Things I Did Today

1.) Buzz-cut the boys.
2.) Became overwhelmed at the outrageous list of things to do
3.) Had a minor nervous breakdown.
4.) Froze, ended up watching King of the Hill Reruns and hysterically laughing my butt off while the kids ran wild.
--Time to call the psychiatrist? You decide.

However, I did find the sanity to take a cute picture of the boys after their summer buzzcuts.

Thoughts While Avoiding Packing...

THOUGHT 1: So it’s supposed to look like this: But mine only looks like this: Santa doesn't even have a face yet! Now granted, I have about 5 more months to finish, but COME ON! I’ve been working on it since LAST November. This is all work, no fulfillment! Why am I even worrying about this right now?

THOUGHT 2: I workout with this lady who has a little boy Stevie’s age. They play together a few times a week. But this lady keeps asking me “Have you told Stevie yet? Have you told Stevie yet?” Like I’m supposed to have a major sit-down with him and make him realize the horrible severity of it all. Yes, I’ve told him we’re moving to the beach where Grandpa and Adam and Jessica live. Have I told him that he’s leaving all his friends and that he won’t see them anymore? No. And forgive me, but I’m just not going to shove that down his 3-year-old throat right now.

THOUGHT 3: By the by, we’re having a garage sale this Saturday (on my anniversary, no less…how romantic is that??!!). So for any of you Junk Hoarders out there, stop by and get your fill. Email me if you want our address or a link to our craigslist posting. But here’s a few of the things we’re selling:

A Great Day

I sleepily got out of bed this morning, let my kids sleep in late, and all in all had a lazy morning. Of course by the time I got to the Rec center, I realized that oops, it was Tuesday, not Monday, and so their free babysitting time was over. But at least we got out of the house, right?

I had a marvelous Memorial Day. I can’t remember having such a good one. Early afternoon found us at the Grimmetts for a celebratory Memorial Day Barbecue. And if there is one amazing thing I can say about Mr. and Mrs. Josh Grimmett (and there are many amazing things), it’s that they know how to feed a guest! I’m still salivating over the memory of those fall-off-the-bone ribs and Julie’s baked potato slices.

But yesterday evening took the cake. My absolutely wonderful friends threw us a Going-Away party, and I was blown away by how fantastic it was. There was so much care and effort put into it, and they added so many considerate little touches. (My kids have been going crazy with the sidewalk chalk and bubbles and yes, Haley, Winterfresh LiveSavers do spark in the dark.) It was wonderful to be around all the people we care about and eat and talk and all-in-all just celebrate our friendship. I got teary-eyed several times, tried to be as stealthy as possible. We truly felt loved. Even Steven (whoa, that rhymed) remarked thoughtfully on the way home, “We have such nice friends.” Well-put, Steve-o.

I LOVED PRINCE CASPIAN!

Seriously, what a great movie! And even though I haven't read the book in 5 years (it was very different from the book, by the way), I think I liked the movie even better! This is a raving review for me, because I usually poke holes through movies until you can see through them. But I really, really enjoyed this one. Maybe it’s because C.S. Lewis is one of my all-time favorite writers. Maybe it was because I felt like I was hearing gospel principles while seeing a masterful production in action. Maybe it was because the main characters were so heartbreakingly adorable. And even though I was making wise-cracks through the whole thing, I seriously felt the spirit so many times. I loved this movie, and it gave me a lot to think about.

One of the main themes that I recognized was coming to depend on the Lord for your comfort and direction, instead of trying to do it all by yourself. In the story, Peter declines to send for Aslan (who symbolizes Christ) and instead tries to lead the troops into battle and even challenges the main enemy to a duel to the death. He does this both out of a lack of faith that Aslan will help him (haven’t I gone through that?) as well as a desire to prove himself brave and capable. And finally, after he does defeat the main enemy in the duel, he realizes there are battalions of enemies ready to continue the attack. Only when Aslan intervenes is the battle actually won.

And when I think of my own life, I see how I suffer this time and time again. I think “this isn’t important enough to trouble the Lord with”, or that I need to conquer it by myself, be strong, prove myself. And I go along getting weaker and weaker until at some point, I realize that without Him, I just can’t do it. I have to stop trusting my own strength, and trust in the strength of the Lord to carry me through. This is a major principle I’ve been sent here to learn, and yet because of my own thick-headedness, I’m forced to learn it again and again.

