I realized that I had left out quite a few things that happened over the course of the last month. So to update...

Yang is now completely Pull-up free! He has been using pull-ups as an excuse to not go potty. I've known that for a while, but didn't want to mess w/ it. So, the week before CXT, I forgot to put a pull-up on him when I put him to bed, and he woke up dry. That was it! He's had an accident or two because he forgot he wasn't wearing a pull-up, not because he didn't know he needed to go. Those "uh oh" looks are priceless!

Ying had so much fun in the Science Adventure at CXT, that she came home the first night running around, looking for supplies to "pufo-am an expewiment" She caught the science bug! She was just precious. We stayed up late that night so she could re-create the laboratory for us.

I hope I can continue to encourage the wonderment of learning about God's world like that. It's one of the blessings of homeschooling, so I can follow her interests so school never gets too boring! I must admit, science and the related experiments have really suffered this year, due to Cindy Lou Who's arrival. We didn't do much science at all. I'll have to put more focus there since she enjoyed this so much.

Thing2 went on his first high school youth group trip to Cornerstone Music Festival. He loved it!! He said going a whole week w/o playing was tough. He missed it so much, especially listening to all the bands playing. He said he went to a music writing workshop on the last day and was sorry he didn’t catch them all. He really missed Elvis, though. I think T2 was looking forward to bonding w/ him over the week.

Thing1 decided she was sick of waiting on me to “take care of” the basement, so she enlisted (actually, I’m told it was his idea) Pierced’s help and they shoveled everything into boxes and pitched it all. I was mortified! The first day, I just tried to focus on her service and not make a big deal that she threw things away that I would have kept, but then I made the mistake of looking in the trash… Did I mention that was a big mistake?

In the trash, among other things, I found pieces of our vacuum cleaner (you know, the attachments that always get lost if you don’t “attach” them?) brand new books (the trash, mind you, not the Good Will box) all the puzzles (complete w/ all the pieces). I had difficulty maintaining my composure. I didn’t even list everything I found in the trash. So it began…

I pieced through the trash and pulled out everything I wanted to keep; getting madder and madder all the time. Then I made the mistake of thinking about what they gave away to Good Will. So, I went around the house taking inventory. I almost cried. HBM will be able to relate to this, I’m sure. There were toys the Olders had that were favorites and I was saving them for the Littles. There was curricula that I’d spent hundreds on that had been safely, I thought, packed in Rubbermaid tubs, but were in the vicinity of where the ‘whirlwind” went through. I found the empty tubs in the pantry! There were spoons, glasses and other miscellany that one wouldn’t expect to would be found among the pickings of a toy disaster, unless of course one already knew my Littles.

I worked myself up into a tizzy. Thankfully, Cat in the Hat took the day off (he strained his back) and was able to provide a buffer btwn me and the Littles. It was ugly. Then Thing1 came home from work. God was good to have her out of the house all day. I was on the war path. I tried to stay away from her, because I really didn’t want to tear her up one side and down the other, because she was really trying to help, but then I couldn’t hold it in any longer and I went off on her.

Through the course of this “going off” she was able to convey to her Dad (because I was beyond listening) that she and Pierced hadn’t actually made it to Good Will, and that the boxes were still in the garage!

I should have been relieved, but by that time, I was totally ruled by my emotions, and I was beyond “coming back”. I just had to leave the house. Thankfully, Ying had her Kuk Sul Do lesson and I was able to leave for a bit. When I got back home, I was almost back to normal.

So, you’ll be happy to know, all my children are in the same state, physically anyway, that they were in prior to this “service project”. My basement is near perfect (carpet needs cleaned and laundry is still “stuffed” in the laundry room). Ying’s room is totally cleaned and organized. And the toy baskets and school stuff in the living room is in the process of being organized. By the end of the week I will have also gone through the Good Will boxes and returned everything to its proper balance in our household.

Interestingly enough, I had just (prior to CXT) purchased these big huge shelves at a garage sale that will hold the bins for my toy library idea that I mentioned oh so many months ago. So, I just need to purchase some more bins and I can implement our toy library.

