Today's Happenings

June 13 Happenings

 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. ² Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. ³ Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. ⁴ Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. ⁵ I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶ If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. ⁷ If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸ By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. ⁹ As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. ¹⁰ If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. ¹¹ These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. ~ John 15:  1-11

The day started off rather slowly around here.  The big Rooster had conditioning for football, so he was at the high school bright and early.  I piddled between rooms and tried to get motivated to do something besides just walk around the house.  I finally dragged the mop bucket out and decided to splash some water on a few floors.  Cleaning the house is kinda of like going to the gym--once I get started, I really get into it, but it takes forever for me to decide to just do something.  I am so NOT a domestic goddess.  The domestic bug hits me in waves and trust me, the waves are few and far between.  So, with all that being said, here is today in pictures. 

 

This started my motivation--a BLT (minus the lettuce) sandwich.  A bacon and tomato sandwich with mustard (no mayo--blah) is my favorite sandwich of the summer.  I love a BT with a fresh cucumber or plate of field peas with a hot pepper chopped in it.  Yummy!

 

Nick loves watermelon.  I like it with salt but he just wants his plain.  I just buy it already cut up in those plastic containers at Publix. 

 

John Ryan is still a huge fan of apple juice.  All he drinks is apple juice and water.

 

 

This is Mouse looking at me like I have issues.  He follows me around like a dog.  He doesn't care much for Roosters though.  I think it is their noise level that sends him into seclusion.

 

I surprised the big Rooster by registering him for a day of football camp with Gamecock player Marcus Lattimore.  I guess I should say "former" Gamecock Marcus Lattimore since he went pro.

 

I looked through the latest Lakeshore catalog for fun but educational games for the boys.  If you are not familiar with this company, I hope you'll look it up.  It has some really quality games, toys and materials for children.  My Roosters love almost everything I have ever ordered for them from Lakeshore.  Their items are very reasonably priced and the quality is great.

 

I found the boys watching TV once today.  They both looked like they were about to fall asleep.  Nick was cuddling with his doggy.

 

John Ryan was being a dog (or is that a wolf?).

 

Late this afternoon, we headed to Hair Doodles so "Miss" Sheila could give the boys a trim.  John Ryan has been asking for a cut since Sunday.  These are the Roosters headed to the car.

 

Nick-a-Roni

 

Handsome Rooster if I do say so myself!

 

John Ryan is so Type-A.  Bless his little pointed head.  He spends his entire time in the chair flicking hair off his cape onto the floor.  Notice there is none on the cape.  Ha!

 

John Ryan wouldn't let me take his picture when Miss Sheila finished cutting his hair, so I got a picture of how cute he is while he helped me shuck corn for supper. 

 

While the boys were actually playing together and not fighting, I decided to work on the next lesson in my Bible study on James.  I don't know how other people study, but I have to take up the entire couch or side of a bed.  Here I have my workbook where you see my notes in yellow.  My Bible is under my study book because Moore has you looking up scriptures a lot, and of course, it is a BIBLE study.  The small book at the top is another study book I had on James.  It explains each verse in terms of meanings of Greek words and things like that.  I love, love, love seeing how God connects events throughout the Bible.

 

And this was supper tonight...Eggplant Parmesan and fresh corn-on-the-cob.  I was raised by a truly southern grandmother who cooked Sunday meals every day of the week.  We always had a meat, starch, two veggies, bread and dessert.  I have really had to work hard not to cook such big meals.  I figured the eggplant and tomato sauce served as the two veggies and the corn was the starch.  HA!  I'm looking at this picture and that meal does not look good at all, but I promise we ate the entire dish. 

 

Berry shortcake for dessert!  Yummy!!

 

 



 Now I am where I was last night at this time--on the sofa because I ate too much yet again.  There is supposed to be a severe thunderstorm heading through our area tonight.  I love thunderstorms as long as they don't do any damage.  I remember sitting on the front porch of my grandparents' home when I was a child watching the summer storms come up.  My grandfather could tell if we were going to get the storm based on where the clouds were coming in from.  If the sky behind "Miss" Clara's house got dark, we would get the storm.  I love the smell of rain in the distance and the sound of rain on a roof.  I remember sitting on the arm of granddad's rocking chair seeing the lightning flash and counting until I heard the thunder to see how far away the storm was.  When things got bad, we would head into the house where my sister and I were always told to be quiet because God was doing His work.  If the power went off, we would head to the living room and grandmother would play the piano for a bit.  She played by ear and we would take turns asking her to play a song we wanted to hear.  Oh, the joy of childhood memories that I still cherish. 

