Friday Funny Business

So life continues to be crazy around here (why do I cling to the illusion that summer will somehow be slow and peaceful?!) - trying to catch on some things, and thought I'd share these bits of funniness.  The first is our family, assembled by our son.  The first thing I noticed? Both guys have weapons, while I am clutching a coffee cup and A has been given a broom. Things that make you go hmmmmmmmm.  I snapped the second photo last week - We were stopped at a light, and thankfully I had time to grab the camera from my purse.  In case you can't read the window graphic, this van is from Perez Professional Painting, and the bumper advertises 24 hour emergency service.  Can anyone tell me what constitutes a paint emergency?!?
 
We've had a lot of friends over lately, the kids just wrapped up a program at the library, I'm co-leading a major community outreach day with the kids' ministry at our church, and then there's the normal business of life.  Hope to be back more soon, though...  But 1 last funny story before I head off:  I bought some fresh beets last week, and the kids gobbled them up on Tuesday evening.  Wednesday morning I was awakened by our son, who had a very anxious look on his face, telling me he had to go to the hospital.  You see, we've told the kids that if their, um, body waste is not the usual color they should tell us because this may be an indication of illness.  Next time I serve them beets I will be sure to remind them that their body will be affected by the natural red dye :)

Friday Sorta Funny

Had a couple reminders about this lately.

Seriously, if you're on the phone, step away from the group of people.

Home.

Grandma Betty is now in her final home -- the one where the golden streets out front never need sweeping. She's free from pain, and hanging out with her beloved Jesus.  Her "celebration of life" service was this past Friday evening, and the pastor spoke briefly on Psalm 23, and said if he had to summarize her life with 1 word, it would be faithful.  What a testimony! Truly, she leaves a wonderful legacy of faith through her family, both the legal and church varieties. (picture is from June, 2006, looking at the display that we'd made for her 90th birthday party)

Anyway, we drove out to Arizona for the service -- logged nearly 3000 miles in 9 days.  Sad time, but also nice to spend some time with family.  We were able to celebrate my MIL's bday as well as our nephew's, not to mention our 16th anniversary and Father's Day.  Yes, it was a busy time.  Will try to post pics later this week.

(used this song in a tribute slide show -- "All I know is I'm not home yet, this is not where I belong. Take this world and give me Jesus..."

Sheesh

I'm feeling overwhelmed. Hubby's grandmother has been moved to hospice, and we're waiting for the inevitable.  She's very ready to meet her Savior, but it's still hard -- plus there are the logistics of traveling to AZ.  My grandmother is having surgery Friday (in MT), plus my Mom and her siblings are still working through issues with Grandma's house and all it contains.  The kids are finishing up school (Friday is a half day, and then we're DONE) but son in particular has had some rough days as kids have really been picking on him.  A family we are friends with is moving to Florida, and they'll be staying with us tomorrow night as their house will be all packed.  Hubby is going through yet another round of audits at work.  We're encountering all sorts of issues with the children's ministry at our church - some related to the culture, some because of the youth of our congregation, but I seriously want to just yell at someone right now. And my feet are covered in fire ant bites.

Seriously, please be in prayer for our entire family.  Thanks.

Mother's Day

At church today, we had the kids decorate small clay pots with thumbprint animals, and then popped a little flower in to take home to Mom.  A friend snapped this pic, and I thought it captured my two kiddos amazingly well: the crazy boy and the girl who practices posing in the mirror :)

They are why I celebrate today, and I am truly blessed.

Life Tidbits

• I love listening to kids pray.  They're so honest.  Earlier this week our daughter finished her little chat with God by saying, "I can't think of anything else. Amen."
• We were planning to go see the Avengers movie this morning, but discovered that this is the ONE time that you actually have to show up early in this area -- there were still seats available, but we wouldn't have been able to sit together as a family.  Will try again later.
• Stopped by "Market Days" at a neighboring town (essentially a fancy name for their monthly flea market). There were about 15 tables, three of which were selling hair bows.  Ooooo-kay.  Another was for PFLAG*and they had a whole bunch of used Christian novels for sale - not quite sure how to take that one.  There was a local farmer there who did not speak a lick of English, and when we approached his truck, he whipped out his old pocketknife and carved off a chunk of watermelon, and thrust it at us expectantly... these are the moments that it's easy to forget we live in the U.S.
• Son has really had a tough time at school lately, specifically with two of the girls in his grade who have been calling him names during recess.  He asked if he could be homeschooled for the last two weeks of 3rd grade.  These conversations make my heart hurt.
• Daughter took a note to give to a friend at school, asking a parent to call me so we could set up a playdate.  Her father called me, and we had a very interesting conversation during which he told me he would really like our daughters to be friends because he knows ours is really smart based on things his daughter has said.  Um, thank you? And in other friend news, there is another girl in A's class that has started trying to tell her who she can play with.  Can't believe that this junk is already happening in 1st grade.
• I've worked out 4x in the past week.  Can't call it a habit yet, but it feels great to be making positive changes.

 *Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gays

Friday, some funny and some news

Just in case you need a laugh.

In REAL news, I joined a gym today.
And did a 45 minute workout.
And the earth did *not* shift off of its axis.