Sorry folks, that is all I have for a mosquito joke. It is evening and I've got nothing. So I asked my kids if they knew any mosquito jokes. My 3 year old said he did. It goes like this. "What does a mosquito do if you bite it?" he asked.
"I don't know." I said.
"Chop off your teeth!" he said and then laughed hysterically.
How he ever came up with chopping off your teeth, I'll never know.
My daughter who is 5 said, "What does a mosquito do if you take its buzz?" "What?" I asked. "Bite you!" she said, laughing just as hysterically as her brother.
Clearly, they get their unique sense of humor honestly.
To say the mosquitos are a problem here in South Texas is an understatement of gigantic proportions. Since Hurricane Dolly brought our area significant rains, we've been blessed (and I use that word with just a smidge of sarcasm) with lots of mosquitos.
I'm a little concerned to let my kids out in the backyard for fear they will be carried away by an angry horde of mosquitos, never to return home again. It reminds me of an episode I watched on Animal Planet where a bald eagle swooped into a tree and carried away an unsuspecting monkey to eat for dinner.
But I digress.
Today the kids were champions as we were out and about running errands for almost 6 hours. That is not entirely accurate. We did have lunch with the kids best friends (who happen to be brother and sister) and their mom who is a dear friend of mine. It was great to catch up with them since returning from vacation.
On a final note, we were able to get an amazing deal on an airplane ticket so my husband can go to our friends dad's funeral next week. My husband was going to go no matter what the cost, it's just that now I don't have to sell off any of my shoes to do so.
God is good.
Take care,
Julie
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Walking by Faith
This morning my husband got a call from one of his best friends from college to tell us his dad had passed away in the early hours of the morning. And although it wasn't entirely unexpected (he has been battling Lou Gehrig's Disease) it was nevertheless a shock. All morning I have been trying to wrap my brain around the whole concept of mans plans and God's will, bad things happening to good people, God's sovereignty...you know, the whole nine yards.
To put it bluntly....I am never going to get it, the whole understanding God's mind part.
I'm not supposed to.
And I guess that is what I have been sensing God telling me throughout the day, that it's a faith thing. I keep thinking about the verse in 2 Cor. 5 that says, "We live by faith, not by sight." (NIV)
I mean the contrast between faith and sight is like night and day. If I made decisions on a daily basis based entirely on what I could see, I would probably never leave the house- it's a scary world out there. Or I might abandon my faith in God every time I saw bad things happen to good people, Godly people.
Contrast that with faith..."Being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) Sure and certain are words of absolute confidence. That's what happens when my faith is anchored in God, completly convinced of who He is. It's the only thing that can keep me going in uncertain or questioning times.
In the end I guess I need to be ok with the fact that while on earth I may never get the answers to all the "why's". God is still who He is. What do I know for sure and have faith in? My God lives and my friend's dad is in heaven with Him tonight. For now, that's enough.
To put it bluntly....I am never going to get it, the whole understanding God's mind part.
I'm not supposed to.
And I guess that is what I have been sensing God telling me throughout the day, that it's a faith thing. I keep thinking about the verse in 2 Cor. 5 that says, "We live by faith, not by sight." (NIV)
I mean the contrast between faith and sight is like night and day. If I made decisions on a daily basis based entirely on what I could see, I would probably never leave the house- it's a scary world out there. Or I might abandon my faith in God every time I saw bad things happen to good people, Godly people.
Contrast that with faith..."Being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) Sure and certain are words of absolute confidence. That's what happens when my faith is anchored in God, completly convinced of who He is. It's the only thing that can keep me going in uncertain or questioning times.
In the end I guess I need to be ok with the fact that while on earth I may never get the answers to all the "why's". God is still who He is. What do I know for sure and have faith in? My God lives and my friend's dad is in heaven with Him tonight. For now, that's enough.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Whew! Let's call this thing a wrap!
Well. It is official. We are home from vacation. There's nothing like a 1200 mile car trip on the way home from vacation to bring you back to reality.
Reality hurts.
I am so tired today. My head hurts just thinking about all the laundry I have to do.
Just for the record...all 66 stuffed animals made it home. The only casualty was my daughter's fleece blanket. But never fear, the wonderful hotel we stayed at in Oklahoma is mailing it to us.
