At one of the first Mom's Night Outs hosted by our local homeschool support group I was given this. I knew I would want this but I wasn't quite sure what I would do with it.

It's been wonderful. We have a built in entertainment center. We don't have a TV. THIS was perfect. It slid right into the place of honor.

I load it with books we are using for school and other books on the same topic. It currently houses books on Rome for the next few weeks. The books are handy for me when we are doing couch school, and they entice the younger ones to pick up books that may not necessarily be "meant" for them. (Yes, I know the blue is a bit bright...but you rarely see the blue).

If you have a chance to get one of these - grab it. For more of my WFMW posts click here....and to read hundreds more ideas go visit Rocks in My Dryer.

Summer Days

I had to drag myself out of bed this a.m. I did not want to go to the gym; but I did.

I did want to meet Mandy at Olive Garden for lunch.

I headed to Hobby Lobby. I had hoped to get supplies to make the farewell gift we have planned for PWOC but Hobby Lobby didn't have much in the way of 6x6 page protectors. I need to look online for a better price. We're frugal around here. LOL

We had to force ourself to do school this afternoon. Why does it seem so MUCH more tedious in the afternoon.

We closed out the United order. I should be thinking of a produce order - but that can wait for tomorrow.

After dinner we enjoyed the pool....even Jamin joined us.

The atmosphere changes when the big boys are in the pool. ::snort:: All six who were home are in the above shot. Josiah is working.

Zander was right in the middle of all the fun. As I snapped photos I saw something fly across my line of vision - it was ZANDER and I caught it on film/memory card?

The best photos of all will not be blogged. Jamin was lifting Zander high and his swim trunks fell off. What a great photo....it's spectacular...but somehow I know Mike won't let me post it...and it may not ever get printed. We shall see. It's honestly a discreet mooning really. ::snort::

Jamin and Jared headed for the gym when the rest of us came in. I love the way the pool tires out the little ones so the sleep so well at night. I may have to keep it up year round. ::snort::

Complete Security

Who wouldn't desire complete security? OP SEC (Operation Security) is something military members and spouses strive for. It's no wonder this verse leapt at me this a.m.

"He who walks in integrity walks securely, he who perverts His ways will be found out." Pr 10:9

To walk uprightly or in integrity is to walk in wholeness and completeness. It encompasses moral uprightness - honesty. It's the state of being in an unimpaired, perfect (mature) condition.

I strive for a whole and integrated life. I want the various parts of my life to ADD UP. When I walk in honesty I have the great freedom and ease of knowing that my progress will be unimpaired. When I do NOT walk in integrity in each part of my life, things get "off balanced", "off kilter"....think one square tire with 3 round tires. I may still arrive at my destination but I'll be limping along. I may have a blow out and suffer harm.

Security simply put is a calm assurance or confidence.

As I walk in obedience in each part of my life, my life will become one of integrity; whole and complete. That will result in a calm assurance and confidence because of God's gracious work in my life. As I pervert God's standard in any area of my life this will become apparent to those around me. Regardless of what we believe, our walk is on display to others.

I long and pray for wholeness, uprightness, integrity in each and every element of my life: marriage, parenting, schooling, health, ministry.

©2008 D.R.G.

I survived a 65 min workout.

We called Bre and sang happy birthday to her. In fact I got to talk to her TWICE today.

Stacia decided it was time to do THIS....I don't know what she is doing. She found me and said, "K - let's go Mom". Swimsuit, church shoes (wrong feet), granny glasses....she was dancing.

We did school.

I kept working on United stuff. I'll finish that up tomorrow and it will be nearly done for another month.

Sheri came over so that I could demonstrate how to bake bread. We also went online to see how much CM 12 x 12 prints would be when you add in shipping and taxes. I called the local stores and have a few more to try sometime tomorrow. Also on the "scrapping front", Cindy, a friend I met in MT, offered to have me email her a few pages. She's going to have them printed at Costco so that I can see if I like them, if I like glossy or matte better, what size the photos turn out - because they will be bigger than they are on my small screen.....all that sort of stuff.

