Summer is already over??? Seriously???

Ah, yes, Bunny is back in summer band so technically, summer is over! This makes me so very sad!!! Where did my summer go???

Well, let's see....During the first three weeks, Bunny was baby-sitting full time and getting into trouble. That meant that I didn't get to sleep in and was emotionally spent from trying to understand why we were back in the same place with attitudes and actions!

Then, the girls went to camp and I had one of the young boys Bunny was watching here at the house along with Miss PD...and at that point, I thought it wasn't easy!

The girls came home and we had just a few weeks before CD left for Colombia so there was finalizing everything for that and Bunny was home with me due to the boys Grandmother taking one month of leave for an injured hand. Bunny was touched at camp and is really working to let God lead her life. It is not always easy - when is it? - but God has become so real in her life! Somewhere in there, July 4 came and went.

Then, the week before leaving for Colombia, CD got sick one evening after VBS. We really thought she had just gotten stressed about some aspect of the trip so Miss PD was here the next day. Then, a couple of days later, the day before CD was to leave, I took care of Miss PD in her home because she had spent the previous night sick...just like CD had been!!! Oops!

Poor CD just kept texting me about the little things she would think of left for the trip...and she was leaving at 6 the next morn so this was our last shopping day! We did get it done, though, by the grace of God!

Unfortunately, the night after CD left, I came down sick and a few days later, dear hubs did as well!!! Only, instead of us being better the next day, we took 4-5 days to get fully well!!! So, Bunny was home with sick parents the whole week that she should have been having fun being the 'only child'!!! And, if you've been counting, (hahahahahaha!) my sweet hubs got sick the day after his birthday!!!

The next week, Bunny went back to work, CD went back to work and it was kind of nice to be home during the day with just Miss PD. Last weekend, hubs and I were blessed to have a date night! It was really nice to enjoy a pleasant, good dinner (Esteban's is now a pretty top fave!) and a nice evening stroll around our Town Center.

I knew we would need the date, because come Monday morn, Bunny was back at school for summer band and I have both of the boys that she has babysat this summer!!! Three kids in the house...two of them being boys!...has definitely been different!

So, all of a sudden, school actually begins in two weeks and I have another week ahead of three children in the house! I also have a band fitting this week and a meeting for our coffee bar volunteers from church!

I know God's timing has been perfect, we need the extra money to pay for band! God has been gracious in allowing us to open our home to children who need love and Him in their lives!

Also, while Miss PD has been taking steps for a few weeks, this past week, she actually begin walking around the house a bit!!!!!!! This is exciting news! She has come so far and I know that she is beginning to be a sponge and soak up so much of the environment around her!

Now, that is why there has not been much blogging these past few months!!! I tried for a while but realized that my family was missing a big part of me when I was on the computer for too long!

I have missed keeping up with so many of you and hope that in the weeks ahead, life will slow down and I hope to spend more time with y'all!!!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow....

God's girl, Pamela

Six Days in May

If you would like to join other bloggers on this Wednesday walk, visit Lynnette's site for all the details.

As I've posted earlier, May always seems to be a very busy month and this year has been no exception!!! In fact, it seems to be busier than normal...or maybe it is just all of the emotion going into this time in our lives as parents of a graduating senior!!! Not sure, but there were six days that passed in a blur, yet I want to remember most of them for a long time! We took pictures and even some video and near the end of those days, sleep was very needed!!!

On Thursday night, CD (formerly DD1!) had her final choir concert...as in, this A Capella Choir will not sing together again in a concert setting!!! She has been in this choir for three years and has made some really deep friendships during that time. This year's choir has really gelled and become a 'family' within the school and it has been so neat to watch them work and grow together! It was a choir of 16 seniors....16!!! That is a lot of people that they will have to replace next year! I do not envy the director during that process!

I did cry, I cannot lie. As CD received her rose, I could not keep the tears from falling down my cheeks! I've watched the rose ceremony for 4 yrs now and it was even sweeter to hear my own daughter's name and accomplishments being called in front of everyone!!! The tears really began, though, as they sang a version of the Irish blessing, "The Lord Bless You and Keep You." Knowing that the time was short, many of the students began to tear up themselves and this Momma/booster club president, just could not keep the tears away!!! These kids have a special place in my heart because I know just how hard they have worked to get to this point and to know that after Saturday, the choir will change is a very hard reality...even for me!

