Moving Day

Guess what I did today? I moved!
Now, I know you are thinking, "Didn't you just move into a new house a few months ago?"
Yes, dear Reader, I most certainly did!
Today's move was far easier!
It didn't require sorting, purging, or packing. It didn't require boxes, paper, or a moving van. It simply required a quick transfer.
I have moved my blog over to Wordpress. Yes, I have moved over to the other side. :)
So, you can pick up on all the family antics at our new location: www.lemonadegal.wordpress.com (Notice I am now Lemonade GAL -- because girl was already taken.)
I hope you will make the move with me.

Kind-of Homesick

Today, I miss Texas. I cannot really place my finger on what I miss. I just miss telling people I'm from Texas.

I think the sadness started a few weeks ago when I had to renew my driver's license. I went to the local DMV with all my paperwork in hand, including my expired license. After all the computer work and the miserable photo, the nice guy handed me my new Arkansas license. He politely smiled and wished me a good day. I immediately got the deer in headlights look and asked, "So, you keep my Texas license." He then explained that it was the law -- something about people creating fake ID's. I got to the safety of my car and cried. I know it is silly, but I had the same Texas license number since I got my learner's permit when I was 15. It was a faithful friend -- a part of my growing up into adulthood. This week, I had to go to the doctor. For the first time in 20 years, I had to pull out my wallet and look up my license number for the paperwork. It was a sad reminder of my new reality.


Then, on HGTV, some of the shows they've shown this week have been on homes in Texas. Just flipping the channels, I can tell from some of the architectural details that they are showing a Texas home. There is a difference that I cannot explain -- I can just tell when I see it. Of course, I stop and watch the entire episode -- just to catch a look at Texas. I even recorded one so I could look back at it. (I KNOW!)


It's not that I don't like Arkansas. And, I for sure don't question my reason for being here. I just love my Texas roots, and I miss the familiarity that came with living in the same state for 25 years. I knew the Texas way-of-things very well and today -- I miss it.

The Time of my Life

I'm not much of a star gazer. In fact, I couldn't tell you much about Patrick Swayze and his life. But, the news this morning of his death has set me into a bit of a remembrance.
I didn't know Patrick, but I sure did know Johnny Castle! I cannot tell you how many times I've seen Dirty Dancing. I cannot say that it changed my life, but it did make my life happy. Dirty Dancing is one of those movies that I almost always stop and watch if I come across it while flipping channels. It is one of those movies that I can quote a scary number of lines from. In fact, I love it so much, I have a strange desire to sit and watch it right now -- just because of all the clips they've played on the news this morning.
After Dirty Dancing, Patrick Swayze moved on to other films -- one's that I never really liked. (See, I wasn't really a fan.) He went on to other successes. He had other names like Dalton and Sam. But to me, he will always be Johnny.
So, as family and friends mourn his passing. I will pray that God will comfort them in their grief. I will also be thankful that they shared Patrick with us.

3 Years in the Making

Today - at 9:00 a.m. - You might possibly here the scream of joy coming from central Arkansas.
Today - at 9:00 - I will drop off the little sister at Mother's Day Out.
Today - at 9:00 - I will return to my nice, quiet, empty house.
Today, I will sit in that quiet house and hear NOTHING!
I will be ALONE for, count 'em, 1 ... 2 ... 3 ... 4 ... 5! Yes 5 WHOLE HOURS!
It will be the first time since sister was born. *sigh*
I don't have to go to work.
I don't have hubby home to interfere with my solitude.
I don't have company that wants to be entertained.
I have no one -- and I'm so excited.

Were You There?

9-11-2001

It is a day that will forever be marked in my memory. Kind-of like some other historical days in other's minds -- the day the challenger exploded, the day of the Oklahoma City Bombing, the day JFK was shot, the day Elvis died. I think I will always remember with VIVID detail the sights, feelings, and happenings of 9-11.

Brother was just 8 months old. I had gotten up early that morning (which was the routine of those days). For some reason, hubby had already left for work, and I was feeding Brother in his bouncy seat at the kitchen table. I turned on Good Morning America for my daily news fix. I was met with the breaking news report of a fire at the World Trade Center. My immediate thought was to think back to the previous bombing of the WTC in 1993. Then, before my very eyes -- and thousands of others -- the plane hit the second building. I went numb. I couldn't believe what I just witnessed. This was clearly no accident. I immediately picked up the phone and called my hubby. My first question to him was if he could see the TV without any kids around. (At the time, hubby worked at a children's home and had the responsibility of caring for other's children during this crisis, and shielding the kids from the news.)

The rest of the day, while I remember it clearly, is also a blur because the time passed so quickly as I sat in front of the television. It was shocking to see it all. I remember walking through my bedroom when I heard the report of the attack at the pentagon. I immediately cried out to God and literally fell to my knees. Our country was being attacked, and He was the only one who was in control.

