We went to my in-laws this evening to celebrate my sister-in-law's upcoming forty something birthday. After a big turkey dinner, I decided to walk out back and see if I could get any pictures of the horses.

Meet Archie. He's Jessi's pony. They are the same age. Archie graduated from pony cart school. We're very proud of him. I don't think he pulls many pony carts any more though. He's not a spring chicken any longer. But he looks good with white hair.

Rex and Sunny are enjoying a little grass before dinner.

Rex is a belgian draft horse. Sunny is a brown horse. With spots.

This is Dakota. He is a free range Mustang. Actually, I guess they don't call them free range. He is a wild mustang and was a part of the mustang relocation program. Kind of like what you see on the pioneer woman, only he's male.

Uh oh, it's dinner time. My brother-in-law must have some goodies in the bucket. By the way, that big furry thing to his left is not a miniature golden retriever. It's a cat. A very big cat that walks up to the barn with him each night. He answers to "fluffy." He probably had to lift weights to keep from being laughed at for having such a wimpy name. Which might explain why he's the size of a miniature pony. But he is fluffy. And I suspect that the other cats don't laugh at him any more. Cause he'll just sit on them.

And that's it from down on the farm. I hope you enjoyed your tour through the pasture. Be sure and come back again sometime!

huh?

Most of you know that I work in a christian book store. Well, the other day, I received a phone call from an elderly gentleman who wanted a synopsis of the different vacation bible school material that we were carrying. He listed like fifteen different ones that he wanted to know something about. Sigh. I was not in the most loving frame of mind when I went to get the "big book" to help answer his questions. I decided the easiest way to tell him about the different ones was to just start reading through the different catalogs. The first one is "beach party vbs". I gave him the run down about it, covering the themes and the main scripture and so forth.

And then...

he asked...

"Is there any nudity in it?"

Huh?

After a moment of stunned silence (where I was waiting for him to laugh...or something), I matter of factly stated, "No sir, there is not." And I went right on to the next vbs description.

I don't believe I've ever had that question in the twenty years that I've worked there. And believe me, I've had lots of unusual questions. (Remind me to tell you about the request for Billy Graham's book on diarrhea or the man who wanted to show us his scars. Here's a hint. They weren't on a visible part of his body.)

And I guess the saddest part of all was that I never found out if this gentleman wanted his vbs "with" or "without." (I'm hoping he just wanted to be sure that there were no scantily clad people cavorting on the beaches. Which I suppose might be a reasonable question in this day and age.)

Perspective

It all began around 3:30 this morning.

A dog got up.

This dog doesn't normally get up during the night unless he is feeling icky. I've learned from past experience that it's better to put him out. Rather than wait and see what might happen. So, I put him out. And went out back twice to check on him. Because he was out there a really long time.

About the time I thought he might want to come in, another dog got up. This one got up because he heard us up and apparently thought he might be missing out on something. So, out he went. And in he came. And out he went. And in they both finally came. With the second dog tucked back into his room, the first dog and I decided to head back to bed.

And the third dog got up. And wanted to go out. And then wanted to drink enough water to float a battleship. And my patience was growing thin. Because the more he drank, the better the chances that he would want to go out again. Finally, all the dogs were tucked in bed.

And then the first dog decided that he really wasn't through with his stomach upset after all. So back down we go. Him feeling sick and me feeling irritated that in an hour I'll have to get back up and this whole debacle has lasted an hour and a half now. So, I sat down at my computer to pour out my woes to the world. After all, ya'll will listen with a sympathetic ear. And it really isn't fair that the entire house has slept through the travelling dog circus while I have been awakened for potty duty for the past six hours. (Notice how the time keeps growing?)

And then I clicked on this.

And this.

And now, all I can do is pray for these families.

And maybe that's really why I'm up.

Because no matter whatever little trauma I'm dealing with at the moment, it's nothing compared to what these families are facing.

It's all a matter of perspective.

