Mall Madness

This morning we celebrated Bailey's 7th birthday with a Mall Madness party. Since Bailey's idea to take all of her friends shopping and buy something in every store didn't quite match our party budget, we compromised with a scavenger hunt through the mall.

Just before the carousel and towards the end of our journey, I was approached by Barney Fife and asked if we were doing a scavenger hunt. When I said yes, he informed me that we should cease and desist. Even though 98% of my questions were answered without entering a store, apparently we were still breaking mall rules. Whatever. Fortunately the girls' mood was undampered by the abrupt end to our quest. After all, it was almost time for pizza.

Did you see the adorable cake? Peggy outdid herself again. I love that I can just tell her what we're doing and she works magic each and every time.

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Mall security aside, I think the party was a success. What bunch of six and seven-year-old girls wouldn't want to traipse through the mall on any given Saturday?

Oh, and by the way, ROLL TIDE!! :)

(Alabama 34 - Clemson 10)

Politics and Potty Training

Although I'm afraid this may be as premature as President Bush dressed in flight gear standing on the deck of an Aircraft Carrier, after five days I feel like we are super close to being able to say Mission Accomplished!

We started on Monday, and by yesterday morning I was just about ready to give up. But ever since then we've had no accidents, 2 self-initiated trips to the potty, and a dry nap and nighttime (don't know about nap yet today, but I'm really hopeful!) This is half of what has contributed to my fantastic mood today...
Last diaper on Monday.
First time in training underwear on Monday.
Big Boy Underwear! (Yes, when I gave him the reward of the big boy underwear, he wasn't interested in putting them on his bottom. He's convinced that the head is where you put these things. Hopefully this will resolve itself.)

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The other reason for my jubilant mood is McCain's veep pick. I am STOKED about this woman, Governor Palin. I truly can't think of a better choice for this race (well, maybe Condi, but she was never interested.) I LOVE that there is indeed a woman on the ticket this time around and that she is on my side. At first blush she seems absolutely perfect.

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I've been listening to talk radio all day to see if my reaction was shared by the masses, and I can tell you that the base is absolutely on fire about this choice. For the first time since McCain was chosen, people are actually excited about this race. I know that's true for me. I'm going to start paying attention, but not because I have to like I thought it was going to be. I can't wait to see Governor Palin in action against Senator Biden.

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Their reaction to her today was perfect. Guys, you may want to be careful with the whole "lack of experience" argument. That's going to be a hard sell for "I voted present."

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Now I'm totally looking forward to next week, and maybe even the next few months. I'll echo McCain's own words to Senator Obama... "Senator, job well done!"

Have you seen McCain's ad for Obama's big day? Absolutely brilliant. I must admit, so far I'm pretty impressed with how he's run his campaign.

We'll see how things go after tonight's coronation on Mt. Olympus. Now I understand that the reason they had to change the venue was because Invesco Field is the only place in Denver big enough to hold the great Senator's enormous ego.

Last week at the beach I read "To Kill a Mockingbird," by Harper Lee. I had never read this before, nor seen the movie, but had a vague idea of what it was about. I figured there was a reason it is one of the most famous novels in American Lit and a Pulitzer Prize winner, and it seemed like a good thing to do. For some reason I had never been assigned this book in school, perhaps because of the "n" word sprinkled throughout.

When I mentioned to a friend that I was going to read it for the first time, she exclaimed, "Oh, you are so lucky!" It seemed like a funny comment at the time, but now I know what she meant.

If you have never read this book, it is so worth your time to do so. The writing is exquisitely elegant, and to be savored like a delicious desert. The story is heart-wrenching and yet there are moments where you will laugh out loud. The spotlight on the racism of the post-Civil War south is brutal, and yet points to the greater evil of ignoring human suffering all around the world, which we still do today.

My three favorite quotes from the book:

When Atticus' son Jem asks through his sobs how the jury could have convicted a man so obviously innocent, he says, "They’ve done it before and they did it tonight and they’ll do it again and when they do it—it seems that only children weep."

