Train show, picnic, playground

That was our morning with friends at Clay's company's recreational facility. The train show was geared more for those really in to the hobby, but I think everyone enjoyed the modular train set ups. The boy could hardly contain his excitement (or disappointment when we left). I will admit the detail these folks put into these things is astonishing (and slightly disturbing if you think about it too long). We don't often go to this park so the kids enjoyed different (and much bigger) equipment. What a wonderful way to spend the morning.

My kind of exercise

In need of exercise and with a desire to enjoy this amazing weather, I surprised the kids with a trip to the zoo this morning. I took my camera this time, and caught some fun moments and faces. The boy walked a good portion today and the girl strangely wanted to enjoy the ride (it's usually opposite). It is so fun to watch them enjoy the animals. We saw all the new babies - lions, tigers, giraffes, and deer. We enjoyed watching the penguins eat and play. The elephant gave itself a bath. The billy goat wanted our goldfish, and the jaguar was especially active. We rode the train - our regular end to a day at the zoo - and the kids were unusually camera cooperative. My cup overflows, but my legs are a bit sore!

(And I promise the kids are more than just these outfits for fall, but it seems they are wearing these clothes lately every time I have a camera handy!)

Finally found it!

Years ago I was blessed by a song one of the youth in our previous church sang. I have searched off and on since that time for the song without success. Thanks to the free satellite radio we still enjoy in our van, I got to hear the song again yesterday. You have probably heard it as it was released in 2003, but I just love it.

I encourage you to take a moment to watch this YouTube video. May you be blessed and reminded of Jesus.

Untitled Hymn (Come to Jesus) by Chris Rice
(from Run the Earth Watch the Sky album)

A bit of randomness

I think I've started about 7 posts in my head over the last several days, but nothing is really coming together as I sit here now. Here's a snippet of a few of them...

I wanted to post a picture of the girl and share about my daily reality of raising myself. It has been quite enlightening for me to see myself through her. There are a lot of differences, but she is only about to cross the 20 month mark so some of those things could change. (I'm thinking specifically about the fact that she doesn't like having anything in her hair. I, however, was very particular about my hair "requesting" my mom redo it until the part was perfect. Poor girl looks like such a ragga muffin all the time - and she has so much hair to do cute things with!)


I tell ya, every time we're with my dad he just laughs because he feels like he's stepped back 30 years. I have apologized to my mom countless times since the girl arrived now understanding what she had to put up with. Some days I'm amazed they didn't harm me!






One day I wanted to vent (of sorts) about the challenges of raising these two strong-willed, spirited children. I know I am not the first nor will I be the last; but I've never done this before and some days it kicks my butt! I have been reminded to be thankful for their persistence, their strong-will, and their drive. My prayer is that God will give me wisdom and discernment on how to mold them into lovers and followers of Christ. God could use them in mighty ways if only they will submit to Him. I also pray they learn some life lessons early so they aren't learning them AGAIN as they raise their own children. It's the running joke that we don't know where the kids got their personalities from... and poor Clay keeps wondering why he's being punished for my past sins!


This afternoon on the way home from playing with some friends, I was struck again by how I keep changing as I age. I might have mentioned this before, but I used to be little miss social butterfly. I loved being around people and flourished better in large crowds than small, intimate settings. I was energized by meeting new folks and hob-knobbing with various people. I don't know if it's age, kids, or Clay rubbing off on me, but I am quite the opposite now. I spent not even 2 hours with these friends and their kids today and was exhausted. It felt good to be home - where I was all day yesterday. Guess I'm becoming a bit of a homebody. Not totally. I long for connection with others and getting out, but I find I'd much prefer one-on-one. Vacation was great, but I found myself longing for more intimate conversations. I rarely "work the room" at church (as one of my friends used to say I was good at) anymore. I find it interesting that I used to shy away from the intimacy of close friendships, and yet now I feel more comfortable in that setting than a big social gathering that is simply surface talk. Guess I have need for depth and realness that often fails to appear at such events. Random, I know, but just something that struck me again today.

And lastly, I wanted to post the chorus to a song we sang yesterday at church by Lincoln Brewster. It really struck a chord with me:

In You, in You I find my peace
In You, in You I find my strength
In You, I live and move and breathe
Let everything I say and do
Be founded by my faith in You

A new park

We went to a new park this morning with some friends. It is great - a pond with a waterspout thing, a bridge, ducks, geese, 2 play sets, swings, and best of all SHADE! I had my camera because we were meeting a friend at a mall later for lunch and playing, and I hadn't seen her or her son in a few months. I took lots of pictures at the park, but none at the mall! Silly me. I posted almost all the pictures I took - I caught some great moments in my opinion. I'll refrain from narrating each one and just let your mind have fun figuring out what caused some of these faces/actions!

Our Saturday

In reverse order...we headed out last night to watch the MSU/LSU game with our friends who are LSU grads. I must say until I met the Alexanders I truly believed NOTHING good - or even decent for that matter - could come from that school. They have truly changed my mind about that. They are amazing folks, and we even enjoy watching the game with them. They aren't obnoxious or cruel in any way even though they easily could be. Anyway, all four of us donned State wear. The boy wouldn't cooperate for a picture, but you can still him proudly displaying the logo. The girl finally sorta fits in her cheerleading uniform. She is too adorable, but was none too happy about standing up for a picture.

Earlier that day, I caught them playing with sunglasses. Wouldn't you know they would both take an interest in them AFTER we get home from the beach? They are just too cute, and I think they know it. You should see the girl strutting around...

The kids "slept in" yesterday morning (translate - 7:45 a.m.), and we quickly headed outside after breakfast to enjoy the cooler temperatures (thus why they are still in their pajamas). The girl figured out how to climb the big ladder to slide (we have 2 slides, but one's ladder has more steps). She is such a tiny thing that it is quite funny to watch her pull this off. I was snapping a few pictures when she started crying. I then walked to the side and saw why she was so upset. Watch the video to see how she easily got herself in this predicament (make sure to pause the player at the bottom so you can hear their sweetness). I tell ya, I don't think there's going to be much that will stop her.