Extreme Adventures in Motherhood (and life and knitting and photography and trying to keep a house with 3 boys from smelling like a locker room!)

Funny how tough we think we are, wearing our “water wings”, showing our muscles. making our “game face”, until we hit the water……

The transformation is quick and complete…..we go from “WWF” to “Wah wah wah”.

This weekend we went to an “interesting campground” for a few days. It’s amazing how the same people who want to kill each other at home- with plenty of space and stuff to do, can get along so well, when thrown into a 25″ trailer for a few days.

I’ll post more about the whole experience later- for now- let’s suffice to say- don’t believe every website you read. And- the LAST campsite in Michigan on Memorial Day weekend… yeah, it’s that bad.

However, we did take a dip in the pool, where the picture above was taken… (awwww shucks… why, Yes, it was such a HUGE sacrifice to have to hold the camera and not go in the “heated” “refridgerated” is more like it…pool…..I am such a good mom…so selfless- NOT)

How many times have we witnessed this picture- loving Dad, holding trusting , yet fearful almost 4′ tall child, standing in water that’s 3 1/2 feet deep- (see the blue markings for evidence;) screaming, but not wanting out, afraid- but wanting to play, holding on with a death grip that could strangle a Boa Constrictor?

“I’m afraid I’ll DROWNDED” screams child

“You’re ok, I’ve got you” affirms Dad…

“HOLD ME DADDY!” Screams child.

“Do you want to get out?” Asks Dad…

“No..No OUT, I want to swim! HOLD ON TO ME!” Screams child.

Dad grimaces from the fingers digging into neck flesh, but carries on.

Later-

“Ok- time for dinner big guy”

Dad warns– the now giggling “motorboat rider” on his back…

“NOOOOOOOOOO, I Swim!!!!!” screeches the now- fearless little man.

Cute, when it’s my little guy, not so cute when it’s me.

We’re not talking about a stinky swimming pool here. We’re talking about so many of the challenges and struggles that I’ve faced.

It could be a loss, a fear to confront, a child’s future to trust God with… but in the end- I am the same. Arms wrapped around my loving Father’s neck- screaming—

“I’m SCARED!” “HOLD ME!” , “I need…”

Luke 12:27
27″Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.

Replies the Loving Father.

“But it doesn’t LOOK like you’re holding me– I feel like I’m gonna drown!” I yell a few minutes later..

Roman’s 4:21
“Being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. “

Reminds the Loving Father…

Draw Me Close to You

Draw me close to you, never let me go

I lay it all down, again

To hear you say that I’m your friend

You are my desire, No one else will do

“Cause no one else can take your place

To feel the warmth of your embrace

Help me find a way, bring me back to you

You’re all I want, You’re all I ever needed

You’re all I want, Help me know that you are near.

I am reminded in worship…that HE is holding ME, not the other way around.

Shout To The Lord

My Jesus, My Savior
Lord, there is none like You
All of my days,
I want to praise
The wonders of Your mighty love

My comfort, My shelter
Tower of refuge and strength,
Let every breath,
All that I am,
Never cease to worship You

Shout to the Lord all the earth, let us sing
Power and majesty, praise to the King
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name.
I sing for joy at the work of Your hands
Forever I’ll love You, forever I’ll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You

I can sing, as I wade in the pool of “stuff” . sometimes through tears- always holding tightly to my fathers neck. Knowing that it is Him who really holds me.

A place of fear, turns to a place of joy.

“I’m gonna drownded” turns to

“One more swim!”


Am I in one of “those” places at the moment? Not really. Today, my faith is being stretched- as my middle son is in Chicago, on a school trip….. but I trust that God holds him, especially when his dad and I can’t. But- truthfully- is it a 10 on the fear factor scale? No. (More like a 3….;)

However, there was a time when friends went to drop off with me, for my oldest son’s first overnight camping trip….without us. Somehow- that FELT like a 8. (OK, a 10) Even tough he was safe and with trusted people as well. Funny how- sometimes- when we look back- we can see that the water we thought we’d drown in was 3 feet deep isn’t it? ;) That and many other experiences- helped build my trust for today.

