Bike Stunts

My engineer of a husband recently finished up the big task of replacing our wood deck and porch. The painting and staining still looms ahead.

But as he was cleaning up his scraps, he must have felt like he hadn't done enough with wood and nails. So he built the kids a bike ramp.

And now they all think they are stunt doubles.







The pictures aren't all that great, but you get the idea. They love that ramp. And daddy was king for a day!

This Will Touch You

One of my closest and oldest friends sent me this via e-mail the other day.

It blessed me. It made me cry. It challenged me.

Tell me if it does the same to you.


A son asked his father, "Dad, will you take part in a marathon with me?" The father, despite having a heart condition, said yes.

They went on to complete the marathon together. Father and son went on to join other marathons, the father always saying "yes" to his son's request of going through the race together.

One day, the son asked his father, "Dad, let's join the Ironman together." His father agreed again to his son's request.

For those who didn't know, Ironman is the toughest triathlon ever. The race encompasses three endurance events of a 2.4 mile (3.86 km) ocean swim, followed by a 112 mile (180.2 km) bike ride, and ending with a 26.2 mile (42.195 km) marathon along the coast of the Big Island.

Father and son went on to complete the race together.

Here's the video of that race.





All I can say is: That's a real man. That's a tried-and-true dad.

I'm So Mad I Could...

I subscribe to The Character Journal through Home Life Ministries, and they deliver information with substance to us via e-mail regularly.

The latest newsletter focused on "alertness" and included various Bible verses on that trait. Related hymns were also listed.

But there was so much more in that newsletter. There was information on how to pray for your husband in light of spiritual warfare. Ditto for your children.

And then there was the following. Very convicting. Think about how many you may do on a regular basis.


20 Ways Parents Provoke Children to Anger

“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4

Be ALERT to the following ways parents can provoke their children to anger…

• By modeling anger. Proverbs 22:24-25

• By not having marital harmony. Genesis 2:24 (Repeated four times in the Bible); Hebrews 12:15

• By consistently disciplining in anger. Psalm 6:1; 38:1

• By being inconsistent with discipline. Ecclesiastes 8:11

• By having double standards. Matthew 23:1-4; Philippians 4:9

• By not admitting when wrong. Matthew 5:23-26; Job 32:2; James 5:16

• By constantly finding fault. Job 32:2-3

• By reversing God-given roles. Ephesians 5:22-24; Genesis 3:16

• By not listening to the child’s opinion or the child’s side of the story. Proverbs 18:13,17

• By comparing them to others. 2 Corinthians 10:12

• By not having time to talk with them. Ephesians 5:18

• By not praising the child. 2 Corinthians 2:6-8; Revelation 2,3

• By failing to keep promises. Matthew 5:37; Colossians 3:9; Psalm 15:4

• By scolding him/her in front of others. Matthew 18:15; John 21:15-17

• By giving too much freedom. Proverbs 29:15; Galatians 4:1-2

• By being too strict. James 3:17

• By making fun of the child. Job 17:1-2

• By abusing them physically. 1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7; Numbers 22

• By calling them names. Ephesians 4:29

• By having unrealistic expectations. 1 Corinthians 13:11


That is some strong stuff there.

If you want to see the whole newsletter (it's long!), go here. You can also see a list of past topics, too. Here are a few examples: diligence, forgiveness, creativity and boldness.

An Award? How Cool!

A very cool blogging friend, FlipFlop Mom at Just A Flip Flop Mom, passed on to me this award recently. I found FlipFlop by blog hopping one day, and since that day she's been marked on my Favorites list. She loves reading, baking, gardening and yard sales, where she looks for vintage items. Check her out. I bet you put her on your Favorites list, too.

Here's the award.



Here are the rules, because everything comes with rules, right?

Here you go.
1. Chose 5 blogs that you consider deserving of this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also contribute to the blogging community.
2. Each award has to have the name of the author and a link to his/her blog.
3. Each award winner has to show the award and put the name of and link to the blog that presented her/him with the award.
4. The award winner and one who has given the prize has to show the link of Arte Y Pico blog so everyone will know the origin of this award.
5. Show these rules.

This was hard for me, so it's taken me a bit to figure out with whom I'll share the love.

1. Anne at Pierce Family Happenings. I have yet to meet Anne in person, although we have in common several friends. But I feel like I already know her. She has the sweetest family. I never leave her blog without smiling. Because, honestly, you can feel the love.

2. Nicole at Perfect Family We Are Not. Nicole cracks me up. She's high energy, has kids that make her lose her mind occasionally, and is a computer genius. (Did I mention that she made my really cool signature at the bottom of my post? Yeah. I did. But I'll say it again.) I hit up Nicole for help... often. And she comes through every time.

3. Melanie at The Fruits of the Spirit. Melanie is so cute you just want to hug her. Really. Look at her picture and tell me you don't! Her posts are inspiring, convicting and encouraging. And she lives in Texas, where my first child was born, so I feel a sense of kinship with her.

4. Lori at I will take it Lord, all You have to give. I love Lori's blog. It's pretty. But it's more than that. What she does with Bible verses and Photoshop (I'm guessing) on her side column is just neat. And what she writes? She's the real deal.

5. Cassie at And these are the Days of our Lives. Cassie is creative. Cassie is funny. Cassie is OCD... hey, that's a good thing in my book! She knows I'm jealous of this trait. Cassie is also a great photographer, so when you are at her blog, check out the link to her business site as well.

Thankful Thursday - Vacation

Remember the 1980's? The Go-Go's? Their album and song "Vacation"?

No? Well, then... here you go. My treat.



I've been humming it in my head for days now. And now, so shall you. Don't you love it when that happens? I apologize if you aren't a fan of all-girl bands. Or the 80's.

You'll never convince me you aren't a fan of vacations.

We head out tomorrow. For the last two weeks, at least once daily, Bruce has looked at me with a nearly delirious grin on his face and said, "Have I told you how excited I am about our vacation? I can't wait!"

We don't have two weeks. And we aren't heading to the beach to forget some inconsiderate love interest.

We have one week. Without work. Without school. Without obligations.

We have one week. With the camper. With three pools. With the beach.

Okay, I can't fool you. If you know me, beach vacations aren't really my thing. But I am looking forward to this vacation.

When else do you get to have endless free time with the people you love best?

Stick me and my 10-pound overweight frame in a nudist colony during winter and I'd still be happy as long as my family is with me. I'd be cold. And self-conscious. But I'd still be happy.

