Sunday at Church

Today was a special day at church.

We had a children's program, which meant there

were a lot of parents there with a lot of cameras.

That also meant I could take photographs freely.

I love Sundays.

I love being at church.

I am there an hour early to 

practice singing

on the worship team. 

It is one of my favorite times of the week!

Our son-in-law, Eric, sings on the Worship Team with me.

I love that.

He also plays bass guitar.

He also plays drums.

Not all at once, but he is certainly one talented guy!

Cordelia was in the program and couldn't have been sweeter. She told us she felt a little scared but she enjoyed it. I loved that she waved to me during the program.

Maria and Elise were enjoying it all.

Apparently Cordelia's star power was blinding to Elise.

 It was easy to take photos of my man.

I made it look like I was just taking pictures of the children.

I'm pretty sneaky that way.

Sam always, always arrives late for church.  Always.

He was pretty surprised when I turned and snapped his photo!

And here she is, our favorite little performer!

That face always makes me smile!

Aaron Shust - My Hope Is In You

My hope is in God. In this life, I know I will face trials. People I love will die. I will die. Someone who is not a Christian may look at this video and have a hard time understanding how it goes with this song about hope. They may think their hope was in vain. I don't think so. I believe their hope is in God, in their faith that this life is only a tiny part of our existence and when we go to be with him, our hope will be fulfilled.



Did you notice the song in the hymn book?  I thought you might like to hear it also. These guys are truly talented and listening to this song really has the power to bring me to a state of peace. Music can do things like that, you know. I hope you will listen all the way through.

My Day

First of all, the results are in. We had a tie on my poll from yesterday. The winning categories were knee highs with dresses and mittens on strings. I'm quite saddened to report that no one, not anyone, voted for socks with sandals. That was my personal favorite but whatever.

Anyway.

Today was a long but nice day. I had a productive and pleasant time at work. I finally started feeling caught up so took a longish lunch with a friend. Mike and I were at a wedding rehearsal at church after I got off work. Technically I guess that means he was still working, doing his pastor thing you know. I, however, just enjoyed watching all the people doing their thing. Then, I got to eat yummy food. It was all good.




The best part of this day, however, came with a buzz.

My phone buzzed, that is.

I had a photo message from Maria that made me smile at the cuteness.




Folks, it just doesn't get any cuter than this!

Socks, Mullets and Mittens

Here are the deep thoughts I was having this morning, all involving fashion. Yes, that's right. I've been using precious brain time considering fashion. These are deep, deep thoughts people.

First of all, what is so bad about socks with sandals? Yes, I know you are supposed to make fun of people when they do that. I realize it is a major, major fashion mistake to pair socks with sandals. However, sometimes it would be the smart thing to do. For instance, you may start your day off in cool weather and those socks would be just what your little toesies needed. By mid-day, all you have to do when it gets hot outside, you just remove socks and once again, you are comfortable. It seems much more sensible than having to choose between packing extra shoes or being uncomfortable part of the day.

I have a confession. Once, when Mike & I were on vacation in St. Louis, I was wearing sandals all over town and I ended up with blisters. My sandals were the most comfortable choice for all the walking we were doing, so I wore socks with my sandals. Well, I reasoned that I knew no one there but Mike, and he wouldn't care. I'm not sure he would've even known that was a fashion no-no. Before leaving on that trip I sprayed on a tan and tried dying my hair red (for the St. Louis Cardinals). What does that have to do with this topic you ask? Well, the red in my hair dripped out whenever I got wet. The spray tan was smearing and streaky. I already looked pretty awful so who would notice a little pair of socks? Anyway, my feet were very happy from then on... so there!

Second, what is so bad about a mullet anyway? Could there be a more versatile hairstyle? It would really be ideal for someone like me. When my hair is long, I think I want short hair. When my hair is short, I want long hair. With a mullet, I'd always have my way! Also, in windy Wyoming, I could have the fun of feeling hair down my back (it is a wonderful feeling...sorry if you've never had that) without the front blowing all in my face. Just think about it before you judge someone wearing a mullet next time.

