Hmm… we get the feeling that Christmas isn't really your area of expertise, but that's not going to prevent you from celebrating. You love trying new things, and this year, you're ready to bring your own special touch to the holidays. If it doesn't work out (let's say, hypothetically, that you end up ruining everything), you might want to leave Santa in charge of future gift-giving. On the plus side, your unorthodox approach to the holidays might just win the heart of a secret admirer! Keep an eye out for sweet, sorrowful rag-doll types.

Found over at Candy's.

home again

We've made it home. The kids are at friends' house already. I'm sitting at Martelli's enjoying some time on the net and coffee.

Christmas was good. The kids made out like bandits this year. Their aunt and uncle (my sister and brother) got together and got them both a $100 gift card. Breezy's to Old Navy and Chaz to American Eagle. We converted Breezy's to an Old Navy/Gap/Banana Republic card. Grandma and Grandpa gave them both a gift card to Best Buy. Another aunt gave Chaz an Itunes card to use with his Zune and Breezy a card to Claires. Last aunt gave Chaz some clothes and Breezy a couple snazzy little purses for Breezy. Last brother is taking them to the Senior Bowl on the 26th. This is the second year they get to go and they get to go to the meet and greet with the players before the game as well.

In February, they'll both get $150 each as well. Their dad sent money that we used on bills and Christmas so I give them the full amount when tax refund comes in. On top of that, I'll add another $50 so they'll get a little shopping done then. I'll send them with friends though. I'm not sure I can handle the mall any more!

I got a gift card to Martellis, Target, and Joanns. I gave the kids money to buy me gifts. They did well. Breezy picked out the awesome pottery I showed her at Cordova Mall and Chaz chose a set of plates in my favorite color from Target. They both visited the glass blower booth at the mall. One piece says Mom with a heart and rose and the other is a brightly colored rooster. What they didn't realize was I used to collected the little glass blown pieces and had given them all away several years ago when we didn't have room for them. So these are extra special. :o)

I played 313 against my sister yesterday and this morning. Final score? Me - 4 wins, Her - 10 wins. So to say the least, I've had my tail kicked at cards this week! LOL

And the funny part of Christmas was Sunday night. We've had our tree up for 2 weeks with just lights on it. Sunday night I went to the laundry room to get the decorations and found the bag of beads that has been missing for 7+ months!!! That bag of beads has been a running joke between Andrea and I for months. And now I find it!

I did make 2 bracelets, 1 anklet, 3 pairs of earrings and 3 necklaces in the last 2 days. The one I'm wearing is the boldest. It's got tiny seashells, orange, olive, and turquoise glass beads, wood beads, some coral, a few pewter beads, and some little tiny birds made from shell. I think it's the bomb-diggity. Andrea will laugh when she sees it. Those orange beads are another running joke between us.

The other two necklaces are 6 feet long. One in black and red using red coral, new picasso jasper, and black glass beads. The other is peace jade, amethyst, and glass beads. Both of these have little birds in them as well. I'm hoping to sell them both. My sister seems to think I need to charge $60 a piece for them. We'll see.

Last week was the 5 year anniversary of my divorce. February will mark the the end of 8th year I've been single parenting. It's been tough. Sometimes I get frustrated being alone. I feel majorily unappreciated. Other times, I'm very content to be a single parent. I don't have to deal with things other single parents have to deal with. You know, like the kids being at one parent's house one week and the other parent's house the next week. Two sets of rules. We have one set of rules. Mine.

I'm trying to raise my children to walk with God. He is the final authority on things in our house. If their dad was involved, then we'd have one house following God and one who's not. And in that house is an alcohol problem and a lack of respectfulness. I'm not sure I could deal with that. So I'm grateful for being alone in that way.

Still.... One day.

