Whew...

It's been a fuuuuuuull few weeks, and I'm ready for a break.

I used to think that one day hubby and I should open our own bed & breakfast.

I now think that's a dreadful idea.

We've had nonstop company for over 4 weeks now, and I am done. I am sick of having people in "my" space. I want to stagger into the kitchen in the morning to start the coffee without thinking about what I'm wearing. I want to cook smaller meals. And do less laundry.

Don't get me wrong - I've had a lovely time and am truly grateful that we had this opportunity. And I'm also looking forward to another round of company in a few weeks.

It probably doesn't help that all of this coincided with end of school activities, stomach viruses, dental work (ouch!), setting up new electronics, church heartache and work-related craziness for my hubby.

This girl is very ready for a couple do-nothing days. I specifically have one set aside next week because I knew I would be drained. I'm downright giddy over the idea of not making conversation with anyone, and I'm even planning to provide fast food for my kids' bellies that day. Bliss.

Friday Funny

Wasn't planning one this week, but I thought the post-dinner conversation was worth sharing :)

Son: Daddy, why do you have a beard?
Dad: Because I like it. Do you want one?
Son: No, I think they're ugly.
Dad: What?!
Son: (giggling) But I wouldn't say that to you.
Dad: But you just did!
Son: Well, I won't say it a lot because that's rude.

Friday Funny

Week in Review

Sorry I've been so quiet - much mayhem at our house. Setting up a new TV/Stereo system. Guests. Vomiting. Reboxing 80 pounds of stereo components due a faulty amp, and then getting the run-around from UPS. Completion of daughter's ballet classes. Visit to the ear specialist with our son (we're not supposed to let him swim the rest of the summer - yeah, right!!!!!) Killing the stinkin' flies that seem determined to overrun our house. Consolidating the hard drives on old computer so we can get the new one set up. Chasing down computer cables that evidently aren't stocked within 200 miles of this place. Cooking. Laundry. Continued relational challenges. Tears of frustration. Prayers. Fearfulness when hearing about the anticipated miniwar taking place this weekend in Mexico. More prayers.

O GOD, You are my God, earnestly will I seek You; my inner self thirsts for You, my flesh longs and is faint for You, in a dry and weary land where no water is. So I have looked upon You in the sanctuary to see Your power and Your glory. Because Your loving-kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. Psalm 63:1-3, Amplified

Are you *that* woman?!

Admit it... if you were raised in the church, you probably have heard a lot about the paragon of virtue in Proverbs 31. I must admit that I have been guilty of an internal groan when I learn a speaker will be using that passage. There's a great post over here about the other woman in Proverbs - you know, the naughty one that Solomon repeatedly warns against. I know I found myself convicted with several of the probing questions.

Friday Funny

I do enjoy British humor, and Mr. Bean is no exception. Here's how he'd look as a Na'vi - lots more silliness here.

Instead of worrying - pray!!

Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!

Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

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... Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.

Philippians 4:4-9, The Message

I know God is in control of all situations. He will create beauty from our messes, and His Plans will not be thwarted. But the fact remains that we humans do indeed muck things up, sadly sometimes even "in His name."

Please continue to pray for us. We are once again searching for a church. My heart aches.

I just wanna get this out...

Bear with me through my random rants.

• Jesus did NOT promise shiny cars, comfy retirement funds & huge houses. Just because you are in His will does not mean that you will suddenly be on Easy Street.*
  "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]" John 16:33, Amplified
• No single child is perfect, or the absolute best at everything that he or she attempts. Constantly telling your child that they are is doing them a huge disservice. Yes, parents need to build their children up, but the kids also need to learn to deal with disappointment. This lesson is much easier learned at a young age.
• Just because I want to be your friend does *not* necessarily mean I want to be your customer. Feel free to share the info once, but if I politely tell you I'm not interested, please do not continue to bombard me with brochures, invitations to "opportunity nights," and emails with the latest specials.
• I like to plan my schedule. If you provide a list of dates, I will transfer them to our calendar at the earliest opportunity. If that schedule changes, please communicate!
• If you ask my input, I will provide my two cents worth. I will do my best to answer truthfully, in love. Yes, I do think tact is important. In return, I ask that you demonstrate a degree of maturity and respond in a dignified fashion even if you don't like what I have to say.
• Arguing with someone's facebook status isn't going to change anyone's mind.
• If you invite me to something and I decline, I don't need to provide further justification. I am an introvert, and desperately crave downtime. Just because I don't have an activity planned doesn't mean I want one.

Deep breath. It's been a crazy couple weeks here. I'm still developing friendships and have been blown away by some of the crazy antics. Admittedly, it's a small percentage of the population, but these folks can be exhausting. As an aside, how do you deal with someone who seems to have no grasp of social norms? When someone stops by and I say, "No, this isn't a good time," I shouldn't have to physically stop them from my entering our house. And how can one politely respond to ridiculously personal questions, or stop the flow of info that you definitely don't want to know...

*On a side note, I just have to share a little "funny." I was shopping for a gift at Ross last week, and came across a stack of plaques with Biblical quotes. One in particular just didn't seem right - Job 22:21. "Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you." Seriously, a quote from one of Job's friends?! Obviously someone took that one way out of context - how about reading chapter 42, when God responds to Eliphaz. I think verse 7 sums it up pretty well: "I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken of me what is right..." And the sad thing is that I'm sure someone will buy that and hang it proudly on their wall.

It's all in His Hands

Happy Sunday!

Gardenias

I truly wish I could provide smell-o-vision for this post. We have gardenias planted right next to our back patio... and when you open the back door, you are hit with a wall of the most amazing scent ever. Yet another thing I'm loving about our new home :)

And just for fun -here's a little tour of our backyard, shot this evening. It was nearly 100 here today, so the pool felt great