Dad's Birthday Present!

Posted by cokelady

Dad's birthday was yesterday, so this will be a little late (that's our tradition - ha!), but isn't it great?! A few days ago I got the kids in all their cowboy duds, then went and drug our resident photographer out of bed and we all went down to the Masonic Lodge. For real! They've got this fantastic old building that's all run down and looks to be at least 150 years old (although I'm sure it's not). It used to be a bank, I think. It's got bars and was just the perfect setting for our photo session. We had to open the door (it wasn't locked, since it was behind the bars, I guess) so you wouldn't be able to see the lodge symbol in the door (!), so I guess the kids really could've been thrown in jail--for trespassing! I can't imagine anybody would have cared. Especially once they saw the terrific pictures that were produced there! We got lots of fun shots, but this was undoubtedly the best. Don't you just love Sam's expression?! He looks like he really did just throw Kate and Joe in the slammer! I love it!!! I would definitely recommend Sam Kaufman as a photographer for all of your photographic needs -- he always ends up with the most fantastic pictures...even though he's a loser at Rummy. (Confession: Sam won last time we played.) ANYWAY, I've got to get back to work (you'd think that late night post from last night would have been enough to tide me over!), but I thought I'd post this for all to see. No worries about Dad seeing it ahead of time and spoiling the surprise. He's no blogger. ;-)

14 comments

Ba-a-a-a-a-ad Blogger!!!

Posted by cokelady

Referring to me, of course. Don't know exactly what's happened to me, but I just haven't been real faithful at this thing. I've been neglecting it for a whole week now and I finally make time to do it... at 1:00 in the morning, after a VERY, VERY long day, with only one day remaining to do a thousand and two things to get ready for the Assembly trip--and when everybody else is leaving for the Assembly, too, and probably won't even READ this dumb post. Smart. That's me.

It's been a good week. Last time I wrote I mentioned that we were going to Merkel to be in service with the people there. It was especially interesting this time due to the Luna's 3 year old neice who had never been in Church before and who, from all appearances, has never even heard the word "no" spoken aloud. She walked all over the building throughout the service, spent a few minutes playing with the microphone beside the pulpit (until somebody finally turned the thing off, at which time it lost its appeal), sitting in the chair behind the pulpit, tipping it back and forth, strolling in front of the pulpit with a set of keys dangling from her mouth... Shall I go on? To her credit, she never made a peep throughout the entire service. In fact, considering how completely untrained she was, I wondered if perhaps she was mute since she seemed to have no desire try to make noise. (Aside from wrestling around with that microphone, that is.) I learned otherwise after the service as she informed me that she'd be willing to clean my house if I'd take her home. She actually was a very sweet little girl and quite the conversationalist, just the kind of kid who's parents need a good spanking. ANYWAY, the service in Merkel was very good (in spite of the distractions!) and I think there were 17 in attendance. There is always a good spirit in the services there and we enjoy the fellowship with the sweet people.

The kids are keeping us entertained, as always. Katie asked me something the other day, but I got distracted with the boys and after a while she finally said, "Mom, did you ever answer my original question?" The question was concerning why we watch some cartoons with characters who wear make-up and jewelry. Maybe I got distracted on purpose! Ha! That kid doesn't miss a thing. We need a lot of wisdom to make the right decisions with her, that's for sure.

Well, we spent a long, tiring day shopping today. Oh, by the way -- NEWSFLASH!!! We are going to the Assembly!!! I know that probably doesn't sound like anything remarkable to most of you who have just been assuming we'd be there (I'm one of those who was hoping and assuming that!), but we really didn't know HOW we were going to pull it off this year. The past two months have been pretty tight and James said he just didn't see how we could afford to make the trip unless the Lord worked a miracle. So that's what I've been praying for. Two days ago we got a check in the mail from some dear, sweet people Bob and Bobbina (*names changed to protect the humble) for $1,000!!! Can you believe that?! We cried. A LOT. James sat in the chair and sobbed for probably 15 minutes. God is soooooooooo good to us. So we're going to the Assembly!!! PRAISE THE LORD! And we were even able to go do a little bit of shopping today and get some last minute things so our family will look presentable while we're there! WOW! So anyway...

