My 2010 Booklist

My 2010 Reading List.

I love to read, though I don't get to do it for pleasure quite enough.  My reading life is based on how crazy life is at the moment.  I read as part of my job every single day...but the books below reflect those that I have been able to curl up with, get lost in, and/or learn from in 2010.  I wish my list were longer.  And maybe someday it will be. Each page count is a link to my personal review of the book on this blog.

328 pages




325 pages




326 pages




336 pages




337 pages


241 pages

230 pages

329 pages
288 pages

320 pages

350 pages

The Third Quarter Status Updates

Here are my July, August, and September status updates from Facebook 2010:

July 2010

• No electricity for almost three hours today.  I'm thankful for electricity.  
• The dance camp theme this week is "50's and 60's"  and so LG asks me, "Do you know the songs "leader of the Pack" and "My Boyfriend's Back?"  I said, "Yes, the girls in my neighborhood were making up dances to them before dance camp was cool!"  
• It's blasted HOT out there!  My hair looks like I've been swimming, but I haven't stepped one foot near water today!  
• Everyone's tucked in:  DS 1 at Army training.  DS 2 at college.  DS 3 @ Student Life Camp.  DS 4 at Church Camp and LG will soon be tucked into bed.  Can you hear the joyous hootsa nd hollers coming from MY HOUSE???
• Another night of family fun...corn hole, hot dog roast, fireflies, s'mores and much love and laughter. 
•  New kitchen and bathroom is on it's way...old cabinets are gone!  Now to pick out a counter.  
• Gotta' go do dishes in the bathtub tonight.  Counters are ordered and shelving is up.  

August 2010

• I get annoyed with someone posts constant negative status updates!  C'mon there ARE positives everywhere if we just look! 
• The ducks are in the nest---including the new driver---I can go to sleep now.  
• I can see the hoop...I just don't feel like jumping right now.  
• Some nights it's the flash of digital clocks and the little charging lights on cell phones, laptops, and resting game systems that guide me through the cark house.  My how times have changed.  
• Overheard in our family room:  DS 4:  "A meteor is like dust particles flying through the sky and you can watch them."  LG "Do you watch it on TV?"  DS 4: "UH, NO, you watch it in the sky."  LG:  "OH"
• The tent is set up in the backyard for DS 4 and his friend.  The lanterns are lit...the bugspray is sprayed...somethings just not right about the extension cord that is running from the back portch out there to CHARGE the mini-laptop!  Now to take bets on whether they'll make it all night...HMMMM???
• Grace isn't a little prayer you chant before receiving a meal.  It's a way to live.  The law tells me how crooked I am.  Grace comes along and straightens me out."  (Dwight L. Moody 1837-1899)
• I know there's never a dull moment when you're raising one kid...but let me tell ya' raising FIVE of 'em almost means there's never a dull SECOND! 
• "How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world" (Anne Frank) May we all start to improve our world today!  
• Found on my Dove Dark Chocolate wrapper during one particularly stressful moment last week: "Blessings only come to those who notice."  I LOVE IT!

September 2010

• Off to the Dollar Store and Michaels...I know, I know...you're jealous! 
• I think I've had more than 15 years of apple decor in my kitchen...it's a little hard to box some of it up.  
• Ended our Labor Day with a little "come to Jesus" room cleaning...now THAT chore's done and the labor was worth it! 
• Love this quote I saw on Twitter:  "Leaders don't create followers, they create more leaders."  (Tom Peters) 
• Some days I think I need a "do-over"...today's one of 'em.  On second thought, I don't need a do-over...I need a "move on".  
• "When you have come to the edge of all light that you know and are about to drop off into the darkness of the unknown, Faith is knowing one of two things will happen: There will be something solid to stand on or you will be taught to fly."  Patrick Overton 
• Grace and forgiveness is extended for all, but that does NOT spell automatic release from personal responsibility for hurtful and wrong actions. 
• "The difference between try and triumph is a little umph"  ~Unknown.

