Bragging on My Boys (::clearing throat:: - tried to SPELL that ) YOUNG MEN!

Josiah came home last night with the news  he's been asked to be a team leader/manager! I immediately asked if this means I could have unlimited Oreo Cookie Chick Fil A shakes - guess not. He'll begin training Monday. There is some "thought" about his age....but the boss says he knows of ONE other 17 yo who was made a manager - himself. He'll be a good resource for Cy. He's already warned him that the 20 year old guys who've worked there for 3 - 4 years are sure to be upset for a few weeks. We're proud of Josiah. I'll snap a picture of him in the new uniform, when he gets it. Evidently, this was run by the other managers and they all thought it was a good idea to give him the position regardless of age. Go Cy.

Jamin decided he was not finished with his book. He has 30 pages left to edit. We decided we'd waited LONG ENOUGH to read this book. I took it to Office Depot and had them print and bind it. We were all taken aback at how THICK it is. We are going to start reading it. Krista is taking a copy with her on the bus. She is reading for plot and action and such. I am reading and trying to remind myself to look for comma rules, spelling, and such. Becky, if the offer holds we'd like to send you a copy by the end of this week. Mike, you too. He wants the 30 pages finished before he sends you both a copy.

When he's had several read it and comment....he'll be ready to take the next step. While we all read it, I think I will not allow him to work on it. FOUR years - I think he needs a breather....maybe. He thinks he could start in on book 2. I think he could use this time to surf writer blogs, websites etc and get some idea about the next step. It's been suggested he go to the Christian Writer's Guild conference in Colorado Springs. That would allow him face to face interviews with several publishers. We simply aren't sure it's a book for the Christian market. We haven't READ it...but we know that he says he doesn't "preach" in it. Of course, his world view will shine through - I hope. LOL

Holding it strange to cover his last name

Apron a gift from Bre, check out the size of that manuscript

SATURDAY

I was going to add a button and change some music etc...but blogger is acting up again and NOT allowing me the "add page element" again...so I'm guessing no new photos until tomorrow.

Mike - I know you most likely can't call on Sunday - but Josiah needs to talk with you when you can call....sooner than later would be nice.

Krista wanted to go out alone with me today. Bre came along. I'm glad we did it. We planned to go to Chick fil A for shakes - but their machine is down again. We went to Chili's instead. We had a blast. We split a Southern Egg roll plate and a Molten Chocolate Cake. Krista had questions she wanted to ask me and said that at home there is always a little one running in about the time she is ready to talk. Ah the trials of being an introvert in a large family. ::snort:: It was a great visit. They both had wonderful and tough questions. I was able to encourage them before they leave. They are doing so well 2nd year of Master's Commission (link in side bar to new website). Second year involves a lot more leadership - and they are learning and stepping up to the plate. They are also praying through their future plans. At the end of the first year most students are SURE they know what their futures hold (despite Moms who say - just follow Him one day at a time and let Him bring the plan to fruition ::snort). The first year is EXCELLENT. They study their spiritual gifts, their passions, their personalities...the focus is on digging deeper in their walks with God, discovering how He has created them and what their passions and purpose are/is. Bre said that by this point all the second year students are questioning their "firm plans". I'm not surprised. I'm overjoyed. I see them learning to listen and follow the voice of the Shepherd for MAJOR decisions in their own lives. Yay God. It will be fun to see what they decide after this year....and to see where Cy ends up next year...but I'm not so excited to see a 3rd child leave home.

My hip has been hurting a LOT. I can barely walk today. It will clear up when the rain goes away.

Stacia has a horrendous diaper rash again. ARGH. Coconut oil doesn't touch it. I went to walmart and bought a giant tube of Lotrimin. I sure hope it's better by tomorrow - poor baby. She's got some sort of intestinal thing going on.

The girls will be here tomorrow - probably leave Monday.

Jamin has finished rewriting his book - again. It's down to 210, single-spaced, 8x11 pages...from 350. That's some editing he's done. LOL I'm figuring out the best way to print this. Krista wants to take a copy of the book. I want a copy and he plans to mail a copy here and there for comments. I am thinking to take the disc to Office Depot and have them copy and bind it for us.....much easier to deal with than loose papers....

TRAVEL UPDATE

Hmmm.....800 number at Greyhound says that there are "delays and cancellations" in the panhandle....and Denver station is closed. The girls will not be leaving tomorrow. We're tracking the storm and trying to guess when to put them on the road.

Mike, the local station said they'll "most likely" not charge me for them to change their tickets...I told them I don't care...I wanted to be sure they could make conncetions further up the road if they leave here late. He said not a problem. He also said that our best bet may be to have them go through El PASO, LA and then UP.....doesn't that seem a bit drastic at this point? I'm thinking they can get out Monday or Tuesday when Denver has a couple of days to dig out.....

OK - Kristine - do you think ya'll will be dug out by Tuesday afternoon? Or will be babies be stuck in the panhandle???? ::snort::

OPINIONS

OK - got music going.

Does it make it slow for your computers to load the blog? Too slow?

I like jazz....

Stacia really likes it...::snort:: but I told Bre it certainly makes you feel like you need to get on, read, read, read, FAST, comment fast and get off!!!!!! Speed being the main drive I feel with the music going in the background of the blog. Bre mentioned something about panic attacks.

Does it have this affect on ya'll? I wanted it to be upbeat and reflect joy and my tastes...but this may be a bit too upbeat??? ::snort:: It doesn't seem relaxing...but I wanted instruments and not words (I'm easily distracted) and I didn't want "elevator music".

Bottom line - you CAN turn the volume down (I do that many spots online)...but what about the speed of loading the site? Is it causing your browser to freeze?

Let me know....please...and any suggestions for a new song are welcome. I realized my favorites are all Christian contemporary and they aren't listed at sonific. LOL

Photos and Songs

Heather - http://sonific.com will allow you to put songs on a blogspot. Unfortunately, I've been trying to get MY blog to load my selection for a couple of weeks. ::snort:: I'm not thrilled with the selection of music at the site...you'll find way more contemporary Christian music available at myspace. I didn't find Phil Wickham at all on sonific...but I did find some nice jazz. LOL

Photos are loading. I have the "add page element" button again this a.m.; so I ditched the plan to clean house and am trying to get photos loaded for you Mike...the pile of laundry on the couch is all YOUR doing, dear! ::snort:: Hmmm....well the song thing is ME - no - Heather ASKED. ::snort::

Video will not load into a post....not sure about side bar....guess I can try....Mike, I can't email you the dancing video either because it says the file exceed the maximum size.

Photos from Last Night

Stacia loved the chicken, rice, veggie, cheese soup....and the bath afterwards

Game night - Imagine If

Scenes from the last couple of days


Arielle finally has her dancing Barbie....she raises her arm (wearing some radio control) and the doll raises her arm....Stacia and Zander had to get into the dancing too....

Notice the sly little spider getting into the fun
Dino Bingo...this is a game that the younger ones are really enjoying

Tea Tree Treatment