I Want This T-Shirt!

I want this t-shirt! My family found it in a catalog yesterday (Things You Never Knew Existed). When they showed it to me, I laughed and laughed. Please note: Not a one of them laughed. Why?

My Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Have you ever read the book shown above? I know my BFF Jill has!! The book starts out like this: "I went to sleep with gum in my mouth and now there's gum in my hair and when I got out of bed this morning I tripped on the skateboard and by mistake I dropped my sweater in the sink while the water was running and I could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day."

Well, unlike Alexander, I had no clue that yesterday was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day when I woke up! I thought we were going to visit Dr. Look, get Hilary's four wisdom teeth pulled, and come back home (with pain meds, of course) and relax. When we went for the consultation, they said to plan to be there for one to one and a half hours.

We showed up at Dr. Look's office at 8:30 a.m., and the surgery went well. They called me back to the recovery room, and we were set to leave at 10:00 a.m. -- until they took her blood pressure. It was soooo low they could not release her. So, we had to wait! Then around 11:00 a.m. she started throwing up, which made her mouth bleed and bleed. It was one thing after another. At around 1:00 p.m. she started to "come to" so they took her back into the surgery room and hooked her up to an IV again and gave her some anti-nausea medicine, and Dr. Look numbed her mouth again. While they had her in there, they noticed signs of her getting dehydrated (NO DUH!! She hadn't had anything to drink since midnight the night before!!). So, they ended up giving her 2 bags of IV fluid.

Of course, I didn't pack a lunch or take anything with me because I had a good breakfast and thought I would be home by lunch time!! Good thing I have an excessive amount of "fat" to live on, but I was very, very hungry!! And...when I'm very, very hungry -- I'm very, very grouchy! :)

Finally, her blood pressure came up some and at 3:30 p.m. we got released to go home. (In case you weren't counting, that's 7 long hours in a horribly uncomfortable chair in a little recovery room). I came around to the ramp to pick her up. Now, mind you, it was something like 113 degrees yesterday. She is soooooo miserable. I put her in the car and start to leave the parking lot. I didn't see a small curb that stuck out and ended up hitting it with my back tire. I know, go ahead and say it, "You stupid idot!" There, I said it for you. This is what happened:

I was at the entrance to Shasta High School, and I had to call my Mom to come get Hilary and get her home and out of the heat. Then I called Bob at work and had to wait (in the 113 degree weather) for him to come and change the tire. I finally got home around 5:30 p.m.

Oh, by the way, I forgot to mention that it costs $1,892 to have your four wisdom teeth pulled when you have no dental insurance (and you have to pay that before the surgery).

P.S. A note for those who go to Redding Neighborhood Church and know about the 40 Day Fast From Sins of the Tongue: If I had to pay $5 for every negative thing I said yesterday or everytime I complained or whined, I would have ran out of cash and maxed my credit limit on both my Mastercard and Visa. I'm starting with a fresh slate this morning -- isn't God's grace and mercy a beautiful thing?

Picture of the Week #7

This may seem like a strange picture to choose for our "picture of the week", but it was a unanimous decision at the Jones' house to use this one!! We laughed and laughed when we saw it.

Bob's sister and brother, George and Judy Richardson, are missionaries in Alaska. When they are home on furlough, they stay with us for short periods of time. We all love having them visit!In 2001, they were here for Easter, and the kids wanted Uncle George and Aunt Judy to color Easter eggs with them.

So, about the picture...Hilary and Lyle are always asking Uncle George to show them his false teeth, and he is such a good sport about it! Whenever George does this, we laugh and laugh and laugh!!

Hope you get a good chuckle today from our "picture of the week"! (Below is a picture of Uncle George, Aunt Judy, Hilary, and Lyle all dressed up for church on Easter Sunday. It's a nice picture, but not as great as the picture of Uncle George!)