These kids wanted to learn a new game, rather than bake bread. LOL I bought Settlers of Catan at Christmas and they are finally getting around to figuring it out. LOL
Unfortunately, Stacia had a long nap while we baked bread.

Jared had his for lawn job the season. YES. He had done work for these folks before and was thrilled to be called back this year.

After mowing, Jared jumped in the pool. Things are a bit rowdier when the big boys arrive.

I ran out the to visit Mike and discuss the day's events.

Josiah signed the papers on an apartment, but I wasn't allowed to go with him to take photos. ARGH. I guess it had to happen at some point. I do have his first day of college photos. ::snort::

Now, I'm waiting for Stacia to fall asleep. She's beside me watching Tweety Bird...and I'm computing in bed. LOL

HAPPY 23RD BIRTHDAY BABY GIRL!

When did I get old enough for my firstest baby to be 23????

Bre isn't flying to Trinidad on her birthday but will leaving the end of this week for a trip to Boston. They'll visit historical sites, learn about Christian foundations of the founders, pray at various places and end up in DC. Josiah will join her for this trip.

Bre is on staff at Master's Commission and is planning to do an internship at a crisis pregnancy center this fall.

P.S. I suspected last week with Krista's birthday and have confirmed it today with Bre's birthday - you never get to really enjoy being out of touch on fun days witih big children. LOL

Weekly Fitness Goals (click button for more info)

Weekly Goal - 300 Minutes (60 minutes most days)
Total Weekly Minutes - 305 minutes
Annual Goal - 11,700 minutes
Minutes to Date - 5,622 minutes

It isn't pretty but I made my weekly goal of 300 minutes of exercise. LOL I need to figure out how to get weights worked in consistently - because I know they are important. I also know with MY metabolism I must do 60 min of cardio a day and that is my priority right now....but I'll keep tweaking.

I did loose another lb this week - I weigh on wed and am already down a pound. That is good. Maybe I'm back on the lb a week plan? It only took 4 1/2 months of working out for it to begin to work. LOL To think I used to eat HUGE SHAKES when pregnant to gain any weight. LOL

Monday - 60 Minutes (30 min ARC, 30 min bike)

Tuesday - 75 Minutes (bike finished Fatal Deduction, 15 min pool jogging)

Wednesday - 75 Minutes (40 min elliptical, 20 min bike, 15 min upper body weights)

Thursday - 15 minutes (pool exercises)

Friday - 50 minutes (20 min ARC, 30 min bike)

Sunday - 30 minutes (pool - 4 main walking move from Leslie, leg raises and such - yeah I'm a blast in the pool ::snort:: )

To read accounts from more participants - click here. To join us, click the icon above.....

I don't know what to title this....

Stacia continues to process relationships. She greeted me this a.m. with "Mommy, are YOU my mommy?" I assured her I was. She replied, "That lady is NOT my Mommy." Then she said, "Does that lady Mommy luf me?" Well Deja....guess I'm still the Mommy but you rate being allowed to LUF her. ::Snort::

Mike continues to reside in the trailer as he tries to prepare for his 3rd test on Thursday. We won't see him until Wed. afternoon.

He did come up for chapel this afternoon. LOL Shew...what a service...but hey...challenges make you grow. ::snort:: You can be praying for Mike as he will need diplomacy to deal with a couple of issues this week.

The kids and I joined Steve, Debbie and their boys for dinner at Cheddar's. Their boys and our older 3 went to see a Panda movie tonight. Steve and Debbie went home. I brought the little ones home for a swim.

Stacia has found something she likes to do in the pool. Thanks, Doug and Deja, for passing on the floaty toys that Elisha can't use quite yet.

She was trying to ram into everyone....

I updated the PWOC directory, sent out June's PWOC newsletter, began to finalize our United co-op order (and gave up), and now I'm going to BED.....because I'm tired....and because I don't want to do any of the things left on my to do list. I think first I'm going to pretend it's midnight (because it is 11 p.m.) and send on some emails to SHS. ::snort:: Then I AM going to bed.