I'm the "Lunch Lady" at Patrick's school today.

More beading fun

Today's act of creativity

Taking the plunge.

Not that I want to ruin the surprise for those of you who will receive one of these in the mail, but I just finished ordering my Christmas cards for this year.  For the past several years I have just purchased nice Christmas cards at the store, signed them with everyone's name, and put them in the mail.  A few would get a note or a couple of pictures thrown in, but not many.  At the same time, I would received a blast of Christmas cards covered with pictures of my family and friends, and their families, and I would think about how cool it was to see pictures of them.  But I wasn't quite ready to jump on the photo-card bandwagon.  After all, just because everyone else is doing it doesn't mean *I* have to.

Then again, if I enjoy seeing pictures of my family and friends, doesn't it stand to reason that they might also enjoy seeing pictures of us?  So, I did it. The cards have been ordered.  Maybe next year I'll remember to include pictures of Joerg and myself. :)

With Love Christmas Card

Create from the Heart: photo Christmas cards from Shutterfly .

View the entire collection of cards.

Lunch date

Today, and every other week, I have a lunch date with Patrick at school. I decided that as long as he was willing to see me at school I would have to take advantage of this opportunity, especially since there will come a day when he's too cool for mom.

You have to have a strong stomach for fourth and fifth grade boy lunch room conversation, but it is certainly worth the time.

Sunset on River Cove Road

Contentment

Regardless of our circumstances, we are called to make the best use of every opportunity that God gives us to serve him—what the older translations call “redeeming the time” (Eph. 5:16; KJV). This means embracing whatever God has for us in every season of life.

This poem was written by a 14-year-old boy, and was originally published in "Who Gets the Glory?" by Dr. Charles R. Swindoll (author of one of my favorite books).


It was Spring, but it was Summer I wanted:
The warm days and the great outdoors.
It was Summer, but it was Fall I wanted:
The colorful leaves and the cool, dry air.
It was Fall, but it was Winter I wanted:
The beautiful snow and the joy of the holiday season.
It was Winter, but it was Spring I wanted:
The warmth and the blossoming of nature.
I was a child, and it was adulthood I wanted:
The freedom and the respect.
I was 20, but it was 30 I wanted:
To be mature and sophisticated.
I was middle-aged, but it was 20 I wanted:
The youth and the free spirit.
I was retired, but it was middle-aged I wanted:
The presence of mind without limitations.
My life was over,and I never got what I wanted.