Nora's Pics

Nora ran off with the camera again recently. Here's what she captured:



















She also took some photos of some "stuff" in the toilet
(she's pretty proud of how potty training is going),
but I decided to delete those. You're welcome.

What I Believe

A few Sundays ago, our pastor challenged the congregation to think about what it is we believe. He didn't say, "Explain your faith," or anything like that. He just wanted us to think about it, I guess. Then, he told us to write it down.

So, for a few weeks now, I've been pondering what it is exactly that I believe. I feel like it’s such a broad topic to ponder. There’s a lot to be discussed.

I decided to go with 20 bullet points. Here is what came of that.

What do I believe?

• There is a being that exists that wants us to suffer. Some call him Beelzebub. I don't really call him, but he and his evil give me the heebies.
• Patience doesn't just happen. It takes work, and part of that means putting in a request to God. Often. And, it involves being slow to speak until that patience (or grace) arrives. It might not come when it's convenient, but it comes.
• Forgiveness is much the same as patience (in practice).
• "Forgive and forget" isn't quite as accurate as "forgive and dismiss." Part of forgiveness is learning that the party that did the inflicting might remember things differently than the party that took the blow (including the whole concept of who did the inflicting and who did the receiving). We all have ways of coping—creating alternate realities, if necessary. Some might refer to these different recollections as different “perceived truths.”
• We can always be better than we are (there is always room for improvement) in regard to things of virtue.
• Living simply and (mostly) under the radar can be, in fact, completely fulfilling.
• There is rarely ever a real conspiracy. (This one took me a long time to realize, and I'm still working on this one.)
• People can really be just as good and kind as they appear.
• Regardless of how abrasive someone may seem, they are still a person who needs to love and be loved.
• The heart of a young child is so pure and good. I'll admit that having my kids has made me believe harder that there is a God, and He loves us. Children are gifts.
• Dogs, while annoying, do serve some sort of purpose. Finding out what that purpose is might be part of it. Same goes for cats. Mostly. They're partly evil, I think.
• Getting plenty of sleep is important.
• Laughing (for real) is important.
• The colors of the fall are proof that God loves us. So are baby giggles, the smell of a clean baby, children laughing, the smell of freshly cut grass, and the smell of dirt just after a spring rain.
• Thunderstorms are just mere reminders that He's there.
• Love and sharing love is important.
• Loving people takes work sometimes.
• Being there is important.
• Stuff is just stuff, and none of it really matters.
• It is never too late to get close to your family.

Pastor Evan did say that this list may change over time. He also suggested that we revisit it now and then as well. I plan to do that. It's not a bad idea. What is it that you believe?

---

²⁷Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."
²⁸Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
²⁹Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
John 20:27-29

Hey, It's Okay Tuesday!

Again, I'll begin by saying that the whole idea behind this business came from this sassy lady via this sassy lady. Enjoy.

Hey, It's Okay . . .

. . . to recognize that due to the fact that this week is going to be insane (packing, trying to get a major publication done for work before Friday morning with only having three days to do it, taking care of two kids, laundry, etc.), other stresses are naturally going to pile on this week. That's just how it works.

. . . to be both excited and a bit scared (withdrawal, maybe?) to be without the internet and, gasp, Facebook for an entire week. (And yes, that means that all of you folks will be without me for a week. Yes. Weep. Weep, children!)

. . . to also recognize that there may not be a "Hey, It's Okay Tuesday" from this moi next week. It's just not likely. Also, I'm pretty sure everything will truly be okay next week because we will finally be on vacation "for real" for the first time since two Mays ago (like, we are actually leaving home and relaxing).

. . . to have totally slept through the fireworks on July 4th (and I'm talking even the giant, crater-making fireworks my awesome neighbors across the street shoot off every year, too). We were totally in bed and asleep before dark. High five!

. . . to be so thrilled about a decision to purchase a new mattress four years ago (for cheap) and not use it until yesterday. It's like, "Yay! Surprise new mattress!" (It used to be on a guest bed.)

. . . to want to cry a little bit because the awesome Little Tikes beach ball sprinkler in the back yard started taking on water in the big air cavity compartment where water is most definitely not supposed to go. Sad face. That thing lasted about a month and a half before malfunctioning.

. . . to find yourself saying things like, "This is why we don't jump on Rubbermaid containers!"

. . . to love it when Nora quotes the, "Hey, Mr. Grumpy Gills" scene from Finding Nemo. "When life gets you down, you know what you gotta do? Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. Swimming, swimming. What do we do? We swim!"

. . . to wonder why people bother having Facebook accounts if they don't let people post comments on their wall. (I'm not bein' mean. Honest. Just curious.) I suppose you can always do private messages, I guess. I just kind-of think most of the fun is wall posting. That is all.

Dilly out!

Nora Quote Worth Noting

This may very well be too much information for many out there, but I can't help myself on this one. We're potty training in our house, and many times, I'll make Nora come to the bathroom with me (to encourage her to go). Just before nap time today, I made her come with me, and when she sat down on her potty (she had just recently gone to the bathroom), she said, "My bum's not working, Mom!"

You're welcome.

P.S. Those of you that witnessed our potty training disasters all day on the 4th, would you believe she went through yesterday entirely accident-free? That's what napping will do. Sheesh.

Design Blog Entry: Painting for TC Alumni Art Show

Here's the painting I submitted to the TC Alumni Art Show that's going to be happening in Wolcott, Indiana this weekend. (It's on my design blog.)

Hey, It's Okay Tuesday!

It's that time again, and, I must apologize. I did forget to mention these two delicious blogs as my reference for this fine, um, weekly vent project. Forgive me, blog gods.

Hey, It's Okay . . .

. . . to declare war on the insane amount of scary house flies that have infested the lower half of your house with honey, sugar, vinegar, saran wrap, and fear.

. . . to count swimming as a bath for your kids . . . and sometimes you. (Shhhhhh!)

. . . to wish that your kid slept more. Really.

. . . to have an unhealthy love for hanging clothes out on the line. (It relaxes me. Okay?)

. . . to have that be it for the Hey, It's Okay Tuesday show.

Raspberry Pickin' Pics

We did this on Saturday morning (early) while Daddy was working.
Waiting for the wagon!
Pre-picking excitement.


We were the only peeps on the wagon.








Orchards. This place (Garwood) is huge.


I can't tell if those are tomatoes or green beans.




Long ride over there (probably 20 minutes).


Nora's pickin' and eatin'.


This was just before he got mad and started screaming at me
until he fell asleep (and the wagon came back).


See Henry far off in the background? Poor guy.


I'll admit I was ambitious. (I really had no idea how many I could pick and how fast.)


She was so, so tired.