We went to Odessa to have Stacey cut our hair (the kids' and mine) today, then we had to do some running around. We were gone for 12 hours. Can you imagine?! All over Odessa, then all over Midland, then the drive back home... ~whew!~ We came in and put the kids to bed, the got to work on our VLB signs -- some of the stuff we were shopping for today. We did something quite traditional, but new for us -- felt banners. So I did some sewing tonight and we got them pretty much finished and looking good. I love them! They're so great! And then I hemmed a skirt I need for the Assembly and now here I sit, blogging at 1:23 in the morning. Why, you may ask??? Because I am WIDE AWAKE. I take that back. I WAS wide awake when I began writing. I must confess that I'm beginning to feel a bit drowsy now. YEAH! Maybe I'll be able to sleep now. I should. I was up until 2:30 last night getting caught up on all of the laundry and ironing. I watched National Treasure to help pass the time while I was ironing. It was PERFECT! It's such a great movie and exciting enough that it kept me wide awake long enough to finish every stitch of ironing. :-) Anyway, I'm going to try to get some sleep. Big day tomorrow. We leave for Tennessee on Sunday morning, will probably stay somewhere in Mississippi that night, and make it into Chattanooga Monday afternoon. I hope I don't forget anything important. Like a kid or something. Ha! Like THAT could ever happen. The kids are sooooooooo excited for the Assembly. Until we get there and they realize they have to sit still and be quiet in church for 12 hours a day and in the in-between hours they have to sit still and be quiet in restaurants -- for 5 days. Fun, fun, fun! It won't matter. They'll be able to see their Granddaddy, even if only for a moment here and there, and that will be all they'll need to be perfectly happy. I'm rambling again, aren't I? Is that right? Aren't I? No. That can't be right. But amn't I ain't right either! Gettin' worse, hu?! I'll go now. Sleep. I must need sleep. If I don't get back here again before, I'll see most of you at the Assembly!!! The rest of you, I WISH I was seeing you at the Assembly!

Love Ya',

~ Becki ~

3 comments

"Kum-ba-ya, my Lord, kum-ba-ya..."

Posted by cokelady

Have you ever had a campfire in your house? Happens here all the time. The kids will dump the whole bin of Lincoln Logs in the middle of the floor to create their "fire," grab their guitars, pull up whatever they can find to sit on, and sing rounds and rounds and rounds and rounds of Kum-Ba-Ya. Always a very rousing rendition of it, too. They even roast marshmallows sometimes. My kids have actually never been camping. Who needs to go camping when you've got the imaginations of a 5 year old, a 4 year old, and a 2 year old working full steam?

Katie was trying to show the boys how to eat like a beaver tonight during dinner time. (If any of you see her at the Assembly, please don't ask for a demonstration.) Joe told her it was against the law to eat like a beaver and he was going to have to throw her in jail. For once, I was in full support of the little lawman.

I got some cleaning done today and the usual Saturday things: vacuuming, baths, etc. I got into the habit of vacuuming every Saturday night because we used to have church here at our house on Sundays. We don't anymore, but I'm trying to stay in the habit of vacuuming regularly--otherwise it's a job I end up neglecting horribly! Anyway, I was cleaning off my desk today and something just hit and and *ping* I whipped out four cards!!! Wow! I haven't made cards in a few months now. I love to do it, but I rarely make time for it. I made one "fall-ish" kind of card and three Christmas cards. Now, before I start hearing all of the rebukes for being a hypocrite and getting on to James for ushering Christmas in 5 months early (!), let me explain. This in no way is connected with the Christmas music I've been forced to listen to or the decorations I've been forced to view this past week. Actually, my plan was to make Christmas cards in March of this year because when I wait until it's "time" to make them, I don't have time--things are too hectic. Well, things were apparently too hectic in March, too, because I never made any. But when we were on our bargain hunting spree at Hobby Lobby yesterday I noticed that their scrapbook papers were on sale -- 1/2 off. What was I to do?! I found some really fun Christmas ones, so I figured I'd get some now while they're cheap. I saw them laying on my desk today and thought, "Hey, I'm in a card making mood!!!" Since I can't even remember the last time I was in that mood, I figured I should take action quickly before I missed my window of ambition. Thus, four cards. ~aahhh~ It felt great to do something FUN! And just think, 3 people will get handmade Christmas cards from me this year! The rest of you will get the cheap-o's from Wal-Mart. ;-)

We're going to have our service here in Andrews at noon tomorrow (as is customary since we got into this new building), then we're going to grab a bite to eat and drive over to Merkel to join them in their evening service. It's about a 3 hour drive and they start church at 5:00, so we'll be pushing it to get there in time. If I can ever get ahold of Sam & Tammy (where are you two?!?!?) I'm going to ask if they'd like to ride over there with us.

