I have several loose pieces of information floating around that I want to share. Yes, that is the proper spelling for
loose (say: loos). :- ) That is loose-as in not attached to anything else. The other word 'lose' is pronounced 'looz' and means that something has been lost. eg: Did you lose your shoe? Yes I lost my shoe.
I see these two words interchanged so freely on the internet that I think there must be a conspiracy...I don't know what kind of conspiracy mixes up spellings....but it bugs me all the same. ;-) Please don't take it wrong if you are one of the people who mixes up these words. I don't consider myself the spelling police. In fact you'll see plenty of spelling errors and typos right here in Sunydazy Land. It's just one of those things I needed to get off my chest. I feel much better now. Really.

OK...where was I? ...Oh yes, loose bits of information. I'll just jump right in there.

1. I was privileged to receive a copy of Twila Paris new CD Small Sacrifice from the fine folks who are doing the promotion of her newest recording. I was very excited about getting the chance to review something! Me?!!! Really?
So on to the review. (insert bugle sound here):
Twila Paris has been in the Christian music industry for many years. Chances are, if you attend church, you've sung one of her many choruses or hymns. She has written many, many, many. And she has a lovely voice! Her newest release is full of power packed lyrics. The title song 'Small Sacrifice' stays with me and I hum it throughout the day. There is another song that will surely touch many people...she sings that 'God has not forgotten you'. A beautiful tear jerker! I haven't decided which song is my favorite but I'm working on it. I would tell you more about the lyrics which are scriptural and moving but...I left the cd in the car where I listen to it every time I go somewhere. It's still dark outside and very cold and I'm still in my nightgown, so there is no way you are going to convince me to get out of my warm, squishy chair and trek through the dark and freezing air. I love you people, but one has to draw the line somewhere.
An added note for those of you who are homeschoolers, you might be interested to know that Twila Paris homeschools her son and comes from a strong family.
So click on the picture and go get yourself a copy of this cd! Hurry!
The link will take you right to the cd page. The new cd is # 13 which means you have to find the little arrow thingy at the top or bottom of the page and click on it...so you can see the next page. K?
If you aren't sure what kind of music this is and want to hear some samples I suggest True North as a good example of her singing style. Uuhhhmmmm, wait! I almost forgot to tell you to come right back here when you are finished ordering your cd and finish reading my post! See you in a few minutes!



2. I must, must, must say a very special 'hello' with a giant wave to an old friend of mine. Her name is Alycesyn. She and I were very close friends when we were just wee lasses. So close, in fact, that we fought over which of us had the longest (read that: coolest) knee socks! Our parents were friends before any of us were born and she was one of my bridesmaids. We lost touch over the years. In December, just before Christmas I sent a note to her parents and asked them to get it to her. They did and she emailed me and woohoo! it's nice to hear from her again! We have a lot of catching up to do.

3. If you are looking for a college for your Christian kiddo check out my new favorite! ;-)
I must insert here that I do not believe college is right for every one. In fact, I question it's abuses. More on that in a future post. BUT...since my son is a student now for reasons that we feel are valid, I want to tell you I am proud and not afraid to recommend the school as a good one. Ecclesia College Go Royals!

Labels: Misc

Conversation with 5 year old at supper last night:

Me: Honey, you need to eat the rest of your stew.

Him: Sigh...My tummy hurts...I'm not hungry...buuurp...

Me: See! You'll be fine. Just eat your stew.

Him: (very high pitched and sincerely distressed voice) I caaaann't! My tummy is running out of gas.

Labels: Family, Just for fun

The mother, not as young now, placed her basket on the floor.
She brushed her slightly graying hair back and tiptoed to the door.
She pushed gently into the girls' room and sighed with deep content.
The three of them lay quietly under moonlights gentle slant.

Though sound asleep, the laughter seemed to dance around their eyes
and the sounds of sweet innocence was heard in their sleepy sighs.
She looked in amazement at the dimples and the curls
and tonight, like every night, she thanked God for her three girls.

