The Past Week

To quote the magician on Frosty the Snowman, life is "busy, busy busy" right now. Specifically, I'm in the planning phase of our homeschool year. It's a big "to do." Oh, and not to brag or make any of my fellow homeschool moms green with envy, but guess who's speaking at our homeschool Kick off night? Todd Wilson! Carl heard him at CHEO in Ohio a few years ago and really enjoyed him. Now we'll get to hear him again. Two thumbs up.

This past week has brought a few nice surprises. As in I won a prize (thanks, Andrea).

An even bigger surprise (oh, if I could only explain how big it is) was the fact that IN finally (F-I-N-A-L-L-Y) picked up the adoption ball and a case worker actually sat in our dining room today preparing the necessary homestudy (we've already had one done, but this interstate adoption requires two.) The case was transferred months ago and they just got to it today. While it has been frustrating to experience unnecessary delays, I can honestly say Carl and I have rested in the knowledge that God's hand has been on this baby's life since before the start ("Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you." Jeremiah1:5) Still,....WHOOHOO! Someone was actually, finally here today to move this case along. Double WHOOHOO!

Now then, Newton's laws of motion include this;
To every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. So, yes. The social worker came out and it was very good. On the other hand, the van had a flat tire and OH, LOOK! No treads on the opposite tire.
One minute I'm looking at a free plug job (I'm a member of their fix-it club after all.) The next minute, "Mrs. H, see here on the edge is not a good place to go pluggin'. You're gonna need a new tire. Or two."
Gee, swell. By all means, sock it to me, safety first. Two hundred beans later (sigh)...........

And what happens thee very flippin' next day? Carl goes to start his truck for work and,...........Wat Wah! Yep, she's dead alright. Another 90 bucks and a new battery later...........

I need to add that God truly provided for these unexpected expenses though. Long story short, we made two errors in our checkbook recently that worked in our favor (thankfully; ever so thankfully). In fact, we had more money in checking than we thought, and it covered 75% of the tire replacement cost. God is so good.

Now, did I mention that I got to take all four kids to the tire store in a down pour? Or that the waiting room had 11 people in it? That was before I added 5 more. And it would have been fine, had the tire joint built a waiting room capable of hosting 16 people. But ooooooh no. They had five (count 'em) generous seats in there. And I use the word "room" very lightly, what with prison housing being more spacious (I'm only half joking here.)

I had to laugh when the tire manager took me in the garage to show me my tire and explain my options. He looked like a bad knock-off of the Avis car commercial that promotes the free music itunes. You see, the second he'd try to speak, the auto tech behind us would crank up this air powered tool that was as loud as a jackhammer and it would drown out the manager's words. He tried two or three times to talk to me, each time being met with a blank stare and an obvious attempt at reading lips on my part. I must have looked like such a confused dork but, ya know....he looked pretty silly with his case of jackhammer mouth too. Bahahahaha!!!

On a lighter note, my Olivia dished a little ditty to me at bedtime tonight.
"Mom, I took a spider into Patch class to show Steven. I hoped to scare him but I never got the chance."

A. When did my daughter manage to sneak an arachnid into CHURCH?
-and-
B. Why did she "never get the chance" to scare show him?

Sheesh, I'm only learning of this hairy legged adventure two months after it happened. And uh, she didn't get to show Steven because she showed the teacher first. Whaa????? Well, aint that just grand!

"Oh reaaally, Liv? Hmmm. And what did your teacher say?" (having every confidence that Olivia's going to confirm the teacher made her get rid of sweet Charlotte outside.)
"She said, "Just keep it in your pocket during class time."

Folks, I fully admit. I was a bit dim here. See, I just about fell out of my chair trying to understand why her teacher would encourage her to keep a nasty spider in her pocket. It sooooo wigged me out. So you can imagine Carl had a good laugh at my expense when he discovered I didn't realize the spider was PLASTIC! Sigh, I'm always the last to know.

