Slippers, Slippers, Everywhere

It is great to see a new post whenever you decide to steal a moment to read blogs so I thought I should post something new, too. The problem is most days I don't know if I am coming or going. Take today for instance, I was up by 5:30 a.m., driving one child to their pick up point, coming home, at 7:30 a.m. driving a second child to their drop-off point then driving home, then picking up again at noon then stalling for 1 hour to go to piano/guitar for two of the children, then returning home only to leave again at 6:15 for AWANA. Somewhere in between the dropping off and picking up I managed to do a little laundry, a little school, plan a council time for AWANA, make 2 meals, etc. etc.

No wonder my blogs aren't too exciting. My life is a little crazy right now. However, in the midst of all my comings and goings I see many people each day. Now here is my latest agitation with people: How they dress or the lack thereof? I know I run the risk of offending some of you in blogland, but I am willing to take my chances. Lately, I have seen so many people running around in what appears to me to be house shoes or slippers to some. I think house slippers belong at home or at least in the house. Do these people not own shoes appropriate for outdoor wear? Have they all recently had foot surgery therefore need "slippers" in the middle of winter? Has our life really been reduced to such a "who cares" attitude about our clothing? How about hair? Do some of them really not own hairbrushes? People really seem to take the casual approach to everything. Maybe it is because I feel better when I am "dressed" for the day complete with make-up, hair combed, street shoes, clean shirt and jeans and most days even a "jacket". Perhaps the new style of "dressing" and I use that term loosely, really is acceptable and I have just been spending far too much time in the car and no time watching "What Not to Wear".

A Different Valentine's Day

Yesterday was such a fun and exciting day for us. Our church took three teams to AWANA Bible Quizzing competition. First we had the preleminaries and all three of our teams ended up in the finals. That was very exciting. One of the teams was 7th and 8th graders (TREK) and the other two were high schoolers (Journey 24/7). Each of the three teams was awarded third place in the preliminary rounds.

However, at day's conclusion our TREK team was awarded FIRST place and we didn't think it could get much better than that and then one of our Journey 24/7 teams won FIRST place, too. We were beside ourselves. Did I mention that one of my children was on each of the winning teams? YEP! That was such a highlight. I can't tell you the thrill of knowing how they have hidden God's Word in their hearts and minds. I was one of the coaches for the TREK team and so now I have many of those verses in my heart and mind as well. I have to admit, it was one of the best Valentines Days ever!

The D List

Following the lead of my blogger friends, I am picking up the Thankful List with the Letter D.



1. Daughters: I am so very thankful for all of my dear daughters. They are such a source of joy and encouragement. I am delighted and honored to be the mother of all five of them.



2. Dark chocolate: It is my favorite and I am so glad it is finally in vogue and not so difficult to find. If you add caramel and nuts it becomes a true delicacy.



3. Dads: I have been very blessed to have 2 in my lifetime. My biological Dad who passed away when I was 19 and my other Dad whom mom married the same year I married my husband. Dads are dependable and true defenders of their daughters. These two men have truly set an example of how my heavenly Father truly cares for me.



4. Dinner: I am thankful for family dinners. It is the meal we always try to eat together. We like dining out or dining in, but I may have a little trouble being thankful for dishes especially dirty ones, although even those mean we much have had food in them and for that I am grateful.

5. Days of Praise: The devotional book that I use to daily focus on The Word.

That's my 5 D's. Someone pick it up with E.

Five Syllables or More Please

We have been doing a funny thing at our house. In a motivational effort to get the children to increase their vocabulary and promote a bit of English to boot, I offered the children twenty-five cents for each 5 syllable word they use correctly in the course of everyday conversation. It has been fabulous to hear their carefully thought over sentences as well as the ones that they use incorporating a multiplicity of words.

I felt especially successful in my endeavor when Mark (who is 5) began to use the word syllable correctly in a sentence. He pronounces each word quite dra ma ti cal ly to see if he can earn a quarter. What began as a passing thought has turned into quite the business for my little entrepreneurs. The older girls were so successful that I had to increase their syllables to 6. They have to work harder, but they don't seem to mind.

Is Procrastination a Spiritual Gift?

Ok, I know it isn't, but if it was then I am abundantly blessed with it. I have thought of so many ways to get out of doing what I am supposed to be doing which is getting the house photo ready. I even worked in the garage today! That is desperation at its finest.

I am not one to wish my life away, but it will be nice for me to look back on this blog when the moving is all done and see that I survived yet another move. I think I will try to take one day at a time, just accomplish what I can find the energy for and move on from there. Oh dear, did I say move in that last sentence, see I just can't get away from it.

Thank you all for those encouraging words from the last blog. Now in order to encourage myself I am going to try to list a few things that I accomplish concerning this move. Today I put away some winter items, I sent about 6 more bags of give away to my car, I have begun to make a list of things to go into boxes for storage, and I have begun to collect boxes for that purpose.

OK, at least I did a few things and after all tomorrow is a new day. I'll keep you posted! Literally!

Meager Moving Progress

Moving has been such a way of life for me that one would think that I absolutely adore it. Not really, but it does give life a few twists and turns and never allows it to get boring. I have heard about boredom, but haven't had a chance to experience it for myself.

So we are on the move again. I am trying to get our house ready to be marketed. Any tips for getting rid of things and making the rest of the "stuff" look great please send my way. I long to have my sister nearby to help with this awkward task. I took two huge black trash bags of clothing to Goodwill today and that was from my closet only. Those who know me well would be extremely proud of me because just after I dropped my donations by the truck at Wallyworld I went in to buy a few necessities. While there I happened by clothes (you know that is on the way to anything for me), there were some adorable "jackets" for only $3. It was a struggle, but I passed them up simply by thinking about having to hang one more thing in my house.

I really need to make a checklist so I can see my slow progress in clearing and cleaning, but I am afraid of being overwhelmed if I actually write it all down. I have been able to remain reasonably sane because The Lord has been more than gracious which I feel is a direct result of much prayer by my friends.

Any encouraging thoughts or words would be greatly appreciated as I work through this chapter in my life.