Blog News and the Best Letter Ever

Yeah, I know that title really isn't impressive. But it's late and I'm lazy.

Hey y'all. So I'm planning to start blogging more often, but I am planning to make my blog private...

Everyone is welcome to read, though; I am just stepping up some security. I might even get Scott a Mall Cop outfit or something. So whether I know you or not, if you are a lurker or regular bloggy friend, if you want to read my blatherings, simply send me your email address and I will add you in so that you will be able to see this here blawg. I'm hoping to get a little make-over, too.

And here's my latest favorite find from around the house:

Isn't she the sweetest thing EVER?

Now send me your email address.

To Blog or Not to Blog, That is the Question

So I wonder if I haven't been blogging because I've run out of blog material, or perhaps brain matter, or maybe energy.

Or more likely, it may be that blogging is a winter sport and I'll be picking it up more when I'm not so busy outside running marathons and creating an award-winning garden and laying out by the pool in my bikini for hours on end.

And if you believe any of that, you've clearly never read my blog before.

I've been working full-time for the first time in 13 years, and everything I had thought about how hard it must be to work AND have four kids AND be a wife AND have ministry stuff AND take care of a house AND a rotten puppy is true. It is exhausting.

For the past 6+ weeks I have been teaching first grade in a long-term sub position. It has been amazing and incredible and so much fun and SO. VERY. TIRING. It has been more than I thought it would be. I have typically been at work for 8-9 hours a day and then have had 1-2 hours of work at home.

As tiring as it has been, it has been even more FUN! I only have two more weeks left until the teacher's maternity leave is over, and I am very sad. I will miss the kids so much, and I will miss the being the teacher of those 21 sweet faces. I love the building and the staff; it has all been a fabulous experience. It makes me want to try to get a real teaching job in the next year or two!

Things I have learned over the last six weeks:
*If I ever get a full-time teaching job, our pizza budget will have to increase. Dramatically.
*Too many kids have really sad lives.
*Teachers have WAY too much paperwork.
*Cafeteria pizza is not in a rectangle.
*Parent helpers in the classroom are straight from God.
*Getting a paycheck is a very, very, very good thing. I got new furniture I have been eyeing for two years (cheap-o and from Big Lots, but still...), we are renting a cabin in the mountains for fall break, AND I was able to pay to have our septic system cleaned out. WOHOO! (Yes, my paycheck went down the drain.)
*Indoor recess is just not as fun.
*Tons of little-people-hugs every day are life-giving.
*Previous mom experience helps one anticipate the vomit. Caught it twice in a trashcan, thankyouverymuch.

I have missed my bloggy peeps. I have missed reading blogs. And I have missed writing; missed recording the fun little things of life like tonight's favorite quote:

"I think you are a great mother. Even when you are mean to me. Which [shrug] is what moms do."

Or one of my favorite quotes from a first grader:
"Mrs. Newland, do you like my new shirt? I got it at the feed store!"

To blog or not to blog....Hmm...I'm not sure I'm ready to quit entirely, but it may become only slightly more frequent than my bikini wearing days.

Do You See What I See?

Let me go to the window,
Watch there the day-shapes of dusk
And wait and know the coming
Of a little love.
Carl Sandburg

Target Invasion

We live in a university town, and there is a big change when the students come back at the end of summer. Last night I stopped at Target to make a quick return and pick up some coffee creamer (Vanilla Caramel Brownie; double yummo.)

Target was PACKED with college students. I know a lot of people dread this time of year here in town, but I love it, and I walked through the store much longer than I had intended, loving what I was seeing...

Seeing parents piling up carts with dorm needs made me pray that when the day comes, I can walk through the Target aisles with my girls without crying.

Seeing cute little college couples who were holding hands reminded me of how HAPPY I always was to get back to school and be with Scott again.

Seeing girls with bath towels that are about 30 times nicer than the ones I have reminded me that while bridal shower towels are fun, they tend to lose their luster (and fluffiness) by year 15.