And of final note, Reece was attempting to put on his sandals yesterday. He was fumbling with the straps for quite awhile, but clearly didn't want to ask for help in spite of his growing frustration. When he finally spoke, the words were oh so familiar.
"The twenty-eight other times I tried to do these straps, it worked."

And uh, that "twenty-eight" line is spoken quite regularly by Reece's dear father when he too is frustrated. Like father, like son.

Toni

And the winner is..........

MOM IN THE KNOW.
Thank you to everyone who entered this drawing.

Toni

HOUSE OF GOUDA (a birthday experience)

Now I have to say, I'm about as fond of Chuck E Cheese as I am of a red hot dagger in my eye. Given the choice, I'm tempted to say I'd risk the ophthalmic damage (after all, some U.F.O. inevitably whizzes by my eye sockets at Chuck E's anyway, no doubt launched by some sugared up and overstimulated child.) But alas, Party Safari was "closed for construction" the other day (whaa?) so unfortunately we found ourselves at the Rat's House of Gouda (a.k.a. Chuck E Cheese).

What's Party Safari?
Dear blog friends, think Chuck E Cheese, only with George of the Jungle episodes blaring on the mega screen and stuffed monkeys swinging on ropes as they literally scream above your head (not to mention the train ride complete with "scare the hair off your arms" animal sounds.) But hey, we like the convenient birthday package, which includes a huge cake and prize bags for about the same price as House of Gouda (and, perhaps, we like the depilatory effect of our arm hairs falling out). Sigh. The kids do enjoy it in spite of our threadbare nerves.

And I still say it's waaaaaay less stressful then having a hundred adults and children over for a little one's birthday (ever been to one of those?) I don't mean the typical children's birthday party with some close friends or family in attendance. I mean the GALAS. How do the hosting parents survive those? And so, there we were at the Rat's House of Gouda.

Cierah wasn't feeling too well, so she walked around in an oxymoron state; taking in the sights and sounds of "The Rat" while simultaneously looking spacey and detached from all the busyness (and I imagine my own face had a similar "glazed over" look in that hole place, lol.)

And now to recap a few, uh hem, "special" moments. Reece, as you know, is my imp (rascal, squirt, dickens, handful). And he doesn't always consider the social implications of his actions. So imagine our complete horror when he said aloud,

"Momma, did I just poop myself a little?" (insert bug eyes here.)

Now before you wonder,...NO! NoooOOoo!
Reece does not "poop myself a little." So this was noooot a good sign. But before Carl or I could say anything more urgent than, "I surely hope not," he unglued our very last nerve when he (here it comes) dropped his drawers right in the middle of the House of Gouda to check for mud bunnies. Yes. He. Did. Too.

Gasp (we pause this blogging adventure to give you a chance to readjust your jaw.)

This was thee worst Rat Trip EVER! Carl and nearly banged our biscuits (a.k.a. heads) trying to cover Reece's personal business. And off Carl scuttled him to the restroom for a more appropriate check (and much needed instruction). I, meanwhile, was doing my best to recover without daring to cast my eyes outward for fear I might be scolded by the glances of "more refined" parents. So, onward Cierah and I marched in our glassy eyed trances, as Olivia enjoyed a game or two of this-n-that.

And speaking of Olivia, gotta love that child's perspective. Yesterday, we were recapping our visit to House of Gouda (minus the horrifying details of Reece's public poop check.) Olivia said something about having a good time. I exaggerated the truth viewed the trip down memory lane as "glass half full" and replied, "Mommy sure had fun watching you guys enjoy yourselves." The conversation that followed first confused and then amused me.

"Did you have Chuck E Cheese when you were little?"
"No."
[groan and sigh of relief]
"NoOOo. Nothing like that."
"Was your birthday in black and white?"
[bewildered] "What???"
"Did you celebrate your birthday in black and white?"
[still confused] "I don't understand. What do you mean?"
"You know. Because you celebrated your birthday in the olden days."
Olden days indeed (Hmmf)!