So...

if you didn't believe me about how good church was last night, check out what my baby has to say about it.

Can I just say that I love my church?

Oh my, last night's service was outstanding! Apparently they were only expecting around a thousand or so, but there were about 4500 of us there, ready to praise the LORD. Sometime around the song, "My Savior Lives", I realized that this was going to be a "crying" service for me and by the time we finished with "I can only imagine" and "We will Dance" I was sobbing into a borrowed kleenex. (Yes, it was clean. At least it was til I got ahold of it.) Oh, but it did my heart good.




May you be blessed with the reminder that our Savior lives this beautiful day.

Heaven

Our church is starting Randy Alcorn's Heaven bible study with a kickoff sermon this evening. I started reading the book a couple of years ago and it was filled to the brim with good, deep theological stuff. More than my little blonde brain could absorb in one sitting. So, I am looking forward to hearing what Kyle has to say about it and hopefully, seeing it broken down into daily bits will help me to grasp the concepts. I'll let you know how it goes. In the meantime, here's a cute promo video they did for it....

Cover to Cover (a day late but hopefully not an insight short)

I'm back. I kept thinking yesterday that I had all day to gather my thoughts and put together this post. And as you see, today is now yesterday and tomorrow has arrived with no coherent thoughts from me. But I am awake now. Mildly rested from a long Memorial day weekend. So, this is what I've got.

Tuesday is the day that I usually work late, and last week was no exception. I was "in a mood" last Tuesday and it showed. I chose not to take the time to read my Bible before I left for work. (Can you hear the background music indicating "the shark" swimming towards the poor unsuspecting swimmer?) Unfortunately, several other ladies at work were also "in a mood". I'm sure you realize that this is a recipe for disaster. Anyhow, long story short, I chose to say a few things that I shouldn't, feeding an already volatile situation. When I got home and opened my bible to the daily reading, this is what I found.

You unleash your mouth for evil and harness your tongue for deceit. You sit, maligning your brother, slandering your mother's son. Psalm 50:19-20

Ouch.

Tell me that could have been avoided if I had read my bible before going to work. Hopefully this is a lesson learned and I will avoid this trap the next time. You may notice that I used the word "chose" each time I stepped into sin. That is because, in this instance, I ignored the prompting of the Holy Spirit, and willing stepped forward and opened my mouth. I knew that I shouldn't and yet, I did it anyway. Sigh.

God is very clear in what He expects from us. He reminds Solomon (and us) exactly what it is that he (and we) need to do to keep His favor.

As for this temple you are building--if you walk in My statutes, execute My ordinances, and keep all My commandments by walking in them, I will fulfill My promise to you, which I made to your father David. I will live among the Israelites and not abandon My people, Israel. 1 Kings 6:12-13

Then there's this reminder:

Unless the LORD builds a house, it's builders labor over it in vain...Psalm 127:1


I think we can add, "it's builder will also speak when she shouldn't, act when she should be still and so forth." Another reminder of Who I need to keep before me so that I might walk blameless.

I thought Solomon's prayer was beautiful. Here are some of my favorite excerpts from 1 Kings 8:22-53:

LORD God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven above or on earth below, keeping the gracious covenant with Your servants who walk before you with their whole heart.

• May You hear in heaven and act
• May You hear in heaven and forgive
• May You send rain on Your land
• May You forgive, and and repay the man, according to all his ways, since You know his heart
• May You hear in heaven, Your dwelling place, and do according to all the foreigner asks You for
• May You hear their prayer and petition in heaven and uphold their cause
• when they return to You with their whole mind and heart
• May You forgive Your people

Act, hear, forgive, do, uphold....action words on our behalf.

I leave you this week with these words from 1 Kings 8:57-58. May it be the prayer of our hearts.

May the LORD our God be with us as He was with our ancestors; may He never leave us or abandon us. May He give us the desire to do His will in everything and to obey all the commands, decrees, and regulations that He gave our ancestors.

For great insights into the readings from the past week, please look here and here.

