We had a great time today at our church fall festival. There were so many things for the kids to do and live music for everyone to enjoy. Snacks, food, and fun for all. I took Tiki with us. She really enjoyed the attention…well, not all the attention she received was positive. There was an unleashed boxer dog exploring the festival. She did not take kindly to Tiki’s presence and decided it would be best to see if Tiki’s entire head would fit in her mouth. It did and a swift kick to the boxer’s side made her let go of Tiki’s head. It was rather frightening for my little dog. Turns out the boxer was just visiting from across the street. A few calls and she didn’t come back. That was the only down to the day. The sun was shining bright and the temperature was comfy too. I took my camera but had few opportunities for pictures. Once we got there the kids were on their own. Below are a few, one is of Froggy in her witch outfit. I don’t think it will be her Halloween garb, but I thought it was a cute pic, red eyes and all.
(Thanks to Dawn for my introduction to picturetrail!)
Powerful song by Mark Schultz…He is one of my favorites and I was fortunate enough to meet him a few years ago
Here’s the inspiration for the song (from an interview found here.) The Chosen Son
Mark Schultz knows he’s lucky to be alive today, because his birthmother chose to give him up for adoption rather than abort. He tells the story in a new song … and here.
By Maryann B. Hunsberger
posted 09/18/06
When Mark Schultz wrote the song “Everything to Me,” the story of a young mother choosing to place her newborn baby into the care of an adoptive family, he had more than just a pro-life sentiment in mind.
He had his life in mind. Because that young mother was his mom.
The song, which appears on Schultz’s new album, Broken & Beautiful, has opened the door for the singer/songwriter to tell his own adoption story for the first time. Only within recent months has Schultz revealed the news that he was adopted.
Schultz, only two weeks old when he was adopted, didn’t fully understand it till he was in the third grade when he and his sister were looking at their baby books, and Mark noticed that hers had more information than his.
“I asked my mom about it,” Schultz remembers. “She said, ‘It’s because we didn’t get to choose your brother and your sister. They just came along, and that is who we got. With you, we went to the hospital and decided who we wanted. We chose you because we loved you the most and thought you were the most special child there.’
“That tells a kid right there that he’s got it going on! I felt great about being adopted. When my sister and I would get into a fight, instead of her saying, ‘You’re adopted’ as a way to make me feel bad, I’d say, ‘Mom didn’t have a choice when she got you, but she chose me!’”
Schultz’s adoptive parents cheered him on as he played football, basketball, baseball, ran track, sang and did theater in high school. “I’d score a touchdown or whatever, and my father would yell, ‘That’s my son!’ He loved us all the same. It was a neat, positive experience. I got the best parents in the world.”
Schultz feels that being adopted causes him to appreciate life more. “I don’t take anything for granted. I wake up in the morning and thank God that I’m alive. Adoption is such a gift.”
I love YouTube! You can find just about anything. I think it is so amusing that Djembe has gotten into YouTube. He usually isn’t too into all the fad ‘net things. Surfing around I ran across the following video of Chris Rice…as I have menioned before this is one of my favorite songs. It seems like he modulates a little at the end, and I like the recorded version better, but it is still really good.
The little female dog that I have lovingly brought into our home chewed my recently purchased black boot. I’m not feeling too loving at the moment. I really liked those boots.
Dang it.
Thirteen reasons why I still love the little brown thing…I need this reminder.
1. Cute ears
2. Longer than she is tall
3. She has the funky blue eye/brown eye thing goin
4. Long nose
5. Watching her search for the squeaky in her toy is hilarious
6. She has a funny looking run…sort of like hop/skip thing
7. Chasing the cat offers entertainment and exercise for the cat
8. She keeps the girls entertained
9. and me.
10. She likes to cuddle
11. and she keeps my feet warm
12. I like the way she burrows under the covers
13. She isn’t a yippee little dog …
she just has this bad chewing habit lately
Now I’ll have to go shopping for new boots. hmmm…maybe some brown one’s too.
Djembe spent this weekend preparing for and playing in the local symphony. The first performance of the season, entitled “Another Night at the Movies- Aspects of Love”, was Saturday night.
Steven Byess is the conductor for most performances this season. Just so you have a mental picture for the rest of this post, this is Stephen Byess.
