I've Been Wrong

. . . but not about my son having strep throat. So next time, Mr. OnCall Pediatrician, please just phone us in the Augmentin instead of sending us to the ER where the copay is $100 and the wait time is four times longer than your office. Thank you.

Buzz

We had just settled down for a short summer's nap, when a mosquito buzzed near my ear. Swiping at it did not deter its flight pattern, so I clapped repeatedly in an attempt to smash it. Ah. . . success.

The unfortunate side affect for Mr. Rellim was the rush of adrenaline as he was jarred suddenly from restful sleep by seemingly thunderous KABOOMS!

Overheard

I just heard my mother tell my twelve year old daughter, "You should always sit up straight. You have such a long, sexy neck."

What?!

Go Bama!

I was momentarily confused, then thoroughly amused at my friend's Alabama shirt. What did you think it said?

Big Russ & Me

Excellent book. Amazing lessons learned from his father that he hopes to pass along to his son. Many touching and funny stories. A person I would have liked to meet. Imagine - his father raised five kids by working two jobs. And rather than complaining about having to work so much, the man was thankful that he was able to have the jobs to support his family.

Steven Curtis Chapman

I admit I've become somewhat of a junkie. I can't help but read or listen to anything I can on what he and his family are saying about adoption, grief and hope. If you haven't yet, it would be worth your time to peruse his website, with links to his family's interviews on Good Morning America and Larry King Live. It is amazing that in this time of sorrow, he and his family can articulate their faith with such clarity.

Over the years, we have talked about adoption, but it just seems so out of our league. We don't have a big house or a lot of money. I'd still have to work. And many days (like today) my patience runs out well before sunset. It's like I have a place in my heart, but not in my life. How selfish does that sound?

Red Gold

Tomato Juice. Tomato Salsa. Red Pepper Jelly. Now that the four bushels are taken care of, it's time to go back to work! You know what you're getting for Christmas, right? Try to act surprised anyway.

Austin

Can you believe I forgot to post a happy birthday to you? This picture was taken before your baby brother was born. How's first grade? Is Corrinne still your girlfriend?

Owen

Can you tell by the muscles that he is five years old today? Happy birthday, Owen!

GASP!

Quinn's gym teacher is a WOMAN! And she is teaching him JUGGLING!

My son is worried that his teacher might be turning him into a SISSY! According to him, REAL gym teachers make him run and play basketball and do MAN things (like wearing nylons with flip flops?).

And Jill Went Tumbling After

Well, Rachel, actually. I'm not sure what she was trying to do with the chair and 2 x 4's or how high in the air she was balanced, but it didn't end exactly as planned. Fortunately, Rachel is only scratched and bruised. The chair must have taken the brunt of the fall.

Saddleback Civil Forum

Pastor Rick Warren: "At what point is a baby entitled to human rights?"

Senator Barack Obama: "Answering that question with specificity, you know, is above my pay grade."

There are many issues for which the specific answers are "above my pay grade," but I still have an opinion about them. Just ask my husband or my principal or any physician who has ever treated my children.

Special

I sang a mellow song today at church that starts with a little guitar, synth and keyboard before the vocalist enters with this line: A quiet place, far away in the center of my heart.

Suddenly, an unplanned entrance by the bassist was noted by everyone as his cable disconnected from the amp with a very loud "SDFLKJSDFKLJWWWWWWHHHHHAAAAAA!"

If I hadn't been singing, I would have been laughing. You should have seen all the people in the worship area who jumped in their seats. That's one way to keep people alert in church!

Walking the Rabbit

Yes, this is a real rabbit leash for a champion. Quite stylish.

The Isolation Cup

It's where the toothbrush is banished when you have strep throat.

Cryptonite

I overheard someone say, "I don't drink wine. It makes me take my clothes off."

Isn't that something you'd want to keep private? Like Superman's cryptonite or Sampson's hair?

First Day

You see we have a seventh grader, a fifth grader and a taller person who doesn't know what grade she is entering. Interestingly, it is the first time in three years that we have actually attended the first day of school (because of illness or broken arm). Not to worry. Quinn came home today with a sore throat. It's probably strep.

Middle School Jitters

Rachel's to-do list for the morning of her first day of school. It seems very detailed, but I understand the need for guidance in sleepy morning routines.