I’m sure there is more that I haven’t included, but I’m off to the church yet again, to get our mission collection to the mission.

Have a great hump day!!! --SebbieDue

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18

Those of you expecting little ones are relieved of any "heavy lifting" regarding Camp Xtreme '07! Just didn't want to put extra pressure on you. :) BTDT, and you don't need it. (We still covet your prayers, though!)

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18

Thanks so much for your prayers for my unspoken request. I ask that you continue to pray for God's will to be done. I am no longer involved...just had to get the right people talking, instead of everyone just wondering what to do. Bad situation...bad, bad, bad, any way you slice it.

I feel like it's been forever since my last entry, but it's been forever since I've had two seconds w/ more than one in-between! Now that we have only our finale tomorrow (Xtreme Worship/Xgames) I can actually think.

Pray for $$ issues related to Camp Xtreme. Even though we raised the price of the T-shirts, we still took over $200 loss on them. There are also receipts being turned in that were not approved in advance. It's not huge, but w/ budget issues being at the forefront lately, Detergent is feeling pressure. We have a donor providing for some of the big ticket items on Sunday, so that's a praise! Thanks, God!

The Seuss children have actually had a lot of fun over the last few weeks, which included several birthday parties, some camping, lots of fun grandparent time, new bikes, old friends, & more. We are so blessed. The Seuss parents have actually gotten along quite well over this stressful time as well! Kind of amazing when you find out that Mrs CitH hasn't had her medication for well over a month due to an insurance snafu. I feel badly for the Seuss children, as they received the brunt of my "reactions". Just too much stress and, you know what they say, "Better living through chemistry!" Hopefully, our new ins. cards will be available soon and this will all be a memory.

My dear friend Kimmy Sue is moving back from DC! I'm happy, but they're having trouble selling their house. They have a contract on one being built here which is due to close at the end of ...August, was it? (or is it really July and I totally missed how dire this was due to cxt-type distractions) and they still haven't had any nibbles on the one that's up for sale. They've already fired one realtor, and the new one doesn't seem to be able to pull in the buyers either. Unfortunately, the housing market has slumped and nothing is selling where they are. So, another prayer request is being solicited from all the prayer warriors! KimmySue and family need to sell their DC house fast!!

We are having some boundary issues w/ my father. He expects me to send the kids whenever he wants them. I've tried to explain that Ying is still "in school" but he seems to think I'm using that for an excuse not to send her with him. I've been so frustrated. I love that he wants to spend so much time w/ them, but he isn't as understanding about timing and things as I would hope. I think since we homeschool, he feels like we can be flexible. Well, we can, but we can't flex all the time, or we'll never get anything done. He signed Ying up for swimming lessons for the same week as Camp Xtreme, even though when he asked me, I did not waiver when I said, "No, we can't add anything else to that week." He decided he'd just keep her, so I wouldn't have to worry about driving back and forth. "What part of No don't you understand, Dad?" is what I felt like saying! But he feels like he knows better, I guess. I just didn't have the energy to argue.

At any rate, that wasn't what I had in mind for the week. And she didn't get to do any of her memory work or anything except for the one night she stayed at home, even though I asked Dad to work on it w/ her.  I felt bad for her, because she missed out on some really cool prizes. We had a disagreement about where Ying was going after Camp Xtreme Friday night, and he actually raised his voice at me in front of little kids, parents, and co-laborors. I couldn't leave as I was responsible for children at that moment (children that were not my own or I'd have dragged them out w/ me) so I had to "listen" to it. Heaven forbid I speak up. He used to be that way when I was a wayward teen. Don't know what's going on w/ him now, but we could use some prayer on that front. Man, I feel like a prayer beggar. Hope you've got some left in ya when I'm done w/ this entry!

I'm working on a Camp Xtreme process analysis, to try to avoid some of the pitfalls (ones we seem to always find) next year, and to help Detergent delegate. She's so creative and has so much to offer the kids, but she's stuck doing things where she's not gifted, and then problems result. We can discuss what the problems result from later, but I've prayed and prayed about this situation and I had a long talk w/ her over a couple of our CXT-prep "all nighters". At this point, in her mind it's all about her having enough time to do it all. In my mind, and as a result of my prayers, I think its all about two things: her giftedness and her management style. She's actually coming around to the idea of delegating more, hence the analysis.