Oh, the joys of being an older mom! Frazzled nerves. Catatonic trips to the House of Gouda. And fond memories of celebrating my own "covered wagon" birthdays in shades of black and white (uh, I'm fondly recalling the 70's here, but that would be 1870's according to my daughter.) Definitely another day experienced as "glass half full." For amid all the craziness, I still marveled in the blessings and wonder of the moment. And they're all passing more quickly than my "mother's heart" can grasp.

Toni

DOG DAYS OF SUMMER GIVEAWAY

THIS CONTEST CLOSED AT 4:53 EST on Friday, July 27th. Entries 1-117 are eligible for the drawing. I will notify winner late tonight and announce winner tomorrow. Thank you to all who entered.

Last week, I mentioned that I would be participating in a Giveaway Carnival hosted by Shannon at Rocks In My Dryer. Now before I get into the particulars, I will insist that you at least leave here with a laugh on the house (well, y-e-s-s-s, I'm enticing you to return for more.) Okay then, I hinted that my giveaway item was "frilly girl" related. I do declare, it doesn't get much frillier than this.


Say that with me; frillier. Sure, I doubt it's a word, but if the sock shoe fits (I'm just sayin'.)

"That is not my color choice," you say.
"Not to worry," I reply.

That's because my winner will choose sock size, as well as crocheted lace color (white, ecru, or multicolor/rainbow). Sock color will be white, ecru, or pink (your choice and assuming I can find your preferred color.)

"But I don't have a little girl," you say.
"Surely you could give this to some little girl in your life," I reply.

So c'mon now. All you have to do to enter my contest is this:
Post a comment to this thread.
You do not need to be a blogger to enter (so tell your friends to stop by as well). Be sure I can click on your name for mailing information, ie. link to your blog or email address, if you win (otherwise you need to leave your email address in your comment.)
I will draw my winner late Friday from among those who commented. That's it.

Oh, and one more thing. These will be hand crocheted by moi and mailed to you in a jiffy (jiffy: more than a week and less than a month in Toni's world). Now *do* stop by Shannon's blog to see what else you can enter to win this week.

Toni

I'm poised for the cameras!

Welcome to the red carpet. I've been nominated for several awards so let's stroll through them now, shall we?

The other Toni, that self proclaimed schmoozer over at Special K Family, has presented me with the "SCHMOOZER" award.


"What in thee world is a Schmoozer?" Glad you asked.
"As it goes, schmoozing is the natural ability “to converse casually, especially in order to gain an advantage or make a social connection.” Good schmoozers effortlessly weave their way in and out of the blogosphere, leaving friendly trails and smiles, happily making new friends along the way. They don’t limit their visits to only the rich and successful, but spend some time to say hello to new blogs as well. They are the ones who engage others in meaningful conversations, refusing to let it end at a mere hello - all the while fostering a sense of closeness and friendship."

And let me tell you, she can schmooze with the best of them, otherwise she would not have started Spotlight Sundays.

Then there is the oh so artistically gifted Julia at A Piece of My Mind, who bestowed The Thinking Blogger award on me.


Now, I'd like to believe I cause others to pause and think from time to time (as in yesterday's Thursday Thirteen post), but honestly, it is I who does a lot of thinking about the posts I've read in blogland. For example, it's only natural to consider the rich heritage of artistic gifts Julia has received through her family, as bestowed on them by God the Father. Folks, be inspired by her 92 year old grandmother. No doubt, it's in the family blood.

And one of my most recent connections in the blogging world is with Missy over at The Three Olivos. She's absolutely one of my most favorite kind of people. Why? Because Missy allows herself to be transparent. She's real. She speaks from her heart on things she is passionate about. So it is befitting that someone who, imho rocks, would bestow the Rockin' Girl blogger award on me.


I'd like to thank the Academy (The other Toni, Julia and Missy, that is). And now I'm off to the post-Awards celebrations (a.k.a. off to do the dishes, lol).

