This past weekend I felt like I was reliving my college days: footloose and fancy-free. Well, as free as you can be going to a Bible school in the middle of Chicago. Friday I went to a friend's house to watch Made of Honor. We made brownies & popcorn, kicked back in our recliners, and enjoyed a genuine chick flick. After the movie, we talked. It's what women do best. You can't just always jump into serious conversation; sometimes you have to warm up to it, either over dinner, shopping, or a good movie. After a while I asked what time it was, thinking it was a little after midnight...it was 3am! It took another hour for us to wrap things up & then I was headed home. I had a hard time rolling out of bed the next morning, but the kids were thrilled to have their cartoon time extended. Sat. night I felt like I was sneaking out of the house again when I put kids to bed, kissed my sick & tired husband goodnight, and drove to meet 3 friends for a late night movie at the only theater in Enid. I had read Nights in Rodanthe over Labor Day weekend & was looking forward to seeing the film. The book is always better than the movie, but I was pleasantly suprised. I won't spoil it for you...go read it for yourself (before or after you see the movie).
This weekend we're going camping with Phil's brother & his family, as well as his sister & her husband. It will be another fun weekend filled with laughter, late nights, and talking around the camp fire. The only problem is...I'm getting too old for this! My college days are 10+ years behind me & I need my beauty sleep. And it's not for beauty anymore; it's simply a matter of sanity & survival!
Monday, September 29, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Yeah for the little guy
Noah is the smallest boy in his class. The biggest boys tower a head above him. But he doesn't seem to mind much, especially since he can out run them. He's pretty proud of that fact. We had friends over for supper a few weeks ago & their 5th grade son had fun running away from the "little boys" - Daniel, Noah & Sam (another friend). Thomas came inside, out of breath, and exclaimed, "Man, Noah's fast! It's hard to get away from him!"
We signed Noah up for soccer this Fall & he loves it. He scored a goal in his first game last Saturday, and again at practice last night. He oh-so-nonchalantly explained to me, "Yeah, it's not really that hard to score goals; you just have to be a good kicker." You think he'd be tired after an hour long practice or game, but he comes home for round #2 - a soccer game against his brother in the backyard. It usually ends in tears...Daniel's...because Noah keeps stealing the ball away from him! Daniel prefers football rules: find your opponent & tackle him. That's something he can beat his skinny older brother at!
This week Noah learned how to tie his shoes. I have to say that as much as I love their independance, how it frees me up a bit, I miss being needed. I guess that's the way it goes. You long for the day when they don't demand your attention every second, but cry the minute that day arrives. Still, it's melts my heart to see that big ol' smile on his face once he's got his shoes on.
We signed Noah up for soccer this Fall & he loves it. He scored a goal in his first game last Saturday, and again at practice last night. He oh-so-nonchalantly explained to me, "Yeah, it's not really that hard to score goals; you just have to be a good kicker." You think he'd be tired after an hour long practice or game, but he comes home for round #2 - a soccer game against his brother in the backyard. It usually ends in tears...Daniel's...because Noah keeps stealing the ball away from him! Daniel prefers football rules: find your opponent & tackle him. That's something he can beat his skinny older brother at!
This week Noah learned how to tie his shoes. I have to say that as much as I love their independance, how it frees me up a bit, I miss being needed. I guess that's the way it goes. You long for the day when they don't demand your attention every second, but cry the minute that day arrives. Still, it's melts my heart to see that big ol' smile on his face once he's got his shoes on.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Getting started
It's the beginning of another week. I don't understand why Mondays can be so challenging. Maybe it's all about expectations. Or maybe it's because I'm trying to catch up from a weekend filled with activities and responsibilities. I'm always trying to find my footing on Monday, to get started on a new week. And usually my Monday dictates how the rest of the week will turn out. If I'm organized and on top of things, the rest of the week seems to go so much smoother. But if I'm running scatter-brained and senseless, so it goes.
This morning I couldn't find my planner. I am a list maker. You know the Toad & Frog story? Toad makes a list, then loses it, but can't look for it because that wasn't one of the things on his list, so he & Frog sit & do nothing all day until it is time to go to bed, when Toad remembers that was on his list, so he writes it in the dirt, crosses it off & goes to sleep. I can relate. I'm a perfectionist when it comes to lists...okay, so I'm a little anal...okay, a lot. But anyway, I like them, and I feel lost without them. I just remembered something I'm supposed to write on my list - meat thermometer.
Alright, I'm getting side-tracked. See what happens? ;) And now I have boys fighting & homework to supervise & supper to make...so my thoughts will have to wait for another day. I'll be sure to pencil it in my planner.
This morning I couldn't find my planner. I am a list maker. You know the Toad & Frog story? Toad makes a list, then loses it, but can't look for it because that wasn't one of the things on his list, so he & Frog sit & do nothing all day until it is time to go to bed, when Toad remembers that was on his list, so he writes it in the dirt, crosses it off & goes to sleep. I can relate. I'm a perfectionist when it comes to lists...okay, so I'm a little anal...okay, a lot. But anyway, I like them, and I feel lost without them. I just remembered something I'm supposed to write on my list - meat thermometer.