My plan is, and you can pray about this too, that I do a little "systems analysis" of the whole process. Break it into smaller bites. Slap them in a timeline. Get it all done by the lull before the holidays. THEN RECRUIT. All Bethany-ites who are reading, you are hereby dubbed Sir/Lady Recruit (quit shaking your head, remember, it's about the kids...and spreading the work around. Also, I've already been informed by CitH that it ain't gonna go like this next year...so y'all better step up!)

I think you'll be filled with wonder when you see all that goes into CXT from a planning/preparation perspective, as opposed to a presentation perspective. It's downright amazing that it gets done every year! Truly a God thing...truly.

Thank you, Father, for covering over our human frailties and mistakes and making these weeks of CXT such a powerful learning experience for all involved; adults and kids alike. Thanks for the bonding that happens among the staff and kids, and thanks especially for letting us be part of your work. It's crazy-amazing to be involved in this and to see Your hands working, sifting, pressing, shaking, guiding, and even smacking, when necessary.

I also owe some of you an apology for complaining about some things today, that I shouldn't have complained about. You know who you are. Sometimes it's hard for me to bite my tongue, even when I know I should. James 1:26 is so convicting to me: " If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless." or how about this one: " The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell." Jas. 3:6  Good old James. Man, he gets me right in the craw, and doesn't let go...keeps talking about 'my' tongue.

Well, today was quite a day, and tomorrow promises to be another one. I'm about ready to get off work, so I better finish up, get home and get to bed.

And...no! I don't have ONE thing to do for tomorrow that has not already been done! I think this will be the first night in a month I've been to bed before 3am!!! Pray that the service goes smoothly tomorrow and that the XGames are a success!

Oh, and I'm speaking at the Women's Gathering on the 29th about Relationships (broad category, huh?) So, if you're not signed up, I'd appreciate it if you would. I talk to myself all the time, and I don't wanna waste time preparing for that! So if some of you come, that would be encouraging to me!

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18

I am computer-less as of 6/14. We're looking to get a new one, but it's on the list...the long list, and it's about halfway down the long list to boot! Right now, I'm using Boss' computer at church. Won't be here long, had to get some work done for Camp Xtreme '06 this afternoon. Thought I'd just check in and let everybody know where I am.  I'll try to keep up w/ you guys, but don't worry if I don't comment on your journals. I'm ok (and so are you). :) See many of you Sunday!!!

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18

A little advertisement before I begin my tome: 

There is a free, yes, FREE David Crowder Band concert at Island Park on 6/17! The Dustin Burke Band is opening at 6pm and DCB plays at 7:30. Thoughtcha might wanna know. :)

Thanks so much for all your prayers and emails! It's amazing what a little prayer can do for a body!

So, Sunday Cat decided to attend the graduate breakfast for Thing1. He was afraid to ask off another Sunday, so he just took off a few hours and the 3rd shift guy (he's a gem) worked over to cover for Cat. The breakfast was awesome! HBM, you did a wonderful job organizing/delegating, the cooks were wonderful, and the youth group's service was exceptional! Beef (our youth minister) asked everyone to share a story about their graduate and we listened to a few. I especially got a kick out of Stepman's mother's story about her little shananigans. Too funny! I asked Cat if he had a story yet, and he immediately got teary eyed and said he didn't think he could speak. I was verbotin to say a word. :( I wouldn't have embarrassed her...too badly! It was a nice time. I ended up taking my little Yang over to the nursery about halfway through the breakfast because he wouldn't behave. Ying did pretty well, until she started dancing and jumping to swat at the decorations. Where do these kids get this stuff!!! Argh!

I left a bit early so I could get over and teach my SS class. I asked Detergent to cover for me since I knew I'd be hard-pressed to get in there on time. That way I didn't have to rush too much. That was a good move on my part!

