The kids have had field days all week, to celebrate the last days of school. So instead of work, they wander in and out of the classrooms playing games, buying snacks, and watching movies.
I've been at the school every day this week with either Angie or Josh celebrating field day with them. Well today, Angie asked me to spend an hour with her. I got there around 11, and we were hanging out in the classroom. The kids started talking about lunch, and Angie got up to check the menu. Hot dogs were on the docket, so she asked me to take her to McDonald's for lunch.
We told her teacher we'd be back after lunch, and left.

After lunch Angie talked me into letting her skip out the rest of the school day. We ended up at Kolomoki going paddle boating. It was such a pretty day, and the water was so calm and nice.
Walking from the truck to the boat, we were watching the red winged blackbirds nesting. We saw one chick resting his beak on the rim of the gourd. The parents were very busy bringing food and water to the nest.
We found our boat, and got comfortable in it. We had been given a key, but the boat was simply tied, so we didn't need it. The next 20 mins or so were spent just lazily paddling along, enjoying some peace and quiet. It was nice to spend some alone time with Angie and talk. Also to relax-this week has been hectic and crazy.
All was quiet and still when suddenly a big hawk flew right in front of us and tried to catch a fish. The fish jumped, but I think the hawk missed it. Awesome-right in front of us.
We noticed that the storm clouds that had been behind us seemed to be following the boat. It blocked the sun, and cooled things off for us. We kept paddling along, looking for critters and talking.
Then we noticed it was getting really dark above us, and the wind was picking up. The previously calm lake was getting rougher. We thought about it a minute, and decided to head back to the dock. We were quite a ways away from it.
As we paddled back, the wind picked up even more, and it started to sprinkle. Everything progressed quickly from there, until it was pouring rain and gusting wind. The lake had moved from small ripples to good sized swells. We were going against the current, and it was nearly impossible to pedal. In the midst of all this, an alligator jumps out of the water right in front of us. I think Angie and I about wet our pants.
Alligator disappears, but it starts to thunder and lightning. (only me, I swear, only I would get into these messes). Angie is scared to death, we can barely get the boat to move, paddling as hard as we can. Now we're soaked to the skin. We could actually see the lightning-ground lightning we call it-ahead of us. Straight lines right to the ground. Booming thunder. And to think it was sunny and blue just 30 minutes ago. The only thing that got us through that was praying to God and asking Him to keep us safe. We prayed and sang praise songs all the way back.
We finally get the boat back to the dock, and parked. I tie the boat as best I can, and we run for the truck. Which of course is locked. I did have the key, it just took an extra minute to get in.
We sat in the truck for a long time calming down and thanking God we got thru it all okay. Also telling Him we'd never skip school to go paddleboating again.
We drove back to the museum to drop off the lifejackets and key. They invited us to stay for a while until the storm blew over. We walked around looking at the things on display.

Then we sat in the rocking chairs and talked. Angie was really scared out there-to the point of shaking. She finally started to calm down and relax in the museum. Poor girl, I didn't intend for it to happen that way. When she started flipping cartwheels, I knew she was okay.
The storm moved on, and bright sunny skies returned. The whole storm probably lasted an hour tops. We headed back to the school to pick up Matt, Josh, and Angie's stuff. It hadn't rained a drop at the school. Talk about isolated thunderstorms.
We sheepishly returned to Angie's classroom, and decided there was nothing to do but tell the truth. It's not like she was missing anything anyway. We walked up, and her teacher met us, saying, "That was an awfully long lunch hour missy! Leave at 11:30, and get back at 2:55." She was lighthearted and all about it. :0) Everyone was amazed when we told them our story.
So the moral of the story is, don't skip school. And if you do, don't go paddleboating. If you must, take the Lord along. And before you tell me to check the weather next time, I did. It was only a 20 percent chance of rain. We also learned that in times of great trial, cling to God, and just keep praying.

Good Morning

I was reading an internet forum the other day, and the question had been posted, What do you do when you first wake up in the morning? The first reply was, " I grab a diet Coke and get online."

Really? You have no other obligations in the morning? This just baffles me, as my morning routine is crazy no matter what day it is. Here is an example of a usual weekday morning:

6:30am wake up
bathroom
take dogs out for business
make sure kids #1 and #2 are up and getting ready for school
snack money, find coats/shoes/etc

6:55 leave for the bus stop
7:15 home from bus stop, feed dogs, outside cats, and guinea pig
get a shower/dressed

7:45 get kid #3 up and make sure he gets dressed and ready for school
make kid breakfast and a lunch for school

8:15 take kid #3 to school

8:40 home again. Now maybe I can spend some time online.

On the internet first thing in the morning? Maybe someday!

Merry Christmas!!

What Child is this, who laid to rest, on Mary's lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepherd's watch are keeping? This, this, is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels greet.