That's it for now. I think I'll go see what James is up to. I've got the house pretty much whipped into shape (all except the kitchen floor, which I am not going to worry about tonight), so maybe we can just relax for a while. Sounds great!

~Bec~

P.S. -- As of tomorrow morning:

JUST 11 MORE DAYS!!!! Wa-Hoooooo!

12 comments

OKAY, OKAY, OKAY!

Posted by cokelady

Listen up, world...

EMILEE IS NOT IN LABOR ANYMORE!!!

As if you weren't aware of that already. I tell ya', some people are so pushy!!! Anyway, I'll pretend none of you have heard the joyous news as yet: Emilee gave birth to 6 lb. 12 oz. Ezekiel David at 2:02 Tuesday morning. Wa-Hoo!!!!! She seems to be doing just fine and has sounded quite chipper when Mom or I have talked to her. Good deal! If you'd like to see pictures of the new addition, you can visit bigredvan.blogspot.com. :-)

Quite frankly, I just haven't felt like blogging. I've wanted to feel like it, but every time I sat down at the computer I'd think, "Nah. ~sigh~ Not right now." I guess I just didn't have much to write about. I still don't, but here I am. You bunch of nags will be sorry for giving me a hard time! I'll show you!!!! I'm going to post the longest blog ever, about absolutely NOTHING!!! Nothing is in the box!!!!

Let's see... Hhmmm... Uh... Hhmmph. Did I mention Emilee had her baby? I did? Right. Uummm... How's everybody doing in that Presbytery meeting? Been listening to it and enjoying it to the fullest??? Yup, that's what I thought. Boy, there really is nothing to write about tonight. No, that's not true. Christmas. I can always write about Christmas in this house.

James took us down to Odessa tonight for a special family meal at a nice restaurant we rarely go to. We've been doing our Big Fast for the Assembly this week because we weren't sure of what all might be going on next week (I hope God will still count it, even though we're a week early!), so we REALLY enjoyed dinner! Steak and ribs and baked potato and onion rings... ~aahhhh~ It was delicious. Of course, after a big fast, a peanut butter sandwich would be delicious. Man!!! Think of all the money we could have saved! Oh well. I guess I blew this paragraph. It was supposed to be about Christmas. Let me try again.

After our nice dinner, we went to a pet store (just for the fun of it), then out to Hobby Lobby to look at--you guessed it--Christmas stuff. ~sigh~ I just can't stop that man of mine. I was talking to Melissa on the phone today and suddenly he picks up the phone out in his office and blares another Christmas song (from my favorite album, naturally) over the phone. Never did turn it off until I appeared in the doorway giving him the look of death. It's soooooo unfair! I LOVE Christmas sooooooo much. But what makes it sooooooooo wonderful is that it only comes around once a year, so all of those special "Christmas only" things are treasured because they're rare. Not around here. I'll be surprised if James doesn't have the tree up by the end of the week. Freak.

Anyway, although we went to Hobby Lobby to look at Christmas stuff (we eventually did, by the way), we stumbled across a huge clearance sale on all of their VBS craft supplies. WOW! I think we paid about $28 (is that right, James?) and when we added up the retail prices it came to $98! Fantastic!!! Success! I love it. That will be a HUGE help in Sunday School as well as home school for the next year -- or probably far beyond a year. We got a TON of stuff. The kids are sooooo excited.

