That's What Summer's For!

The kids screaming, phone ringing
Dog barking at the mailman
That stack of bills - overdue
Good morning, baby, how are you?
Got a half hour, quick shower
Take a drink of milk but the milk's gone sour
My funny face makes you laugh
Twist the top on and put it back
There goes the washing machine
Baby, don't kick it.
I promise I'll fix it
Long about a million other things

As I sit here typing this, Jodo is screaming, Helen is going back and forth between trying in vain to tickle me and pestering me with lots of random questions while Grace is playing away at the piano.  All these things are harmonizing with the sounds and smells of the currently-being-prepared supper!

Who am I kidding?  The Shoe -- my affectionate nickname for our home -- is filled with chaos!  But in the words of one of my favorite country artists, Phil Vassar, it's just another day in Pardise!  This is what summer is for!


Well, it's okay, it's so nice
Just another day in paradise
Well, there's no place I'd rather be
Well, it's two hearts
And one dream
I wouldn't trade it for anything
And I ask the Lord every night
For just another day in paradise


Oh me oh my, I absolutely adore my family, but I have to remind myself of that when the noise gets to be just a bit much.  ;)

This summer I'm looking forward to coffee dates with siblings and parents, Monk marathons, trips out of state, reading for fun, pick-up soccer games in the backyard, sleeping til noon, eating good food, staying up late into the night watching movies with Luke, listening to great country music, and swimming laps at the pool.  Yes, it's gonna be a great summer around work.  =)

Here's to a great summer and all the noise that goes with it!

Just another day in Paradise!!!

Things of Note

-  Don't just up and leave without telling anyone where you're going or even that you're going.  The family doesn't seem to appreciate it.
- I bought myself a book of all the "Essential Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe" today for $7.  I was pleased with myself.
-  Running in the rain is a glorious thing, but running in the midst of a thunderstorm is quite another story.
-  Tickle fights are the best way to induce laughter in small children.
-  Driving one's own self around is quite refreshing after having to rely on the goodwill of kind friends for the past 4 months.
-  Nothing makes you feel like a worse person than not officially being back at work and already having to ask off.
-  Going out with one's mother for coffee and telling her everything that is laying heavily on one's heart is quite cathartic.
-  Getting to take a nap at any time of the day is absolutely wonderful!  Nowhere to be and no one that needs seeing.
-  God is good.  Life is good.  If you haven't experienced either of these things, you should try changing your perspective.  It's worth it.  :)

And That's a Wrap!

Well, school's over and I arrived home at 4 a.m. on Monday morning.  As you can imagine, I spent much of the day sleeping and being loved on by my brothers and sisters.  I'll miss Dallas with a passion, but I know that there is still life to be lived here at home.  There are jobs to be worked, people to catch up with, home cooked meals to consume, music to listen to, games to be played, sun to get, pools in which to swim, and graduations to attend.  And that's only the month of May!

In June, Lord willing, I'll be driving up to Minnesota with part of the family and help cheer Luke and Eliza on as they compete in the national speech and debate tournament.  I've been watching their progress from afar this year, and I can't tell you how proud I am of my brother and sister!  They've both given their utmost, and even though Regionals was just last week, they've already set their noses to the grindstone in preparation for Nationals.  I'm so happy for them!

As far as work goes, I'm applying for a part time position in the produce department, and I'm throwing up the idea of applying at either Gap  (so I can work with Luke) or Barnes and Noble (where books and coffee abound).  Also, I'd love to spend a good portion of time volunteering at a crisis pregnancy center.  God has given me a heart for children, both born and unborn, and I'd love to be able to do something in that area.

In other news, I'll be praying alongside my awesome Worldview Academy staffers, knowing they'll do a fantastic job with their small groups, giving all glory to God.  I wish more than anything that I could be right there with them, but I also understand that that's not where God wants me this year.  It was one of the hardest decisions I've made, but I trust His flawless plan.

And I think that about sums up life right now!  I'd love to hang out with y'all while I'm home, but just know that I need two weeks notice so I can ask off of work.  ;)

May God guide and bless the paths you take this summer!

Check-A-Roo

Wootness!  I have completed every last bit of required reading for the semester (that's over 1,500 pages worth of material [roughly reminiscent of high school, if you ask me ;) ]), decimated three finals, written two book reviews, given a presentation, and memorized passages of Scripture.

I've soaked up way more sun than I usually have at this time of year, seen more movies over the past three months than I usually see over the span of 5 years; I've eaten more bananas than ever, run more consistently than I have since my junior year of high school, grown my hair longer than it's been in years, grown much closer to God than I've ever been, and found yet another extension to my family.

Now all that's left is to study for one last final, pack up and move back to Cedar Park, drive back up and help celebrate at the wedding of a beloved roommate, work for a medical seminar, drive back home in time for my little brother's high school graduation, attend another wedding, figure out a way to get involved in a crisis pregnancy center, then go back to my old job punching in PLU codes and pushing carts in the hot summer sun.

These are exciting times.  Stay tuned...  :)