Because we are a family of "lofty goals"...

The Boy's summer goal is to see how much facial hair he can grow. Hrumpfh. I was hoping he might read a book or two or clean his room. Oh well, a goal is a goal. (And he stands a better shot at reaching his than someone (who shall remain nameless) who wants to lose some winter weight. Sigh.

Grace...

Stop by Angie's site and read this most beautiful story of grace.

reflections...

The school year is finally over. It officially ended yesterday.

The Boy appears to have survived his sophomore year and should be moving forward to his junior year next year.

As I waited for him to get out of class yesterday, I did some reflecting over this past school year. He (and his sister, who has since graduated) attends a private christian school in our area. He started attending there in the third or fourth grade. When they both started there, we were told that the emphasis was on academics and producing christian leaders for our community. And for the first few years, I agreed with this assessment.

Then, a strange thing happened.

Another private christian school built a new school, complete with up to date gym facilities and this school began attracting more students. So, our school decided that it wanted to compete. We began to see staff turnover and more discipline problems and some other "odd" things.

By the time my daughter graduated, (two years ago) I think we probably ran neck and neck statistically with the public schools for drug use, under aged drinking, dropping out of college and so forth. During her senior year, she and I went to the administration with our concerns and were given a shrug of the shoulders and a "what can you do?" attitude.

Well, we can pray.

And while we can't go back and change the past, we can rely on God to move and change the future.

Which brings me to this moment.

This has been a good year for The Boy. I have heard few unhappy comments about his classes or his teachers. He seems to be involved, challenged, and content. He makes positive statements about the different teachers that he has had, and has even expressed disappointment that one will not be teaching next year. The other day he told me how glad he was that our interim headmaster is at our school, adding that he is excited about the new classes that will be added for next year. My daughter attended graduation last night and commented on how every student thanked Mr. McKinley (the headmaster) for the work he has done in the school over the last year. She said that the whole atmosphere seemed different.

God moves.

In ways that we sometimes do not understand.

So, even though this school year has not been without it's struggles, I am optimistic about the future. And reassured that God is interested in a small private christian school.

God is God

And the pain falls like a curtain
On the things I once called certain
And I have to say the words I fear the most
I just don’t know

And the questions without answers
Come and paralyze the dancer
So I stand here on the stage afraid to move
Afraid to fall, oh, but fall I must
On this truth that my life has been formed from the dust

God is God and I am not
I can only see a part of the picture He’s painting
God is God and I am man
So I’ll never understand it all
For only God is God

And the sky begins to thunder
And I’m filled with awe and wonder
‘Til the only burning question that remains
Is who am I

Can I form a single mountain
Take the stars in hand and count them
Can I even take a breath without God giving it to me
He is first and last before all that has been
Beyond all that will pass

Oh, how great are the riches of His wisdom and knowledge
How unsearchable for to Him and through
Him and from Him are all things

So let us worship before the throne
Of the One who is worthy of worship alone

Please keep the Chapman family in your prayers.

**Updated**

You can go here to express your condolences to the family.

another slice of life

We have some of the most beautiful azaleas planted in our yard.

The hostas are growing! The hostas are growing!

Wolfgang forgot to look under the cushions before he sat down to take a nap.

The Boy was totally worn out from Mother's Day festivities.

My niece and father-in-law enjoying a moment on Mother's Day

Someone on her twentieth birthday.

A cluster of azaleas growing on the side of the house.

Diego waiting ever so patiently for mommy to stop fooling around in the yard and come in and feed him. Or at least let him out to fool around in the yard, too! Did anybody say, "walk?"

The days, they pass so quickly

According to my calendar, today is May 21st. I think. If it's not, please forgive me. I'm not really into keeping up with what day it is. The only time it's really important to me is if I am leaving on vacation or filling out daily media files at work. (and even on the daily media stuff we use yesterday's date, so it's no surprise that I never really know what the date is. I usually keep up with what day it is, only because I work late on Tuesdays. If I'm not working late, it must not be Tuesday.)