God, I am grateful for a year of new beginnings. A year of the new. A year of changes and things to come. I am grateful for my children, my family, my church family. I am grateful for a great job (even when I don't feel appreciated).

kids

Here's a pic of the kids from the youth Christmas party on the 16th. The pics aren't quite lined up as Chaz is almost 8 inches taller than Breezy. But good nonetheless. And Breezy actually had on a dress! yah!

Merry Christmas....

I'm sitting with a friend at Martelli's enjoying coffee, conversation, and a surf around the net.

The surfing part found this unique piece at Etsy. Absolutely fabulous. And pretty reasonably priced too for the uniqueness.

I have only 2 gifts left to purchase for Breezy. A pair of straight leg jeans and a hair straightener to go. My little girl is becoming a girly girl although she'll deny it! LOL

Chaz's gifts are done. I picked up the Zune two weeks ago.

It's been a good lead into Christmas though. I got several gift cards. Walmart, Target, Joann's and Martellis. The Walmart one went on gasoline (ugh) and food. Martellis was half used this morning. I didn't expect anything but got majorily blessed. I'm so grateful. :o)

My sister was supposed to come down today. Things have changed and now the kids and I will spend the weekend by ourselves which isn't necessarily a bad thing. We'll get a little shopping done. I'm going to take them to the mall and give them money to purchase gifts for each other. I'll probably give them money to spend for me. Who knows what delightful thing I might get? LOL

Christmas day, after gifts are open, we'll visit friends around the west side of town. Quiet and busy. Tis good.

Almost time to head out. Merry Christmas!

I forgot to post this last night so here are my thoughts/happenings for the last week. Imagine my surprise when I could get to Blogger from work. *thud* LOL

- - - - - (yesterday's post) - - - - -



Yeah, I know it sounds lame but am I inspired or what? My mind kicks into overdrive when I see some of the beautiful things made on etsy.

Thanksgiving was good. My mom and her husband, my brother and his SO, my sister and her 2 sons, and Breezy, Chaz, and myself. Everybody brought something (or several somethings) and nobody slaves over a stove for hours before dinner. What more can you ask for?

Friday, my sis wanted to go Christmas shopping so I joined her. It's going to be an Alabama Christmas around my house. Chaz wants a Zune and Breezy wanted "a shiny ring." I managed to get the ring but missed the special on Zunes at Radio Shack.

Saturday was Casting Crowns, John Waller, and Leeland. I had no idea that the song I've been singing for weeks was by Leeland. The concert was hemmed in prayer. Someone from Premier Productions came out before the concert started and prayed over the concert. John Waller led off with a song called "blessings and curses." It really gets you thinking whether you're speaking blessings or curses over your own life, the lives of your children, friends, family, etc. Leeland was great. Casting Crowns. They were phenomenal as always. This is the 5th time I've seen them. Music that worships God and makes you think at the same time about your walk and how you are affecting others. Their second set after the World Vision break was great. Before they ended, they prayed over the audience. Prayers for children, families, marriages, youth, pastors. It was awesome.

I got to go to dinner with PB and RF before the concert. The company was fabulous. The food delicious. Can't ask for much more than that. :o)

Chaz has been moved up to Varsity full time as of yesterday. He's been catching grief from some of the guys because he's been floating back and forth from JV to Varsity. He's getting huge amounts of play time as well. I told him that it took everything I had to keep from saying something to several young girls who were mouthing off about him during the first game. Breezy said the same thing about some of the JV boys who were complaining. We both decided we didn't want him to catch more grief over being a "momma's boy" or having his sis stick up from him. He told us last night that had that occured, he would have turned around and told them "at least my mom and sister care enough to stick up for me." How cool is that.

Breezy has her first chorus performance coming up. She's not particularly pleased about the dress but she looks so good in it. This afternoon, a friend from church is taking Breezy out for the evening. They are going to visit the friend's beautician and have their nails done and maybe Breezy's hair cut/colored (normal colors). Breezy is so excited.

