Saturday, June 13, 2015

New Experiences, Hollow Legs, Taking Breaks, TToT Week 104

Ack! Another week has gone by already?!? Summer is going too fast!

I am going to apologize now for any and all grammar or odd wording in this post. We had to be up before the crack of dawn (For all of you with a family full of Don's (like mine), feel free to insert the preferred play on words of buttcrack of Don) to get Buttercup to the airport. As in get up at 4:30 to be at the airport by 5:45. AM!

1. My girl is on her way to work on her first mission trip. She's headed to New Mexico to work on a reservation. (We wouldn't mind some prayers for all of the folks headed out on this trip.)

2. They aren't allowed to wear shorts on the reservation, so we were thrilled to find some pants at Goodwill that had the yellow tags for 50% off yellow tag day. Three pairs for $9.

3. Travel soccer season is over. Our weekends will be completely clear as soon as Turken's baseball season is over next week.

4. Soccer tryouts for next year were on Monday. Those are never fun. Thankfully, Giant (the only one who tried out this year (since the other kids will be playing at the high school)) is really, really good at soccer, so he had plenty of options as far as a team goes. We let him choose, and I am happy with the one he made. (Not the best team, but a fun group of boys from families I enjoy, and only 8 minutes from our house.)

5. Summer storms in the country are so different than in the suburbs or cities. We can see them coming miles away, and we can see the wall as it bears down.

It's coming...


getting closer...


aaaaaand...


BOOM!



6. I took the kids bowling. I got game. We'll leave it at that.

7. High school soccer pretty much obliterates dinners with the entire family. Last night was the only night all week the 8 of us got to sit down together, and I was able to make a meal everyone enjoys (chicken Parmesan). Sure, the conversation took a serious downturn after Cuckoo brought up a commercial he had seen that had a blueberry tooting to make a smelly marker, but we were all there together.

In case you are wondering, if you've never seen the commercial of which Cuckoo spoke (I hadn't):


8. I am so thankful that Bryan has a good job. The children never stop eating. Never. And that much food costs a lot of money.

9. There are 6 (SIX) different grocery stores on one road in a span of less than 2 miles that I pass by almost every time I leave the house. Compared to most of the country, food is inexpensive, and that helps with the feeding of the children.

10. Buttercup and I spent an hour with Jesus this week. Our church (along with many Catholic churches) has a Perpetual Adoration Chapel, which means 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, someone is there praying. Yes, I can pray anywhere, anytime, but it is marvelous to be able to go to the quiet chapel and just be there with Him. There are always so many things swirling through my head. And with social media (Facebook especially) it feels like people are constantly yelling at me to think a certain way, believe a certain thing, or embrace a certain idea. Taking time to listen to what Jesus has to say helps me stop the swirling and figure out what I believe and what ideas I'm going to embrace.

And there you have it. Ten thankfuls all before 6:15 in the morning.

How was your week? What good happened to make you say thank you?

Link it up or let me know in the comments.

(I apologize now if your comment gets eaten. It seems people are having trouble, and I don't know why. Might I suggest copying it before you hit publish/post/whatever it's called, just in case?)

Have a lovely day!




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40 comments:

  1. Lots of prayers for buttercup and her group! Funny I'm lying on the couch and put the television on while I was reading this and what comes on but a blueberry tooting into a magic marker!

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  2. Smelly markers were a big hit with my children and my students. I haven't seen a commercial about it by I can certainly imagine the little boys in my class have a fun time with that. Prayers for Buttercup and yay on the free weekends. There's a saying around here, I don't know if you have it out there, but if the leaves on the trees turn over, they'll be rain within 2 hours. I liked your sequence of photos.

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    1. Have you ever heard of the book Purple, Green, and Yellow by Robert Munsch? It's one of the kids' favorites. It's a book about a girl who keeps wanting to get the new kind of markers, one step being the smelly markers that have "lemon markers that smell better than lemons". This commercial very much reminds me of the book. :)

      I HAVE heard that, but there wasn't a time limit. We just knew that we should take cover. I think of it every time I see the leaves do that.

      Delete
  3. Ask Lizzi to send you a new html. I think the blogger one was effed up this week.
    What a busy but good week!!!!! Godspeed to buttercup And congrats to giant, and thanks for the commercial, which my children with doubtless enjoy.