Anyhow, back to the point. Because I'm pretty sure I had one. If today is the 21st, then there is only one month left in the spring reading thing. And if that's the case, I figured I'd better evaluate where I am in the whole reading process.

I started out with twelve original entries.

Then I added two to my list.

Then I started reading books that were on other peoples list.

Then I started reading books that weren't on anybodies list.

So, I have officially finished six books that are on my list. Four from the original and two that were added later. I think that the solution to finishing the rest of the original list is that no more books should be published until after June 21st. (I don't think the industry will go along with my plan, though.) I expect that I will finish three more titles off the original list and I have three more titles in my "book cabinet" beside the bed that I am in various stages of reading. I also bought another book this weekend and have three more on my desk at work that I am considering. (Not to mention the titles I have requested from the library. Oh dear.)

I suppose if Katrina decides to host a summer reading thing, the thing to do would be to list one book and keep a running tally of the ones that I add. Because I do love me some books.

I got up at the crack of dawn this morning (a slight exaggeration since the silly sun rises so early right now), shlumped on downstairs, made french toast, woke the family and made The Boy's lunch for school.

I then proceeded to play "where did you hide your lunch box today?" which is a game that I often lose. Normally I have to resort to the "asking a family member" option and today was no different.

(As a side note, The Boy's lunch box started the school year blue. Apparently, he and his "nerd herd" discovered that they can peel the blue off and reveal a pristine cotton white landscape. The poor lunchbox is now completely without any covering whatsoever. I'm guessing he'll be needing a new lunchbox next year.)

Anyhow, I sweetly asked (insert "bellowed" for "sweetly asked") where his lunchbox was. To which he replied, "I don't need lunch anymore. We get out at noon the rest of the year."

And I promptly threw my hands up towards the heavens and danced a jig!

Tis the end of the lunchbox season! No more peanut butter sandwiches and trying to come up with creative combinations that a finicky eater will eat! No more worrying about food poisoning (does that box really keep things cool enough) or the "squishable" factor!

How could I have missed this?

I might have packed yesterday's lunch with more care had I only known that it would be the last one of his sophomore year.

And to be perfectly truthful, even though I am happy that the end of the lunchbox season is here, I do mourn the end of another school year. Because it brings my baby that much closer to adulthood. The realistic, practical side of me knows that this is the way things are intended to be and I truly do want him to be everything God created him to be. But the sentimental mommy side misses her baby already. The days pass so quickly. Each day brings me closer to an empty nest. And although a part of me rejoices, a part of me mourns.

But not today. Because today is the official end of lunchbox season!

By the way...

Good Stuff!

Cover to Cover

This week we came to the end of David's reign over Israel. I always have difficulty with these sections because I have come to love the person (David, Joseph, Moses) so dearly. It's like letting go of a friend. However, I realize that I can go back and visit any time I want. It's just that they keep a piece of my heart.

Once again, I found such beauty and hope in the Psalms.

I long and yearn for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh cry out for the living GOD.
Psalm 84:2

Let me experience Your faithful love in the morning; for I trust in You. Reveal to me the way I should go, because I long for You.
Psalm 143:8

Then, there were two clear admonitions that spoke to me:

Now determine in your mind and heart to seek the LORD your GOD.
1 Chronicles 22:19

As for you, Solomon my son, know the GOD of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intention of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.
1 Chronicles 28:9

Not just my every thought, but the intention of every thought. That is truly humbling to me, because although some of my thoughts and plans may be good, their intention may be to praise myself or make myself look good.

I'll finish this week with portions of Psalm 25:

To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul;
in you I trust, O my God.
Do not let me be put to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.

No one whose hope is in you
will ever be put to shame,
but they will be put to shame
who are treacherous without excuse.

Show me your ways, O LORD,
teach me your paths;
guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.

Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love,
for they are from of old.

