Peace: n. a state of rest or tranquility; calm; freedom from war or disturbance

That is exactly what I feel tonight after walking into our cozy WARM home! It is always fun to be with "grown-up girls" and eat and talk and laugh! A merry heart does do good...and a little chocolate cake doesn't hurt either!
As usual...I can't come home from a gathering and settle right down to sleep...so I grabbed another sleep depriver (cold Pepsi over ice was calling my name...loudly!) and thought I would blog visit. I haven't had much time to do that lately!
As I crept through the house, I was struck with the fact that it was so quiet and peaceful! The gentle sounds of sleep come from four beds, add the hum of the furnace, and faint voices of Fox News in the background...but all is calm, peaceful, quiet. Earlier this afternoon, there was constant noise...children playing, Patch playing, baby jabbering, dog barking, phone ringing, microwave beeping...Oh for a chance to just be still!
Now...all are at rest...preparing for another day...I will enjoy the solitude that bedtime brings and try to soak up some quiet moments to share with tomorrow...if only it didn't come so early!

A Little Gift

Tonight, we have a party to say "goodbye" to a friend. It will be a fun night out for "the girls at church". I tried to think of things to let our friend know she will be missed and thought of regularly. It is not an easy thing to move away from family and friends and all that is comfortable...so here are a few things tucked into a little creatively decorated box.

Notecards...to keep in touch with old friends as she makes new friends

Kleenex...to dry the tears that will fall

Chapstick...to keep her lips soft for her husband and children

Hand lotion...to keep her from "wringing her hands" and remember to fold them in prayer

Chocolate...to help soothe and warm the loneliness and anxiety of a new place
Off to make some yummy appetizers for our party...food can make any situation better...right?!

Conversations...aren't always what they seem!

Ashlynn: "Is it fun being a parent?" Alisa: "'Cause you get to do whatever you want, right!?"
Me: "To some extent...I guess." Alisa: "Well, if your stomach hurts you can always get a snack!"
I sat there for a minute trying to figure out what and where our conversation went...then it hit me..."to some extent" sounded like "stomach hurt" to her little ears and mind. If you have ever played MadGab...you will appreciate the same chuckle that I had...but it may take a minute!

Thinking Alot...

about the new year and the challenge from our pastor on Sunday. We all make resolutions...n. the state of being resolved: the act of resolving: analysis: fixed determination: constancy of purpose...most resolutions being defined with action ("doing") points. Our pastor asked if we had any "being" points on our list...and that got me to thinking! I am not really going to make any progress with my "doing" if my "being" is not in a right relationship with God! Pastor was laying the groundwork last week for the upcoming lessons on the husband/wife relationship. He had us take some time and jot down some "resolutions" for the new year that we would like to see in our individual lives. I quickly formed a list...things I know I should do better on or would like to see accomplished. As he went through the thoughts, I patted myself on the back "whew, I included a "how I should be" resolution or two!" I have been reading and studying this week...with Ted, by myself, and as a family...and I have been amazed at how satan continuely attacks my "being" which then causes my "doing" to completely break down. There have been some pretty strong things come up this week..."how do I handle this one, Lord?"
DO: I WILL still choose to believe that there will be things in my/our life that will happen that "we didn't see coming"...BUT GOD DID! HE KNEW ABOUT, HE ORDAINED IT, AND ALLOWED IT...FOR A PURPOSE! HE HAS A PLAN!
BE: I WILL have a joy and peaceful spirit that "passes all understanding" because I know that God is in control...and He has a plan for our lives!

"Kari, where are you?" or "I don't know what to say and I know I can't say...that!" or "Just eat your supper!"

The other night Ted took care of supper so I could run to the store by myself (a treat in and of itself!). As they all sat around the table, the girls were talking about being an aunt. Ted kept eating and listening till they "drew him into the conversation" with some various questions. "Do you have to be married to be an aunt?" "Aunt Mari is married and she is your aunt." "She is not really our aunt...she is mommy's sister." Aunt Sara is my sister and she is your aunt. "But she is not married." "Do you have to get married? Why do you get married? If you get married, do you have to have children? Did you want to get married? Did you want to have children?"
Have you ever seen a grown man squirm? Watch (or listen as he retells the event!) Ted as he has a conversation with his girls! They are never satisfied with the simple answer...they always take it a step farther! (I believe they get that gene from their father! He has been "accused" of thinking too much!) All answers to their questions could not be answered with the information that was in his head...he wasn't sure where it would go from there! There is such a thing as too much information! I do believe I heard him holler down the street..."Kari, where are you? Why do you leave me here all alone...with these girls? Girls are persistant...at some things! He tried simple answers, he tried distraction (Do you want anymore to eat?), he tried avoidance (kept his head down and kept eating), and finally..."Ok, if you are finished, clear your place, and you may play!"

Somedays...don't you just wish that all you had to worry about was finding your thumb so you can take a nap!?

My little buddy wore himself out rolling around...playing with his toys and feet...

RE-Adjusting

The kids are back to school, little M keeps me company, Chevy sleeps all day, Ted is working hard, and it is quiet around here! I loved having the kids home for vacation...and now it is really quiet! The new thing to do whille off school was to race around looking for a pen or pencil to copy down phone numbers for me..."Mom, you really need to get one of these(the Snuggy blanket)...here is the number!" For safety purposes, I told them that I didn't need one..."I have blankets and robes and etc. and please don't run for paper and pencil...someone is going to get hurt!" So...they stopped copying numbers down for me. Not sure I was quite clear in my instruction! Ashlynn informed me she was "writing the number down for when she is an adult." She has some time to "wait" for the "weight"!
How are all of you re-adjusting or adjusting to the new year?

"Mom, what if it was called 'Do Break the Ice'?"

Once again...I am fighting blogger to post my pictures in the correct order...AARRGGHH!

Teddy was the one who ended up breaking the ice! It is the one game he "doesn't mind" winning!

An Unexpected Treat!

For all of us! Aunt Sara invited Alisa to join her for "girl time". Grammy and Grampy invited Ashlynn and Teddy over for a sleep-over! Ted and I had some "us time"! What a nice way to end our "Christmas vacation"! Back to reality: early mornings, packed lunches, homework, van rides, and schedules on Monday morning! It was a wonderful time off...because we spent it with family!

A Good Reminder

"Be Still and Know that I AM GOD!"
"Too many voices trying to compete.
So many noises trying to defeat that still
small voice, God wants us to hear!
Be still and know that He is God! In
that precious, quiet time.
You'll find strength and peace of mind.
Be still and know that He is God!"
I was reminded this morning of this wonderful verse
as I listened to the Tribute Quartet. If you visit their
site http://tributequartet.com, they have this song playing...go there...and be
blessed!

I smell like fish...my house smells like fish...somebody light some candles!

We deep fried all the fish that Ted, Teddy, Grampy, and Papa have caught the last two summers. What a yummy treat! Our little stripey bass friends tasted very good! What a fun way to start the New Year with our grandparents!

Happy New Year!

***Is anyone else having photo issues? I select them in one order and it's anybody's guess what order they will come out in...ugh! The Sorry game pictures are of today...the others are from last night.***

We are starting our new year off with game overload! Fun times at our church fellowship with friends of all ages!

Family time around the table...watching Alisa beat Grampy and Grammy at Sorry! Our Grampy has taught our children the "Bible version"..."Sorry...will you please forgive me!?" It did not make Alisa happy to be placed "back home" by Grampy!

Alisa did end up winning!

Spoons...this time nobody got hurt and spoons weren't bent!

Fun, food, fellowship, noise...lots of noise, and games for all ages!