Return of Summer Wife

Summer has come. I am forbidden from going to the school until August. The blessings of major renovations. Yay! And for my first full day of summer.... youth group working on our house! AHHHH!

Well, they are being helped by the tool man ministry. And they have devolved into being Mighty Wasp Hunters and wood workers. God Bless teens and power tools. So far they have demolished our sad sad rotting fence and taken down some of the rotted boards on the house. The tool man team has started sinking posts for the new fence and is making a list of supplies for Chris to get at Home Depot. Gotta love free labor.

VBS starts tomorrow night for The Big One and Monday AM for the Little One. That goes all week. One in the am and one in the pm. Then next Sat we are meeting up to send them to their g-parents for a week plus. Then it's off to youth camp for  a week. I think I'll be home to relax in  Mid June some time. :)

So, that's the life of Summer Wife. Oh yeah, I have big plans for the house and garage... More on that later.. Pizza is arriving for the workers soon, so I'll tell more when I get a few minutes.

We're not in Kansas anymore Toto!

Whew! What a whirlwind of a week. (Like that alliteration??) We had something happening every night this week. On Wednesday Chris's boss announced his resignation. Josh had a grade level program. There was a fun catch up meeting with a friend. So we took Friday off. Yep. Willingham Family Fun Day was ennacted. Ryan decided to go on his field trip, so the 3 of us who were left went to a movie, had some ChickFilA, boys got toys, Mama got her toes done (it's been a lonnnnng time) professionally. A nice nice day. And then we woke up today in the bliss that is Saturday with nothing planned. It's the last one for a while.

I am ready for the summer, except for that crazy job of mine that assures me I have 2 weeks left. The students are certainly ready for a break, but there are projects to create and boxes to be packed and books to read. Ooops! I think I packed them. Note to self: find books for children to read.

And Chris has gotten busier in his day to day work. See, the resignation of his boss means he got a huge promotion. Of course, it's interim for now, but the work is still the same as if he were the head guy, because he is. A lot more responsibility. A lot more decisions. A lot more people time. A lot more meetings. And he is loving every minute of it. It is so good to see the man thrive in his work.

So, our summer plans are firming up. It looks like this: Kids and I play at the pool. Chris works very very hard and comes home to a happy family. God's blessings continue to astound me. Yes, yes, I know, that's rather simplistic and we'll have some things to do around the house and other activities to do, but I really like the sound of that.

And that is the lesson I am learning. God's blessings are significant and larger than I can imagine and reflect His joy and are humbling and make me stop and praise Him. I think I understand King David more and more the older I get. Perhaps I'll muse on that a while and write it up. :) Happy day to all!

5 years in 5 days

Whew! So much is happening in life right now. Years of work and planning and hoping and hurting and dreaming and maintaining seem to be coming to fruition.

It starts with Chris's graduation. OH, how happy I am. So proud of his accomplishment because I know what a journey it was. I lived it with him. Under the same roof. Day in and day out. For 14 years. Of course, he wasn't in school all that time, but when he wasn't he was wanting to be. He completed his coursework in January, but the ceremony was a true culmination. To see him in cap and gown, walking the stage, receiving the congratulations he deserves is a  beautiful thing.

Then there's the cruise. Yeah, we've wanted to go on a cruise for about 5 years. Relaxing time away doing something different, away from our normal life. With buffet included. Tee Hee. Getting to surprise him was a great thing too. He didn't see it coming. A surprise gift is my favorite kind to give. Especially when it has been longed for.

 There's more to tell. I'll write about it when I can. But timing is everything. Right?

In case you missed it..

It's teacher appreciation week! Ryan wrote this to his Language Arts teacher. That is definitely a keeper. I know she will love it. I just wish my kids could spell. Just a little bit would be nice.

Just sailing through..

I've got a whopping 5 minutes before I am off to another "event". My mother just IM'd me and I'm looking grand in my spring "IT" outfit. This is what I wear to most look nice events this spring. School is hopping and church is full of busyness. The good kind, all. But it would be a lie to say I could wait a long time til summer. I am actually ready for it NOW.

This weekend is Chris's graduation from Seminary! Amen and Amen! It's also Mother's Day. I think I've got it all under control. Right.... believe that? If so, I've got some lovely oceanfront property you should purchase. But, I'm hanging in there. And I really have to go now.

Good Friday

I find myself all confuzzled today.

It's Good Friday, solemn Holy Day recognizing the death of my Savior. Death isn't supposed to be a time for rejoicing, especially when it is unjust, brutal, and just plain sad. However, without this sacrificial death, I would be lost in sin with no hope of reconciliation to Father God. So, I should recognize the cost of this sacrifice and be called to a more holy and sacrificial life. And I can't ignore the joy that comes from the sacrifice. At this point, my logic intersects my emotion and I am confuzzled. Joy over pain? Solemn contemplation about the act that blazes the way of salvation? The paradox is painful and I'm struggling to process it.

But there are several other things at work here too. The Commercial Easter is in full force: Easter Bunny's baskets to be made, deviled eggs, fancy dress up clothes to plan and purchase, and crazy Wal Mart shoppers. And the daily life of family is pressing. Children need disciplining and correcting, house needs sprucing up for the upcoming poker night set up for the 12th gd. boys, food needs purchasing, and the yard needs attention. I really need to have a little chat with the husband, too.  And it's the one day off of work from Spring Break until Memorial Day.

So, I am spiritually sensitive, emotionally exhausted, and physically spinning in many directions. I should probably give myself a time out and get some proper perspective. And I should take my vitamins. But I do have to wonder why things can't be just a tad bit simpler.

Blessed Good Friday to all, May you find the balance in life and strength to maintain it!

Phrases that resonate with me.. for today anyway

Oreo therapy

jackwagon

Noodlehead

I need you like I need a doughnut and a swiss cake roll!

You want a what with your huh?

Seriously now people.. that's the best you've got?

So how do you plan on explaining that?

You cannot eat out of the trash can, even if you think it hasn't touched anything.

Wednesday Haiku

April is poetry month in public schools. Funny that I can't do much poetry because it is TAKS season here in Texas. TAKS is our state standardized test. It follows several other forms of tests: TABS, TAAS, TEAMS... All an attempt to track the performance of our students. Next year, we will have the STAAR test. 5th verse, same as the first. Now, we'll have a generation of students who can't spell star. Thanks Pearson (the company who makes the test).

So, in honor of all the poetry I'm not teaching, here is my contribution to the month.

Standardized testing
I see the point, but hate it
stupid, stupid tests