Little Brothers

Looking at this picture, I have to chuckle.

My "baby" brother is now a grown man.

He towers a good several inches above me and looks like a linebacker!

However, if you look in the eyes of this little guy, you will see the person my brother is today.

Kind, thoughtful and a big teddy bear.

Have you ever met someone who has no idea that they could flatten their enemies if they chose to do so or someone who can lighten up the mood of a room just by their entrance?

My little brother is one of those people.

(I would even have said this if he hadn't been forgiving about the recent slick road induced dent in his car door! )

Unassuming people are so much fun to be around.

They are just themselves no matter who they encounter.

Today and always, I hope you meet at least one down to earth person daily to balance out the ones who simply take themselves too seriously.

If all else fails, make sure you are one!

Have a wonderful day!

Grumpy...

I've made it to Friday and I must admit I'm tired and a tad grumpy.

This morning I touched my alarm at five and crawled back under my fuzzy blanket until my next alarm at 5:26 when I sadly accepted the fact that morning was a reality I was going to have to face.

I crawled out of my bed and flipped on my computer. I quickly checked my email and turned on my itunes. Enlivened, or at least awakened, by the peppy music that flooded through my room, I began to prepare for the day ahead.

Later with my three kiddos up, lunches packed and a cup of coffee consumed, I said goodbye to the babysitter and the children I call my own.

Heading out, I hopped into my father's car and caught a ride to work with him. Along the way, we talked life over and I was struck again with how very glad I am to be his daughter.

What about you?

Who is in your life who you not only respect but whom you honestly enjoy discussing your "issues" with?

Being a chatty lady, I must confess that I can talk for hours with my closest friends.

Though my week has been eventful and I am really tired, tonight I am looking forward to playing rummy with one of my best girlfriends and unwinding after I tuck my kids into bed.

There is nothing quite like a good conversation to help put life in perspective. And if pizza and a beverage are included in the line up, even better.

Oh... and for those of you who are wondering about the picture showing a box of chocolate muffins at the top of this post... I made breakfast for dinner tonight and along with the fruit and milk I offered my children, my eldest made yummy healthy muffins with me. (Hey, humor me, there was an egg in that mix!) With two daughters and a little son with a sweet tooth, they certainly weren't complaining about my cure for the grumpies.

I wish for you a happy evening, unwind and relax, you are a blessing to those who know and love you! Take care of yourself and those you love. Have fun!

Safe in His Love

One of my all time favorite books is an endearing simple story called, Tommy's Camping Adventure. A little Golden Book, no longer in print, it is a story of adventure, the beauty of the outdoors and the love of family.

Today, I am so glad to have been raised in a family like little Tommy's where I was loved, valued and cared for so gently.

My life has had many trials, not the kind starving children face or refugees from war torn countries, but sincere trials none the less.

I suspect that many of you understand what I mean. That you have had your own scary moments in life.

I pray that like me, when you are faced with the unknown or simply with situations that overwhelm you, that you are able to know that you are loved.

(If you ever get a chance, find a copy of Tommy's adventure and read it. The beauty of nature, the love of family... these things are not an accident.)

The breathtaking views from a mountain and the warm feeling of lovingly being tucked into a cozy sleeping bag are, in my mind are a glimpse of our Creator.

May you see the good when you are afraid.

May someone kind hold your hand, feed you cookies and tuck you in.

May you be the kind one when it is your turn to comfort.

May you have peace.

Happy Memories

Sifting through an old box tonight, I happened upon several really enjoyable photos that took me back to my youth. One in particular seemed to invite me to share its story.

In my mind's eye I can still remember the excitement I felt when I noticed the baby squirrel sitting under my parents' car.

It was small and furry and happily munching on maple helicopters.

Immediately, I knew I just had to pet it and I quickly formed a plan.

Running into the house I got into my mother's good cashews and hurried outside with a big handful.

The tiny baby was too new to be afraid of people and I capitalized on this fact.

I edged myself under the car and offered the yummies to the infant creature. In a matter of moments I had it eating out of my hand. I even touched its soft fur with reverence. It was a magical moment.

A moment that was interrupted by its mother rushing down the tree and chattering at us both.

I'm not sure what that mother said, but I never saw the bitty one again.