Ah yes, the kids. Surely there's something to say about them. Aunt Kay, Katie has agreed to sing a song during your preliminary music slot at the Assembly, however she said she, "might need someone to stand by me... just in case." (Grace, pass the word along to your Mom if she isn't blogging herself, okay? Thanks!) The boys are spending the whole of their days as cowboys, as always. James sat down to watch Paladin (you know, that old "Have Gun, Will Travel" show from the 60's) the other day. They were SOOOOOOO excited. Ran and put on their hats and boots and brought their rifles with them so they could help shoot the bad guys. The other day Joe picked up a map of the U.S. and said, "I am the meteorologist." (Really, that's what he said! Who knew!) Then the forcast began, "Right over here," he said while pointing at the map, "there are some cowboys who don't love God. It's gonna be very cold there! And look here--this is Kansas...where Matt Dillon lives." The kid can't even talk about the weather without cowboying it. But then, I wouldn't have him any other way. I mean, any kid who can mosey like Joe ought to be a cowboy. :-)

Guess that's it for now. I failed, didn't I? I've written longer posts before, I'm just sure of it. And there have probably been a few that were even more boring than this one. Bummer. I'll try again next time. Surely I can beat my own record for the longest, boringest (I know, I know!) posts around. Right, JASON?! I know YOU have confidence in me. Okay, I'm outta here.

G'night!

~Bec~

7 comments

NEWSFLASH: Emilee is in Labor!!!

Posted by cokelady

That's right, folks -- it looks like tonight is the night...or possibly tomorrow morning is the morning! We're trusting that Emilee is in "real" labor right now (her body likes to play tricks on her, but I don't think it's faking this time), so if you happen to see this before it's too late, PRAY FOR HER!!! I know she would greatly appreciate it! All of you moms out there know how desperately she needs it. We'll keep you posted. ;-)

Hhmmm. Seems sort of strange to try to think of something else to write about right now. The happenings there at my brother's home are so...BIG! Seems strange to talk about trivial things while something so big and exciting is going on! But I'll try.

We had a good weekend. Having church at noon on Sundays is going to take some getting used to (!), but we had a good service. On Sundays we have Sunday School and song service and such, then Brother Sam preaches, then afterwards we go into a mini-auxiliary service of sorts. It was my week for my WMB boost/service. I talked about not just enduring the things that come our way, but finding true rest and peace and contentment in the midst of them. To be "content" means, "Desiring no more than what one has; satisfied; willing, ready to accept." That last one really caught my attention. Ready to accept...whatever God chooses to do in our lives. So many times we simply endure hard times, but truly resting in God means that we have to be ready to accept whatever God ordains or allows in our lives.

Then there's James. He does not accept the month of August. I went out to his office earlier today and when I swung the door open, out poured Christmas music. That man! I love Christmas as much as anybody, but this is ridiculous. He starts taking our family to look at the Christmas stuff at Hobby Lobby every July. And once we get home from the Assembly--and I'm ready for fall things (the changing of the leaves, homemade soups and chowders, spiced cider, etc.)--he is in full force Christmas mode. This (to my knowledge) is the first time he's whipped out the Christmas music so early. The worst part? It was a terrific song from my very favorite CD. Within 30 seconds I was "into" it. Still rebuking him for breaking every rule in the book and telling him how wrong it is (and meaning it!)... but I couldn't stand still. It was one of those songs, you know?! ~sigh~ I'm so ashamed. I'm just going to stop visiting his office until after Thanksgiving. It's my only hope.

The kids are doing great and staying happy, for the most part. They've got their Mom "back" for a little while and much more attentive to their needs. It's amazing how much happier and contented they are when I'm not consumed with other things. Simply being with them like I want to and like God intends makes our home so much more peaceful and joyful. With everything that's been going on the past few months they've gone neglected a lot, I'm sorry to say. It shows. "A child left to himself," you know! I'm trying to remedy the problems that have arisen due to that and I'm seeing some improvements.

Speaking of improvements, Katie's reading abilities are blowing me away. She has been reading our devotions the past few nights and doing a terrific job. In fact, I feel certain she could read that last sentence with little or no difficulty. I know I didn't read that well at age 5! We put the kids to bed at 8:30 each night, but I've been letting Katie keep her lamp on and read until 9:00. I think that has made a big difference. Tonight when I went to check on her she had her school book spread out in front of her, working on her math. For fun! Weird. Oh well. I hope she stays weird like that!