More Status Updates from 2010

And continuing my Status Updates for 2010.  Here's April - June:

April 2010

• Some days just kick you hard!  I give! 
• "Hope is a picture of a preferred future."  (Mike Fordham) 
• Watched DS 1's band play tonight...ate dinner with DSs 3, 4, and LG and now remember just how much I LOVE the Shrek movies!  
• For the record, Mom---I'm sorry for EVERY single morning I was hard to wake up as a tween and teen! 
• I cannot imagine how the clockwork of the universe can exist without a clockmaker.  Voltaire 
• Faith is like a radar that sees through the fog.  ~Corrie Ten Boom 
• The power of music still amazes me.  I love those moments when you find "just the right song at just the right time" with just the right message! 

May 2010

• Love the nights when there's nothing to do but relax...now if I could just get my mind to relax with the rest of me!  
• Anytime we have all five kids in the house...feels complete! 
• OK Science Fair project printed and being attached to the board as I type.  So what if the bathroom has glow spots where clean-up was less than stellar...but hey...if you don't hold a blacklight in there it's all good!
• Today we're one step closer to being a forever family for a special little girl.  What an amazing journey the past few months have been!  
• DS 4 is teaching LG how to fold napkins like "The Ritz" after career day there.  I love this residual Ritz behavior!  Just wish it would last!  
• I've gotta' be honest...some situations make me wonder if my eyes and ears are broken...cause there should be NO way to have two people looking at some situations and creating or choosing a different outcome!  
• What a day!  Data...all...day....LONG...And in the midst of it...Midday call from DSs 1 and 2 informing me of a hospital visit for staples to DS 2's head.  
• "For I know the plans I have for you."  declares the Lord. " plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you, " declares the Lord, "and will bring you back from captivity."  (Jeremiah 29:11-14a) 
• So thankful for the crickets and frogs and other night critters that sing me to sleep every night.  Goodnight Pond!  

June 2010

• I love it that my kids have large villages of adults who will step in...help out and/or care for them when I need it.  
• Watching "The Kite Runner" with DS 3.  A great quote from the movie:  "My friend, children aren't coloring books.  You don't get to fill them in with your favorite colors."  
• Thankful for the right words at the right time.  Friends who can do that are a blessing! 
• I'm avoiding doing something that I SHOULD do.  It would require diplomacy that I simply can't find right now.  I start, but then divert myself.  Yep, I'm still stubborn after all these years!
• Heading to Gainesville---DS 2 is going to have his appendix removed this morning.  He wants to be done to watch the US play in the World Cup Game at 2:00.  
• "Don't be afraid, I am with you...Don't tremble with fear...I am your God.  I will make you strong...as I protect you with my arm...and give you victories."  Isaiah 41:10 

Status Reflections

Whether you're a Facebook fan or not...it's here and it's part of our culture like so many other social networking venues on the web.  Recently, I archived my status updates for 2010 through a Facebook app.  I will NOT bore anyone with every single status update for the year, but I want to keep them and so I am going to give a glimpse of my life in 2010 through status updates three months at a time.  Here's January - March...

January 2010:

• I wonder if I could pay someone before next Christmas to go through my "pre-lit" tree branch by branch to find the culprit light (or lights) that makes parts of it go out!?!?
• DS 4 says he does not like pants, only jeans.  Since we're a uniform school, it's khaki pants or shorts. Well I say "Freeze then!"
• Is it my age or the kids' age that makes me FREEZE all the time and them act like it's a balmy 70 degrees outside?  
• I've typed three status updates and all sounded negative...so my status update this morning will be:  THINK POSITIVE!  (Thanks, I needed that!)
• LG's profound thought for the evening:  "Everybody's tired, but you GOTTA' get up!"  
• Just dove in and cleaned LG's room.  No less than 10 pound of "little trinkets and odds and ends" are now in the trash...ahhh the joy of "paybacks" from my own childhood!  ;-)  
• It is well with my soul! 
• "No one stays a tween/teen forever.  And no one stays the parent of a tween/teen forever." 

