Note to your grandmother

 

 

Random parts of the evening…my daughter grabs her Hello Kitty notepad…

“Dear Grandmother:

I like you very much.  I love you very much.  Thank you for the treats you gave me.  They were yummy.

I miss you,

Samantha”

“See, mommy!  This is all of what my note said.  I did it all by myself and in cursive too!”- Samantha 6 years old- kindergarten

Making Breakfast with Dad

Sammie-do loves making breakfast with dad.  She likes to “do” everything.  (hence her nickname she gave herself at 2) Many Sunday’s, she and dad will get busy in the kitchen.  We always purchase the Costco bag of “easy” pancake mix.  Using the stool, she helps dad with the griddle.  Both kids love grinding the coffee beans.

At this time, our Shih Tzu dog begins to hang out underfoot, hoping for scraps that inevitably fall to the ground. Ozo want a piece of cheese? (thanks, Grandma for giving the dog cheese. Now he wants it all the time.)

Meanwhile, Gibson is completely content eating dry cereal, lounging on the couch, and watching whatever latest Voltron/Spider Rider/Power Rangers he found on Netflix.  (yes, he’s finding the old shows, folks.)

Notice we are all still in our jammies. (and I’m blogging) and it’s 9:15AM. No wonder we are usually racing out the door to get to church on time. On that note, my breakfast is ready! YAY! Enjoy your Sunday, guys!  In Sunny southern California it’s a gorgeous day and can’t wait to get out there!  Look at that blue sky  (photo taken from our balcony)  Have a SUPERB day!

I got it…wait, what? Plain text that will ya?

Let those who have ears, let them hear!

Let those who have heads, bang them into the table!

As mentioned in a couple posts ago, Bill and I joined my friend’s small group, studying the 40DITW 6 week series.  It’s to teach us to read the Bible daily (finding ways to study and do what the Bible says) and to seek GOD every day.  Well, 2 of our members last week admitted they had to “cram” to get their workbook done before our Sunday evening meeting.  Ha!  It’s like High school all over again- oh that’s due today?!

Well, folks, this week I’m the one rushing to get it done! I need to play catch up…

(sort of defeats the purpose, doesn’t it- you’re suppose to be doing it daily… but I don’t think GOD cares as I’ve improved greatly. I’m now spending some time vs. no time.  I think I’ve been awarded some stars for improvement in GOD’s contact list.)

Anyway, I digress…

So, yesterday, I found some quiet time and had the book of Mark open, and we hit the parables.  Oh, great.

Some background: As mentioned prior, I was not raised in any one faith.  I was basically told GOD existed, and to do good deeds, know right vs. wrong (don’t lie/be dependable/responsible) and give to the poor.  (we were the poor, but there were those poorer than we)  In high school, I attended church with friends and the POWER HOUSE youth group rocked.  As an adult, I sought out Calvary Chapel occasionally.  I guess what I’m getting at, I own a Bible but have relied on the pastor to relate it to today’s times and current stories.  They explain the parables.

Whenever I look at a parable, I think- okay, got it…oh, wait, what?  Maybe  I don’t.

So, back to the purpose of this post… I prayed our verse we were memorizing this week, which was completely appropriate in this case:

Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.- Psalm 119:18 (NIV)

Yep, just peel them right open, these parables are tricksters…just when you think you get it…we’ve gots some seeds and some ground…some sproutin’ goin’ on…some thorns & chokin’..okay…

Normally, I’m all for pictures and providing me an image.  It is the best way I learn.  However, in this instance, I asked GOD

“Can you remove all the HTML coding and just plain text it for me?  That’d be awesome, thanks!”

I don’t feel badly.  Apparently, even the apostles were originally stumped.

Dog-Gawn-it- already?

So, I wasn’t going to post today.  Yet, something so cute happened this morning.  The elementary my kids attend is having a pajama day.  Samantha is in kindergarten, and a “later Gator” meaning she goes into school at 10:30 instead of 8:30.  Therefore, when we arrive, it’s recess time for the “Early Birds.”

As we drove up this morning, all the kids were running around in the their various pj’s.  Samantha exclaimed:

gasp “Everyone has their pajamas on…oh, look at Conner he is so handsome!  Him has cute puppies on his pajama bottoms.”

hmmm.  And so it begins…That’s how they reel you in…then those puppies turn into dogs.  STAY AWAY FROM THE BOYS!

KY Jelly- my Valentines gift to you!

Hey, people!

This is a Valentine’s Gift to all of my readers…

Another interesting advertisement was found flipping through my Shape magazine.  So much information was packed onto one page, I don’t even know where to begin the discussion!

So I know guys usually wait until the last second to shop and we still have 6 more days.  However, I’ve come across something that is a LIMITED EDITION.  So you need to HURRY this stuff is probably flying off the shelves.  Keep in mind, it’s only available while SUPPLIES LAST.

Hmmm.  Nothing tells your mate more, I love you, than a little KY Jelly!  Been wanting to ask that special someone out, what a great way to show how much you DIG ’em!  Best part, if you’re low on cash, you get $10.00 off 2 movie tickets from Moviefone!  Again, while supplies last!  Here are a couple things they state:

“Head to the movies and rush back home”

“A date and dessert all in one.”