It’s always easier to see fear turned to joy, after the fact, like the pictures from camping, but- I’m writing them down- so maybe you can see it sooner, and so I’ll be reminded of the same, the next time my toes hit the cold water!

Dear Lord- I love you, I trust you, please remind me that I do! I pray for my family-and friends, that they would know and trust the same, that whenever they find themselves in a cold pool, they would wrap their arms around you- and find that you’re holding them. I love you Lord- amen!

Pretty, isn’t it? Almost makes you want to climb it to see the view….from the top of the world.

It’s of the summit of Mount Everest.

You can click the title to see why I felt such a need to risk blogarhea and post yet again today.

The link is to a news story- about a recent climber- who didn’t make it.

A number of climbers- walked past the dying man, on their way to the summit. Many reasons were given… “I’m not the most experienced”, “I though someone else would help”…..etc.

Sir Hillary said this in his shocked response:

“Human life is far more important than just getting to the top of a mountain,” Hillary was quoted in an interview with New Zealand Press Association.

Sounds like the parable of the “Good Samaritan”. Without anyone rescuing, the dying man.
I felt instantly challenged, and convicted… here’s what I found when I looked up the verses- yet again….

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

25On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus.

“Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26″What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” 27He answered: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’[c]; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[d]”

28″You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” 29But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.

31A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. 35The next day he took out two silver coins[e] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

36″Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

37The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

Have I passed anyone ont he street, who was hurting, and left them to die?

Ummmm No.

But- I felt challenged, because, in my desire to reach the “summit”(achieve certain goals or desires I have) I’ve walked past others- who were struggling to breathe. Maybe for some of the same reasons as the fellow climbers…. “someone else would be more experienced- to help them, someone else will come and do it …..”

Even worse— I’ve felt that judgemental attitude well up inside of me….”well… you dug your hole… now lie in it” “Geez, get up and walk… stop laying around whining about it..” or…. “What an idiot to fall like that- to not have enough oxygen for your climb…..” “How could you not be prepared!! You should do things LIKE I DO… prepared.” “You should have known better!” or…worse yet… “I have places to go, and summits to climb… I don’t have time to stop and help you. Besides- you’ve proven yourself an inept climber, what value is there for me? You’d just weigh me down.”

As Christians- and especially as leaders, we’re called to encourage others along the climb. Sometimes, even taking the oxygen mask from our own face- to help another breathe…(sharing our hope with others) Whether they’ve dug their own hole, planned poorly, or been immature, in their skills as a fellow climber. And follower.

It’s easy to point fingers at those on the climb, and be critical… but I haven’t been there- I haven’t climbed to the summit of Mt Everest…. Or the one you’re climbing, either. I can only look at my own heart, and acknowledge the sin that is there- the selfishness, the pride, and repent. Change.

Dear Lord- change my heart, make be be a leader, and a person, who is more caring of people that summits, help me to be the one to stop- and help, even if it means I may never make it to some summits’ that I have planned for myself. I love you lord- and thank you for saving me….. help me to share that hope with others- amen.

You clicked SOMETHING, to get here…(thanks for doing that,
BTW) now,

I wonder what jumps off the page, and catches YOUR attention…..

Blogs are like digital-life snapshots or scrapbooks. While a picture says a thousand words, it can’t possibly tell the whole story.

I’ve been looking at my blog- in an attempt to be objective and to see what I may be communicating to others.

It’s a tough call. A couple of months ago- I followed like a lemming— and ran the “word cloud” thing….it was an interesting experiment- to see what the general “theme” of my blog is. ( I was surprised— that” suck ” and “crap ” didn’t show up, cause I think I use them both too much. Maybe they filter out rude words)

Anyway, there were other parts that didn’t surprise me. “God, knitting, spinning, yarn, MOPS, Lord, Jesus, family, boys”……those things didn’t surprise me. But- while “word clouds” can show you the most commonly found words on a site… can they show the way they are recieved? Can they show the intent? The history of the writer?

Nope.

