deep friends, all moms, thinking that going to Borders to sip coffee and talk scripture is a night on the town, wellllll, it can make for one heck of a variety show. I can only imagine what the poor student stuffed into the corner of Borders was thinking when we showed up and invaded her quiet bookstore study time with our not quiet bookstore bible study time.
I swear, only our bible study would go from talking about Adam and Eve and the beauty of the innocence to, "hey that reminds me of an email I read about this naked overweight guy who likes to dance naked in front of the mirror to appreciate his 'package' before he showers." (while doing the 'naked' dance explained in the email covertly in the chair to not garner weird glances)
or, being in thoughtful conversation about Joseph's grace under pressure or Abraham's trust in God to someone blurting out, "hey this story reminds me of this time this weekend that I peed my pants in the driveway! puddle and all!" To everyone else laughing to the point of tears and having to hold in our own pee, which then prompts other pee story tangents.
We do keep on track. For roughly 20 minute increments (well, that may be a bit generous, I'd say 15 minute increments until someone goes off on a tangent and has to be reeled back in.)
But that is the joy and beauty of a group like ours. Intentionally leaving time in our group for the randomness of pee stories. Because we are not your typical bible study group. And without the pee stories, or talks of guys dancin' naked to appreciate their man parts...we would just be your typical run of the mill bible study. And God did not create us to be typical.
*(miss pregnant gets credit for that pee story by the way, because when you're pregnant, peeing your pants till your bladder's empty in the driveway is a completely acceptable thing to do. And laughing back at her till you cry is also just as acceptable with friends like this.)
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
First day of preschool
And it went great! Whew! I was really expecting her to have a great time, well, I was hoping she would anyways. And she did. Even better than I thought. So good in fact, she didn't even look up from her table to say goodbye to me!
(her cute little school shirt that she was encouraged to wear today, and her special 'Sydaleigh' Cinderella book bag, courtesy of Liz! )
Sydaleigh got a great night's sleep last night so she woke up really refreshed, she went to her "school clothes" drawer and got dressed first thing before heading downstairs to eat. I on the other hand woke up every thirty minutes to an hour, looking at the clock, wondering if it was time yet. :~) I had everything ready to go for the morning though. Bookbag by the door, camera in purse, paperwork ready to pull out and hand to teacher in a very quick like fashion, check made out. I was on top of it!
(her 'book bag' hook, just right for hanging a book bag)
I prayed all the way to school that Sydaleigh would have a great time, be joy filled about starting, encouraged, unafraid, that she would put into use all (or most, or even some!) of what she's learned at home so far these four short years of her life; that the other kids would help her feel welcome and vice versa; that she would be a positive influence on her classmates....ahh, I couldn't stop...this is a big milestone for her (and me!), I just wanted to cover her in mommy prayers as she left to start a portion of her life that doesn't include me.
(skipping the whole way there)
We got there ten minutes early and we're waiting in the hallway outside the classroom for the teachers to open the doors, right off the bat a girl from her class ( she had on a blue t-shirt too indicating Ms. Jennifer's class) came right up to her, and just started jabbering away. Loved it. Little moments like that help ease tension and as soon as they opened the doors a few minutes later...she was off.
I walked her to her table, put her book bag in the bin, signed her in, and when I looked up from writing my name on the paper...she was immersed. Already at the table looking for a paper to color. I stood there for a couple seconds with Marvelly, watching, waiting to see if she'd look up for me...nope. Nada. She didn't. I said goodbye over the sea of other voices, waved my free hand, but, again, she was immersed. I walked to the door and stood there for a few more seconds watching her from a distance, partly wanting her to look up and see me, and wave, the other part of me not wanting her to. And, she didn't. She was immersed. She didn't need me. (to make myself feel better I'm gonna chalk this up to good parenting! :~) )
I was on the verge of crying as I started to walk away, but a friend stopped me in the hallway for a second, and I quickly pulled myself together. The wave of emotion got displaced by small talk. Which I was kind of thankful for. My kids totally messed me up. I never used to be on the verge of crying so much as since I've had kids. Now, for the past four years, it seems I'm always on the verge of tears. And I love it. I love and marvel that God emotionally reconstructed me when I became a mother.
So that was that. Me and Marvi girl went home, had a pleasant time just the two of us playing outside, snacking, building towers. I love that we are getting some one on one time.
(Marvelly builds a mean tower!)