Of course, I'm only kidding about all of this... or am I?

And last, let's talk a bit more about the sock situation. I have a lot of nice socks, fun socks, really. A friend once gave me a pair of Betty Boop socks that featured a nurse holding a syringe and saying, "Bottoms up!" I once wore them when I went in for a colonoscopy. Get it? Bottoms up?  OK, let's move on. That wasn't really what I was thinking about.

Socks... knee socks in particular... This morning I wanted to wear these cool socks with my pants and my orange sweater.

But guess what? With my pant leg down, no one could have even seen the orange so they'd just be left wondering why I was wearing pink socks with my orange sweater. So, I was thinking... why can't adult women wear knee high socks with their dresses? I have lots of fun pairs of them and no one gets to enjoy them. I'm sure they'd be interesting conversation starters, don't you?

Also, after a winter of always looking for my gloves or mittens, I'm wondering why adults don't keep them on strings through their sleeves like we used to do for little kids? Sure, little kids might get caught on the strings and choke, but we're grown-ups. We could handle that, couldn't we?

So, there you have it. My deep thoughts are now your's as well. I'm wondering which of these fashion ideas you'd most like to see be made acceptable? Let's take a poll to find out. I've put the poll up on the side of my post. I've never done a poll before so I hope someone will play along. You have until tomorrow evening to let your voice be heard! Look up toward the top on the right hand side for the "ballot sheet".

Wyoming Winter 9/27/2013- ?

This photo was taken September 27, 2013.

It is certainly not the first time we've seen snow in September.

It is actually kind of fun to get that early snow; it is exciting anyway.

Of course, the week after this photo we got the 

snow that broke half the trees in our town.

That wasn't fun.

It was terribly sad.

This next photo was taken today, April 2, 2014

Snow is not nearly as exciting in April!

It is tiresome.

This afternoon it changed to bouncing sleet.

That was a little bit fun, but really,

we are all wondering when we'll finally

get to close the book on this one.

We're starting into our 7th month!

I didn't really mean to take my own photo when I was getting

my Kindle out to take the above photo.

It did kind of capture my feeling about the continuing snowy weather, didn't it?

So, Winter, it has been fun.

It has been memorable.

I don't want to be rude but someone needs to tell you,

YOU ARE WEARING OUT YOUR WELCOME!

It's time to rest in peace.

Project Happy Room

Remember how I told you I put something funny on my door at work every day as part of making that office a happier place to be (Project Happy Room)? Maria has been helping me find little funnies from time to time. This one is gross, but too funny to pass over.

I had this one on my door Monday.

And this one is just cute, don't you think?

You're welcome.

Uncle Sam and Cordelia

One of the joys in my life is watching my boys play with their nieces. Last night, Sam and Cordelia were having a grand time. Sam's bigness compared to her smallness made for a sweet scene. Cordy's giggles and smiles were contagious. I just enjoyed watching (and snapping photos). I know some grandmas and a certain girlfriend (Hi Alaysha!) who will enjoy the photos as well.

Making Silly Memories

Sunday evenings at our house are all about family, dogs, little kids, toys strewn about, noise, food and often a lot of silliness. I'll show you.

Betty wasn't really as sad as she looks.

Really, she was pretty happy because at

Grandma and Grandpa's house 

she gets lots of snuggling.

Remember that last Sunday we took Laura out for dinner 

to start off her birthday week?

We fancy ourselves to be her family-away-from-family.

Anyway...

Maria made a cake for her this Sunday.

She deserves a week-long birthday!

If you are trying to figure out her age according

to the candles you see, you may as well give up.

It made sense to me, but likely no one else.

I'll just say, she's still a sweet young thing.

 We were happy that Sam came by.

We still miss him but he is doing well out in the world as a grown-up.

Elise was getting pretty excited to see the cake come out. 

She kept asking for frosting.

But then, this happened...

For some reason, it really upset her to see Maria cutting the cake.

Not to worry, though. A little frosting took care of that problem.