I suppose, while I’ve been looking around, TRYING to be objective… I’ve realized- there are limits to communication online. ( Aren’t I wise?… duh. I know, not a news flash, I know). But, here’s what I mean, Blogs are like “sound-bites of life” they are quick stories, pictures, thoughts- shared from a single perspective at a single point of time.

Scrolling thru- I see lots of different days, and different thoughts captured.. (in some cache’s possibly FOREVER!) Thoughts that are in process, pictures that show just a moment in time. Since I have a deep passion for living authentically- my faith and journey with God— and I see this blog as a part of doing that.. my question is…

Am I who my blog says I am?

I was relieved, in a way- while seeking to answer this… cause- well- YES. I am. But then— there is so much more…. my HISTORY… the sum total of my life- and all that God has done in me— well- it isn’t here.

Not because I want to hide it— but because, this isn’t my life story-my memoir. This is my blog. Yet- looking around, I see how somethings- taken out of the context of who I am and the experiences I’ve had, could confuse who I AM from what you see.

You see- what I show, some who read, know more- they understand better, (in theory) because they know me.

If you were just hopping around… you could see- some obviously dyed red-head in a crown… lazily knitting in a (my perception) pretty room…. like some neo-knitter princess freak. In that snapshot.. you may assume somethings…spoiled, lazy maybe self absorbed.

Is that who I am? Maybe.

Hopefully- you’d also see, I have a sense of humor about myself, and a high level of authenticity. Not to the extent that EVERYTHING in my life is laid out here- but in the sense that I desire to share with others- what may be helpful, or encouraging. Also, a desire to appreciate when someone goes out of their way- to show kindness to me. (that pic was a thank you- to a SP who went out of her way to locate some highly prized, and very rare, knitting needles for me)….

Next, there are the pictures of chaos and mess- the stories of struggling as a mom…. is my life as a mom chaotic and loaded with struggle? Well… sometimes. But mostly? No— mostly- things just move along at a normal pace. A natural rhythm of waking up, throwing in laundry, getting kids ready, some devotional time, a drive for school drop-offs, errands, etc….not exactly stuff you want to read about.

There are also opinion pieces, where I talk about news events… and media stuff, political issues and matters of faith. My experiences, both in this world and in faith, and in study, create these opinions. Not just some pompous, pious, princess, prissy-ness. (who unabandonly uses aliteration)

Don’t forget, there is the knitting, the spinning. I write these pieces as a way to join the knitting community- something we share. Sometimes- I write about SP exchanges, and my love of gifting… not because I am some rich witch who likes to flash the ability to give… but because- I really DO love to give- and part of these exchanges is to write about those things.

While I was looking around- I realized I am a pretty “integrated” person. I don’t compartmentalize my life. One thing flows into another. I think that can be disorganized to some, and maybe even frustrating…”isn’t this a knitting blog?” Could be a fair question.

So— I have started another blog- one called “Missional Mom” http://missional-mom.blogspot.com/ where I am planning on sorting out specific mothering , marriage and ministry issues, from a “missional” perspective.

My MSN blog,”Extreme Adventures In Knitting and Motherhood” http://spaces.msn.com/Nottinbutknittin/ will remain general mothering and knitting, as will my Blogger blog- by the same name. (double blogs doesn’t require double time— I write in blogger, copy-cut paste to MSN…pictures are added without a second upload) EASY. I like MSN because I can keep organized lists- and links- while in blogger I can maintain membership in blog-rings etc. (well- I can when I don’t screw up my links/buttons in HTML!)

So is there a POINT to this POST? Yeah. There is. I guess, I ‘d just like to remind myself, and others- that when we’re blog-hopping, we need to remember- there is soooo much more to each blogger- than the sum-total of their posts, opinions or what the pictures show.

Blogging with you!

Dear Lord- please let everything that comes from my mouth- or my pen/keyboard, be honoring to you, please help me be authentic, and loving, respectful, even when passionate about an issue, in all my posts, and in all I do— I love you Lord- and ask you to show me yourself- everyday- amen.

Noah (wearing big boy pants….)
Says “TaDa” Over mommy’s finished Kiri.
(He’s SO glad I finished this… he’s sick of seeing me knit
“Girl colors” (pink)

Noah is 4… it gives you a bit of perspective on how large this Kiri is!

