I don't want to do anything else.

I am starting this post out with a heavy sigh. It has been a busy week and there is so much to tell. I waded through all the paperwork and then through the lines at the school to get everything turned in, paid for and worked out so the boys are registered. We got Eric's schedule on Wednesday. Thursday we got Brandon's schedule. I started comparing the two schedules and realized that Eric's was not right. So we had to go back over to the school and get things straightened out which took awhile. We walked around campus finding classrooms. We found their lockers and after struggling with trying to open them we finally asked someone. All in all, I am excited for the boys because there are so many good things available to them at this school. And I feel that the school is great because there are so many helpful and friendly people there. Its a new beginning.

However, there was one point in the week I felt overwhelmed. We had gotten back from being at the school and we needed to get some lunch. I had forgotten to feed the cats in the morning because I was so rushed to get over to the school. So I went into the kitchen and opened a can of cat food. I threw the lid in the trash and then started messing with the trash bag when the bag broke. At the same time the spoon I had stuck in the catfood fell out on to the floor and Princess was so hungry she went over and started licking the spoon. As I was trying to work with the trash Eric yelled at me from the sunroom, "Hey Mom, come look at this!". I admit, I was grumpy as piles of laundry and dishes as well as school business weighed on my mind. In desperation I yelled out "Eric, I am busy working, can you hold on!" Then I just started laughing, it just all seemed so comical to me. All this stuff going on and there I am doing the best I can for the moment. And to think, all I wanted to be was a MOM. I really do not think I knew what I was getting into, but you know, I wouldn't want to be doing anything else.

A True Heart Award

What does this award mean:

"Those that receive this award are of the sweetest nature. They are kind, fun, friendly, loving, and eager to share their love of Jesus with others. They are brave with their efforts to reflect Him in this darkened world. They are the kind of folks you are blessed to know, even if it is only in the blogging world."

My friend Rachel Smith blessed me with this very special award. Thank you so much Rachel, I am humbled by your gentle spirit, full of love and kindness. As I have been blessed, I would like to bless others. I pass this award on to my fellow blogging friends:

Fairmaiden - who loves to encourage others with the word of God.

Jane - whose blog always reflects her love of the Lord.

Outdoor Mom - whose stories always turn my thoughts to God.

Sue - who is an amazing homeschooling mom with 4 children, one being autistic.

Pam - who inspires me to cook & bake with her recipes.

Susan - who brings joy to my life with her "Childhood Memories" posts.

I would like to also mention Candy and Sharon who dearly love the Lord and their kind and gracious ways reflect that. Their blogs inspired me to start my own. Ladies thank you so much for your inspiration in my life.

Love & hugs to all,
Becky

p.s. Please visit Becky's Journal for a praise report and thank you.

Little Fish - Big Pond

Our goldfish Comet & Cupid.

Right now I am having a bit of writer's block. I have tried to start this post a couple different ways and it just isn't working. All I know is that when I start to say what I want, it sounds selfish, so I am going to say it this way. Sometimes I feel like a little fish in a big pond and if a fisherman was fishing and he caught me, he would throw me back because I am a little fish. But you know, that is what God wants for me and there is blessing in that.

Today I was a taxi driver. I drove four boys around town. Eric and two of his friends had plans to film a video that they want to put on You Tube. The plan did not work out the way they wanted it to, but they got some filming done and had fun doing it. One of his friends stayed for dinner. If it had not been for my willingness to be there for these boys, their attempt to make their movie would not have happened today. I have been enjoying having young people over to our house. Sometimes I feel like being a stay at home mom is not enough to do with my life, but when I get to open my home to others I feel the Lord is using me to work His will in their lives.

I also spent time listening to a friend who is having trouble with her marriage. She lives on the other side of the country from me, so I cannot be of much help, but lending an ear is a good way to show I care and saying prayers. Also, My Aunt had her surgery for rectal cancer. They gave her a colostomy and she absolutely hates it. Of course her having a colostomy made me remember when I had mine. I was truly blessed of the Lord because I really did not hate mine. I was scared to take care of it at first, but I got used to it. And I remember having a little trouble with clothes, but then shopping for new clothes was fun. Anyway, Aunt M wants hers reversed as soon as possible. Thankfully she has my other two Aunts helping her, so she is in good hands.