Isaak met us at the school to pick Sydaleigh up so he could be a part of her first day and she was so stoked to see him and all of us. We got bits and pieces of what she did... gym time (kicked and caught balls) story time (something about a frog wearing a necklace), coloring, learning, snack time.
This is gonna be good. I love her school. I'm completely assured in our decision to send her there. It's just right. And Sydaleigh gets to slowly start embracing the world without me 7 1/2 hours a week. Which is just right.
A good first day if I do say so myself. Hoping the rest of the year goes this well!
gosh she's cute.
(her cute little school shirt that she was encouraged to wear today, and her special 'Sydaleigh' Cinderella book bag, courtesy of Liz! )
Sydaleigh got a great night's sleep last night so she woke up really refreshed, she went to her "school clothes" drawer and got dressed first thing before heading downstairs to eat. I on the other hand woke up every thirty minutes to an hour, looking at the clock, wondering if it was time yet. :~) I had everything ready to go for the morning though. Bookbag by the door, camera in purse, paperwork ready to pull out and hand to teacher in a very quick like fashion, check made out. I was on top of it!
(her 'book bag' hook, just right for hanging a book bag)
I prayed all the way to school that Sydaleigh would have a great time, be joy filled about starting, encouraged, unafraid, that she would put into use all (or most, or even some!) of what she's learned at home so far these four short years of her life; that the other kids would help her feel welcome and vice versa; that she would be a positive influence on her classmates....ahh, I couldn't stop...this is a big milestone for her (and me!), I just wanted to cover her in mommy prayers as she left to start a portion of her life that doesn't include me.
(skipping the whole way there)
We got there ten minutes early and we're waiting in the hallway outside the classroom for the teachers to open the doors, right off the bat a girl from her class ( she had on a blue t-shirt too indicating Ms. Jennifer's class) came right up to her, and just started jabbering away. Loved it. Little moments like that help ease tension and as soon as they opened the doors a few minutes later...she was off.
I walked her to her table, put her book bag in the bin, signed her in, and when I looked up from writing my name on the paper...she was immersed. Already at the table looking for a paper to color. I stood there for a couple seconds with Marvelly, watching, waiting to see if she'd look up for me...nope. Nada. She didn't. I said goodbye over the sea of other voices, waved my free hand, but, again, she was immersed. I walked to the door and stood there for a few more seconds watching her from a distance, partly wanting her to look up and see me, and wave, the other part of me not wanting her to. And, she didn't. She was immersed. She didn't need me. (to make myself feel better I'm gonna chalk this up to good parenting! :~) )
I was on the verge of crying as I started to walk away, but a friend stopped me in the hallway for a second, and I quickly pulled myself together. The wave of emotion got displaced by small talk. Which I was kind of thankful for. My kids totally messed me up. I never used to be on the verge of crying so much as since I've had kids. Now, for the past four years, it seems I'm always on the verge of tears. And I love it. I love and marvel that God emotionally reconstructed me when I became a mother.
So that was that. Me and Marvi girl went home, had a pleasant time just the two of us playing outside, snacking, building towers. I love that we are getting some one on one time.
(Marvelly builds a mean tower!)
Isaak met us at the school to pick Sydaleigh up so he could be a part of her first day and she was so stoked to see him and all of us. We got bits and pieces of what she did... gym time (kicked and caught balls) story time (something about a frog wearing a necklace), coloring, learning, snack time.
This is gonna be good. I love her school. I'm completely assured in our decision to send her there. It's just right. And Sydaleigh gets to slowly start embracing the world without me 7 1/2 hours a week. Which is just right.
A good first day if I do say so myself. Hoping the rest of the year goes this well!
gosh she's cute.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
get r' done mode
I am...
recovering from a busy weekend (man my sides still hurt)
trying to get everything in order for our first day of preschool tomorrow (yup still doin' that)
prepping for bible study tonight (wrapping up Genesis and starting a new study)
thinking about what to do for dinner in an hour (I may go with lasagna)
reading a Better Homes and Gardens magazine about organization techniques (converting a buffet to an organizational masterpiece)
all while listening to my girls play 'kitchen' together, sometimes nicely, sometimes not. but at least they're not calling for me...for the moment.
back to multi tasking. (oops, and getting some water for Marvi because now she needs me, guess I typed to soon).....
recovering from a busy weekend (man my sides still hurt)
trying to get everything in order for our first day of preschool tomorrow (yup still doin' that)
prepping for bible study tonight (wrapping up Genesis and starting a new study)
thinking about what to do for dinner in an hour (I may go with lasagna)
reading a Better Homes and Gardens magazine about organization techniques (converting a buffet to an organizational masterpiece)
all while listening to my girls play 'kitchen' together, sometimes nicely, sometimes not. but at least they're not calling for me...for the moment.
back to multi tasking. (oops, and getting some water for Marvi because now she needs me, guess I typed to soon).....
