Monthly Archives: July 2008

Turtle Trapping Update


If you’re anything like me, you’ve been sitting on the edge of your seat waiting to hear if Kris has succeeded in trapping any turtles yet.  Yesterday, my mind was put at ease.  No doubt, I’ll sleep better knowing how the story ends.  I’m sure you will, too.

Kris, along side his turtle trapping associate, Dennis, trolled out to the trap.  At first glance, they saw what looked to be little reptilian shells peeping through the water.

Once they pulled the trap out of the lake, they knew they had struck tortoise gold.

Their excitement and virility overload tapered when they looked at each other and said….

“Now what?”

So, they killed the turtles and made some stew. 

Not really.  They took them to a creek and dropped each of the 26 turtles – yep, 26 – into the stream.

Upon leaving the farm, we saw this little guy away from his snapping friends.  So, Kris and the kids blessed their little reptile friend….

And, sent him back to his new home.

The End.

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Filed under Randomness

Freedom, I won’t let you down.


I promise not to continue titling my blog posts lyrics from random songs.  Well, I don’t promise.  But, I won’t make a habit out of it.  I don’t think.

My favorite July 4th memory was 5 years ago.  I ran the Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta early in the a.m., hopped on the good ‘ol Beechcraft Duke with Kris and flew to Grand Lake.  Only to spend it with two of our closest friends on their completely awesome boat watching completely awesome fireworks and F-14’s fly over.  Life’s not bad.

– Thanks to freedom and the ability of free persons to pursue great things. 

Charles de Gaulle said, “History does not teach fatalism.  There are moments when the will of a handful of free men breaks through determinism and opens up new roads.”

Happy Fourth!

Do you have a favorite 4th memory?

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Filed under life, Randomness

Lord Almighty, I feel my temperature rising.


By the time the clock strikes 6:00 in the evening, the daily grind with children is nearing its end.  The day is all downhill from there, right?  Not as long as those pretty little blonde haired wonders are still awake. 

At 6:00 PM EST on Wednesday, July 2, 2008, Anna opened the backyard gate only to let Brew (our four-legged pal) explore the wild blue yonder.  I looked like a not so secret agent in search of a star witness in a high profile case.  Oh, I exaggerate.  I just ran up and down the street yellin’ like a true Southerner, “Brew!  Herrreee Breewwwww!”  My children traveled ten feet behind me wiping tears from their eyes.  Because, being the good mama that I am, I told them, “Well, we’ve lost Brew now.  That’s why you don’t open the gate.” 

Or the window, as was the case the last time Brew hoped for a newfound freedom.

So, we recovered Brew and I consoled the children.  As soon as I caught my breath, I commenced to making dinner.  Little did I know that John Henry would use this time to brush up on his “Dial 911” skills.  My phone rings and the lady on the other end from 911 dispatch, or whatever they’re called, informs me that there was a hang up from my number.  Hmmmm.  I told her it must have been one of my children.

“We still have to send someone out to make sure it’s okay,” she explains.

Sure enough an officer shows up at my door, and John Henry runs up the stairs. 

After handing over my license for…..for what?  A record check?  To log me into the system as a potential criminal mama?  The officer realized the only threat to society was us taking up the time of our city’s finest.

There is no doubt that by now, I am on the C.I.A.’s radar.  From the T.S.A. personnel at the airport finding these items in John Henry’s pockets….

To Anna setting off the house alarm while I was taking a shower causing ADT to leave messages on my landline, my cell phone, and my husband’s cell phone.  ‘Cause I was in the shower!

To the events of yesterday evening.  I’m on the radar.  I’m sure of it.

It’s times like these that I see a new series airing called “Baby Borrowers”, and I think, where do I sign up?  I’m just funnin’.  No really, I am.  You know after talking about sweet family time with the children in yesterday’s post….Jesus loves you high and low talk,  that I would never consider letting anyone borrow my children.  Now, I might be open to one of you opening your home to my beautiful blessings.  So, if interested, please comment. 

Ain’t got but one scripture to tie into this one – “This, too, shall pass.” 1 Corinthians 10:12

Hallelujah, Amen & Selah.

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Filed under Kid Stuff, Motherhood

Turning off the tube.


I love television.  I love the internet even more.  More times than not, the television is turned off for dinner in our home.  However, that and the internet can take center stage a lot of evenings post dinner.  Last night was different. 

I visited friends and their four children.  Something really cool happened when the television was powered off.  Not one, but all four of their children joined us in the family room. 

And, we talked.

The ages of these children range from 11 to 18.  Yet, each one put aside their usual adolescent joys to join their parents and two other adults.  (Suddenly referring to myself as an adult seems bizarre.)  Anyhoo….

They weren’t instructed to congregate.  They just did.  And, how precious it must have been for their parents to have a moment of uninterrupted time with their children…..and me, of course J

I think I’m going to turn the tube off more often in my own home.  And, I shudder to say, even the world wide web.  Because, at the end of the day, I will forget that ridiculously funny Seinfeld rerun and the latest news reported by cnn.com. 

But I will hold tightly to my heart every word spoken, every joke made, every high five, every glance, every confession, every life discovery, every God moment, and every touch between my husband and two children. 

And, while right now my family time consists of fireplace stage performances of “I Had a Little Turtle” and transformations of my little autobot, I know I’m building a foundation that will enable us to not only do life together – but also share in it.

John Henry and Anna, I pray that in these moments together that “Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.  18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.”  Ephesians 3:17-18

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Filed under Love, parenting, Relationships

Cashing in.


I love a good poker game.  I was a fan of poker when Texas Hold ‘Em wasn’t cool.  I’ve always been able to relate many of life’s moments to a game of skill and chance.

Even Kenny Rogers related life to knowing when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em.

Here are a few examples of what I’m talking about.

·         Sometimes we win.  Sometimes we lose.

·         Sometimes we aren’t sure but find the risk worth it.

·         Sometimes we don’t pay attention to the table and make poor decisions.

·         Sometimes we don’t pay attention to the table and really luck out.

·         Sometimes we are dealt a bad hand.

·         Sometimes it’s a good idea to cash in.

So, here is my point.  How do you know when it’s okay to cash in?

Here’s my real life example.

During my tumultuous first pregnancy, I hung in there hoping that things would work themselves out between my husband and me.  I’ll never forget my good friend telling me, “No one would blame you if you cashed your chips in now.”

And while I wasn’t quite ready to cash in, I always appreciated that statement.

Eventually, I knew it was time to cash in, and I did.  But not after I had exhausted every resource, prayed every prayer, and allowed for a thousand opportunities.  I had to know that I cashed in after playing the best game I could with the cards I had been dealt.  To be honest, I feel like I did.

And, I would say to anyone….

Before you give up on your career, your children, or your marriage, play the rounds the very best you can.  Give God every opportunity to deal you a couple of Aces in the hole.  But also remember, God cannot affect another’s will.  Well, I suppose He could if He wanted, but that’s not His style.  And sometimes the choices of others force us to cash in even when we don’t want to.  If at the end of the day, you have done all you can do, no will blame you for cashing in.  And, if you remain faithful to Him, He is sure to deal you a better hand next time.  When He does, it’s up to you to play it well.

Have you ever cashed in? 

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Filed under life