Future Olympians?

I've never been much of an athlete but when I was little, in my imagination, I was as good as any Olympian.
I remember doing turns and flips (pitiful as they were) and somehow thinking they were impressive. Of course there was an invisible audience who cheered my every move.
These days, the older kids are having a great time watching the Olympics.
My Kayla is very into the gymnastics.
She knows the names of all the girls on the team.
She wears her hair the way at least one of the gymnasts does, in a pony tail with these particular bows holding back the loose pieces.
She reads books on gymnastics and tries to copy the moves.
All the kids spend a good bit of time flipping on couch cushions they've laid out on the floor.  Or, they hang upside down on the playground and wow their own audience.
I love watching them.  (Well, until they get mad because someone crashed into them or took too long on their turn.)
Such fun.
I foresee some gymnastics classes in our future.

A Little Off

There are parts of my day that I really don't want messed with.
Coffee in the morning, alone, while the house is still quiet.
Cereal (and plenty of it) in my chair at the table with the newspaper.
A little quiet time (30 minutes or so) in the afternoon, alone, to read or take a power nap.
And then the evening.  My favorite.  All the kids should be quiet and in their beds.
Then it's time for ice cream on the couch with Brian.  I look forward to that ALL day.
When one of these things is "off", I notice I am off.  Just a little.
(So tomorrow morning, when there is no coffee and no cereal (which there won't be), there could be reason to wave a warning flag where mom is concerned.)

Understanding a little about myself helps me understand a little more about my kids.
I asked Sammy one day what he was thinking about going to the "new church."
"Well, it's kind of frustrating."
"What's frustrating about it?"
"I don't know where my class is going to be or who my teacher is going to be."
Things are a little "off" for Sam and a whole lot of other kids.
In one way those are little things but in another, they're not.  They are big to Sam, and I would guess that the other kids coming along on this venture have their own thoughts and questions.
It's an opportunity for them to see that God provides for them, too.  That He answers their prayers and cares about the things that bother them.

So, I am remembering to pray for all these little ones (and not so little ones).
I'm waiting expectantly to see how God provides for them and grows their faith.

11 days

Just a Few Things

I just came in from the longest uninterrupted spell I've had in a few days.
Lovely.
There are enough clouds in the sky to keep it somewhat "cool" for summer and with a nice breeze, it was really nice outside.  Still reading The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie.  It's a light, fun read.  There are at least a few of you I can think of who would enjoy it.  I even closed my eyes for a while then went back to reading.  I've given up on trying to get a little nap in the afternoon- one doesn't seem to be in the cards.  There are worse things, huh?
Friday night we had our milkshakes and popcorn and watched the opening ceremonies of the Olympics.  Who knew the kids would enjoy that so much?  It was fun to see the references to English literature.
Green beans are growing like crazy in the garden.  They seem to be our most successful "crop."  So I've planted two more times, staggering by a couple of weeks.  We've been flash freezing them.  Should be good this winter.
Snapping beans is best done with someone else.  Friday Jack helped.  Seemed like a good time to talk.  We mostly talked about his thoughts on the church plant.  I've had similar conversations with Sammy and Kayla.  Can't forget that these guys are leaving their church, too.

These little guys still grab our attention.

They've been taking a break on one of the plant hangers.

Seems funny to see a hummingbird resting out there.

Wednesday Odds and Ends

It's almost time for the Olympics!   Can't wait for the opening ceremony- we're having homemade milkshakes and popcorn.  Our library stack includes books about the Olympics this week.  Also, a book for me called The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie.  What a great title!  It was recommended at Amy's blog.  I thought it would have something to do with the south (because of the title) but no- it's a mystery set in 1950 in England.  So far so good!

In other news, Jack mowed (part) of the yard this week.  First time!

Sunday school materials came in for the church plant today!  Less than three weeks!

Isn't this cute?

Sammy and our new little friend Isaac doing a "fist bump."

13 Years

There's a lot of excitement around here today.
Much like there was 13 years ago.
Our kids are excited that it's our anniversary.
So am I...
for what has been, what is, and what will be.
I've thought a lot about our grandparents lately and about marriages that have lasted well into 60 years.
I don't pretend to know all that went into their marriages, both good times and difficult ones, but I am struck that what they all did was build a life together.
Building, working, loving, raising families.
I'm sure there were unexpected turns and yet they stuck it out.  They were committed to each other and that life they lived together.
I'm thankful that we have such a heritage of long marriages.
I am thankful for my husband and this life we have with each other.
Looking forward to many more years with my groom.
Happy Anniversary!

Beans and Books

We just had a really nice rainstorm.  Things are clearing off now- probably pretty humid out.
I got another bowl full of green beans in from the garden.  Lucy likes to pick a few with me then just hold the bowl.  Fresh green beans cooking on the stove is one of my favorite smells.  Maybe another memory trip back to summers at the grandparents?

This weekend was a busy one.  The kids and I did some shopping for the church plant- crayons, scissors, a few baby toys, etc...  Brian and the older two cleaned his new office.  Two more Sundays left then we launch!  People are working so hard- pray for our group if you think about it!

Brian went to the Goodwill book store and found this:

1948!  The pages have that old book smell.  Think I'll read it again just because I have a "new" copy.

Rain!

Play in the rain, anyone?