Day 191. Jelly Belly.

We've had a couple of power outages this week. The heat is just unbearable and the blessing has been that they've gotten our electricity back in very short periods of time. HOWEVER, it's always an interesting reminder of what it's like to suddenly be without so many of today's luxuries! It's fun to get creative in ways to entertain ourselves. :) This particular afternoon, we made a little game of sorting jelly beans and identifying which flavor we were sampling (from the list on the back of the box) before gobbling them all up.

The Jelly-Belly shaped person was courtesy of KS3...  So was everyone's uncontrolled laughter when he just couldn't help himself from making all kinds of jokes about the flavor called TUTTI FRUITTI. Well, of course. :P

Day 190. August 8.

August 8th is my grandmother's birthday.  For some reason, this picture of myself reminded me a little bit of her.  She passed away several years ago.  I was eighteen years old.  I think of her often. 

I hear her in myself when I laugh.  I smile when I see anything that reminds me of the Cherokee Indian in my heritage, because she was so very proud of that.  I wonder what she would have thought of my being the mother to three little boys.  She used to let us lay our heads in her lap and she would comb through our hair with her fingers.  She ALWAYS had peppermints in her purse.  She loved to let us take turns having sleepovers in her little apartment, only a few blocks away from our home, and we got to sleep in her giant bed right alongside her. 

My husband laughs when I remind him of her, and yet he never had the pleasure of meeting her.  In thirteen years of marriage, our family stories have painted so vivid a picture.

I love her, and I miss her.

Day 189. Reading.

Saturdays are unpredictable around here.  They can be packed with activity.... or they can be days when the boys never get out of their pajamas.  The last few have been the kind where everyone is lying around (well, the kids, that is) while my husband and I get in a morning run, fit in house chores, and carry on with our normal lives.  I usually make a special breakfast, first thing.  This morning was no different.  It's amazing what you begin to consider normalcy.  For example, it took THREE times to get the coffee made correctly, because my filters are all goofy and kept folding over, allowing the coffee grounds to seap through into the pot.  Ew.  I woke up with a muscle cramp in my neck, and that's just downright annoying.  Ellie (the big puppy) has been sleeping in our room, and she figured it was like any other morning, so from 6:00 on, she rattled and bounced around in her crate, just sure that if she did so long enough, we would let her out.  Haha, fooled her!

It was about that same time, that I heard my door creak open, and saw my little boy's face peeking through.  He whispered, "Mommy, remember you told me last night we could read this book?"  Ah, yes I had.  Just after I'd tucked him into bed, he reappeared in the family room, asking if he could get his library book out of his bookbag, to look at before he fell asleep.  He BEGGED me to read it to him, and I promised I would do so, first thing in the morning.  It was too late, and he needed to rest.  So, back to bed he went, book in hand.  Of course, he did not forget.  The sun was up, and so was he.  Into my bed he climbed, smile on his face, sleepy eyes and all.  And we read "Little Pea."  Little Pea has to eat candy for dinner every day, but he doesn't like it.  We talked about how silly that would be.  My son also explained that he just loves this book, and is bummed that he won't be allowed to keep it.  (Apparently, the rule is that you have to check out a DIFFERENT book from the school library each time.)  Then we talked about what dreams we'd had the night before.  And as he commonly does, out of nowhere, he decided to remind me, "Mommy, I love you."  Yes, sweet normalcy.  I am so blessed.

Days 186, 187, 188. Stuff.

My sweet mom checks this blog every day.  It's part of her morning routine.  She'll patiently wait through the days I'm behind, and happily comment when I've finally caught up.  :)  I was just talking to her this morning, explaining that I haven't really been "in the mood" to blog.  I don't really know why.  I go through spurts.  There are things I'd probably do well to get out of my system, but it's likely that you'd not really enjoy reading about them.  Most of the time, I prefer to keep things here light and fun.  But I do go off that course from time to time.  Be warned.  :)  You may occasionally find out a few of my opinions now and again.  Here's a little piece of my heart this evening:

What brings you joy?  REAL joy?  Not the temporary happiness that a good clearance at Kohl's might fulfill (which, is what my pictures will be about today, mind you)... but REAL joy and peace and contentment?  Do you have it at all?  Joy doesn't mean you're always happy.  Joy is deeper, more constant... a soul-status.  When times are rough and things aren't really going the way you'd like, big things or small, where do you find your strength?