February 2010

• I don't think most of my colleagues from work will ever know how special they are!  It's so nice to work in a place where people truly care about one another.  
• "You've stolen my heart, yes you have--you've wiped away the stains, broke away the chains, yes you have."  ~Leeland 
• "When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.  When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.  When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you."  (Isaiah 43:2)
• "Oh happiness!  There's grace--enough for us and the whole human race!"  (DC*B)
• Watching DH and DS 4 play guitar together...so fun! 
• Back from the Japanese Steak House and a lovely Valentine's Day dinner with the family. 
• Good Morning Facebook!  I really wanted to say, "Good Morning Baltimore!" or "Good Morning Vietnam!" But neither really has much meaning other than they are good songs/movies!  I'll turn my thought filter back on now.  
• Some days are "tie a knot and hang on" days.  

March 2010

• I've worn my flannel pj's more in the last 3 months than all the other years put together!  Global warming??? Right! 
• Can it be that it really said "38 degrees...March 6th...AND Florida" on the weather page this morning?  And can it be that we are wearing mittens and scarves tonight?? It just seems so ODD!
• Psalm 91-1-2:  Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  This I declare about the Lord:  He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God and I trust him.  
• Great quote from Chuck [tv show] tonight:  "Despite our differences, all we have is each other, so let's stick together!"  
• I'm wondering just how many times I've said "no" to a cute little girlscout this cookie season? 
• "There will always be poor people in the land.  Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land." (Deut. 15:11)
• Science has never drummed up quite as effective a tranquilizing agent as a sunny spring day.  ~W. Earl Hall.
• Oh my goodness!  LG is in my room watching TV and singing, "He's the reason for the teardrops on my guitar."  LOUD!  So cute!
• I have to be flipping out of my mind to think about heading out to the shore in 66 degree waether!  But it's what the majority of the kids want to do, so here we go!  Forget the towel, I'm taking a blankie!

Pardon My Dust

Still re-thinking this blog design....so excuse the mess as it's truly a work in progress.

Greetings cards haveNOT been sent, but the Christmas rush is through....and I've been deciding what to do with my blog.  I think I've said that for every one of my last few posts--despite the fact that they have been few and far between.  I am wondering if a new focus and a new look will help.  I'm going to play with a new design today and see if I can update and change what I have.  Stay tuned...well...maybe I should say "retune".  I think I'm might have to do a little blog surfing to find some new blog friends and reconnect with old ones.

I DO miss it and plan to find a way to put a little ooomph into it.  :-)

Sometimes a nudge is all it takes...

After Black Friday, we vegged.  OK I did at least.  Sometime Friday afternoon or evening, DS 3 announced that his "luncheon date" had been moved on Saturday.  I am really bad at keeping up with everyone's comings and goings...so it took a minute, but I finally figured it out.  DS 3 was hoping to attend the NeedtoBreathe concert two hours from here with some friends on Saturday night.  Initially I was quite reluctant to let him do this.  I know he's a good driver, but it scares me when I know it's a major city and it would have been late (the concert started at 9:00pm).  

Not long after the initial request he told me he would not be able to go because he had to go to a friend's birthday dinner.  I have to admit, I was relieved.  Friday, that changed.  Suddenly, he realized that he could do BOTH!  I was tired when he asked.  I told him it bothered me.  He gave me all the "right promises".  Anyway, for whatever reason I gave in.  I was still quite unsettled about it, however.  DH bought the tickets for he and three friends to attend.  

In the meantime, the mother of one of his friends messaged me on Facebook and asked if I was letting him drive.  I felt a strange guilt come over me...told her I'd said "yes"... but I wasn't happy about it.  She basically said she wasn't going to let her son go unless there was an adult with them.  I told her I was happy to drive them up there...although they were resistant.  

Anyway, to make a long story, just a bit longer...we decided that we could go together...drive the kids and then let them have their time at the concert while we watched the concert together.  And, although the kids weren't thrilled with it, they complied and "allowed us" to come!  