As soon as class was over, I drove Cat back to work, then returned in time for the communion song and med. I was actually able to settle down and worship. I so enjoyed the video they ended the service with...American Dream/Casting Crowns. The sandcastle being washed away while the guy struggled to save it from the tide was such a powerful visual. I was in tears by the time it was done. Very timely.

After worship, Thing2 loaded the Littles into the car while I went to an info meeting for a youth thing-y which lasted about 10-15 minutes. When I returned to the car, Yang was asleep. My plan was to leave him at home with Thing2 while Thing1, Ying and I went to Stepman's graduation ceremony. When we got home, I picked him up to carry him into the house, and he just "wasn't right". His color wasn't good, he was very pale and his breathing was, well, crackly is the best adjective I can think of. If you know anyone w/ asthma, you'll know the sound exactly. He awoke as I tried to lay him down and he couldn't stop coughing. It was that dry asthmatic cough. He couldn't catch his breath, and was really struggling. So I got the nebulizer and gave him a breathing treatment. He finally came around, and after a 2nd treatment was able to get a nap.

So, needless to say, we didn't make it to the graduation. Grandma was very upset. I was supposed to give her a ride and she was all ready to go when Thing2 called her. But the goofball didn't tell her that Yang was having an asthma attack, only that I was trying to get him to settle down for a nap. When I called her back and explained everything, she calmed down a bit.

After I got Yang to sleep (Ying came in and fell asleep too) I took Thing1 to Stepman's party. After all that, I was 40 minutes late to pick Cat up from work. That meant he only had 20 minutes to drive me back home and turn around and get to Cedarville for his Dad's b-day get-together. He wasn't upset. He was more worried about Yang, and a little disappointed, I think, that he was going to have to go over there alone. It's a long drive. He got back around 9 or so, and I think he had a nice time.

When he returned, I left to meet w/ Detergent for Camp Xtreme. Late nights work well because we can do everything after the kids go to sleep. I took Cindy Lou Who with me. She was great and we accomplished quite a bit. I think I got home around 2-2:30 or so.

This morning came too quickly, though! I got on the computer and worked on some CXT documents, did Ying's school stuff with her and put everybody down for an early nap! Thankfully, Yang seems to be pretty much over whatever it was that caused his asthma to kick in. He's still coughing, but he's not struggling to breath (man is that scary). So that's good. I was worried it might be an allergy to Casey, the latest addition to our family. It may just have been that little front that moved through yesterday. Both our boys are sensitive to weather changes. We used to be able to tell the weather better than any meteorologist by Thing2's asthma. He was like a barometer!!

Cat came home in a good mood and we (me and the Littles) finagled a dinner at DQ out of him. Carryout of course, but hey! I didn't have to cook!

I worked some more on some CXT stuff and headed over to the church office to work w/ Detergent again.

CLW and I are home now and winding down. Casey is finally getting used to us, I think. She warmed up to the family quickly, but the first two nights were really difficult for her...being away from her mother and 10(!) littermates. The first night she slept w/ Thing1 (because T1 snuck her into her bedroom!) and the 2nd night I made her stay in the pen. She cried a loooong time, poor thing. The third night it was a little better, and tonight she seems to be pretty used to it. I think we picked a pretty good pup. Everyone loves her...except CLW. She actually begs to play fetch! She'll run up to you w/ "favorite-toy-of-the-moment" and drop it in front of you, and excitedly wait until you toss it, then she'll run get it and bring it back! Kinda cool that we didn't have to train her to do it. She is a retriever though, so I guess it's pretty natural. :)

I feel much better about things today. Thanks again for your prayers. God is faithful and knows my needs so well. I'm glad He's put you guys in my life. I didn't realize how much I had "insulated" myself from people, and these relationships that are being built, are good for me.

