My Favorite Kind Of Day **

 Today was a fabulous day. The kind of day that makes me want to:

Not once, but over and over again...

Abbey doing handstands. (I told you she was a born-gymnast, imagine what she could do with some training?)

But, I can't! I mean I wouldn't even think of trying, unless I wanted to end up in the hospital!  

But, I can smile like this...

and this...

The day started out great. The kids didn't get up at the crack of dawn. Daniel and Anna were home most of the day to help with the little ones. I didn't have to run any errands. (There were some that I needed to do, but I chose not to; and the world didn't end). I stayed home and played outside. The weather was beautiful. I was able to cook a real dinner that we ate together. Then, John and I took the littles and went for a walk. It felt so wonderful outside. The dogwoods are starting to join the bradford pear trees in blooming. The grass is green. Everywhere you look you see God's gift of beauty to us.  I love, love, love spring!!!

**This statement is one that our family says often. When John, Jr was really little we have him on video during Christmas saying over and over again, "This is my favorite kind of day!" It was so cute that the saying "stuck" with us.

Farm Day, March 27

This past Friday our OAKS Friday playgroup went to Farm Days. NC State sponsors this event every year. The pictures speak for themselves. We had a very nice time.

Holding a week old chick

Elijah trying to decide if he wanted to hold one too

Looking at turkeys

Petting a bunny

and a baby goat

Careful, don't get stuck!

Silly NC State people. Someone should tell them that cows don't wear hats.

The kids also enjoyed being with some of their friends...

Abbey's new friend, Darcy. She has tried to convince me to trade Elijah for Darcy.

With Lily. Lily is from the same orphanage as Abbey.

The whole gang enjoying the free ice cream

With William

After seeing the animals, we went to a park for lunch and playtime. This wore my two out. 

Abbey had to take her jeans off, after mopping one of the wet slides.

Why, yes, I'm a very observant person.....most of the time

You know what they say about pride goes before the fall?  I've always be rather proud of the fact that I notice details and can find things better than anyone in my house. When John looks for something in the pantry and can't find it, I give him the, "Let me look. See it's right here. If it had been a snake, you would have been dead," speech.

Well, I had a little taste humble pie over the past few days.

One day last week, I had to rush out of the house and pick up Daniel from school. Elijah had been playing in the den. I scooped him up and went out the door. On the way to the car, he yelled hello to our neighbor and I talked to her a few minutes. I then put him in his car seat, just like normal.  When Daniel got in the car, he said, "Why is Elijah wearing a single pink tennis shoe?" I meekly had to reply that I didn't know he was wearing one of his sister's shoes.  I looked back and sure enough, this is what I saw....

 Sure enough, there sat Elijah, aka, "the shoe thief", with one of his sister's shoes.

I'd completely not noticed, observant person that I am.

Then, the other day, I went to the hospital to sit with my Mom while my dad had a cardiac catheterization. I reached back to scratch my neck and noticed that I felt the tags on my sweater. I quickly looked and saw the seams. Oh, my! I'd put my sweater on wrong side outward and had worn it that way for most of the day.

Maybe I'm getting old, or maybe just too big for my britches?  Either way I'll think a little bit before I belittle someone for not being able to find something in the pantry!

On a serious note...

My Dad had to have 2 more stents put into his heart., because of blocked arteries.  He had been having chest pain. I'm so thankful that he went to the Dr to check out the source of the pain. He was out of the hospital 24 hours after the procedure and seems to be doing very well.

He even hears my sighs!

"Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my sighing."

These verses stuck with me today. God even hears my sighing. When the drains back up, the shower overflows and leaks downstairs, I sigh; when an angry child stomps upstairs, I sigh; when several major appliances threaten to break down, I sigh; when the kids have a bad night, I sigh, and on and on. In my mind, sighing isn't like crying.

"Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray." Psalm 5:1-2

 I cry out to the Lord over major things, such as a loved ones deteriorating health, the loss of life or lack of salvation of a loved one, or a major problem to which I have no solution.  I've always known that God hears my cries for help. I praise him that I've had little to cry about in my life!

But I bet several times a week I find myself sighing over life's little blips of problems. Today I found myself thanking God that He loves me so much as to listen and consider my sighs.Some of the things I sigh over really don't matter in the grand scheme of things, but to God, because I sigh, it matters.

Now, I do believe that God is trying to shape and mold me into His likeness, (boy, does He have a long way to go), and in becoming more like Him I will not worry so much about the inconsequential. But, He recognizes my human frailness and meets me where I am.


This thought returns me to thoughts of my parenting. How many times have I listened to one of my kids petty sighing and basically told them to chill out and not stress about things that don't matter? Maybe I should listen and comfort them in their times of sighing? Maybe I should take their human frailness and maturity level into account? That's what God does for me. He has every right to say, "Get a grip, Glenda, in the grand scheme of things, it really isn't important." But He doesn't, in fact, He encourages me to tell Him about everything... without ceasing!  Oh, what manner of love the Father has lavished on us.... even when we sigh!

