My Family

Last weekend my sister-in-law, Dana, her daughter, and one of her friends came to visit us for the weekend. We had a blast going to the beach (even though there was a shark attack that day), spending time at the pool, going to dinner, and bowling. We went down to the riverfront where Dana took this picture of me and my family. Look at those children--aren't they precious? Jon and I enjoyed spending time with Dana and the girls loved tagging along behind the teenagers...you know, our girls think they're teens in training. I'm relishing these days of playing dress up, Barbies, and family night because before I know it, these little ones are going to be grown. For now, they're our little ones, and little is just fine with me.

(Not-So) Lazy Days on the Beach

Although it is not officially summer for a few more days, summertime here in Southeast Georgia begins in about April. The heat starts to intensify which spurs our first beach outing. This year, things are not quite as relaxed as they have been in previous summers due to the precious little ball of energy pictured here. Eve (who thinks she is applying sunscreen) is keeping us on our toes this summer, particularly while on the beach. Never have I seen more sand in a diaper nor have I experienced the pleasure of changing a diaper from a baby who has spent the previous day eating sand. She, like her older siblings, loves going to the beach and the pool, and although I get my daily exercise, I love taking her. If she could just quit eating the sand, I'd be really happy.

Cardboard Testimonies

Watch this.

Happy Feet

In April, I broke my right foot while walking across the street. Yes, I said I broke my foot while walking across the street. I know, it sounds like a dramatic story, but it is true. Jon and I were walking back to the truck after attending a local festival and as we were walking across the street he warned me to be careful walking up on the curb because there was a slight drop right in front of the curb. I replied, in a not-so-nice way, might I add, "I see it!" Just as soon as the words rolled off of my tongue I felt instantaneous pain shooting through my foot. Voila! The foot was fractured! Well, after being in a boot for six weeks I am finally free to walk about allowing my toes to breathe in their short, chubby (but oh-so-cute) glory. I learned a valuable lesson with this whole ordeal: watch what you say. If I could turn back time, I would have bit my tongue instead of inserting that foot in my mouth and maybe I wouldn't have broken it!

Can You Say "Procrastination?"

Yesterday I had a paper due for school which I had put off all week. Yesterday morning I woke up at 4:30 to get up and feed the baby so I figured I would get a jump on my assignment. After completing one task, I promptly moved on to the next. I was working efficiently and I thought I was going to be finished by noon...boy, was I wrong. I worked on that beast on and off all day long! I didn't go to bed until 1:30 this morning and I could kick myself for waiting until the last minute. This week, I vow to schedule my time a bit more efficiently...maybe. Just for fun, here's a poem I read about procrastination that I can relate to:

Procrastination
by Kit McCallum

Yesterday, I said I would

Until the time had passed,

And now today, I see my list

Of never-ending tasks.

Why so, I ask myself, did I

Put off that task at hand?

For yesterday has added to

My ever-growing plans,

Of things I say I will attend,

Accomplish or provide;

Seems every day I put if off -

It multiplies in size.

A simple job if given

My devotion for a time;

Would surely have resolved itself

And eased my worried mind.

However, due to circumstance,

As always is the case;

I had no time to spend that day …

I had no time to waste.

For yesterday, I worked on

All the tasks I had delayed,

From days before when I would say

I have no time today.

You see, tomorrow’s easier

To say that I will vow,

To catch up on the overload,

And yet - I wonder how?

‘Tis easier to play the part

Of victim in this case,

And be the martyr ever-more

I have no time to waste.

Rejected!

A conversation I had with my mother today revolved around a dear family member who is critically ill. During our conversation, my mother had expressed that this family member had never really found his way in life and that he was never given the love and support from his own father. Although his mother played a huge role in his life, loved him, and gave him everything that she could, the gap that he felt from not having his father in his life left a wound that never healed. Nearly everyone I know has been rejected on some level and I, too, have had the unpleasant experience of being rejected. I found this poem entitled "Fear of Rejection" on the Internet this morning that made a lot of sense to me. Although the message is more lighthearted than the conversation I spoke of, the message is universal.