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I saw this on Anna Jane's website...it was an Easter posting but I'm just now getting around to saving it.

1 Corinthians 15:42

Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they will be raised to live forever. 43 Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength. 44 They are buried as natural human bodies, but they will be raised as spiritual bodies... 53 For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. 54 Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled:"Death is swallowed up in victory.O death, where is your victory?O grave, where is your sting?"

He is risen.He is risen indeed!

Game Ranch

Fun day at the Game Ranch. It was a whirlwind, as we had to do the entire ranch in 1.5 hours. But we managed. The kids loved feeding the animals. I have some great pics but I have some priceless videos. Mary was fearless as usual. Bubby was cautious but did enjoy himself. Whenever we go back, we should definitely go early in the morning when the animals are more active. The deer were nuts and were all over us!

It was a hoot. Lots of fun - too much for MayMay. She ended up taking a 3 hour nap and went to bed at almost her usual time. Good for her - she has no idea what's in store for her tomorrow. SHOTS. All three kids. It's going to suck but since I don't have a real job, I don't have a choice but to endure it. Tis my lot.

This is the kids' favorite video of the day. They especially liked the part where I told Mary not to stick the carrot stick up the deer's butt!

Cute Pictures

It was a good weekend.

We celebrated Natalie's birthday on Saturday night by going to dinner and a movie. It's always a good time with Natalie and Albie. Albie is particularly hilarious when it comes to good food. He couldn't contain his excitement at being at Dominick's. We had to have the crab cakes. We had to have the garlic bread. We talked about different sauces, half orders, full orders. I ordered the eggplant parmesan. I loves me some eggplant parmesan! Jay and I had the leftovers for dinner tonight. It was a little salty but overall very good. Even Mary ate some of it. I told her it was lasagna and she gobbled it up.

After dinner we went to see Leatherheads. It was okay - I didn't love it but I didn't hate it either. If it had been on tv, I probably would have switched the channel. The second half was much better than the first so at least it ended well. Jay enjoyed it.

We were supposed to have the Sunday School social today but since we woke up to rain, I figured it was canceled. Well, it was just moved to the Fellowship Hall. It was okay, the food was decent but the wild kids were on my last nerve. There are some kids who are allowed to run everywhere, on the stage, around in circles, screaming.

Tomorrow is the Game Ranch with Alex's class. Mary is going to skip school and go with us. She actually has a field trip to the Strawberry Field but since we live right there, it's not a big deal to miss it. I'm looking forward to it, it's been a long time since we've been to the Ranch.

Here are some fun pics from last week.



Sweet McKennah at the playground.


The Three Muskateers (or the Three Stooges?)


Working hard!

Just off the bus and ready to relax.


Ready to play!

Viernes

Well, I forgot to ask my kids what day of the week it was. But we did sing the alphabet song and learned a few new words.

Ally came home with me and that was a disaster. She and Mary butted heads all afternoon long. They are both so headstrong. And then when we had dinner with her parents, Ally showed out like she always does. It was a little stressful for a bit.

5 More Random things About Me

1. I love Pierrot. Always have and always will.
2. I hate moving the clothes from the washer to the dryer.
3. I hate it when people can't type with all five fingers like they are supposed to.
4. I hate animation and never laugh at it.
5. I always drink out of straws when I'm in a restaurant.

An awful lot of those started with "I hate". I'm going to try a different approach...

1. I love Mexican food.
2. I love praise music.
3. I love rainy afternoons when I don't have to be anywhere.
4. I love my iPod.
5. I love to entertain and try new recipes. (no news there)

Tomorrow there is a soccer game, then dinner and a movie with The Gang (kids are going to Papi's house). Sunday I have to teach and then we have a Sunday School social afterwards at Lilburn park. Fun Fun.

Randomosity

Shhh...don't tell anyone because they won't believe it. I've tried not to dwell on it because I'm afraid it will go away. Any idea what I'm talking about? None at all?

It's Mary.