Byess chose tunes from the following movies: The Philadelphia Story, Love Story, The mask of Zorro, Gone With the Wind, Titanic, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Rear Window, Somewhere in Time, and Pirates of the Caribbean
It was a tough repertoire but a great start to the symphony season. Unfamiliar with the music Djembe rented Rear Window, starring James Stewart and Grace Kelly. It is a 1954 Alfred Hitchcock suspense, actually a romantic mystery. Well worth watching. Photojournalist L.B. Jeffries (Stewart) is confined to his tiny apartment while he recovers from a broken leg. With nothing else to do he passes the time neighbor watching. Lisa (Kelly) is his fashion model girlfriend often comes by to keep him company. They suspect one of the neighbors murdered his wife and spend the movie trying to figure how he did it and what he did with the body.
My interest in old movies has been renewed. Not really that old, we watched Somewhere in Time this evening. It stars Superman and Dr. Quinn- Medicine Woman…aka Christopher Reeves and Jane Seymour. Interesting movie. Byess was correct when he said you have to suspend reality to enjoy it. If you are unfamiliar it is a time travel love story that takes place at the Grand Hotel. I hope to see Philadelphia Story next. (Rent hint Djembe!) I’m just not that impressed with movies these days so it’s time to get back to basics and watch the oldies.
Back to the concert…It was a really great night. —I love seeing Djembe don his tux. Even though it was a little long, the music was captivating. Between each selection Byess introduced the movie and a short video was played. When the symphony would begin you could close your eyes and feel the emotion of the moment. Very nice.
I am just thankful that this entertainment is available to us. Since our oldest started taking violin this year I think she had a greater appreciation for what she was seeing and hearing. The youngest behaved wonderfully well, but could not stay awake for the entire concert. 7:30 until past 10 is a long time for a six year old! The girls have been exposed to music since before they were born. It is our hope that they will grow to love it as much as we do.
I decided it was time to attempt another T13…I haven’t played in a while. Just too many things going on lately. I thought about listing 13 reasons NCLB needs to just go away…or 13 reasons why the new tutorial program is a bad idea (great on the surface but not planned out and we are flying by the seat of our torn jeans here), or 13 ways to relax, or even 13 things I should be doing other than creating a 13 list. While visiting photobucket for my T13 coffee beans I decided to share 13 of my favorite photobucket pics…So here you go…photobucket fun in no particular order (hey, that’s just too much work):
1.
The dangers of over indulgence.
2.
A pic I would love to post in my room on the days when students are questioning my mood.
3.
One of my favorites
4.
Losing my mind!!! (Oh my, are we seeing a theme here?)
5.
These guys decided to visit our pond one day and I was able to capture the sweetest picture. I added the caption of course.
6.
On the day we were married… *ahhhhh*
7.
My favorite of us.
8.
Sunrise over the Sea of Galilea
9.
One of my recent photo ops.
10.
11.
Just great to see them getting along!
12.
My favorite cloud picture.
13.
I laugh every single time I watch this.
Thanks for stopping by. Which is your favorite? Don’t forget to link your T13…I’ll drop by soon!
This time last year I was deeply involved in studying for grad comps while trying to put life back together as a wife, mother, and teacher. How in the WORLD did I get through the day? I know one will do what they have to do. No doubt that is the way I approach life. Lately I haven’t had time to blog, blog hop, or do much of anything other than get through each day. I’m not even sure where all the time is going! This whole teaching thing is nothing but chaos in motion. At what point will admin realize that there are too many balls in the air and soon one is going to fall…it may not be one that you want to drop either.
Here’s a picture to calm the senses…it was taken on my way to work last week. Sometimes God just puts things in our path to brighten the day.
It was “family fun day” Saturday. Froggy’s class team hosts these every month and we had the opportunity to participate this month. It was off to the pumpkin patch where they got to ride a “train”, play on a remarkable playground, pet barnyard animals, and pick a pumpkin.
I’m not too into the whole pumpkin/halloween thing. I do enjoy this time of year though. It’s a great break from the summer heat.
To top off a good day with the girls I was able to curl up with Djembe and watch Auburn defeat Florida 27-14!!!
Really great game to watch!!!
We spent most of today at church, but took time to visit Lowe’s. It’s getting time to freshen up before we put the house on the market. At the moment the plan is to rip the carpet and put down a cement stain. I really think this will be a great look, and it is the cheapest option. We’ve talked to several about this type of flooring and most have nothing but positives to say. I don’t think it is over our ability and I’m looking forward to the project…I just think it offers a simple elegance.
Even though it was a little long, the music was captivating. Between each selection Byess introduced the movie and a short video was played. When the symphony would begin you could close your eyes and feel the emotion of the moment. Very nice.