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    1. *hangs head, contrite* I know. It was all my fault. I goofed. I beg your pardon... *grovels*

      Delete
    2. I did! It was.
      It was a great week. Thank you and you're welcome. I don't know a single child who wouldn't lie that commercial.

      Delete
  4. Oh, and I love the storm photos. Makes me feel all cozy.

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  5. YOWZAH that's bloody early! Good GRIEF! I hope she has a gorgeous time, and what a wonderful thing to be doing - a real learning experience for her.

    I laughed at the blueberry. What an imaginative way to engage kids and make them MOST DEFINITELY want to have those markers. That's awesome.

    You got game? I BET YOU DO! :D

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    1. It was sooo early. And then we went out with our friends and didn't get home until 1:30 am Saturday night! And then Cuckoo woke me up at 7:00, so I was falling asleep in church. Worth it, though. :)

      No joke. Marketing genius.

      You bet I do!

      (No worries about the code. No big deal.)

      Delete
  6. Wow, that's something; being so put together before 6:30 in the morning.. :-) I hope Buttercup enjoys her experience and has tons of stories to tell once she gets back. I definitely love seeing thunderstorms coming in. Saw one East of us today, saw the rain coming down and heard the thunder, but no rain here :-( Have a great week, Christine!

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    1. Well, my post was put together. Nothing else was. :)

      I have no doubt she will talk nonstop for at least a day. We will know every single detail.

      I hate it when the storm detours before it gets to us!

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  7. What an incredible opportunity for Buttercup! It surely will widen her world. 4:30? Piece 'o cake lol

    Most excellent storm pictures! I know exactly what you mean about seeing it coming. Living in Florida taught me much about weather. Scary and beautiful at the same time.

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    1. She was so excited to go. I can't wait to hear what she thought of the experience. Ha! piece of cake for crazy people who get up that early every day. :)
      Storms are just plain fascinating. Much less scary when in the house, but still a bit of a rush, wondering what it will be like.

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  8. I've been thinking a lot about the thought behind #10. I know that my views do not mesh with many that are popping up on my facebook feed and other places. Recently, though, I've realized that I should probably be speaking up more for what I believe--not in a confrontational or judgmental way, but so that I can be a voice. Silence does not always indicate approval, but it can be mistaken for such. Prayer does bring clarity and calm in a confusing world.

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    1. I've been feeling the same way. I have debated writing about my thoughts, but even commenting on other posts paralyzes me. I'm just afraid my thoughts will come out wrong, so I don't say anything. I'm pretty sure I need to get over that, because you're right. Silence implies agreement.
      Prayer has been helping a lot lately.

      Delete
  9. I am a total fan of the pre-dawn… my-god-its-what-Time?!?! I seem to get more done in those hours than I do on the other end of the day
    Bowling! for the very little I've played, I am comfortable saying that I was a natural…. seriously, I coulda been a contender!

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    Replies
    1. I get the same amount done regardless of pre-dawn or post-sunset. I'd prefer the evening hours.

      Ha! I'm sure you could have. :)

      Delete
  10. I will pray for you daughter's mission trip. sound wonderful. I loved the storm pictures. We had some bad ones a couple of weeks ago. No damage just wind and lightning. I am going to miss the storms when the temps hit 99 to 100 on Monday with no rain in sight. ;)

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    1. Thank you!
      yikes! That's some serious heat. I'll be praying that you get some rain in the not too distant future.

      Delete
  11. No pants in New Mexico --- sweet mother of sweaty summer thighs. Did you install a fan? And a mister?
    See those storms would give me a stroke. I'd recreate the scene from Wizard of Oz all the time. Auntie Em! Auntie Em! -- I'm kind of dramatic when it comes to storms. Once when we went to Mexico we got stuck in a hurricane for oooohhh 3 days, I thought I was going to die. But I didn't. Obviously. It was still traumatic and I dislike Mexico a whole lot which is why we went back there for our 10 year wedding anniversary. Don't question it. It was a good deal....but we got stuck in a tropical storm.
    I only have one boy and he's six and he eats more than I do. It is unbelievable. Where he packs it is beyond me. I can't imagine how much yours eat!!
    I like your #10 - I fell out of my faith a long time ago for many reasons. There's just so much anger. So much. But I love that you are able to connect with Him in that way. Faith played a big role in my life for a long time.