Jem says to Miss Maudie, "I always thought Maycomb folks were the best folks in the world, least that's what they seemed like." She answers, "We're the safest folks in the world. We're so rarely called on to be Christians, but when we are, we've got men like Atticus to go for us."

A conversation between Dill and Aunt Alexandra:
"I ain't cynical, Miss Alexandra. Tellin' the truth's not cynical, is it?"
"The way you tell it, it is."

I don't know why exactly, but those last two quotes really jumped off the page at me. This was truly a literary experience, much more so than just reading a book. If you haven't had it yet, find the time. It is so worth it.

Fay's Arrival

Why I'm Not Blogging

Hands down, my favorite week of homeschooling ever...

When we were at the fair the other night my parents took Bryant and my nephew Cooper to the "Little Farmers" area. I hate that I missed this...
Not quite sure where he learned that.

Last night Jeff surprised me with a birthday celebration at Bosco's with some of my most favorite people in the world. There was a book I loved in my teen years called "The Luckiest Girl." That's how I've felt over the past couple of days. I am overwhelmingly blessed.


This is what I ate, a black bean and goat cheese tamale. It was DE-LISH! I'm so glad this place didn't have chicken fingers so I was forced to branch out and order something crazy.

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Afterwards, the few and the brave went to see Mamma Mia! I think they are still my friends...

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Love you all! Hope the weather wherever you are is as amazing as it is here today. Who knew it could be 79 degrees at lunchtime on August 9? Dang that global warming!

In case you haven't seen the news, this is Raymond Geisel. He's the first public arrest for threatening to assassinate Barack Obama. Apparently he was running his mouth enough to warrant an arrest, which uncovered a bunch of nasty weapons. He came off a tiny bit crazy in his interview as well.

Up until now I've really tried to ignore all of the talk about Obama being assassinated, mainly because I just didn't want to deal with it. When I hear that there are people in this country who will never allow a black President, I bristle, because I always take it as an assault on white southerners, even if it's not specifically intended that way. I hate the idea of the rest of this nation thinking that everyone who lives in my demographic area is hell-bent on killing the man rather than having a black man for President.

The fact is there are plenty of crazy people out there - and not just in the South, and not just racists. Who knows how many attempts on George W. Bush's life have been thwarted by hard-working Secret Service who don't play around with threats? We just don't hear about them. There are people out there who I'm sure would like to assassinate any President, just because there always have been.

However, this morning I'm feeling especially compelled to pray for Obama, and to continue to do so. I pray for his safety, because I'm not wishing any physical harm on the guy, no matter how much his plans for this country terrify me. But if someone were to even publicly attempt an assassination on him, even if it were unsuccessful, can you imagine the backlash it would bring? People who don't even like the guy would suddenly be compelled to campaign for him. It's just the way we are. And if the attack were successful, then whoever stepped into his shoes (Hillary, anyone?) would practically be a shoo-in. Race relations in this country would be set back 40 years and our country would begin to tear itself up from the inside out. We are far too stretched internationally to have to deal with a civil war at home. And a distracted nation makes an easy target that our enemies would be more than happy to capitalize on.

So please join me in praying for both of our candidates and the men and women protecting them. Senator Obama being elected President is not the worst thing that could happen to us.

My sweet husband made my annual birthday breakfast this morning before he left for work, buttered biscuits and chocolate gravy!

This is what it looks like on your plate...
This is what it looks like when you eat it...


Right now I am having an enormously fun time listening to my children watch the entire laundry cycle and marvel over each new phase. I wish I'd had the video running when the spin cycle started - it was like seeing fireworks on the fourth of July. "Whoa - that's AMAZING!"

Truly, everything takes on a new light when seen through the eyes of a child. Hope your day is filled with child-like wonder!

I'm feeling reflective tonight, and figured the blog would be a good place to get out some of what's rumbling around in my head. Tomorrow I'll turn 35 years old. I'm officially old enough to run for the Presidency. I'm at least 10 years older than most college football players. I'm equally as close to 50 as I am to 20. My oldest son will be in double digits on his next birthday and is six years away from getting behind the wheel of a car. My parents are retired and my grandparents are in their 90s. I'm officially middle-aged. Yikes.

