Waiting out Gustav

Tonight is the night...Gustav is on its way. We are waiting out the storm here at home. Our area is overrun with families trying to outrun the storm. There is not a hotel room available with 3 hours of here, which is CRAZY because we are 3 hours from the coast. But, ever since Katrina hit our area as a Cat 1 three years ago, no one takes any chances.

As of right now, we are under cloudy skies, keeping watch to the approaching storm. Just a few hours ago, we had a band of thunderstorms go through with strong gusty winds, so I am sure that sooner or later it will get pretty crazy.

Tomorrow, we are planning to play board games and watch movies. Nothing like a hurricane to bring out the family atmosphere.

Introducing...Sarah Palin

I am a political junkie. I have been glued to the TV and Internet the past week in great anticipation of the VP picks. I have to admit, I even signed up for the text message from Obama announcing his VP pick....little did I know my cell would go off at 2:45 am and inform me of the Biden pick. But, I wanted to be in the "know" so it wasn't too bad. I watched ever moment of the Democratic convention, to the chagrin of my husband, but with the race so close, I felt like I needed to hear from the Democratic side.

Anyway, Sarah Palin has just been confirmed as the McCain VP pick, and I am STOKED!!! A woman, a mother, a maverick, and a pro-lifer. I am so excited, and can not wait to find out more about her. This could really CHANGE things (a la Obama) and I think that the race is going to get even more interesting.

Pouring Down Rain

Last weekend we were at the Outlaws house and the sky was totally falling out. I needed to run into the grocery store to pick up a few things, while Jeff and the boys waited in the car. As I was quickly filling my mini cart and waiting for balloons to be blown up, the following conversation was happening in the car.

Jeff: This rain is unreal. I can not even see the road. This is just crazy bad rain, I don't think it could be any worse.

Jake from the cheap seats: It could be raining watermelons Dad!!!

Jeff: Okay, so it could be worse

Refinement???? I Can't Get Any Respect!!!

We have a long standing family joke about me desiring to have some "refinement" in our lives. I am often met with burps and farts right in the middle of getting ready for church, or talk of body parts during a family meal.

Last night, I made a pretty amazing meal. I made manicotti stuffed with ricotta and pesto, yummy garlic bread and even the AMAZING dessert pictured below.




So, in light of the hillbilly life I live, it is no surprise that last night I was witness to the following conversation.

Jared: This looks really yummy Mom

Me: Thanks Jared, I hope you like it

Jared: Am I suppose to eat it like a sandwich?

Me: no words, really none would do

a few minutes later from the other side of the peanut gallery

Jake: I like the fruit, but not the cheesy stuff

Husband: Well, umm, I really liked the fruit and the biscuit...

Me: Did you just call it a biscuit??? Really, are you kidding me???

I give up, I guess refinement will only come on the other side of eternity. Surely the Saints will know the difference between a biscuit and a puff pastry.

It's in the books!!!

Our first day of school is officially in the books. Although I was a TOTAL stress case last night and throughout the day, all the kids did great. Poor Micah was chasing after me all day to get started on her work. I was so unsure about the boys new curriculum, that I busied myself around them until I was sure that all would be well.

As it turned out, we worked through the kinks and survived.

As Principle, I think next year I will make the executive decision to not start school two days before my period. I think my edginess was catapulted to the next galaxy by unruly hormones.

Hormones and all, we made it. Same thing different day only 179 more times!!!!

Finally....

I have at least 5 posts in lingo right now...they have all been started, but I have not had the time or the mindset to be able to finish them and hit the publish button. They range from the sublime to the ridiculous and everywhere in between.

I will say that we started school today, and I am a little stressed right now. I make changes every year, but this year we REALLY switched things up. I feel a little out of sorts, going from such a hands on approach to more individual study with the boys, but I keep reminding myself that this year is Micah's BIG year, with her learning to read, so I need to just chill out some.

Aside from all the school stress, life is just hectic in so many ways. I feel strung out mentally, spiritually, physically and emotionally. I hope that getting back into the routine of school will bring some resemblance of normalcy to my life.

Anyway, just wanted to touch base...and actually post it. So, I better run before this one isn't finished either.

Larry King and Steven Curtis Chapman

Did you catch the interview with the Chapman Family last Thursday??? If you did, you might be interested in seeing this follow up by Larry King. In a segment called "About Last Night" Larry reflects on the previous nights interview. His thoughts on the Chapman family are truly a great insight into how non-believers can be impacted through gracious, quiet, and unwavering testimony.

Check it out HERE, it is only 90 second long.