Singing Through The Alphabet (for Kim)

During the school year, I am home alone quite a bit. At those times or while driving in the car by myself, I often let my mind dwell on situations or things that leave me feeling sad or angry. So, quite a few years ago I started what I call "singing through the alphabet". It helps me focus on the Lord. Since I grew up in a conservative, Baptist church, I know a lot of hymns and old choruses by heart, so I usually sing those, but the last few years I've added some more contemporary songs.

If you were a little mouse at my house last week, you would have seen me vacuuming/cleaning and singing (VERY LOUD) through the alphabet two times. The second time through, I try to sing a different song, but sometimes I can't think of one for that alphabet letter, so I just sing the same one. If I don't remember or know all the words, I sing the part that I do know. Sometimes I only know the chorus, and that's okay!

Once when the secretaries at North Valley Baptist Church went on a shopping trip to Medford, Oregon, I had them do this on the way home. We had sooo much fun.

Here's some of my favorites to sing:

A--Amazing Grace, As The Deer Panteth For The Water, All Hail The Power of Jesus Name, Are You Washed In The Blood?, At Calvary, At The Cross, All My Anxiety, All The Way My Savior Leads Me, Awesome God

B--Blessed Be The Name, Beulah Land, Because He Lives, Blessed Assurance, Blessed Be The Name of the Lord, Burdens Are Lifted At Calvary, Be Glorified, Bringing In The Sheaves, Blessed Be The Lord God Almighty

C--Come, Now Is The Time To Worship, Count Your Blessings, Christ The Lord Is Risen Today, Change My Heart O God, Calvary Covers It All, Create In Me A Clean Heart, Crown Him With Many Crowns

D--Do Lord, Day By Day, Does Jesus Care?, Draw Me Nearer, Dare To Be A Daniel, Do You Know My Jesus?

E--Every Day With Jesus, Everybody Ought To Know, Emmanuel

F--Fairest Lord Jesus, Faith Is The Victory, Father I Adore You, Fill My Cup Lord, For God So Loved The World, Fishers Of Men

G--Glory To His Name, God Can Do Anything, God Owns The Cattle On A Thousand Hills, God Will Take Care Of You, God Is So Good

H--Have Thine Own Way Lord, Hallelujah What A Savior, Happiness Is To Know The Savior, Happy Happy Happy, He Is Able To Deliver Thee, He Leadeth Me, Heaven Came Down, His Eye Is On The Sparrow, His Name Is Wonderful, Honey In The Rock, How Great Thou Art

I--I Just Keep Trusting My Lord, I'll Fly AwayI Know Whom I Have Believed, I Love You Lord, I Love To Tell The Story, I Must Tell Jesus, I Need Thee Every Hour, I Surrender All, I Will Sing Of The Mercies Of The Lord Forever, I'd Rather Have Jesus, I'm So Happy And Here's The Reason Why, I've Got A Mansion, In The Garden, In Times Like These, Isn't He Wonderful?, It Is Well With My Soul

J--Jesus Loves Me, Jesus Jesus Jesus There's Just Something About That Name, Jesus Is The Sweetest Name I Know, Jesus Loves Even Me, Jesus Paid It All, Jesus Never Fails, Joy Joy Joy Joy Down In My Heart, Jesus As I Am, Just A Closer Walk With Thee

K--Kum Ba Yah My Lord, King of Kings

L--Love Lifted Me, Living For Jesus, Leaning On The Everlasting Arms, Lord I'm Coming Home, Like A River Glorious, Let Jesus Come Into Your Heart, Let's Just Praise The Lord,

M--Make Me A Blessing, My Jesus I Love Thee, My God Is So Big, Marching To Zion, Mansion Over The Hilltop, Majesty,

N--Nothing But The Blood, Near The Cross, No One Ever Cared For Me Like Jesus, Now I Belong To Jesus

O--O How I Love Jesus, Onward Christian Soliders, Open My Eyes That I May See, O Say But I'm Glad, Oh That Will Be Glory For Me, O Be Careful Little Eyes, O Happy Day, Our God Reigns, Open The Eyes Of My Heart Lord, Only Believe, One Day At A Time, Oh Lord You're Beautiful, Oh Come Angel Band,

