Whatever: The end of a long week

The weeks are flying by and school will be out for the summer soon. I can't believe that my oldest will be finishing her first year of high school.

This week was a sad one as we lost a beloved ex-headmaster and great leader in our community. Ellie and I went to his funeral and while it was indeed sad, it was more a celebration of a great life lived in service to others.

We are finishing our week off with celebrating our 16th wedding anniversary. Crazy that we have been married that long. I can't imagine a life without Steve, even when we argue and cannot seem to find resolution. The last 19 years together have been really wonderful.

This weekend winds down the girl's activities for the school year. Ellie has one last lacrosse game. Delaney's debuted the spring musical last night. We have tickets for Sunday. I can't wait to see her perform. She is ensemble, but has one small solo part. Little Shop of Horrors is one of my very favorite musicals.

I hope you have an amazing weekend.

Dirt: A Good Friday

I grew up going to church. Two churches actually. Catholic mass and Church of Christ services, depending on which parent or grandparent I was with. I attended Catholic school and Church of Christ church services three times a week at different times of my life. 

The Church of Christ is very different from the Catholic Church. We attended the old school Church of Christ denomination.  You know, the one with no musical instruments, grape juice and alter calls? These Christian denominations are very different, almost polar opposites in much of their doctrine.

Yet while being very different, they offered the same message on Easter Sunday. Jesus died so that we might live. Basic. Easy. True. 

My life has taken lots of turns. My sin has been easy to ignore and other times bared down on me like a anchor. I have been called forward to confess them in alter calls and private confessionals. I forget on a daily basis to ask God to forgive my feeble attempts at following Him.  

Yet, the message is always there.  Jesus died so we might live, all we have to do is accept the gift.

This song is one of a few that are sung in both churches I grew up attending. I love the words and the old tune. It makes me tear up every time I hear it, whether I am in church or at a folk festival. 

 Mumford sings it like they mean it from their hearts. When I hear it, it reminds me that I have a chance and that the massive, overwhelming gift I am offered is mine for the taking. Basic. Easy. True.

         O to grace how great a debtor 
 daily I'm constrained to be! 
 Let thy goodness, like a fetter, 
 bind my wandering heart to thee. 
 Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, 
 prone to leave the God I love; 
 here's my heart, O take and seal it, 
 seal it for thy courts above.

The List: April

I am getting so bad about blogging. Work and kids eat up most of my creative juices. However, the light is back and so I hope to continue with my beloved rambling blog.

My dad came Sunday and helped with some repairs and hopefully will be back in a week or two. I look forward to helping repay him by tearing stuff up at this farm. Being outside right now is a precious commodity and I don't get enough of it.


My house is always on the bottom of my lists. Hanging out with Steve and the kids is taking higher priority. So, my windows are grody, my deck needs painting, my floors are sticky, but I am hanging out with my family in the little free time I get.

Trade off? You bet! Worth it?  You bet!

Whatever: Spring flowers bring blonde hair

Spring is here and even though we have had winter's last hurrah the last couple of days, it is here to stay. I am not the biggest fan of spring. Too wishy washy with it's weather. I like it hot. However, I love the flowers that come with spring as well as the surprises you find around every corner.

Cooking: Birthday parties are the best!

We had the "best birthday party ever!!!" according to the birthday girl. Kickball is an amazing equalizer. A few box mix birthday cupcakes, a little store bought pizza, 1,000 drinks and a major connection hook up and you have yourself a very fun birthday party.