We Will Move Faster if We Hurry Less

I have always been one who thrives on free time, requiring more alone time than most. Since having kids I definitely don't get much of either. Today, James has the girls (and one neighbor kid) at Mack's Inn, and Jack is at a youth event, which leaves me home alone. I don't remember the last time that happened. After trying to cram in everything that needs to be done before I join my family tomorrow, I found myself reading an article titled, "Don't Be In a Hurry." Even while I was trying to read as fast as I could so I would be able to finish all of my tasks, I came upon a couple of gems.

"When you get up in the morning, before you suffer yourselves to eat one mouthful of food,...bow down before the Lord, ask Him to forgive your sins, and protect you throughout the day, to preserve you from temptation and all evil, to guide your steps aright, that you may do something that day that shall be beneficial to the kingdom of God on the earth."

"Does our sense of urgency, initially fed by noble purposefulness, morph into mere busyness?"

"When we plan some time for contemplation and renewal, we will feel drawn to our work instead of driven to it."

"Be still, and know that I am God"

It is always good to be reminded that our to-do list, while noble, is not the sole purpose of our days. Now, I think I'll go do yoga.

...And Jack makes seven

That's right, we are now a family of seven and proud parents of a teenager. So far he is a model teenager who eats anything and helps with housework. With one more hand, I actually get the opportunity to mop the floor more than once every millennium. Thanks to his natural parents for raising him so well, and I have to say thumbs up to an exchange student from Thailand!

The problem with camping...

The problem with camping with four little girls when you are 100 yards from the car and a half mile from the nearest bathroom is that, between the time they say they need to go and when you arrive to the bathroom, the poop "sneeks back in" and they don't need to go anymore. We just returned from the "City of Rocks" for a little rock climbing. Definately worth the three hour drive.

Compliments to the Chef

Soon after having children of my own old enough to eat regular food, I realized you have to have a solid, positive self-esteem to cook for a family. I have certainly heard more than my share of eewwws and yucks through the years, but Wendy's comment of last week takes the cake. I tried a new recipe, pacific pork kebabs with pineapple rice. After the prayer was said, Wendy tasted a few bites with her face all distorted into disgusting expressions, and said, "Wow Mom, where did you get all this gross food?" As if it was preposterous that there could be so much gross food in the same place a the same time. Needless to say, James scolded her for being rude and I burst out laughing. You can't win them all.

How old am I?

Lately I have been pondering my return to college. As I was driving past campus on my way to the grocery store today, there were students everywhere. I was thinking about how much I will stand out because of my age. Then I decided that it won't be that bad because I am only five years older than most of them...then the cold, hard fact hit me like a ton of bricks, I am more like 15 years older than them! Holy cow, when did that happen? I guess it's promising that I only feel 5 years older.

Highlights of my 5-mile run in 25+mph winds

• Hurdling tumbleweeds


• Drool flying out the side of my mouth. I am slightly congested, so I had to breathe through my mouth. The wind dried out my mouth signaling the production of more saliva...


• At the right angle, the force of the wind on my eyelashes would press my eyes wide open.


• If I played Enya on my ipod and closed my eyes, I could almost pretend the roaring sound was the ocean.


• The permanent damage to my eyes from blowing dust.


• The downhill part of my run also happened to be downwind, so I felt really fast, which is rare for me.


• The best part of all was my hair after I finished.

The Serious Concerns of a Four-Year-Old

Here is a quote from Wendy that sums it all up, "I try to follow God, but it just doesn't work. I STILL do naughty things!"

Just as a side note, after Wendy said that, Nicole asked me if God knows how to make bread...