I have been enjoying her so much lately. She normally drives me absolutely crazy but I've had to stop and take a step back and remember she's only four years old. I have enjoyed watching her play with her friends, play by herself, brush my hair, take care of her babies, color or paint, chase the cat. But mostly I've enjoyed watching her interact with her friends. She and McKennah have been spending a lot of time together and I think it's a perfect fit. I appreciate Stacey calling for Mary so often - it makes both of us happy! But she doesn't just play with McKennah. Of course there's Ashlyn. And Riley, and Becca, and boys if they'll play with her. And she plays with Ally (she'll be coming over tomorrow). Tonight we went to McDonald's and Mary played with a random girl there! She usually doesn't do that. It's not a shy thing, it's a stubborn thing. Anyway, she is my sweet girl and I'm trying to remember that everyday - even when she misbehaves - she is still my sweet baby girl.

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5 Random Things About Me:

1. I hate commercials on the tv. Must mute them all.
2. I load my dishwasher in a very particular way. In almost 14 years of wedded bliss, my dh has yet to figure it out.
3. I think Jamie Oliver is a very dirty little man.
4. Sunflowers scare me. They look like they should have faces on them and start talking.
5. I can't walk barefoot. It hurts.

There's more but for now five is enough.

Tomorrow is Friday. TGIF! Friday is my favorite day of the week, remember? Viva el viernes! I have to remember to ask my kindergartners what day of the week it is. Most of the time they get it. Most of the time.

Sad

I got the saddest news this afternoon.

Vicki T., called me and told me that Patrick had turned in his resignation to Seth today. The public announcement will be made on Wednesday but she didn't want me to be blindsided by it. I really appreciated the thought but honestly - I was still blindsided! It wouldn't have been easy to hear anytime though. He has accepted a position at his previous church in Ohio. Both his and Terri's family (and their oldest son) is in Ohio so it makes perfect sense. He is leaving the music ministry and taking an executive pastoral position. I don't know anything about anything but from what Vicki said, it sounds like he would be well suited for this job. But geez, I can't imagine a day at MCCC w/out Patrick there. He came to see me at the hospital when I had my hernia surgery. Terri brought us dinner afterwards. Chase is my Chase. He totally humored Mary and her attitude. He loved on Alex and acted like he actually understood his conversation. The choir - where do I start with the choir? I have never enjoyed anything as much as I have enjoyed singing in the choir. I will never forget that day in 06 when Patrick made me stand up in the gym in front of everyone at a pep rally/basketball game and made me commit to being in the Living Tree that Christmas. I liked the tree so much that I participated in it the next year too. Along w/ Olivia, Alex and Mary. And Mexico? What can I say about Mexico? I have learned so much from him by seeing him in action on two mission trips to Mexico. He embodies all the greatest spiritual
traits, he knows so much about so many things.

I could go on and on. Just suffice it to say that this was a sad day for me. I will miss the entire family, both at church and outside of church. It just won't be the same.

Sunday Night Blues

*Sigh*

It's Sunday. Again. Why do I always feel so blue on Sundays? Because we have to go to work/school tomorrow? I don't feel blue any other day before work/school. And I love my Mondays - me home alone. The only day of the week where I get a few hours home alone.

Oh well. Nothing to do but get over it.

Great news! Mine and Olivia's mission trips are paid in full as of today! That was a wonderful surprise because I thought we still had a ways to go. We had a looong meeting today and nailed down a lot of details. Of course none of it matters because schedules always change, time frames go out the window, and we are expected to be flexible! I hope Liv will be able to handle it all. I'm guessing she will though, she's a really good traveller. Oh, btw, I checked our passports and both are good until 2010.

Happy Birthday to McKennah! She had a fabulous backyard splash party today. It was great because the kiddos played while the mamas relaxed. There were kid drinks and not-so-kiddie drinks. It was all good! While Mary and I were at the party, Jay took Liv and Alex out for a fun afternoon. We came home and they were all happy.

BTW, where are the pictures?