- - - - - (end yesterday's post) - - - - -

Well, it's Friday and I'm grateful. Chaz played soccer last night. He's seriously disheartened. He was on JV and got to play quite a few games with the Varsity and was playing the majority of those games. He was officially moved to Varsity on Wednesday and spent less than 22 minutes on the field. He wants to move back down to JV and feels as if he wasn't need.

Breezy had such a good time with our friend. Her nails are a lovely shade of dark blue. Her hair has been trimmed/cut and highlighted slightly. She looks like a million bucks. Oh wait, she always does! LOL. They also made a trip out to the mall and she got a pair of straight leg jeans. Boy is she excited about them. She says they are the most comfortable pair of jeans ever. She revised her Christmas list (did she have one?). She wants another pair or two (if on sale) of them. That may be doable.

I spoke to my two sisters who both live in this area. It looked like we weren't going to get together for Christmas at all due to conflicts in schedules and/or transportation. It's settled now and everyone will be coming to our house on the Sunday before Christmas. The kids and I will get to attend the first service at church and my Mom will work half the morning. Our hopes are my youngest sister will be able to get off work. We'll say a prayer for that.

Today was supervisor visit for work. She got here before I did (and I get to work around 7:30) and was already meeting with our nurse. I guess she did everything she needed to before I got here because I only spoke with her for a couple minutes. *shrug/head scratch*

Well, I'm outta here this time. We have soccer tonight and nothing to do tomorrow but clean house and put up the Christmas tree. Sleeping in is on the agenda. *s*

etsy and beads

I am surfing etsy again. When I found this necklace, it made me smile. Just fun. Something a little out of the ordinary.

And it reminded me that when I make someone something or make something to sale, I want the person to smile when they see the piece of jewelry and enjoy wearing it. Or enjoy giving it as a gift.

Last night and earlier today, I made an amazonite necklace, bracelet, and earrings. I wore the necklace to church and a lady offered to buy it. Then asked if I would make earrings and a bracelet to go with it. (I'll post a picture later.)

I can now say I've made my first pair of earrings and I'm thinking I need to make more. I've been wearing the same pair of post type earrings for months. Maybe it's time to switch to something different.

We are out of school this week. The kids will stay home tomorrow while I come clean up in the bookstore/tape store at church and train 2 new people to work in it. Yah! Volunteers! We needed someone new to help. :o)

We are also really looking forward to going to my sister's and Mom's over the break. Thanksgiving will be at Mom's and we'll spend two nights at my sister's.

Time to go. My son is starving again. Can't keep him fed. *sigh*

creativity

This is my first pottery piece ever. It's sitting on my desk at work. The top of it is actually a lime-ish green. Very cool.


This is the first thing I've made with my new beads. Driftwood, amazonite beads, african turquoise beads, a sterling fish bead and two sterling round beads. I'm wearing it today. My friend thinks I'm a nut but no biggie. She thinks that most of the time! LOL


I need to redo this one. I twisted the pendant portion of it too much and it is near breaking. Seashell, ocean jasper, and amazonite.

On to the next thing!

creativity!

My mind is spinning. Oh wait! That's nothing new.

Yah!

My friend's son has been located. He managed to find an apartment to rent and sent his mother and caseworker an email saying he found it. She still has not talked to him but is very happy he has been found. She and her significant other canceled their trip overseas during spring break so she could go look for him. Now she will go see him to help him set up instead. Thank you Lord!!!!

Chaz played soccer with the Varsity team tonight. They won. He played with the JV team Wednesday night and they won as well.

Today is BEAD DAY! Our bead order came in. I was rather surprised to see one of the strands I wanted the most I had not put on our order. Next time I guess. The amazonite is gorgeous. I'm excited to make stuff now.

I'm headed home from A's house soon. She's gone to pick up one of her kiddos.

See ya later. Maybe from the coffee shop tomorrow?

worship

If anyone reading is a praying person, please keep my friend KB's son in your prayers. He is an autistic adult who has been living up north for all of his life. He has recently become homeless and his caseworker cannot find him. His Mom is worried sick. The temperatures in their area has been in the 30's. Please pray that he is found quickly and in good health and for KB to have peace. Thank you.