Hmmm.  This is looking better by the minute!  Examining the box closer, under Couples Lubricants, the fine print states:

“His excites.  Hers delights.

Together feel them ignite.”

That is top-notch advertising right there.  Kudos to the marketing department.  But wait, it gets better.  If you finally find the courage to ask that someone out, but you have no clue where to go or what to do…they have a facebook page to get a customized date night recommendation!  WELL, that’s just awesome!

Really, KY Marketing department, very clever way to sell your product.  If corporate slammed a bottle of this down in front of me, and said “sell it,” I would be clueless.  And, you’re also helping a poor chap out, who has no idea what to do on a date.  In addition to all of that, it appears you are offering a $5.00 coupon.  (The Facebook page indicates a $7.00 coupon on a few relationship enhancing products.)

OMG- I just went in and did a customized date night to see what would happen.  I about died laughing at the results.  Funny thing is, we do like Del Taco.  Nothing says Valentines like a combination burrito and some french fries.

You can just dump that here

Give all your worries and cares to GOD, for he cares about you.- 1 Peter 5:7 (NLT)

We are one of those families that goes to church occasionally, but are easily sidetracked with life and forget attending. Fortunately, we live near Saddleback Church, that has an amazing kid’s program. Our kids love going, and our daughter will remind us

“When are we going to church again, momma? We haven’t been in a long time.”

I always say “Oh, maybe this weekend.”

Well, Samantha got it in her head and figured out the calendar (she’s just in kindergarten) and 2 Sunday’s ago, she jumps on our bed (fully dressed, tights, shoes and all- combed hair) at 7:30 AM and boldly announces:

“OKAY, I’M READY FOR CHURCH!”

To which we had to remind her we were attending the 11am service because the rest of us were still sleeping.  However, we did comment on how impressed we were with her ability to be completely ready at 7:30.  (especially tights and hair all by herself- she has a mass of messy curls)- so we went…

Right about that same time frame, we received an e-mail from one of our friend’s that attends the same church regularly.  She indicated she’d be hosting a small group for the next study series 40 Days in the Word and invited us to participate.  Well, of course, we wanted to support her and so Bill and I officially joined our first study group.

It’s been GREAT!  We’ve had 2 meetings, and will have 4 more.  Which leads me to this post.  Before each meeting begins, we watch a short video by Pastor Rick Warren.  On one of these clips, he states:

“If it’s big enough to worry about, it’s big enough to pray about.  DUMP it on GOD.  Let him handle it.”

Of course, I tried to stifle a giggle, because all I could think was the above image.  Oh, Lord, my Dump Truck overflowith.  I’ll be right back with some more…

So who else is driving around with a full load?  It might weigh tons to us, but just grains of sand to GOD.

Sometimes You have to go up the Hill

bike rider art (public domain) rest is mine

On my mission to rise and do something other than get on the computer immediately, I’ve walked the dog the past couple of mornings.  I don’t know how long this will last.  Forever, if my dog has anything to say about that.  Speaking of him, it’s odd.  Ozo must have recalled we went yesterday, because I swear he can tell time!

Saturday I arose at precisely 7am…and we left for our walk within minutes.

…Sunday morning (today) arrived, and it was 6:58 (I checked the clock) when Ozo came over to our bed to wake me.  Now, he can easily jump up and join us, but he didn’t want to…so while standing on his hind legs, he SLAMMED his front paws on the side of the mattress, right next to me accompanied with a “woof.”  Opening one eye, I saw his head peering over at me, ears perked.  I slapped the mattress and said “Up.”  When he realized it was still sleepy-time, he “expelled nostril air” in my face…”Phew” (as in, I’m disgusted with you and snot in your general direction ) and then curled between Bill and I…

Okay.  I was up…and apparently, so were the kids.  (So much for my “scoot-out-the-door” real quick before anyone saw me.)  Immediately, the kids began to fight over the couch and who was going to control the t.v.   Therefore, (before I knew what I was doing)  I found myself inquiring if anyone wanted to ride their bike while I walked Ozo.  Of course, my 8 year old declined as he hates getting dressed on the weekends.  It’s his time to lounge.  My 6-year-old was all for it.  Well, good, splitting the two up was probably the best idea for peace.

We finally got out the door and had a very enjoyable walk.  Southern California has such beautiful mornings in the winter.  Samantha was doing well riding her bike and watching for cars leaving driveways.  Our neighborhood is hilly, and she stood up to get power and did amazing.  I was so proud of her.

Just before we returned home, Samantha said with a smile and joy (not complaining) but very pleased with herself:

“Whew.  I’m so glad the hills are done.  I don’t really like doing those all the time.  I get kind of tired.”

to which I replied:  “Yes.  You did well.  Sometimes you have to go up the hill before you can level out or enjoy the ride down…”

At that precise moment, I realized huh.  That can be applied to life in general…or our walk with God.  Sometimes, we are facing a hill, and we might have to really work hard going up and it might take us awhile (perhaps days/months/years), but eventually you’ll reach the top.  We may not enjoy every step.  However, do we face it with joy and anticipation, like a child on her bike realizing she can do it, or do we trudge and complain?