I've got to finish packing.

Happy Trails to you!

Oh, one last thing. I've planned a few things to automatically publish in my absence. I hope you enjoy them.


"The LORD replied, 'My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.'"
Exodus 33:14

WFW - pine branch

This is one of my favorite verses.

Maybe you're not the best at scripture memorization. Maybe you're not great about keeping your quiet time appointment each day. Maybe you've even skipped a church service now and again to spend time with family.

Regardless of all our human limitations, self inflicted or not, whatever efforts you put into knowing God's word are not in vain. God will accomplish His will.

For more Word-Filled Wednesday pictures, go visit The 160 Acre Woods.

Ten on Tuesday - Inventions

10 Inventions That Have Made Life Easier

Love this list idea. Makes you realize how good, and easy, we really have it these days. Yet we still complain that we don't have time to get things done. Ahhh, that's the nature of us beasts.

10. Right off the get-go, during summer, you've got to give props to the inventors of the air conditioner. If you've ever had the eighth or ninth month of pregnancy fall during summer... you know what I'm talking about. I love my AC!

9. Microwave. Leftovers are so much easier today than they were for my grandmother's generation.

8. Cell phones. Bruce and I keep track of each other via cells often.

7. Braces. Yes, braces. Anyone who has seen a picture of me before I had braces on my teeth for three years will attest to the truth that braces are a modern miracle.

6. Refrigerator. Because I appreciate the fact that my food is stored safely and I don't have to worry about food poisoning. We have enough vomit in our home thanks to viruses; we don't need any food poisoning here.

5. Washing machine. I could make it without the dryer, but if my washing machine ever dies, we'll be replacing it the very same day... even if we have to eat pinto beans for months to cover the cost.

4. Motor vehicles. Makes traveling long distances so much easier. But I think a horse and buggy would be cheaper these days.

3. Ovens/stoves. Ever cooked a real meal over a campfire? I haven't. Thankfully.

2. Computers. How did people survive without all the ways that computers make life easier? Got sick kids but want to see if the library has a book you've been dying to read? Go online. Got questions about a medical malady, but it's 2 a.m. and all the pharmacies in your area are closed? Go online. Got time to kill and need some mindless entertainment? Go online and find a mahjong or sudoku game.

1. Indoor plumbing. I've used an actual outhouse once. It ain't right, folks. On so many levels, it just ain't right.

Want to list inventions you're thankful for? Go here.



P.S. Like my new signature? I do. My friend Nicole did it for me. She's great!

A Meeting of the Minds

That saying "Old friends are the best friends" is so true.

I was so blessed to get together this weekend with some of the neatest, brightest, funnest (oh yeah, I said that!) most creative people I know. They're my old friends, with nothing snarky intended about their ages. Actually, most of them are younger than I am.

Here they are:

Darrell, Alan, Karen and Leroy



I haven't seen these friends in seven years, since they all converged on our home. This time Karen hosted. The picture above was made near her home, at an elementary school playground.

I left from home around mid morning and headed toward a suburb of Knoxville, to Karen's home. She had organized the get together of several people that we used to work with at a now-defunct newspaper in the Upper Cumberland region.

Those years together were the best of times. And sometimes, the worst of times. But there were always laughs. Always.

I have known Leroy the longest. We worked together at another newspaper in Sparta, Tennessee, for a year in 1995 before he moved on to greener pastures. Or so he thought.

Within a few months, I tagged along after him. And that's where I met Karen, Alan and Darrell.

A brand new, highly technological newspaper was formed and called The Putnam Morning Light. We now joke and call it The Morning Blight.

(I've never worked at a newspaper that didn't have an alternate name. One to use when disgust over long hours and short pay kicked in. For instance, The Sparta Expositor can be changed when necessary to The Suppository. See? It's great fun!)

Karen and I were reporters, sometimes photographers and/or editors. Leroy, Darrell and Alan are all computer geniuses who can do magic in Photoshop and any other program that relates to art or layout.

The first newspaper went through a transition in ownership and we moved locations up the hill in Monterey and worked out of Crossville for awhile before that paper, The Cumberland Journal , also went belly up. (Just an FYI, The Journal's alternate nickname was The Urinal. That still makes me smile.)

It was a shame, too, when it ended.

Because I have never worked with more talented people than those I worked with there. Each person was really excellent at their area of expertise. Not simply good... excellent. I learned so much from each of them. And not just about newspapers.

A lot has changed in the last decade.

Darrell's daughter is a teenager now. I'm a stay-at-home mom. Karen went to work for her alma mater, got married and has two precious boys. Leroy finished college and teaches at a private school now. And Alan has bought a house and "downsized" his preference for fast, flashy cars and now drives a pick-up truck.

Not even one of us works in newspaper now. Although, both Darrell and Alan still work with computers and layout.

The conversation was ripe on Saturday. We laughed until we cried. We recalled stories upon stories. We picked at each other. We vented some, too. It was good.

I didn't get home until nearly midnight.

A big thanks to our spouses, who allowed us to do this visit solo and sans children. All the better to be able to hear each other and have a genuine catch-up session.

We're all already talking about the next shindig. We won't wait so long this next time.

Lintball Leo

I bought a great book for Clay when he had his birthday, and he just finished it.

I had to share it with you, because it has generated so much good discussion with me and my boy. And I know several of you have boys near Clay's age.

Here's the book.



"Lintball Leo's Not-So-Stupid Questions About Your Body" by Dr. Walt Larimore.

It's for boys only (even says so on the front cover!), ages 8-12. Dr. Larimore, the author, is vice-president of medical outreach at Focus on the Family, so I trusted this book. I skimmed it while at Lifeway, though, to see what subjects were covered.

Here are some of the chapters:
- I'm Not Liking My Body
- I'm So Mad I Could...
- Hair: Up Here, and Down There
- What's That Smell and What Are Those Zits Doing Here?
- The "M" Word (You'll have to guess what that's about. Seinfeld did an episode on this, if that helps. I didn't see it though so maybe it doesn't, but I have to draw the line somewhere with what words I can actually make myself type for this blog. Line drawn here.)
- Why Did God say "Wait!"?

It's a cute book, with Lintball Leo being a piece of talking lint that the boy character, Steve, has picked out of his bellybutton. Sounds gross, I know, but the book is written for young boys, so gross is not only okay in this case, but also probably highly desirable for the intended audience.

