tnlizzie2000

http://2ThingsPhotoChallenge.blogspot.com

2010-07-15T21:21:00.000-07:00

2 Things @ http://2ThingsPhotoChallenge.blogspot.com

This blog gives weekly assignments of two words that participants can interpret however they like and represent in photography, paintings, poetry, etc. Most participants are adults and the focus is often on photography, but the material is family friendly and everyone is invited to participate. This week's words are Now/Then.

Here is my interpretation: Birthday pARTy Cake!

THIS IS TENNESSEE

2010-05-17T18:11:00.000-07:00

THIS IS TENNESSEE

VOLUNTEERS ADD NEW CHAPTER TO STORIED HISTORY
by Brent High
http://www.brenthigh.com

On May 1st and 2nd of 2010 a historic amount of rain, as much as 17 inches, fell on middle Tennessee and the city of Nashville in less than 48 hours. Historians are using terms like “thousand year flood” to describe what took place here. The Cumberland River, Nashville’s main waterway, crested at just over 51 feet, flooding iconic structures including the Grand Ole Opry, LP Field and Bridgestone Arena where the Tennessee Titans and Nashville Predators play, Country Music Hall of Fame and the Opryland Hotel and Convention Center. The water rose so much, so fast and in places water has never been seen that thousands had to be rescued by boat. Dozens lost their lives. Thousands of homeowners lost everything they had. Thousands more are now trying to salvage what’s left. Most had no flood insurance because before May 1st they didn’t need it where they lived. Early estimates are that the damage will top $1 billion and this storm will go down as the most devastating non-hurricane event in American history.

This is Tennessee.

It’s Monday, May 3rd. The rain has stopped, finally. What happens next shouldn’t come as a surprise. Almost instinctively, after a long night of restlessness, volunteers spring into action. It’s in their blood. They’ve been trained to do so by their parents and grandparents. From Waverly to Cookeville, Winchester to Cross Plains and in the capital city of Nashville the sights and sounds are the same.

Without being asked, fishermen launch their boats into the muddy soup, joining the rescue efforts. Business owners and supervisors tell their employees to take the day off and jump in and help wherever they can. Neighbors, many of whom helped empty entire houses in brigade fashion the night before, transition into cleanup mode. Sump pumps and generators whirr. Drywall, carpet and ruined floors are ripped out. Elderly ladies gather at the church to make lunches for workers. Teenagers distribute bottled water. Pickup trucks, trailers and storage units are loaded with what could be salvaged. Photos and documents are spread out in the sun to dry. Wads of $20 bills are slid into pockets of those affected. Checks are written. Hugs are given. Prayers are said. Tears are shed.

This is Tennessee.

Almost 200 years ago Tennessee first earned the nickname “Volunteer State.” In 1812 More than 2,000 Tennesseans volunteered to fight for Andrew Jackson, and were the main part of Jackson’s army that destroyed the British three years later in the Battle of New Orleans. A generation later the U. S. Secretary of War asked Tennessee for 2,800 soldiers to fight a war against Mexico. 30,000 volunteered.

This is a state where faith comes first. We don’t ask why. We know there is a reason and look forward to it being revealed. We are guided by scriptures such as Philippians 2:3-5 which says:
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than your self. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Jesus.”

Family is a focus, not an afterthought. Don’t bother trying to do business with us the week of Christmas or July 4th. We’ll be with family. When our kids have a school play we will be there. We throw big birthday parties. We teach our kids right from wrong and aren’t afraid to give them a whippin’ when they need it.

Here we say “Yes ma’am” and “No ma’am.” We try to leave a place better than we found it. We put our hand over our heart when the national anthem is played. We pull over on the side of the road when funeral processions pass on the other side.

We are savvy business people. We are farmers. We are teachers.

We drink Coke here. We like gravy with our biscuits and potatoes.

We are serious about our sports. We keep score in little league and we still have all-star teams and MVP trophies.

We are givers.