P--Power In The Blood, Praise Him Praise Him, Precious Memories, Precious Lord Take My Hand, Put Your Hand In The Hand, Praise The Name Of Jesus, Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow, Praise In The Morning, People Need The Lord, Pass It On, Peace In The Valley

Q--I must confess I skip "Q"

R--Redeemed, Revive Us Again, Rock Of Ages, Room At The Cross For You, River Of Life, Rise Again, Rejoice In The Lord Always

S--Softly and Tenderly, Soon Yes Very Soon, Spirit Of The Living God, Savior Like A Shepherd Lead Us, Send The Light, Since Jesus Came Into My Heart, Springs Of Living Water, Standing On The Promises, Sweet By And By, Stand Up Stand Up For Jesus

T--The Lord Is Good, The Lord Is My Shepherd, 'Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus, The Old Rugged Cross, Take My Life and Let It Be, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, The Solid Rock, Thank You Lord For Saving My Soul, Trust And Obey

U--Under His Wings, Until Then, Up From The Grave He Arose

V--Victory In Jesus

W--When We All Get to Heaven, When The Roll Is Called Upon Yonder, What A Friend We Have In Jesus, We've A Story To Tell To The Nations, We're Marching To Zion, When I Survey The Wondrous Cross, Wonderful Words Of Life,

X--Good News , E"x"tra Good News (I know that's stretching it some, but can you think of an X song?)

Y--Yesterday, Today, Forever

Z--Zaccheus Was A Wee Little Man

I'm Missing Lyle!

Lyle has had quite a busy life lately. He went to Sacramento to spend a week with Bob's Aunt, cousin and her four kids. He came home for a couple of days and then left for West Coast Camp. He got home from camp on Saturday and left this morning for a week.

Lyle is headed to Yosemite to go backpacking with the Venture Club from Redding Christian School. I dropped him off at Yak's Coffee Shop this morning at 7:00 a.m., and they headed out!!

Here's a group picture (minus one girl they were picking up in Cottonwood) we took at Yak's before they pulled out:

I am already missing that little boy!! He is sooooo much fun to have around, and I'm lonely for him when he's gone! But, I know this will be a great experience for him!

James and the Giant Peach

Last night, Gramz treated us to a fun Saturday evening -- dinner at Red Robin and a play!! We went to see Shasta College's Theatre Arts Department perform "James and the Giant Peach." Afterwards, we enjoyed some delicious ice cream pie at our house!

"What prompted you to attend Shasta College's summer play? Glad you asked!!! Look at the program below and see who was one of two Assistant Stage Managers -- our Hilary!! Hilary has taken Intro to Theater and Directing and will be taking Stage Makeup this Fall. She has decided to minor in Theater in College. You go, girl!!

Picture of the Week #6

Here's a picture from our November 2003 trip to Disneyland. Whenever the kids got an autograph, we would take their picture with that character. Here they are with Beauty and the Beast:

I have noticed that everytime Hilary helps me pick out the picture of the week, so chooses a picture of Lyle because I don't think she particularly likes having her picture posted on my blog. But, I wanted you to see my "beauty" (taken in 2005) all dressed up for "Disney Day" during Spirit Week at Redding Christian School:

Unexpected Early Morning Company

I woke up this morning to some unexpected visitors (hundreds of them!!) I am publicly announcing on this blog the following statement:

I HATE ANTS!!!!!

In Genesis 1:31, it says: "God saw all that he had made, and it was very good." Well, I don't make it a habit of disagreeing with God and His Word, but ants are NOT "very good". I have absolutely NO idea why God created them! I also have absolutely NO idea why Noah didn't "accidentally" forget to take them on the ark!!!!

Off To Camp!

Yesterday I drove these three kiddos to West Coast Camp...

at this beautiful place...