Prayers for...Camp Xtreme prep, volunteers, and kids!!! Guitar (is that what I named you? I can't remember.) & family; Kimmy Sue & family (they're moving back to OH); Minnie & family; Josy & Joe and "transitions"; HBM & family; Speedy & family; Mac N Cheese & family, KK, SQ & family, Detergent & family, The Center and my clients & co-laborers there,  Cat's associate's family, and anyone else I've forgotten...God hasn't (praises) but my beady little brain is about maxed out. :)

Mood: hopeful
Currently Listening: washing machine (yes, really!)
Currently Reading: Not a darn thing, but I recently finished a Grisham novel... Painted House. It wasn't bad. I needed something light after Killer Angels...how depressing. A great read though. ...man!

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18

What a day! I had big plans and we accomplished much, but there is much left to do!!

This morning, as we were preparing to leave for church, the phone rang. It was Teacher, and she informed me she was sick: the dreaded diarrhea and a fever. She sounded so bad, I felt awful for her. At any rate, she was scheduled to teach PK for SS & Worship this morning. So she spoke to Detergent (who was leading worship in the PowerHouse this morning) and they came up w/ the following plan: I would combine our SS classes (I usually teach K) then dismiss the Kers to worship and stay w/ the PKers for the first half, then Detergent would come in and relieve me after the song service & communion, then I could go out and do "big worship". 

I was kinda disappointed because Thing2 has been fretting about this song they were playing this morning, where they play simultaneously w/ a band on the a video. He practiced w/ Elvis earlier in the week, who sent home the DVD so T2 could practice at home. Thing2 was so worried because he couldn't get it right at practice Saturday night, so anyway, I wanted to pray him through it. So I prayed w/ him before he left for worship (he leaves early and goes to 1st service w/ RhythmGuitar & family).

It's been a while since I had taught PK. I always avoid teaching my own at that age. We just need a break from each other, kwim? So, Yang was in there doing his best to exasperate me! Goodness, that boy can try my patience! (You know how they act when they know you're not going to spank them in front of the class, but you can't take them out to spank them either?) He had all the control!  I didn't have everything prepared (cutting that my Kers can do w/ no problem is a big issue for PKers) and the learning centers weren't things I would have planned if I was planning for PKers. We were painting!! Heeelllooo and SightSing were there to help me (thank you, Jesus!) and we all lived through it! I hope I didn't do too much bossing. I hate serving w/ bossy people. So, if you guys are reading this, sorry.

When I got out to the auditorium, Minister was finishing up his sermon points. So I just went back and cleaned up in my SS room and put all my supplies away. By then, it was time to pick up the Littles, so I was at the front of the line instead of the end and we actually got home before 1pm today, which is pretty good!

So, for our big plans: [begin shiver] I decided to tackle the toys today! [end shiver...ok keep shivering, it was ugly!] I informed Thing1 & Thing2 of my plans last night. I wanted to try to get it done before Cat in the Hat came home. If you've seen our toy mess, you're probably laughing right now. Why did I think we could finish in one afternoon?? Well, we made a good dent in it and the living room (den, for HBM) toys are pretty much organized and stored attractively. The basement and Ying's room are another story. Let's just say instead of being in one big 13'X15' pile in the basement, they are in a lot of little piles taking up the same amount of space! Ugh! It's sinful how many toys these kids have! Some of them are things that Thing1, Thing2 & Yertle couldn't bear to get rid of and they just "dumped" them on the Littles. At any rate, we got a good start, and maybe by the end of the week, I'll actually be able to put my "toy library" idea into practice. I think I'm going to have some difficulty with the pruning part of this plan, so send up a prayer for the Littles!

Then, next week I'll tackle the laundry! Then our books! Josy inspired me!

Cat in the Hat and Horton arrived home about 7:30. So I ran to McD's to feed everybody off the $1 menu. The Littles watched Narnia (yes, again!) while The Things and I finished up the living room. Actually, Thing1 had quit by then, but my dear Thing2 stuck it out with me! He's such a good kid. I really can't say that enough.

Well, that was my Sunday! What a day! Please pray for Teacher and family; for my two new spots, and one older spot that need filled in the PowerHouse (yes, two people have moved on to other things) Actually, if you could pray for PowerConnection recruiting in general, I'd be grateful. Some just aren't even showing up for their commitments, and we're already unable to fill existing openings. People are quickly getting burned out and quitting, so I'm truly praying for intervention here! Pray for preparations for Ladies' Day...for the song team, for Mamie, the speaker, for Girlfriend and Catch and all their prep. And for my little friends, Emily, Candace & Israel!