The thing is, I wouldn't go back a single minute. I feel better physically, mentally, emotionally and, above all, spiritually than I have ever felt. God has done more in my life over the past year than all the previous ones combined. I finally feel free.

Yes, each day brings dozens of mundane tasks that have to be accomplished, like laundry and diapers and dishes. But I'm learning what it means to find God's mercies new every morning. Each day brings a new laugh from one of my children, a new reason to love my husband and another chance to dig into the treasures of the Word and find something precious to behold.

I don't think anyone who knows me well would disagree that post-India LA is a totally different person than I was before I went. It wasn't so much geography that changed me, as how God used that trip to open my eyes to things that I was either oblivious to or in full knowledge of, yet had no understanding of how to deal with.

In India I encountered many people for whom Christianity was not just a part of who they were; it was their total identity. In a land full of opposition, there is no way to half-follow Christ. When you make that choice, it permeates everything about you. While it was a tremendous joy to be around such sold-out believers, I was suddenly confronted with my own spiritual mediocrity in a way that I hadn't expected.

In many ways, I feel like I had a Damascus Road experience with the Lord this year. I feel like he temporarily blinded me with the magnitude of my own depravity so that for a time I could do nothing but cry out to Him for mercy and protection. And now that I'm on the other side, my sole purpose for living is to know Him more and share His love with a lost and dying world, some of whom don't even know they're lost.

Does that mean I've reached some sort of spiritual plateau now and God is free to move on and do something else? Far from it! There are still so many things that need to change in my heart and my flesh. Every day of life on this earth will bring further sanctification. God will always have plenty of material to choose from when it comes to helping me become more holy. I've asked Him to burn everything off of me that doesn't bring Him glory or make me more like Him. Trust me when I tell you I've got enough fuel to burn to last many lifetimes.

What has changed the most is the way I view my relationship with Him. It is more intimate than it has ever been. This year I feel like I've actually begun to know Him, rather than ever learning more about Him. He is so close, and wants desperately for me to pursue Him the way that He is in constant pursuit of me (and each one of you.) He is desperate for me to love Him more than anything else. His desire is for my worship, far more than my service. It is a beautiful thing. I love Him so.

All this to say, I wouldn't trade this birthday for a single one in my past. It is a mile marker, not only in my life on this planet, but in my walk with God. He's blessed me with an amazing support team of family and friends, and I hope you'll keep walking with me for many years to come. I can't wait to see what lies on the road ahead.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Hebrews 12:1

Images from the Fair

And that's about all the fun we could stand...

I have been taking some pics this summer, it's just rare that I find the time to post them. But here is Bailey with her latest pet, Emily the Inchworm. She adored her. Sadly, inchworms apparently don't survive long in captivity.

It cracked me up how Emily would stand straight up on Bailey's finger. Inchworms are so funny to watch. The puppets that portray them on Sesame Street really do them justice.

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I love that my daughter has a passion for bugs. It's just watching her with them is sometimes like the abominable snow rabbit on Bugs Bunny. "I'll hug him and love him and name him George. And when he is bad I will punish him..."

A couple of days ago, my brother-in-law gave Bryant a little bitty skateboard so that he could join in with Brad and Cooper. Since they don't make pads this small, that I'm aware of anyway, here he is all decked out in Bailey's princess pads and helmet, ready to grind the rails or whatever they do. (I can promise you that I only know that phrase from my son, and I'm still wondering where he picked it up and whether it is appropriate for me to say.)

He does look awfully stinkin' adorable, doesn't he? He just can't help himself, bless his heart.

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Today, I finally remembered to carry my camera to the pool. Here Bryant is engaged in a rousing game of "Ring Around the Rosies." Bet you can guess his favorite part...

He is such a water bug. I can't wait to see him at the beach in a few weeks!As fun as these pics are, my boy is looking entirely too old to me.
This is where Bailey spends the majority of her time, underwater. Most of the time when I'm looking for her I have to not panic and just wait a few minutes until I see her head pop up above the surface. She came by it honestly, at least, because Jeff is the exact same way. He stays down there forever.

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Here's hoping your day brings this much fun! Happy August. :)