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    1. Yes pants, no shorts. I can't even imagine how hot it will be. At least the nights are cool, as there is no AC or even fans.

      I'm gonna have to say that Mexico should probably be avoided in the future. There are so many pretty places for you to explore! Let me know if you want suggestions. :)

      It is completely ridiculous how much food we go through. I cannot keep up.

      Hmmm...Your last statement makes me sad. I know many people in the same boat as you. So much anger. Do you mind if I add you to my prayers, that you find a way to heal from the anger? I understand it. I held onto some pretty fierce anger for over a decade.

      Delete
  12. Your daughter's mission trip sounds like a wonderful experience. I'll definitely keep her in my prayers. I loved your storm pictures. My husband and I also live in the country. From our front porch, we can watch storms like that come in - can see the front coming at us. Don't like the storms, but watching them work their way toward us is interesting. You captured what we often see perfectly. :)

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    1. Thank you! This is the 11th year that our church has sent a group on this particular mission. They have all come back saying what a great experience it was. I'm looking forward to hearing Buttercup's take.

      The path of a storm is just plain fascinating.

      Delete
  13. Your time lapse storm photos are so dramatic! I'm in an area so well treed that we only see the effects rather than the storm so your photos are amazing to me.

    I hear you on the food thing! I only have the two boys and it's a challenge fitting the weeks groceries in the fridge and then three days later I feel like there's nothing left.

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    1. Not that there is anything wrong with a lot of trees, but they certainly do block out some good views. :)

      No joke! And when we have almost 20 dozen eggs in the fridge, there is little room for other food.

      Delete
  14. There is something about watching a storm roll in that is so interesting and awe-inspiring. You captured some great photos!

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  15. How fun for Buttercup to get to go on a mission trip and fly and everything. Our mission trips are always driveable, except once every four years or so, they go to Puerto Rico. Glad you found long pants. Thrift stores are the best for finding stuff for mission trips and camp and such, where you know the clothes are basically going to be destroyed by the time they get back anyway.
    Farting blueberry. What will they think of next?
    I was out today when one of those clouds let forth. My hair, which was up in a messy bun, is STILL damp, more than 6 hours later.

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    1. We've been talking to her every night. She's having a great time. Thrift stores are very handy, and not just for mission trips. So many costumes for school activities have had pieces come from thrift stores.
      Only time will tell...
      We have had sooooo much rain. And more is a comin'. My hair is paying with its life.

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  16. Good luck to your daughter! I totally understand on all the soccer, both my girls played. The youngest will be trying out for the High School team in the fall, yikes!
    Storms are scary, but those photos are awesome! Hopefully it passed quickly!

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    1. Thank you!
      Good luck to your youngest!

      Thanks! It did pass quickly. Unfortunately, we've had rain every day since.

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  17. I hope that Buttercup has a fulfilling trip. I used to shop at Goodwill and thrift stores when I was in food service for my black and khaki pants. Who cares if they get filthy when they cost less than $3! My husband & I always go outside to watch when a storm is coming but I haven't seen anything like your storm in a long time.

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    1. We've talked to her every night, and it is going very well.
      No joke! Thrift stores are so handy for things like that.
      We've been seeing quite a few storms and even more plain rain lately. I'd love it if they headed your way. :)

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  18. Oh my word! It cracks me up to think about where that entire conversation would have gone after a commercial like that!

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    1. Yes, 5 boys (well, 6 including Bryan) can take that conversation places you don't want to go. :)

      Delete
  19. Prayers and wishes for a safe and wonderful trip for Buttercup. Pants in Mexico? Sheesh.
    You do more before 6:30 AM than I think I do all day it seems. I want to be you when I grow up. Or at least for like a week! :D
    I love the adoration chapel. We have adoration from time to time, but definitely not 24/7 all the time. That is a beautiful thing.
    Bowling...would you believe I've never been bowling in my entire life? I think that should probably go on a bucket list somewhere.
    Zilla loves that marker commercial. The first time she saw it she cracked up and could not stop laughing. Pretty funny.
    And I'm sure I"m revealing myself as the most not up to date reader ever but...new blog layout? Did I miss that? Or did I know it and forget? As you can see, it's the wee hours of Thursday AM and I'm still working on TToT readings, so...yeah.

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