Service

Yesterday at church the pews were empty.

Not because of a lack of parishioners, or funding, or a general lethargy in our Christian community but because it was designed to be that way.

Yesterday was Faith in Action Sunday and as a congregation it was decided that instead of sitting in church for service, the church would go out in service to the community.

So we went.

I am happy to report that a good many people came and that we were able to accomplish what we set out to do.  We fed the homeless, gave away hygiene kits, cleaned up the litter from a section of a popular walking trail, cleaned and did some painting at the Rescue Mission and cleaned up a house and got it ready for several young girls aging out of the foster care system.   Did you know that most charities are closed on Sunday's?   Did you know that most of the kids in the foster care systems are left to fend for themselves the day they turn 18?  That many of them are left with nothing and no place to go?

The pastor sent us all out with a mustard seed in our pocket as a reminder to each of us that what we were doing was planting seeds and that as we are faithful in planting, Christ is faithful in growing.

I spent my time in the homeless shelter's kitchen filling cups with orange juice and coffee.  Others would take it to the tables.  On one trip back my friend told me a little one had asked if there was any hot cocoa, when she had to tell him no, he sighed a little sigh and tried to hide his disappointment.  It just about broke my heart, this family living on the street heard about the promise of a meal on a crisp autumn Sunday morning and came to eat.  I'm sure they went away with their belly's full, but for how long, who knows where their next meal will come from, this child who hoped to sip a hot cocoa, went away wanting.  If I could have given him one I would have.

It made me mindful of the things I take for granted and grateful for the blessings I have been given.

I am going to take that mustard seed and plant it and see how big it grows.

Then He said.  "What is the kingdom of God like?  And to what shall I compare it?  It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches."  -  Luke 13:18-19


Lord thank you for the promise that you will prepare a place for us and I pray that we all can find shelter under your branches.  Amen.

It Went Well

So yesterday was HT's first day of preschool.  He had a good time.

"Look, Mama, dey have fish!"

Can't wait to go back.

He is in the 4 year old class, even though he is two weeks shy of his 4th birthday.  It was that or not going at all and he has been demanding all summer, "Where's my school?"  The school administrator says that about 1/3 of the class are first timers also and that they won't be going on to kindergarten next year either.  We are grateful for this opportunity and  he wouldn't be here if it weren't for the generosity of a certain Auntie.  Thanks.

When I told him yesterday that it was time to go to preschool, he wondered where the bus was and when I explained that I would drive him, he was a little bit disappointed, but was so happy to be going that he was willing to let me take him.

When we got there, the classroom wasn't ready yet and we had to wait in the foyer.  He took the opportunity to stand there and tell everyone as they came in the door, "Welcome to my preschool!"

Once the classroom was open he went straight in put his sunglasses in his cubby then introduced himself to the teacher using his full name,  like he'd always been there and knew exactly what to do and where to go.

Then told me goodbye.

I'd been dismissed.

Huh?

Oh well.

He came home singing a little ditty about his name.  One I'd never heard before.

"Rickety, tickety bumblebee, will you say your name for me."

He repeated it until bedtime.

Like I said, he had fun and I'm glad.

Boogie Time

What?

Did you think that I meant a revival of 70's style disco dancin'?

Not hardly.

Even if I could I wouldn't, we won't even go into why not.

We've been sick here.  First EM caught a cold, then I got it (plus a nasty sinus infection) and now HT is getting over it.  I guess it will be Papa's turn next.

Anyway.

Have you tried these Boogie Wipes?  They are absolutely the best thing for little noses and they really do live up to all they claim.  Nothing gets off dried on crusted boogers discharge from a runny nose quicker and more efficiently.  But the kids hate them, probably because they are cold and wet, however once you tackle them, hold them down and endure the crying and carrying on they work really well.  EM would see me coming at him with a tissue and he would turn and run the other way.

Just thought I would share.

And, in other news.

HT went to a birthday party on the 11th and as we were driving there we saw several flags flying.  "Look, dere's an American flag." he says.  Oh no, I think to myself, here we go again.  However he tells me that he likes American flags now and that they no longer have the same effect on him.

Phew, what a relief, 'cause he is starting preschool tomorrow and couldn't be more excited.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Toodles.

A Fair to Remember

Nothing says fall to me like the state fair and since last thursday was opening day for our state fair we made a play date, packed a picnic lunch and went.  It turned out to be a lovely day despite the forecasted rainy weather.  Thought for sure we were going to get wet so I carried an umbrella around the entire time, but the longer we stayed the nicer the day turned out to be.