But I’m so grateful to be a part of the battle. It may not be as romantic or as exciting to watch as this fabulous movie, but it’s still a true, valid struggle. And the sooner I can truly give up my will to living the laws of God, the sooner I can have peace and happiness. A line from one of my favorite songs (How Can I Keep from Singing), says

What though my joys and comforts die?
I know my Savior liveth;
What though the darkness gather round!
Songs in the night He giveth:
No storm can shake my inmost calm
While to that rock I’m clinging;
Since Christ is Lord of Heav’n and earth,
How can I keep from singing?

I lift mine eyes; the cloud grows thin;
I see the blue above it;
And day by day this pathway smoothes
Since first I learned to love it:
The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart,
A fountain ever springing:
All things are mine since I am His—
How can I keep from singing?

Variety Show

We had the Top Banana Variety Show at church on Friday night, and it was crazy fun. It did run a little long, but what are we going to say to people? “Sorry, we have enough acts already, so you can’t do yours.” And anyway, everyone seemed to enjoy it and we had yummy banana splits afterwards. (I don’t know why I say “yummy” banana splits…I hate banana splits…I like bananas and I like ice cream…just not together—big surprise--).

We had some guitarists, bassists, a harmonica solo, a performance by the Arlington Sparkles, some hilarious and idiotic skits, some singers, gymnastics, a rockin’ line dance routine and even a poetry reading. Sa Brown, Heather Clinger and I sang “I’m a Woman” by Peggy Lee, and it was really, REALLY fun. That song has the greatest Woman Power lyrics, and I think our husbands should read them twice a day.

All in all, the variety show was not the fiasco I predicted. Steven did a wonderful job and I shouldn't have fretted so much! Thankfully my needless worrying did NOT come into fruition, and a hilarious time was had by all.

Summer Fun

Is there anything better than having great friends? Unless it's a great friend who owns a sparkling pool and invites you and yours to come swim in it? Friday we all had a Fan-Schmabulous time hailing the beginning of summer and swimming our hearts out in the Kirchman's pool. I'm a total water-baby at heart, and it looks like my kiddos have followed suit!

Stevie's Dressing Adventures...

Just recently, Stevie has taken a great interest in dressing/undressing himself, which I am extremely grateful for, as I had begun to wonder if I would be hoisting on his high school football uniforms and tying his laces for him. However, the size of that kid’s noggin sometimes poses a problem, in that it’s hard to get that little tiny hole over that great big head. Yesterday, after attempting to pull a shirt off for bath time, he left it hanging halfway and said “Look, Mama, a Night Cap.”

He’s a funny kid.

Absotively Adorable

Maybe I do suffer from a touch of indie fever now and again, but if you watch this video of VAMPIRE WEEKEND performing “A-Punk,” you might understand why I think they are so darn cute! I just want to smash their little faces in! (as Kelli or Sarah might say). This is a good one, but my favorite song by them is "M79." Cutest song ever. Click HERE to listen to it.

Shacks & Jitters

So here is our next residence from June 7th to Oct. 7th (notice the hurricane shutters on the windows). True, it’s a shanty, but a shanty that will house the Grundbergs while we scout out League City and make sure we actually want to live there. From all accounts, it seems like a pretty nice town. There’s just the one ward for the whole town (the League City Ward), and I’m just praying that it’s a good one. I’ve been horribly spoiled by 1st ward, so I’m not expecting too much.

I’m sick with nervousness and premature nostalgia. Did you ever have to switch schools midstream in junior high or high school? And you didn't know anybody, and you just wanted to hide in your bedroom closet and eat ice cream? Well, that was me in 9th grade, and it's happening all over again.

Plus we have this idiot talent/variety show on Friday and I just know it’s going to be a fiasco. I know, I know; I’m being a Debbie Downer today.

Looking for a New Nest

Well, we’re in Galveston this weekend looking for a place to stay. It’s going to be tricky because we have to find a rental that will allow us a short-term lease, because we’re planning on buying a house in September. Steven’s going to be getting double paychecks through the summer (thank you Arlington ISD), which will leave us with a nice big down payment for a new mortgage. We could always just break the lease if it really comes down to it, but I do prefer not throwing money down the toilet.

I am NOT looking forward, however, to moving TWICE in the next 6 months. But, if it means a lovely 3 bedroom-2 bath is on the horizon, I guess I can brave the storm.

As for the trip down, I just want to thank the good people who invented portable DVD players. How in heaven’s name MY parents drove US around the country without a DVD to distract us is beyond me.