Joe is starting to read basic words as well. He's mostly just interesting in cuffing people, hauling them off to jail, then shooting them. (He has a warped sense of justice.) Actually, I think he enjoys just looking the part as much as acting it out.

And Sam? His vocabulary is growing by leaps and bounds and he cracks us up every day, without fail. That kid is a riot. He has discovered the joy of Lincoln Logs. He's getting better at building with them, but he still likes to throw them all in a pile and pretend he's making fire. It makes me nervous that he has such a fascination with fire, especially considering my own history. I just keep telling myself that he's too young to worry about it too much. Right???

Ramble, ramble, ramble. Sorry again. And sadly, I don't even have anything witty to challenge the Merry Heart Man with. I'll be the first to admit that I'm not all that clever on a day to day basis. I have to have something to inspire me. ~sigh~ Where is Jimmy Williams when you really need him?! Ah yes, he's putting out fires somewhere. Maybe I'll call him if Sam gets out of hand.

Gotta run. Remember to pray for Em!!!

~Rebekah~

10 comments

I've Crashed... But I'm Happy!

Posted by cokelady

My cleaning frenzy has come to a screeching halt. I have encountered a Jekyll and Hyde type transformation from Molly Maid herself into a lazy good-for-nothing lug, giving the Nothing Day Queen (Hi, Lyndi!) a run for her money. I don't know what got into me, but I kind of went nuts with the cleaning thing. After doing that major cleaning in the office and all three bedrooms I did, indeed, stay up and do the same thing in the living room and den. 5 full rooms, top to bottom in one day!!! That's got to be a record. I know it is for me, anyway! I must confess, I did skip a few ceiling fans. And I only pulled out the small furniture (chairs, end tables, etc.)--left the couches and piano in place and worked around them. But still!!! And get this: the next day I did the great big "deep cleaning" (is that what you call it, Grace?!) on both bathrooms, then the kitchen floor. (If you had any idea the condition of James' bathroom, you would better understand what a miserable job that was. When I have to take Sam in there because the other bathroom is occupied, he always says, "It's gwoss in here, Mom!!!" If a 2 year old notices, it's BAD.) Anyway, all I have left to do now is the kids' play room. I've been putting that off for two days now. Don't know why. It's really easier than all of the other rooms. I think I just ran out of steam. Oh well. Maybe tomorrow will be the day. I've never had my whole house clean at the same time before! Not REALLY clean, that is. I'm so close I can almost taste it -- just one room away! -- and yet I'm struggling to find the motivation to just get in there and take care of it. Weird. By the time I work up the motivation it'll be time to start on my office again! ;-P

My spirits are much improved since last time I wrote. Thank the Lord! He's helping me. He promises that His grace is sufficient. He's so good to give us just as much grace as we need. Sometimes we want more (and sometimes He floods us with "extra" grace!), but He never fails to give what we need. I feel good in my soul. And I feel great having an almost totally clean house. And I'm rejoicing over Sam Kaufman's marvelous losing streak. ~aaahhhh, yes~ That may be the best part of all. For months he smothered us every time we played games, but he's been losing and losing BIG for weeks now. Yes, he has toppled off of that Game Guru throne he'd gotten so used to. God is good. ;-)

In other news (although it's old news by now), I have received my call. You know, we pray and pray and pray for God to give us a calling and let us know what He wants us to do for him. Who could've known that when we finally received our call it would be Vicky Bly on the other end of the line. It is comforting, however, that we've all received the same calling and have the same cross to bear, side my side. I do hope we are side by side, instead of in a massive pile of white gowns and bloomers. It makes me a wee bit nervous to think of 43 women all carrying the train of one wedding gown. How big did you say that train is, Sister Vicky??? OOOOHH! I just had a thought! LYNDI!!! Lyndi is going to the Assembly this year! She can be the caboose! Add her to the list, Sister Vicky! You can contact her at lyndicabales.blogspot.com -- I'm sure she would be soooooooo happy to help you out!!! Just be sure to put her in the rear. She's the type girl who would fit your saved, sanctified, Holy Ghost filled criteria, but who would also slip a foot out to trip the leader of the pack just for the thrill of watching the dominoes tumble. Anyway... Has anybody had any luck finding something white to wear? I tried my wedding gown on a few weeks ago to see if I can fit in it (barely can), but that's the only white dress I've got. I don't think that'll work. Then we'd all have two trains to carry. We've got enough problems. I'll have to go shopping.