Clay read the book in a few days. And he has asked several questions and regurgitated lots of info that might be embarrassing if I let it hit me too deep. But I try to respond above my gut level.

My son has asked me when he'll have armpit hair and how much he'll have. He's asked me about pimples and what to do to keep them away. We even talked about how much sleep his body needs as it grows into a young man.

I have to admit, I read every word on the chapter about the M word. I wanted to double check all the info to see if I approved.

It was handled great. The best part was at the end. I'm going to quote it. The first bit is Lintball Leo talking; then Steve replies.

"'I love being your friend and advisor, but God has also given two other men to guide and teach you. One is your dad and the other is your pastor or youth pastor. I'd encourage you to talk to them about these kinds of things. Be sure that they are all right with what I'm telling you. OK?'

'Yeah,' replied Steve. 'I guess it's time for me to spend some time with my dad.'"

I love that these issues are laid at the doorstep of dads. Up until now, most of the sex ed stuff has been my realm, because I'm home more. But that will shift in the next few years as my boys grow into young men.

I have to admit, though, I'd love to be a fly on the wall if my son were ever to approach our pastor with these questions.

Ummm, maybe not. Some things are just best kept between men.

Saturday Singing - No One Else

Great song by Building 429.



My world is closing in
On the inside
But I’m not showing it
When all I am is crying out
I hold it in and fake a smile
Still I’m broken
I’m broken

Only one can understand
And only one can hold the hand
Of the broken
Of the broken

When no one else knows how I feel
Your love for me is proven real
When no one else cares where I’ve been
You run to me with outstretched hands
And You hold me in your arms
Again

I need no explanation of why me
I just need confirmation
Only You could understand the emptiness inside my head
I am falling
I am falling

I’m falling down upon my knees
To find the one who gives me peace
I am flying
Lord I am flying

When no one else knows how I feel
Your love for me is proven real
When no one else cares where I’ve been
You run to me with outstretched hands
And You hold me in Your arms
Again

I have come to you in search of faith
Cause I can’t see beyond this place
Oh You are God and I am man
So I’ll leave it in Your hands


For more Then Sings My Soul Saturday, hop over to Signs, Miracles, and Wonders.

Friends, Food and Fun

Wednesday we joined several friends and their kids for a few hours of fun.

I'm posting this late because I took pictures with my cell phone, which I don't know how to download. I had to have Bruce do it. But I took notes, so I can be a big girl and do it all by myself next time.

I decided at the last minute to join my friends for the day out, despite the laundry that needed to be washed and the camper that needed to be stocked for our trip. Because friends are more important that clean underwear and eating while on vacation.

(Although, I do put clean underwear high on my list of priorities in life. You never know when you might be in an accident and have to go to the ER.)

We started out at the local mall where they are showing free movies for the kids all summer on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings.

I got there first with my three kids, then Carolyn arrived with Taylor. Kim had an appointment to keep, so she dropped Grace Katherine off at the theater with us. (Kim's boys are at camp.) Then Amy arrived with Nick and Tyler, Carolyn's son, who had spent the night with Nick. (Amy's older boys are at camp, too.)

We saw this movie.



I was hesitant to take my kids because the online review said the theater version includes more questionable language than the DVD version. However, we went, and we loved it. The language is there, but just a bit, and my kids didn't even notice it - I think because of listening to the accent throughout the whole movie.

By the time in the movie that the boy Angus says, "You're the best friend I've ever had" I was crying like a child.

I have to get a scanner. And scan a particular photo of my older brother when he was a kid. Because that boy who plays Angus, Alex Etel, and my brother are dead ringers!



Freckles and all. (Updated: that picture above is Alex, not my brother. I have to get the picture of Terry from my grandpa's house the next time I visit. Then I'll revisit this post and show you what I mean. Plus, I still need to convince Bruce that I need a scanner.)

After the movie, we met Kim at a locally owned hot dog place downtown called TK's Big Dogs. It was my first time there. Great staff. Super friendly. A little expensive, but worth a visit.

Here's a couple of the pictures I took with my cell phone.

Clay, Nick and Tyler.



Allison, Taylor and Grace Katherine in the back, Spencer in front.



After lunch, Amy and Nick had to leave, but the rest of us walked up the street to the library. We didn't stay for the show they had for the summer reading program. The older kids didn't care for it the last time we watched one of the shows. But they got their stickers for the books they had read. And we turned in several books and checked out several more.

I even checked out a couple of books on CD to listen to while we make the long trek to the Outer Banks in a week.

Then we all went our separate ways. But it was so good to be together while it lasted.

What a great way to spend a Wednesday.


"Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel." Proverbs 27:9

"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God." 1 John 4:7

Swimming Lessons

Our kids started their swimming lessons on Monday evening.

These pictures aren't great, because it wasn't light enough inside.

Here's Clay's class.



Clay working on his backstroke.



Spencer and Allison's class.



Spencer and Allison between one-on-one time with the instructor.



This year, we're doing the lessons through the YMCA closer to where Bruce works instead of in our hometown. He has an easier time getting to the lessons that way. And they have their own pool up there, instead of using a local high school's pool, which is what our local Y does. Where we're at this year has a nice set-up, with a couple of lifeguards on duty even while the swimming instructors are in the water with the kids.

Another huge advantage this year is that all three kids are in the water at the same time, even though Clay is in a different division than Spencer and Allison. So Bruce and I are not waiting on the side with a kid who's impatient to get into the water or a kid who is cold and/or tired after being in the water and has to wait for his sibling's turn to be over.

Clay, Spencer and Allison are doing very well. And the timing is perfect, considering that our vacation falls right as their lessons end.

Wednesday, as we were driving home from the lessons, we had some interesting discussions in the van.


I had given the kids a hearty snack before the lessons and planned to give them supper when we got home. But I haven't really been cooking this week because the lessons fall at the time we usually eat supper. I asked the kids what they wanted to eat: PB&J, a chicken sandwich or ham & cheese.

Allison piped up with her usual "ham and cheese," while Clay stuck with his old standby - PB&J.

Spencer's response was "cheese and ham."

I said, "So you want a ham and cheese sandwich?"

"No, I want a cheese and ham."

Just to poke a little fun, I pressed him. "A ham and cheese, huh?"

"No, mom. I want a cheese and ham sandwich."

"Well, Spencer, what's the difference?"

After a bunch of hemming and hawing, he gave me his definitions of both. Evidently, a ham and cheese is mostly plain, but can include mustard, while a cheese and ham would be topped with a tomato.