 

 

Food!

Eating to Live or Living to Eat??

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.  ~ 1 Corinthians 10: 31

I must confess that today was another lazy day of summer for me.  There was plenty I could have done and should have done, but I just didn't do.  Instead I popped in a movie and just enjoyed being a couch potato.  Of course, there was the every quarter of the hour "Mommy, I need you" cry from one of the Roosters but that was okay too.

After lunch, I had some errands to run, so I dropped the boys off at "Miss" Michelle's and ran to get those done.  "Miss" Michelle is a God-send to this teacher out of school that still needs a break every now and again from her own children.  Michelle is a teacher at Asbury during the school year and keeps a few kids during the summer for those that still need child-care.  I definitely have the Roosters signed up on a drop-in basis. 

Today I think I just had food on the brain.  I was craving every vegetable that is in season right now.  I ran by Publix to pick up squash and cat food and ended up with a cart full of fresh vegetables and fruit.  I love Publix's produce.  It is always so clean and fresh.  Today was no exception.  My two-item list was null and void the moment I saw produce section. 

Speaking of food, I shared a photo of my patio garden yesterday that I took a few weeks ago.  Below is a picture of it today.  These are my tomatoes and cucumbers.  My pepper plants are in another location.  I am amazed by the growth.  The rain has been such a blessing to my little garden.  Isn't it bee-u-ti-ful?!

 

The little tomato plant on the far right in the orange pot was actually all but dead.  Something told me to not give up on the stem, so I decided to just let it stay in the pot and see what happened.  No, it isn't nearly as big as the other plants, but it is about twelve inches tall now.  The plant next to it is a hybrid bush cucumber.  I can't tell you how many tiny cukes are on it right now.

 

These beauties are my Mother's Day flowers that the boys picked out at Sunday school.   When they gave them to me after church, each little plant only had one flower.  Now look at them!  Of course, the plant is no longer mine.  The Roosters remind me constantly that it is their flower.  I'll inherit it again when it starts to wilt.  HA!

 

And this was tonight's supper--That red blob is my stuffed bell pepper.  I'm not a fan of ketchup at all.  I only eat it on fries, meat loaf and stuffed peppers.  My John Ryan LOVES ketchup, but Nick won't touch it.  For dessert we had berry short cake.  I didn't get a picture of it because we gobbled it down before I even thought of taking a picture of it.  Now I am on the sofa writing this blog because I hurt myself at supper eating so much. I think tonight was one of those nights when I was living to eat instead of eating to live. 

Ketchup

Catching Up On My Happenings

"For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you."  ~ Isaiah 41: 13

I'm going to see if I can catch myself up on my weekly happenings.  I think the best way to do it is through pictures. 



Last Monday, I started a Bible study on the book of James.  I've been twice thus far, and I've really enjoyed it.  It's a rather large group of women.  It think we are up to 33 now.  I'm a huge Beth Moore fan, so this was a no brainer for me when Kristen announced in Sunday school that she was going to facilitate it. 

 

Thursday I met an old friend from "The Meadow"--Jill Truett.  I had lunch with Jill and Kaitlyn whom I have only talked to via text.  Kaitlyn has been offered a position at "The Forest" and wanted to meet for lunch in order to get a feel for what life in "The Forest" is like.  I am happy to say that Kaitlyn texted me yesterday and said she accepted the position.  I can't wait to work with her.  She seems like such a sweet person and has a heart for children.  It was also loads of fun catching up with Jill after a year.  This is a picture of me as I was leaving to go meet the gals.  I totally forgot to get a group picture. 

 

Friday, I attended Jasmine Melvin's funeral services.  A few weeks ago, I posted pictures of a couple of teachers from "The Forest" decorating for our spring ball.  We were wearing Team Jasmine shirts and praying for God's will to be done in Jasmine's life as she was battling cancer.  Jasmine ran to Jesus last week.  We are praying for God's unfailing love and amazing grace to carry Jasmine's parents, Zully and Ryan Melvin, through this difficult time.  Jasmine's grandmother, Betty Melvin, works at "The Forest" with me and is such a sweet lady.  We are praying for the entire Melvin family. 

 

 

Saturday had us heading to Carowinds which is only about an hour from Columbia.  It was hot and humid.  The twins are at that in between stage where Carowinds isn't as much fun as it was last year and not as much fun as it could be if they were only two inches taller.  The rides that they could ride are now "baby" rides to them.  The rides they want to ride are still not in their height range.  I must admit that Carowinds is not my favorite place to spend the day, but I put on a happy face for the Roosters.