I have to say I had a great time!  I haven't known this other Mom very well.  Their family has just started attending our church and our paths haven't crossed that much.  It was fun talking and getting to know her and a bit more about their family while sharing with her some of our story.  

I know DS 3 would have preferred to drive himself, but he was gracious and none of the kids seemed to mind too much.  The concert started at 9:00pm and was over by 11:30...then we drove the two hours back and I was in bed by 2:00am.  I've got to tell you, I am not as young as I used to be.  Who am I kidding?  I never COULD handle late nights!  So, today I'm tired.  But it was so worth it on many levels.  

Maybe someday when DS 3 is a parent, he'll understand. I was at peace knowing that DS 3 and his friends were safe and having a good time, rather than worrying every moment about what was going on with them..   Several times during the night I found myself thanking God not only for the opportunity to get to know someone else, but for the "mother" nudge to do what my gut told me to begin with!  And the music was just a great big added bonus for me!  

One of my favorite things this band does is the "acoustic set". I took video last night, but can't figure out how to upload it! In the meantime, here's a good one that I've heard them do acoustically before.

Thanksgiving Reflections

I'm so thankful for my amazing family!  We had a fabulous day yesterday celebrating one another and Thanksgiving together.  My family came down from Tampa and DH's Mom and Dad joined us as well.  It was a lovely day...even though it was kind of hot!

Then, today, we carried out what is becoming a Black Friday tradition.  DSs 3 and 4 and I loaded up the car and left the house at 2:10am to go to Starbucks to get 500 cups of coffee to hand out at Best Buy and the Mall. Our church starting doing this as part of its outreach program three years ago.  It is absolutely an amazing event!

My job is to shuttle between the three locations and make sure everyone has coffee, creamer, and the fixins they need.  I told DS 4 that I think I did the "Mall 200" today!  After we finished (around 7am) I came home and took a nap.

Every Light Counts

 Our church is launching a project called "Every Light Counts" as the Thanksgiving and Christmas season is upon us.  It's got me thinking a lot about just how powerful each one of us can be in our world.  We can send out a ripple of kindness that helps people see God's love in action.  For our church, we are asking each person to consider getting involved in one of the many servant events that we have happening over the next 5 or 6 weeks:

Serving meals at our local elementary school to families attending school events
Giving shoppers free coffee in the wee hours of black Friday shopping
Helping buy Christmas gifts for children who might not otherwise have them
Heading out to our neighborhood Christmas parade to hand out fun packs and glow sticks to kids
Taking snack packs to more than 400 mall employees after church

Today, while reflecting on the impact a little light can make, I was reminded of the song we used to sing in Sunday School..."This little light of mine...I'm going to let it shine."  And I realized that every person in the world has opportunity to be a light in someone else's life regardless of faith background or beliefs.  I wonder what would happen if we all started looking out for our neighbors?  What if we found ways to be kind when no one expected it?  For our church, we see it as an opportunity to help people know that God loves them right where they are.

I believe it's this type of kindness that could change the world because "Every LIGHT Counts"--yours and mine!  Why not try and be a light this holiday season?

Maybe Sidewalk Rolling Isn't So Bad...

There's no question that life is so very different for our kids than it was for us.  Heck, I'd say it's different for my middle schooler than it was for my oldest boys.  This weekend, though, I have been reminded just how different life really is...it's busier.  Way busier!

DS 3 has become quite the "social character" in the past few months.  He is very involved in our Youth Group at church.  He takes part in Bible Studies, Discipleship with a friend, not to mention all the extra "fun stuff" they do. He's busy at school too.  He's the Junior Class President and the Editor-in-Chief of the school newspaper.  He doesn't miss a chance to dress up and show school spirit. He is in clubs and organizations aplenty! If you could peel back the layers of years I have on him, you might see glimpses of similar time fillers from my own teen years...sans class officer and newspaper. I think, for the early eighties, I would have been considered busy too. Yet they are busier!