Still, for just a brief moment the little one and I were friends. It is an absolutely delightful memory, one that makes me sigh contentedly.

Maybe you should find some childhood photos and dig your way through them. If you are like me, you will be blessed with what you remember.

Eating Carrots when you've got the munchies

I don't know about you, but I've been trying to eat healthier this past year. I've been exercising and I'm actually pretty proud of the results I've seen.

But, I have to say that I've had the terrible munchies lately.

It seems to be worse when it is cold.

I'd like to pretend that it is my body's way of keeping me warm in this nippy season.

I'm betting though, that my body is just craving junk.

I try to be "good". I munch my carrots without even dip most days. I love salad, vegetables and fresh fruit.

However, carrots are just not cutting it today!

It's a good thing I'm a preacher's daughter or I might be tempted to sell my soul for a Snickers' bar!

Luckily for me, my youngest daughter's birthday is today. She has requested pizza for dinner!

Darn... Pizza AND cake... it will be such a hardship to have some.

I guess when I'm walking my treadmill tonight I'd better not whine. Clearly I'll need it!

Surely the tomato sauce and cheese are good for me....

Isn't there some study about the emotional benefits of indulging in small desires from time to time?...

O.K., I'll admit to making that last part up. But, it should be true.

God Bless, take care, keep warm...

I hope you find something yummy too, then I'm not the only "naughty" one!

The Joy of Animal Crackers

On a cold snowy day in a small Ohio classroom, sixteen Kindergarten students and their teacher passed an enjoyable and productive afternoon.

I am happy to report that I am that Kindergarten teacher and the happy children were my own dear charges.

Our inspiration and cause for joy? Strangely enough.... iced animal crackers. Let me tell you all about it.

We began our afternoon by playing "Popcorn" math to practice adding zero to numbers. My students "popped" up and called out the answer to the given flashcard and hustled to a spot on the floor designated the "popcorn box". They were careful to not step on friends and we even timed the exercise. The first time it took us two minutes, the second only one.

Coming up with clever ideas to make learning fun sometimes is a real challenge. At the same time, it is immensely satisfying when I had find a way to make a normal but somewhat "boring" activity exciting to my kiddos.

After the flashcards, we continued math by counting by one's, two's, five's and ten's. Then we switched subjects and since we are studying our senses this week, we had a "Smelling test".

All my students got into a line and had to come up with their eyes closed to smell what I had hidden in my hand. Then they had to follow the line back around like a train until everyone had a turn to sniff. At that point we discussed what we thought the smell was and everyone who wanted some could have a taste when they filed past a second time.

The highlight of the test was sharing itty bitty pieces of Hershey's chocolate and iced animal cookies. Everyone received one cookie. I am not lying, you would have thought I had given them a million dollars. When the experience was over they asked for more. I assured them that when they came to me for small group work they would have an opportunity to earn another cookie or two.

I actually had kids begging to be "first" to come do their math and reading work.

All in all the kids had probably a total of four or five silly animal crackers in the course of the afternoon and they were in absolute ecstasy over them.

I'm not one to use food as rewards very often, but I may stash a bag of these amazing cookies somewhere for the next time the kids are having a tough day.

It is really too bad that our problems as adults can not be so easily corrected.

Imagine the world we could live in if a bag of animal crackers could, at least momentarily, stop all fighting and promote a feeling of peace and well being.

Although I just may be a tad biased, I think Robert Fulghum may have been right when he said wrote a lovely poem called, "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten." Check out his words of humorous wisdom at http://www.peace.ca/kindergarten.htm.

...shared video from a teenager

My eldest watched a video this afternoon with me that showed all of our American Presidents' faces slowing changing one to another. It was really neat and a little spooky. We both agreed that we wouldn't recognize a great many of the presidents from our past. We knew the founding fathers and the modern presidents, but the ones in the middle were a little fuzzy in our minds.

In response to watching a video with me, my daughter excitedly wanted to share one of her own that she had seen at school. If you click on the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljbI-363A2Q , you too can watch this YouTube video.

As who believes "Blackberries" are better off as fruit and who thinks laptops small enough to fit in a manila envelope are actually frightening, the video was a little unsettling.

However, I like to learn new things and discuss ideas with my family and friends. I'm betting you'll have a few opinions you'd like to share after you watch the video as well.

Hope you enjoy it!