I'm sitting at church listening to the youth band warm up for the worship service tonight. It blows me away every time how good they are and how they lead the youth (and grown-ups) into the presence of God. Gives me goosebumps thinking about it. I'm ready for tonight's worship.

Tomorrow night is night of worship for big church. All three campus worship leaders get together to lead worship for an hour and a half. Very good.

Report cards came out last week. Breezy made A/B honor roll (GPA: 3.71). Chaz had 3 A's, 3 B's and 1 C (GPA: 3/14). This is much better for both of them this year. I'm so proud of them. Yah!

Almost time for me to go pick Chaz up from his soccer practice. His first official game is tomorrow. He's going to be playing with jv. Later.

tired of...

The old layout. While this one isn't perfect, I like the different header image. I didn't like reading the text in the title. Ya know, needed a image. Corrected the Globe of Blogs link.

Maybe I'll play with it later. I've not figured out this css stuff and it's downright confusing. I may have to get a book to figure it out.

The kids and I, and a friend and two of her children are headed to the Old Farmhouse Craft show. Never know what you may find there.

It's a gorgeous weekend. I think we need to be outside since I do that so little.

whoa...

God is good all the time. Even in the middle of my stuff, He's good.

School is going well. Report cards come home this week. Chaz made the soccer team. He'll be alternating between the Varsity team and the Junior Varsity team. Breezy is singing with a youth band at church and they'll get to sing at the church's FunFest on Wednesday. They've been practicing hard.

I'm actually typing this entry from my laptop. Yes, once upon a time I said I'd never own a laptop and if given one, I'd sell it and buy a desktop. But over the last few months as I think about college and convenience, a laptop was looking more and more sound. 2 weeks ago today, I thought abut that vow (yes, that's what it was), I realized I needed to break the vow. So I prayed and asked God to forgive me for making the vow and broke it. A few days later, I was visiting a friend and the conversation turned to computers. I told her I was looking to buy a laptop with my tax refund check in February. She offered me a computer to use until then and pulled out a Sony Vaio laptop. As we were cleaning her stuff off the hard drive, she looked at me and asked if I would be offended if she offered me the laptop. She said she'd understand if I said no because I wanted to pick out my "own" laptop later. I accepted! This computer is so much more than anything I would have bought with my tax refund. The screen is huge! There is still warranty left on it and it's transferrable. (Already got a new battery for it) What a blessing! She's the bomb-diggity! She told me that since she uses an apple it's harder to transfer back and forth to the Windows platform. Yah! Thank you for my friend and thank you God!

Casting Crowns is coming in concert next month. A friend and I decided to go but had not purchased tickets yet. Today, I got a phone call from someone who said he had 3 tickets to the concert that were available. They had been given to him to bless someone else. Whoa! Yah! So, my friend and I and the friend who gave me the laptop are going to see Casting Crowns next month. My favorite group!

We are doing the Truth Project at the church. Last night we saw the "how great is our God" video done by Louie GiglioThis" is a great description of it by Kyle (google is your friend). WOW! God is so cool. And to think the stuff that holds us together is Laminin and it's shaped like a cross and the cross holds us to God. Dude. Way cool.

Work has been busy. But I discovered something last week that I didn't think about for the first two months of school. My computer was changed out over the summer from a full size (HUGE) monitor to a flat one. What a difference in the clutter on my desk. There is none! I moved my pampered chef pen/pencil holder to a side desk and when I come in the office, my desk is clean. It's a pleasure to come to work and see the desk empty. The days have been flying by. I'll look up at the clock and it'll be 12:20 p.m. and I wonder where the first 4 hours went! It is good!

Anyway, that's enough for now. I am wonderfully made and wonderfully blessed. I have two healthy children (one of which turned 15 last week). I have a great job that I like almost all the time. I'm part of a beautiful church that preaches God's word and reaches out to others. We have a great home, a vehicle, amazing friends and family. God is good!

