1/09/2005
I call shotgun!!
My seven year old turned eight Thursday, but instead of having a Happy BirthDAY, she had a happy birthWEEK! We partied Thursday night with family, then Friday, she didn't have school, so we took her school friends skating. Saturday, to top off the big week, six of her friends from church met us at the beauty parlor for a Totally Girl party. Manicures and pedicures all around. And lots of chatter. Then we ended up at Pizza Hut with the whole gang from church, so the boys didn't get left out.
Don't ask me how this celebration extravaganza came about. It isn't because she's our secret favorite. Although our eleven year old is starting to wonder. I think it started from a tiny seed of guilt. "We always skimp on her birthday since it's right after Christmas. And we never have a party, because usually it's bad weather or one of us is sick." This is what my husband said to me a couple of weeks ago. From that grew a determination inside me that this year would be different.
Well, it was definitely different. :) And fun. But a once-in-a-lifetime kind of fun. Not a we'll-do-this-every-year-from-now-on fun.
If you think about it, lots of things fall into the nice to visit but I wouldn't want to live there category. Deep snow. Movie sequels. Conferences. Walk-a-thons. Or for you more active readers, marathons. Hundred mile long flea markets. All-night chats with a group of friends. Disneyworld. Can you think of more? Post a comment and share your own best-enjoyed-rarely pleasures.
Movies not to miss--
At the video store - Where the Red Fern Grows - the new version from Disney - I watched it this afternoon with the girls and yes, I ended up bawling, even though i was determined not to, but it was so good.
At the movie - Ocean's Twelve - not sure it really belongs in the not to miss group, unless you're like me and can't stand not to watch a sequel if you enjoyed the original. O12 doesn't measure up to O11, but it was worth the money.
Books I'm reading --
LEAVE IT TO CLAIRE by Tracey Bateman - It's hilarious and a definite don't-miss! But it won't be out until 2006.
The Pocket Muse - Ideas & Inspirations for writing by Monica Wood - This book is great for any writer you know. It's a fun collection of writing prompts, exercises, quotes, etc. My friend, Rachel Hauck, gave it to me for Christmas and I SO love it!
Thoughts I'm thinking --
I can't believe I've stuck to this diet like a cocklebur to a sheepdog for five days! I even sat at the table with people eating pizza while I drank water with lemon. I'm hoping this new self-discipline leaks into the other areas of my life. By next week, maybe my house will be clean and I'll have the Bible half read. Oh, and for those who are still stumbling over the whole cocklebur/sheepdog thing, you need to get out in the country more. There's a whole world out there without sidewalks or paved parking lots.
No matter where you live, I challenge you to find a place where you can't see anything manmade. Then just sit and bask in the power of the Creator. He made the world. He can handle our problems, too. That's my solitary goal for the new year -- I'm riding shotgun this year, with God in the driver's seat. If things get really scary, I'll climb over into the back and just peek over the seat. I'm thinking He's going to do a MUCH better job than I've been doing, so here's to a blessed and prosperous 2005 for all of us!
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Don't ask me how this celebration extravaganza came about. It isn't because she's our secret favorite. Although our eleven year old is starting to wonder.
Well, it was definitely different. :) And fun. But a once-in-a-lifetime kind of fun. Not a we'll-do-this-every-year-from-now-on fun.
If you think about it, lots of things fall into the nice to visit but I wouldn't want to live there category. Deep snow. Movie sequels. Conferences. Walk-a-thons. Or for you more active readers, marathons. Hundred mile long flea markets. All-night chats with a group of friends. Disneyworld. Can you think of more? Post a comment and share your own best-enjoyed-rarely pleasures.
Movies not to miss--
At the video store - Where the Red Fern Grows - the new version from Disney - I watched it this afternoon with the girls and yes, I ended up bawling, even though i was determined not to, but it was so good.
At the movie - Ocean's Twelve - not sure it really belongs in the not to miss group, unless you're like me and can't stand not to watch a sequel if you enjoyed the original. O12 doesn't measure up to O11, but it was worth the money.
Books I'm reading --
LEAVE IT TO CLAIRE by Tracey Bateman - It's hilarious and a definite don't-miss! But it won't be out until 2006.
The Pocket Muse - Ideas & Inspirations for writing by Monica Wood - This book is great for any writer you know. It's a fun collection of writing prompts, exercises, quotes, etc. My friend, Rachel Hauck, gave it to me for Christmas and I SO love it!
Thoughts I'm thinking --
I can't believe I've stuck to this diet like a cocklebur to a sheepdog for five days! I even sat at the table with people eating pizza while I drank water with lemon. I'm hoping this new self-discipline leaks into the other areas of my life. By next week, maybe my house will be clean and I'll have the Bible half read. Oh, and for those who are still stumbling over the whole cocklebur/sheepdog thing, you need to get out in the country more. There's a whole world out there without sidewalks or paved parking lots.
No matter where you live, I challenge you to find a place where you can't see anything manmade. Then just sit and bask in the power of the Creator. He made the world. He can handle our problems, too. That's my solitary goal for the new year -- I'm riding shotgun this year, with God in the driver's seat. If things get really scary, I'll climb over into the back and just peek over the seat. I'm thinking He's going to do a MUCH better job than I've been doing, so here's to a blessed and prosperous 2005 for all of us!
COMMENTS: Post a Comment