You won’t hear us wailing about where the federal government and insurance companies were in all of this. We’ll get by just fine without them.

Right now we have a lot to deal with here in our backyard. We will handle it with dignity and class. We will sacrifice for each other in ways that are unfathomable to most. We will stand together. We will stand tall. We will come out of this stronger than we were before it.

One day in the not too distant future a hurricane, tornado, fire, flood or other unspeakable disaster will strike your community. As you struggle to put the pieces back together we will be there.

We will volunteer.

We are Tennesseans.

This is Tennessee.

2010-01-02T17:16:00.000-08:00

Stained Glass Candy '09

2009-12-06T09:17:00.000-08:00

This is our 35th year of making Stained Glass Candy as a family.
Yes, there are easier ways to make this, but our way is sweet fun! The range in ages this year was from 73 to 3!

More pictures, and a video to come... Hey ~ DON'T throw the powdered sugar in the house! :oD

Listen for the Midnight Cry!

2009-07-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

Eddie Struble sang this song at Bellevue Baptist Church, back when Adrian Rogers was still our Pastor. This recording is from 2003: MIDNIGHT CRY

The Midnight Cry is closer now than it's ever been.

Do you know Jesus? Not just know about Jesus, but do you know Him? He's coming back for His children, and He wants you too!

E-mail me if you're not sure you are ready for the end of this world as we know it... I want you to be ready to go home!

Jesus loves you, and I do too!

Here are the words Eddie sings:
Midnight Cry

I hear the sound
Of a mighty rushing wind.
And it's closer now
Than it's ever been.

I can almost hear the trumpet
As Gabriel sounds the call.
At the midnight cry
We'll be going home.

I look around me.
I see prophecies fulfilled.
The signs of the times,
They're appearing everywhere.

I can almost see the Father
As He says “Son, go get Your children.”
And at the midnight cry,
The Bride of Christ will rise.

When Jesus steps out
On a cloud to call His children,
The dead in Christ shall rise
To meet Him in the air.

And then those that remain
Shall be quickly changed,
Will be changed in a moment.
And at the midnight cry,
We’ll be going home.

I look around me
I see prophecies fulfilled, every day.
The signs of the time
They're appearing everywhere.
Oh, I can almost see the Father
As He says “Son, go get My children.”
Oh, and at the midnight cry
The Bride of Christ will rise.

When Jesus steps out
On a cloud to call His children,
The dead in Christ shall rise
To meet Him in the air.

And then those that remain
Shall be quickly changed,
Oh, in a moment.
And at the midnight cry,
Oh, at the midnight cry,
At the midnight cry,
Oh, when Jesus, Jesus, Jesus steps out
On a cloud to call His children
All the dead in Christ will rise
To meet Him in the air.

And then those that remain
Shall be quickly changed,
Oh, in a moment,
And at the midnight cry,
Oh, at the midnight cry,
Yes, at the midnight cry,
We’ll be going home,
We’ll be going home.
Going home!

"In that book where you are a princess"

2009-03-29T21:12:00.000-07:00

My friend Darla wrote:

"In that book where you are a princess."

3yo Ike said these words to me this morning. I realized he must be talking about our wedding photo album!

Hee hee.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Here is "Princess Me" ~ These flowers were gathered from yards in Martin, TN and driven to my 10am wedding by friends of my Mom. Her friends arranged the most beautiful boquets! During the reception, I kept stopping to sniff them ~ It was heavenly!

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Our photographer gave us the rolls of film he used, so we got to develop all we wanted. I realize now how blessed we were by his generosity!

Time for another TEA Party!

2009-03-27T23:12:00.000-07:00

I altered the image a bit, but the message speaks eloquently for so many Americans...

Our TEA Party is April 15th!

Taxed Enough Already? Throw a party to protest! See more here: http://politisite.wordpress.com/2009/03/25/americans-are-tead-taxed-enough-already/,

here: http://www.teapartyday.com/ and here: http://taxdayteaparty.com.

view from my front door...