So where am I going with this post? You know, I really don't know, but God does. Hopefully something I have written here will strike a cord with you and He will use my humble writings and life it to speak to you. All I know is that I am blessed of God even when I do not think I am.

Strawberry Croissants, Love & Blessings

Friday morning the boys and I took a bike ride over to a bakery called The Cream Pan in old town. They make awesome Strawberry Croissants (picture from Kat's Blog), which are filled with vanilla custard and decorated with slices of fresh strawberry. They were absolutely delicious and the boys and I inhaled them. Afterward, we biked our way back through big city streets, old fashion homes and kindly pedestrians to our little cottage. However, I had to stop in the park near our home to rest, I always get weak at the last little stretch. I stumbled off my bike toward a park bench and sat in the shade. While sitting there the boys got into one of their famous disputes. Eric took off for home since we were not far from it, he was hopping mad. Thankfully, Brandon stayed for awhile and then he rode off to look for his brother. So I just sat there in the shade enjoying the quiet. After a while Brandon came back and we rode toward home together. On the way, I saw Eric, who was coming back for me. It is always nice to know that my sons care about me.

Saturday morning was the planning meeting for the Boy Scout troop. Mark and the boys rode their bikes to the meeting which was at the other park near our friend's house. I was able to enjoy a nice quiet morning of rest. The first one home from the meeting was Brandon and he brought his friend Nick over. I was very happy to see Nick, we have not had Nick over for ages. His Mom never can seem to part with him, but today his Dad let him come for a short visit. It was fun to visit with Nick's Dad when he came to pick him up. He always has a smile. Later, we went to my niece's birthday party. She loved the scrapbook and I got lots of hugs from her. I am so glad that she liked it. Everyone else loved it too, I am thankful that I was able to touch everyone's hearts with my work.

Busy with Boys

Well, the past couple of days I was busy with boys. Both Eric and Brandon each had a friend over. I really enjoyed having four boys in the house. Thankfully, the Lord was gracious and gave me the strength to handle it. Today I was up early and the boys were up early as well to have an airsoft war. My sons do not have the guns, but their friends do. They had tons of fun playing. Not much of summer is left for them so I am trying to let them have as much fun as possible before school begins. Next week both the boys have to go down to the high school and register. Their first day of school is Sept. 1st. Only two weeks left to play.

Sunflower Update

Here is my sunflower that opened a few days ago. It has changed color a bit. It has a touch of golden to it now. Below is a picture of the back side of the flower revealing streaks of yellow.

Below is a nearly full length picture. Another flower has opened on the other side. I just love watching this plant grow, it is such a blessing to me.

On a sad note, I think that my little Gentleman Bird met with an unfortunate event. It has been weeks and he has not come at all, which is not like him. I miss him so much, he brought such joy to me. All his friends still come. They sit in the plum tree waiting on me to put bird seed out for them. I wish I could have kept my bird. I have the memory of our last visit. I remember he was so happy to see me he flew from the tree right into the patio and and landed on my head. He loved my hair. I remember I fed him and then he took a nap in the tree with me standing close by, after awhile he flew off. I've not seen him since.

A Present from Camp

This is a picture of my job for today. Getting all of this stuff clean. This is the present my men brought me from camp. Yes, filthy camp laundry! Do you see the glowing eyes of my kitty on the left? Isn't she so sweet? She wants to help me, but the smell of this stuff turned her tummy and she hacked up a hairball on it. LOL Anyway, be glad that you cannot smell this. I always wash the socks first because they are the worst. Sometimes I think I should be using latex gloves, tongs and a nose plug to deal with this gross laundry, but I am a tough woman, I use my bare hands and try to not breath deeply. Of course I wash my hands afterward. Okay, hi-ho, hi-ho, its off to work I go!