Keeping Austin Cute

In May, my brother, Josh, graduated from UT with a PhD in Educational Psychology.

My "great" aunt and Gramma Billie surprised him by making the road trip with us. I hope that I can be similarly spunky when I am a beautiful octogenarian with graduating grandkids.

Ashlin and Elizabeth loved their time with Gramma Billie on the park bench...apart from Liz trying her hand as a jewelry thief:) The other brothers are scheduled to receive graduate degrees within the year. More road trips? More celebrations!

Confessions...

Confessions of a first-born, over-achieving, people-pleaser...

...with perfectionistic tendencies.

Friday, Landen worked for a neighbor and then used his paycheck to buy pizza for the family. I posted it on facebook so he would see it and be encouraged publicly.

Then everyone began to respond. Lots of folks "liked" the report, and several friends agreed that he was indeed a "sweet boy". But many of the comments

A Psalm for Sunday

Psalm 24

The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for He founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.

Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place?

He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false.

He will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God his Savior. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob.

Day in the Life

Luke was at a friends' house over the weekend. Landen left at sunrise to go fishing. My dear, sweet girls gathered their younger sisters to have breakfast and Disney channel so that "Mommy and Daddy could sleep in a little". A surprise call from my brother in Washington, a date-brunch with the main man at IHOP, followed by grocery shopping all afternoon.

Elizabeth has been in "big girl panties" during her awake time all week. How many times have we heard, "I tee-teed in the potty...high five...fruit snack!!"?

This evening, Philip grilled a LOT of meat, some neighbors came to help us put a dent in it, and we had a "free, in-home estimate" for new windows. The Sears guy even joined us for dinner, and offered his last bite of watermelon to Liz. Norman Rockwall would have been pleased.

Only One

I cleaned the whole house today. It took MUCH longer than when the darlings "help" me. But it was a MUCH more thorough job.

I am getting over a summer head cold...which is just a disturbing concept...hot tea and raw nose when it's one hundred degrees outside. I wasn't feeling well, but after last week's caMP3, and spending yesterday on the couch, the house was screaming for attention.

My mood teetered between happy productivity and disgruntled victomization.
I found tremendous satisfaction in the overall improvement of a room's appearance and germ content. However,

caMP3: Donkey Tales

This past week I was surrounded by sweet, talented friends. A dream team of sorts for pulling off our church's first annual summer music camp.

Each of us worked beautifully through our giftings to honor the Lord, love on some kiddos, and work together in peace, patience, and PRODUCTIVITY, hello! I just cannot describe how fun and purposeful the week was.

In addition to the friends on campus each day, I was blessed to have a group of sisters who were standing in the gap for us in prayer. One precious lady told me, "You have everything and everyone you need. Instead of coming up here and being in the way, I will be at home praying for you each and every day."

Thank You, God, for my fellow worshippers. Thank You for Your gifts and ideas, stregth and promises. Not to us, O Lord, but to Your name be glory!

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY Thursday, July 14, 2011...

Outside my window...The cool calm dark that follows a steamy turbulent storm.

I am remembering...White Water in the summer. Mom would take us every week. The wave pool. Ahhhh, can I get a witness? Doritos just taste better when you get them out of an individual bag with chlorine-shriveled fingers.

Happy 4th of July

MariAlice, Philip & Elizabeth enjoying sparklers after dark.

The Women's Bill of Rights from comedian, Anita Renfroe
*Women are entitled to refuse entrance to the bathroom to any family member at any time.
*There shall be no requirement forced upon a woman to reveal the whereabouts of chocolate in the house.