2009-03-25T12:21:00.000-07:00

DO you know about the CPSIA?

2009-01-07T06:06:00.000-08:00

DO you know about the CPSIA?

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-thrift2-2009jan02,0,2083247.story

Barring a reprieve, regulations set to take effect next month could force thousands of clothing retailers and thrift stores to throw away trunkloads of children's clothing.The law, aimed at keeping lead-filled merchandise away from children, mandates that all products sold for those age 12 and younger -- including clothing -- be tested for lead and phthalates, which are chemicals used to make plastics more pliable. Those that haven't been tested will be considered hazardous, regardless of whether they actually contain lead.
"They'll all have to go to the landfill," said Adele Meyer, executive director of the National Assn. of Resale and Thrift Shops.The new regulations take effect Feb. 10 under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act....

Cynthia Broockman, who owns two consignment stores and a thrift shop in Virginia, recently stopped accepting children's products for resale. That raised the ire of a man who was trying to sell his son's castoffs there and had not heard of the new rules."I think it's not understood by people how sweeping and far-reaching this is," she said. "The ripples that are going to go forth from this are just astonishing."
_____________________________________________________________________

It's not just clothes! Read on: CPSIA and children’s books, or, this is really screwed up
"...it applies to books. Definitely.
The past 2 days I have obsessively educated myself on the situation. First, although I understand the SPIRIT of the law, I have decided it’s completely screwed. Put aside my situation as a very small press with only 2 actual products for children for a second. Instead, think of the small presses who’ve been at this longer and have done better than I have and have 20, 30, or 100 titles in print. Then realize that after Feb. 10, unless they’ve had all of their book tested for lead by one of the 12 accredited labs in this country (and I did a search on the labs, and it looks like only 1 will do books), it will be illegal to sell their titles."
_____________________________________________________________________

Uh, oh. There's more: CPSIA and libraries

PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR COMMENTS on the CPSIA. They have extended a REQUEST for COMMENTS thru 1/30/09. I found some of what they are looking for here: http://www.bicycleretailer.com/news/newsDetail/2149.html
Give them your comments! E-mail to: Sec102ComponentPartsTesting@cpsc.gov
_____________________________________________________________________

More message board comments from across the www:

~ "Bartering is subject to income tax, so I suspect the law will apply to bartering. If I understand the law correctly, items cannot be sold, OR DISTRIBUTED. The local crisis pregnancy center won't be able to give you a baby blanket that has not been certified lead free. Businesses can't liquidate their inventories by giving them to charity. I am wondering if my MIL can still sew dresses for her grandkids?"

~ "From what I am reading ANY sale of ANYTHING that is for use by a child under 12 is subject to this law. Yard sales. Ebay. Thrift stores. Used curriculum sales. Flea markets. Anything. You can't sell it. You can't give it away."

~ "It is a simple matter to check out the inventory of any store or business, and see if every item in the inventory has been permanently labeled with a certification of compliance. Then write out the fine or take the owner to jail. It is really simple. What is NOT possible is compliance. What this law does is give the federal government carte blanche to toss a large numbers of small business owners in jail "to protect the children," and to bankrupt those whom they don't send to jail. Those businesses that remain will be under heavy government regulation. The government owns your mortgage. They will soon own the banks. They will soon own the auto industry. This law will bring them one step closer to owning a major portion of America's manufacturing industry, or what is left of it."

~ "You won't be able to sell it. You may not be able to give it away. Unless it has a certification of compliance permanently attached to it, it cannot be sold. The fine is $100,000 per item sold. You could also face a 5-year prison sentence. This makes me think of communist Russia and China. The new communist regimes rounded up the intellectuals and sent them to prison. This law looks like a way to round up small business owners and send them to jail. I don't know if someone posted this link: http://www.squidoo.com/FixCPSIA There is a video of a speech made by the owner of an educational materials company. He estimates that it would cost him $20,000,000 to have his current inventory tested. Even then he would have no way of knowing if he complied with the law. He points out that many items that are subject to the law are specialty items made for specialty markets like special needs, the deaf and the blind. Manufacturing items for these markets will become so expensive due to government regulation that it will be essentially illegal."

