Cross your fingers...the decision is......

Let's all pray our state legislature gets their act together and stops bickering long enough to pass the education budget today.  They have until midnight tonight when the special session is over.  This will let the districts know how much their shortfall will be and hopefully let them add back some teaching positions (since they were going with worst case scenario when they laid people off).  My prayer is that they will also let outside people apply. 

Okay, I'm over it and wow can I act like a baby.

Okay, so if you read my earlier post (which I think I might completely delete), I apologize for being a crying whining selfish baby.  God gave me a HUGE reality check on the way home from the movies a few minutes ago.  I drove past the house in our neighborhood that burned up a few weeks ago and God whopped me with, "Here you are crying over a few lost pictures while these people lost everything."  So, yes, I lost some precious pictures and videos but I didn't lose everything.  We're healthy, comfortable, and happy.  A few pictures are nothing when compared with the things that really matter in life.  So, sorry for letting my sinful nature and ungratefulness shine through.  I have way to much to be thankful for to whine like that.

My lesson of the day:  Think of others, not just yourself.

What did I do this week?

I was one of the mission leaders.  That's me WAY up there on the stage.  We would teach and explain crafts  for up to 750 kids per day in three different sessions.

I seriously think that if I could find a job where I taught large groups like this all the time, I'd love it!

This week was our highly anticipated VBS. I really believe we do VBS like no other church and I say that with the voice of experience. I have worked VBS at least 4 different churches and 3 of those being very large "mega"type churches. Our church, by far, has this down to an art form. The week before VBS, the entire church starts it's transformation process into whatever the theme is for the year. This year was "Big Apple Adventure," so the halls became city streets, the classrooms became scenes from around New York City like Central Park. There were Statues of Liberty, hot dog stands, taxi cabs, and skyscrapers created from a variety of materials throughout our campus. Our K-Zone (where I was) was turned into Grand Central Station (I wish you could see our super cool information booth, clock and all, in the back of the building), and the list goes on and on. Then, when we are all good and tired, it's time for the kids to come; so we drink our coffee, pump ourselves up, and get excited. One thousand children converge on our campus ready to go. They learn bible stories and truths, they are entertained, they hear about missionaries around the world, they create crafts, they play games, they make friends, they have a LOT of fun, and bring glory to God! It is a phenomenal experience and although I'm always tired at the end, I always have the VBS high. Since I've been at our church, I always end the week with one thought, "That was a GREAT VBS!!!".

Jesus is not a villain!!!

At lunch today, the kids were talking about the VBS songs since I had the CD playing in the background (This past week was our VBS).  I wasn't paying much attention until they started arguing.  I clued in right about the time Z repeated in her "totally put out, you are an idiot, completely unacceptable" voice, "It does too, J______!  It says Jesus is a villain! That's what they sing.  That's how I know this song!"  J right back to her said, "Z_____, Jesus is not a villain.  A villain is aways the bad guy and Jesus is definitely not a bad guy.  He's a good guy!.....Mom, Z says this song calls Jesus is a villain!"  I respond, "Jesus is not a villain.  I'm sure you have the words wrong."  Z:  "But, Mommy, it really does say he's a villain. I've been singing it all week."  So, I sit down to listen to the song.

Come to find out.  Jesus is not a villain.  The song says, "God has called us all to be part of fulfilling the mission of His heart."  But, I can totally see where villain came from.  I guess we've watched too many shows with villains or something.

Lesson of the Day and Moral of this story:  They may think they know the words after singing them a million times but Oh my, they sometimes have it SO wrong.

Birthday Week (#1 Post of 2)

This picture just sums it up.  She is so happy to FINALLY be 5!!!

The Big Backyard Surfin' Party

The Surfboard Cupcakes

Part of the Decorations.
We had 2 pools and a water slide in the backyard for their entertainment.
If you click on the picture, you can see the really cool picnic table
Alan built last weekend under the fort.

The Birthday Girl
We took each girl's picture with Z and her surfboard.
They were so funny.  They couldn't wait for their turn.
We'll give them the picture with their thank you card.
(It's a Potater Patch birthday tradition.)

Most of the surfer girls

Yesterday was the highly anticipated 5 Year Old Surfer Girl Birthday Party. We had a grand total of 17 girls and 1 big brother slashing away in our backyard. Needless to say, it was a wild afternoon but a great afternoon. Z had a fantastic time. Even though it was about a million degrees and the mommies all looked like one big puddle of sweat, everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves. The girls got along wonderfully and played so hard that I'm sure they all slept extremely well last night. I know the birthday girl could hardly keep her eyes open during bedtime prayers. All in all, it was a successful party, especially since Z was so happy.

Lesson of the Day: Parties can be a lot of work but are totally worth it when it makes someone you love feel so special.

Thanks, Mom and Dad, for all your help before and during the party!!!

