Midsummer Night's Dream pictures

Back stage prior to final performance--Peter's hiding under the green hat...

Leah & the other Sprites hamming it up a little pre-curtain time...

Curtain Call...

Smiles all around. It was a great week and the kids did an awesome job

Today's Zits Comic Strip

Today's Zits Comic Strip - ArcaMax Publishing

Yep. Being the parent of a teen is a tough gig... :-)

Quiet morning

It's a quiet morning. So far I'm the only one awake--Mark's left for work already. There's a gentle rain falling, keeping cadence with the calm. My brain is slowly becoming unfogged. Soon the day will officially begin, but for now I'll just sit here and enjoy the peace.

Courtesy of Sara

Courtesy of my friend, Sara, I took a quiz--you can take it too.
My results came up as "Snow White" but I don't believe it! lol!

Just call him Demetrius, and her Mustardseed

And come watch A Midsummer Night's Dream either Friday night or Saturday afternoon to see Peter & Leah in action--it's going to be a busy week of memorizing lines and rehearsals!

Back to Racing

Yeah, racing. As in the rat race. As in feeling like I'm just chasing my tail and getting no where. Five and a half months of having my hubby home and able to help with little tasks has me spoiled... . We're still in "re-entry" mode, each of us adjusting to our changed roles, and waiting to see how the chips will fall. For instance, Mark is working today, something he hasn't had to do for a L-O-N-G time on a Saturday (at least not on a regular basis). So this leaves me and the kids playing catch-up. But I'd really rather be sleeping right now. Last night we had 8 teen girls over in honor of Hannah's birthday for a movie night...we rented a projector, hung a sheet over the window, plugged the sound into the stereo and had the full movie theater effect with the bonus of being able to pause and rewind if we missed something, needed to eat something or go to the bathroom. It was fun, but lasted until after midnight, then I had to bring a few home... then it was up bright and early to help with Peter's paper route--Mark usually does, but since he had to work, it was up to me today. So I guess it's bottoms up on the caffeine for me today!

Happy Golden Birthday, Hannah!

You are growing into a beautiful woman of God. I am so proud of you. I'm proud of your tender heart, your loving way with friends, your gift of music and how you bless our family with it, the grace you dance with, and your laughter, I've always loved your laugh. You are a joy to me. God has taught me so much through becoming your mother. Be patient with me, I'm still learning.

I love you, honey.

Jobs, week 2

Mark's job is going well, he's enjoying his co-workers, and is getting along nicely with learning the ropes. One thing that has him really tired is spending the whole day on his feet as well as moving & lifting heavy appliances. He's pretty sapped at the end of the day. It doesn't help that the AC in the building he works in went kaput either! He schedules lots of deliveries on really hot days...lol!
My job is also going well. I love being able to play on a computer and be creative with advertising again. One of the gals I'm covering maternity leave for has had her baby, and we're anticipating the other co-worker's arrival any day now, but time will tell. When that happens, life will be busier at the office.
The kids are doing well at home, things don't get done exactly like I'd like them to, but they do get done, so I'm thankful.

church camp-out

We're back from our weekend camp out with our church. It was a lot of fun, but we weren't too organized as a family and ended up making a few extra trips back into town for things we forgot. We did however, have fun and were able to enjoy a couple of cooler nights for sleeping. I HATE trying to sleep outside when it's hot!
Now of course there is the pile of work to be done in the aftermath of a camping trip--but it will wait until tomorrow, and the kids will have to get at it. Our system is going fairly well, so far. I'm glad, but as my garden ripens am wondering when I'm going to get my canning done!
The kids are pet-sitting for friends this week again, they enjoy it, and it keeps them entertained.
We're all pretty tired around here today, and I'm thinking turning in early will be a good idea for all concerned!

Work, day one

I guess the title should really be home alone, day one, but whatever...
The kids being "officially" home alone for their first day wasn't perfect, but it wasn't the worst it could've been either (i.e. the house did NOT burn down!) Yes, I blew a small gasket when I got home to a sticky floor, a somewhat unauthorized lemonade stand, and another unauthorized baking project...sigh...overall things went well. Dinner was a success and not burnt. :-) A few cleaning projects were completed, and I was able to get things set to rights fairly quickly.
Mark had an enjoyable day of filling out TONS of paperwork--ha, ha. I think he's pretty pooped and overwhelmed over it all, but he'll be fine.
So that's the news, or lack of it, from our neck of the woods, now you know.

Have I Mentioned that God is good, lately?

Well, he is. We are excitedly approaching a new chapter in our lives. Mark begins his new position at the How-To Store on Monday.
We're thankful for God's provision of a job for Mark, but within that thankfulness is a bit of sadness, because Mark's mourning his freedom a bit. It will be an adjustment for all of us, so keep us in your prayers, and thanks for being there for us in prayer over these last few months.
Oh, and if you're in the area and in need of appliances, give Mark a holler!

So is there a chapter of Nailbiters Anonymous nearby?

I might need to join. Hannah passed her written test and has been issued a learner's permit. Let the hair-raising adventures begin!

Okay, footnote to this post, Hannah has taken the healm on her first excursion, she went with her dad, he reported that she did quite well. Yay!