Seeing roommates debating on what color curtains to buy made me miss the world's best roommates and friends, and wonder if those students know how blessed they are to spend day after day with friends.

Hearing girls squeal about watching the Hannah Montana movie, "Ooh, you brought it? We like totally have to watch it tonight. It is like SOOO awesome" made me happy that there are still freshmen who aren't like ashamed to enjoy innocent movies.

Hearing a momma tell her son that he needs laundry detergent and hearing him reply, "Well, I don't know how to do it, but ok" made me laugh.

Hearing the cute college girl tell me she liked my shirt made me feel younger and cooler than I had been feeling for the 20 minutes before that when I felt like an old married mom with wrinkles and cellulite.

I wanted to stop the tired looking momma and tell her that there are good churches and doctors and police and professors in our town; that her boy will be ok.

I wanted to stop the cute couples holding hands and tell them to be good to each other.

I wanted to stop the girls walking together and tell them that no matter what they think, they ARE skinny and beautiful.

I wanted to stop the roommates and tell them to stay up late and wait for each other after the big date nights, ready to celebrate or comfort each other.

I wanted to stop right there and change careers and start working with college students because there was so much excitement and anticipation in the air.

My college days were so sweet and wonderful, and they went by far too quickly. And I know that the years I have my own girls at home before we invade a college town's Target to buy hampers and comforters and fluffy towels will go by far too quickly.

Dear Target, you sure did give me a basket full of mixed emotions last night. You brought back some sweet memories. And you made me excited to live in this college town. So thank you, Target.
And thank you for the coffee creamer, too.

There's More than Corn in Indiana

Bookworms Forevah!

When I was a little girl, I loved to read more than anything else in the world, probably. I remember my mom had to MAKE me go outside. I would bring my book with me. Sometimes they got wet and warped. (Or got a few drips of Johnson's Baby Oil on them from when I was frying myself. What was I thinking? Pale, freckled skin would really get a dark tan if only I used baby oil?)

I have my own little girl like that now. She brings books in the car, books into restaurants (when I let her), books out on the deck, books on the trampoline. Last week I saw her carrying her Bible and a book into church. She had only meant to bring the Bible, but was so attached to her book, she didn't even notice.

I still love to read, but apparently my kids and husband also like to eat and have clean clothes (and apparently Facebook NEEDS me), so I don't get to read as much as I would like to, but I get a few books in here and there. I always love to hear what other people are reading, and on the off chance someone out there likes to as well, I thought I'd share my latest finds. My caveat- these are books written for adults, and sometimes there are scenes or words I could do without. But I usually love them and marvel at the way an author's mind works.

Water for Elephants (fiction)
Two thumbs up; great storytelling about old circus days; very memorable! Maybe my favorite from this summer.

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan (fiction)
Two thumbs up. Ancient China. The kind of story that made me check out other books in the library to find out more about historical references.

A Painted House (fiction)
One and a half thumbs up. The kind of writing that transports you!

The Glass Castle (non-fiction)
Two thumbs up. I know several people who didn't like this book, though. It took me a while to get into it. Kind of depressing since it is a true story, but it was incredible to see where the author had come from and where she is now.

God's Smuggler (non-fiction)
Two thumbs up. Story of Brother Andrew taking the Gospel behind the Iron Curtain. It has taken me a while to finish it, but reading it has strengthened my faith.

Safe People (non-fiction)
Two thumbs up. I read almost all of it in one sitting. I wish so much I had read this years ago; it probably would have saved me some heartaches and headaches.

The Bonesetter's Daughter (fiction)
Two thumbs up. Very interesting story that bounces between present day and China a generation ago.

Change of Heart (fiction)
One thumb up. Reminded me a lot of another of Picoult's books, Keeping Faith. Both look at faith and religion in varying ways. I was ready for the book to end, but the end made it worth it.

Every Soul a Star (fiction)
Two thumbs up. Great juvenile fiction book!