Kiri- Blocking

Kiri- Blocked and complete!

“In repose, among the lilacs”

Completed Stats:

7 1/2 Skeins Debbie Bliss Pure Silk in pink-

Measures- (after blocking)
90″x45″

;)

Now for somewhere to wear it.

hmmmmmmm

Sometimes all it takes to get ya moving- to complete a project… is admitting how much you don’t WANT to.

Further admission—-While photographically- natural lighting is best… that is not the reason the pic was taken outside—-the grass is the only place that didn’t need vacuuming- as laundry and knitting is all I accomplished today.

The “Stats”:

“Kiri” Pattern online, free at
http://www.alltangledup.com

The yarn? Debbie Bliss Pure Silk- like 7 skeins…. (I didn’t keep track- sorry) Color:
Pink….

http://www.yarnware.com

Currently- soaking in Eucalan- Lavander wash- in waiting for blocking tonight. (Have to vacuum first)

US #8 needles- Holz and Stein….(a gift)

I’ll measure after blocking- (sorry- forgot- was too excited once the ends were woven in…;)

Finished pics tomorrow- have to catch up on housework!

So do I even Knit? Why yes. Thanks for asking. I know my posts have been pretty varied as of late…. so I thought I better give a bit of an update- so I can’t be accused of false advertising.

(Nottinbutknittin…. well— kind of)

Currently, I’m suffering with a serious case of Multiple Project Disorder. This is similar in it’s symptoms to Multiple Personality Disorder, but less pervasive.

OK- thats a bunch of crap- but a diagnosis sounds like a better excuse than and admission….

For the sake of authenticity… I guess I’ll admit: I just can’t seem to finish anything.

I just can’t finish my silk Kiri. It’s pictured here. I love how it’s turning out… but- . the final rows?……. oh my word, they are ENDLESS…..I am on row 3 of the edging- after, 15 repeats of chart 2 (or B I don’t remember which they called it) Now— I am technically in the home stretch. But I am BORED. BORED. BORED.

In the pic is also Mr Big-Boys Potty Chart… it is sure motivating him… maybe I need achart and a reward— for Kiri completion…..hmmm you’d think the end project would be reward enough……. but maybe— I’ need some accountability and external motivation……I wonder if I could find pretty yarn stickers???????

Not sure— but I could sure distract myself from actually knitting- by searching for the right stickers to motivate my knitting— I wonder if that counts???? Doubtful.;)

I have also finished 2 pair of socks- in the interim. (Multiple Project Disorder- told ya…) One in Knit Picks- Yukon -sock memories.

http://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/itemid_5420143/yarn_display.aspx. I knit them with Knitty.com’s “Broad Ripple pattern”

http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEsummer03/PATTbroadripple.html

I also made a pair of pretty Koigu “Jaywannabees” (see pic—-pink and purple) My interpretation of the fabulous Grumperina’s “Jaywalkers”—-only knit on US #2 needles. (Because I like socks FAST— #0’s are not for me) The pattern is from the Broadripples @ Knitty- - (with the exception of the YO’s the look is similar) I just changed the cast-on and cuff to a K2P2 ribbing…— then continued in pattern for the Broadripples…. voila— “Jaywannabees” for the impatient. ;)

On the bobbins— is my current spinning— I am loving this. BTW. The blue is a pretty blue merino top- which I am plying with a merino/mohair blend in a pretty green variegate. The plied version is skeined. a pretty Marled blue and green. This is reserved for a secret project. There is also a red merino/tussah silk blend— which is soooo smooth and soft to spin. should be great to knit as-well.;)

So there is the evidence- I am still knitting and spinning……;)

Moving right along.

Something has “clicked”. Mr Big Boy, is starting to get this whole potty-training thing.

Today, is a BIG day. He’s wearing UNDERWEAR!!!!!!!!!

Daddy and I are going out.. so the pull-ups will be replacing them for a couple of hours— (insurance) But- it looks like we’ve turned the corner.

There should be a ceremony- a song, an anthem to play— something.