It's late. I'm bushed. Tomorrow I'm going to try (again) to get the kids' room whipped into shape, then I've got Sunday School and WMB to prepare for. Everybody have a great weekend! -- And be sure to pray for my folks and Brother Dupre this weekend as they travel and visit with everybody. We need God's answers, His wisdom, His healing. Thanks again for the support and prayers!!!

Love You All,

~~ Becki ~~

13 comments

Something Day?

Posted by cokelady

Lyndi's post about "nothing day" must've made me feel guilty all the way down in Texas because I've been extrememly productive today. It all started last night, really. My office was needing to be vacuumed, but I kind of went crazy and did a whole top-to-bottom cleaning, dusting, and vacuuming of everything in the room, from the base boards to the ceiling fan. (It never had been cleaned since you guys were here in April, Em! Remember how bad it was then?! Add 4 months of dust to what was already there. Eeeewwwwww!)

After the cleaning frenzy I took a break for a few hours to play Rummy 5,000 with Tammy. Sam was covering the school board meeting, so it gave Tammy and I a chance to play some more of our Eternal Rummy game that we started 10 and a half years ago. We're at somewhere around 180,000 points right now, Tammy being about 3,000 ahead of me at the moment. Ggrrr. Oh well. It's really not all that disturbing when you know it's Eternal Rummy and you've got the rest of your life to catch up!

Today I've done the great big top-to-bottom cleaning of the boys' room, Katie's room, our bedroom, and the hallway. I stopped to make dinner--poppyseed chicken casserole, one of our favorites--and right now I'm supposed to be starting the clean up job in the living room. But I've hit a snag. All of my motivation has drained completely off and I just don't wanna clean anything else. ~sigh~ Now what do I do? I've got the vacuum cleaners and the rags and the Endust sitting there, all ready to go...and I'm not. Even though it feels great to have accomplished so much, today has been one of those "ugh" days. It started yesterday sometime and has continued on throughout the day today. I just feel BLAH, you know? And it's spread all the way through my system now and I don't feel like doing anything. I don't feel like cleaning. I don't feel like reading. I don't feel like blogging. What am I doing here? Even though I don't feel like it, I feel more like doing this than cleaning! I don't even feel like being fun. Oooooooohhhh. That's BAD. That's when I know it's time to go pray for a while! I hadn't thought of that consciously, but when my sense of humor goes flat it's always a sign that I need to pray! It's better to have the world crumbling all around me and still be laughing about security guards and cannons than it is for things to level off, but not feel like cracking a joke or two. So I guess that's my cue. I'll go read and pray for a bit, then try to find the motivation I misplaced and see if I can't get some cleaning done in the living room and den tonight.

MY SINCEREST APOLOGIES FOR SUCH A TERRIBLY BORING POST!!! Pray for me and I'll do my best to make up for it next time. :-)

G'night!
~Rebekah~

16 comments

ATTENTION: A New Blogger Among Us!!!

Posted by cokelady

A great big welcome to my favorite cousin in Oregon: LYNDI CABALES!!! She has just joined our community here in Blogland and I know you'll all do your best to make her feel welcome. She's been visiting the neighborhood off and on for months now, but she's finally decided to move in and join us. Interestingly enough, she's throwing a Blog Warming Party...for herself. Hhmmm. Her address is: lyndicabales.blogspot.com. You're all welcome to drop by and introduce yourselves, although don't be surprised when she says, "Yeah, I know all about you -- I've been reading your stuff for months!" Oh, and, uh, if you go to see her, take a gift. She's kind of weird that way. She's sure to add some color to our little family here! ;-)

