Staycation: Day 4

Things that made me happy today:

1. Rain

2. Sewing AND completing two special order dresses for a special friend

3. Ice cream (will probably make me sad, too...)

4. Enjoying a text-message LOL with my daughter

5. Bubble wrap!

6. Michael Buble (oooohhh yeah!)

Day 4 of our staycation was detoured from our original plan due to the baby having a slight fever (teething?), and the torrential rain that poured most of the day (yay!). The 3 older kids really had a problem with that situation, after all, I had promised them something fun every day this week. Think, mom, THINK! Well, it IS raining...a nice, slow, soaking rain....

Mom: "Kids...why don't you go play out in the rain?"

Kids: "YEAH!!!! LET'S GO!!!"

Mom: "Whew..."

So, out comes the camera, and the day's fun starts.....until the thunder. Ugh. They did get to play for about 20 or 30 minutes, though, before it became potentially dangerous. Cost: FREE

When they came in, they were content for a while, then the whining began again. So, the thinking cap went on again. LIGHTBULB MOMENT!!!

Bubble wrap.

Yes....30 sweet, poppy, stress-relieving feet of it. Oh, the simple joy of popping those little pouches of air. We jumped, walked, squished with our toes, twisted, & one-finger-at-a-time pop, pop, popped that bubble wrap. The day was saved once more. Cost: $4.40

This day didn't turn out like I had originally planned it, but it was still a pleasant, if a bit...ummm...whiney day.

I keep trying to post pictures to go along with my posts, but I'm not having any luck. I would like to make this more interesting....It goes through all the motions....then, nothing. :(

Staycation: Day 3 & Thoughts on Serving God...

Things that made me happy today:

1. Watching the baby squeeze her bunny & falling asleep
2. Finally getting the custom-made cabinet I ordered a month ago.
3. Goofing around with my kiddos @ Jack in the Box
4. A pleasant evening with my mom.
5. A photo of my oldest son working @ the camp meeting
6. Hearing how #7 is winning hearts in Kentucky.
7. Rain

Today was a good day!

I was somewhat excited because I had ordered a cabinet for my dining room while I was in Canton last month, and today was delivery day. It looks great in the space I had intended it. Now....what to accessorize it with....hmmmm.....

Our "fun thing" today was a trip to the Discovery Science Place. The kids always enjoy going there & playing with all the cool educational stuff. I enjoy the time reading! :) Afterwards, we went to Jack in the Box & took pictures of ourselves eating lunch.

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I have on my heart a friend who is fighting for her life. She has been such an inspiration to so many people, myself included. Cancer has been eating away at her body, but her soul has been growing & growing, and, in the process, has become a light for God in a dark world. As always, my prayer is for God's will, but, what a blessing it would be for her to stand up & walk away from this! How the Halleluias would ring! What a day that would be!

But, what if that doesn't happen?

Will we still praise Him?

Will we still see His hand at work?

Her life has touched & IS touching many people for the Lord. Isn't that what our lives are supposed to be like? Aren't we trying to live for Jesus no matter what?

I have been so very convicted by my own selfishness when I think of her dedication to God during her illness. I have whined about going to church with 8 kids. She comes right after a chemo treatment. I have cried about nothing to wear. She has had no hair! I have complained about how hard it is to go to a meeting with my kids, & she shows up AND works to serve God's people because she wants to be a part! What an ungrateful wretch I am!

I see that she has let God use her life, her illness even, to talk to the hearts of many. She has & is living her life for Him to the fullest.

I once heard someone talking about meeting up with the saints of old at the Pearly Gates & discussing our departures from this world. It went something like this:

Me: Sir, how were you brought here?

Man: I was stoned by an angry mob for living for Jesus.

Me: How about you, sir?

Man: I was beheaded for preaching the Bible.

Me: Ma'am, how did you come here?

Lady: I was tortured for refusing to recant my Lord. How about you? How did you come?

Me: In a pillow-topped bed, while being comforted by my loved ones......

Kinda sounds shameful, huh?

My life scripture verse is Phillipians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." ....and I can, but WILL I?

Hmmmm....

Staycation: Day 2

Things That Made Me Happy Today.....
1. Squeezy hugs from my chubby 1 year old
2. Listening to #'s 4,5, & 6 squeal with unbridled joy as they bungee jumped at the mall (totally made the highway robbery prices worth it!)
3. Making homemade pizzas with my kiddos & STILL staying on WW!
4. Air Conditioning
5. Knowing that my teen-aged daughters are at a church meeting & there is NO WHERE else on earth they'd rather be!

I have seen this little exercise on a nother blog that I enjoy looking at (http://www.kinderkouture.net/), and I think it is a very uplifting thing to do. In truth, I had many aggrivating moments today, too, but, when I look back & pull out only the bright spots, I find that THEY outshine the duller moments.

This was day 2 of our "staycation". I have promised the kids that stayed home with me that we would do something fun every day. Today, it was a trip to the mall for bungee jumping. they were so excited they couldn't stand it. The little guys had done it before, but L hadn't ever been dressed appropriately for that activity. Today, she donned her capris & off we went! Let me say, those people are making a KILLING! They charge $7 for THREE minutes!!!!! I mean, really! There were absolutely NO other kids waiting! But, I paid it, snapped the pictures with the album in mind & reveled in their laughter. It almost made me want to do it, too, but.....I wasn't dressed appropriately :p LOL

After a much-needed nap (which I TOTALLY enjoyed), we made homemade pizzas. Here's what we did:

Take whole-wheat pitas, brush lightly with olive oil (I also seasoned my pita at this point with some Tuscan seasoning-yum). Put about 1/4 cup of pizza sauce on pita, and then sprinkle with desired amount of mozzerella cheese (if you're on WW, be careful here). Then add your favorite toppings (be careful here, too!) My pizza had: Minced Garlic, Baby Spinach, Fresh Tomatoes, Red Onion, Bell Peppers, and about 1 piece of Canadian Bacon. We baked @ 375 for about 15 minutes & ate our fabulous creations with a salad. *SIGH* So good....

To be continued.....