After praying prayers for safety, for sweet dreams and peaceful slumber
she closed the door and turned to face another room of wonder.
The walls held dog posters and models of hot rod cars,
The floor was littered with legos and books about the stars.

There, asleep on a small bed was a darling little boy.
In his fist he clutched his newest favorite toy.
She watched awhile and said a prayer, then turned to her right.
She saw another bed, still made, not being slept in tonight.

As she sat on the edge of his bed
Her heart was filled with cheer
Her boy had gone to college.
That's why he wasn't here!

While the happy thoughts rolled onward,
There came another thought from deep.
This one wasn't welcome.
She pushed it down, she choked it back.

It fought it's way upward ~ it must emerge.
"What if he never comes home? Is he grown enough? How absurd!
Of course I've trained him for this day. I know that he'll be fine.
But of all the preparations I made, I see now...I forgot mine."

She didn't know it would hurt like this,
This time of letting go.
How do other mother's do it?
Their pain doesn't really show.

Her fingers clutched the bedspread tightly
as the tears began to flow.
She glanced again at the little one across the room.
Her heart said "No! No! No!
Please don't take my babies, Time...
Please don't make them grow!"

She cried a little more
Then her mind began to quiet.
She started to breathe slow.

A small voice reminded her of another time,
A time long ago.
She remembered when her own mother had let her daughter go.

She hadn't understood then
What a mother's heart could hold,
But she understands it now
And she values it like gold.

Isn't this what she'd been working for?
A young life beginning to bloom?
The tears subsided and her smile returned.
"God be with you tonight son"
She whispered to the room.

by Sunydazy D. Johnson 2008

Thank you Lord for the opportunity to mother the children you send into our home. Thank you for the grace to walk through each difficulty, each trial...and rely on you every step of the way. And thank you most of all for leading these young ones into a life of service to you Our Great King. Guide them and protect them Father.
In Jesus Name,
Amen

Labels: Family, Inspirations

As you may recall, today is my laundry day. What that means, in so many words, is that I try to get as much laundry done as I can on Mondays. That is not to say I don't do any the rest of the week, because I need to wash a load or two each day in order to keep the piles manageable.

Sometimes, maybe 4 times a year? I lose control.
The laundry monster grows so fast that one morning I wake to find myself in a sea of laundry...my bed floating on the waves of socks and plaid shirts with sawdust in them. The laundry monsters tentacles are reaching for my throat...and I sit up in bed with a start. If I happen to be pregnant or otherwise overwhelmed or ill I might lie down and cover my head and beg the Lord to have mercy on me.

Otherwise, I am a woman of action. As soon as Dear hubby drives out of the driveway with the typical chorus of children's 'goodbye daddy!' shouts, I close the door and start giving orders.
"You! Get the babies dressed! And you! Go find the rest of your clothes and get dressed ...we can't go anywhere with half clothes and half pajamas. And you! Go clean out the car! There's no way we can fit anything else in there with all that junk taking up the back. Meet me back here in 10 minutes for your next order!"

Everyone begins the noisy and chaotic process of finding clothes, shoes and socks and making the Suburban safe to ride in.
After 15-20 minutes of running, shouting and digging through toys to find the missing shoes, everyone converges at the front door for further orders. That's when they see that I have lined up 43 barrels of dirty clothes to be hauled to the Suburban and crammed in tight. Just barely room enough to close the doors.

Everyone pushes, pulls and shoves, plops little ones into seats and begins buckling. I haul out a purse big enough to carry a large crock pot in and a tote bag of bills and other 'reading material' and try to stuff those in ahead of me. My oldest always sighs and tries to lift up his feet so I'll have room for my traveling gear. I seat myself in the drivers seat and glance in the rear view mirror...
What I usually see is at least 3 heads who haven't had their hair brushed since the previous day. So I begin the process of looking for a brush. "Son, hand me back my purse." After tugging and pulling for 3 minutes we get it un-lodged.
Then I tell him to find the hairbrush.
"In there?" He asks, as he stares with disgust down into the black hole of my designer (ahem) bag?
"Yes!" I answer.