Apparently Mike thought the frosting on her nose was a look

that would enhance his handsomeness.  

Because we all looked over to see him quietly eating his cake, 

with his nose decorated like Elise's.

Next, Maria joined the movement.

Then, the birthday girl got into the act.

Sam said they were weird but...

Cordelia and I didn't want to be left out!

Since I started this blog, I most certainly

have taken a lot more photos than I ever did before.

I wonder, will these photos help us maintain memories

of ridiculous times like this?

I hope so.

It's really these little, silly moments that make up

family memories, don't you think?

Do you want to share any silly moments from your family life?

God's Not Dead

Mike and I just returned from the movie, God's Not Dead. We had a lot of people recommend to us that we go see it and I'm very glad that we did. I really enjoyed myself!

This movie certainly isn't the run-of-the-mill Hollywood production.  Let's be honest, Hollywood isn't much enamored with the Christian Faith. In fact, my experience has been many people are ok with a person being a Christian but they don't want us to much talk about it.

I'm not going to tell you much about the movie but at the end, everyone is encouraged to text everyone they know with these words, "God's Not Dead".  Have any of you received such a text?  Or maybe seen it on Facebook? Now you know where that came from. It's Christians letting you know they have faith in God the Father.

I am sure everyone who goes to this movie is not a Christian. If you are not a Christian, I'd encourage you to see it. I don't know that seeing the movie is going to convert a non-believer, but it may help them better understand the Christians in their life.

I really enjoyed Kevin Sorbo in this movie. Remember him, Hercules? I'm currently reading a book written by Kevin Sorbo. I'll do a book report later...stay tuned.

Newsboys are featured in this movie as well.  In honor of their part in the movie, I'm going to leave you with this...

Spring?

This is what we woke up to this morning...Spring disguised as Winter.

It is really beautiful. I think flowers and leaves are pretty as well, though.

Anyway, I am planning a quiet day with my Mom. I drove up yesterday, when the roads were just fine  We have our Kindles loaded and ready. Maybe one more snowy day isn't so bad.

Dylan Winter and the Starling Murmurations

Mike showed this to me last night. It was so amazing, it needed to be shared. I really can't understand how they fly like that, as if they have one brain. How do they not bump into each other?

Wo-wa

Last Saturday when the little girls were at our house Elise kept asking, "Wo-wa go?"  She'd look so perplexed and extend her little arms out, palms up. She was wondering where are family friend, Laura, was.







We invite Laura to our Sunday Night Family Dinners (yep, these dinners are so special, I use capital letters) because we've enveloped her into our family. She has a lovely family and is most definitely not lacking in that way. They live out of state, though, so we like to be her family-away-from-family.


We don't want her to be lonely, plus, she just fits in and we enjoy her so much. I think Elise believes that she lives here.

Anyway, today is Laura's birthday! Happy Day to you, Laura!

We actually celebrated her day on Sunday by going out to eat together. Except that Elise wasn't feeling well, it was a nice evening.

Eric told us that Cordelia spent a good deal of time planning her outfit for the party. She was quite beautiful!


We have only cell phone photos to share, but they are better than none at all.

Anyway, we just want to say Happy Birthday to our friend and pseudo family member, Laura.

Hope your day is wonderful!

No Explanation

Frozen!

Saturday night was fun for us. We had granddaughters over and we watched the movie, Frozen, with them.

I'd already seen part of the movie at the theater with Cordelia, as well as Maria and Elise. However, Cordelia got scared and we left before the ending. Nevertheless, she has continued to be obsessed with the movie. She wanted me to see the ending and she wanted Grandpa to get to see this movie. It was right up Mike's alley so why not?

It started out kind of like this...

Then there was some silliness.

Elise had to drive somewhere.

Every now and then she had to stop and check her engine.

When the song, "Let it Be" came on,

the party really got going.

Cordelia knows all the words.

She knows all the actions but it seems she wanted

to add in a few of her own moves.

But in the end, it was all about the song itself.

It was adorable!

These are the "Good Old Days", aren't they?

We Believe Newsboys