Just Thinking

I am sitting here at work, alone because the entire class and staff have gone skiing.
Someone had to stay behind in the classroom and I was tagged it.
At first I felt as though I were being punished, but now I am felling like it is sort of a rare treat.
The room is quiet, all I can hear are the sounds of the heater clanking and cars driving by.
I may have to turn on the radio just for some background noise.

My plan, after I get some work that needs to be done finished, is to read the first few chapters of Beth Moore's new book So Long Insecurity, you've been a bad friend to us. I signed up to be a part of the blogging discussions 2 weeks ago, but I have not managed to find the time to sign in and make a comment about what I have read. Maybe I will have time on Friday's if I end up staying behind each week...could be yet another blessing or treat. :0)

WOW

What's up with it being so long since I have visited this space and actually taken the time to write anything down?

Where have I been you may be wondering, or perhaps you don't wonder at all, which is fine too...

I have been here, in Montana now for over a year and I guess "Life" has finally settled in on us and taken over in our household. I am now working full time and loving it.

Both children are swimming full time on top of school and church activities. I had no idea swimming could be a full time gig, but indeed it can be. Our son is close to having a B time to where he could compete at the state level in one of his strokes. Our daughter still views swimming as a social activity and so her times are not as fast as they could be...lol

We spent a fabulous vacation this summer travelling across the country for a month with my parents. The kids had an amazing time and saw many things. The best time they had was returning to Virginia for a couple of days to hang out with their swimming buddies for a day and going to Vacation Bible School for 1 day at our old church.

We were able to spend Thanksgiving with my husband's family and Christmas with mine. We took the train from Whitefish, MT to Everett, WA. The only downside to the train was that it travelled at night so we couldn't see anything. But, we had a fabulous time on Whidbey Island for 10 days.

Winter has set in and we are seeing lots of snowy days but the days are finally getting longer and the sun will shine upon us soon. I am so looking forward to spring.

Finally Summer

Summer is finally here. The weather is great (snow is finally gone). Everyone kept telling me it could snow on the last day of school. Instead it was a beautiful day filled with sunshine.

Things are jumping around here...

This week is Drama Camp at church. My son signed up to only play the percussion instruments and ended up with a speaking part in the play. My daughter, who is too old for the camp is watching 2 of the leader's children. It is fun to watch each of my kids finding a place here and coming into their own.

Next week is Vacation Bible School, which back in January when I wasn't thinking clearly, agreed to direct. That isn't completely true...Vacation Bible School is one of my favorite things to do each year. I look forward to it eat, drink and sleep it the month before it is to happen.
It has been difficult to get volunteers, mostly because people are having to get 2nd jobs with this economy, or Mom's who have stayed home previously are heading back to work. I know that God will provide the workers, it would just be nice to have them all in place before Friday. Once again He is teaching me that I am not in control and all will be worked out according to His plan, not my own.

As soon as VBS is over the kids and I are headed out on a 3 1/2 week trip across the US with my parents in their trailer. The kids are excited about the trip and looking forward to our stop in Virginia where they will get to see their friends again. I have to admit that I am looking forward to that too.

It's Been A While

It's been a while and many things have been happening. The biggest would be that Beth passed away in April. I caught a flight out to Virginia to try and see her before she left this life, but unfortunately I didn't make it in time. I say unfortunately because I would have liked to have seen her one last time, but in some ways I think I am thankful to have my memory of her where she is healthy and well.

Spring has finally arrived in Montana. The flowers are all in bloom and the sun has been shining down on us. It has been marvelous. We are in the final stretch of school. 1 more full week left and then 2 1/2 days. I am looking forward to Summer.

UPdate

Beth came through surgery fine and is recovering in the ICU tonight.
Thank you for your continued prayers for her and her family.

Prayers

Please offer up some prayers for a friend of mine (Beth) who found out this weekend that she has 2 tumors in her brain. Many people have already begun to rally around her and her family, showing amazing support, praise God!
Thank you for joining me in praying for her.

SNOW

The snow has kept us from travelling across the mountains to spend Christmas with our families. We have chosen to stay home and have Christmas here. There is a lot more snow since this picture was taken and one of the mountain passes we were going to have to cross was closed yesterday.

I have been sad the last couple of days because I was looking forward to spending time with my mom. But in some ways, not being able to go anywhere has been a good thing. The kids are looking forward to doing some things around our new town that they haven't been able to do and we are getting a chance to see how this house handles winter.

It has been fun being all together too. This is the first time that David has not had to take leave to spend time with us. His schedule matches our schedule now. This alone is a huge blessing to our family.

Well, I am off to shovel some snow off the driveway so I can get out to run some much needed errands.