Okay. Got it! And I'm so happy to understand the difference now. You know, so we can always be on the same page. I'd hate to cheat my boy out of a tomato.


After the swimming lessons, the kids got in the van in their swimsuits with their towels under them. Allison wears a one-piece. (We did bikinis and tankinis while she was potty training, but now that she's older, Bruce and I are only letting her wear one-piece suits. It's just one more method we're using to teach her and the boys modesty. And, ironically, Bruce is far more strict than I am about what she wears, which I think will speak volumes to them as they grow older.)

Allison had glanced down toward her chest and then piped up with this...

"Mom, the parts of my swimsuit that cover my chest... that's where I'm going to have boobies."

I didn't have the heart to tell her that considering genetics and the modesty with which we dress her... ummm, the size she's planning on is not likely.

She paused. Then glanced back down. And then said, "But not where the suit goes up on my shoulders. I won't have boobies there."

Clay giggled and then said, "That would be good if she had boobies up near her shoulders."

Wondering what possibly could be going through his head, I asked him why that would be a plus. He couldn't articulate an answer, but he stuck to his premise that it would be good for Allison to have breasts up near her shoulders.

And that, folks, is how a Boob Man is born.


We had been to the library earlier that day, so Clay was reading a Magic School Bus book on the weather. That kid stores info like his brain is a locked safe. And he asks questions. Lots of questions. So, of course, the next topic we discussed was the weather.

Clay said, "Mom, I sure am glad that we haven't had any tornadoes where we live."

I agreed, but told him there had been tornadoes nearby.

"Where, Mom?"

"I can't remember the name of the town, but it's close."

"How close?

"I don't know."

"Like 20 miles away?"

"I don't know, Clay."

"Maybe it was 30 miles away."

"Clay, honey, I just don't know."

And then, the obvious question that begged to be asked by Clay: "Well, then, Mom, how do you know there was a tornado there?"

Because, really, if a person can't tell you how far away a storm was, then maybe it never really happened. Maybe they made it up. Or just flat out lied.

"Clay, I know there was a tornado there because I saw the newspaper the next day and there were pictures of all the destruction."

Forget waiting for the teen years. He already acts like I'm an idiot.

I'm trying to take comfort in the fact that he's ahead of his time.

After vacation, I have all three kids signed up for private swimming lessons. Can you tell that I'm ready to get rid of all the floaties in our possession?

Thankful Thursday - No Medication

Sometimes I realize things in a delayed fashion.

It hit me the other day that I haven't given Clay any allergy medication since a bit before school let out.

"No big deal," you think? He has seasonal allergies, so you surmise that the seasonal items that irritate him have simply passed by?

Perhaps.

However, last year symptoms from his "seasonal" allergies required him to be on medication from March through September.

You guess it's just a down year for allergens?

Maybe.

But Clay and I prayed together... a bunch... over his allergies. We asked God to please lessen his symptoms so that one day Clay will simply outgrow the allergies and not need medication at all anymore.

Today, I'm claiming this season as a time of God's answered prayers. And I am thankful.

Clay's allergies are minimal compared to what some folks go through. I realize that.

Normally, his nose runs constantly. And while he blows it regularly with a tissue, sometimes he doesn't and the gunk gathers just enough to tickle the edge of a nostril. He then picks at it. A lot. And eventually he has a bloody little scab at the tip of his nose. A scab that I spend months trying to heal with liberal doses of triple antibiotic ointment swabbed at the site.

His throat itches so intensely that by the end of the day, when his dose of Claritin is wearing off, he starts "scratching" his throat by rubbing the top and bottom of it together. This makes a noise that sounds like a piglet's snort. In the height of allergy season, it's the music that serenades Bruce and me to sleep each night. I often hear it throughout the night, too, which means my boy is not getting good rest. This probably explains the ever-present blue shadows beneath Clay's eyes.

And any time he is outdoors, you can bet I'll be piggy-backing his Claritin with a dose of Benadryl, because his eyes become inflamed, red and irritated. (Before I realized he had allergies, when he was still a toddler, the white part of his eyeball swelled so much he had a knot on the side of it. I came unglued and called my mother-in-law who told me Clay's uncle did the same thing as a boy because of allergies. I dosed Clay with Benadryl and his eyeball returned to its normal sphere. This has happened only a few times thankfully!)

BUT...

Clay does not have asthma because of his allergies. He does not require injections as treatment.

I know he has had it easy compared to others with allergies.

Still, we prayed for them to go away, and they have. And for the first time in his life that my son can remember he is having a symptom-free, medication-free summer.

That's big for us.

And Clay knows we prayed for this.

That's even bigger.


"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
Hebrews 4:16

"I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him."
1 Samuel 1:27

"If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"
Matthew 7:11

WFW - Bell

This is my first time to post a picture I've taken that I've played with in Photoshop. I think I'm addicted. Seriously. I'm giggling like the court jester in my computer corner, while my husband tries to ignore my delight.

I posted this picture Sunday, when I wrote about my visit to my grandpa's. But I love this bell so much I had to use it for my first WFW.



I'll learn more from some masters as I go along (which means you shouldn't be surprised if I drop you a comment begging for some help.). But this one's not bad for a beginner, if I say so myself.

It makes me happy. And it's hump day, so that's a good thing.

For more Word Filled Wednesday pictures, go here.

The Tape Tragedy

Is it time yet? You know... time for school to start.

I'm ready.

Ready to have my kids separated and out of each other's hair for a few hours a day. My hope is that when they are reunited, they'll appreciate the gift of fellowship with which the Lord has blessed them.

Clay is up in his room, following a fit he has thrown. He is not normally prone to fit pitching, but he just gave me a taste of what he'd be like as a daughter. (Sorry for the gender slam... I'm just telling the truth as it relates to my daughter... and maybe a little bit, me.)

This all started because the kids were playing entirely too quietly, locked in Clay's room. I'm not completely opposed to my children locking their bedroom doors for some peace and quiet. I tend toward being an introvert and appreciate my own solitude, so I am okay with my kids wanting their own.

But all three behind one locked door? No. I'm not up for that. That can only mean they have something to hide.

And they did.

Tape.

There are precious few things in my home that I hold sacred. Those things are inside a drawer in my kitchen that the kids must ask before opening. Inside the Mommy Drawer are such items as three assorted types of tape, envelopes, a paper cutter, three-ring-hole punch, scissors, address labels, etc.