Remember not the sins of my youth
and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me,
for you are good, O LORD.

Good and upright is the LORD;
therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
He guides the humble in what is right
and teaches them his way.

All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful
for those who keep the demands of his covenant.

For the sake of your name, O LORD,
forgive my iniquity, though it is great.
Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD ?
He will instruct him in the way chosen for him.
He will spend his days in prosperity,
and his descendants will inherit the land.

The LORD confides in those who fear him;
he makes his covenant known to them.
My eyes are ever on the LORD,
for only he will release my feet from the snare.

Turn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am lonely and afflicted.
The troubles of my heart have multiplied;
free me from my anguish.

Look upon my affliction and my distress
and take away all my sins.
See how my enemies have increased
and how fiercely they hate me!

Guard my life and rescue me;
let me not be put to shame,
for I take refuge in you.

May integrity and uprightness protect me,
because my hope is in you.



For insights into this weeks reading, check this, this, this and this out. Peace to you this week, my friends.

No matter how dark the night...

I will hold on to you....




I don't know how many of you are familiar with Louie Giglio. You may or may not have seen this, but if you haven't, watch and be blessed. Someone sent this to my boss the other day and he shared it during devotion. (Isn't it cool that we have devotions and prayer at work?) Anyhow, it's from a message called "How great is our God."

Enjoy the day!

Did you see that?

Did you see Big Brown sail past every other horse and win the Preakness? I was bouncing up and down on our bed, cheering him on to victory. (And I'm sure he couldn't have won without me!) I am so excited! And doesn't that little mark on his forehead look like a backwards state of Florida? As a side note, did you know Big Brown is afraid of flowers? They couldn't put the garland of roses on him at the derby because flowers make him spaz out. I guess as long as he keeps winning, he can be afraid of anything he likes. Anyway, I'm extremely hopeful for a triple crown winner this year. It's been thirty years since the big Alydar/Affirmed battle and it's about time we have another champion horse.


Oh, we switched our date with Prince Caspian until tomorrow. Josh was tied up all day car hunting. And I am happy to say that he "bagged one" and brought it home. It's the color I wanted, with all the little amenities that I asked for. (Remind me to tell you my Waldo story soon.) I have christened it "madame blueberry." Because it's blue, of course. And although Madame Blueberry is not my favorite veggie tale, she is blue and has a cute hat. And I am strange like that. (I'm pretty sure that Josh won't be calling it that. The girls at work thought it was a cute name though. )

I hope your day was as interesting as mine was. The laundry's done (for this moment), our bellies are full, and our hearts are glad. Be blessed.

A grand adventure!

“Nobody can be uncheered with a balloon”

Winnie the Pooh


It's Friday, it's Friday! This is the little song that I am singing in my head. You would think that Winnie the Pooh would have some "thoughty" comment to make about Fridays. I suppose that since he doesn't work outside the house or go to school, one day is pretty much the same as the next to him. And that's not necessarily a bad thing.

I am excited that it is Friday, though. I am looking forward to sleeping until 7 tomorrow. And to the piles of laundry that will swiftly disappear as I get the chance to do the wash. I am purposefully ignoring the fact that piles of laundry will appear in it's place. If I don't think about it, maybe it will go away. (Insert bucket of sand here. MJ.) Then there's the ironing. If you repeat the previous sentences and insert the word "ironing" everytime you see "laundry", you'll get the picture.

I also plan to sweep up the mounds of dog hair that have found their way to the far corners of the house. If I'm feeling particularly industrious, I might build a new dog out of the leftover hair. Not that I need another dog, but after four or five, who notices one more?