I have always had a soft spot in my heart for Lassen Pines. I love going there because (I know it sounds silly) but I feel so close to God when I am there. I cannot give financially to support Lassen Pines at this point in my life, but I support them with prayer. I pray for Lassen Pines and each member of the Luff family on a daily basis. I so enjoyed walking around for awhile, even though the place was NUTS with all those kids running around! :)

I thoroughly enjoyed the drive home by myself. I drove slow (and kept having to pull off to let cars go by :) ), spent time talking to the Lord about some things that are heavy on my heart right now, and SANG, SANG, SANG so loud (and probably off key!!). I sang through the alphabet, which is one of my most favorite things to do. Examples:

A -- Amazing Grace
B -- Blessed Assurance
C -- Come, Now Is The Time To Worship

D -- Do Lord

E -- Everyday with Jesus

F -- Fairest Lord Jesus

You get the picture!! I almost made it through the alphabet twice.

Thank you, Lord, for an awesome day!

Picture of the Week #5

What happened to my taking a roll of film in each week to get it developed? I don't know!! Well, this week I got "back on track" and took a roll in. So, here's the Picture of the Week:

This is Lyle (7 years old) all dressed up in his tux for Ben and Nicole Sprague's wedding. What a cute little fellow!!! Yes, I'm his mother and I'm prejudiced and basis!!!! BUT...don't you admit he is cute?

Quote for the Day

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...

It's learning how to dance in the rain!

Changes

Life is full of change! We change schools, careers, homes, relationships, etc. Most change is hard and usually causes stress. Tragedy can strike, and our lives are changed forever -- a marriage dissolves, someone we love dies, a career change can disrupt our lives, or financial losses sweep away our security. Even a geographic change can be stressful! If the the truth was known, I would just as soon not take the above exit!! :)

How hard is it to adjust to change? I think it depends on whether or not the change was your idea. When we decide to change or change something in our life, we usually jump in with both feet, excited about the possibilities that lie ahead. When change is forced upon us, we rebel. We look for every reason that the change will not work.

After having a pretty "boring" life for so many years (I wasn't complaining!), I have had a multitude of changes happen in my life over the last three years, not all wanted. Some of the changes have brought tears to my eyes, pain to my heart, and questions to my soul. Other chances brought joy! I liken some of the changes in my life to removing a band aid, which can be quite painful and there are only two ways to do it -- peel it slowly or rip it off quick. Some of the changes in my life these last years have happened quickly and some have or are happening very slowly. Either way, it is painful!

How am I surviving all the changes? By taking it one day at a time and remembering that it's my perception of change that affects my thoughts, my feelings and my reactions. While I trust God with my eternal fate, I am ashamed to admit I find it difficult to trust him with the "here and now".

It is sooooo comforting to cling to the promises of God and remind ourselves that God does not change! He's the "constant" in my world right now.

"I the Lord do not change." Malachi 3:6

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8

Happy Birthday, Wesley!!

Check out this cute little baby!!!

Happy 53rd Birthday to my brother, Wesley!! Wes is in Malaysia visting some friends, and I hope he is having a wonderful vacation and an awesome birthday.

If we were together, I would bake you a white cake (and then drop one of the layers on the floor. Ha! Ha!). I love you! You are the bestest brother in the whole wide world!

Happy 4th of July

Hope ya'll are doing something fun with family and/or friends!! Happy 4th of July to all my blogger friends!! Love you all!

Let's Shred!

We’ve all heard about the economy
And construction companies are feeling the heat,
So my hours at Hudson Mechanical
Were really taking a beat.

More hours, oh please, more hours
I desperately, frantically pleaded.
More hours at Hudson Mechanical
Is exactly what I needed!

So for the girl in the office at Hudson’s
The one that is wearing red,
There’s a new job to do on Wednesdays
It’s SHRED, SHRED, SHRED, SHRED, SHRED!!

Yes, I am thanking the Lord for providing me with more hours at work. I was only working 3-4 hours on Thursdays, but I am now going in on Wednesdays for 5-6 hours to SHRED, SHRED, SHRED old files. The picture above shows this week's hard work -- 11 (10 gallon) bags of shredded files!!