Busy week both at work and at home. A few new discoveries. A few lessons. Just what we all need. Right?

Pastor Josh preached the first part of "Welcome to the Family." God brings us into His family and calls us to love one another as we love Him. How we have a tendency to allow gossip to color our world and view of others.

Unfortunately, I have done that a couple times in the last year. I've been guilty let someone else's personal feelings color my view of people. People who while I didn't always agree with what they did, I knew they were good and godly people. And for a short time, I viewed them differently. Both times God pointed it out to me rather sharply. Ouch! I'm sorry for listening to the gossip, participating in it, and acting on it. Sorrier for not listening to the prompting of the Holy Spirit this last time that it wasn't right and listening anyway.

Pastor B is preaching on "How to Ruin Your Life" today. It's part 3 of the series. How negativity can ruin your life. He talks of how Paul was in prison and didn't let being in prison ruin his life. How Paul could have been negative and angry over being in prison yet he chose to worship God. He wrote the letters to the Corinthians.

Three of the ladies from the choir sang "Anyway" by Martina McBride. What an amazing rendition. I'm glad it's going to be on today's recording of the service. So good, I can't wait to hear it again the second service!

You can spend your whole life building
Something from nothin'
One storm can come and blow it all away
Build it anyway

You can chase a dream
That seems so out of reach
And you know it might not ever come your way
Dream it anyway

God is great
But sometimes life ain't good
And when I pray
It doesn't always turn out like I think it should
But I do it anyway
I do it anyway

This world's gone crazy
It's hard to believe
That tomorrow will be better than today
Believe it anyway

You can love someone with all your heart
For all the right reasons
In a moment they can choose to walk away
Love 'em anyway

God is great
But sometimes life ain't good
And when I pray
It doesn't always turn out like I think it should
But I do it anyway
Yea - I do it anyway

You can pour your soul out singing
A song you believe in
That tomorrow they'll forget you ever sang
Sing it anyway
Yea, sing it anyway
Yeah, yeah!

I sing
I dream
I love anyway

Last night we attended a get together at our friends' home to celebrate a birthday. The birthday girl turned 20 and is from Japan. The Japanese hold a big coming of age celebration when they turn 20. There were around 30 people ranging in age from 11 to 50 at the party. Good food, DDR, ping pong, air hockey, movies and mostly good company. I didn't think I was ever going to get my kids to leave. We finally made it out of the house on the 3rd try at 11:15!!! I'm pretty sure they'd stay there all the time if I gave them the chance. Heh.

I discovered a marvelous coffee shop on Navy Blvd about a mile out the front gate of NAS. It's called Martelli's. The atmosphere was wonderful. The music was Frank Sinatra and some other singers from that era. There was a warmth to the place that made you feel at home. The pictures on the walls were vintage black and white photos of the family. Old cameras and a phonograph were part of the decor. There was actually a decorative fountain in the middle of the room as well. Lovely chess boards on a couple tables so customers could play a game. A few other board games were available as well. Free wi-fi too! The pumpkin patch mocha latte was yummy! A friend of mine told me that he and his wife go there on Sunday after church every now and again for lunch. She told me this morning that the prices are excellent and her kids love the food too. Sounds like something I need to try with Chaz and Breezy.

Got a haircut (or two). Feels like a ton of weight has fallen off my head. Whew!

Work was busy too. One of our "clients" this week was a teacher with a pretty good size "boo-boo" on his leg. He had fallen off his bike a week or so ago and the pedal gouged his leg. Then he fell while playing basketball a couple days later and reopened it. By the time we saw it, it was red and angry looking and most likely infected. He had to have been in some pain. Friday he made a doctor's appointment to get it checked. We'll find out tomorrow how bad it was.

Well, the service is nearly over and this set of DVD's is nearly done. Hafa Adai and Sayonora!

