Do You See A Pattern?

My Summer Reads...

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” ~ Matthew 11: 28-30

A few nights ago I was doing a lesson in my James' Bible study workbook and it was on anger.  Moore asked us to rate how quick we were to anger on a scale of 1 - 10.  Hmm?  I emailed my friend Alberta who is also doing the study and asked her did that mean with or without medication!  If that wasn't enough to make me uncomfortable, the next part asked us to make a list in the margins of all the things that made us angry over the last seven DAYS.  Was Moore kidding?!  Seven DAYS worth of MY anger in the margin.  Please!  I couldn't fit the last seven HOURS in the margin let alone seven days.  Gesh!  I decided to generalize the things that make me angry so that, writing extremely small, I could at least have a list that didn't make me look like a monster.  I fully admit that I have issues with anger.  (Obviously, right?  Ha!)  So, what does this have to do with my summer reads?  Well, as I was doing my Bible study, I started thinking about the books I bought to read this summer.  I am wondering if you will notice the same pattern that I noticed.  Take a look ~

 

I even bought the Unglued Devotional book.  Look at the subtitle:  "Making Wise Choices in the Midst of Raw Emotions" 

 

This one isn't about anger.  I just like Angie Smith.  If you have not read her book, I Will Carry You, you really should put that on your list. 

 

And this one is on my Kindle.  I love the title!  Yes, as the mother of three boys, I am often DESPERATE for strength.

So, did you notice a pattern?  ;)

 

 

I had to add this picture.  Remember the baby geese I blogged about a few weeks ago?  Well, today I had to take a different route to get the boys to VBS because the road in front of our house is still a mess.  The route I took goes around the other side of the lake.  This is what we saw!!  The baby geese were actually on the other side of the road, and I couldn't get a shot of them b/c a car was coming.  They are getting so big.  I wish I would have had time to watch them for a bit.  This must be the hang out area now.  Not only were there geese waddling around, but also a few ducks.  My plan is to go back later this evening with some old bread and crackers and see if the boys can feed them without getting rushed.

 

And finally.....

 

My camping duffel bag arrived yesterday.  My niece advised me to use a duffel bag instead of a suitcase.  You can't tell from this picture, but that is one huge duffel bag.  I actually put two sofa pillows in it to plump it up and it still isn't full.  The fellas in the house always use duffel bags for trips, but I have just never been able to make one work for me.  I hope I can figure out a packing system for this thing.  And, just an FYI for the ladies, Sam's has Vera Bradley large duffels for $54. This one is an extra large that I found on clearance on Amazon.  Most of the reviews said that it was "too big" so that equaled "just right" to me.  HA!  I will let you know that the ones at Sam's are not that pretty and have a lot of white on them.  I thought a dark color would work better for a camper and keeping it looking clean.

 

Okay, I'm off to get the blond put back in my hair.  After going darker for about two months, I must say that blondes really do have more fun!  More importantly for this forty-six year old, it makes me look younger.  Pictures later. 

 

 

A Little of This and That

Dew Crew Daily This and That's        

So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, "On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided."  ~ Genesis 22: 14 (NIV)

Today began with the boys excited about VBS.  While they were at church, I headed to get Sister and pick-up the big Rooster from football practice.  No Farmer's Market for us today as a huge storm came up and the road in front of our house was finally getting paved.  I didn't feel like driving my car over hot tar.  However, the big Rooster decided to walk on it.  Yes, you read that correctly.  While the workers were at the drizzle those rock crumbles, Blake hops out of a car with no shoes on and runs a few paces in the rocky tar.  He comes into the house telling me he "thinks" he burned his feet on the road.  WHAT?!  I make him soak is feet in cold water, wash the crumbles off them and lather them in aloe gel.  It seems he just needed them cooled down.  After we did that, he was fine and is on his way to see SMACK DOWN which is in town tonight.  (I am NOT a wrestling fan at all.  It just seems so lame to watch grown men in tights throw each other across a mat.  And they do that why?)

Here is the rest of our day in pictures....

 

Finally, we are getting our road back!

 

Nick watching the work being done on the street.

 

Yes, we have to have something cool while we are "road watching."

 

 

Nick harvesting the first cucumber of the season.