Let me just put in a good word for Norman, Oklahoma. If ever there was a wholesome city in the U.S., it has got to be Norman, Oklahoma. Great, nice, helpful people. If it just wasn't so stinking hot there, it would be doable.
Now that I am home and no vacations are on the forseeable future, I am plunging completely into this blog. More new posts on a regular basis.
Take care,
Julie
Reality hurts.
I am so tired today. My head hurts just thinking about all the laundry I have to do.
Just for the record...all 66 stuffed animals made it home. The only casualty was my daughter's fleece blanket. But never fear, the wonderful hotel we stayed at in Oklahoma is mailing it to us.
Let me just put in a good word for Norman, Oklahoma. If ever there was a wholesome city in the U.S., it has got to be Norman, Oklahoma. Great, nice, helpful people. If it just wasn't so stinking hot there, it would be doable.
Now that I am home and no vacations are on the forseeable future, I am plunging completely into this blog. More new posts on a regular basis.
Take care,
Julie
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Road Tripping Songs, Kids Version
Here they are. Drumroll please...Our kids favorite songs from our road trip to Iowa, in no particular order.
1. Lean On Me by Mitchel Musso
2. I Don't Think About It by Emily Osment
3. Cartoons by Chris Rice
4. Billy Joe McGuffrey by Chris Rice
5. Kiss the Girl by Colbie Caillat
6. Dry Bed by Billy Bragg
7. Curly Headed Baby by Ramblin Jack Elliott
8. Kung Fu Fighting by Carl Douglas
9. House Party Time by Dan Zanes
10. Theme song to "Phineas and Ferb"
1. Lean On Me by Mitchel Musso
2. I Don't Think About It by Emily Osment
3. Cartoons by Chris Rice
4. Billy Joe McGuffrey by Chris Rice
5. Kiss the Girl by Colbie Caillat
6. Dry Bed by Billy Bragg
7. Curly Headed Baby by Ramblin Jack Elliott
8. Kung Fu Fighting by Carl Douglas
9. House Party Time by Dan Zanes
10. Theme song to "Phineas and Ferb"
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Random Thoughts
Today's post is going to consist of an assortment of thoughts because, to be perfectly honest, I am tired.
Why might I be tired you ask? We spent the entire day with grandma and grandpa and the cousins at Chuck E. Cheese's, Build a Bear and just for extra kicks a playland.
ALL DAY.
Now, I can't seem to think. I just have the phrase, "Where a kid can be a kid." running through my mind.
Over and over.
It is funny because this morning I was reading in Proverbs during my devotions. Can I get an amen here, because one of the wonderful things about vacation has been getting to have daily devotions. In the morning. Uninterrupted. I was in Chapter 23 and verse 5 caught my attention. Here it is in the New International Version, "Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle."
Then we went to Chuck E. Cheeses and the Proverb wasn't lost on me as I watched my husband's wallet sprout wings and fly away to the token machine. Cast a glance, POOF, money gone. Just like that. Spent on tokens and cheap, plastic toys.
Isn't God great to give us such vivid pictures of the scriptures coming to life?
Why might I be tired you ask? We spent the entire day with grandma and grandpa and the cousins at Chuck E. Cheese's, Build a Bear and just for extra kicks a playland.
ALL DAY.
Now, I can't seem to think. I just have the phrase, "Where a kid can be a kid." running through my mind.
Over and over.
It is funny because this morning I was reading in Proverbs during my devotions. Can I get an amen here, because one of the wonderful things about vacation has been getting to have daily devotions. In the morning. Uninterrupted. I was in Chapter 23 and verse 5 caught my attention. Here it is in the New International Version, "Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle."
Then we went to Chuck E. Cheeses and the Proverb wasn't lost on me as I watched my husband's wallet sprout wings and fly away to the token machine. Cast a glance, POOF, money gone. Just like that. Spent on tokens and cheap, plastic toys.
Isn't God great to give us such vivid pictures of the scriptures coming to life?
If Just Wouldn't be Family Vacation Unless....
Sometimes you can predict what will happen on a family vacation before you even go. Certain things are just a given. Here are few of our vacation "givens" at grandma and grandpa's house, so far.