Educating Esme (non-fiction)
Two thumbs up. Wow. Story of an amazing teacher's first year.

The Last Lecture (non-fiction)
One thumb up. Great concept, but I didn't love the writing. Don't think we would have been friends IRL. I have friends who LOVED this, though.

Crazy Love (non-fiction)
Just started this book. I think I'm going to LOVE it and probably buy a copy for a friend. (Who stalks my blog but never comments. So she probably won't be surprised.)

The Essential 55 (non-fiction)
Just started this one as well and I am already underlining and turning down corners. Great for teachers and parents.

On my list to read next:
The Dogs of Babel
Dangerous Surrender
Nineteen Minutes
The Time Traveler's Wife (again- loved it and want to read it again before the movie comes out)
Gone with the Wind (again)
Five Conversations You Must Have With Your Daughter

Any others you can recommend for me? What about for my kids? I can't get books fast enough for them. I have two who especially like fantasy.

Scott and my girls cleaned out some storage today, and in one box I found a few old favorites from when I was a kid. Did you love any of these?

The Search for Delicious
Caddie Woodlawn
Amy Moves In
Number the Stars

Books, books. I LOVE books! Let's talk more about books. Do I sound like a nerd? Tell me some of your recent or ancient faves!

Yours Till Niagara Falls, Cindy

I have GOT to get my act together and remember how to blog! I miss my bloggy friends! My reasons for not blogging lately include laziness, brain fatigue, too many house projects, and too much fun outside.

Two weeks ago we headed up to Niagara Falls and had an incredible time. The sheer power of the falls is overwhelming.

(Like how I'm Scotty's girl and have a Scotty's jacket?!)

We first started on the American side, where we went to Goat's Island. The island was beautiful and peaceful. We could stand right near the edge of the falls and feel the spray in our faces and hear the rumble. (And Scott and Shelby could plot gross photo ops.)

Because Jenna wanted "one of those yellow jackets," we asked one of the park employees about the Cave of the Wind tour. He said that of everything at Niagara Falls, including the Maid of the Mist boat, the Cave of the Wind tour was his favorite thing. We were surprised to hear that, but he was so right! It was amazing!!

We were given some fancy-schmancy shoes... and those yellow jackets... took an elevator down, and then could walk to the foot of the Bridal Veil Falls.

On the Hurricane Deck, the winds were unbelievably powerful, and you could get drenched by the falls. Of course Shelby LOVED that part.

That night, we went over the border Canada and enjoyed the nighttime view of the falls.We also enjoyed the novelty of pizza delivery in a different country. Very cosmopolitan to get it from Domino's, eh?

The next morning, we went on the Maid of the Mist boat tour. The girls loved it, and the views were gorgeous.

My mind could barely focus on the beauty around me after hearing over the boat's sound system how a 7 year old went over the falls in only a life jacket and his swimsuit in 1960. He survived and was picked up by a Maid of the Mist boat! I kept picturing it in my head, and could not imagine the terror.

I had checked out a book from the library about the falls, and we found the story of that boy in there. His sister was rescued from the river right before going over the falls. The story was moving not only because of their survival, but because the sister was pulled from the water by two men working together- one black, and one white. With the racial tensions of 1960, the poignancy of the story made me tear up as I read it to my girls.

I found this quote from Roger Woodward, the boy who went over the falls. Years later, he said, "It wasn't the hand of fate, it wasn't the hand of luck, it was the spirit of the living God that saved my life that day."

It was impossible NOT to recognize the hand of God there.

I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east.
His voice was like the roar of rushing waters,
and the land was radiant with his glory.
Ezekiel 43:2

Friends and Countrymen, Lend Me Your Advice

So I need some input from my bloggy peeps.

We're finally going to start some sort of allowance system for our girls. We've never really done anything before (we simply didn't have the extra money, really) and have a few thoughts about how we want to do it. But I would LOVE to hear what you do, or good ideas you've heard about.