 

When it finally popped off the bush, he thought he broke it.  It looks like he is about to cry but he isn't.  He was just surprised at how hard he had to pull.

 

So proud.  Heading to the house to put it in the refrigerator for supper tonight.

 

 

When the afternoon storm came up, we decided it was the perfect time to do our Bible lesson.  Today we read the story of Abraham and Isaac.  The Jesus Storybook Bible did a really good job with this story.  I was a little afraid that the boys wouldn't exactly understand what God was asking of Abraham, but the book did a good job relating it to little children.

 

Nick working on his ram.  I loved the way the Roosters put cotton under the horns.  Obviously, we haven't been exposed to rams, lambs, and goats a lot.

 

John Ryan working.

 

John Ryan's ram looks like it got caught in a storm.  LOL!

 

Nick's ram.

 

I thought John Ryan did a really good job making his ram appear to be caught in the bushes as it was in the Bible story.

 

 

And, I even learned a lot from this story.  I never made the connection of Isaac carrying the load of wood up the mountain just as Christ would later carry the cross up a hill to become a sacrifice for our sins.  God also commanded Abraham to sacrifice his "only son" and said it three times.  The journey up the mountain for Abraham and Isaac also took three days.  In the book of James that I am studying, James references Abraham's faith (James 2: 21-22).  I love learning all the ways the Old Testament is connected to the New Testament. 

 

After reading the section in Genesis of Isaac carrying the wood up the mountain, I flipped to see what the illustration in the New Testament would look like.  Someone did their homework.  I really think this children's Bible has been well done.

 

 

And this is my latest obsession--lace dresses.  I love them.  I think they are so pretty.  I'm just trying to figure out how I'm going to skinny into that white one.  HA!  I think it may be on the "exchange" list as it shrank in UPS truck.  I hate when that happens.  Must be the heat, huh?  Wink!

 

 

VBS and a Rainy Afternoon

VBS and the rest of the day...

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. ~ Proverbs 22:  6

The Roosters were up very early this AM.  They had VBS at 9:00, but we had to get Blake from weight lifting at 8:30, we we were all up, dressed, fed and out the door by 8:15. 

 

This was the best I could get on the trek to the car this AM.  John Ryan is holding his CSI badge to get into VBS today.

 

Nick clearly not in the mood for my picture taking.  Oh, well, sometimes I win and sometimes I lose.  He is still a pretty good egg.

 

 

Through fun, hands-on forensics science activities, explore the lives of Old Testament heroes and villains. Investigate the evidence from their lives to determine if they walked worthy according to Ephesians 4:1-3.

As we learn the meanings of humility, gentleness, patience, love, unity and peace we not only investigate the Old Testament character's lives but also look at our own lives. Are we walking worthy in these areas? What do we need to change in our own lives through the power of the Holy Spirit working in us?

The main lesson is one hour. With the addition of optional rotation labs, each lesson is approximately three hours. If you choose to do everything suggested, your class time will last even longer!

This curriculum can be used in various ways: weekly children's church, camps, outreach, and VBS. Format: Download

Lessons include:

1: King Josiah: Depend on Jesus.

2: Naaman the Leper is Healed: Treat others with kindness, consideration and respect.

3: Esau Sells His Birthright: Deal with hard times in a calm way.

4: Abigail saves Nabal: Choose to treat others with love.

5: Jehoshaphat: Work and cooperate with others.

6: Freedom From Sin: Live together in peace.

 

Source:  http://www.riversedgecurriculum.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=2

 

 

After returning home from VBS, the boys played in the yard with Sister while I cooked lunch (BLT's with potato salad-yummy) and worked on laundry.  It wasn't a good day for the yard as we had thundershowers off and on all afternoon. 

 

 

 

 

Yes, my den floor looks like this most days--full of Lego's.  Today it was Lego's, laptops and markers. 

 

Hmm, where did Nicholas find my CHRISTmas pillow?  This picture makes me laugh because Nick's eyes kept rolling back in his head because he was so tired and just refused to take a nap.

 

Nope, this isn't lunch.  This is a snack.  These boys could eat an elephant in an afternoon.

 

John Ryan loves PBJs.

 

Finally, I got a picture of the big Rooster and this is what he does.  He is such a goof-ball.

