Mondays...

Why is it that everything feels so out of control on a Monday? It would seem half the day slips by without accomplishment and the only ones out of bed with energy are those under 5. Wouldn't it be nice to begin the week with a fresh burst and determination to conquer the day? Apparently I need to work on this :)

Bradlee is studying the US Constitution and reviewing whether or not some fictitious actions are constitutional or not. How thankful I am that our country's foundation is a solid one. Even though there is much corruption in politics, as I read over our constitution, I am amazed at the foresight of our founding fathers. Truly guided by the hand of God.

Wyatt speaks so little. I would worry except that his brother Emmett spoke very little before he was 2 also. Then he began conversing in complete sentences. His vocabulary consisted of so few words. Then we were out to eat with friends when their son got up to go to the restroom. Emmett clearly (and loudly I might add) spoke "Hey Peter, where are you going?" like he'd known all the words all along. From then on it was "Emmett, can you please be quiet?" His unusual word is "kringle." We don't know what it is, what it means, or where it came from, but Emmett uses it for everything when he's talking. "I'd like some kringle milk." "I was kringle coming in from outside." "Is that your kringle watch?" Of course, if you ask him to repeat whatever he said, he removes the kringle. We figure it is his every adjective, every verb, every noun, when he doesn't know what to say. Either way, it's pretty funny.

The kids are busy making their lists of what to buy others for Christmas. They've earned a bit of job money this year and we've put them in charge of their own budgets. They're pretty hyped about it. Christmas will be here before we know it!

It's definitely Monday, and I definitely need to go accomplish SOMETHING before even more of my day slips away unaccounted for.

Happy Veteran's Day

It was a gloriously beautiful Veteran's Day here in Ocala. The kids and I walked this morning and it was so nice to enjoy our brisk but still warm weather. I wanted to take a moment to thank all of our veterans for the job that they have done for our country. Our freedom is because of their sacrifice, so please don't take it forgranted.

Today also brought a bit of Christmas shopping...shhhh...don't tell! Even a couple of new Christmas dresses for daughters Bradlee & Whitney. Bradlee was delighted that her dad approved her modest but still grown up dress and heels. She does look beautiful in them and I'm amazed at how she grows more beautiful every day. Whitney got a red sparkle dress that fits her well..she's so funny. I never have any idea what she will like, but just like when she was very small, if she likes it, she LIKES it. She loved this dress. It goes great with her new sparkly smile...her braces :)

Please pray for our former church, First Baptist Church of Ocala. We attended there for 14 years, and they are going through a huge crisis. They are in great turmoil at the moment, and we still have so many people there that we love. Satan is the one that is winning here, and we need to join together to pray against him.

Michael W Smith & Steven Curtis Chapman

Last night I took 2 of my daughters to their first concert. I certainly never thought that when I was in HIGH SCHOOL enjoying every song by MWS, that shortly after my 40th bday, I would accompany MY CHILDREN to see him in concert. But, there you go. And when SCC launched his career when I was in college at Liberty, I didn't think that, either. Still these two gentlemen, whose music has had a profound impact on my life, are truly dear friends to me.

I don't think there could have ever been a better time to see SCC in concert. Following the tragedy of the death of his daughter in May, which followed the release of an album all about living in the moment. He had no way of knowing when he wrote the precious songs of "This Moment" that the words of faith would be truly tested. And yet, last night, we saw the heart of a broken man, still singing glorious praises to the God who is in control even of this. I had to think that God must've shed tears as Steven wrote the songs for this album, knowing how much he would be tested. Truly a story of triumph.

Smitty was as amazing as ever. I marvel at this man and his incredible God given talent. So many songs of his that have touched my heart; and I am thankful for his sharing of his gift with us.

The girls had a good time. I hope that their experience was more "hip" and enjoyable than my first concert...THE BILL GAITHER TRIO. (And I saw them more than once...go figure.) I also got to see Kenny Rogers and the Righteous Brothers. When my concert choices became my own, my mom took me to see Amy Grant (thanks MOM!) and my sister also took me to see Amy. I've also seen Rick Springfield, Chicago, SCC in the early days, Carman (a couple of times), Phil Driscoll, The Imperials (in their cooler days), and Michael W Smith's Freedom tour. Now I need to find a good concert to take Mary to see...ZoeGirl or Rebecca St James perhaps.

All in all, a truly great experience, albeit sobering of my age to see so many "old" people in the crowd. I cannot possibly be in these people's generation?!!! SCC & MWS finished Steven's set with Live Out Loud and Dive, and they were plenty loud and rock n roll. Ben would've been under the seat with his ears plugged...the girls and I? We were dancing in the aisle :) Maybe I'm not so old after all!

The Day After the Election...

But we're not discussing that. We met some really cool people from California tonight. God is gracious and good; and we are so full of hope at this moment.

I also received a book signed by Rebecca St James (and signed to ME, I might add) that our new friends brought to me. They know her personally and I am so beyond impressed! So we are home late from our meeting, again, marvelling at the goodness of God for us. I will possibly go into more later, but at this moment, I am thankful for the possibilities.