Friday night he drove almost two hours to a concert in a sleepy little central Florida town.  In his words, "Mom, it was like the minute the concert in the park ended, the town shut down.  There was only us and one other car on the streets!"  I think he might have thrown the word "po-dunk" in there somewhere.

Saturday morning he was up early and ready to go flying.  He's learning to fly the airplane to the left that he and DH own in a co-op of sorts.  The guy teaching him is the editor of some big aviation magazine and has asked DS 3 to write a piece for it.  They literally spent HOURS together on Saturday as DS 3 flew them to a city north of here and they watched a national skydiving competition.

He wasn't home 30 minutes before he headed out to "movie night" with his friends and ended up spending the night with one of them.  This morning we found out they spent the night "tarp surfing" (which I can find no pictures to properly explain).   If you want to see it, you can go to tarpsurfing.com and get a glimpse.  Anyway, I guess they didn't sleep much at all but had a great time.

Sunday he was at church to run the sound and then he went to lunch with his friends.  He arrived home around 4:30 or 5:00 and announced that he was "tapping out" to catch up on sleep.

Here's my observation.  We were busy.  They are busier.  I think part of the reason is because there's not enough "po-dunk" in most cities today.  We live 24 hour lives.  We are connected 24 hours. We can shop 24 hours.  We can talk, text, and chat 24/7.  Shoot when I was growing up we couldn't even watch TV 24 hours!  And forget talking on the phone...it was connected to the wall and anyone in the house could pick up the another extension and listen in!  Remember when the Star Spangled Banner shut down a TV network?  I think the convenience has created a monster.

Don't get me wrong, I love busy too.  I enjoy being out and about and visiting with friends and family.  I love exploring and finding new and exciting things to do and places to go.  Shoot, I think in many ways it's in his blood!

While I am thankful for living in a city that has a lot to offer...there's a part of me that thinks it'd be OK to, at least occasionally, roll up the sidewalks at a reasonable hour and tell everyone to just VEG!  Yep, DS 3, some days I'd take po-dunk!

Sunday Seven

Sunday Seven is a meme that I participated in a while back.  It's a time to think back on the past week and write seven things for which you are thankful...or seven of anything.  It was pretty wide open.  I admit, I kind of miss all the memes that were floating around the blogosphere for so long.  It was an easy way to link up and find other bloggers that you didn't know about before.  Yet I am just as guilty for stopping as the next blogger.  This one, though, is a good one that I intend to use occasionally.  So...without any further explanation, here's my Sunday Seven for this week:

1.  Had some great interactions at work this week!  I have to say that it's been hard for me to change leaders. I have worked for a lot of people (12 principals in my career).  And I've gotten along well with all.  I think it's just making changes after being "settled" for so long that has been a bit hard.  Anyway, I had some positive interactions and conversations both with my new boss and with some of my wonderful colleagues.  These conversations help me know that kids are still at the center of all we do.  And that's a GREAT thing!

2.  I am so thankful for my sweet friends!  I love it that I can call on them whenever I need to talk stuff out.  I am blessed by this and I don't take it for granted.  I am also thankful for new friends.  I love it that I feel like doors are opening for new conversations and new relationships.  It's special to "Make New Friends and Keep the Old..."

3.  I love working with my kiddos at school.  They constantly teach me about teaching and learning and laughing and living!  I honestly think I work in one of the best professions on the planet!

4.  LG got a new caseworker this week.  This is frustrating because we really ARE at the "end" of the very long adoption process for her.  Unfortunately, social workers come and go and it impacts kids.  I am thankful for a new caseworker who seems with it.  Although the process is now going to take a bit longer, I believe LG's been in pretty good hands all along.

5.  Seeing glimpses of maturity in DS 4 makes me smile!  He's in those often tumultuous middle school years. I love those moments of "hope" that God gives you when they are in these years that help you know that they will come out on the other side as productive citizens and young men.