Toni

THURSDAY THIRTEEN

Thirteen Things about fertility challenges I want you to know

Visit other "thirteeners" here!


Being the friend or family member of someone facing fertility challenges (inability to conceive, inability to conceive after the birth of previous children: aka secondary infertility, miscarriage, stillbirth, death in early infancy, etc.) can be very difficult. You hurt for them and yet feel helpless in how to love and encourage them in this painful season of their lives. So, just how can you minister to them in love and compassion "in the midst of this season"? These suggestions, posted previously at Hannah's Prayer, may be helpful. And while they mainly deal with failure to conceive and/or carry a pregnancy to term, some points may be adaptable to occurances of losing an infant or child.

1. Commit to praying diligently for your friend.
   Put a reminder (a picture of your friend, a note, etc.) to pray for them someplace where you will see it often. Pray that God will give you the wisdom to know how to encourage your particular friend. James 5:16b says, "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." There truly is power in prayer and your friend needs your prayers more than anything.


2. Drop them a note when the Lord places them on your heart. Tell them you love them, hurt for them and are praying for them. If appropriate, include an encouraging scripture. Writing how you feel can often be easier than saying it. Snail mailed notes from friends can truly be helpful, for they are personal and demonstrate love and concern, but they don't put your struggling friend or family member on the spot to respond (the infertility "spotlight" can be very uncomfortable.) The timing of your note may well be divinely inspired, reaching your friends when they most need it. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading. If God places them on your heart...there is a reason. Send those occasional notes.


3. Don't take it personally if they seem distant at times. More than likely they are hurting, and contact with you, if you have children or are expecting, only reminds them of their pain. Remember, this is just a season and if you have a strong relationship, it will survive this time of testing and trial.


4. Be sensitive with conversation.
   Just as, in the company of a single friend, it is not thoughtful to always talk about your married life, so too if you have children and are with an infertile person, it is inconsiderate to only talk about parenthood. Don't constantly talk about "what cute things he said yesterday." Your friend surely does care about your children. And if your friend is doing well and feeling strong, they will probably ask about your children. Take your signal from them.


5. Asking about their infertility situation depends a great deal on the depth of your friendship.
   If you are close friends, certainly ask from time to time how things are going. Your friend will appreciate your concern. Then let them guide the conversation, don't push. If your friend is a more casual acquaintance, it is often better to say little. Infertility can be a very private and personal matter for some. If they feel comfortable discussing their situation with a casual friend, more than likely, they will bring it up in the conversation some way. Take your clues from them.


6. Do not offer advice, unless asked for. Don't tell them you stood on your head, went on vacation to the Bahamas, took certain herbs or bought your husband boxer shorts. If they have been living with infertility for a while, they probably have tried it all and your well meaning advice is not only unhelpful, it is hurtful. The advice can also suggest that achieving pregnancy is within one's control.


7. Do not tell them to "RELAX."
   This "R word" sends shivers up any infertile person's spine. This cliché is offered as advice by many well-meaning friends. However, 90% of infertility is due to medical problems in one or both mates (10% to unknown causes) and relaxing will certainly not change their medical condition of infertility. If you tell your friend to relax, they may feel like you are making light of their situation, perhaps suggesting it is their fault that they are not pregnant. This advice, though surely well intentioned, hurts and in no way helps them. Instead, pray for them, that the Lord would give them comfort, and contentment in the other good gifts He has given them as they wait on His answer for a child. This gives the burden to the Lord and not your friend.


8. Do not tell them to "just adopt" and then they will get pregnant.
   Although adoption *is* a wonderful answer to prayer for some, it is no simple, stress-free procedure, nor is it a guarantee that your friend will someday conceive a biological child. It is also a very personal and private decision. Some are more sensitive than others regarding the idea of adoption. If they are considering adoption, chances are, they'll let you know. Let them bring it up. Toni's personal note: This particular suggestion ("just" adopt) makes me cringe on a personal level anyway (messenger and intent being considered, of course). Adoption is not a fallback plan. And it wasn't my plan, but God's all along. Adoption is by His design and an absolute gift from His hand (just look at Joseph, Jesus' earthly father, and it is clear.) 'Nuff said.