We are planning on going to see Prince Caspian Saturday afternoon. I loved the first Narnia movie and am really looking forward to this one. Plus, we so seldom go to movies (mainly because I don't like to sit in a theater. Yes, I know I'm odd. Count that as numbers 76 and 77 on my 100things.) Anyhow, I will let you know what I think of it. Unless we don't go. Then you can tell me what you think of it. (There is a possibility that we will spend Saturday on the "Great Car Hunt")

There is a new restaurant opening down the street from where I work and they have graciously invited us to be their guinea pigs. So we will be trying out the Mongolian Grill at 7 that evening. I know it's a late dinner but I told Josh that we would be the second to the last group they will be cooking for so they should have the whole process down perfectly. The whole setup looks really cool. I will be interested to see how it goes since The Boy is the pickiest eater known to mankind. And they serve vegetables. Gasp! Perhaps we'll finally discover one he likes! Maybe I'll take pictures. It might be a media worthy event.

So, how about you? What are you planning on doing this weekend? If you don't have plans, you could always drop by my house and help with the laundry. I'd even fix you a chocolate poptart and a big red!

A path for today..

"The goal here is to have a mind in which the glorious Father of Jesus is always present and gradually crowds out every distorted belief, every destructive feeling, every misguided intention." God is Closer than You Think by John Ortberg. p88

I have set the LORD always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:8

First Place

How many of ya'll are familiar with First Place? (It is a Christ centered "health" program using bible study to help you lose weight.) Our previous church offered classes and I participated for a session or two and lost the weight that I wanted to lose. (It was almost comical to sit in church on Sunday morning and watch the choir get smaller and smaller each week. Not from lack of participants but because the participants got smaller and smaller.)

Anyway, I got good results with the program but part of remaining successful with the program meant changing your lifestyle. And I have a problem with permanently changing my lifestyle sometimes. I mean, if I didn't like my lifestyle, it wouldn't be mine. (I realize there are obvious flaws in that train of thought. But it sounds good in my head.)

Last night, I was catching up on some publishing news at work (Elizabeth George has a new book coming out too! Woo Hoo!) and I discovered that First Place is revamping their program. It looks like they are addressing some things that I had issues with. (No, they are not changing the whole lifestyle thing. They still want me to eat healthy on a permanent basis. Sigh.)

So as I sit here this morning, eating my chocolate poptart and drinking my Big Red, I am considering participating again. To see if I can budge this winter fat that is hanging around my house. Because if I don't budge this winter fat, it will be winter again and I suspect the fat will invite it's cousins to my house to live as well. And although we seem to have an endless supply of chocolate poptarts and Big Red, trust me, no one will be happy if winter fat comes to live here permanently.

***Ick alert ahead***

Today is fetal pig day in The Boy's biology class. If you have a moment, please pray for The Boy and his queasy stomach as he delves into said fetal pig. Apparently he had no trouble skinning the pig, but today they get to dive below the surface. ick.

May you walk in peace this day, whatever adventure it may hold.

I'm asking

We are on a car hunt.

My husband's car engine blew up two weeks ago and we have been discussing back and forth the best way to proceed ever since. Without going into too much detail because I am trying to be respectful, we are having a small disagreement over said car-to-be. Not even so much as a disagreement as a different view of God.

I believe that God wants to be involved in every part of our lives, even down to the smallest detail.

So, here's what I'm asking. I would like for you to pray for our car adventure. I would like, when this is all over, for my husband to be able to look back and see the hand of God all over it.

In every detail.

Not because I want to win over this issue, but because I think it's important for him to see how much our God longs to be a part of his life.

Even the smallest parts.

I can tell you that God has already provided in several ways. The engine blew the day after Cinderella finished finals. That put a second car at my disposal. School for The Boy will be out in less than two weeks which means that Josh can drop me off at work, too. Which keeps Cinderella from getting up at the crack of dawn. Plus, it means that we don't have to rush into making a car decision. We also had an entire "parts" car at our disposal which meant that we were able to switch some things out the dead car to the white car and get the white car fixed. If the car engine had gone out one week later, we would have already paid for the extra parts for the white car. God's timing is perfect.

I want my husband to know that God satisfies our every desire (Ps. 145:16) and that He holds our hand (Ps. 37:24) each and every place we walk.