You get the idea. That drawer holds anything that in a child's eyes could be used creatively, but in mom's eyes, wastefully and messily.

My kiddos have huge portions of MacGyver in their souls. It's scary what they can do with some tape and scissors.

The problem is that they run me out of tape on a regular basis. I'm pretty sure this won't lead to them being involved in a life of crime. And it's not overly expensive to remedy. However, it creates problems when you realize every sticking item in the house is gone at 11:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve and you haven't begun to wrap the first present yet.

We could have tried Extra gum, I suppose. But instead we made a Wal-mart run.

As if we need more visits to Wal-mart in any given week of the year!

I am now the Tape Nazi.



Today, I found my three darlings behind Clay's bedroom door about halfway through a whole roll of two-inch masking tape. I would have given them the entire roll if they'd asked because I don't use masking tape often. However, they "forgot" to ask.

Forgot? Really? Then why the locked door?

They're sneaky. But I wasn't born a mommy just yesterday.

I took the tape away and told them to remember to ask for it tomorrow and they could have the rest of the tape for their crafty creations.

Clay blew like Mount Vesuvius and blamed Spencer, as he often does when he shares the responsibility.

Ranting and raving ensued. I let him vent, but gave him some chores to help burn off some steam.

He finished the chores but was still boiling, so I sat down with him to talk rationally. With Clay, this works nearly 98 percent of the time. He easily understands the concept of reason.

Not today. After about five minutes of wheel spinning on my part, he was still mad and still directing his anger solely at Spencer.

I sent him to his room. To sit on his bed. To think.

And he can't come out until he can tell me one nice thing about Spencer.

He's been up there awhile now.

Forty-eight days.

Oh. Wait! No, Clay hasn't been up there that long.

I just checked the calendar. That's how many days until school starts.

That's not so long.

Right?

(My nervous giggle and ticks are probably going to become obvious in public soon. You've been warned.)

In the meantime, I think I've found my own uses for tape.

Out of Town

I slipped away with our kids Thursday and Friday to go visit my family in Cookeville.

I had checked the calendar and found that for the next four weeks, there wouldn't be a chance to get out of Dodge at all. Spur-of-the-moment, I packed us up and left.

Bruce hardly missed us. He has his classes on Thursday night, and we were back in time for supper at his parents' house on Friday.

It was a short visit, but a good one.

Grandpa is doing well. He needed a haircut, but his barber was recently injured and isn't back to work yet. I told grandpa I'd use his razor and shave his head, but he declined. Although he has very little hair, he is apparently tied to the appearance of it atop his head.



Grandpa seems like his peppy self, just slower... because of his need to use the walker now. Every now and again, he gets impatient at how much slower he has to go and I'd watch him push it aside and walk a little on his own.

This old age business is for the birds when you see an independent, cantankerous soul take it on.

While there, we loaded up the van with my dad driving and me stuffed in the back seat beside Clay. Grandpa rode shotgun, and his walker was stowed in the back of the van. We headed to Helen's to eat supper.

Helen's is a country-cooking style restaurant that has been my grandpa's haunt for more years than I can recall. But he hasn't been there since before he got sick way back in March. I think he enjoyed the outing.

When we got back home, my brother and his wife and kids were home, so all of our kids got to play outside in the thick humidity.

My mom just got high-speed internet hooked up on her computer in Germany, so I'm going to post a bunch of pictures for her now of most of her grandkids.

Within minutes of having Evan's Jeep powerwheels out of my brother's garage, my kids had hijacked it.



But Evan quickly hopped aboard.



Wyatt was hard to catch on camera at first. He was hopping and jumping all over the yard. I snatched this shot when he collapsed... for a brief moment.



Loved this one of Terry and Jennifer's boys.



Big brother Evan.



Little brother Wyatt.



Another one of Wyatt. He had played with his car in the gravel on grandpa's garage floor and then swiped at the sweat on his face. I can't resist a picture of a dirty, sweaty little fella. All boy!



Couldn't resist this one either, of my best poser.



This is my grandpa's dinner bell. Actually, it's my grandma's dinner bell. It's attached to the deck of grandpa's house. Grandma used to ring it when lunch or supper was ready and grandpa was working in the fields. Come and get it! I love this bell. Rust included.



This one proves that even if the day is full of strife, at the very least I can expect my boys to show some love in sleep.



This was my first chance to use our new camera. I love it!

We came back quickly from Cookeville so we could spend time with Bruce's brother Bryan and his family who were in for a short blitz visit, too. I meant to take the camera over there as well, and take shots of some more beautiful models (better known as cousins). But, I forgot the camera at home.

Please say a prayer for my friend JoElla who is recovering in the hospital following an emergency appendectomy.

Have a blessed Sunday!

Saturday Singing - Beautiful

To Him, we are beautiful. Always. And without Him, not so much. Pretty simple equation... even for those of us who are mathematically challenged.

For more Then Sings My Soul Saturdays, go here.

Gentle Correction

I've been put in my place.

Gently though.

Because God's just like that.

For the past couple of weeks I have been contemplating ending my Sunday school teaching position earlier than I had at first intended. I had agreed to continue teaching until promotion Sunday, which is probably going to be the last Sunday in July.

But lately I've been feeling... irked, discontented, hurt, sad, mad, and probably a few other emotions that I can't even put words to.

I'm not going into details, because I know some of my church family reads this and it might create unnecessary hurt feelings. I doubt it, because I have only shared my feelings with two people... and they aren't talking (I'm WAY more confident in that than the Busch's baked beans guy was with his dog Duke).

In any case, the WHAT of the situation isn't really so much the problem as the WHO... meaning me. A couple things happened recently, though, that I will share, because those things made me question my direction.

First, out of the blue, I had a really sharp pang of missing choir. I quit more than a year ago to spend more time with the youth. Our new music minister talked with me a few times about returning, as have a few choir members. My answer was always the same... I clearly felt God leading me toward the youth and away from the choir. But if I felt God's leading back toward choir, I'd be there.

I'm an impulsive person though. I know this about myself. So I've made it a practice not to jump at the first pang. I'm waiting for more from the Lord. But I found it interesting that the first time I missed choir happened while I was in a season of discontent and doubt.

Second, I was picking up around the house and came across Bruce's Bible and Sunday school material. Bruce never leaves his stuff all willy-nilly in the house. He's far more precise about keeping things picked up than I am. But even more significant... when I put his Bible where it belonged, I held onto his Sunday school learner guide. And I gulped down two weeks' worth of lessons in the blink of an eye.