~ "Rally Against the CPSIA legislature: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/group.php?gid=38306568596"

~ "Open letter from Etsy about CPSIA"

~ "I have 3 resources for everyone...
the first is The Handmade Toy Alliance (this link actually goes to their "how you can help" page on which you can sign an online petition and obtain a "sample letter" to send to your senators and representitaves. I personally have done these things though my letter included points on resale, environmental responsibility and social responsibility (as this will affect the Fair Trade market). From this page they provide links to the senators and representitaves web pages on which you can send e-mails as well.
The second link is to the US CPSC (Consumer Products Safety Commision) on this site you can find info on these required tests and some of what their responses are. Under their "What's Hot" has some info and if you go to the "What's Popular" link, under Lead, you will find things from their employees roundtable siminars. There is also a link to contact them as well.
This is the link to the actual CPSIA law if you are wanting to sit and try to read it (62 pages of lots of leagal stuff)"

~ "Small handmade businesses who make anything for children are in for some problems if the CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act) goes into effect next month. The Law was made in response to contaminated toys being imported from overseas, but it affects EVERY manufacturer (even small, one-person, at home creators) of children's toys, clothing, accessories, what-have-you. The cost to test the items for safety will make one-of-a-kind and non-mass-produced items go the way of the dodo.Even if a crafter's supplies were tested, they have to test the finished product - every type of finished product - at $1000-$4000 a pop."

~ Here's a page to visit if you have a small business to take the surveys and see the impact this law will have on you: http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/cpsia-please-take-the-economic-impact-survey/

~ "the burden of testing products will destroy tens of thousands of small businesses, many of which are right here on Etsy. With the economy as it is now, causing so many to lose their jobs, “CPSIA” will totally bankrupt us a society, and put many of those whose shops are a showcase of “handmade” articles, an already dying breed of American culture. Don’t let “Big Brother” turn our country into a “communist culture” where everything and everyone is mandated by the rules of an overzealous Government.What can you do? Click on the link below and sign the petition: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/economicimpactsofCPSIA/index.html
Write your senators, congress people, everyone...share this...get the word out."
_____________________________________________________________________

Contact Elected Officials
We encourage you to contact your elected officials and share your thoughts on current events and government policy. Below you'll find links to e-mail and postal addresses, and phone numbers for key elected officials.
President Bush and Vice President Cheney – E-mail, call, or write the White House;
U.S. Senators – Search for your senators by name, state, or congressional class; and visit their websites.
U.S. Representatives – Find contact information for your U.S. representative by typing in your zip code.
State Governors – Select your state to access e-mail, telephone, and postal contact information for your governor.
State Legislators – Search for state legislators and topical legislative information, by U.S. states and territories.

Testing... Testing...

2008-11-13T14:30:00.000-08:00

Really... I'm just testing a few things here.

I'll update, when I figure out if I passed or not!

\O/ <>< =8-O

Ain't homeschooling grand?! :o)

Another give-away!

2008-11-13T07:50:00.000-08:00

Just in time for the holidays giveaway!

This fun giveaway will get you well on your way to having your Christmas cards finished!
FIVE lucky winners will receive a digital card file so you can print your own personalized photo cards and 2 sheets of Picture it Postage!

2008-11-12T19:34:00.001-08:00

Dana is going to give three different quilts to three different winners.
I can't figure out the side-bar thing, but hurry and click on the photo
before Monday, November 17!

If we "did" Halloween...

2008-10-31T12:35:00.000-07:00

Why I'm voting...

2008-10-31T12:25:00.000-07:00

I'm voting Republican because I own a gun, and believe in my 2nd Amendment right to protect myself and my family from murderers and thieves.