Thus it goes until about an hour and a half after hubby leaves and we are finally on our way to one of my saving institutions:
THE LAUNDRY MAT!
Of course, along the way I realize I'll need quarters...and detergent...and waters and snacks for the kids, so it still takes another 45 minutes to get there.

When we finally arrive, I set about the daunting task of unloading all the barrels and take over the entire building.
I can't use the little laundry place in my own town because it's too small...they don't have enough washers for my family.
So, I go to the large city nearby and use an entire row of machines, thus leaving a couple of rows for the other customers.
After 30 minutes of sorting and stuffing machines I can sit down and relax and have 30 minutes of pure bliss, knowing that ALL of my family's clothes are getting washed AT ONE TIME! How cool is that? I actually really enjoy the drying and folding process because that is the only place I've ever been where there is enough room to fold everything.

After we arrive home I make it mandatory that EVERY STITCH of clothing be put away...this is usually just in time for me to get supper ready.

By the end of the day I'm usually a bit tired... but- oh- so -very -happy!
When hubby asks what my day was like I just say "Oh... I just did some laundry..." and then I smile to myself.

I'll be able to stay on top of it for several months now until some other crisis happens...

and then I'll do it all again.

Labels: Another Day, Household Helps

Sigh...My oldest chickie has flown the nest...:-)

After much family prayer, discussion, more discussion, more prayer and a lot of thinking, Osprey has decided to stay with his grandparents in a neighboring state and attend college part time while he finishes up his senior home school work.

He went to stay with them for a couple of weeks vacation after Christmas.
While there, it was brought to his attention that he could attend a few classes part time at the Christian college where my father teaches....after that, it was a whirlwind of phone calls and emails and finally, a decision was reached.

This is a new place for me. I am so happy that he gets this opportunity and yet I miss him sooo much! I sent him a care package the first day I knew he was staying there. Hubby just chuckled at me.

Now I have the fun of going through his room and packing up all the things he will be needing this semester. I imagine I'll be able to considerably lighten the load of 'stuff' in this house!

We'll be traveling to take him his things next week and I think I'll get some kind of 'closure' on the idea of him growing up and leaving home. I am beyond pleased that he gets some special time with his grandparents. They are wonderful, Godly people. They have a lot of wisdom and I know he'll benefit from this time with them.

If I could have seen this part of my life ahead of time I would not have believed it! :-) I never dreamed I'd be caring for 2 year old daughters while teaching a five year old his letters, while helping a thirteen year old cope with hormones and letting my seventeen year old go...all at once!

Life is an adventure!

Labels: Family, News

Attention Homeschoolers!
Spunky is back!
She's been writing about the upcoming election choices and is challenging us to really research the candidates.
She has written an entire expose' series on Huckabee. Go check it out at Spunky Homeschool.

Labels: Homeschool, News

Well...I'm still alive. :-)

My apologies to those of you who have faithfully been checking my blog for updates and sent me kind notes.
I truly needed to take a blogging break.
Even though I haven't posted much , I have done a little checking on my friends blogs and I hope to leave some comments with you soon. Welcome to all my new friends and readers! I have received some uplifting notes from several of you over the past couple of months. I hope I can reciprocate the smiles and inspiration!

Since last posting we have celebrated 4 of the children's birthday's: Rivergirl is 13, Little-Guy is 5, and Ladybug and Doodlebug are 2. Life is zipping along at a rapid rate and it's sometimes hard to catch my breath. Osprey is a senior in our home high school and we have been praying and working on plans for his next steps...college bound? Where? How? When?

Now that I am back I will probably be reporting about a few of the changes taking place in our lives. This will be an eventful year for our family.

I hope all of you had a delightful holiday season with your friends and families and I hope your new year is blessed and joyful.

Labels: Holidays and Celebrations