What we're initially thinking is that part of their responsibilities is simply because they are alive and have to take care of what we have, and won't have anything to do with allowance. But then some chores will be tied to allowance; if they don't do their jobs, they don't get the money, sisters can opt to do jobs that have been ignored or abandoned, etc. I'm planning to have them save a percentage and give a percentage before they spend.

What else? Tell me what you do!

Amar es Servir- To Love is to Serve

We're back home again in Indiana with real beds, air conditioning, satellite tv, flushing toilets, and ice cubes. And in some strange way, it just isn't as nice as in Mexico with tents, heat, dirt and dust, and outdoor banos.

I wish I could adequately communicate all that we saw and felt in Mexico. The poverty is extreme. The dirt is everywhere. The people are beautiful.

I don't know if you can go and not be changed. And yet it is so incredibly easy to fall back into my spoiled ways.

The joy and gratitude on the faces of families who received a home that isn't as large or as nice as what we store our garage junk in made me WANT to be nothing but content for the rest of my life. And yet already this morning, I've been thinking of trying to get a new washer and dryer and bedroom curtains.

The excitement of a woman who was thrilled to finally own a Bible made me WANT to never again take for granted the accessibility of the Word. I own multiple Bibles and can afford to buy several more. And yet already today I've ignored the Bible sitting next to me.

The stories of families who lost children simply because there isn't proper medical care available made me WANT to be thankful for what we have, but already today I found myself dreading dentist and doctor appointments and bills that I have to deal with.

Sometimes I really get sick of myself.

The simplicity of our days in Mexico is so beautiful. We eat, we work hard, we worship, we talk, we sleep. No errands to run, no internet or tv to distract me from the people in my life, no classes or games or parties to figure out a carpool. Simple and beautiful. Loving and serving.

So I'm a little homesick for our Mexico days.

One of our last evenings in Mexico, we were asked to share images from the week that would stay with us. Hearing people's hearts was precious, and it was a beautiful time. One moment I pray I never forget is when we were gathered in a Mexican church, singing Lord I Lift Your Name On High together. Hearing the song being sung at the same time in both Spanish and English was about more than my heart could take. I kept thinking it had to be a tiny glimpse of heaven.

Watching my own children work hard and have no thought of a tangible reward for it was beautiful. Seeing my eight year old put other children before herself and not think a thing of it was sweet. Watching groups of children gather around my husband was just like being at home.

There is a sweet bond between all of us who were on the trip. We are already missing each other and our new Mexican friends.

Short term mission trips do so much. The physical work we did there will last and bless others. The sharing of the gospel we did there will hopefully impact lives. But the bigger impact is, I believe, on those of us who went.

I can't put it into words well, but I pray I will never forget, and will never be the same.

Tide and Tears

I keep looking at the screen, trying to decide if I want to type or not. I haven't had time to think or feel or digest or recover or pray much yet, so this will be short and hopefully in a few days I can write more.

We returned back to the States from Mexico last night. Suffice it to say our trip was even more amazing and incredible and heart-wrenching than last year.

We are staying with friends in California for a few days before returning home to Indiana. It was so good to take a shower, so good to do laundry, so good to sleep in a bed. But I would go back again tomorrow if I could. I threw a load in the washer today, and simply the smell of the Mexican dirt made me get tears in my eyes. It is a strange kind of homesickness.

It is true what we keep saying... short term missions will mess you up.

Therefore, Go...

We've packed 17 bags, dropped off 1 dog, forgotten 3 things so far, and missed our plane. But we are on our way to California, and then Mexico tomorrow.

You should have seen my RUNNING through the airport. Apparently they changed the time of the flight but neglected to let us know that. We are scheduled on a new flight now and we'll actually get in an hour sooner, but will wait for our bags on our original flight.