Then, we woke up early that Saturday morning to make a trip to Waco for my niece's graduation ceremony at Baylor University!!! It started raining on us about an hour away from home and truly rained on us until graduation was over!!! We were in the auditorium/stadium listening to the rain pound the roof!!! However, to see my niece graduate with honors was so worth the trip!!! I am so proud of her accomplishments! She graduated with a BA in journalism and I know there is an awesome road of life ahead of her!!! GO JD!!!!

The next day was Senior Recognition Sunday at our church...ya know, the new one!!! So, that meant that the trip to Waco was fairly short lived! Thankfully, we have a 10:30 am service and that is the one we attend as a family so we did get a bit of extra sleep that day! There was also a lunch for the graduates so I didn't even have to cook - what more could a Mom ask for???

It was so neat to watch CD's pictures up on the big screen during the slide show. I was a very nice Mom and turned in mostly studio pics of her...except for the one of her and the Beluga whale - I just could not resist!!! The church gave each graduate a journal and the youth pastor called them up one by one to tell what they planned for the next stage in their lives and CD was called up first!!! She was not excited about that part of it but she did so well. She plans to go to community college this fall and get most of her basics then in a year or two head to a nearby university to get a secondary teaching degree! Can I just say, I did not cry that day!!! AT ALL!!! I PROMISE!!!

Then, to wrap up the insanity, we had Bunny's final freshman band concert on Tuesday evening! Both of her high school's bands, Symphonic and Honors, received sweepstakes at UIL this year!!! I would say that is a big accomplishment, but their director expects just that of them, so no one was really surprised! Bunny had been concerned for that night, though, because in practice some songs just were not coming together between woodwinds and brass. But can I just say, THEY BROUGHT IT!!! They sounded great!!! She is in the symphonic band, and will be again next year, so they are only losing a couple of seniors from their section (trumpets). I don't think it will make too big of a difference!

So, that weekend served to let me know that I should have bought stock in Kleenex a few years back! It was so neat to watch my daughters display their talent! It was equally awesome to see my niece and my oldest receive recognition for what they have worked so hard for....graduation!!! I am proud of these young ladies! They each bring their own brand of joy and smiles to our family and I would not trade for anything!

I have no pics right now because my desktop computer keeps acting up so I am doing this on hubs laptop! Just when I think it is fixed, another error box pops up with a different problem!!! Oh well, it's all gonna be okay!!!

Thanks for sharing a bit of the craziness that encompassed six days in May!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow...

God's girl, Pamela

I'm not sure what to title this. I'm not yet sure what all I am willing to share with you! Is that a horrible confession?

Yesterday was my 40th birthday. OOOOOHHHH! I really don't like saying that! I enjoyed being in my 30's! Oh, but I digress!

I'm not sure that it can be explained, but my sister and I have birthdays just 3 days apart and somehow as adults it seems very important for this one day to be extra special for us! We try to do it for each other, but there just seems to be something missing when my immediate family 'forgets'! But, I am tired of looking so childish about the whole day, so I determined in my heart to make yesterday good, myself! And of course, with God's help, it was an absolutely beautiful day!!!

As I was taking the girls to school, there was the most awesome sunrise! I told the girls it was my kiss from God, my gift for my birthday! It was truly gorgeous, lots of gold, pink and purple in the sky against the backdrop of blue...what could be more beautiful than one of God's creations?

I decided that for dinner, I wanted to have a nice, candlelight dinner! It was really neat! This was only the second time in our marriage that I have used my china...which you can see here. I thought it was beautiful! It really filled up the feminine side of my love bank and dear hubs didn't snivel at all!

This is just not his thing and he would really never think to do this for me, so if I want to have a candlelight dinner, I need to do it for me! And that is okay! God did not give my family to me to make me happy, He gave me the ability to lean on Him and find joy in the smallest of tasks! Or the prettiest of tables! Or the most beautiful sunrise! Or the embrace of my dear hubs and girls!

It turned out to be a wonderful birthday! Bunny really enjoyed the dinner; romance is something she craves even at her young age!

Now on to other things; I have been reading Churched and I got to a point that brought up some really painful memories. Most of it has made me chuckle, even laugh out loud and have to read a portion to my family! But then, I hit about midway and the Lord just really let me know in no uncertain terms that I need to deal with some memories! I hope to get back to the book soon!!! I have a feeling this will not be the only place I have to stop for awhile!

Bunny has a long day ahead of her today, it is a pre-UIL band competition. If they make it into the finals, they don't plan to be home until 11pm! We have not yet heard where they are in the standings but I will let you know in the next week. They have our town's Band Fest on Monday night, then actual UIL competition on Wed. Busy week ahead for her!