Blessings all! Have a great week!

Mood: Whooped!
Listening: Some infomercial...The Mantis, I think.

Reading: I'll probably finish the Shaara book before I go to bed

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with deeds and in truth. 1 John 3:18

Hey everyone! I know you're just beside yourselves that I have posted twice in so many days!!

Thursday night, the kids watched Narnia again while I did some laundry for Cat's trip. I packed everything up and had it waiting by the door so he'd have to trip over it to get out of the house. That's how we have to do things around here! Otherwise we'd be halfway down the street and have to turn around to get whatever we'd forgotten! Ugh, we are truly pitiful creatures.

So, Cat was under strict orders to wake everyone before he left so we could all give him a proper good bye. The Littles *must* wave at the window and/or porch as anyone drives away, and heaven forbid that they don't wave back!!! Yang will have a "true, bad hissey", as we refer to them here!! So he got us up, thankfully, early enough for me to get started on my coffee, because do you know what?!? That stinker forgot to wave!!! Ugh. Thankfully, he was dropping Thing1 off at work before he got on the road, so he had to drive back past the house. I told the Littles to wait at the window and they will have another chance when he drives back by. Thank goodness he remembered, and beeped the horn and waved real big as he drove by. Sheeew, that could have been ugly! It's bad enough when he's just leaving for work in the morning, but if he's gonna be gone for the entire weekend and they don't get their wave, well, I need not traumatize you w/ those details, it's bad enough w/ me just thinking about it!!!

The morning was slow. We did Math and Phonics w/ Ying. She's learning addition right now. You know, 3 apples and 2 more apples is 5 apples all together? I thought she'd love all the coloring in this math book, but she just wants to get down to business and asking her to color 3 apples, then color 2 apples is driving her crazy! Too funny. She loves to color otherwise! She's gonna be one of those kids who will totally fight doing anything she thinks is fluff! Which is fine. I was that way. I'll just have to start doing a better job of explaining what seems like fluff isn't always fluff. I'll let you know how that goes. (ugh)

My dad came over to bring us his Jeep. He always has to remind me that if Cat would fix the other car, we wouldn't have to be doing this. Thanks for the reminder Dad! I wouldn't have thought about it if you hadn't brought it up. (Ok, end sarcasm...if I must.) He took us out to eat at China House. We love China House, Thing2, me, the Littles, & CLW went. Dad held CLW so I could eat, since I rarely actually get to "go out". I ended up spending so much time taking Ying and Yang to the potty, that I was still the last one to finish. Dad paid and took the kids out to the car (they get a little impatient sitting around the table w/ nothing to do, you know) while I finished up. Then, we dropped Thing2 off at home so he could get busy on his school work, and we drove Dad back to G-town, visited w/ Mom for a bit while I nursed CLW and the Littles napped in the car (we kept a close eye on them, but sometimes you just know it's better to leave them alone than to try to transfer them in the middle of a nap!!), then left for my grandma's. It was her Friday to have the Littles overnight. When we got there, she had to go to the bank, so we turned around and drove her to the bank, came back, got the Littles out and brought them in. By that time, they'd slept a good two+ hours, so I didn't even try to slip them into the bed. I visited w/ Grandma for a while and then drove home, just in time to get Thing2 off to church for practice.

I invited Thing1 to go out to dinner w/ me. She was feeling down and I thought it might give us a chance to talk. We went to Cracker Barrel. My favorite, at least for the moment, and had chicken & dumplings! Mmmmm! I've had a taste for it all week, so since Cat was out of town (he doesn't do restaurants due to his anxiety issues) I took advantage! Thing1 and I had a nice time. We talked and ate. Pierced is being a bonehead (big surprise to me!) so we talked about that. Actually, I let her talk. I interjected a few things here and there, but she just really needed to unload. She's also having friend difficulties, so we talked about why people are the way they are in a general way, reminding her that if their priority isn't God, they'll tend not to treat people well. It's just the way it is in the world. Please continue to pray for my Thing1. I hate for her to hurt.