Oh yeah, I realized two weeks ago that I've been divorced for nearly 5 years. For some reason, I thought it was only 3 years. duh.

I've been trying to head home for 2 hours and we're still here! LOL

I'll write more tomorrow!

do you ever wonder?

wonder if someone cares? You know they do but it's something so far in the distance that it doesn't feel like it? I feel that way.

what a month...

And that is has been... a month since I showed up here.

School is in full swing. We drop Chaz off at high school each morning and then Breezy and I continue on to our school. She doesn't get to sit in my clinic but sits in the room right outside the door. It still doesn't completely please me but at least we have some time before her day starts to talk.

I changed a few things in how I pray for them each morning. On our way to drop Chaz off, I pray for Chaz specifically. For wisdom, peace, discernment, teachable spirit and that people would see God in all that he says and does, and for protection. Then between there and Breezy and my school, I pray the same over Breezy. Slowly their are new changes in their countenances. Good changes.

We've had our first Take Stock in Children meeting. Chaz has a new mentor. We had wanted to stay with the one from last year but that wasn't to be. Maybe this is an opportunity to reach out to the old mentor as a family instead of just an hour a week with the mentor alone? Breezy hasn't met her mentor yet but should this week.

We had the opportunity to meet with some of the international students from UWF a couple weeks ago. Some friends of mine have been working with Friends of International out of Mobile. Friends of International ministers to the international students at USA in Mobile. These friends are looking to establish the same type of relationship with the international students of UWF here in Pensacola. The get together included approximately 15 students from Korea, Taiwan, Japan, and Sweden, along with my friends, my children, and two other missionaries who are associated with our church. What an awesome time together. Time spent just talking, eatting pizza and ice cream, and playing games like pool, ping pong and sumo wrestling. You know, the blow up sumo suits? Well, that's an experience in itself. I'll have to find the pictures to share. It was hilarious.

The awesomest part of this is that Chaz who has always been against my idea of traveling back to Japan to live and work has decided he wants to learn to speak Japanese. YAH! Of course, he wants to learn Spanish as well. Breezy can't wait to go to one of the get togethers again. Which is a huge relief because I took both of them nearly kicking and screaming "I don't want to go!!!" LOL

Our pastor is celebrating his 15th year at our church. There will be a special concert tonight by Rita Springer. Yah.

Rita Springer and the rest of the Fragrant Oil team was here the end of August for a women's conference. Over 500 women came to be ministered to and refreshed with God's word.

A men's conference of not quite so many men was held a couple weeks ago. I suspect the majority of the men weren't aware I sat through the entire thing in the sound booth. God really spoke to me through the words the pastors preached. There are several things I need to deal with from my past that I thought I was over but realized I wasn't. It also reminded me that although it seems I am always with Chaz and Breezy that our time together isn't always quality time. Now to work quality time back into our schedule.

I am thinking of starting college. I'm 44 and have been fearful most of my life about college. Sounds strange but it's true. I once wanted to study art but feared that I would get there and be told what I do is crap.

The really sad part is that I can close my eyes and see a scene from 6th grade at the elementary school I attended and the word crap being used to describe somethings I had drawn. The exact person, the room, every detail so clear. Like it was yesterday. As I spoke to someone in our church about this last Sunday, she asked to pray over it with me. When she started praying, tears welled up in my eyes and I could feel the release from the fear beginning.

How often do we (me included) let the fears of the past haunt us in our living today? Way too much in my case. It's time to move on.

I skipped....

posting on my birthday. Yes, another year gone by. I turned 44 last week. It was good. A friend took us out to lunch. Hugs from my kids. Being sung happy birthday to by the VBS crew and sharing it with a gentleman whose birthday was also the 9th.

I went back to work today. Within a short time I was rather angry. Breezy cannot sit in the clinic with me any more in the mornings. The bad part of that is we are out of district and I have to provide transportation for her. It appears that she will be staying at a friend's house in the mornings and riding the bus with a friend of mine's daughter. It disappoints me alot and I know that it disappoints Breezy. Chaz got to sit in the clinic every morning before school and she can't for her last two years. I feel like she's being cheated of that time with me in the mornings.