Earring Torture for 3

Right now, I am very thankful I only have one girl and that I only have to go through the getting the ears pierced once. That was torture! Z has been talking forever about wanting her ears pierced. She has begged and pleaded. We have window shopped for earrings. I have warned her over and over, "Z, getting your ears pierced is kind-of like getting a shot in your ear. It hurts but only for a little bit." But she was determined and she insisted that today was the day. She excitedly picked out her earrings (pink crystal hearts). Earing #1: She bravely sat in my lap, squeezed my hand, earring went in, she cried like crazy but no more than a shot. Earring #2: Refused to sit, started screaming when the lady came close, started crying and proceeded cry for the next hour. I think she tried every way possible to get out of earring #2. Long story short (after many prayers, moderate bribing, pleading, and begging on my part) we finally got earring #2 in. She screamed like someone chopped off her left arm and I have vowed not to go into that Walmart for quite a long time (if ever). I felt like a terrible mom but by the time we got in the car, Z was grinning and showing off her new earrings. In fact, she was very excited when I took the picture to show everyone. I asked her if she was glad she had it done and she said yes. She sure looks cute with her earrings too. But as J (my partner in this crime) stated on the way home, "I have definitely learned a lesson today. If I ever have a daughter and she wants her ears pierced, I am going to have NOTHING to do with it!"

Lesson of the Day: Do yourself a favor, pierce them when they are a baby, find one of those places that does both ears at one time, or just wait until they can drive themselves to have it done.  

Has it really been 5 years?!?

Birthday Morning Excitement

Totally excitement in the Potater Patch this morning.  The Ladybug is turning 5 today.  So far, she has opened family presents and cards, enjoyed a pink sprinkled doughnut, and is now watching cartoons.  In her world, she's had a pretty perfect morning.   In just a little bit, we will go visit our new kitten, Sugar (she'll join our family at the end of next week).  Later today, Z is going to get her ears pierced.  She has been asking forever and we told her she at least had to be 5.  So today is the big day.  We'll have some chocolate cake and a birthday dinner and try to make this day extra fun!

On a sentimental note:  I can't believe it's really been 5 years, but what a 5 years it has been. She is such a gift from God. I think God had a great sense of humor when he added her to our little family. She's infused our family with quirky humor. She entertains us on a daily basis. She makes her daddy and me shake our heads in wonder. She's lovable, silly, girly, beautiful, funny, artistic, expressive, and smart. She added just the dimension that our family needed. I love her to pieces and although I'm so happy for her that she is turning five, there is a part of me that's a little sad. As Alan told her last night, "I'm just going to make your birthdays go backwards. You're not turning 5 this year, you are turning 3." I think we're just trying to hold on to this precious time a little bit longer.

Happy Birthday, Little Ladybug! We sure love you and we're so happy you are ours!

2 kids+1 beach ball+1 ceiling fan=1 big uh-oh

I'm downstairs this morning, eating my daily bowl of oatmeal and watching the news. I had just sent the kids upstairs to play (for some reason they always want to watch the news with me). I could hear them laughing from one of their rooms, when all of a sudden, I heard a big thunk, heard something loud hit the ceiling, and then heard a very loud banging sound. Not good sounds but there were so screams or cries for help. I ran up the stairs anyway to find my two sweeties standing in the hallway outside Z's room with their eyes as big as basketballs. My eyes followed their eyes to see Z's ceiling fan hanging at an angle, missing two blades with the other blades banging against the ceiling as they were slowly coming to a stop. As I reached the top of the stairs and the children started filling me in on what had happened, the three of us jumped at the same time as we watched the broken ceiling fan crash to the floor shattering light bulbs everywhere. Come to find out, the two of them were playing with a beach ball in the house. One of them tossed it in the air, it got caught above the blades of the ceiling fan, snapped one blade off, Z ran from the room, snapped another blade off, J ran from the room flipping off the light switch as he went, and then I joined the story. As Z said, "That was freaking me out to death!" and J said, "I was so scared my legs were shaking." I'm just thankful they got out of the room before either of them were crushed under the fan or impaled by a piece of it. I'm also thankful J was smart enough to flip the switch off on the wall.

Apparently, it looks like the screws were stripped. The fan was so heavy, I had a hard time maneuvering it downstairs. I don't think it was properly supported either. For all I know it could be original to the house because it was the actual metal on the blade that snapped.

What a morning and it's not even 9 o'clock!

Potater Kid Lesson of the Day: Do not toss balls in the house....even beach balls! I think they really got the lesson this time :)

Dead fan's new home in the recycle bin

What's left

What did I do 15 years ago this week?

I got married!

On June 8, 1996, I married my Alan.  It's amazing how each year your love grows and grows.  We chose each other that day so long ago and we still choose each other today. What a great decision!

Too busy for my own good!

Summer break for kids, big anniversary tomorrow, VBS lesson prep, 5th birthday and party, new large group prep, Alan's birthday approaching, my part of 750 VBS crafts to count, cut, etc., a room to decorate by Sunday, Father's Day, a set to build and a very large room to decorate in 1 1/2 weeks, one house in desperate need of cleaning.....Oh, July...I look forward to your almost blank calendar days.  I need about 3 more of me for the next 2 1/2 weeks.  Pray for energy!

What's that falling from the sky?

Yesterday, it rained for the first time since....I have no idea, it's been so long! But since it was the first Monday of summer break and about a million degrees outside (no kidding...we're setting records for days over 100 already), the kids thoroughly embraced the rainy summer afternoon. Alan snapped this shot of our two little monkeys trying to catch water on their tongues. A little while later, they were running around with no shoes or shirts and soaked to the bone. Z summed up the fun during her prayers last night with, "Jesus, thank you that J___ and I had so much fun playing in the rain without our shirts and shoes! THAT was FUN!!!!!"

Lesson of the Day: A summer rain, soaked clothes, and a little mud between the toes is sometimes the best summer fun!