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Sydaleigh's Labor Day weekend yard sale
At the beginning of this week Sydaleigh randomly started asking me when we were going to have another yard sale. Why, I have no clue. Maybe because she goes with me to so many, she wanted to have one of our own? No clue, doesn't matter, she started asking, we had stuff we could certainly part with, so I said,
"sure, why not, lets have one."
I really didn't think it was going to be a lot of work. I knew we had some stuff to get rid of, but I didn't think we had that much stuff. Until I really started looking that is. Then I started finding loads of things to sell, amazing how that happens. I can part with most things pretty easily, (unless you're a plastic bag, or my girls baby clothes, then not so much.)
Normally I just like to bag up our stuff and bring it to goodwill/salvation army without bothering to try and sell it, but I figured this time I would use the opportunity to teach Sydaleigh again about serving others. So, we talked about how we don't need the money we would collect at the yard sale, and instead we could use it to buy food for people who are hungry, or blankets for people who are cold, or Bibles for people far away who don't have one to read.
So we set up shop in our driveway this morning. We didn't have tons of stuff to sell, but it was a pretty modest sized yard sale. I was pleased. And Sydaleigh was grinning ear to ear when she woke up in the morning, came downstairs in her nightgown, walked out the door in her bare feet, to find me outside putting the finishing touches on it all.
It was still early (before 8am) when she finished helping me sticker the rest of the stuff. As we stood in the driveway waiting for our first customers of the day, Sydaleigh asked where all the people were. I told her they weren't here yet, but how about we take a quick minute to pray that people would come.
Sydaleigh's prayer went something like this, "dear Jesus, please let the people come to our yard sale. Please let them come to buy things that they don't have. We love you Jesus, Amen. Mommy, I closed my eyes just like you!"
"Great job baby, that was a great prayer!"
And then over the next few minutes, the people started to come. And they started to buy our things, and things that friends brought over to help. She got to take their money and give them change (until Mulan II beckoned to her from inside the warm house) :~) But she came back out every so often to see more people coming, and more stuff leaving. Which she loved. And I loved too.
This wasn't a big yard sale by any means, and before it started I had a goal of raising $100. That's all. Nothing major, but enough to use to buy some Action Pacts and bibles from Voice of the Martyrs, and some groceries for Open Door Mission's Fill a Pantry. And after four hours, we ran from 8-12pm...we raised $125. Not.too.shabby! Our God is so much better than good.
I don't know how much of this Sydaleigh "got" yet. It might feel a little more concrete to her once we go out and buy some things to fill our action pact and grocery bag. But I'm hoping that after seeing God show up and work in and around her life time and time again...whether in big ways or subtle ways, she will know, beyond a shadow of a doubt that she serves a God who loves, a God who cares beyond measure...and because of that she won't hesitate to pray in the middle of her driveway...her school...or her work...and ask for God's help again.
Amen to this day.
"sure, why not, lets have one."
I really didn't think it was going to be a lot of work. I knew we had some stuff to get rid of, but I didn't think we had that much stuff. Until I really started looking that is. Then I started finding loads of things to sell, amazing how that happens. I can part with most things pretty easily, (unless you're a plastic bag, or my girls baby clothes, then not so much.)
Normally I just like to bag up our stuff and bring it to goodwill/salvation army without bothering to try and sell it, but I figured this time I would use the opportunity to teach Sydaleigh again about serving others. So, we talked about how we don't need the money we would collect at the yard sale, and instead we could use it to buy food for people who are hungry, or blankets for people who are cold, or Bibles for people far away who don't have one to read.
So we set up shop in our driveway this morning. We didn't have tons of stuff to sell, but it was a pretty modest sized yard sale. I was pleased. And Sydaleigh was grinning ear to ear when she woke up in the morning, came downstairs in her nightgown, walked out the door in her bare feet, to find me outside putting the finishing touches on it all.