We've had a good weekend. I worked Aunt Sue's store for her on Saturday (her 1-day-a-week employee just quit on her) and that went well. The last time I worked the store by myself was last November, so it's been a while. It's always a FLOP of a day when I work. I was there for 3 hours and the only person I'd seen was the mailman. Not good. I think there was a grand total of 6 (maybe it was 5?) customers all day long. But it all worked out okay because one of them was a CRAZY WOMAN who spent -- brace yourself -- $639.08. Now, to understand the impact of this, you have to know what kind of a store we're talking about. It's not like Sue sells couches or dishwashers or anything. This is a country decor store! You know, froofy little things to set around. The lady spent $640 on candles and shadow boxes and little black dolls and pictures and greenery and just stuff!!! Can you imagine?! She maxed out three credit cards and paid about $200 in cash to do it all. That seems bad enough, but Sue just happened to come in while the lady was there and told me that the same lady had been in a few days earlier and spent over $400!!! CAN YOU IMAGINE?! Over $1000 on junk!!! Just stuff!!! None of it could be considered necessary. Crazy. But it takes crazy people to make a store like that successful, I guess.

I've been compiling our pictures from Family Camp. We've got about 270 of them so far, so once we get Sister Tammi's disc (or is that disk???) there will be well over 500. WOW! Exciting, hu?! What on earth are we going to do with that many pictures?!?!?

I loaded the kids up and took them down to the pond in the middle of town today. Uncle Jerry's grandsons are in town right now and he invited us to take the kids down to fish with them. We've only fished there 3 times, but the kids always have a blast. The fish are tiny (perch and catfish), but you can easily catch one right after another. Katie and Joe each caught fish all by themselves today -- usually somebody will snag a fish for them then let them reel it in. They were excited about that. Katie caught a catfish that was about 10" long! That's huge for this little pond! (Most of the fish are 3-6" long. Pitiful, hu?!) Uncle Jerry helped Sam catch a fish, then tossed the poor thing back out 6 or 8 times and let Sam reel him in over and over again. Fun for Sam, but pretty sorry for that poor fish! And every time Joe would catch one he'd go dragging it across the dirt to go show everybody. Is this considered animal cruelty?!

Well, it's nearing bedtime around here and I need to oversee the clean up project. It seems to have come to a halt. Ah yes, I'm reminded of how fitting the name of my blog is: Buried in Toys. Maybe some day I'll be able to rename it Molly Maid, but for now I'll stick with what I've got. Have a great night!

Later!!!
~Becki~

4 comments

So when evil is afoot...

Posted by cokelady

That's right folks, here we go again. This will be the third time (I think) that I've blogged this, but the first time on my very own site. It's so appropriate though and I can't get it out of my mind. Here we go. ~ahem~

"So when evil is afoot and you haven't got any arms, you've got to use your head. And when evil is ahead and you're behind, you gotta get a leg up. So keep your chin up, and be hip!"

There now. Don't we all feel better?! God is sooooo good to us and I'm so thankful for His continuing care. He's always right on time. Thank you all for your prayers for my parents--God is answering and sending them the strength they need. It's a great relief to me. I don't deal with things too well when I know they're all torn up and struggling! So thank you, thank you, thank you for your prayers--they're helping us all, and The Church of God. Keep it up! :-)

It's been a good day around our house so far. The past week or so has been full of lots of work, but not much actually being accomplished. I hate it when it's like that! But last night I finally finished up on all of the laundry and that colossal mound of ironing that has been accumulating in the utility room for the past... Ha! I don't even remember last time I was totally caught up on it! So it feels good to have that behind me, at long last. It's so nice to be HOME and to finally feel like things are getting back to normal. That sounds so stupid. Nothing is normal anymore, but at least we're home and getting things in order. I made smothered elk steaks for dinner last night (WOW, that was great--it's been ages!) and I've got a meatloaf in the oven right now. I'm going to be working Aunt Sue's store for her tomorrow since her other daughter, Sharry, is visiting this weekend. That's always a nice change of pace and, no more than I do it (just a few times a year), I really enjoy it. Then it will be back to the HOME things.

The kids are doing great in "school." I'm continuously amazed at the words Katie reads, and she's doing really great with her addition and subtraction, too. In English, she's learning about verbs and nouns and adverbs!!! HUH?! I didn't learn any of that stuff until 3rd Grade! But it's in this 1st Grade book of hers. And Katie loves it. Especially verbs. ACTION!

