Juror #1465

I had jury duty today.  This is the first time I've ever had this experience.  It was a huge inconvenience because of the timing.  If you've had jury duty, you know that it's a lot of sit and wait, and move to a different place and sit and wait and so on...

At first, I had a bad attitude about it, but the sitting and waiting worked a little magic on me.  I was dismissed, so I didn't get to see the whole process through, but I glimpsed democracy and its' importance.  I saw a tiny bit of how the justice system operates.  I watched for just a minute the civilized and orderly manner by which disputes are settled. 

I came away thankful to live in a country where such a system exists. 
I came away grateful for those who are serving across the globe in order to preserve this way of life.

Thankful Thanksgiving

We had a great Thanksgiving this year!  We are so blessed!  The first part of the week was spent with my husband's family, and the last part of the week spent with my family.  Keith's family is not much for picture-taking, mine, however...lots and lots of pictures of every conceivable happening-no matter how big or small!

One of the things we always do is go down to the dock and take pics of families together, individuals and general silliness.

The scenery is beautful and makes great backgrounds for the aspiring photographers.

The rustic house where we base all the activities from is provided courtesy of my sister and her husband. 

This tree-lined road was a beautiful spot.  Maybe a great Christmas card pic?

Just look at this handsome fella!  I got lucky and he posed for a few photos.

Procrastinatin'

It's time to pack for Turkey day and I can't because I'm procrastinatin'
I need to remember what i should take but I can't because I'm procrastinatin'
Camera, chargers, clothes and food...bluh, I'm just procrastinatin'
I'll get it done, I'll be on my way, in spite of my procrastinatin'.

Adkghekils;gbj Alsdkggj Agoighjkdla

Got that?  Me neither!  But it's what my brain feels like today!  I just got back from this awesome prayer conference called, "Come to the Fire".  It was amazing.  And I'd love to tell you about it!  But now, all I got is this:  gjkkl;kw;krj gjklew; s  gjkler;ghgf'as.  God so good!  He just overwhelms me with how when we ask him to show us new stuff, he does! 

He Sure Does Love Me!

Last weekend we went to SNU in Bethany, OK for our college Homecoming.  My husband arranged a night for us to get together with friends from our youth pastor days in Woodward, OK.  Being in Woodward and serving in that church there was such a happy time for us!  We looked forward to seeing these special people in our lives!

So over lasagna and salad, laughter and joy, we experienced that sweet spot of remembering and reaquainting, found within the context of the family of God.  I've had this experience before, but the Lord used this one to remind me of the importance of relationships.  of  loving on people.  and letting them love you back.

Though we hadn't seen some of them for years, because of the family of God, because of committed lives where their faith is lived out each day, even some of the experiences we've had apart, have still been shared.

Here's what I  mean:  When you have friends who are believers, who are really lovers of Christ, you can know that as life has happened-they've been trusting in the one they cannot see to guide their steps.  You can know that when times have gotten hard, just like you, they've fallen to their knees and asked for help from the one who is peace, who is a brother, who is our breath.  You can know that because of a life lived in faithfulness, they have lifted their faces and been thankful, and been humbled by blessings from God.

These relationships that God provides for us, these people that he allows us to journey with, are part of a bond not too far away from your blood family.  I think back to late-night talks in the parking lot-in the dark-listening to each other's faith story, or long rehearsals for choir musicals, or being the safe place where kids can come and hang out and do homework.  What sweetness is found in the midst of God's children. 

So I'm blessed today, and want to remember what God has shown me through this experience.  I'm humbled, and thankful, and smiling on the inside!  He sure does love me!

Un-Halloween

My Halloween this year was different.  Landry, my son is 15 this year.  So...
no more looking for days and days to choose the perfect costume...
no more trying it on a couple of times before the Halloween-night...
no more tromping up and down the street cheerily singing out "trick or treat"...
no more spreading out all the candy in the floor to examine each piece to see what treasures abound...
am I sad?  Maybe a little...but it wasn't such a bad night.

As a family, we went to the mall today (one of our favorite things) and shopped and people watched...
we went to the snowboard store to dream of gliding down the mountain with ease and style...
  (um...I must say I stayed in the car for this one, let the boys have some guy time!)
we went to dinner at a restaurant where-if your plate falls on the floor it will break...
we had a fun conversation.

We talked a little about scary movies, and I reminded them of the Halloween when a man gave Landry all his leftover candy (Lollipops from Valentines, Chocolate bunnies from Easter, and Candy Canes from Christmas).  We just enjoyed spending time with each other.

So it wasn't so bad, this un-Halloween.  I wouldn't trade a plastic pumpkin full of Reese Cups and Snicker Bars for it!

30 Days to De-Clutter

I'm going to commit to taking the next 30 days to de-clutter my home.  It's not the most cluttered home I've ever seen, but I could definitely benefit from simplifying my life.  So I'm gonna give it a try.

I have this inner battle about throwing things away.  I don't know if it is the teacher in me, or growing up with a very sensible mom who taught me not to be wasteful, but I have struggles with the toss-out! 

So, here goes, we'll see what happens!  Day 1 is the laundry room.