New Shirt

And he is oh-so-proud!

Early Morning Surprise

The alarm went off at 6 am this morning and Mike left for work (or so I thought). I can't really be sure of anything that happens when I'm mostly asleep. At 6:20 I heard loud music and singing that found its way into my driveway, which is outside my bedroom window. I kept wondering why teenagers were out driving around so early and if our neighbors were going to anonymously call the police again.

So, I lifted my sleepy head to peer out the window and found my husband standing in the drive, hands in the air, singing his heart out to his car radio. Unfortunately, I don't remember what he was singing. I only know that his intentions were honorable. He just wanted to serenade his wife before leaving for work.

I know our neighbors are counting the days until school starts again and quiet will reign between 8-3 at our house.

Serenade Update: Mr. Rellim informed me that he was singing "Hooked on a Feeling" (I'm high on believing that you're in love with me.)

Relay for Life

My sister Jamie and I walked with Mom and Dad in their county cancer survivor walk (Mom had melanoma a few years ago.). Not sure why, but Dad signed us up to walk between midnight and 1:00 am. When we arrived the high school track was illuminated with uhh . .. luminaries! I thought some were in "memory" and some were in "honor" of cancer survivors. After walking a lap, I asked my mom where her luminary was. My dad said, "Those are for deceased people." Jamie said, "Yeah, well . . . I'm glad we couldn't find one with your name on it."

Guess you had to be there - in a sleep-deprived state - for it to be as funny as I thought it was at the time.

BTW, Happy birthday, Jamie! This is your final year in your early thirties!

Shoe Shopping

I forgot to bring socks for Quinn when we went shopping for dress shoes yesterday. Instead he had to slip on these nylon stockings. Interestingly, he decided "they feel kinda cool" and kept them on his feet all day even with his old sandals. Don't worry, they've been confiscated and disposed of.

Paris in Politics?

You gotta watch this commercial!! Oh, it is the unedited version - not what was aired this morning during Good Morning America.

Middle School

We just checked out the middle school where Rachel will be attending in one short week. We found the lunch room, locker room, office and all her classrooms. We also learned (after a lengthy, sweaty, frustrating battle) that locker number 365 will not open with her locker combination. You see, her locker number is actually 563 or 653 or something. I hope she remembers.

Cucumber

Rachel read about how cucumbers could be used to soothe eyes and reduce swelling. I guess there weren't any pictures in the article she read.

Two Things

1. As Mr. Rellim brought in pork patties and a perfectly-grilled pork loin tenderloin from the grill, Quinn said, "YUM! I call the tail bone! It's mine!"
(FYI: Pork loin tenderloin whole is a boneless cut taken from the inside of loin. The largest end is round and gradually tapers to the thin flat end. Very tender, it is usually prepared by roasting, baking, braising, broiling, or grilling. See photo below.)

2. Yesterday, Quinn pondered aloud, "How do people decide if they will be Christian, Catholic or gay?"

Wow! That about sums it up - and it's only Monday. Stay tuned, folks.

Good Gifts

A short video to help us all keep our busy lives in perspective. And a short Bible verse -

Matthew 7:11 (NIV) If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Noodle Approval Rating

Then again, what wouldn't taste good drenched in homemade alfredo sauce?

Sweet Basil Noodles

Hmm . . . I've never made these before. Have you ever rolled up the dough before cutting into slices? The noodles are definitely more uniform than my typical haphazard pizza-cutter-roller-derby technique. We'll let you know how they taste. (recipe: 1.25 cups fresh basil, 3 cups flour, 3 eggs, 1/4 cups water, 2 tsp olive oil. blend together in food processor, knead for 8 min, rest for 30 min, divide into fourths, roll, cut, dry.)

Quinn Got Baptized

Today. At camp. In the pool. He was so happy. We are too.

Rachel and Friends

Rachel visited with some friends at a local pizza joint today for lunch. I noted a trick one used to convince her mother she was eating vegetables. She placed a serving of lettuce next to her slice of pizza, then kept using the same plate through the buffet line. She barely ate any lettuce, but to the casual observer, it seemed as though she was getting plenty of greens. I mentioned to her that I had noticed. She just smiled.