the 4th

We had a great July 4th with most of the family gathered at the "White house" for fun, food, and general niece-enjoyment! Corrie Lynn was a hoot the whole day...what a character! Mom, Trish & I got there a little after 2 and finished setting up the food service. Nanny Linda came late, but she seemed to enjoy herself. Sarah came for a short while, but only ate and slept and left early. Daniel worked so he didn't come. Trish and I took CL in her little red car down to the water for a stroll. Several of their neighbors were putting on competing fireworks shows; it was fun to watch. Then we got out the sparklers that I had gotten at the tent sale and CL LOVED them. Cute pics coming! :-D A lovely day in all.

 

I think that Cori is having a boy, but we should find out for sure in several weeks. She is carrying very high this time, and the heart beat is slower than CL's was, even though they could hear it earlier this time. He will be Benjamin Michael (I know...common name). Anyway, I would like for it to be a girl. But then again, I don't really care which it is! :-D More to LOVE!!!

Upon finding out that Sono Harris had died today, I perused several blogs by her family members and found this article about their household of Faith Community Church's tenants. It mirrors almost exactly what I believe about the Holy Spirit and His gifts. Not being a cessationist makes me different in theology from just about everyone I know in my literary world and the homeschool community in general. I had no idea, except for the fact that Josh took over C. J. Mahaney's pastorate, that they were full-gospel.  Charismatic In Ministry
I did know that they were Reformed/Calvinist. I wonder if there is a branch church nearby here anywhere. Something to research. Our local full-Gospel churches are liberal in doctrine, so we haven't ever fit in anywhere.

Marisa gets married on Saturday. Looking forward to that. She and Dustin are very happy together! :-)

beginnings...and endings

I babysat for CL today. Sarah had to drive to Bonifay for a bakery pickup so I got the honors of being CL's babysitter today while Cori taught violin. That "bit o'sunshine" is so adorable! She chatters like a magpie and dances like her Aunt Bee!!!!!

Came home this evening and opened all my mail (Sarah brings it over ever several weeks or so). I read that the student that I sponsor in the ASEA SEED program has graduated from college with her BS in Nursing. I sent her off an e-mail tonight to see what she is planing to do now that she is done with her training. I know that she had mentioned she wanted to work in neonatal or birthing...also had to write Br. Bob to let him know to sign me up to support another girl in the program! Time flies...I think it has been 4 or 5 years now!

My summer has begun nicely. I just needed to recover from a frenetic school year and rest my soul and spirit. I have been able to spend some long needed time soaking in the Word. :-) I have caught up on so much (laundry, business, cleaning), and still have so much left to do! Sleeping late is the best part...and getting to read! :-D I have finally watched "Alice in Wonderland" with Johnny Depp. It was fabulous, as reported! Also Scify's "Alice" was unnervingly good as well.

no dough, no brains

Sometimes I could figuratively shoot myself. I have been so busy this past month that I forgot to pull a paycheck...for five weeks! Several days ago, I had Mom deposit a small bakery paycheck, and just now discovered that what she deposited is all the $ that is in that checking account...my personal account. Erghhh. I have got to get better at this.

Well. Finally. This school year is at an end. With 29 seniors walking the proverbial aisle of commencement, I have had my hands full all year. Like for instance, I didn't get the group photo shoot scheduled until the Sunday before graduation. Yikes. I felt so behind the ball the whole semester, but it all turned out FAB! I asked Gabrielle to help me so that she could spin her special effects on her pics; she did great! A little sidenote...it had been pouring rain for four days. I couldn't put the shoot off any longer, because if I did, I wouldn't have time to develop them before graduation. So I bit the bullet and stayed on track. As we were driving out to Ft. Pickens (a looong hour), low and behold the rain ceased, the clouds parted, and the SUN shown right behind where we were shooting. :-D Talk about God's answer to my prayer. I couldn't have asked for better!

This year was especially tiring somehow. I taught more students than ever before, AND a comp writing class of 14 (yep, that calculates to SEVERAL HUNDRED PAPERS TO GRADE!!!). Tricia and I also shared the Gospel more this year than ever before. Some days, I would counsel, preach, admonish, exhort, and pray with 8-10 students...and come home exhausted! Needless to say, I am tuckered out after nine months of solid-no-rest missionary work. This weekend (sans wedding cake, PTL), I plan on resting and trying to sleep in. I still have things to do (diplomas to sign, books to sign, checks to write, bills to pay) but the main push is done. I have two weeks "off" and then back to a regular schedule of appointments and summer tutoring.

Yesterday was the annual CIAS Tubing trip down Coldwater River at Adventures Unlimited in Milton. We had 40 or so kiddos and several parents with us. And I am getting a kayak next year. This six-foot chunky girl does NOT fit into a tube anymore (did I ever?!?). The kids had a blast. I am glad, because it was not too much fun for me. A dozen or so FB-ed that it was the best day they had ever had. Not sure why, except that Jesus blessed our efforts.

Corrie Lynn is growing like a weed. On her 1st birthday/Easter, I took her to Penny's for another photo shoot. The photog was young and incompetent and let all the cute poses that we set up slip by uncaptured, but what could we do. I want to try something less "studio" and more candid next time. Maybe at 18 months I'll get Monica to shoot her pics. CL is a hoot. We don't get to see her often enough (once every two weeks or so) because...but we can't help it!

Need to get some ice water before hitting the sack. Ciao!

it's a brand new day

Mom, Trish, and I took subs and sodas over to Cori and Brian's house last night. We wanted to see our boo; she is growing up so fast! Each week, she gets a new mannerism or habit that is so endearing! When i got the the bottom of their porch stairs, I called out through the open door, "Corrie Lynn!" A few seconds later, she popped through the door, her hair in ringlets, grinning and waiving excitedly!

This was a busy week for us. Sarah and I chaperoned the Prom at Cafe Grazie in Orange Beach, Alabama on Friday night. Michael O and Corey J tied for Prom King!!!! And Alex B was voted Prom Queen. :-) We met Aly's new boyfriend Wes; he seems perfect for her. We all had a DELICIOUS dinner, and after the great fun of voting for superlatives, most of us headed out to Gulf Shores to spend several hours playing at Adventure Island. Due to inclement weather, the putt-putt and bumper boats were closed, so they played laser tag and arcades until we left around 10:30. I took pictures. I slept great that night, grateful for my pillowtop!!!

The caps & gowns finally came in this week. The seniors are excitedly preparing...only three weeks to go! I have a few things left to iron out (rehearsal, pianist, group photo shoot) but everything is coming together. I was able to cancel a few of my tutor students for the month of May, so I will have extra time to accomplish all that I need to get done!

Tomorrow I meet with an Army commander from Mobile regarding the school's accreditation. Matt J. is enlisting, our first grad in the Army. I am a little nervous, but only because it is on Monday, my most hectic teaching day (writing class!). Then on Tuesday, I meet with the workman's com insurance auditor. All my superb bookkeeping had better pay off! :-)

I spent this morning organizing my class binder and printing all my power points and essays for this writing class. I am not taking any summer classes; I am just too tired and need to rest from the frenetic life I lead. I signed up for my fall classes- literature and intro to exceptional child. Also finished my FAFSA.

Finished reading Beverly Lewis' The Telling. Great ending to a slow-moving trilogy. I saved the end until after my class was over so that I could enjoy it more.

Well, the spaghetti sauce is calling my name, and Mom and Trish want my company for the evening. I wish I had more time to blog and record my life and thoughts. Jesus, help me to slow down!!!