This, this is my Savior and God! My King, and my Lord! My Best Friend, my Protector, Prince of Peace, Counselor, and Confidant. The One who came down from Heaven as a helpless Babe in a manger, to teach us to live, love, and forgive. Then died on a Cross to take away my sins, so I can live with Him forever!!

My Jesus, and it's His birthday!! Happy Birthday Jesus, I love You! Thank You for everything, my family, my friends, my gift of writing, our health, our beautiful home, our two guests asleep beside me. Thank You Jesus for You, for coming down to our world, and teaching us how to love.

Why lays He in such mean estate, where ox and lamb are feeding? This, this, is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels greet. Haste, haste, to bring Him laud, the Babe, the Son of Mary.

God bless, and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Sweet Pea

Whoo-hooo! I can add pictures on here, I'm so excited!! This current picture is our dog Sweet Pea. She is my daughter's dog, and we've had her just over a year now. The weekend of Thanksgiving '09, we took a load of junk to the dump, and came home with a dog. Our vet says she is a bird dog/terrier mix. I just know she is a hyper mess.

Sweet Pea is the most clumsy, accident-prone dog I have ever known. In the short span of one year, she has managed to cut her tongue on a can, get her eye hooked in the latch of our ferret cage, get hit by a car, (don't worry, she's fine.) get scratched up numerous times by our cats, including in her eye, ran into a barbed wire fence, need I go on? She quickly earned the nickname, Stupid. But we love her very much.

She isn't overly barkey like our other dog, Reno, and is very affectionate. She loves for us to pet her, and scratch her face when she is tired. In the picture, Sweet Pea had jumped in our laundry basket. I have no idea why, she hasn't done it before or since.

God Bless!
Chela

Easy Pulled Pork

We really enjoy pulled pork, and as a crock pot meal, it really saves time on busy days. We were using a mix from the store, to which we had to add catsup and brown sugar. I recently found a much easier recipe, which we thoroughly enjoy.

Place roast in crock pot, pour a bottle of bbq sauce over it.

Pour a can of cola over that. (I felt really strange doing this)

Let cook several hours, shred meat, enjoy!

Best served on hamburger buns, but barring that, you can just eat it in bowls

Chela

Fun on the Farm

My son and I went down to a friend's house today to borrow a scoop of chicken food for our quail. I told my son we'd only be there a minute, we just needed to get the food, that's it. Things never go that way, though, do they?

We arrived at the house, and went around to the backyard to get the food. They have some outside cats, and they were asking for water. As cold as it's been, I figured it would be best to give them warm tap water from inside. So I took the bowls, and headed to the back door. Dodging the horse, I made it inside. Then I had to let the dogs out, and not trip over the inside cats as I filled up the bowls.

Carrying one full bowl of warm water, I am greeted at the door by the horse, who promptly empties all my water in one quick gulp. Back to the bathroom, and fill it up once more. This time the dogs find me, and slurp it down in record time. The third trip to the faucet, and the dogs are still thirsty.

By this time, I give up and decide just to use the hose outside. So dodging the horse again, I head out and turn the faucet on. Walk all the way down the yard to the nozzle. Along the way, I notice the pig and goats need water too. Sigh. The hose is frozen, and we're getting no water from it.

So to give every thirsty thing water, my son and I had to fill buckets straight from the faucet, and haul them to their respective place. Nearly an hour later, we finish up and head home.

All I wanted was a scoop of chicken food!

Chela

Happy Graduation!

It was your high school graduation, and you were so excited! Four long years of high school coming to an end, finally. The evening was perfect; nice and warm, and the ceremony was held on the football field to accommodate all the friends and family of the graduates. As you lined up to start your procession, your mind was on the party that night at a nearby hotel.

The speeches over, the awards handed out, it was time for diplomas. They finally reached your name, and you proudly made your way across the field to take your certificate. Everyone clapped and cheered for you, they were so excited.

As you glanced up at your family, you saw them all smiling back at you. Your mom and dad, your aunt and uncle, and your grandfather sitting in the stands. You stopped in your tracks when you saw who was standing next to them-YOUR BROTHER! Your brother who has been deployed to Afghanistan for the past 9, 10 months now. He wasn't due home until Oct/Nov. at the earliest, but there he is! He is standing there in full uniform, smiling at you, so proud.

Your brother had been your best friend growing up. You two always hung out together, and you could tell him anything. He was the one that had to approve of all your boyfriends before they were allowed to take you out. If anyone gave you a hard time, they had to deal with your brother for it.

Then you dropped your diploma onto the soft grass. Standing beside your brother was Jesus! Your Lord, Savior, King, the Prince of Peace, Counselor, your Mighty Redeemer. He's been your best friend, your King, your Confidant, your Guide in life. A Babe born in a manger, who preached peace, love and forgiveness throughout His life on earth. Then He died upon a Cross for your sins, so you could live forever with Him in Heaven! You can't believe He is here, really here to see you!

So, who do you hug first?