After dinner we went to Books & Co and she spent her Easter gift card and I read some more of my book (the Shaara one...so good) and CLW slept or played on the floor. Yes, I let my baby crawl on the dirty carpet of a retail establishment! Actually, I had left her w/ Thing1 while I ran to the potty and when I returned, there she was. She was enjoying her freedom, so I knew we'd have no peace if I put her back in her seat, so I just let her play. Oh well. Builds the immune system, right?

We came home and I watch "Pride and Prejudice" on PPV. I love Jane Austen! It's rough to do her books justice in a 2 hr movie, but they did a pretty good job. I like the guy that played Mr. Darcy. Colin Firth did a better job I think in the miniseries, but he had much more time to develop the character. This guy (don't know his name) was pretty good, given the short time he has to portray his ambivalence toward Lizzy. It is so very deep in the book that when he finally gets around to telling her of his love for her that you want to cheer and do hand springs. They lost a lot of that in the movie. Kiera Knightly did a nice job too. She's not the greatest actress, but she's beautiful, just like I always pictured Lizzy. I loved the scene at the end where she tells her father, Donald Sutherland, that she's in love w/ Mr. Darcy. So touching. Just love Austen and all her books! Believe it or not, I'm not big into chick flicks, but Austen is my weekness. I really enjoyed Sense and Sensibility (w/ Emma Thomas a few years back) too.

So after the movie, CLW & I crashed for the night. I awoke to the phone ringing, it was Cat, but I couldn't get to it in time so he just left a message. I guess he's doing well. Still alive anyway, as evidenced by the call. That's all I do know though, so hopefully, all is well. Please continue to pray for a productive day today and tomorrow for him.

My Things are still in bed, so I need to get them going so we can get some work done around here before I leave for work tonight. Have a wonderful Saturday!

Please pray for dear Mac N Cheese, she needs a Spirit lift about now; and for safe travel for Cat in the Hat and his sister, GEH who is in Germany right now visiting their Oma; for wisdom and good decisions for Thing1; for stress relief for HBM as she prepares to leave for TN; for continued peace for Speedy (that the baby keeps sleeping well at night); and for my little friends here to the left, Emily, Candace, Israel, and all the little ones and their families who are hurting today.

Much love!!

Mood: Motivated (believe it or not!)
Currently Listening: The shower running (someone must be up!)
Currently Reading: The Killer Angels by M. Shaara
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18

Supergirl***************80%

Hulk******************80%

Spider-Man************70%

Superman**************65%

Catwoman*************55%

Iron Man**************55%

Wonder Woman*********50%

Green Lantern***********40%

Robin*****************37%

Batman ****************30%

The Flash**************15%

Lean, muscular and feminine.

Honest and a defender of the innocent.

Click here to take the "Which Superhero are you?" quiz...

Well, I'm sure not lean and muscular, but the other part is right on!

So, yeah, it's been a while. "Sorry 'bout thaat" (Can't you just hear Rubeus Hagrid ?)

It's been truly crazy around here! Over the last month, we've gotten a new dog, lost her to her previous owner, I began working 3rd shift two nights a week, quit working 3rd shift two nights a week, applied for several waitressing jobs, taken CLW to her 6mo check up, attended the sentencing hearing one of my grandpa's murderers, lost my mind, wait a minute, where was I? Oh yeah, a lot has happened since I last posted an entry. Let's see if I can break it down for you. I'll work my way down from the most traumatic to the least.