I realized this: I am really missing sitting with my husband during Sunday school.

I wondered if these things and the myriad of feelings I was having were God's nudging to get out of the youth department before that last Sunday in July.

I spoke with a friend who warned me not to make a decision based on emotion.

I spoke with my husband and asked him what he would think if I said I wanted to step down early. Bruce has always been my sounding board. He's smart. But more than that, he's wise. (But good gravy Pete, humility isn't his strength, so mum's the word!)

Bruce's response was this: "Hang on until the end."

I've condensed it. He said some other stuff, too, that spoke more specifically to those feelings I mentioned before.

I didn't really want to hear him say that "hang on" bit, but I knew it was coming. What I didn't know was coming was this: "I felt the same way when I was ending my position teaching in the youth department."

I had asked Bruce to step down from his teaching position right around the time our twins were born. I needed his undivided attention and help within our family then more than at any other time in our marriage.

But the very fact that Bruce felt the same way then that I was feeling now made me realize that all the little bees Satan had flying around my head and heart to irritate and sting me were just that. Bugs! And not one bit of it really mattered.

For the first time in weeks, I felt a peace.

I know God used my husband to speak to me... but my Lord knows I'm stubborn. So just to be sure I got the message, He nudged me more directly. With his word.

It kills me when He does that! (Because He thinks I warrant that kind of attention. Yay me!)

I've mentioned the Beth Moore study a group of us ladies at church have just started. Now... for the rest of the story. As I was preparing for the introductory session, I read some verses that Beth Moore put in the leader's guide, so not everyone got this. I got it though. Loud and clear.

Here are the verses:

"Finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have."
2 Corinthians 8:11-12.

Isn't that the coolest thing?

That study was written before I even was sure that I wouldn't be teaching Sunday school next year. And God told Beth Moore to include those verses in the leader's guide before I ever signed up to lead the study. And even though she was talking about the leadership of the study... not Sunday school... those verses are a perfect fit for my woes.

And even bigger... God told Paul to put that stuff in his letter to the church of Corinth way before Beth Moore was even born.

All that for me.

I'm not being prideful. There's nothing vain about a kid knowing her Daddy loves her. And there's no doubt that He gave me those verses because He loves me.

It's not fun for Him to see his children eaten up with doubt. The Lord passed on His word to give me clear direction so I don't have to listen to every little buzz Satan whispers in my ear.

And people say He isn't a personal God. That's just crazy talk!

Thankful Thursday - Summer Stuff

Summer is so busy. And that's saying a lot coming from me, because I take things at a slower pace than many moms I know.

I try to balance how many days in a week we run like crazy and how many we stay home and loaf. If we run too much, we're all grouchy. If we stay home too much, we're all cagey. It's a fine line.

I'm thankful that this summer actually seems easier than when the kids were younger. We're doing more fun things, and I'm not wildly stressed. The kids are obeying more reliably, which allows us more freedom.

Speaking of freedom, I'm trying to loosen the apron strings a bit with our oldest son and let him visit with other kids in the neighborhood. He's never wanted to do that during previous summers, but this year there are a few boys he rides the school bus with that he's buddying around with.

My major qualm with this is that people drive like idiots on the main road of our subdivision, which happens to be the street Clay's friends live on and play on. But I'm circumventing their natural inclination by asking Clay's friends to play in our yard and on our street, which is a cul-de-sac with very little traffic.

I've bought a bunch of cheap freezer pops to make the request sweeter.



If you treat them to a sugar high, they will come. And hopefully stay... at least until the heat drives them back indoors.

I'm thankful that the latter portion of this week was several degrees cooler than the temps were at the beginning of the week. Those 90 degree days just suck the energy right out of a person.

I'm thankful that, despite the heat, my husband and father-in-law have put in several days of work on our porch. It's coming along so nicely. Soon we'll be painting the spindles and railings and staining and sealing the floor.

For the first time in the eight years we've lived here, maybe we'll even use the deck and porch. The previous design of the railings allowed for copious amounts of wasps to nest anywhere that we might have tried to enjoy.

Clay has actually stood outside the garage doors after riding the bus home from school, screaming for me to open them up because he's afraid to come up the porch stairs to get in the front door because of the wasps. (He has good reason to be afraid. He's been swarmed before and was stung five consecutive times.) I'm hoping the new design doesn't give the little terrorists any place to hide.

Maybe when everything goes on sale at the end of summer we can buy a table with an umbrella and some chairs. I'm dreaming now, folks. But it might happen.

My grandpa was sick again last week. The doctor's sent him home with a prescription and orders to return on this past Tuesday. Plans were to admit him to the hospital again if he had not improved. But he was better and is at home. I'm taking the kids to visit him today. It'll be a short trip; we'll return tomorrow evening. I'm just so thankful for grandpa's health and to spend some time with him again with the kids.

God and Baseball

I have to share something that was sent to me by my good friend Kim. I have no idea who the author is, but if you do, please pass their name on to me so I can give them credit.

But first.

My dad has always told me that God was a baseball fan... because in Genesis 1:1 it says, "In the big inning..." Yeah, my dad's a funny guy.

I have had a love-hate relationship with baseball this season. Both our boys have played at this time in our family life when Bruce has been less available to be at games because of school.

Last night, Bruce got his turn. And his turn turned out to be a bit worse than most of my turns (but still cannot hold a candle to the mud incident!). I probably shouldn't, but I giggle a little when I think about Bruce's evening.

I needed to be at the church for the Beth Moore Bible study group (it went so well, by the way!) by 6 p.m.... a half hour ahead of when class was to start. Spencer's game was also set to start at 6 p.m. at a ballfield about a half hour from church. We worked all the details out, and I met Bruce at the fields at 5:30 p.m. where we traded out the kids, who had already been fed. I went on my way.

Bruce got home at 9 p.m. And that's when he finally got to eat supper.

Because the game got halted for several rain delays.

Yes, I am smiling as I type that. I do so love Bruce, but sometimes it makes me a tad happy that he experiences difficulties when in a sole-parent situation. Because I experience those kinds of difficulties at least weekly... and it used to be nearly daily, when the kids were younger!

When I called Bruce after the study and he told me about the game, his exact words were: "Thank God his team didn't win; otherwise he'd have had another game tomorrow!"

Is it any wonder our boys are not on the fast track to baseball superstardom?

Anyway, this baseball illustration is all good.