I remember the complete shock that washed over me as the towers crumbled into white ash all over the city. If I hadn't seen it, I would have never believed it.

As I look back, I'm grateful that Brother was just an infant. I'm grateful that he couldn't tell the fear and worry that ran through my veins that morning and afternoon. I'm grateful that he served as a distraction to me during the day.

It has been 8 years since that clear, blue fall morning in 2001. It is sad to me that the attacks weren't even mentioned at Brother school today. I know that life carries on, but I believe that I am a different person because of the 9-11 attacks. We live in a different country that we did before the 9-11 attacks. It was a day that forever changed our history books and our lives. I just think it needs some recognition, and all those who suffered loss that day deserve some remembering.

So, today I choose to remember. I remember those who lost a loved one on September 11th. I remember those who faithfully served in the aftermath. I remember those who cannot work in tall buildings because of the fear. I remember the children who are without parents. I remember the heros of the day -- both living and dead -- who helped our country during its most difficult trial. I will never forget!

Do you remember that day? Tell me!

10 on the 10th - Dreaming

Recently I read another blog that talked about childhood dreams and questioned if we were at the place at 30 (ahem) that we thought we'd be when we were 16. It really made me stop and think about my plans vs. God's plans for my life. I've had lots of plans and dreams for my life, but most of all, since I first went to church when I was 12, I've wanted to live for Him. To bring glory to God in whatever I do.

I'm reminded of 2 scriptures:

James 4:13-15 (New International Reader's Version)
"Now listen, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city. We will spend a year there. We will buy and sell and make money.' You don't even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? It is a mist that appears for a little while. Then it disappears. Instead, you should say, 'If it pleases the Lord, we will live and do this or that.' "

Psalm 127:1 (New International Version)

"Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain."

So, to play along with Meredith's 10 on the 10th, I bring you my short list of different dreams/thoughts I had for my future occupation when I was a child:

1. Veterinarian - As a child I loved animals and thought this would be a fun job. I quickly learned that this meant lots of school, and I didn't like the idea of suffering animals, so I moved on.


2. Waitress - I had grand visions of carrying armloads of plates and handfuls of glasses to other people. This quickly faded as I realized my true capabilities to serve people without spilling.


3. Teacher - What little girl doesn't dream of being just like her favorite teacher when she grows up. I actually have an elementary education degree, but after student teaching, I realized that it isn't my thing.


4. Accountant - I just want the satisfaction of doing my own taxes. If I were to go back to college, (because I just adore school) this would be on my list of things to do.


5. Photographer - This is still a great interest to me. I appreciate good photography and desire to learn more about it. I just don't see it ever being a career for me -- just a hobby.


6. Architect - I have a strange fascination with great buildings. I just love to look at great architecture. I also have a HUGE love of homes and floor plans. I remember drawing up my own floor plan when I was in 5th grade. I had great hopes of building my own home one day. When I got realistic about schooling, I realized how much math was needed for architecture school and how competitive the market is, so I backed away from this plan.


7. Lawyer - Honestly, this was a short-lived dream, motivated by money and greed. After participating on the mock-trial team in high school, I realized that being a lawyer was more effort than I wished to put forth.


8. Secretary - I love organization, and I love office supplies. What a perfect job for me. Too bad they aren't better respected by the work-force


9. Physical Therapist - When I was in college, I had to see a physical therapist for over a year and a half. I really became interested in their work, and I appreciated all the help they provided to me.


10. Labor and Delivery Nurse - After my kids were born, I appreciated the love and concern that I received in the hospital when my kids were born. I think being able to witness the miracle of birth would be a great reward. I love babies, and more than that, I love getting to see families created.

WOW! I'm at 10, and I have even more to add. In the end, I am exactly what God has called me to be, and I am still seeking Him to lead me into something more. I have a seminary degree and was a full-time youth minister until he gave the the wonderful title of MOM! I love my mom title, and I wear it with pride. More than anything, as a little girl I wanted to grow up, love my husband, and raise beautiful, God-fearing children. (Well, I didn't add the God-fearing part until I was older and knew about God). Now, I seek Him daily and wait for Him to open up new ministry doors for me.

For more 10 on the 10th posts, visit Meredith's blog! It's a fun little game of lists. :)

On My Honor

We have a new thing in our family - a cub scout. Actually we have a Bear cub. I guess that is the name. I'm all excited about Brother's new interest. I think it will a great activity for him. I think it will help him make new friends. I think it will teach him some important values like respect, honesty, and self-confidence. We are not a big atheletic family, so I think scouting has the potential of providing some important extra-curricular activities for Brother that don't involve nights of practice and loads of injury. Of course, I feel like I did when Brother played t-ball. I am just enamored with the uniform. Isn't it just the cutest thing!?! I think all little boys should wear a baseball uniform and a boy scout uniform at some point in their lives. Of course, that is just what I think!