Our first few days there will be spent setting up our camp; our tents, the kitchen, supplies for VBS, etc. The rest of 150 members will arrive on Saturday. I'm so excited about that part! Already I am so impressed with the new families who have decided to join this mission trip despite tough things this year like the economy, swine flu, and the reports of violence. We are confident we'll be safe and I'm confident these new families will never be the same again.

We will build five houses in four days. They will be smaller than my living room, and will hold entire families. The houses are not even as nice as most people's garages, and yet you should see how THRILLED these families are to receive these houses. It is definitely hard to reconcile next to our desire for more, more, more in our own homes.

For three days, we will offer a VBS for the area children. We're praying the children will understand that God loves them, and that we do, too.

We are excited, and maybe a little bit nervous. We will be sore and tired and uncomfortable. We will be hot and exhausted and without running water or flushing toilets or couches. And yet somehow I know we will be richer there and maybe even more sastified than we are here in the states with our air conditioning, ice makers, and internet.

If you think of us, please pray for our hearts to never be the same, and for our health and for those receiving the houses to see God through us.

Just Wanted To Say...

I am finding Crystal Lite Raspberry Ice delightful. Not as good as a cold diet coke, but...

I keep thinking about what someone once told me... your child will treat you at 13 the way they did at 3. If that is the case, Cassie will be a breeze, being funny and smart. Shelby, however, will be throwing screaming fits every single day, several times a day and I will be crying several times a day.

I'm making cookie dough pie to take to a friend's house for dinner as well as a sugar cream pie. One pie crust was a complete failure. Both crusts came from the same pile of dough. What is up with that?

Remember how I mentioned that we were SEVERAL hundred dollars short for our trip we leave on in a few days? God is so good. In one day, a friend who didn't even know we were short said she and her husband had already decided to give us her overtime pay. That woman works a LOT of overtime. At my garage sale yesterday, a woman I hadn't seen in years and barely know at all said she wanted to contribute, and I thought she wrote the check for $20. When I opened it later, it was for $200. God is good, and so are His people.

I'm not sure my children have ever been on my ever-lovin-last nerve as they have been today.

I just wanted to say all of that...

ABC, Do You Remember Me?

I was hoping to have had five posts up by now, but somehow the beginning of summer is just as busy as the end of the school year! Some hilights; ABC style:

A is for AWARDS
My girls RAKED in the awards at the end of the year! The three oldest all had straight A's all year long, and Cassie was in the top 10 percent of her graduating class! Jenna will start receiving letter grades next year; she had check pluses and pluses (plusses??) this year. She received a special award for how far she has come and how hard she worked. I'm so incredibly proud of them all.

B is for Believing
We are still several hundred dollars short for our mission trip that we leave for in one week. But unlike last year, I am not stressing too much. Partly because of how my God SHOWED UP last year. We're having a garage sale this weekend, hitting our candy route, doing some crafts, and hoping to bring in tons of quarters! :)

C is for Cassie
My firstborn baby turned 13 last week. I can't believe it; it wasn't very long ago at all that she was a chunky little baby wearing Winnie the Pooh pjs and slobering all over me.
It has flown by.
If I ever see her wear Pooh again, I will fall over. And if I could find an ounce of chunky on her now, I'd faint. She is a beautiful girl, and so smart and funny and kind. She has a wisdom that impresses me, and is making wonderful choices when it comes to situations and opportunities and issues. I couldn't be more proud of her.
D is for Diet Coke
I am trying to wean off the blessed drink since we will be on our mission trip next week and will have no access to my addiction. This week I've also been off chocolate and bread and all sorts of things, and I am surviving!

E is for Exciting Summer
Already, we have packed in a lot, and the girls have only been out of school less than a week! We hit the drive in (Night at the Museum 2; loved it), had a slumber party, went to Holiday World (birthday surprise for Cassie), had a cookout and invited friends, hit a few graduation parties, been swimming and to VBX. We have more to look forward to- time in California with friends, a potential trip to Niagara Falls, church camp, and hopefully some more trips to the DQ!