Anybody got any POTTY TRAINGING Anthem suggestions??????

Comment away—- this could be interesting. (Or scary)

We’re also filling up the potty sticker-chart pretty quick. Looks like I better start shopping for swing-sets!

Knitting/spining update in the morning-I have a DATE tonight. ;)

I say it all the time, I love water. I should clarify- I love water- when I’m outdoors, in the sun, on a beach. NOT in my basement. Let’s just say- today didn’t quite go as smoothly as I had planned.

I was scheduled to teach the Large Group- kids this morning.
I have been studying and praying in prep for this morning. I was up early, the house was quiet. ( I should have known something was amiss… quiet is almsot NEVER good here.) Everything was laid out last night. I was ready to go- EXCEPT, for a tree I wanted to use for part of the object lesson.

After knocking my way thru the mess by the back door, (hmmm somebody should start putting their things away)I made my way into the basement.

Good thing I did. Because, along with the pine tree (christmas decoration) I was looking for, I found a lake to complete the (kids church) outdoor theme. But- this one wouldn’t fit into my car for the teaching….. Our sump -pump failed.

It’s funny, how, when you’re getting ready to teach something, God will give you VERY clear experiences, that will illuminate the concepts for you….. this weeks was more like and spot light illumination… than a flash light.

The Fruit of the Spirit is : Love, Joy, Peace , Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self Control. (Gal 5:22-23) This morning was another exercise in growing the Fruit of the Spirit in me. I am so glad, that I had been taking time to pray and be connected to God. Because, this morning- when I totally could have gone thru the roof, I felt peace. (I dont THINk it was denial;)

The basement will be cleaned up. “Things” don’t matter, people do. I could be joyful- to be with the kids I had the privilege to teach- even though my basement was flooded. I was faithful, to fulfill the responsibilities that God had given- and to the commitment I have made- to teach on my scheduled days. I could love others- even though My morning had, had a rough start. I had patience- even though I felt frustrated by my situation. I had self control, and didn’t freak- when I found the mess. I was able to be good and show kindness to others- and help with set-up- tear down pick-up etc….THIS was God…. Not, Tracey.

Let’s face it- I have plenty of days when I’m a jerk. Today, I was prepared, because I had been spending time focused on God. I saw it as a way to be grown, not just a problem.

For the lesson this morning- started with talking about fruit. I peeled an orange, let the kids smell it. I let the juice run off my fingers and described the fruit, we talked about their favorite fruits, then I asked them if they were hungry… almost everyone said “yes.” For fruit.

Part of why God wants us to have the Fruit of the Spirit- in our lives- is to make others hungry for Him. For them to see something different- and appealing.

God calls it a FRUIT. NOT a SHOW.

Here’s the thing: I can read the list- then take it as a “task list” a way “to do” list. (I have tried it) And, well, I can do ok- for a little while. But then, things start to fall apart. I get annoyed with someone. I get impatient, then pretty much blow the list out the window. On my own, I can’t maintain the fruit. It rots.

I took an orange- and duct taped it to the tree. I asked the kids if it was growing. “Duh. No.” Was pretty much the answer. I asked what would happen, if I left it there? “It would rot. “

I’ve been there. trying to force fuit to grow. It does not work, not in orchards- or people. We talked about what it takes for fruit to grow- one great girl said “roots”. She was right. The Fruit of the Spirit, can only grow in us, when we’re connected to God. (The Bible calls it abiding in the vine) Spending time with Him, learning His word, beign with others who encourage us to grow.

Then, God give us plenty of preparation, ways to practice, opportunities to both fail, and thrive. Like rain, sun and soil- that helps fruit to grow.

Usually, I have the opportunity, to share with the kids- many of the ways that I mess up. (or did when I was their age) Today- because of God’s preparing… I could enjoy sharing with them, How the Fruit of the Spirit was working in ME today…..

Which- to me- is pretty incredible. Not ME. But God in ME. Changing me, making me grow, making me more like Him. Sometimes, I think we miss the wonder of that.

Don’t get me wrong- I’ll surely mess up, (oh- I probably already have) again. But then— it’s all a part of the process.