THE LORD'S BASEBALL GAME

Freddy and the Lord stood by to observe a baseball game. The Lord's team was playing Satan's team.

The Lord's team was at bat, the score was tied zero to zero, and it was the bottom of the 9th inning with two outs. They continued to watch as a batter stepped up to the plate named Love.

Love swung at the first pitch and hit a single, because "Love never fails."

The next batter was named Faith, who also got a single because Faith works with Love.

The next batter up was named Godly Wisdom. Satan wound up and threw the first pitch.

Godly Wisdom looked it over and let it pass: Ball one. Three more pitches and Godly Wisdom walked because he never swings at what Satan throws.

The bases were now loaded. The Lord then turned to Freddy and told him He was now
going to bring in His star player. Up to the plate stepped Grace.

Freddy said, "He sure doesn't look like much!"

Satan's whole team relaxed when they saw Grace. Thinking he had won the game, Satan wound up and fired his first pitch. To the shock of everyone, Grace hit the ball harder than anyone had ever seen!

But Satan was not worried; his center fielder let very few get by. He went up for the ball, but it went right through his glove, hit him on the head and sent him crashing on the ground.

The roaring crowds went wild as the ball continued over the fence... for a home run!

The Lord's team won!

The Lord then asked Freddy if he knew why Love, Faith and Godly Wisdom could get on base but couldn't win the game. Freddy answered that he didn't know why.

The Lord explained, "If your love, faith and wisdom had won the game, you would think you had done it by yourself. Love, Faith and Wisdom will get you on base but only My Grace can get you Home."


"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

"For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless." Psalm 84:11

Stepping Up

Tonight I begin leading at our church the Beth Moore study, "Stepping Up: a Journey Through the Psalms of Ascent."



I have been excited about this study for a couple of months now. But I've forced myself to limit my excitement to only prayer during that time. I had to prioritize other things before this study, until my commitment to those areas was finished.

The last few days, I've sat down for hours of prep time. When I lead something, I get as prepared as I can be. I don't like to be surprised (unless God does the surprising!) by the unexpected because of any lack of study.

Now, I'm even more excited about this study. If there is anyone in my home church or an area church who is feeling down, please join us tonight for this study. (There is one lady joining us who attends a neighboring church, so you won't be alone if you don't attend Sunnyside normally. We'll all be really nice, I promise!)

UPDATED... I just went back and read this and I realize that it sounds like you need to be depressed to enjoy this study. That's not what I meant. I only used those words because of something Beth Moore says on the DVD. You can be as happy as you want to be and still benefit from this journey. That's the great thing about God's word... it gets us right where we are at that moment.

We'll meet each Tuesday evening this summer from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in a downstairs classroom under our main sanctuary. There will be signs posted on the front door to direct you to the classroom we'll be in.

I teared up watching the DVD introductory session yesterday. She talks about being down in whatever circumstance might be bothering us. But she also talks about our pilgrimage, growing closer to the Lord.

And that's all I'm going to reveal for now.

Please pray for our group as we study together this summer. Pray also that someone within the group will feel up to leading the class one week while my family is on vacation.

Pencil Sharpener

Spencer kept me awake Saturday night with another episode of a faux virus, in which we walked like mummies from his bed to the bathroom every hour for a session of dry heaves. Only once did he actually get sick. And not much. But enough that I stayed home from church with him.

By noon, it was apparent that he wasn't actually sick. He makes himself sick when he gets overly hungry... that sensation of being so hungry you feel sick works overtime in Spencer.

We went through with our plans to go to the Moodys' house for lunch. On the way there, Spencer said, "I really wish we didn't have to get up and leave my room so much last night." I smiled and asked him if he was sleepy, and he admitted he had just yawned. I suggested he might like a nap this afternoon, and he said he'd think about it.

He just woke up. Three hours after he laid down to think about it.

After lunch, while Bruce took the kids home, I made a third trip in the last week to Office Depot. I had one goal - to replace, for the second time, a defective battery-operated pencil sharpener.

Last weekend, I bought a basic pencil sharpener on sale for $8. I got home, opened the box, and noticed the receptacle where the pencil shavings are stored would not shut completely. I'm not a pencil sharpener designer, so on the chance that it was made that way on purpose, I actually read the instruction manual.

Who really needs instructions for a pencil sharpener? How hard can it be to insert some batteries and poke a dull pencil in a hole?

Still, they came in handy. The shaving receptacle was indeed supposed to shut tightly, according to the four-page instruction manual. (Four pages long mostly because every language except Swahili had to be represented. They evidently don't use this particular brand of battery-operated pencil sharpener in East Africa.)

Alas, my new sharpener was returned on my second trip to Office Depot. But this time, I opened the only other sharpener on the shelf that was identical to my original purchase. Same manufacturer's defect... a shaving holder that wouldn't shut completely.

So I upgraded. I picked another pencil sharpener, and paid an additional $12 for the difference in cost between the two.

Can you guess what's next? I got it home, out of the package, batteries loaded, pencil inserted... nothing. No grunt, no whir, no nothing. Dead.

Yesterday, I went back to Office Depot for the third time. I explained my situation to the first unfortunate sales clerk I came across. Only this time, I threw in this request for some customer satisfaction: "I want you to put batteries in the next pencil sharpener I chose and prove to me that it works before I leave this store and waste any more of my $4 per gallon gas to make another trip here."

I waited for fifteen minutes while the sales clerk tried to track down four double-A batteries. Her cash register stood right in front of the battery display. But I was good. I didn't show any obvious body language. And my mouth stayed shut. I didn't even allow myself to let off a loud sigh. I kept it inside.

Finally, batteries were found and placed inside the new pencil sharpener, the same version as the second one I chose.

And then the clerk looked at me and said, "You don't happen to have a pencil, do you?"

Uhhhh. No. I don't. I have four pens in my purse, but no pencil. But lucky for us both, we are standing in an OFFICE SUPPLY STORE. Surely, between the two of us, we can track down a pencil somewhere.

I thought that. I didn't say that. I just said "no" because I kept repeating two phrases in my head over and over. "I am a Christian. I need to act like one. I am a Christian. I need to act like one..."

A pencil was located, inserted, and the wooden dust flew wildly inside the tightly shut shavings receptacle.



Beautiful, isn't it?

I was happy.

For one brief, shining moment.

Until the clerk started doing all the register work. And asked me to pay an additional $12.

Office Depot. Taking Care of Business.

Right.

