Mini-Vacation

This was a pretty sriendly swan...providing you had bread!

Playing on the beach...we even found a petoskey stone!

Tim and I enjoying the day in Traverse City.

The sunset from our condo balcony!

We were thankful to get away this past weekend. My Dad has a timeshare in Bellaire, MI, and we got to use up the rest of his days for the year.
It was very low-key and relaxing. I just wanted to share some photos of the trip.
We also went to a place called Raven Hill Discovery Center...it turned out to be pretty awesome. I wish I had my camera there because the kids got to hold a python around their neck (and actually did it, I was completely surprised!) and got to hold other various snakes, a skink, a lizard, etc.
This discovery center also had a one room schoolhouse on the property and a cool path that led out to a treehouse in the woods. So even though it rained on Saturday, we still had a good time tramping around in the dampness.

Hymn

We sang this song out loud at our Explorers board retreat, and it's ended up on my fridge where I look at it daily. You know how songs can just "hit" you a certain way and really make an impact on you? I have probably sung this song hundreds of times in my life time, but this time it just struck a chord. This really made me think about the INTENTIONALNESS (is that a word?) with which I should use myself to be an example of Christ. And it showed me how little I actually DO it...instead I act without thinking, I speak hastily or harshly, and my will -- let's not get started on that. So, I'm sharing the lyrics in lieu of a "real" entry.

Take My Life, and Let It Be

Take my life and let it be
consecrated Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days
Let the flow in ceaseless praise,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my hands, and let them move
at the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet and let the be
swift and beautiful for Thee,
swift and beautiful for Thee.

Take my voice and let me sing
always only for my King
Take my intellect and use
every power as Thou shall choose
every power as Thou shall choose.

Take my will and make it Thine
it shall be no longer mine
Take my heart. it is Thine own
it shall be Thy royal throne,
it shall be Thy royal throne.

Take my love, Lord, I pour
at Thy feet its treasure store.
Take my self and I will be
ever only all for Thee
ever only all for Thee.

Candy

Top Ten Favorite: Candy


1. Snickers
2. Twix
3. Heath
4. Almond Joy
5. Take Five
6. Gummi Bears
7. Reese's Pieces
8. Reese's Cups
9. Kit Kat
10. Whoppers

What about you?

Mattie's Skating Competition

The first girl in the video is the girl who got 1st place -- Mattie is the 2nd performer in the blue outfit. This was Mattie's first competition, and she is doing moves at the Basic Eight level.

She placed 2nd!

It was so fun to watch her perform -- even after I've seen this program during practices about a jillion times over the past 3 months.

We had our first ever run-in with some "crazy stage moms" -- yikes. It was a bit intimidating and ratcheted our nerves up a few more notches. We ended up sitting in the stands with Mattie's coach, Tim, and Jonah instead of waiting in the locker room, just to get away from these moms!

By the way, Mattie's coach right now is Brooke Castile -- she is a pairs skater and placed 1st in the US Championships in 2006-2007. There are some really awesome videos of her and her partner on youtube. Her regular coach is on maternity leave.

For those of you who don't know, she skates at the Arctic Edge rink in Canton.

Eternal Significance

I was half-listening to the Bob Dutko show today while running to the grocery store.
It was "Free-For All" Friday -- and a caller was talking about being a mom, and the important roll we serve as moms. We are ultimately, servants. But before we begin to martyr ourselves right here and now and wallow in self-pity, let's think about what that means. She went on to say that by cheerfully and selflessly serving others, we are doing what we've been called by Christ to do. The conversation continued, talking about what significance mothers will have and the results they might someday see in heaven, with literally generations of believers there because of the bedtime prayers, devotions, and bible studies that went on in Christian households everywhere.

...Hmmm, I thought...

There are a lot of days I don't feel called by anyone.

And I certainly have a difficult time being cheerful with my chore list stretching endlessly in front of me.

Did anyone ever mention the pay and benefits package is really terrible at this job?

This morning, in fact, I woke up in a rotten mood, mostly because the very first thing my daughter said to me at 7:30 AM was: "We don't have ANY MILK! Haven't you gone grocery shopping YET?"
I poked open my eye, feeling miffed before even being fully awake and said, "Get out." (She was sitting on the side of the bed.)
Pause.
"I said, Get Out. You didn't even say 'good morning' before whining and complaining. I'm not even awake yet!"
So she left the room, crying.

Now I feel grumpy and guilty...*sigh*. At 7:33 AM, I've already managed to make my daughter cry.

So I haul myself out of bed, preparing the talk. "Mom didn't mean to be grumpy...but I have feelings too! And I'm not a machine who can just go and go without ever resting. And boy, am I sick of the whining! You really need to appreciate what I do more..."

As I open the bedroom door at 7:36 AM, a little girl covered in a blanket stands at the entrance.

Barely a whisper, "Sorry."

And then, grace. Thank you God for grace.

"I forgive you. I love you. I'm sorry too."

Hugs and tears and cuddles all around.

Eternal significance before 7:40 AM.

Now that's the way to start the day.

A Few Things

Outside my window...
Cold and Cloudy, a bit Rainy -- but I am enjoying it.

I am thinking...
of extended family members who need prayers.

I am thankful for...
my life, my home, Tim's job -- it's all pretty simple, but we are very happy.

From the homeschooling perspective...
we did some catch up yesterday, and need to finish our reading lessons today.
I'm going to a "retreat" tomorrow for our co-op Board, and I'm hoping it's productive.

From the kitchen...
I need to make potato salad and a dessert.

I am wearing...
Jeans and t-shirt from yesterday. I need a shower.


I am reading...
a new ice-skating blog (it's hilarious), and waiting on some books I put on hold at the local library.


I am hoping...
for peace in my family. Also, an iPod touch for myself would be nice. :)


I am hearing...
the kids playing hide and seek and the rat scratching around in his cage.


Around the house...
need to feed the kids, do some cooking, fold laundry, clean a bit, and get the kids in the shower.


One of my favorite things...
is travelling to places I've never been.

Plans for the Night...
library, listen to Dave Ramsey, housework.


A few plans for the rest of the week...
retreat, Palm Sunday service, first skating competition for Mattie, and my niece and nephew's birthday party!