In other things, last night was the dry run of Crossover at church. Our youth program is moving to Tuesday nights from Wednesday nights. It was awesome. Crossover has a youth band that absolutely was phenomenal last night. The prayer was awesome. I'm going to work the Turn Life discipleship program, greeting and altar ministry. Chaz is working media and Breezy will work check-in.

Well, shoot, need to scoot for now. more later.

Another week....

It has been a good week.

A movie...

Lunch with a friend and an early birthday present...

A little time spent beading. This is a necklace, anklet, and bracelet made from golden jade, tiger eye, and aventurine. It's got an oriental feel.


We went to Johnson's Beach for a birthday party yesterday. First time I've been to the beach in a couple years. I'm not particularly fond of the sand or sun for that matter. LOL The party was good. The kids had a blast. The grownups played a few games of Mexican train.



This pic is the kids goofing around at home. They're quite the clowns when they want to be.



And the last pic is one of my favorite pics of the summer. It's a little off center but too cute. Not something I made but way too cute. LOL



I've decided to make bracelets for my sister's for Christmas. I'm working on the supply list so I can place an order in September with Fire Mountain Beads.

No clay class this week because the teacher had an emergency. I may make vases as well for everyone.

I'm sitting here watching the kids practice their new drama for youth. I'm wondering when they'll actually do this one. Our new youth night kicks off on the 21st of this month. One whole night dedicated to the 6th through 12th graders. It is good. Chaz will be working the cafe, Breezy with the registration, and I'll be working greeter and TurnLife/altar ministry. Keeping up with the youth will keep me on my toes and my knees.

My nephew is now in my favorite place.... that'd be Japan for those who don't know me. He climbed Mt. Fuji in his first month there. I can't even begin to imagine having climbed it without climatizing first. Whoa.

About time to scoot. Small group starts in less than an hour.

welcome home....

Chaz and Breezy have been home for two weeks now. I barely recognized them when they came off the plane. Both have grown at least an inch and in Breezy's case, I think it was two. All the changes were not good. Breezy came back with an attitude that needs adjusting. She also brought back two pairs of shorts that aren't fit to wear in public. She said her aunt told her they "covered everything." Not! Nothing modest at all about 1/2 the clothes she brought home and she brought home alot.

VBS finished. Over 450 kids visited for at least one day. The high day attendance was 381. Low day was 331. That's alot of kids!

This has been the summer of the movies. With a friend's help (she works at the Rave so gets free admission for herself and a friend), I've seen Ocean 13, Nancy Drew, Live Free or Die Hard, Evan Almighty. Also seen Shrek 3, Spiderman 3, and Surf's Up. All of them were good.

We're supposed to go see Harry Potter 5 this week. And I read book 7. Very good. It's going to make it hard to see the rest of the movies with some of the plot lines that tied up in the 7th book in the back of my head.

Well, I'm off. The kids have a CORE meeting at the church for youth and I have a School Advisory Committee meeting at the same time.

Whoa.... 328 kids at VBS today. 418 registered. It was busy! But man, was it good.

My sister is going to bring my nephew down to stay so he can go to VBS also. She'll be here in a couple hours to drop him off.

Breezy and Chaz will be home tomorrow. I love them dearly but have been amazed by the number of people who want to meet them at the airport. At least 15 kids have asked about going to the airport. One of them is working VBS and can't leave until noon so his mom is actually going to pick him up and drive him out instead of him riding with me since I have to leave early. I talked to his mom at lunch today about it and she and I both were sitting at the end of the table crying. It makes me cry just thinking about it and typing this out even now. God is so good and He definitely has His hands on my babies.

I'm headed home. Sis called and wants me to meet her at O'Charleys for dinner and then pick up her son. That works for me.