9. Realize jokes can be counter-productive.
   You joke to try to lighten their spirit, yes? But comments like, "Why don't you drink our water?" or "Do you want to borrow my pants?" or "You can have our kids!" are simply not helpful, no matter what your friend's stage of infertility. If you feel awkward with the situation, it is better to say nothing than to say something you think is funny, but may be received as hurtful.


10. Try not to complain about your pregnancy or your children when talking to an infertile friend.
    Rather, share with a friend who can relate. It can be hurtful to an infertile person to hear these complaints from someone to whom God has entrusted the precious gift of a child.


11. Love them by listening when they do decide to talk about it.
    Do not say you understand if you have never experienced infertility. You can still be compassionate and minister to them without having to relate your life experiences to them or without always giving advice, counsel or a profound answer to their questions. Put away your toolbox. Don't try to fix things. Just love them and listen.


12. When announcing your pregnancy, tell your news in person and privately, *never in public*, to a close infertile friend or family member. Tell them you are sensitive to their feelings, and reassure them that you love them and hurt for them as you bring this news to light. Give them "permission" to not fill the space with words they do not have "on the spot."
    And consider sharing your news in a written note if they are out of town and you do not speak often. Telling out-of-town friends in a note gives them time and space to accept it and not be put on the spot for an immediate response (there's that "spotlight" again.) Understand they will experience conflicting emotions: happiness for you and magnified sadness for themselves. They often need time to sort through their emotions in order to express them properly. Ask other mutual friends or family members to please not mention your pregnancy to the one experiencing infertility because you want them to receive the news gently, from you.


13. Baby Showers
    For a close friend who has been going through infertility for an extended time, rather than mail them an invitation, call them. Tell them you'd like to include them but you want to cause them the least pain. An infertile person can often experience "false guilt" if they are not emotionally able to attend. So assure them you love them and they don't need to be present for you to know they love you too. Please know that the infertile person does want to celebrate your joy, but that being in a room full of people who talk about babies and pregnancy stories for hours can be too overwhelming.

And ultimately remember who is in control. Recognize that no matter how hard you try to encourage your infertile friend or family member, God, our Heavenly Father is the only one who can truly give them the comfort, strength, joy, hope and peace that they need and/or seek. To that end, I refer you back to #1. These words are not my own, but rather are paraphrased from an article posted at Hannah's Prayer. If you have a close friend or family member who is hurting due to fertility challenges, please share the Hannah's Prayer website with them. You will be giving them a gift of support and encouragement from other women who truly know and understand their pain. I can definitely vouge for the ministry, as I served as a forums moderator for some time there. This Thursday Thirteen is a follow-up to a post I recently made, and is based on personal experience.

Toni

Who does he think he is,...ME?

Okay, so I'm basically laughin' myself into a frenzy over here because for once I caught a break. Now y'all know wacky stuff just seems to migrate my way, yes? Well, not this time and I warned him I fully intend to see he has a proper seat on the "wacky days" bandwagon (aka a spotlight on my blog). It went down something like this...

A few days ago, I sent Carl to the grocery store with a shopping list (and I *love* to embed surprises on the list for him to discover while shopping, like UNCLE CLYDE'S AU NATURAL BUNION OINTMENT.) Among other needed items, I had jotted down zucchini. And he had laughed at my specifications too;
"If they're really long, get one long one and one stubby one. If they're all stubby, get 3. If they're medium sized, gauge 'em and surprise me." No wonder the man was confused.

So off he went. And back he came. With his "zucchini." His yellow zucchini. I know. Y'all are preachin' to the choir because yes, okay? Just YES. Yes, I failed to give the requisite "veggie low-down 101" before sending him out for something more "exotic" than broccoli. My bad.

