Photo of the Day

Emma fishing things out from under her bed.

from Photobucket

Photo of the Day

This is a picture from about 3 years ago on a night when Pete and the kids camped in the back yard of our old house.

Photo of the Day

Parade Watching

Not Me Mondays

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

This past week was the second week of swimming lessons, but I did not bring in a soda to the pool area even though the sign says no outside food or beverage allowed. And I would never bring in snacks when we go there to swim in the afternoons. I always spend my money on the overpriced concessions. I also would never dream of trying to talk my daughter into jumping off the diving board even if she's scared to. Not even if it meant she'd be repeating level 1 next year. Nope, not me. (For the record, while I did encourage to give it her best try, she did not do it. And that's okay. I actually do cringe when I see parents forcing their kids into the water.)

We went to the library where, of course, I wouldn't think of forgetting to pick up my husband's books when he'd asked me at least twice if I could do that the next time I was at the library.

I would never dream of drinking that second can of Coke on hot days when I'm trying to wish away the extra 20 pounds I've accumulated. Not me! Or stealing small handfuls of chocolate chips from the cupboard. I never do that.

Just the Two of Us and Friendship

It's been just Emma and me at home this weekend. Pete and Jack were away on Drumline business. Business that included a day spent at Valleyfair. Emma and I went to some garage sales, went to the pool and then to church last night. It wasn't our church, but rather a very large one on the outskirts of town. I must admit I'd been curious to check it out, but my primary reasons for going is simply that I'm looking for friendship. After almost a year of living here I don't feel like I've met any sort of like-minded friends. I've made what I consider to be acquaintances, but no real solid connections. Last night, I happened to recognize a mom I'd seen at the library and she immediately introduced me to a few other moms. She mentioned a MOPS group that's forming in the fall and asked if I'd like to meet at the park sometime with her and some other moms. I almost teared up during the service because I felt like I was maybe finally meeting some people who will become great friends. I don't mean to be critical or unfaithful to my own church in doing this. I'm not at a place, I don't think, where I'm saying I want to switch denominations. But in all honesty, my closest, strongest Christian friends....the ones I've been able to confide in and pray with....none of those friendships have come out of the church that I was attending at the time. I really believe in the doctrine my denomination teaches. I don't want to walk away from that. But I just haven't connected with anybody in our church in a real solid way at this point. Honestly there seems to be few families our age there. So I feel almost torn between the doctrine that I want to stick with and a place where I can connect with other believing moms. (Not that there aren't believing moms at our church--it's hard to explain). At this point, my plan is to go to the other church on Saturday nights once in a while, but remain at our church on Sundays. My main participation will be at our church. But at this point, I just need friends!

Photo from Photobucket

A Thousand Words Thursday

I love this picture of the two of them playing. Oh my goodness they are both so little!

For more Thousand Word Thursday entries head over to: Cheaper Than Therapy.

Guarding My Mind

I could probably write a whole post about my feelings about Jon & Kate Plus 8 and my true sadness for their family. I don't really want to get into a big discussion of the ins and outs of their situation. I will say that I've watched every episode from the beginning, but think my watching will be more sporadic from now on. That said, I'm praying fervently for each of them that they will humble themselves before God and allow Him to transform them.

Related a little bit to this is the fact that I've really been noticing how much what I listen to and watch affects me and my thinking. Now I suppose that's always been the case, but lately I've really been linking this to my mood and outlook on things. I'm noticing more and more how much junk there truly is on t.v. So much that is crass and disrespectful to the core. So much that seems to relish in the negative traits of humanity. There's no standard of behavior to live up to. The worse the behavior is the more entertaining it's supposed to be. Sexual habits, displayed and applauded. Family disfunction, normal and played out for us all. Crude humor and coarse language, common place. All of it is beginning to leave a poorer taste in my mouth than ever before. And I'm having a harder time stomaching it. I'm beginning to desire a higher standard for myself. I'm beginning to guard my mind more--something I should've been doing all along. I don't like how I feel when I don't.

NIV
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.
Philippians 4:8

The Message:
Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.
Philippians 4:8

Deck Day

Yesterday was deck day at our house. My dad drove down to help us redo the back deck. He had even picked up all the lumber we had ordered and brought it down on his trailer. It was going to be a hot day--about 94 degrees. A short while after the work began, though, a storm came up and dropped the temperature probably 20 degrees. Of course, it dropped rain too, which stalled the work for a while. We still have the railing and the stairs to do, but I'm loving it. It looks so nice. And we definitely couldn't do it without my dad. Thanks Dad!!