6.  Last week at church the pastor preached on keeping God in the "right seat" of our lives.  We tend to move him to another spot or replace him with other people, things, events, or ideas.  This week, I cannot tell you how many times I've said, "Help me remember YOUR chair, Lord..."  and "I won't give your chair to anyone...you are center."  It makes a difference.

7.  I'm thankful for a somewhat lazy Saturday this week.  It's been a long time since I've just been able to relax and not really be on someone's time schedule.  I watched two movies with the kids and just generally vegged on Saturday.  It was a GIFT that I do not take for granted.

So, there you have it a somewhat random Sunday Seven.  I love recounting my blessings and thinking of the points of light that glimmer in each and every setting of my life.  Happy Sunday!

Selling the Garage...

Kids are so funny sometimes.  Our neighborhood is having the annual community garage sale today.  Now I have to tell you, I love GOING to other people's sales...but I HATE sitting in my yard selling my own JUNK!  It's a lot of work for very little return.

LG and I were out and about this morning looking at other people's garage sales and the farmer's market when I received a call from DS 4 asking if it was OK for him to set up a table in our front yard for him to sell HIS stuff.today.  Since I'd like to burn  donate half of his stuff to some other home, I said "sure!"

Five minutes later (while paying at the Farmer's Market) I received another call from him.  "Mom, a lady made an offer on your Halloween Wreaths."  "WHAT!?!?!?  NO, you may NOT sell my stuff..."  He said "OK."  I told him I'd be home reminded him again NOT to sell my stuff and hung up.

When I arrived home, I realized just WHY the lady made an offer on my stuff.  DS 4 is happily selling HIS stuff in the driveway with the garage door up and the junk inside FULLY exposed.  It looks like a salvage yard in there right now since we've been remodeling and I was MORTIFIED as I drove down the road.

I promptly parked...ok, it wasn't promptly cause the street is FILLED with cars.  Once I parked, I put the garage down, ran through the house and added about 27 things to his little store and shut the garage.  I could add more.  But I'm done.

During the creation of this blog, he came to get me to tell me a lady wants to try my bike out (which I gave him to sell) and she can't cause the tires are flat.  I went outside and resisted the urge to tell her this is not a full service station, it's a GARAGE sale...you take a chance.  I was honest.  It rides fine.  Still, she's determined to go home get an air pump and come back and try it out.  Whatever!

Once again, I am reminded why I DO. NOT. PARTICIPATE.  in the annual community garage sale.  At 1:00, I'm packing the stuff up that DS 4's dragged out and not sold and donating it to the church where someone else can worry about selling it.

To Blog or Not??

I journaled in college.  I wrote for almost two years nightly as I dated DH and finished my education degree.  It was therapeutic and a very good thing.  But then it stopped.

Before that, I wrote in a poetry journal off and on for years during my preteen and teenage years.

I've blogged longer than I wrote poetry or recorded my journey into adulthood.  It's been a really good thing.  I have to say it's also been great to know that some of my family have followed my writing.  Still, it's hit the point where it goes undone and then I feel guilty.  It's not quite an albatross...but there are days when it feels close.  I WANT to record what's happening in my life.  I WANT to leave a record for my family to share and be able to pass along.  Yet I don't write like I should.

Honestly, one of my issues of late has been that I know the audience could be wide open.  Anyone can read what I write here.  So sometimes I filter.  A lot.  It's not that I want to say anything wrong or bad...but some things are simply not for me to share with just anyone.  Still they are my feelings.  My opinions.  My experiences.  And, in some ways, they deserve figuring out despite the audience.

So I find myself at a place where I am torn.  One way or another I have to make a decision.  And this indecisiveness simply won't do.  I'm hoping to be back in some format soon.  Really I am.  I just have to work out what that's going to look like first.  

It's Been a Year...

One year ago this past week we found out that LG would be joining our family.  And one year ago this coming week, she moved into our house.  In so many ways, it feels as if she's been here forever.  This has truly been a year of transitions for all of us...DS 1 transitioned to UF and is now home.  DS 2 transitioned to UF and is now in Tampa.  DS 3 transitioned to 11th grade and has begun driving.  DS 4 transitioned to Middle School and is starting to acclimate there.  LG has spent the year navigating her way through our family and learning how to balance her bio-family with her adopted family.