So, I would appreciate prayer, however you feel led to pray. I'm praying believing that God has an adventure in store for us!

Cover to Cover

You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. Psalm 145:16
What a promise to start the week with.

I cry aloud to the LORD, and He answers me from His holy mountain. Psalm 3:4
I suspect that there probably will be some crying somewhere this week. But He answers. Because He is listening.

You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and new wine abound. I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, LORD, make me live in safety.
Psalm 4:7-8
How many times to I look to others to provide my happiness? Or allow my feelings to be influenced by what others do for me? You alone, LORD.

Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for You are with me, Your rod and Your staff--they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

A man's steps are established by the LORD, and He takes pleasure in his way. Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, because the LORD holds his hand.
Psalm 37:23-24
does this not sing to my heart?

And finally,
The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me. Psalm 138:8




For more insight on this week's reading, check here , here, here and here.

Twenty years ago today...

at 2:50 in the morning, after 20 some odd hours of labor, I gave birth to the most delightful, beautiful little girl. She had a head full of curly brown hair. She had to be the calmest baby you ever saw, which was a good thing because her mother was a nervous wreck.

She has a wonderful sense of humor...
she is incredibly intelligent and loves to read...

She is so thoughtful....

and loves to give as much as she enjoys receiving...

she has a passion for music and a wonderful talent for memorizing....

and a delightful sense of humor....

but she also has a serious side....

and I have been blessed for twenty years to be her mom.

I love you, baby girl!

Did you ever stop to think and forget to start again?

We have been thinking about things at our house. A sudden set of circumstances has created several situations that require deep thought. (my, how mysterious sounding.) Situations like this make me wish that God sent telegrams or marque signs with flashing lights. "Turn Here", "This is not the one", "Don't touch that" "Yes!"

Anyhow, as we are deep in thought here at the Heigh-ho house, I thought I would rely on my dear friend, Winnie the Pooh, to express my thoughts on the whole thinking process. (Can you tell that I am over-medicated on allergy medicine and caffiene?)

"When you are a Bear of Very Little Brain, and Think of Things, you find sometimes that a Thing which seemed very Thingish inside you is quite different when it gets out into the open and has other people looking at it. "

And that pretty much sums it up.

The last Derby Post

This day was Derby Day twenty years ago.

In 1988 I was greatly overdue with our first child, whom we lovingly referred to as "Andrew" because we were sure he would be a boy and we didn't want to spoil the surprise by finding out for sure. Every member of my family watched me all the time, like I was the last Reese's Peanut Butter Egg left after Easter. I had outgrown all my maternity clothes and was reduced to wearing very large expandable sweatpants and t-shirts. I could throw in the fact that I had also "outgrown" the measuring tape that I had to check my waist size, but we don't really need to know that. (For future reference though, if you don't gain weight when you are pregnant, eat a pound of gummy bears a day. You won't have to worry about a lack of weight gain for long. And gummy bears are fruit flavored so I am sure they were healthy.) Just picture me LARGE.

The filly, Winning Colors won the Derby that year. And that Derby Day passed with no other excitement for us.

No baby, no winning pick for the race.

What we did not realize was that a little grey pony was born that day. A pony that would later find it's way into my daughter's heart (and my in-law's property) when she was two years old. (Yes, she was not "Andrew". Although I called her that for a day or two after she was born. Habits are hard to break.) So today is Archie's twentieth birthday. Happy Birthday, Archie! You've hardly aged at all.

Life recently handed us a lemon (from our Meyer Lemon tree)

and so last night we truly did make lemonade. Along with some lemon cookies. The lemonade was so tart and so invigorating that I'm hoping for some more lemons in the future. As long as we see it's potential. I guess it's all a matter of perspective.

Blessings to you this day!

Cover to Cover

I have mentioned more than once that these have been difficult days for me. Of course, none of this is a surprise to my God. My heart has been soothed so many times as I have read through the assigned Psalms. I pray that these excerpts might bring comfort to you as well.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my spirit rejoices; my body also rests securely.