 

Now this cracks me up!  He was doing his version of the Mr. Clean commercials.  I kept asking him where his muscle was.  LOL!

 

Okay, that "knot" he calls a muscle isn't too bad for a 15 year old.  For some strange reason, he enjoys weight training and conditioning.   He is a funny kid.  Keeps me laughing.  He is a good egg, too.

 

These are our new obsession.  We devour these things.  The only ones I dislike are Root Beer and Coffee.  Those are nasty.  The popcorn flavored ones are actually really good, and I am not a huge popcorn fan.

 

My 'mator bushes are doing really good.  I can't wait for them to turn red.  It seems to take forever before I get to start picking them.

 

Cucumbers are also looking good.  Nicholas has already laid claim to this beauty.  He loves cucumbers and watermelon.

 

Are they not just beautiful?!?

 

I was trying to get a shot of the storm cloud, but it doesn't show up good.  However, the pine tree you see there is really tall, BUT the one behind my bedroom is even taller.  It is the one that I worry about whenever we have a bad storm with really strong winds.  You can see part of it in the top right of the photo.  Those are actually the bottom limbs.  It is a big tree!

 

 

Tomorrow if all goes as planned, I am headed to the Farmer's Market to get some fresh veggies.  I was thinking that Sister and I could watch a movie and teach the boys how to shell peas or butter beans.  I'm not sure if they are in yet.  Will have to see what I can find when I get there.  I just love summer vegetables and fruit, don't you? 

 

Super Moon

What is a super moon?

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. ~ Psalm 19:1

I was just reading the news b/c it is hard for me to just sit down for an hour and watch it.  I saw an article that Sunday there will be a super moon.  It made me wonder just what a "super moon" is.  It seems that on Sunday (June 23), the moon will be at its closest point to Earth — called perigee. This relatively close brush will happen as the moon enters its fullest phase, creating the cosmic coincidence known as the super moon. At its fullest and closest, the moon will appear about 12 percent larger in the sky.

 

Source: http://www.space.com/15561-supermoon-2012-photos-full-moon-images.html

Today was pretty boring.  I went to get Sister and we made a Sam's run and a short trip to Target.  Sam's has these really cute, comfortable skorts that I bought about two years ago.  They have them again this year.  I like them b/c you can dress them up or down.  They are perfect for the beach.  The best part is that they are only $12!!  Can't beat that.  This year they actually have them in two different materials. I like the cotton best for the beach, but I had to try the new ones too.  (To keep mine from fading, I wash them in Tide Total Care and hang them in my laundry room to dry.)

Source:  http://www.samsclub.com/sams/green-tea-active-skort/prod9690193.ip  (The website says $13.?? for the skort, but in Columbia they are $12.) 



I feel pretty yuck today.  I think I am getting a summer cold.  My nose has been snuffly all day, and I have about coughed a hole in my lungs.  The medicine that helps can't be taken during the day b/c it just knocks me out.  I think I'm going to take a dose and see if I can't get some sleep.

 

This was my Nick sleeping with me a few nights ago.  I just love to watch my children sleep.  Look at those "wittle wips."

 

This was John Ryan last night. 

 

And this was the sky as I was driving home tonight.  It actually turned pink the closer to home I got.  I tried to get a picture, but the trees in the backyard blocked the view.

 

Getting Organized

Trying to get organized

For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. ~ 1 Corinthians 14: 33

There is one trait that I wish I had that I just do NOT have in any shape or form.  I wish I were more organized.  I am the one constantly losing my keys, my shoes, my phone, my children (Just kidding...I have managed to hang on to them by the Grace of God only I am sure.)  I have lists everywhere and lose those.  I buy planners and either they don't work for me or I forget where I left them. 

 

This is a WalMart planner I "thought" I would use.  I didn't write the first thing in it.  I think I decided it was too big and floppy.  How would I know though?  It's not like I even tried the thing.

 

THEN, I went to Staples and bought one of those pretty Martha Stewart binders with all the stuff to get myself organized.  As you can see, I haven't even opened some of the "cute" stuff.  I definitely do NOT like the three-ring binder organizer.

 

This the the agenda my school gives us at the beginning of each new year.  I HAVE to use it or I would be totally lost.  I only keep school info in it and after-school appointments.  This is a must.