And yes, he came home with these "zucchini."


Alrighty then. That zucchini summer squash dish is gonna be a hit.

After putting groceries away, it was my turn to drool in the yarn aisles at Michael's run a few errands. And that's where Carl's day played out like a day fit for yours truly. And it began with a placed phone call.

He had to call our local child protective services (still working his honey-do list that I feverishly and lovingly penned up for him) to try for the umpteenth time to get them to pick up the ball on continuing the progress of our fourth adoption (sigh; long story short, Ohio has been done with its end for months, while Indiana apparently enjoys a good pace of, oh, say, TURTLE? Yes, turtle pace it is.)
So, ring ring, he calls CPS and immediately realizes the voice on the other end is that of an elderly woman. She began;
"Hello?"

"Uh, hello. Is this Children's Services?"

"Oh my."
(yells in a concerned tone to someone in the background, "It's children services on the line.")

She clearly had trouble hearing, and Carl couldn't hear well either because Brandon was having a lil' hissy on our end. Carl clarified;
"No, I'm sorry. I though you were children's services."

"What? Why is children's services calling me?"

"No, ma'am. I think you've misunderstood. I'm not children's services. I was looking for..."

"What are you looking for?"
(yells in background again, "They're looking for something.")

Carl, realizing she cannot hear well;
"No, ma'am. No, I'm not. Never mind. I'm sorry. Bye."

Now I gotta tell you, this next part would make me think I'd entered the twilight zone. You see, he no sooner hung up his cell phone when,
"DING DONG." The doorbell.

He grabbed the fuse poppin' baby and opened the front door. And just who did he find? A spunky elderly woman with a bit too much blue rinse in her hair. It caught him off guard for just a second.


"She had to be at least 75," he mused as he told me the rest of the story. Per his account, the sweet blue haired lady, upon seeing his face, stared silently and wide eyed at him without saying a word.

Carl, inquiring, "Yes? Can I help you?"

"Why, I don't know. [pause] Who are you?"
(Note: if he were in Toni's world, he would have answered, "Why, Children's Services, of course.) Instead;
"Well, who are you looking for?"
(Checks clipboard and scratches her head a bit)
"I,...I dunno! Who am I looking for?" She searched his face for an answer.
He waited.
She stared.
He waited some more.
She looked at her clipboard.
Then she eyed him again with a confused, inquiring expression.
"Ma'am, is there someone I can help you find?"
"Well, I,...I dunno."

Carl began rattling off the names of neighbors. Now mind you, we've only been here a year and we hardly know everyone in our neighborhood. So he tossed out the few names that came to mind, each one met with the same pondering look, then,
"I dunno. No, I don't think so."

After five more minutes of stares, brainstorming and several more rounds of, "I dunno", he tossed a name out that was met with recognition.
"YES! That's it. Which way do I go to get there?"
"See that house next door? That's as far as you have to go."

Bless her heart. He had said that name initially and she had checked her little clipboard before stating it was not the right name. That's because she was focused on our neighbor's first name (unbeknownst to Carl) and he was tossing out last
names. He sent her on her merry way and then...

RING RING!
He picked up his cell phone, to find my mother on the other end.
"Carl, tell Toni I just came from the grocery store and zucchini is now in season. She might want to whip up a little zucchini bread for you."

We interrupt this story to bring you the following announcement from Toni; BAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!! ROFLOL!!!!!!!!!!!!! Carry on..

He wasn't falling for it.
"Now, hold up. Very funny. Did Toni just call you and tell you about my botched trip to the grocery store for zucchini?"

LOL! I had not called my mom and told her (though that is a classic Toni move all the way, so I understand his suspicion and thus why I laughed so hard when he told me this part). The fact is, he was simply caught in his own version of Groundhog Day. Ah, sweet turntables! For once, it wasn't me. No, because *I* was too busy drooling over alpaca blends and cotton worsted weights in a smorgasbord of yummy yarn colors at Michaels.