As LG and I discussed the fact that it's been a year since her transition, she said "Wow, it doesn't seem like it!"  I agree!

I Can't Remember When...

I've had a day recently where I did absolutely nothing.  Today was pretty darn close, though.  I slept in late...stayed in my PJs until almost noon.

I took a little trip out with DS 3 to find a toy story costume for Homecoming..  Hooray!  We found a dinosaur costume for an adult!

DS 1, DH and LG went to a gun show in a nearby town.

DS 4 played with his friends and got in some video game time.

I came home and learned how to "Glog"...which is kind of like presentations and blogs blended together for educators.  It took most of the day, but I do have a semi-finished product that I want to use this week with teachers at my school.

Anyway, it's been a lazy Saturday...and I've enjoyed it immensely!

I'm so excited that tomorrow I'll get to see my brother Dan and his girlfriend, Beth.  Dan just moved to KY to be closer to her.  They are coming to FL with her two little girls for fall break.  It'll be fun to visit a bit.

Reflections on LAST Friday...

LG's 9th birthday was a week ago last Wednesday.  We decided to throw a "Pretty in Pink" party for her.  This included dress up, make up, nails, and a sleepover (which I left optional).  It was a BLAST!

I visited our local Goodwill store to create this dress up box:

The night before the party, we prepared our treat bags and our make up station.  I begged my friend Sandy to come help primp and do the "girlie thing".  DS 2's GF and two girls from my school also  came.  It was nothing less than PERFECT!

Here are the bags we found at IKEA:

And here is LG prepping them with stuff.  We found "Fancy Nancy" stuff at the Target dollar section and used that to make up our treat bags.  Each girl got a diary, body spray, lip gloss, and other goodies we found elsewhere.

When Friday night arrived, we KICKED the boys out.  LG was thrilled that it was "girls only" and the party  began:

 Sandy brought the Karaoke machine AND a "hair streaker" kit.  The girls were able to get a colored stripe in their hair a la Hannah Montana!  Dress up was absolutely HYSTERICAL!  The girls threw together some amazing and wild outfits.  And I'm telling ya' I intend to keep that box until I have grandchildren and they can play in it. It's obvious to me that there are hours of fun right there.  And the imagination and creativity was PRICELESS!

Here is my niece, K, with her "movie star" look on.  You can see the girls digging in behind her.

And look at the outfits these girls came up with!  Each girl modeled for me and I took their picture against the pink backdrop.   Later in the evening they decorated these frames (again from Ikea).  DSs 2 and 4 went to the photo shop to pick up prints and every girl left with a photo of themselves dressed up and in the frame.  It was PERFECT!  Here's the whole crowd including DS 2's girlfriend wearing our Cinderella dress!

LG said she had never had a "real birthday party" before where you get to invite friends.  I have to tell you, it was the greatest joy to watch her enjoying her friends and knowing that she was able to be the young lady God intended her to be on this special night.

Happy birthday (again) LG!  I love you!

It was a call no parent wants to hear.  "Mrs. N, I have A in the clinic and he's been hit in the head with a baseball bat.  We have to notify parents anytime there's a head injury.  Here's the Principal."  The call continued:  "Mrs. N. this is Mrs. R the Principal, A is bleeding pretty bad and the nurse and I want to call the ambulance to transport him to the ER"  In my head I remember thinking, "The AMBULANCE!?!?"  I asked if I could call my DH to come up there.  We only live about 2 miles from the school.  She said, "Yes, but we are going to go ahead and call the paramedics." 

My mind was racing!  DH didn't answer the first time I called.  I ran to my own car, knowing I could not get to the school in the time it would take paramedics to assess and transport him.  Still, I needed to make my way toward that end of town even if it was going to lead to the hospital. 

