Cousin time

We got to spend an evening with Vicki and family. They came to the hotel and the kids swam while we were in the city for English Expo. It is so fun when we get together! The kids bonded early in life, when we used to be together nearly every day! Aren't they a handsome bunch?
Hmmm....who splashed everyone and ruined this shot?? I think I see a guilty party or two!

Smiling as I remember

I'm home from the big city. Cody made it to finals in informational speaking, but didn't place. Jess did a good job on her children's book, but didn't place in that nor in book covers. Jess was sick and we spent most of the day dealing with that. We are relieved it isn't something serious.

On the way home, it was Jess snoozin', Cody rode the bus, and I was exhausted from a sleepless night. So my butterscotch thought was the word "compassion". My mentor, friend and next door teacher lost her grandma day before yesterday and I'll be "absorbing" her class next week, which had me thinking....

Anyway, while lolling around the word, I remembered Mr. Joe. If you ever knew him, you can smile with me! He's in heaven now. Once he was trying to think of the word "compassion", as he was expressing himself, in church. Being that english was his second language, he came out with "compity". Really, it may be more fitting! I loved hearing that man pray because he was so honest, candid and from the heart. Often, his prayers hit my funny bone at the same time they touched my heart.

I had a great visit with Vicki and family. I'll post pics soon. They are on the camera ALL THE WAY out in the car!!!! It's been a long couple of days! I feel the bubble bath calling!

(****Butterscotch thoughts are the ones I love rolling around in my head just as I would a lovely butterscotch candy, but in my mouth, of course. Exploring every angle, savoring every aspect, making it last as long as possible. Butterscotch buttons were/are one of my dad's favorites and they were a TREAT when I was a kid. Still are, honestly! Wild cherry Lifesavers have the same affect, but the way!)

The happenin's are slim....

Miss J-Dawg heard "basketball" and she was signed up! She's playing on the same boys team she played on last Pee Wee season. Last week they had a round robin in Wagon Mound. This girl breathes athletics! It is fun to watch her play.

This is Okie, our neighbors's cat. He is a very funny cat! We've seen him watching the construction of our house from on top of the hill. He's slinked down behind a yucca to get a closer look. Here, he is checking out the neighborhood from atop his owners' new garage. (?? I think that is what it is!) I wonder if he goes to the coffee shop for the 4:00 gossip session. Hmmmm....maybe THAT is how the story goes.....
I might be on to something here. Close your blinds and whisper!

Spiritual high and low

I've really liked thinking about what Paul said in the last chapter of I Thesselonians. He was encouraging his brothers and sisters who were going through some tough times.

13Live in peace with one another.
14.... encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
15 See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.
16Rejoice always;
17pray without ceasing;
18in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

We studied this last week and I have reflected on it all week. If we lived like this, can you imagine what a different place the world would be? If I..just me..lived like this, what a different world mine would be!

(I highlighted these words for me, not you. When I read those words, it is like balm and encouragement to me. )

I saw "the mirror" this week that showed me ugly. I saw weak faith and I didn't like it. I pray for my students. This week, I was desperately broken for/by a child in my school. I cried. I prayed but interrupted myself with the thought, "How can God protect them all? There are so many who are in bad situations. Will my prayers matter?" I felt empty, desperate, hurt, wanting control....I still am wrestling with this but it won't stop be from praying. I need to remember to pray for the grownups too...

So..that was the high point and the low point, spiritually, this week. I hope yours was a good one.

Leave me a comment...let me know you're here.

Homeless...almost

Not really. Just frustrated. So the building inspector said he'd give us our CO if the other inspectors pass us. He is the one everyone is afraid of and who is supposed to be unbending. Thankfully, we know him through church and maybe that is why he was nice about it...? Anyway, the plumbing inspector signed off. The electrical inspector was coming either Monday or Wednesday. He showed up Thursday. Why, oh why, oh why do these people have to play such games?? Why can't they make a phone call or at least return phone calls?? Grrr....

So he immediately green tagged the hook up work but had complaints about the factory done electrical work. The factory has to answer his complaints..they have to play communication tag..which scares me to death because the inspector doesn't appear to know the days of the week and the factory people don't return calls. Jerry is patient but I'm ready to put on the gloves. (I'm pretty tough, eh??) The co-op is hooking us up today, all the same. (we hope. we are realizing "today" means something different in every building in the county.)

I have a 4 day weekend..perfect time to move in. We are going to move stuff in, but first we have to find a cleaning crew to do the post construction clean up. See, that isn't our job to clean OR to find the crew but ....yeah, one of those things. After making a bazillion calls, I believe the business to be in is janitorial. Yuck. I WOULD do construction clean ups but have no desire to clean up other people's messes other than that. I've had a rough week at school so I was, at least for a day or so, entertaining a new career. I LOVE my teaching job but don't like when kids hurt.

So that is the update. Things are crazy..or maybe it is ME who's crazy..but it will all be worth it in the end. All new projects come with a few headaches, but we keep looking forward to when it is all over and we settle in.

And...hey..leave me a comment now and then! I feel lonely except for Jeanettey and Jamie. The comment button doesn't bite. (that would be ME who does! :)

Update--courtesy of photographer Jessie

( A bonus shot added to this post...bored kids photograph themselves at the bottom of the new staircase!)

This is the upstairs that we'll finish out. I believe this is standing in Jessie's room looking toward the opposite end which will be Cody's room. The space between will be a den.

From the dining room, looking into the living room. To the right, past the closet door, is the staircase.



The kitchen..I LOVE my red walls!!! We will tongue 'n' groove the space below the bar. The fridge isn't our real fridge. (Yeah, it's fake..for those of you sarcastic readers!! )

The deck and front door. We will be building a "lid" which will be red pro-panel. The deck will continue around the back--your left-- where the sliding door is. We also are adding handrails so no one leaves here in an ambulance!!

Giving Riley a send off

Cody and Riley
Riley and Jessie

It's tough being a little brother! (See the picture below..Cassie's son, Tyler, is helping his little brother, Hayden, smile!)

Here is Terry's and Talonna's kids and grandkids..minus the two sons in law.

Riley heads off to basic training in Georgia this week.

His parents planned a surprise party for him on Saturday night. All of his Dad's side of the family was there as well as friends. It was nice evening followed by an evening of swimming and visiting at a local motel.