Seems like there are so many things to blog about I don't know where to start. Actually, there's nothing all that monumental--just a bunch of little stuff I've been forgetting. Like the kids' bike ride the other day. I decided that it was time we go "out" for a bike ride so they can experience more than riding around the little triangle of sidewalk in our backyard where they have to make a sharp turn every 8'. So a few days ago we got the bikes out and headed toward the highschool where I knew there was lots of sidewalk space and parking lot to make use of. (I also knew classes were out for the day.) Sam asked for help right away--was just having a hard time getting his bike to move as fast as he wanted it to. So I was pushing him as Katie and Joe sped off in front of us. After about a block it suddenly occurred to me that it was a lot harder to push that little bike than it should be. I looked down and noticed that the back tire was completely flat. Great. Can't turn around now--the kids are sooooooo excited to be on their very first real bike ride. So I just kept on pushing. We made it to the highschool and Katie took off full speed across the parking lot. She was just flying... aimed straight for the curb! I didn't have time to respond, so all I got out was, "Katie, don't...!!!" just as she rammed into it. Her bike kind of hopped, made her lunge forward, then jumped the curb and kept going--she never missed a lick! I couldn't believe it. Unfortunatly Joe was following her and didn't have the speed she had. He hit the curb head on and came to a dead stop, immediately jumped off and commenced crying while holding his backside. I called them over to me and went over some biking basics (that I don't recall ever having to be told, personally) such as not hitting curbs and light poles and open manholes. So Katie chose to simply ram into Joe's bike instead. Not really. They've both got training wheels on their bikes (I know, I know, I'm a bad Mom--I'm just letting them get used to the new bikes for a few weeks before we start trying to teach them to really ride!) and she tried to pass him (at warp speed--the only one she knows) and their training wheels caught. Nobody got hurt, but from that time on Katie's bike would sometimes refuse to let her pedal. I finally discovered that the chain guard had been knocked out of whack (by the now out-of-line training wheel) and was pushing against the back wheel. We worked around that, but decided to head home pretty quick. Things weren't turning out as well as I had hoped, you know?! And while all of Katie and Joe's action was taking place I was still stuck pushing the kid with the flat tire. When we got home Katie tried to ride her bike up the walk and suddenly found herself pedaling for all she was worth, but to no avail. Her chain had come off! Good grief! How many problems can a kid encounter on one bike ride?! The very first one on a brand new bike, no less! But that's not all. The next day when she went to ride around the back yard we discovered that her front tire was flat! I know because I went out to work on it in my bright pink pajamas Saturday morning before the Sno-Cone sale. (I didn't want to take a chance of getting grease on me after I was dressed and ready to go. I did, however, serve Sno-Cones all day with that can't-get-the-grease-out-from-under-your-fingernails-no-matter-how-hard-you-try thing going on. Gross.) Anyway, I got the pump, but it wouldn't pump up at all. All I can figure is that she must've blown the thing when she slammed into the curb. So now her brand new bike is sitting out back with one wheel on and miscellaneous parts scattered nearby, waiting for Dad to find the right size tube to replace the one she busted. He worked on it for a while today, but she'll have to wait until the next Odessa trip for the new tire. Nothing like the joy of a new bike, let me tell you!

James found a turtle in the front yard the other day, so we took it out back, introduced everybody, tried to make friends, offered it some dog food (that's what my cousin feeds her turtles!), then kept an eye on it for as long as we could. As soon as we got distracted it made a run for it. It either found a very, very good hiding place, or it found a way out of the backyard--which is precisely what I would have done if I, as a turtle, found myself locked in a yard with three lively kids and a dog. Anyway, here are some pictures we took before we lost him.

Okay, I'd best get going. I intend to relax with my Country magazine and Reader's Digest for a while tonight. ~Aaaaaaahhhhhh~ I feel relaxed already, just thinking about it! But just a few more pictures before I skedaddle. These are the flowers James got for me for Mother's Day. Actually all of the church Mom's got one rose, two carnations, and three or four lillies in a small vase with pretty ribbon and a bookmark attached. I got that and this because I'm married to James. :-)

And here's the gift that Tammy had Emilee prepare for us church Mom's. (She gave them to us after church once the visitors were gone.) Aren't they fantastic?! THANK YOU TAMMY AND EMILEE!!! (Sorry I forgot to mention it on the phone today, Em--I love it!!!) The verse is one of my favorites: "Except the Lord build the house they labour in vain that build it." It goes on to say, "Except the Lord keep the city the watchman waketh but in vain." I always think of the things we're doing to try to raise our kids right and bring them up to fear God and serve Him wholeheartedly. I love the reminder that even all of our heartfelt efforts and good intentions are doomed to fail unless God is the one doing the work and guarding their souls. I can't do it; He has to do it. I needed that reminder just last night and it spurred me to a wonderful time with the Lord in prayer and much needed surrender once more. So double thanks, Tammy and Em--I needed that verse right now! :-)

Okay, I've kept you all far too long. Me too. I have reading to do, you know. ;-) Have a great night, all!

~Rebekah~