1. At least one child will get sick and vomit. This time this one came by way of our daughter and thankfully she is fine now. I believe it was motion sickness that got her.
2. The kids will consume their weight in Tang and Pringles. I only hope the kids dentist isn't reading this.
3. The baths will be few and far between. The motto is "Chlorine is your friend." I think it is keeping them semi clean.
4. We will end each night hunting for lightning bugs. This one is so much fun and is more of a tradition than just a given. I wish we had lightning bugs where we live in Texas.
5. A family vacation to grandma and grandpa's just wouldn't be complete without a trip to Chuck E Cheese's. While there, we will spend our entire budget on tokens so the kids can buy cheap plastic toys with their prize money.
That's all for today!
1. At least one child will get sick and vomit. This time this one came by way of our daughter and thankfully she is fine now. I believe it was motion sickness that got her.
2. The kids will consume their weight in Tang and Pringles. I only hope the kids dentist isn't reading this.
3. The baths will be few and far between. The motto is "Chlorine is your friend." I think it is keeping them semi clean.
4. We will end each night hunting for lightning bugs. This one is so much fun and is more of a tradition than just a given. I wish we had lightning bugs where we live in Texas.
5. A family vacation to grandma and grandpa's just wouldn't be complete without a trip to Chuck E Cheese's. While there, we will spend our entire budget on tokens so the kids can buy cheap plastic toys with their prize money.
That's all for today!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
The Basement
We made it to Iowa Sunday night with our sanity hanging on by a very thin thread.
The minute we pulled into grandma and grandpa's driveway the kids jumped out like caged birds set free. They ran inside, yelled their hello's and went to the one thing (among a thousand) that grandma and grandpa have at their house that we don't...a basement.
Now grandma and grandpa's basement, mind you, is not like any old run of the mill basement. Not hardly. Theirs is a kid wonderland of sorts full of amazing toys, gadgets, all manner of clothing and every single toy my husband had growing up and most of them in their original boxes.
Most kids think they have died and gone to heaven in the basement.
Just to give you an idea of the goods, here's a list of just a few things I saw yesterday. Mr. Potato Head, cases of tiny cars, old roller skates, various hats and sunglasses, dolls (belonging to my husband's sister), multiple bean bags, two different basketball hoops, a ping pong table, etc. Get the picture?
We probably won't see the kids all week.
Many of our kids favorite childhood memories have been made in grandma and grandpa's basement. Epic ping pong matches among the cousins, fierce hockey competition, bean bag flopping contests, NBA like basketball games and trying to chase a chipmunk out of the basement with brooms.
I am not kidding about the chipmunk. This year alone grandma and grandpa have found three chipmunks in the house. In fact, the night before we arrived, grandma and grandpa came home to find a dead chipmunk in the middle of the family room floor.
Only in Iowa people, only in Iowa.
So, here's to a week of fun basement memories and no dead chipmunks.
The minute we pulled into grandma and grandpa's driveway the kids jumped out like caged birds set free. They ran inside, yelled their hello's and went to the one thing (among a thousand) that grandma and grandpa have at their house that we don't...a basement.
Now grandma and grandpa's basement, mind you, is not like any old run of the mill basement. Not hardly. Theirs is a kid wonderland of sorts full of amazing toys, gadgets, all manner of clothing and every single toy my husband had growing up and most of them in their original boxes.
Most kids think they have died and gone to heaven in the basement.
Just to give you an idea of the goods, here's a list of just a few things I saw yesterday. Mr. Potato Head, cases of tiny cars, old roller skates, various hats and sunglasses, dolls (belonging to my husband's sister), multiple bean bags, two different basketball hoops, a ping pong table, etc. Get the picture?
We probably won't see the kids all week.
Many of our kids favorite childhood memories have been made in grandma and grandpa's basement. Epic ping pong matches among the cousins, fierce hockey competition, bean bag flopping contests, NBA like basketball games and trying to chase a chipmunk out of the basement with brooms.
I am not kidding about the chipmunk. This year alone grandma and grandpa have found three chipmunks in the house. In fact, the night before we arrived, grandma and grandpa came home to find a dead chipmunk in the middle of the family room floor.
Only in Iowa people, only in Iowa.
So, here's to a week of fun basement memories and no dead chipmunks.
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