The boys are all excited because James brought them some really neat badges today--Marshall and Deputy. So they've got on their cowbody duds right now, Joe being a mirror image of Matt Dillon, all except the height. He's got his brown boots, tan pants, redish shirt, brown vest, and light colored hat. It makes him sooooooo happy. And me, too. ~big smile~ And I've noticed that as soon as he gets dressed up his southern drawl intenisfies greatly. Ha! Crazy kid.

Sam is still battling his fear of the Rumor Weed (you have to be a Veggie Tales fan to understand that), but is doing quite well otherwise. He is sooooo fun to listen to. I just love the way he talks and the crazy things he says. And he's sooooo stinkin' cute! He's the most kissable kid I've got right now. :-)

That's probably about it from here. Nothing too exiting, I know. That's okay with me though. There are so many other things going on, it's kind of nice to have things "boring" here at home. We do have our daily "screaming and noise making" (sorry--I just can't get over that one! Ha!) with the little ones. And on occassion they act like three little loose cannons, set on taking each other out and conquering, like a trio of little dictators out of control--you just never knew when or where the next explosion may take place!!! RUN FOR COVER!!! ~sigh~ Must be in their genes. Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Hee! Hee! Ho! Ho! Ha! Ha! Ha! I feel so much better. Mom, if I'm out of line just "shake my cage" (that's what Brother Dewberry told me today! Ha!) and I'll delete the whole schmere. I'm banking on the fact that Jonathan isn't much of a blogger. I know he wouldn't approve. ;-) Okay, I'm really going now. Thanks for all the prayers and keep it up! (And I'm sure Jon would appreciate it if you'd aim a few more of them directly at me and my big mouth. KA-BOOM! Whoops, there goes that cannon again...)

Hangin' In There,
~ Rebekah ~

13 comments

EXTRA PRAYERS, PLEASE!!!

Posted by cokelady

I know we're all doing lots of praying nowadays, but I'd like to ask everyone to send up some extra prayers for my Mom and Dad. I know that everybody has been praying for them--that's the only reason they've made it as long as they have! But they are really struggling right now, especially my Mom. God had given her such divine strength and grace to endure all of these horrible things and she was experiencing supernatural peace and joy in her soul. In that victory, she was able to be a strength to my Dad and help him to continue on--I really don't think he would have made it through without her. But Mama is really having a hard time right now and I have no doubt in my mind that it's an attack from the devil. Considering all that is going on, it seems normal to have a hard time, at least periodically. But I feel so convinced that this is more than that; that there are spirits at work in this and that it is a spiritual attack from the devil! I'm not one of those "blame everything on the devil" kind of people, but I really believe that's what's going on here. Mom is really battling and needs a special touch from God to renew her strength, her faith, and her joy. She and Dad are so much "one" that if Mom can receive that special touch from God, it will automatically affect my Dad and be a source of strength to him as well. I'm sorry for making this "public," Mom, but we are to: "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ" (Gal. 6:2). There is such great power in prayer. Our pastor and wife came over tonight and we had a mighty prayer for Mom and Dad and for The Church of God. The power of God was so strong, and I was so blessed by the realization of the wonderful access we have to God in prayer. We, here in West Texas, can cry out and touch God. He, in turn, can reach down in Virginia and touch Mom and reach down in Tennessee and touch Dad. There are times when the burden just becomes too much to be able to bear alone and we need the support of others, like Aaron and Hur holding up the hands of Moses when he became too weary to carry on alone. Mom and Dad are in that place right now. So spread the word to pray! Not, "They're so depressed; please pray!" But, "Things are so tough right now, victory must be near--let's pray extra hard!" They need the rest of us to carry them near to the heart of God in our prayers, more now than ever. Thank you all in advance.

I'm not sure where to go from there, but I feel such an urgency that "Brother & Sister Smith" need our prayers right now -- I had to ask you all to help pray extra for them. I feel kind of weird going into something "light" from that, so I think I'll wait until next time. I'd hate for you to lose the burden of prayer by me rambling on about a kid shoving popcorn kernals up his nose or something. ;-) I love you all and appreciate all of the love and prayers that have been directed at our family. We are so blessed. Keep praying! God is hearing and answering. I believe that with all of my heart.

Love You All,
~Rebekah~

11 comments