They have an exhibit called "Little Hands on the Farm" where the kids get to pretend to be a farmer, they plant seed (wood disks) and harvest their crops (plastic vegetables), they "pick"  plastic apples, "milk" a plastic cow, collect wool from a stuffed sheep, gather plastic eggs from stuffed chickens, ride a tractor and after they are all done they get a voucher to collect a treat.

They really enjoyed the rides and we spent a good bit of time letting them have the run of the place.  We decided to buy a wristband and it was well worth it.  The carnival area was blissfully uncrowded and there was no waiting on any ride they chose.

HT loved the slide and went down it twice.  

We saw goats, cows, ponies, sheep and pigeons and two seals, not really what you would expect to see at the fair, but they were there.

And last but not least the quilted wall hanging I made won a second place ribbon, not to shabby if I do say so myself.  Although I must confess that I was a teeny tiny bit disappointed since last years quilt won a first place ribbon.

A fun day for all.

I'm linked up today, for more fall fun visit This Blessed Nest.

You Know You're A Parent When . . .

taking a bath in private has become a luxury. . . .

 you finish rinsing your hair and you find a nose pressed against the glass . . .

 when the peeping tom in your bathroom isn't really a peeping tom at all . . .

"MAMA!"

Boys and Their Toys

Several weeks ago now two of my brothers were in town with 4 of their good time friends and their motorcycles.  It reminded me of this picture of my Mom, Dad and another brother on an uncles bike.  My Dad always wanted a bike of his own, but didn't get one out of respect for his mother and my mother.  Beside it wasn't very practical for the family.  Pretty sure he passed his love of bikes on to my brothers.  All six of them at one time or another have owned a motorcycle and four of them still do.  I wanted one at one point, but now where would I put two car seats?  And really motorcycles make lousy speed bumps.

They came to do a riding tour of southern Utah.  They hit all the hot spots, Moab, Arches, Canyonlands, Zion's and Bryce Canyon with a detour into Arizona for the Grand Canyon.  We really were only a place for them to rest their weary heads on the front and back end of their tour.

HT really enjoyed having them here.

He thought he should go with them.

"But Mama, I want to go too, can I please follow dem?  Pretty please?"  He didn't understand that he wouldn't be able to keep up and there were tears when I insisted that he stay behind.

Uncle J made up for it though, he took him for a ride up and down our street and he absolutely loved it.

I'm linked up today, click here for more Flashback Photo fun.

Eleven Months Old

This is my little big man.  He turned 11 months old the other day and is growing up way too fast.

This boy is going to give me a run for my money, not that his brother doesn't, just in a different way.  We were playing outside today and I put him in the exersaucer, just to keep him from eating rocks, twigs, bugs, you name it and he tried to climb out.  Little stinker.

I think he needs a haircut, but I want to wait until he turns a year old.

He is walking better and better every day and looks more like a toddler and less like a drunken Frankenstein monster.  I'm sure he will be running before his birthday.

He likes to be where ever and do whatever brother is at/doing.  Case in point, if brother goes upstairs to visit Auntie, he thinks he ought to go too and gets frustrated because he can't get over the gate (insert Mama's evil laugh).

If brother is playing with his trains or cars he thinks he should be in the middle of everything, which as you can imagine frustrates brother.  HT and Papa built another track masterpiece with trestles and tunnels and EM had it destroyed with one clumsy step.  "Oh, the humanity!"

Remember when I said I was going to change their names, well Dr. Destructo is alive and well and living in my house.  He likes to get in the garbage and sift through the contents.  He is particularly fond of the recycle garbage and I often find empty drink bottles all over the kitchen floor.

He has discovered how to open the corner cabinet with the lazy susan in it without pinching his fingers and today I found all, most, okay some of my canned and boxed goods on the floor.

All that being said, I truly feel blessed to have two such handsome and delightful boys.

Keeps me young or so I've been told.

Thank you Lord for the love of little ones, for the patience and wisdom you give, for the grace you have shown and for the lease of these little lives.  Help me to show "your word [as] a lamp to [their] feet and a light to [their] path." Psalm 119:105

Stuff and Nonsense

So its been really crazy around here.  Places to go, people to see, things to do and deadlines to meet!

Okay maybe not, well sort of.  We'll talk about that later.

Anyway I WON, I WON, I WON.  The Cotton Wife hosted a give away over at her blog and I won these lovely beauties (scroll to the end of the post) from Silpada.

I told Jennifer I would post a picture so here goes.

As you can see its not the easiest thing in the world to do.  To take a picture of yourself in the mirror when there are two camera hogs wanting to get in the picture.

Maybe I'll try again later.

Or not.

p.s. The earrings, I won the earrings, not the necklace, that was a gift from my father, but they go beautifully together.


p.p.s.  No need to worry about HT's green tongue, he had just eaten something green.  Not sure what.  Hmm.