Sabbath Day

David here.
Yesterday on the way back from church with Katherine, who is 3 years old, we had the following conversation.

Katherine: Dad, can I play Starfall when we get home? (Starfall.com helps her learn her letters)
Dad: No, we don't play computer on Sunday's.
Katherine: Why not?
Dad: Sunday is a day to think about Jesus.
Pause...
Katherine: Dad, Jesus helps me with Starfall.

Out of the mouth of babes....

I laughed then looked back at her and she wasn't even looking at me...she had a matter of fact look on her face and was playing with something. BTW, she didn't play Starfall.

Escape

I typed this into the computer the other day:
Google Search: What to do in Miami without kids

This was the response:
Did you mean: What to do in Miami with kids?
What is the deal--not even the computer takes me seriously!?

No, I did not mean with kids.
David is going to Miami for work--someone wants him to teach a class--and I am going with him. We will be gone for two nights and have a great time. I am taking books, a good pillow, and some sunscreen.

I have been getting the schedule all set-up for us leaving the kids--they are going to be shipped out to several different places. It is nice to have Emily and Darren here. I'm trying to get them spread out so that no one person gets overwhelmed. It makes me realize how much I do--even though on some days it feels like I get absolutedly nothing done--one step forward, two steps back! We've got some great friends and the kids will have as much fun as me and David.

Happy Trails!

PS. I even got a new haircut--a real one. The lady that cuts my hair is great. It has been a bout year since I was in--she never comments about the self and husband aided haircuts in bewteen her good ones. When I walked into the house, the kids liked it and thought that I looked like Aunt Chris! That was a sweet compliment.

House Guests

We usually love guests and visitors, but I am fed up. We've had several uninvited, and unwelcome visitors that have out-stayed their welcome. We've had ant invasions every spring this year they seem to be especially bad--they are still here. We also have these darn moths that came in a bag of birdseed which sat in our warm, cozy china cupboard that was used as their breeding grounds. I thought we got rid of them, but we found another motherload when we removed a cabinet in the kitchen. (We just built some shelves so that we have more storage space--it will be great). Hopefully, this will take care of them. The latest and biggest has been something living in our bedroom wall. It chews and scratches at night at the depths of REM sleep. It has been exhausting--even the ear plugs don't help. David gets up and gives the wall a few good thumps in the appropriate spot, silencing the little critter for a few hours. At night, when we're half asleep we talk about what it might be and imagine the worst. During the day, with a little more sense, we think it is a squirrel working on securing a good shelter and storing up some food for the long winter. Maybe he is "trying to tell us something"!

DeBry Women

This photo was taken at Athena's wedding--she married Ben Petersen--you can read all about their sweet life as newlyweds on their blog on the side bar. Malinda is the only one not here--she must have been fulfilling her higher calling as a mom and already left the festivities headed for home with some worn out children. I wish she were in this picture--she is the tall book-end for the other side!

These are some great women. They could accomplish anything if they worked together and set there minds to a common good. They are sweet, intense, capable and know how to get what they want. (I think these are traits that the DeBry sisters were born with). They are determined, focused on high postive goals, and do not get distacted by things of the world. If you put them all in one room for any length of time there will be every range of emotions. It is fun to be with them. I love them and feel blessed to be a part of their lives. They inspire me to be better. Thanks for allowing me to be a part of your family.

New Look

I've just spent the last few hours re-doing the blog. It's been fun. David needed to do some "high-speed" stuff on the computer so he brought home a device that really has this computer screaming! I've decided to post several pictures that would otherwise take hours. I accidentally deleted our blog list, so I am still working on that. Anyway, my new header is a painting that I did a while back--in February for the Kingsport Art Show. I love to paint, but don't do it as often as I like, so I figured with an entry fee AND a deadline I would be sure to get something turned in. I laughed as I read on the entry form that the art work had to be dry--well, 20 minutes before the deadline, I had the blow dryer on high just inches from a wet canvas. I barely made it. I entered two paintings--the one of the family was accepted and the TN one was not. I have them both hanging in our home. It was fulfilling for me in more than one way.

We took the kids to the art show--there were some excellent works. They were so disappointed that I didn't get an award. They thought for sure that I should have won and that it was the best. Isn't that really what life is about--to have those you love the most be convinced that you are the BEST! It was a sweet moment for me. In our own little world we can all be loved and be the best at whatever we do.

The One Shoe Theory

Throughout the years, David and I have come up with several theories. The “One Shoe Theory” is one of mine specifically for Moms with young children.

Usually at our house it is hard, if not impossible to find two matching shoes, especially if they are smaller than size 4. The basic idea behind the theory is that if you can only find one shoe (or sock for that matter) just put it on. When you are out in public—really the only time you need shoes anyway and even that can be argued, it may seem strange to only be wearing one shoe. You wouldn’t believe how many nice folks point out that you have “lost a shoe” somewhere along the line. Little do they know that the other one is in the black hole of no return. Anyway, this keeps them from thinking or commenting on how you should keep your babies feet covered and what kind of a lame Mom would take their children out without proper foot wear.

Try it sometime. You will be amazed at how many people notice and helpfully point out that you have lost a shoe. It’s a good way to meet people—especially in the South. It doesn’t work so well with 8 year olds though.