Psalm 16:9

You reveal the path of life to me, in Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures. Psalm 16:11

How happy is the one You choose. Psalm 65:4

May the Lord be praised! Day after day, He bears our burdens; God is our salvation. Psalm 68:19

Moreover, keep Your servant from willful sins; do not let them rule over me. Psalm 19:1

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14

I put my hope in You, Lord; You will answer, Lord my God. Psalm 38:15

Our help is in the name of the Lord, the maker of heaven and the earth. Psalm 124:8

For they did not take the land by their sword--their arm did not bring them victory---but by Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your face, for You were pleased with them. Psalm 44:3

And as a reminder of how I should live:

Search for the LORD and for His strength; seek His face always. 1 Chronicles 16:11

I will live with integrity of heart in my house. I will not set anything godless before my eyes. Psalm 101:2-3

A description of the godly

Lord, who can dwell in Your tent: Who can live on Your Holy Mountain? The one who lives honestly practices righteousness, and acknowledges the truth in his heart--who does not slander with his tongue, who does not harm his friend or discredit his neighbor, who despises the one rejected by the LORD, but honors those who fear the LORD, who keeps his word whatever the cost, who does not lend his money at interest or take a bribe against the innocent--the one who does these things will never be moved. Psalm 15:1-5

Don't you just love that title?

The other thing that struck me in my reading this week was that David inquired of the LORD. I am fascinated at the thought of having such a comfortable relationship with the LORD that I would automatically inquire of Him just like I would a trusted friend.

So David did exactly as God commanded him. 1 Chronicles 14:16

Not only did David ask, but he obeyed. Do I ask? Do I follow through whether I like the answer or not? Hard questions with ugly answers sometimes. I am grateful that my God is patient with me. And that He knows me. And knows what I need. Peace be with you this week, my friends.

Mother's Day giveaway

Be sure and take a minute to check out the Mother's Day giveaway at 5 minutes for mom. They are giving away some pretty cool stuff including a SAK Dakota Shopper handbag. And you know how I feel about purses. They are definitely a weakness for me. Or a passion. Yeah, passion sounds better than weakness. Anyway, the giveaway is open until May 9th. And if you win the handbag, I expect the opportunity to sniff and stroke it once or twice.

Sunday Scripture

The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

Job 33:4

This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.

Ezekiel 37:5

Another Derby is done. Rumors of another possible triple crown winner abound. (You'll find that it is mostly wishful thinking. It's been forever since we've had a triple crown winner.) I'll admit that after watching Big Brown race today, I might believe that he can do it too.

Of course, we all sat, horrified as we realized that Eight Bells was down on the track. I don't ever remember something like that happening during the Derby itself. I feared the worst when we realized that she had come in second and then just collapsed on the field. When both equine ambulances blocked the track, we were fairly certain that she would not survive. Word came that they euthanized her on the track because she suffered double compound fractures. We were speechless. She was a truly beautiful horse. And I believe that she would have continued to be a contender in the Preakness and Belmont.

I'm not sure if everyone has Kroger grocery stores where they live, but the garland of roses is actually sewn together at one of the local Kroger stores on Friday night. People can come and watch it being put together at the Kroger store. It requires about 80 hours of prep work and 10 to 12 hours of work on Derby eve. There are over 400 roses sewn into a blanket kind of thing. Each rose has it's own tiny vial of water. This year, the garland contains the "Freedom" rose, named after 9/11 as a tribute to the victims, their families and the people serving in the armed forces. The garland is placed in a glass box and receives a police escort to Churchill Downs on the morning of the Derby.

Then, of course, there are the Derby hats. I find it amazing that those little bitty heads can hold up some of these hats.

And now, Louisville will return to normal. Whatever that might be. Our moment in the spotlight has passed. Tomorrow we will be picking up the trash and moving forward. And I'm sure plans for next years Derby Festival will be started.

I hope your day was blessed.