 

Rides?  Who needs rides?  We climb poles and anything else that we are NOT supposed to climb.

 

After riding the huge swings at Broadway at the Beach, this little swing was just not cutting it at all.  Look at John Ryan's face.  It says it all.

 

A repeat--oops.

 

Leaving!!  Yippee!  And I am looking at Blake and am wondering if the big Rooster is color blind.  Geez. 

 

The joy of being a twin--If your brother doesn't want his Icee, then you get it!

 

This was a favorite ride.  This is Nick with the Colonel flying the skies. 

 

Roosters (Or should I have named them "monkeys"??) hanging out in the trees in the backyard. 

 

A quiet trip to the library.  The big Rooster went with us but only because he got to drive.

 

Our patio has a water drainage problem; however, the Roosters love it when it rains.  Yes, we have had a lot of rain lately.

 

Because of the rain, we have been stuck inside for DAYS.  Ugh.  The boys were driving me nuts, so I made a quick trip to my least favorite store ever (WalMart) and let them pick out a Lego kit to build.  They love, love, love Legos.  This is Nick.  He actually fell in love with them first and is really good at building.

 

John Ryan with his kit.  They have decided that they are going to start collecting them.  I will say that those two inch plastic blocks are expensive.  Geesh.

 

My patio garden is doing great.  This is actually a picture from a week ago.  I now have buds all over my tomato bushes and even a few small tomatoes budding.  My cucumber bush is huge.  I'm a little afraid it is going to outgrow the cage I have for it.

 

So, these are a few things the Dew Crew have been up to lately.  What have you been up to?

 

Wow!

Awesome!

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,... ~ Deuternonmy 7: 9

I know I am behind with my posts, and I have a lot to share.  However, sometimes one just needs to be silent.  Tonight when I left Bible study, this is what I saw...Pictures just do not do it justice...Can you see it?  It is a double rainbow! 

"No, despite all these things, overhwelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow--not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below--indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." ~ Romans 8: 37 - 39

 

 

If my little phone camera could capture this much of it, can you only imagine how beautiful it was for those of us that got to see it "for real!"  It was so vibrant and awesome!! 

 

Day One of Summer 2013

What does summer bring for the Dew Crew?

Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord. ~Proverbs 16:20

Summer vacation began for me yesterday.  When I was a child growing up in the small town of Latta, SC, I had "school" every morning with my grandmother.  She was also a teacher, and Heidi and I would head to the card table set up on the sun porch to do our lessons for the day.  She always had a book for us to share, an art activity and a Bible lesson.  After our morning "school", the rest of the day was spent outside.  Heidi and I looked forward to spending that time with her and then going off to our backyard adventures.  Oh, the joy of childhood spent outdoors.

So, fast forward forty (yikes) years.  What does the summer bring for the Dew Crew?  A lot of the same things--school time with me, trips to the library, Bible stories, VBS, a patio garden, cooking in the kitchen, making crafts, and insect collecting in the backyard. 

What did yesterday bring for the Roosters?  Blake was recovering from a sunburn from the end-of-the-year pool party.  I was trying to get the house in some sort of summer order.  The twins were trying to cut off Scruffy's tail with the hedge clippers.  Yes, you read that correctly.  Because his tail is so fluffy, they didn't seem to think that it contained bones.  They were giving it a trim with hedge clippers that the Colonel and I thought were out of reach for the boys.  Ooops.  Boys climb.  Thank goodness Blake happened to walk out back to check on them for me and nabbed the clippers just in time. 

 

During the school year, Mrs. Stewart (You remember that wonderful teacher I've mentioned maybe once, twice or more, don't you?) read a Bible story to the students each day.  She also taught them the sign language for all the Bible verses they learned.  The boys finished a Children's Bible in school with Mrs. Stewart and we finished reading our Children's Bible here at home.  I heard a lot of really good things about The Jesus Storybook Bible, so I purchased it for our summer Bible study.  The picture above is our school table.  I have it set up in front of the picture window in the living room. 

 

Yesterday, we made our Bible study folders and started our lessons.  The boys had fun and so did I. 

'

 

Very serious about copying their memory verse...Look at Nick's expression

 

Nick

 

John Ryan smiles over his art work. 

 

Our pictures of things God created.  It was interesting to see them watch what I was coloring and then model their drawings after what I was doing. 