I'm voting Republican because I believe in marriage between one man and one woman. (I’m teaching Biology this year, and this works with the idea of reproduction.)

I'm voting Republican because I believe in free enterprise without excessive taxation.

I'm voting Republican because I believe I can do a better job of spending the money I earn than the government would.

I'm voting Republican because freedom of speech is fine. People have the right to be offended by it, and to try to change hearts and minds.

I'm voting Republican because when we pull out of Iraq, the bad guys will know that we will help stop their bullying, because we are good people.

I'm voting Republican because I believe that people who respect the creation that God gave us can be good stewards of it.

I'm voting Republican because I'm concerned about giving a girl the choice to kill their baby. (If it’s not a baby, she’s not pregnant, right?!) In 1868, the baby’s protection was enshrined when the 14th Amendment was ratified. It states, in part, “nor shall any State deprive any person of life… without due process of law.”

I'm voting Republican because I believe that business should be allowed to make profits for themselves. Hard work should be able to equal profit. If a man will not work, he should not eat.

I'm voting Republican because I believe judges were never meant to have policy-making authority. The courts have forgotten their function - which is to decide law and not to make policy. It is a threat to our democracy; It is a threat to our freedoms; and it is a threat to the stability of our nation when judges make decisions without any fear of the people.

Home schoolers take on Roe v. Wade

2008-10-26T23:45:00.000-07:00

"A new movie is out, combining the talents of homeschoolers and a Christian production company, depicting a legal challenge to Roe v. Wade. The movie, called Come What May (produced by Advent Film Group), features the debate team from Patrick Henry College that takes part in the National Moot Court Championship. The debate team uses arguments that many say could one day be used to overturn Roe v. Wade. George Escobar, the founder of Advent Film Group, says the movie centers on a Christian student named Caleb, who is at odds with his mother on the pro-life issue." Read more here.

When Life Begins - from the movie COME WHAT MAY

COME WHAT MAY, a new movie from Advent Film Group (AFG), answers Clinton and Obama's uncertainty about when life begins. At a "Compassion Forum" at Messiah College in the battleground state of Pennsylvania, Barack Obama confessed his confusion about the biological fact that human life begins at conception. His political rival, Hillary Clinton, simply restated her pro-abortion views. "This is something that I have not, I think, come to a firm resolution on," Obama said in the forum. "I think it's very hard to know what that means, when life begins." Clinton was more elusive in her response, couching her answer in terms of "potential" life - a pro-abortionist term invented to soften the idea that abortion is taking a human life. "I believe the potential for life begins at conception," Clinton said. The question of when life begins is a "politicized" moral issue. The Presidential candidates from both parties recognize this and are waffling," explains George Escobar, founder of AFG. "We hope this clip encourages them (and voters) to take a clear stand for life."

Watch the movie free in 5 segments here: http://www.onenewsnow.com/comewhatmay/default.aspx

Watch the whole movie (Monday, Oct. 27 - Wednesday, Oct. 29) free on GodTube: http://www.GodTube.com/comewhatmay (link will work Monday!!)

Fiat justitia et pereat mundus
Do the right thing, come what may!

This is a movie that every voter should see... before they vote.

Fireproof Your Marriage

2008-08-05T22:53:00.000-07:00

Mom and 10yo DD:

2008-06-13T13:19:00.000-07:00

(This talk occurred while we were changing the sheets on my queen-sized bed. Why waste the help?! LOL)

"Did you know that God sort of changes sheets too? The Bible says in Psalm 139:13 that God knit you together in your Mother's womb. When He did, He placed around you a warm red blanket made from my body. Long before you were born, God was knitting a blanket inside me every month, to be ready for a baby just about any time. God does not give new babies all the time, so He removes the first 'blanket' and starts making another one each month. During this time, you may notice Mommy uses special things like diapers to catch the unused blanket. The old blanket is bloody, but it doesn't hurt Mommy when it comes out. " [Usually, anyway! We can talk about THAT later!]