DD1 is enjoying her presidency of the Christian club at school! For the next few weeks, a couple of her officers will be giving the lesson so she has had time to work on European History this weekend! Next weekend, they are planning a party for the Christian club to get everyone together off of school grounds and hopefully get to know one another better.

Thank you for continuing to pray for my girls. It is really neat to see how God works in their lives. They are so different and His love towards them is tailored just to fit their needs, just like the rest of us!

I guess I really have no scripture to share today. And as far as what all I did tell you, I also deleted the first half of the post...it was just not good, it was not from God! I really want all that I share here to have His stamp of approval! I desire to encourage you in your walk with our precious Savior.

Hope your weekend is awesome!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow....

God's girl, Pamela

There's an Ike comin'

Our dear friend, Casey, asked an interesting question when she moved to the area a couple of weeks ago and my answer was truthful...She asked if we were in the path of a hurricane very often - and my answer was not very often! Yet, here we are twice within the first month of Casey living in Texas under the gun of a hurricane!!!

I have lived in this area about 20 yrs of my life and have only been really affected by a hurricane about 8 times. Rita was the last one and we didn't get much rain from that one, just really heavy winds for a few hours...and the allergies that blew up from Southeast Texas!!! Generally, in order for us to feel the effects of a hurricane, it has to hit Galveston or Houston dead on...and guess where Ike is headed!!! We did get some rain and wind from Gustav recently, and for a few days, cooler weather. I am looking forward to the cooler temps Ike is bringing, too...next week they are expecting the highs to only be in the 80's! Whoo, Hoo!!! I might even have to wear a jacket to get the girls to school....only 70 degrees in the morn???

I know that God directs the weather and it has been really cool to 'watch' the hurricane on the satellite views. I was mesmerized to watch as Ike came off of Cuba and strengthened immediately...you could see the eye start to reform as it moved out into open waters. The Psalmist tells us that the earth is the Lord's and everything in it, and that includes the oceans, winds, the whole enchilada. I would not want to live along the coast and have to move out of the path every so often, but it is cool to watch from my far inland living room as the storm moves and grows!

On a different note, we are going to our first football game of the season tonight! And Bunny will get to march! So, I've already taken my allergy pill, plan to take a nap later on...'cause those little white pills just put me out!...and then pack up my spirit to root for Bunny's team for the first time! Of course, DD1 plans to wear one of her high school shirts, since they are rivals! Oh, the joy of teenagers!!!

Well, that is all for today...I pray your Friday and your weekend are blessed beyond your imagination!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow...

God's girl, Pamela

September means....

We are back into the school routine..and already had a day off!!! This was our first Labor Day parade as a family, Bunny's band marched and played. It was still hot outside but fun, nonetheless. Of course, a Monday off only means Tuesday is really difficult! I'm still not on a real schedule...my body is thinking it is Wednesday!!!

Friday nights are for football!!! We didn't make it to last weeks game, it was 2 1/2hrs away and due to Bunny's foot injury she didn't march. DD1 has church friends that played each other in last Friday's game so she went to see that rivalry. Ya know what that means...we had a Friday evening to ourselves!!! We acted like 'normal' people and went to see a movie!!! We saw Hancock and I was not impressed! It was okay up until the plot twist, then they just lost my interest! Thankfully, it was at the cheap theater! It was fun, though, to be together, just the two of us!

Cooler mornings! Although a bit early this year thanks to Gustav! I will take it...we slept with the window open last night! I have the living room windows open right now! I know this afternoon, the air will come back on but I'm going to enjoy the cooler weather while I can!

This is for my Mom: I have a bit of sad news...Miss Persnickety is dead. We kept trying to revive her in her window, then hubs sat her out in the front and she has now fully wilted away.
For those of you wondering...Miss Persnickety was my first impatien plant. She was beautiful and showy but really picky about where she sat, how much water she got and who she liked! She lived with us for more than five years...I was amazed at that! I am not a green thumb...that would be my Momma, but the more Miss Persnickety grew, the more I desired to care for her. She was a gift from one of my students during a Teacher Appreciation week and sat in a pot that her class gave me.
I will miss her pink petals but I am pleased by the fact that she became such a part of our family...we all talked to her when we passed by the table! She is a reminder that God loves us all..even those of us that are persnickety!

Well, that is all I have for now..nothing earth shattering - thankfully! I pray y'all have a blessed day and are looking forward to the weekend ahead!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow...

God's girl, Pamela