Well, I said it then. The very first thing that came to my mind. I didn't hold back. I had just enough presence of mind to control the modulation of my voice so that the words did not come out shouting, as they were in my head.

"No. I don't owe you any more money. This is an even trade. One broken pencil sharpener for one operating pencil sharpener. Of the same make and model. Which I have already paid for during my two previous visits here."

The clerk was nice. I will give her that.

But she maintained that "something wasn't right." Well, honey, I tried to tell you that when I first got here. And you are blowing your chance to remedy the situation.

I'm not sure what was going on, but she explained to me that her register was showing that I owed her money.

In my nicely controlled voice, I said, "That's not my problem. That's your register's problem. You scan the UPC symbol, an amount pops up on the screen, and I slide my debit card to pay that amount. I've done my part correctly."

She called the manager. She explained my dilemma.

I was back to my "no speaking" policy for the moment. I wanted to see if the manager could figure out that 8 + 12 = 20 without the assistance of the register. He stuck some keys in the register, turned them, hit some buttons, said the magic words "even trade" and gave his blessing to send me on my merry way.

I'm not sure if it was magic, the fact that my body was sprouting scales and dangerously close to morphing into a dragon and taking them all out with one little puff of fire, or God's protection.

Of them. And of me.

Whatever it was, I left with a headache.

Have we come to rely so heavily on computers that we can't even use common sense? Twenty bucks. She had all her fingers, and I assume all her toes, although I can't be certain because she wasn't wearing sandals. Surely she could add up to twenty by simply using the appendages God gave her. Works for me when I have a math problem.

I came home and took a nap.

One could argue validly that I should have maybe done that very thing before going to Office Depot. But who knew?

A Good Week

Last week held a few nice surprises for us.

Clay lost his Nintendo DS a few weeks ago (That's not the good part. You have to be patient. I'll get there). But I didn't know it was lost when I told my in-laws that he'd enjoy the Lego Star Wars DS game, which they then bought for him for his birthday.

So early in the week, I looked all over the house and our vehicles for that DS. Inside underwear drawers, under car seats, inside kitchen cabinets (thinking that a fit had been thrown during play time and I had confiscated it), under beds, inside toy boxes, behind bookshelves, all around the van and truck floor boards, inside the fridge (Not really. Just checking your pulse.).

I told my mother-in-law it was going to kill Clay to get the gift and not be able to play it. And worse... Bruce didn't want to replace the DS if it wasn't found. He's all about the Wii now (which I seriously hate. Really. It causes more fights in the house than sharing candy does.).

The night before Clay's actual birthday, Bruce finally found it. In the storage pocket on the back side of the passenger seat in the van. In front of the seat that Clay typically sits in.

Woo-hoo!

Last week, we also replaced our lost/damaged point-and-shoot digital camera. The one that I use. The new one shipped to us on Wednesday.

And the absolute best part is that it is so similar to the one we previously had that I won't need a three-week lesson to learn how to use it.

Normally, any time we upgrade any piece of technology in our home, it takes me a long time to learn how to operate the new item. That learning curve time drives me nuts. And, in turn, I drive Bruce nuts complaining with such common sense statements as: Why do we always need new stuff? Why can't we just keep the old stuff? I like the old stuff. I can work the old stuff. I don't care that only one button on the remote of the old item still works while all the others died long ago. I'm comfortable with my understanding of that one button.

I am very happy with the new camera.

Of course, I haven't actually used it yet. So that may change.

Spencer's t-ball team is playing tournaments. I don't even really get the significance of that, if there is one. I thought his last game fell during VBS week and that he'd missed it. But then I got a call from his coach's wife saying there was a game on Saturday.

Whew Doggies, it was hot Saturday! I even broke down and bought my very first item from the concession stand. I forgot to bring a bottle of water, so I went back to the van and scrounged for change to buy an iced tea. Best stinkin' iced tea I've ever had in my entire life. I'm sure that's no exaggeration.

And there is absolutely no shade near the field Spencer was playing on. But there was the strategically placed score board for the field next to us. Saturday, I was very glad that I'm not a larger person than I am... because I just barely fit in the slim little bit of shade provided by that sign. I was grateful for that sign.

And my little guy scored a home run!

He is so funny. Spencer can run like lightning, but you'd never have known it watching him during that game. He might have come close to a slight jog, but that was it. It could have been the heat, though.

Still, he did it. And he was super pleased with himself, because at one point someone from the other team tried to tag him out, but they missed. That made the whole home run "way cooler" in Spencer' mind.

Clay chose to miss his very last game on Saturday, in favor of attending his buddy Nathan's birthday party, which was at the same time as his game. He had a good time, and that's all that matters to me.

Do you ever buy a gift for someone you love because you know you like the gift? So if they hate it, guess who gets it? I do it all the time.

I got this CD for Clay of a group I don't typically listen to. But it was recommended to me by a blogging buddy (Thanks Flip Flop Mom).

The group is called Stellar Kart, and it has more of a punk band sound to it than I normally go for. But when I went online to hear snippets of it, Clay was hovering around, listening, and liked it. I loved the lyrics. I bought the CD the next day and had it waiting for his birthday.

Both my boys love it! They are air guitar rockin' fiends when I play it.

And I love it, too! I haven't exercised in two weeks. But on Clay's birthday, I popped that CD in and hopped on the treadmill. The time went by so much faster.

Here's one of my favorite songs off the album. This video cracks me up. A little 80s flashback.



Innocent by Stellar Kart
I'm overdressed for success
In a world that has no shame
I've had enough of seeing love
Being played like some game

I know why the good old days are gone
Cause everyone just tolerates what's wrong
I'm not some empty space for rent

I wanna be innocent
Yours wholeheartedly
Innocent
Every part of me
Take me back so I can see
The way that love was meant to be

Boys and girls
The real world
Is one that's filled with consequence
And all the lies that glamorize
It's a life that's broken

I see why the good old days are gone
Every time I turn my tv on
What's wrong with being different

Buried underneath this avalanche
You are my hope and second chance
Don't let my heart get away

Saturday Singing - Cry Out

I think Third Day is one of the best bands out there. I've been singing along to their music on the radio for years.

But I never bought an album of theirs until this song came out.



I tear up by the second chorus every time and can't even sing along.

And for the record, I've already pre-ordered their next album, "Revelation" that isn't due to be released until the end of July. Again, just because of that new song that's out right now... "Call My Name". They're so good!

For more, Then Sings My Soul Saturday, go here.