"Long before you are married and ready to be a Mommy, God will start knitting a blanket inside you. If you ever see blood in your panties or when you go to the bathroom, you will know what I mean. Please come tell me about it, and I'll have something very special for you. You are growing up to be such a beautiful young lady, I am looking forward to sharing this special time with you..."

See "The Talk" about the "very special thing" I start preparing when they turn 10...

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I don't remember who MJ is, but I copied this a long time ago off of a MOMS message board:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Talk!!!
Posted by MJ on Monday, 1 November 1999 at 7:07 pm

Ladies, this was so-o-o dear!!! It was not *exactly* as I had planned, but it went so well!! I want to share with you what we did, in case you might like to do it this way, too, or perhaps it might spark your own ideas:

I had *planned* on taking her out to eat, then coming back home for hot chocolate & a talk while the boys were out. I wanted to do this last week, but it did not work out that way. However, this is what happened:

My husband was at work and son was out to play, so we had the house all to ourselves. My daughter came to me very quietly and told me about a *problem* she had noticed. After I asked her a few questions (to make sure that this was *it*), I said, "well, come with me, I have some things I want to share with you about this. This is nothing to worry about, in fact, I was thinking this might happen very soon..."

I went to my room and got all the things that I had bought for this occasion, and we sat on the chaise lounge and had our talk.

I had bought an overnight carry-all ( it's hard plastic box, with pretty purple & lavender flowers on it, you use it to put personal items in, it has a mirror and some fold-out compartments) and put everything in it... some things wrapped in gold foil wrapping paper, some just inside a neat little compartment), and as she opened it, and opened each thing, I explained to her what it was for.

The first thing was a small purple women's devotional book, and I talked with her about becoming a godly woman and growing up for the Lord.

Next was a large, three-ring binder with a big fluffy kitten on it and pretty stationery inside. I explained that this is our Mother-Daughter journal to share *just* with each other... in which she could share her thoughts with me, ask questions that she didn't want the *guys* to know about, and discuss things that are on her mind, and that she could tell me in the journal whether she wanted to talk about it, or just have me write back.

Next were some of the compartments which held different personal care items, like deodorant, pretty colored razors, I had given her some bubble bath & perfume, some facial items to talk about acne, tweezers, bras, and of course, pads.

With each item, we discussed the stages of growth and what we ladies do about it (razors, underarm & leg hair growth, etc.).

The last thing she opened was a small, sample-sized box of Russell Stover Chocolates (important to any woman at *that* time)!!

I also prayed for her, and it just all went so well!!!

She took her little box and all her little presents and went to her room to *try them out*!!! She ate the chocolates while reading, she put the pad in place (and called me for a little added instruction) and has been trying out her new bras (and asking a few questions here and there), and looking things over! I explained to her that *when* the time comes to shave or pluck her eyebrows, I will help her because it's a little tricky the first few times.

We did not talk about physicals relations, because she is completely unaware of that aspect yet, and it has not occurred to her to ask me about that yet. That talk will come later. She did ask about the womb and how babies come *out* of there, and I explained her anatomy more in detail to her than what I had previously.

All in all, it was a wonderful talk, and I hope you ladies have an equally wonderful experience with your daughters!

I Love Laminin!

2008-05-25T22:29:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I first posted. Life has been busy. I've just recently seen this video, and then I showed it in science class. My students were amazed! We have had some deep discussions about seeing people differently when we remember their Laminin.

If you have no idea what I am talking about, you've got to watch this!

The following is just a snippet from a great message entitled "How great is our God!" by Louie Giglio. This 8:44 video shows a section where Mr. Giglio talks about a molecule in the human body.

It starts out a bit slow, but hang on for the ride!!

Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow!

Pachelbel Bedtime!

2007-09-15T10:03:00.000-07:00

In the beginning, God created Adam. The first thing God called "not good" was that Adam was alone. So God created Eve, and "Family" was born. This video shows a Daddy singing about life with his family. It took me over one hour to write down his 729 words, and I'm not sure I have them 100% correct, but it's close!