A Gymnastics Party

Imagine having your birthday party and you weren't even able to be there. This happened to Abbey's friend, Lottie. She came down with pneumonia the day of her party. They still had the party, but rescheduled for the next week. This past Sunday we all gathered at The Little Gym. This time, Lottie, all recovered, was with us. Abbey and Elijah had a wonderful time. The day before, I'd unpacked Abbey's clothes for the summer that had been given to her. Inside our treasure trove of clothes there was a gymnastics leotard. She was so thrilled and wore it to Lottie's party. Hopefully, one day we will be able to enroll Abbey in gymnastics (when people begin to buy cranes again). She really appears to have a natural affinity for it.

On the way to the gym, she fell fast asleep.

Elijah enjoyed himself, also

Abbey's first taste of the theater

This past Friday, Anna mentioned to me that Millbrook High School was putting on this play:

I was sure that my resident Cinderella would love to go and see the show, but I didn't know how long she would be able to sit quietly. I needn't have worried. She sat through the entire show. She loved it and talked about it nonstop as we stopped for ice cream afterward. Woo-hoo! I have another person who loves musicals like Anna and I. 

Ready to go to the show

They sold magic wands at intermission, I just had to get her one

Here she is bibbity-bobbity booing with all her might!

Daniel's home

Daniel returned home tonight from Jr. Nationals in Orlando. His swims had some good news and some bad news. The good news was that he went a 59.4 in 100 breast. The bad news was that it was in a relay and didn't count. He also got best times in the free relays. Individually, he didn't achieve best times. He said he got so nervous when he was on the blocks that he was actually shaking. It was his first really big meet, and he said he just kind of "freaked" out. The good news is that the next time he goes to a big meet, it will be old hat to him. He was disappointed, but saw the experience as a learning opportunity. Anyway, I'm glad to have him home. This week he is taking a break from swim practice in order to concentrate on making up all the school work he missed. 

My new dining room

My dining room has been in desperate need of an update. We haven't done anything to it since we moved here over 10 years ago. I painted directly over the wallpaper. I wasn't thrilled with the bottom color, but in the end, I really like both colors. I'm please with how it turned out,  but boy it was quite a job with 2 little ones running around. John had to help out more than he usually does when we paint.  Now, on to the den...

The white chair isn't supposed to be there!

The picture that was painted in Chongqing especially for Abbey

What can we learn from a dead bird?

While walking with the kids and Anna last night, we saw a dead bird on the sidewalk. Abbey, of course, was very inquisitive about the bird. We told her that it was dead and wouldn't wake up. She asked what made it die? I told her that I thought it had gotten hit by a car. She then replied, "I guess he didn't take anyone's hand when he crossed the street."  She's learning!

This is her drawing of a house.  Pretty good isn't it?

Notice the self-satisfied grin (smirk)

She's into making funny faces for the camera. I'd say this qualifies.

I don't know if it is the fact that he's getting more teeth, or the fact that he can now feed himself, but Elijah is really starting to eat and eat a decent amount. Maybe he might break the 5th percentile for weight?

Chowing down on a waffle

There's a Shoe Bandit Among Us

Who Me??

Yes, you!!!

I knew we needed to watch that little guy!

Caught red handed, or (red footed)

With mom's tennis shoe

Maybe a slip-on in addition?

How about Anna's flip flop?

Or maybe daddy's shoe?

He spots an interesting boot

Getting his foot in there takes just the right aim

Success!!

At our house, you better watch your shoes. They just might walk away!!

And He's Off...

To Orlando!

John took Daniel to meet the rest of the team at 5:45 this morning. They are driving vans down to Orlando for the Jr. National Meet. They will have a relay this afternoon. He will swim 100 Breast on Wed., 50 breast on Thurs. and 200 breast on Friday. He will also be participating in relays throughout the meet.  He was so excited! Nike is giving each swimmer several items, as well as having the swimmers try out prototype suits during warm ups.  I'm not sure if Daniel is more excited about all the free apparel or the meet itself. 

Last night when I was putting her to bed, Daniel tried to tell Abbey goodbye. She took the book we were reading and put it in front of her face. She wouldn't even look at him or speak to him. Fortunately, Daniel recognizes that this behavior means she really cares, but is protecting herself.  Poor baby, she just can't bring herself to say goodbye. It hurts when someone leaves her. I really think it is part of her abandonment issues.  She'll be happy when he gets home (as will I). I sure am going to miss him!

Please pray for him: for safety and that he will swim well. 

 

 The pool in Orlando. It has a retractable roof!