The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From the Germ Free Tree

Four Apples

Sometimes it's startling when you see your own traits so strongly in your children. When I took the kids to the doctor's office the other day I realized on the way out that Cindy wasn't touching any of the door handles (or really anything). She was either scooting past when someone else opened the door or she would use her elbow to push the door open. I asked her about it and she looked at me like I had a screw loose (which is always a distinct possibility) and said "Do you know how many sick people have touched those doors? Probably coughed and sneezed all over them too!" Then when we get to the car she gets out her little tube of Purell and starts offering it to everyone. Poor thing... What have I done to her? Next thing you know she'll start carrying tissues and wet wipes in her purse "just in case".

Enjoy It!

Play
"Laugh at yourself, be encouraging to others, enjoy this day and this stage in your life, be lively and fun and don't be so hard on yourself." This is what I'm telling myself today. I want to be a faithful Christian who is always reading her Bible, a loving wife and mom, have a beautifully decorated clean home, cook enticing and healthy meals, and on and on... But sometimes in striving toward my goals (and kicking myself for not achieving them) I don't enjoy where I am today. I know from experience that children grow so quickly and time is fleeting. I want to enjoy this wondrous, wacky and satisfying life of freedom and grace that God has given me.

You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

—Psalm 16:11

Summer Lessons

My kids are learning to do their own laundry this summer. It's so funny how much they seem to be enjoying it. Why didn't I get them started on this years ago. No more complaining if that favorite pair of jeans isn't clean...I'm not responsible. They each have their own laundry basket in their room and not only do they wash and dry their clothes, they fold them and put them away as well. I'm hoping that getting them used to doing it this summer will make it easier to keep up with it once school starts.

And speaking of laundry (not really, this has nothing to do with laundry), I took the 3 youngest to the doctor for sports physicals and checkups/shots today. I'm glad to have it over with, but that probably wasn't a good idea. The poor nurse was getting so confused about which form to fill out for who and who needed what. She must not have a big family. Plus even though they are pre-teens and teens now, they can NOT stay away from the roller chair in the exam room. They were giggling, making the chair go up and down and rolling around like a bunch of toddlers every time the doctor and nurse were out of the room. Maybe I should get them one of those chairs for Christmas. They can roll around the driveway. Who needs a scooter or a bike?

Summer Housekeeping

UK, 1957
This picture is about how my housekeeping's been this summer. I'm outside (although not necessarily beating rugs or doing anything else constructive) and the inside of the house looks like a train wreck. I have a Barbie/Littlest Pet Shop village set up in my living room, a rolling office chair in the middle of my kitchen and coupons piled up on the breakfast bar.

For some reason I would rather sit on the swing in the front yard and listen to the neighbor's weed whacker, the birds singing, the kids laughing and the ice cream truck chiming. Back to school time is swiftly approaching, especially for a certain teenage boy who is soon to start two-a-days, so we might as well enjoy it while we can.

Favorites

One of my favorite songs of all time, plus I love this opening scene in the movie.

Today

Handbags 1955

These ladies look so glamorous. I would love to have one of their handbags today! The classics never really go out of style do they?

When I Struggle With Worry I...

Read my Bible.


Enjoy the garden.




Serve an ordinary weeknight supper on my best dishes.


Watch the kids play.


Bake something yummy.

Greg, our oldest son is deploying very soon and I am trying my best not to worry abut it. :)

Hobby or Obligation?

Chained to Computer

I sure hope I'm not the only one that struggles with sometimes feeling like blogging is a big weight around her neck! I love blogging, I really do! But I catch myself feeling like it's a popularity contest and that I'm in Junior High.

What if I don't post anything fabulous and no one likes me anymore? What if my 10s of faithful readers dump me? :)

I guess I'm just feeling ambivalent about the whole thing which is a sure sign that I need a bit of a break. I'm not saying I won't be back soon (maybe even tomorrow, you never can tell) but from now on I'm not going to let myself feel obligated to post. If I have something great to share then I will, but if I don't, well that's OK too. Summertime with my family is just too precious to waste worrying about blogging.

Of course, feel free to browse around in the archives or email me anytime.

Mini Vacation

We no sooner returned from visiting the boys on the East Coast than we decided on the spur of the moment to take another vacation. This time a "mini" vacation. We stayed with retrohousewife (the poor woman had 14 people in her house) and enjoyed the old Texas favorite summer pastime of tubing the river.

We cooked enormous amounts of food, got sunburned (despite repeated SPF 50 applications) in the triple digit heat and generally had a great time. I did have one bad moment when I encountered a snake on the river that I shudder to think about. I'll save that story for another day after I've had a chance to get over it. If the kids will quit laughing about my flailing arms and panicked screaming that is. Maybe in a year or two. :) We also saw lizards, deer, turtles and a beaver, plus some random wild animals scarfing down huge amounts of bottled water, Dr. Pepper and hot dogs (also known as husbands and children).

So basically I've been traveling for what seems like months. My Suburban is completely filthy and my house has the dust coating to prove how neglected it is. I wonder if I'll ever catch up on the laundry. If I disappear under Mt. Washmore please send someone to search for me.

Aaaahhh! The joys of Summer!

Beach Essentials

We had so much fun on vacation. It's probably a good thing that I don't live near a beach. I would be so tempted to let everything slide at home while I was snoozing on the sand or walking along looking for sea shells. There's a reason those "noise machines" play wave sounds to help people sleep.

Here are my "essential" beach items...a beach towel, a coverup, sunscreen, a Diet Coke and a good book. I didn't have a book of my own so I borrowed one of Peter's Tom Clancy novels. I've actually been enjoying it. What do you take to the beach?

The Earth is the Lord's

The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof,
the world and those who dwell therein,
for he has founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
Psalm 24: 1-2

Having a Great Time!

Having a great time and I'll see you soon!