It was still early (before 8am) when she finished helping me sticker the rest of the stuff. As we stood in the driveway waiting for our first customers of the day, Sydaleigh asked where all the people were. I told her they weren't here yet, but how about we take a quick minute to pray that people would come.
Sydaleigh's prayer went something like this, "dear Jesus, please let the people come to our yard sale. Please let them come to buy things that they don't have. We love you Jesus, Amen. Mommy, I closed my eyes just like you!"
"Great job baby, that was a great prayer!"
And then over the next few minutes, the people started to come. And they started to buy our things, and things that friends brought over to help. She got to take their money and give them change (until Mulan II beckoned to her from inside the warm house) :~) But she came back out every so often to see more people coming, and more stuff leaving. Which she loved. And I loved too.
This wasn't a big yard sale by any means, and before it started I had a goal of raising $100. That's all. Nothing major, but enough to use to buy some Action Pacts and bibles from Voice of the Martyrs, and some groceries for Open Door Mission's Fill a Pantry. And after four hours, we ran from 8-12pm...we raised $125. Not.too.shabby! Our God is so much better than good.
I don't know how much of this Sydaleigh "got" yet. It might feel a little more concrete to her once we go out and buy some things to fill our action pact and grocery bag. But I'm hoping that after seeing God show up and work in and around her life time and time again...whether in big ways or subtle ways, she will know, beyond a shadow of a doubt that she serves a God who loves, a God who cares beyond measure...and because of that she won't hesitate to pray in the middle of her driveway...her school...or her work...and ask for God's help again.
Amen to this day.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Almost pre-school time...Eek!
We all went to Sydaleigh's open house last night for her preschool. We were in a room with four other classes worth of parents. Each divi'd up into our respective teacher's group. Not one minute into the "lecture" I have to excuse myself with Marvelly because she's being Marvelly. I walk her down the hall to a play room, come back to the class room, maybe two minutes have passed....maybe.
I sit down, ready to give my undivided attention....and... I'm totally lost.
"what the heck is that lady saying" I keep asking myself.
This lady was talking so fast, I had no idea what she was saying, I could barely make out her words, if they were words at all, it sounded more like giberish to me. Never in my life have I heard someone speak so fast, ever.
I had this deer in a head light look. Eye brows raised, eyeballs bulging, head and ear cocked to the side, mouth slightly gaping open. I was not keeping up.
I was half tempted to turn around and ask the other parents if anyone else was having trouble following along, keeping up, understanding....but, uh uh. No way.
I can not be that. Preschool is suppose to be transitional. Easy. I can not be the mom that can't keep up with flippin' preschool! But, dang it...I'm totally gonna be that mom I think!
There is so much to keep track of. Book bags go here, coats go here. Class schedules, class parties, volunteering, permission slips, remembering to swipe your card....swapping out the last center of the day for swim class the last Friday of the month, or was it every other Friday during the month? Payments are due when? How do I order scholastic? How much is the late fee? When do I sign up for extra programs? Car pooling, lunch programs, tee shirts, what shoes to where when....and on and on and on....
and I'm back to the doey sweet faced Bambie caught in the head lights look.
I hope I can do this.
Let me rephrase...I hope I can do this without losing my marbles.
I sit down, ready to give my undivided attention....and... I'm totally lost.
"what the heck is that lady saying" I keep asking myself.
This lady was talking so fast, I had no idea what she was saying, I could barely make out her words, if they were words at all, it sounded more like giberish to me. Never in my life have I heard someone speak so fast, ever.
I had this deer in a head light look. Eye brows raised, eyeballs bulging, head and ear cocked to the side, mouth slightly gaping open. I was not keeping up.
I was half tempted to turn around and ask the other parents if anyone else was having trouble following along, keeping up, understanding....but, uh uh. No way.
I can not be that. Preschool is suppose to be transitional. Easy. I can not be the mom that can't keep up with flippin' preschool! But, dang it...I'm totally gonna be that mom I think!
There is so much to keep track of. Book bags go here, coats go here. Class schedules, class parties, volunteering, permission slips, remembering to swipe your card....swapping out the last center of the day for swim class the last Friday of the month, or was it every other Friday during the month? Payments are due when? How do I order scholastic? How much is the late fee? When do I sign up for extra programs? Car pooling, lunch programs, tee shirts, what shoes to where when....and on and on and on....
and I'm back to the doey sweet faced Bambie caught in the head lights look.
I hope I can do this.
Let me rephrase...I hope I can do this without losing my marbles.
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