A boy, a pig, and a great big God…

This was a super year at the fair! Riley had his first hog experience with, Skittles our beloved swine. And even better his BFF Chan led the way with a major charity effort to help out a hometown boy and his family. While, seeing Riley out in the ring doing everything he could to catch the judges attention without ever looking at him was a proud moment that was not the best part.

I was overwhelmed when God showed up on a Wednesday afternoon in a horribly ventilated, old aluminum arena filled with over 300 hogs and their owners. Our buddy Chan who had decided to donate his earnings to a local teen suffering from cancer so he could “do something fun” led the way for nearly a hundred more donors to give from their hearts as well. My family had prayed that his selfless act would be viewed as a blessing from God, but that was just the beginning. Somehow the auctioneer got wind that the money was being donated the community stepped up and the bids kept coming in. We were in tears when we thought the pig sold at $8. a pound. When it reached $37 we were speechless, and it kept on going. The last count at sale closing was $75.19 a pound and I believe they were keeping it open until Friday.

I love that the God I serve can take a dirty, old mean pig and turn it into an amazing testimony and a huge blessing for so many.

Read more here:

http://www.wcjb.com/local-news/2012/03/pig-sale-donation

 

We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. I Thessalonians 2:4b

I remember when…

First of all, when I thought blogging was would be fun and I would have sooooo much time—HA! Really, I remember when we played T-Ball. I love T-ball! A single game on Saturday, maybe a practice during the week, maybe not. The kids were more excited about the after game snack and the beloved trophy at the end of the season than RBI’s and who’s got the most expensive best bat. Don’t get me wrong I love to watch my kids play sports, especially when they love it. I coach soccer and try to be a dugout mom whenever possible. I dutifully drive them to all practices and meetings and whatever other functions may be necessary. This year it just feels like so much work and money and time, that it’s not all that fun…
So, this is dedicated to those simpler times when sports were fun and nobody kept score, but the parents in the back of their minds. Now, my mini-rant is over!

The first year of T-Ball…look at that dimple!

As first baseman our second year we had to get a little more serious.

Then came the squirrel’s turn, she is all about her buddies.

Look at that game face…

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you. I Thessalonians 4:11

A little (very little) Spring cleaning!

I have been home for two days with a sick child. She has had a ridiculously high fever and plain old cold symptoms, and every good mom and teacher knows 24-hour fever free before they return to school. So, today I decided since we were trapped and she was feeling a little spunkier we would get busy! To her get busy means spend hours planning her Rainbow birthday party, which I admit is coming up fast but we have to get through the fair first.

photo by: D Sharon Pruitt

Yesterday, I managed to get to the bottom of the clothes hamper, you know the one- not the one with the clothes you wear, but the one hidden in the back corner of the laundry room with the tablecloth from Christmas and the random dish towels that cleaned up a nasty spill and never quite made it to the washer, and at least three quilts because you just couldn’t decide which one to stick with. Ok, maybe I’m just lazy but it is all done. (Side note—while typing this my washer died, no kidding-the most important appliance I own has just given up spinning. I guess I shouldn’t have washed all those quilts. Thank you Jesus for a handy husband, he can usually fix anything—or maybe it’s time for those front loaders that I have been eyeing.)

Today was get rid of the winter décor and start something new! Very exciting, except I kept finding I was missing one essential component to whatever I wanted to make. I managed to change up my window, I consider this my mantel; since I was flat sure I didn’t want a fireplace in my new house, funny how you change your mind after a few years. We also totally revamped the sick kid’s room, similar to big brothers mess last week—we attacked the art easel and all of it’s contents and did away with the Valentine banner—yes Valentine. I really wanted to do something for my dining table but I am coming up with no good ideas right now.

I should have added clean windows to my list, but I love my banner…

         Out with the Valentine, up with something more practical—her art usually takes over my fridge…

This, is over my bed (notice no bed picture) I wish I could remember where I saw this to give credit, but it was fairly easy to make, I love burlap!

 

Add in book shelf clean outs, baking some green chocolate chip cookies, my closet shelf disaster, a couple games of Frisbee and we had a good day!

The cookie baking, sickie!

It is back to school and work tomorrow, I hope. This marks the 4th day of fever,  she’s eating, she’s playing, it’s got to be over right?

the play room is the next day-off project—simply pitiful!

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. Proverbs 27:1

Mugshot Mondays…

This is one happy little boy and pig, maybe she won’t make it into the fair…

 

For my thoughts are not your thoughts neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. Isaiah 55:8

How did it get like this!

So, I had a semi-Saturday off today. We decided as a family to scale back a few extra-curricular activities to get some things done at home and have a little family time.  First on our list, while Daddy and Ann were at a 3 hour soft-ball practice (did I mention that she is 6), it was time for Riley to clean his room, while I worked on the bathrooms. No big deal right?

I am a firm believer in kids doing housework, how else are they going to learn. However, I am not very big on follow up. Today  I got a serious reality check and a really  good look in the drawers, under the bed, the corners, of the closet,  and the toy boxes in my firstborn’s  room and I was appalled and embarrassed!

This was what I dumped out, pulled out and eventually threw out of the nooks and crannies of his room! He is hanging his head in shame and so was I . As I began to realize how many school papers, candy wrappers, missing socks, and matchbox cars were stuffed in placed I didn’t know existed I realized the last time I had really did a major clean-out in his room was last JUNE! I remember clearly because while moving his new dresser into his room, I dropped it on my foot breaking my big toe and loosing the nail—OUCH! Since then, I have been trusting that he was doing a good job then simply vacuuming and dusting the main surfaces and missing the underlying filth! This post is to remind me that they really are still young and I need to be a little more diligent with the oversight… Three hours later we were done cleaning that room, softball practice was over and we could enjoy the rest of our day together. Sure wish I would have got an after picture before he was snug in bed. Oh well, there is always sister’s room tomorrow.

Train up a child in the way he should, and when he is old he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6