I LOVE the book of Nehemiah.  I guess that's not a common "favorite" in the Bible.  I think Nehemiah is sadly overlooked, in my personal opinion.  Read it sometime, if you never have.  You might be surprised.  It's the story of a man that God calls to lead the restoration of the city walls of Jerusalem.  After hundreds of years of the city being in ruins, Nehemiah gets the job done in fifty-two days.  After the fact, they work on restoring the city within the walls, physically and spiritually.  Nehemiah has amazing focus and determination, all the while, depending on God to continue giving it to him.  He stays on course, remains undistracted.  I find this characteristic extremely admirable.... probably because I have an awful time achieving it myself.  Oh, I am SO easily distracted. 

My absolute FAVORITE verse:

Nehemiah 6:3. And I sent messengers to them, saying, "I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?" (vs.4) And they sent to me four times in this way, and I answered them in the same manner.

See?  He's consistent.  He's focused.  He has determination and purpose... God called him to do a GREAT work, and it didn't matter who or what got in the way (and trust me, PLENTY got in the way!)

So, are you still reading???  :)  Have I bored you yet??  Back to the topic of JOY:

Nehemiah 8:10b.  ...for this day is holy unto our LORD: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

The wall was built.  The city was getting a fresh start.  And the people came together to worship... and REMEMBER.  They'd fallen away from God, once again, and they had a big ol' come-to-Jesus meeting (yes, I know Jesus hadn't actually come yet... but you know what I mean.  Work with me.)  They confessed their sins, they were reminded of what kept them holy and set apart, and they were sorry and grieving and just plain bummed out that they failed their Lord.  Nehemiah tells them, "OK, we've done business with God, and we've gotten right with Him.  Now, pull yourselves together!  Don't live in the past.  Don't wallow in your sins.  CELEBRATE!  Find your strength in HIS joy!"

Our joy.  Our strength.  Our passion.  Our peace.  Our contentment.  Our satisfaction.  Our security.  It should all rest in Him.  We don't have to do anything on our own.  We don't ever have to feel alone.  That is certainly cause for our ultimate, unending, celebratory JOY!  I just LOVE it!
 
Well, if you're still with me, I'll lighten up now, and include some pictures.  I'm counting these for three days' worth.  Remember... my 365 project... my rules.  :)
 
A couple of weeks ago, we celebrated my birthday.  My parents still give all five of us kids (as well as their grandkids) the same gift.  It may be in the form of cash.  It may be a gift that cost that same amount.  But you can always bet they'll give it.  :)  I got mine in cash this year, and I managed to save it for an entire week.  Then, this week, it was burning a hole in my pocket, and I found deals that were just to SWEET to pass up.  And it's just too fun to splurge guilt-free!  Thank you, Dad & Mom!  :)
 
Enjoy a few of my findings.  Keep in mind, these are just a FEW.  I wouldn't dare show them all, because you'd be embarrassed for me, AND if you see me wear them, then I've eliminated the element of surprise! (Here ya go, Mom!  Love you!)
 
 

$2.40!!!  Oh, my heart just dances with happiness.

The whole lot of it... around $12.00.  Yep, $12.00!!!  SWEETNESS!

$5.00.  Oh, they are adorable.  Even better, they allow me to look eye-to-eye with my husband.  And I can't tell you how much I love that!  (KS2 told me I'm not allowed to begin a sentence with the word "and."  When did my kids get so stinkin' smart?)

A little treat for my oldest son.  Another $2.40 find.  He will like it.  He's into some of the trendy things these days.  :)

OK, one more topic, and I promise I'm finished.  This is my most recent, favorite find at Trader Joe's:

I bought it last week, and finished the whole thing.  I LOVE chai lattes.  This makes an AWESOME one, I assure you!  But ALAS!, this week they were out.  :(  So, I had to settle for this:

I don't know if it will be as good.  It's a powder rather than a liquid.  Oh well, we'll see if it gets the job done.

On that note, it's Friday evening, and I'm anxious to spend the rest of it with my sweet kiddos.  PEACE!

Sanctus Real - Lead Me

Well, that wasn't nearly as difficult as I was making it to be!  Seriously.

Day 185... brought to you by, the letter "G".

This picture brings me up to date, as of today. :)

This is my youngest son, using his wonderful imagination. He picked up his cinnamon roll, and when it began to uncurl, he thought it was AWESOME that it turned into the shape of a lower case "g." And I agreed.

Day 184. Tomatoes.

Mmmm. These are from my husband's garden. We haven't had many ripen yet, but these were some of the first and they made quite a tasty lunch, I must say! :)