School Shopping

Well, went shopping with the girls and 2 of Sami's friends last night. We started out the evening by stopping at McDonald's for a quick bite to eat. It was POURING down rain when we arrived and it was hilarious to see the girls running into the restaurant, screaming and giggling.

When we got in the door it was FULL of boys who must've had their baseball game cancelled. They looked like they were about 13-14 and they could not stop STARING at the lovely ladies that I was with. It was so cute. One of them threw his hat on the floor and Sarah picked it up and gave it back to him. He told her she was the nicest girl he'd ever met! It was sweet really, but so funny.

Eating amidst staring boys was interesting, but I was glad when they started to filter out and then were finally all gone.

Sami and her friends hit the ground running when we got to the mall, so Sarah and I made our rounds alone. We had a good time and I think everyone seemed thrilled with their purchases for school.

Go Light Your World

By Chris Rice (Short Term Memories CD)

There is a candle in every soul
Some brightly burning, some dark and cold
There is a Spirit who brings a fire
Egnites a candle and makes His home

Carry Your Candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the helpless, confused and torn
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle and go light your world
Take your candle and go light your world

Frustrated brother, see how he's tried to
Light his own candle, some other way
See how your sister, she's been robbed

and lied to, still holds a candle without a flame

So carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the lonely, the tired and worn
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle and go light your world
Take your candle and go light your world

We all are family, whose hearts are blazing
So let's raise our candles and light up the sky
Praying to our Father, in the name of Jesus
Make us a beacon in darkest times

Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the hopeless, deceived and torn
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle and go light your world
Take your candle and go light your world

Today in the backyard

July 2005

I must say that my summer vacation has been awesome. I've been off work since July 2 and I still have 3 more days after today. The only down side is that I NEVER want to go back to work in an office!

Last week our family went to stay in a cabin in Arkansas. It was very beautiful as you can see by the pictures that I've posted. We did the hokey touristy thing, but we had a good time. I don't think I'd been swimming at a beach for several years and it was good to be in the lake. Beaver Lake has the clearest water I've ever seen and the temperature was great. Even Sarah and Sami enjoyed it. They met a native Arkansas gal named Stormy and also a very funny college girl named Stephanie. I think Stephanie would've hung out all night, but thankfully, her ride was leaving so off she went. Very nice girl, just maybe a little over-bearing and naive.

We also went to a spa in Eureka Springs. Tom and I did the hot tub, full massage and facial and the girls decided on facials and reflexology. I really loved the spa we went to! Very nice, professional and very relaxing.



Then, this week I have been able to just hang out at home. This is the first time I've done that since we first moved here 6 years ago. Even though I've done lots of laundry, grocery shopping, dishes, cleaning of the bathrooms, mowing the lawn and trimming the constantly growing jungle we like to call our backyard, I have been having a marvelous time.

I've taken the time to sit out in the sun, and I've almost been able to totally put out of my mind that I'm probably getting skin cancer! I do look quite nice with just a little color.

I've also been reading, a lot. Currently I'm reading John Grisham's "The Broker". It's good, but I'm looking forward to either a Danielle Steel that my friend Lynn recommended or possibly my new Maeve Binchy paperbook. I can't remember what it's called, but she has become one of my new favorite authors! Anything she writes is perfect! I love her varied and many characters.

Well, better go for now. Hope you like the new pictures!

D

Samantha's 17th Birthday

Tom's favorite kitty cat

This wildlife refuge made Tom really nervous.

Isn't he beautiful though? I only wish the bars weren't there and he was living in the wild like he should be.

Our Arkansas Cabin

Our Summer Vacation

Here are Sami and Sarah in Eureka Springs. There is a spring inside that little cave with the prettiest little park setting around it. We just found it driving down the street and had to stop. Lovely.