 

I had a 6:30 Bible study last night but wanted to make sure the family was fed before I left.  This was my first meal of the summer.  I love, love, love tomatoes and cucumbers in the summer. 

 

This was today.  We made mini books on the Creation Week. 

 

After our Bible study this AM, I sent the Roosters to the yard to look for things God created.  Here they are searching for Rolly Polly bugs.  (I can handle those bugs.)

 

This is a portion of my little patio garden.  I have tomatoes, bush cucumber, hot peppers and bell peppers.  Nothing beats a fresh tomato in the summer.  I can't wait for my first BLT!

 

 

 

 I bought this dish tub from WalMart in order to keep up with our library books.  Today is our library day.  We are headed there this afternoon with the big rooster driving us.  I am a bundle of nerves riding with him. 

 

 

 

 

Sunday

Carrying the Joy

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. ~ 1 Peter 1: 8-9

Have you ever had one of those days when you were just filled with joy?  When you left worship on Sunday morning and it just stayed in your being all day long?  Today was that day for me.  Nothing special happened today.  It was just a day when I carried "Sunday" with me the entire day and let nothing spoil my joy.  Here are a few pictures from my day...

 

This was taken after church. Today started Super Summer Sundays.  The boys came home with "Sunday Shades".  This picture makes me laugh.  John Ryan didn't want to get his picture taken with Nick b/c Nick had upset him.  I told John Ryan not to worry about Nick being in the picture b/c I could crop him out if he wanted a picture of himself alone.  Well, Nick decided to lay his head on John Ryan so that he couldn't be cropped out. 

 

As you can tell by the photo, John Ryan was still not very happy with our photo shoot.

 

I tried some of that self camera taking stuff again today, but I am just no good at it.  I was trying to get a picture of me with the boys, but we just couldn't get our heads to fit into the frame.  Nick ended up taking this picture of John Ryan with me. 

 

I pulled over on the side of the road and took this picture of a field filled with hay bales.  There was just something about the simple beauty that made me stop and want to capture the moment.

 

Okay, so I took more than one picture of the field!  Ha!  I'm looking at the photo and I'm thinking it is the way the sun was setting and shining over the field.  It was like the hay and sun were saying that the day was done.  It just looks peaceful.  I'm also reminded that without these simple, ordinary things in life there would be no beauty.  I think the ordinary is many times overlooked and not appreciated.  Isn't that what Williams was trying to say in the following poem?? 

The Red Wheelbarrow

so much depends
upon

a red wheel
barrow

glazed with rain
water

beside the white
chickens.

William Carlos Williams

 

Memorial Day Weekend

"All Gave Some; Some Gave All"


Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. ~ John 15: 13

I wish I could say that we go all out for Memorial Day, but alas, we do not.  The reason is that I am always in school which usually ends up being the last week of school.  It is that week that I come home totally exhausted every single day from packing up my room and partaking in all the end-of-the-year activities.  I do manage to come home and get a burger or two on the grill.  Here are a few pictures from our dinner.

 

I have no idea what Nick was doing.  He doesn't eat beef except in spaghetti sauce, so I fixed him chicken.  He loves butter beans and corn on the cob.  However, he will not eat corn off the cob.  Go figure!  I must admit that the corn I bought for our dinner came from Publix and that was the best corn I have had.  My friend Lisa told me years ago to boil my corn in sugar water instead of salt.  OMG!  Nick and I can both be found (heard) sucking the juice out the cob.  Ha!

 

I think he is glad his top teeth have finally grown a little longer.  There was a while when he couldn't gnaw his corn the way a southern boy should.

 

My silly John Ryan...He will eat burgers as long as they have cheese and ketchup on them.  He LOVES ketchup.

 

Yummy! My weirdness level comes out when it comes to potato salad.  I hate mayo, but I will eat potato salad as long as the mustard outweighs the mayo.  As you can see from my plate, the potato salad has to be VERY yellow.  It must have eggs and pickles too.   

 

This is the Colonel's favorite dessert--Coconut Creme Pie.  I just noticed that my supper was primarily yellow.  Oops.  I guess I missed the red, white and blue theme, huh?

 

My almost six foot tall high school rooster challenged me to a game of "Horse."  I was actually winning until he started doing lay-ups.  Really?!  I'm 5'3"! 

 

Okay, so I have absolutely NO form but who cares.  I was winning while we were doing straight shots from various positions. 

 

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve, as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.
~ 1 Thessalonians 4:  13-14