The following lyrics are Copyright by David Crawford (2007) and are not to be copied, printed or re-posted without the composer/author permission. He's a really nice guy. E-mail him if you want permission like I did ~ It's a lot nicer than stealing! :o) Click HERE if you want an audio only download, or there is a link on that site that allows people to purchase the video...

Now, turn your speakers up, grab a tissue and listen to this fun love song...

Pachelbel Bedtime on YouTube
By David Crawford

Why don’t you want to say goodnight? Why is it that you do not go to your bed and sleep tight until the morning light is come and cast its haze upon your eyes and then you wake to greet the day that God has made and rejoice for you are part of it?

Why do you insist upon the crying and the moaning and the whining and the screaming and the tantrums and the yelling and the kicking and the snacking and the biting and the hissies, the “One more drink of water?” and the “One more book please, daddy?”

And now I just want you to go to sleep. I don’t want to hear a peep from either one. The day is well past done. And I’m about to lose my mind. I’m gonna tear up your behind so “Nighty-night. And don’t let the bed bugs bite.”

Now it is so quiet and so peaceful in this once-chaotic house we all are sleeping and we’re dreaming and it’s as quiet as a mouse but what is that familiar sound tiptoeing nearer - Little steps approaching closer? No, it can’t be what I’m fearing and it’s –

Not! It’s just the cat and she is purring so contently and she snuggles at my feet. To be sure, it’s quite endearing. My lids relieve my eyes of all the stress that they were feeling and I turn my head to sleep but then I feel somebody staring and then

“AAAAAAAAAGH!!” She’s staring right at me. Her eyes are glazed with sleep. “I nearly wet the sheets upon my bed.” Her lips are trembling as she speaks, now there’s color in her cheeks. She looks so frail; my heart begins to swell.

Now she lies beside me and she breathes so easily. Her dreams are happy and she sighs a tender sigh so peacefully. She knows her Mommy and her Daddy and her Sissy love her greatly and we sleep throughout the nighttime never ever more sedately and now,

Morning casts its light upon the pillow where her head begins to stir. I try to wake her so her kind and gentle dreams I don’t disturb but as I pull her from her slumber ever slowly, I know in my heart of hearts exactly where this all is going and the

Crying and moaning and the whining and the screaming and the “Daddy you’re so mean! How could you interrupt my dreaming?”, the brushing of the hair and then the clothes they hate to wear. I need the check to pay daycare. I can’t forget her teddy bear. and then I

Sign her in at her own school. Off to work I travel too. My mind’s a wreck. I keep hearing songs from Shrek. I work all day and then go home. * All my stress is mostly gone. My kids I see and I pull them in closely. Then we

Start to do the homework, and the dinner must be started, and gymnastics and piano and the groceries must be carted, then the smallest one is crying “Won’t you hold me” like she’s dying and the oldest one’s frustrated with her homework though she’s trying. And dinner’s on the table but it’s cold because we waited for the children to get back from practicing all their cheerleading. Now the broccoli is so nasty, the macaroni’s pasty and the meat is tough as leather. Really, nothing is quite tasty.

So the crying and the moaning and the screaming and the whining start again but now the target isn't sleep it’s homebound dining and I raise my hands in wonder as I look around the table. How can anyone survive? Is anyone out there enabled? Then I

Think about the laughter when times are not so hectic and I know that though my stomach aches it's likely not gone peptic. I see their smiling faces as on swings I push them gently. When I hold their little hands, life could not go more contently.

So the crying and the moaning and the screaming and the kicking play a very tiny part of all the time my life is ticking and the good outweighs the bad. I am more happy than I’m sad. For all of this I should be glad. ** I’ve had it better than my Dad. You bet I have.

* [2:52 – enter DD, who stands behind Dad]
** [3:59 – Dad looks over his shoulder @ DD, who lays her head on his shoulder]