When the call came in, I was testing a second grade student on our district reading assessment.  Mid-assessment I asked the other teacher in the room to finish the assessment and I ran out.  I'm sure they wondered what was going on.  I called my AP as I reached the car to let her know I was leaving campus. 

The next call I made was to DH.  This was probably only 2 minutes after receiving the call from the school.  DH answered and said he was on his way.  It wasn't long until I got a call from DH and he said he and DS 1 were transporting our DS 4 to the hospital.  I met them in ER. 

DS 4 was bandaged, but in good spirits when he arrived.  He told the triage nurse that he was "orientated".  I think he meant "oriented"!  DH and DS 1 took pictures to send to their friends and our family.  I was going to post one here, but can't get it to upload.  Immediately my other boys texted back and said, "That is going to be the coolest scar ever!"  It seems that his wound is the shape of an arrowhead.  Here's the finished product where you can see the arrow look...

20 stitches later, and a whopper of a headache, DS 4 came home.  He remained in good spirits.  And I remain thankful that this accident was not more damaging.  Only an inch lower and it could have been his eye.  And I will be forever grateful for the "village" that surrounds us to reach out and help in times of need. 

Another Sunday Seven...

When Sundays roll around, I often find myself reflective and thinking about my abundantly blessed life.  There are also times, though, when I am earnestly praying through a darker place in the journey.  I know, though, that these times are small little blips on the radar compared to my entire life and/or to the eternity for which I am heading.  That's why I love the blogging concept of Sunday Seven.  It can be "Seven Anything"...blessings, events, thoughts...anything.  Here's my seven for this week:

1.  It's been a bit of a roller coaster at work for me.  We are still in the "change phase" as we acclimate to a new leader.  It's a fact of life any time the make up of a group changes.  This week a big report was due to the DOE in our state.  We worked hard on it and handed it in on time.  It was good to experience "team" as we worked on it.  I am energized by working WITH people on projects.  It's so much better than going it alone.

2.  I took my Mom to the doctor on Wednesday of this week.  This is very frightening for her as she hasn't been in more than 20 years.  And she's so afraid they are going to tell her that she is "going to die".  The appointment went well...although there are more in the future.  The highlight of the day for me, though, was getting to eat a light supper with my DS 3.  I love it that he is going to school in my hometown.  It makes it a bit easier to see him more often.

3.  My friend Sandy and I led "Brownies" for the first time on Friday.  LG is part of an after school program that is designed to help with homework/academics but also provide enrichment.  My friend Debra leads this program at our school and has asked for months if I would volunteer to be the Brownie leader.  I told her I dropped out of Girl Scouts.  That didn't shake her.  So, there I was Friday with my "Great Big Brownie Smile" and 18 3rd grade girls who want to be part of something.  Thank goodness Sandy is an experienced Girl Scout!

4.  I LOVED the fact that the new shows started up last week.  I really don't watch much TV in the summer. For that matter, I watch limited during the school year.  But DSs 3, 4, and I have found some shows over the last year or so that we like to watch together.  So for me, this means we'll be sitting together enjoying and talking about the shows we are watching.  It's a good bonding activity for us.

5.  DH took DS 4 and LG to "Coastal Clean-up" yesterday for DS 4's extra credit.  It's funny because we have done this with all the boys.  DS 1 even called when they were leaving and said, "Must be for Ms. S's class."  He was right.  It's kind of a middle school tradition for us.

6.  I took LG to Tampa yesterday to see her older brother.  He is in a medical shelter up there as he has MD.  He's doing pretty well.  We thought it was a funny coincidence that he is going to the same school where I went for 7th grade!  Anyway, visiting him was good for him and LG.  We played cards and they played games together.

7.  I made a huge trip to Goodwill yesterday.  LG's "Pretty in Pink" Slumber/Birthday Party is this coming Friday night.  We are going to do dress up, modeling, make-up, nails and everything "girlie".  So I went to get the dress up box done.  I am very excited to see what the girls come up with for costumes to walk our homemade runway!

That's it from my neck of the woods this week.  Happy Sunday!