And did I tell you he brought home two cucumbers from work the next day? Hey, at least they were green.

Toni

Dog Days of Summer bloggy giveaway

C'mon now, everybody say it with me.
"I love winning FREE stuff!" Ahhhh, the sweet sound of it.
Now, wanna know HOW you can win free stuff? Read on.

Shannon over at Rocks In My Dryer (don'tcha just love the blog name?) is hosting a very fun "blog carnival" giveaway, beginning on Monday, July 23rd. Folks, it's gonna be a bloggity good time and I'm participating. That means I'll be giving something away for free (hint: frilly little girls). Not only will you be able to enter my giveaway, but you'll be able to follow a link to many, many more. Oh and another thing. You can do this too. Head over to Shannon's blog and read up on how you too can buy, make or round up something you no longer need (ie. a great book) and join in the giveaway fun.

So it's ON!
Stop back beginning next Monday, July 23rd.
And be ready to enter and win!

Toni

I Would Die For That

Do you know the pain of missing someone you've never met? Sadly, so many couples do, as they live with the heartache of fertility challenges, sometimes outwardly but more often in complete silence. It is a very dark and isolating pain that often is not resolved and never is forgotten.

I am so richly blessed, that God would allow me the privilege of raising four of His precious children. And that He chose to give them to me through adoption is, well, humbling beyond my ability to explain it to you, even though I have tried to put it into words.

And while my own childlessness ended with the adoption of our first child, the burden of infertility did not. And perhaps, maybe, just some of the purpose in that is so my own heart will forever remain sensative to others who are hurting and grieving due to childlessness and/or fertility related loss.

For them and for me, I'm asking you to please view this video. And for them, I will soon post a "Thursday Thirteen" that I hope and pray will help you to better understand and more compassionately reach out to that couple in your own life who knows this kind of grief.

There's something about Mary

No, not the movie. You know, Mary, as in the virgin mother. Yesterday evening, I was reading Wisdom and the Millers to the kids before bed. The particular chapter we read stirred Olivia to question what a virgin is. As there were other, even younger ears in the room, I gave a very basic answer.
"A virgin is an unmarried woman who has not yet shared the special closeness needed between a husband and wife before they can have a baby."

Okay, no hands went up, no clarification was sought. 'Nuff said. On we went (Sheeeuw, why do they have to inquire so soon?)

Well, tonight I was tucking Olivia in. Now, first I have to say that tuck-ins are a big "to do" here in the 'H' home. We talk about our favorite moments of the day. We wrap up any unfinished business (ie. "Be angry, and yet do not sin. Do not let the sun go down on your anger." Ephesians 4:26) We pray together. And we laugh together as well. And then there's the secret bedtime "handshake", where we look like a pro baseball coach going through those ridiculous looking secret hand motions with his pitcher. I know tuck-in time is one of those blessings I'll miss most when the kids are grown.

So, as we spent some tuck-in time together, she broke out in a soft song about Jesus (how it must bring joy to Him when one of His children adore Him in song). She loves to make up her own lyrical masterpieces and tonight was no exception. And, while I love my little songbird very much, I must say that singing is not one of her, uh hem, gifts.

She attempted to braid my hair in the darkness of her room, making use of the tiny trails of light that filtered in from the hall, as she tenderly sang (albeit majorly off key) about the angel visiting Mary. Her words went something like this;

And then an an-gel...
Appeared to Maaaaaaaa-ry (serious hang time on the first syllable there).
The angel said Mary would have a son and she would call him Jeee-sus.
But Mary was confused.
She asked, "How can this be since I am an orphan and I don't have any huuuu-sband?"