Alright, I'm getting side-tracked. See what happens? ;) And now I have boys fighting & homework to supervise & supper to make...so my thoughts will have to wait for another day. I'll be sure to pencil it in my planner.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
My favorite time of year
There are things I love about each season, but Fall is by far my favorite. Maybe I'm partial because I was born during this season, but when Phil & I were choosing dates for our wedding, I knew I wanted to be surrounded by colorful foliage, thick sweaters, and cool nights. We spent our honeymoon in Door County, and through our wedding was after their "peak season", God surprised us with an "unusually late Fall" and beautiful landscapes. I don't even mind the gray, cloudy days when all you want to do it curl up with a warm cup of tea & a good book. This past week Gustav brought us much needed rain, and combined with a cold front from the North, it has really felt like Fall.
We spent Labor Day weekend with Phil's folks & drove over to AR on Sunday to see Phil's brother & family. Matthew, Jenny & their two girls are serving at a home for pregnant girls. It is a neat ministry with unique challenges and amazing rewards. It was fun to spend the day, meeting the girls, holding a newborn (how long has it been?), playing with cousins, and living life with them.
Last night we had friends over for supper - 4 families w/ 11 children = lots of noise & lots of fun. I laughed until my sides hurt. When we moved here 6 years ago, it felt like it would be impossible to put down roots again. It's not easy to meet new people, and never easy to develop deep relationships. But God has blessed us with friendships, and camping together with this crazy bunch has bonded us for life, I'm afraid. We have too many incriminating stories among us!
Next week we're looking forward to traveling to IL to spend 4 days with my family. My brother, Andrew, & his family are home from Italy for 2 months. We'll be staying at a cabin (thanks to one of their supporters) and we're excited about having this time away together as a Debelak "clan" (a first for us).
Because I live in Oklahoma, I'm not guaranteed consistent Fall weather. There is always the possibility that you will be wearing shorts on Thanksgiving Day! But with my Fall decorations up and tea bags out, it doesn't matter. I can celebrate this new season regardless of whether the temperatures agree with me or not!
We spent Labor Day weekend with Phil's folks & drove over to AR on Sunday to see Phil's brother & family. Matthew, Jenny & their two girls are serving at a home for pregnant girls. It is a neat ministry with unique challenges and amazing rewards. It was fun to spend the day, meeting the girls, holding a newborn (how long has it been?), playing with cousins, and living life with them.
Last night we had friends over for supper - 4 families w/ 11 children = lots of noise & lots of fun. I laughed until my sides hurt. When we moved here 6 years ago, it felt like it would be impossible to put down roots again. It's not easy to meet new people, and never easy to develop deep relationships. But God has blessed us with friendships, and camping together with this crazy bunch has bonded us for life, I'm afraid. We have too many incriminating stories among us!
Next week we're looking forward to traveling to IL to spend 4 days with my family. My brother, Andrew, & his family are home from Italy for 2 months. We'll be staying at a cabin (thanks to one of their supporters) and we're excited about having this time away together as a Debelak "clan" (a first for us).
Because I live in Oklahoma, I'm not guaranteed consistent Fall weather. There is always the possibility that you will be wearing shorts on Thanksgiving Day! But with my Fall decorations up and tea bags out, it doesn't matter. I can celebrate this new season regardless of whether the temperatures agree with me or not!
Sunday, August 24, 2008
My son, the chef
I was in the kitchen this morning working on lunch & Daniel asked, "Are you makin' lovin' carrots, Mom?" I replied with, "I've never heard of those. How do you make them?" I didn't really expect he would have an answer for me, but he surprised me with, "Well, you cut them up and put sugar on them, and then you put them in the oven until they turn brown, and then you take them out, and then you put them on the stove in the sauce...and that's IT!"
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Call me crazy...
...or pathetic, at least. :) We drove to Goltry, OK today to pick more apples. Yes, you heard me right. And the crazy part about it is - it was my idea. We brought home about 150 lbs. or so. Don't go getting all impressed with me. I never did process all 350 lbs. we collected last Sat. I know...you're sitting there wondering WHAT in the world possessed me to go get more! Trust me, I'm not masochistic. I just know we will be gone next weekend & with the hot weather, I worried that they might not be that great 2-3 weeks from now. (Plus I knew if I went on a Saturday, I would have Phil's help...and his ladders.)
My Dad always told me "It's not what you know, it's who you know." and it's proven useful. I met this Mom through attending MOPS 3 years ago. We picked apples a few years ago, but since then I had lost her phone number. Thankfully I ran into her sister at Wal-Mart (the "melting pot" of America!). I was excited about the prospect of going out there. They spray their trees & the apples were beautiful - no bad spots or worms, nice & big, and delicious. So I'm back at it again. Only problem is...I'm running out of freezer space. I guess I'll have to take up canning!
My Dad always told me "It's not what you know, it's who you know." and it's proven useful. I met this Mom through attending MOPS 3 years ago. We picked apples a few years ago, but since then I had lost her phone number. Thankfully I ran into her sister at Wal-Mart (the "melting pot" of America!). I was excited about the prospect of going out there. They spray their trees & the apples were beautiful - no bad spots or worms, nice & big, and delicious. So I'm back at it again. Only problem is...I'm running out of freezer space. I guess I'll have to take up canning!
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