F is for Family Camp in Mexico
Our trip to Mexico last year was amazing. We'll be at a different site this year; one that will probably be MUCH hotter, so any prayers you can offer up for me not overheating, no migraines, and no sun poisoning (like I did last year) would be greatly appreciated! We'll be building a house and running a VBX for local children. This year I'm taking on some more responsibility and am a little nervous about it. Scott and I are called the "directors," which I really hope doesn't mean much; I'm helping lead worship, and helping to head up the VBS.

G is for Girlfriends
I seriously miss my blogging friends. :( I have got to get back on the bloggy train! Please don't write me off yet. I'm planning a comeback!

So what have your ABCs been? Fill me in!

Just So You Know...

I am still alive.

I have intentions of blogging on a regular basis again.

I have several blog post ideas.

A couple of them might even be decent ideas.

I miss blogging.

I miss my bloggy friends.

I hope to see you back here again real soon! But for now, it is off to yet another softball game followed by many rounds of laundry, letters to write to amazing teachers, last day of school tomorrow, goodbye party for a favorite person, birthday party for a favorite daughter, cookout for 50 people, secret birthday traveling, and maybe take a shower somewhere in there.

Idol, Out

I have been sadly delinquent in my up-to-the-minute coverage of American Idol. Partly because I've been crazy busy (really want to go off on a tangent here; remind me to do so later) and partly because I've been a little bored with my friend American Idol this season.

But here we are at the final finale, finally.

This post may be disjointed; I'm live blogging and using the ever-popular stream of consciousness technique. Bear with me.

I do love this night, although (and I think I said the same thing last year) it is not as much fun when it is two guys and there is no pretty girl with several different fancy dresses. But I love the flashbacks to the weird auditions and the teasing of the judges and the all-white outfits and all the has been stars.

Paula beats Kara on the outfits.

The videos making fun of the judges is always fun. My fave was the me, you, you, me Randy clip.
Golden Idols- sometimes dragged out, but always memorable. Remember the all yellow lady last year? Or THE BEST ONE EVER when that boy was singing and FLIPPED OUT when Clay Aiken came out singing? Hee hee hee. Norman Gentle did not disappoint this year.

I'm very happy that two of the first three songs are some of my Jazzercize songs. I feel stronger just feeling like a Rock Star wanting to start a fight!! And now Jason Mraz is singing and I feel my six pack abs tightening up. (Even though during the Jazzercise songs tonight I'm being lazy on the couch, the music still surely has some magical fitness power.)

I heart Keith Urban and country music in general.

I do not heart freaky maze mime people and boom boomness. Shelby said, "It was something about digital spit, and that is disturbing."

Ryan's line about bikini girl was THE BEST!!! And Kara upstaging her made. my. night.

I heart Cyndi Lauper. (People used to call me Cyndi Lauper, of course.)
I heart Kris's parents. So cute.
I double heart Danny Gokey. I miss him.

WHAT is Adam wearing? He looks like a flying monkey. Cheddar is bothered by KISS. We all are, a little. But I think I've figured out how to hide my aging skin. When I turn 30 in a year or two, I'm going to start painting my face white.

I'm happy to see little Polly Pocket and Megan Joy again. And Steve Martin!! The saddest day of my life was when Steve Martin died. (Anyone?)

I heart Rod Stewart. I double heart his plaid jacket. I triple heart the song Maggie, so I am very happy.

We are the Champions is the perfect song for Adam.

Ok, here we go... after the nationwide vote, the winner of American Idol is....

And there is SCREAMING in my living room!!!!!
I heart Kris! Look how cute he is crying. I refused to vote for him last night because he said, "me and him, " but I forgive him now. Adam is so gracious. Very impressive.

Well, people, that is it. All that is left is the cheesy finale song. Here's hoping next season has more pretty dresses, less Tatiana, more OOMPH after the big announcement of the winner, and a cameo by my pretend BFF.

Well? What did you think??