Well, it takes all I have to stifle a laugh when I find something funny. And my Olivia, singing her well intentioned heart out, referring to Mary as an orphan instead of a virgin, was just too much for this tired momma at the end of the day. I did at least manage to stifle my rising laugh so that it sounded like more of a suppressed sneeze. And it's a good thing too, because I would not have wanted to crush Olivia's sweet spirit in that moment. And anyway, I know there's plenty of time for her to get the details of God's word straight in her mind. It's what was in her heart that really mattered, and from where I was standing, her only intent was to praise and honor God through song. In that, I'm certain He was well pleased (and really, I have to think He giggled just a bit as well).

Sing to the LORD a new song;
Sing to the LORD, all the earth.
Psalm 96:1

Toni

Like my new look?

Gee, thanks! I did it all by m'self (as Reece would say). Yes, Toni designs spared no expenses, lol. Actually, the photo is from the Creation Museum in Petersburg, KY. We visited there yesterday and I took the photo of the grounds out back. A little doctoring and dressing, and Bamm! You gotch yerself a new blog header.

Toni

'TIS GOOD TO BE BACK.

I'm baaaack. The trip to Ohio to see family was fun. We took several walks in my old neighborhood, passing by my elementary school, old friends' homes, families I used to babysit for, the field where Carl and I used to walk our first "baby" (our Chocolate Lab who is no longer living), my old neighborhood pool and the first house we owned together.

The kids swam in the kiddie pool, rode bikes, played with their cousin Colin, had fun sleeping together in the spare bedroom and of course got lots of spoiling from Nana and Papa.


And they loved the fireworks display put on by the little country town of Rochester.

We sat out in the middle of a field surrounded by corn, for a completely unobstructed view and a reasonable crowd. It's a well kept secret as fireworks displays go back home. Uncle Scot and Aunt Lori joined us again this year, for which we were all grateful.


We decorated with a horse theme for Olivia's eighth birthday. She kept asking, "Will all my aunts and uncles be there?" This was obviously very important to her and I'm thankful that, yes, they all came through for her. She wrote me a thank you for the horse theme, so I'm assuming it was to her liking, lol. Seriously though, what girl doesn't adore horses at eight years old?!


The drive home from Ohio was both long and interesting. Long because we left Ohio at 4:15pm and arrived home at midnight. Interesting because we passed through several dinky towns on the way, one of which took pride in its "Cornhole Under the Lights" tournament that was in progress as we passed by. That was a definite first for me. That same town sported a resident who felt compelled to paint his personal car exactly like Tony Stewart's Home Depot nascar. No doubt, he was a contender at "Cornhole Under the Lights."


I did manage to completely unpack everything we had taken to Ohio when we got back (I usually leave it in the middle of my bedroom floor for, oh say, three weeks before getting the itch to tackle it.)

And I'm now busy, along with Carl, putting in a perennial garden and stone walking path. We started at 8am today. As of 11pm tonight, we were watering it in and planning on adding more setting sand around the stones and wood shavings in the beds tomorrow. Grass seed would have been so much easier. I'm no gardener, my friends. I can't tell you the names of most of the plants we purchased. I just know they're sun loving perennials and that was good enough for me. I'll post a few pics once we finish this
beast joy of a project.

And finally, I have some very tragic news to share with you,as the family covets your genuine commitment to pray for them. An 11 year old girl, Kaitlyn, whose family used to be part of our large homeschool group, accidentally drowned in the bath tub yesterday. She had flu-like symptoms, her father was home at rest at the time, and her mother is due for a c-section delivery this week. These are the only details I know of at present. There are other siblings in the home and Kaitlyn and her 13 year old sister, Tara, were inseperable. The family is in deep grief and the mother has asked for "prayers, prayers, prayers."
Please join me in honoring her only request at this time.

Toni

What a prize!

Those great sisters over at 5minutesformom.com have done it again. Check out this July 4th Giveaway! Isn't it grand? I'll be absent for a few days here due to my own holiday plans. After all, it's my Olivia's 8th birthday on the 5th! So I'll "see" you soon. Have a great 4th of July and get on over there and enter the contest.

Toni