Dear Lord, I pray that you’d continue to grow the Fruit of your Spirit in me. I ask you to make yourself real to the Metro-kids, to grow them as well. I love you Lord- and thank you for every opportunity to grow— even the messy stinky wet ones. Amen.

Oh- and Lord- bless that Plumber who fixed our sump—- let the extra 100 bucks because it was Sunday… bless his family, & thnx for friends who help me with my attitude- I love you Lord!

Vicki- thnx for the reminder about the extra being a blessing- to him- it really helped my attitude;)

Missional Mom- Loving their Dad.

I’m a married Mom. After loving God, my next greatest gift to my kids… is loving their Dad.

Funny thing about that. I KNOW what makes me feel loved, but that Man? Hmmmm… the same things don’t work for him. I learned that the hard way. (What else is new?)

One of our first “marital issues” involved Chicken and Dumplings. See, everything in my Italian guts, tells me, food is a great way to show love. So, I spent an afternoon, simmering a whole fresh chicken. Then hours letting it cool. Then, probably close to an hour de-boning that bird.

The next day, I simmered the seasoned and soooo tender meat with fresh herbs, added fresh veggies- and made the sauce. Then- as a crowning touch…. perfect homemade dumplings were steamed on top. (Are ya hungry yet?) Pretty flecks of parsley through-out the light and fluffy dumplings.

Everything was perfect. I set the table. Candles. Our “Good china”… (Newlyweds.. we were so cute;) He arrived home, loved the scent. Then, he sat down, and ate like 5 bites. (THAT is not normal… My man’s an eater)

A few hours later, he asked of I was hungry… cause he was going to pick-up some burgers.

BURGERS???

after a dinner that took me 2 days to cook? I was furious. I stormed, I pouted. I let him have it.

But here’s the thing. My ASSUMPTION was, that he liked chicken and dumplings. (Of course he must, I DO doesn’t EVERYONE????) He didn’t. He still doesn’t.

I was trying to LOVE him, in a way he didn’t even care about. (actually, in a way he didn’t even like.)When I look at my mission as a Mom and a wife, I know I only have so much time. I am No Wonder Woman. I can only do so much. It’s important not to waste time and effort- (both emotional and physical) on making chicken and dumplings for a husband who likes steak and potatoes. Or, roast. He loves roast. ;)

Besides, how loving is it really, to do for someone, what I would want, not what they would want? I don’t make chicken n dumplings much anymore. Once in a GREAT while I will, but if anyone wants burgers after I have- it’s really no big deal. Because, if I make it now, it’s for those in our family who like it.

Well- either that or I order it at Cracker Barrel. (though- their dumplings aren’t as good as mine- toooo heavy)

I’ve also been known- to try to keep a perfectly clean house— as an act of love- for a guy who really couldn’t care less. Trust me, that’s a waste.

Truth is, My husband is a lover of verbal affirmations. Especially public ones. So, I try to IM him, email him, post sweet things in my blog, that speaks love to him. THOSE are things that matter to him. He’s also a touchy- love person. I need to communicate love to him in that way.

Why bother with stuff that doesn’t WORK?????

How about you? Are there ways that you’re trying to communicate love, in a way that doesn’t work?

To your spouse?

To your kids?

To your friends?

Here’s a suggestion….. if you want to express love, before you start a 2 day project, and make yourself NUTS. How about asking… “hey.. babe—- do you like Chicken and Dumplings?” Or- better yet— “hey- is there something I can do that really makes you feel loved?????

At MOPS (http://mops.org/) we’ve used a book as a resource- to help open dialogue, both in marriages, and with our kids…(and our friends- too) in order to be more effective at showing our love- for each other…….

http://www.fivelovelanguages.com/

It might be something to check out…. unless you really LIKE eating an entire pot of Chicken and Dumplings, ALONE. With an audience of Burger eaters. ;)

Dear Lord- Time is short, I am busy, and I LOVE my family and friends, please help me to be creative and effective in the ways that I show Love- for them, but also to honor you, I love you Lord amen.

PS the pic??? my guys in the middle. ;)