 

This is my NEW MomAgenda that I recently purchased.  I have had a few in the past, and I actually used this one.  I was going to try the Erin Condrin planners that I have seen and read so much about in the blog world.  However, I saw how thick it was and I didn't think that would work for me. 

 

What I like about the MomAgenda is that the top part is for my appointments and then the bottom is divided into four sections for kids, workouts, meetings or whatever you want to make the sections.  At the very bottom is a section for meal planning and a small notes section over to the left at the top.  I'm giving this one another try beginning in July.  Wish me luck.  Okay, just pray that I can keep up with it and not lose the thing!!

Today was a day where I was trying to make-over my vacation checklists.  Usually we rent a villa at the beach for the week and my list is pretty much the same year after year.  However, since the Colonel bought the house-on-wheels, I do not want to get to the beach and have to worry about making out a stocking list.  My niece, Megan, is super organized.  She truly has a gift.  She calls it OCD; I say it is a gift.  I texted her during the day to ask some questions as she has Irish twins (ha) and has spent some time recently at her mom and dad's trailer at the beach.  She was extremely helpful and had some "pointers" for trailer camping with little ones.  (Her Littles are five and six.)

 

These are a few checklists I have made so far.  I plan (cough, cough) to put them in a Travel Trailer Vacation binder.  I want to keep one at home and one in the trailer.

 

This is my new little piece of technology I ordered a while back and just got around to setting it up today.  I needed a laser color printer for home.  I tried it out today and really like it so far.  Maybe THIS will keep me organized.  Nah!

 

It was extremely easy to set-up.  It took "maybe" fifteen minutes if that long and that was doing everything including connecting it to our wireless system.

 

 

The pictures below will explain the rest of my day with the Roosters.  I need to get more pictures of Blake, but he seems to think he is "too cool" for me to photograph him.  

 

 

Our Bible lesson today was the story of Abraham and Sarah.  While I thought this little tent scene was so cute, I must admit that gluing three of these things together (I made one last night as a model for the Roosters today) was not a lot of fun for me.

 

The Roosters were in Heaven for most of the early afternoon.  They are repaving the street in front of our house so the boys watched the workers.

 

Later in the day, the Roosters ate Popsicles and watched the work going on in front of the house. 

 

After supper, the boys went to the backyard to dig more holes.  Must they do this?  Our backyard is horrendous.  The Colonel says let them do whatever they want to it; it can't look any worse.  Sigh.

 

What do you ask yourself (besides why would anyone buy such an ugly rug) when you look at this picture?  Is there something that just seems like it doesn't belong?  Like that BIG, OLE FOOTBALL SOCK!  The Roosters were doing a word search in the den and when I walked by I noticed the football sock.  I had to ask what they were doing with a sock.  Neither seemed to know the answer to that question.  It seems the sock just appeared in their midst.  Really?  Socks usually hide from me.  Notice that the sock is ON the paper.  That means that the paper was there first.  They are just clueless as to why the sock was with them.  Who knows?  I guess the socks around here can walk without feet in them.  I wish they would walk out of my dryer, match themselves and then walk to the sock drawer!!

 

My little garden being touched by the hands of the sun.

 

This is a limb that fell off a pine tree that is right behind my bedroom.  I have this small fear that we are going to have a big storm and the pine is going to fall on my bedroom roof while I am sleeping. 

 

Remember my post on my friend Delores that I taught with in Allendale.  I wrote about her in my Jonah post.  Anyway, thirteen years ago, Delores and I went on the Walk to Emmaus spiritual retreat weekend. 

(Walk #16 ~ Table of Martha ~ DeColores!) 

While we were there, one of the speakers used the dragonfly as a metaphor for God.  Her talk was amazing.  For gifts now, Delores, Rhonda and I will often send each other something with a dragonfly on it.  Today, out of the blue, I received this beautiful pillow from my sweet, sweet friend.  I put in on my bed to remind me of Delores.  I think of her often and miss her so much.  She was such a gift sent to me in that season.  I'm so thankful she will always be a forever friend even if we don't get to see each other a lot. 

 

The pictures below are just pictures of the grand strand taken by others.  One was a pier at Myrtle Beach with the sunset.  The other is just a random picture of people on the beach.  I can't wait to get my toes in that sand!!  Oh, how I love the beach!!!