Mood: Happy enough :)
Currently Listening: Chronicles of Narnia
Currently Reading: The Killer Angels:  A Novel of the Civil War by Michael Shaara 

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18

You Are an Espresso

At your best, you are: straight shooting, ambitious, and energetic At your worst, you are: anxious and high strung You drink coffee when: anytime you're not sleeping Your caffeine addiction level: high

Mood:  tired
Currently Listening:  The air handlers (big, giant fans) at work
Currently Reading:   Thing2's assignment list


Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18

Got a call today from SIL (Hey! GEH!). She told us that the detective from Las Vegas (who was assigned Yertle's missing persons case) called to say that Yertle has been found. She is fine. "She is having the time of her life" is what we're told. He could give no other information since she is an adult and free to be there doing whatever it is she's doing. So thank you for your prayers for her safety. We continue to covet them, as well as prayer for the rest of us. It is good to know she's ok, but that opens up a whole 'nuther set of issues if you kwim!

CindyLou is doing much better. She's still very congested, but it's not scary-bad like it was for the last couple of days. Cat finally went to work today. He only worked 1/2 day, but he's feeling much better. Ying and Yang are still coughing, but definitely on the mend. We had to miss homeschool group today because everyone's still snotty and blecky. I swear it seems like we never get to go. This has been a rough season for us, health-wise.

Went to the Crosswalk meeting at WSU last night to speak w/ my pal, GC, from the Center. My buddy Pepto came to give moral support, as well as a couple of the ladies from the center. It was a nice surprise that Pepto wanted to be there. I didn't want to add to her already heavy schedule, so I didn't bring it up. I learned my lesson, though because she chastised me for not telling her! I won't do it again, Pepto, I promise! 

I gave my testimony again. I wasn't quite as on top of things as I could have been. I got a bit tongue-tied a couple of times, but the message came through loud and clear. Every time I do this, I am amazed at how God is using me to reach hurting people. It is so wonderful to see Him work, and then to be so blessed as to be His vehicle, is, well, overwhelming, to say the least! To think that my poison past can be used to bring people to an awareness of His immeasrable grace... It just makes scripture alive for me, to see Him work is just...well, amazing!

So, anyway, the band that led worship was AWESOME! Mile5 is their name. I was very impressed w/ each member, although they could use a lead singer who can stay on key! His guitar playing was very good though. He reminded me of one of my favorite guitarists. No, it's not HBM's Elvis! It's The Edge from U2. Not that he's one of the greatest, but I love his style, and this young man seemed to as well. I truly enjoyed worshiping God with them! I felt so old though! In a room full of late teens and early twenty-somethings, I was so the sore thumb!

A young lady approached me afterwards and I was able to tell her more of the Jesus I know. She is bisexual and didn't understand why God would make her that way and then hold her accountable for acting on her feelings. I was so nervous. She seemed so sincere. I didn't want to condemn her because I could tell she was already feeling condemned. I asked if she had a relationship with Jesus, and she said not really. So I explained how to begin that relationship. I told her the old saying that she didn't need to take a shower to get a bath and that God would accept her right where she is. I told her that many of His truths are hard to accept, but they were still true. That she must choose whether to make Him first in her life, which means abiding by his truth to our best ability and accepting His grace to cover the difference, or to take her own way and run the risk of missing His grace. She made no commitment last night, but I know the Spirit is working on her. Please pray for J to come to a true knowlege of Jesus as LORD and Savior and then to actually submit to His lordship in *all* areas of her life, not just sexually.

I tell ya, I was exhausted today and took a four hour nap w/ the kids! I really don't know how people can do that for a living! It totally zapped me, between speaking and then the discussion afterwards, man I was completely depleted of all my energy. I imagine I might be depending on myself too much, maybe that's the problem. If I depended on God more, maybe He would make up the difference...

For those of you still waiting for me to post my testimony, I have to wait a bit longer. There are some people close to me that I need to tell in person before plastering it all over cyberspace. I've been putting it off. I really should have done this before I began speaking, but it's really hard. So be patient with me. It won't be much longer. :)

Thanks again for all the prayers! Please pray for HBM & family; Speedy & family; Minnie's job hunt; Pepto, Roomie, & Homeslice w/ the end of the quarter bearing down; Josy; MacNCheese and her *growing* family; Bethany Church and her leadership and their families; and our crazy family.

Thanks for hanging w/ me this long! Have a great weekend & I'll see some of you Sunday (if everybody's healthy!).

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18