I've moved

I will no longer be posting at this url.  From now on, follow me at http://www.diasdayinthelife.blogspot.com/.  Hope to see you there!

Girls weekend

This weekend was a great one!  I had ordered tickets for Kinley and I to see "Beauty and the Beast" at the Civic Center in January.  A couple of weeks ago, we decided to make an overnight trip out of it.  Friday evening, we met up with Kinley's bestie Allie, Allie's mom, Shelly, and two older sisters, Emily and Brianna.  We ate at Cheesecake Factory (yummy!), went to Build-A-Bear (of course), and drove to Bricktown to see Gnomeo and Juliet.  The girls all had such a great time and were so excited to be together in Oklahoma City!

After finally calming them down for the evening, we sacked out.  Shelly had warned me that her girls woke up early and she was right!  About 7:00, the younger girls were up and needed everyone else to get up as well.  I was greeted with the hearty "cock-a-doodle doo!" in my ear before Shelly herded them out of the room for breakfast downstairs. 

We met up with more friends for lunch and then were off to see "Beauty and the Beast".  Kinley really enjoyed it.  It's so fun to watch her at the shows.  She claps, cheers, and laughs.  The sweetest part of this show was her reaching out to hold my hand during the show.  The whole time I kept thinking, "Hold on to this moment."  I know one day way too soon she will be too old to want to cuddle and hold my hand during the show.  She won't be as interested in hanging out with dear old mom like she is now. 

So I cuddled and held hands and loved every single minute of it.  The weekend was very special to me.  I got to hang out with my great friend Shelly and her beautiful daughters.  But the best part was spending time with Kinley and being a part of her bonding with her friends.  I love you Kinley--  I'm so glad you're mine!

Read this book!

OK, OK, I know I'm several years late with this post.  I had heard about the buzz for A Thousand Splendid Suns but I have to be honest.  I thought, "Who wants to read a book about Afghanistan?"  But after not being able to find anything that really grabbed me at the local library, I decided to give it a go.

Now I'm wondering just what took me so long.  This book sucked me right in and made me want to do nothing but sit and read!  If you haven't read the book, it follows the story of two Afghan women---Mariam and Laila--over a 40 year period as their lives intertwined.  And even though it was a work of fiction, it served as somewhat of a history lesson for me.  It covered the regime changes Afghanistan had made throughout that 40 year period.

The best books are those that make you think and reflect.  This one certainly did.  I think we as Americans and in the west in general tend to take our freedoms and privileges for granted.  As a woman, I'm free to make my own choices, go where I choose, wear what I choose, attend the school I choose.  These two women did not have that freedom and were at the mercy of their husband.  They were more property than partner in their marriages.  As an American, it also makes me thankful for all the freedoms we enjoy in our society. 
 
The book also left me with the impression that since 9/11, things are improving for the people of Afghanistan.  I hope this is so.  Sometimes when I think about Afghanistan, I only picture those who wish to harm us.  I forget about all the regular people who just want a normal life, a safe environment for their children, enough food on the table.  I sincerely hope life has improved for all of those people. 

I know my review/endorsement has probably not done the book justice.  Suffice it say, however, that in all my years of reading (and they are really adding up!) only three books have caused me to shed tears.  This was one of them. 

Frustration!

Today I am very frustrated.  After owning my camera exactly 14 months, it is starting to have issues.  It still works but the readout in the viewfinder that tells me what the aperture, exposure, and iso are has stopped working.  It does still work on the LCD screen, however.  I called Canon (and a huge shout out to Canon because I talked to a very helpful American) and they said I should send it in.  They would look at it and tell me if it could be fixed, usually for the standard fee of $200.  Hmmm, $200 to repair my current camera or just buy a new one for $600.

  I had just about decided to use the camera until it totally messed up and wouldn't take pictures anymore.  However, my good friend Angie said, "What if it messes up while you're on vacation this summer?"  Oh great!  Now I don't know what to do.  I guess I have another few months to decide.  Too bad I'm not independently wealthy--I could just buy another one! 

I'll keep you posted on the big decision!

Snow Days

This week, we got more snow--eight to fifteen inches, depending on what source you listened to.  We have had 2 snow days.  Wednesday, Reese went to his friend's house to play so Kinley had her friend Allie over.  They had a lot of fun playing in the snow!

Today, mean old mom made them clean their rooms, then it was outside for more snow fun.  I told Reese he needed to shovel the driveway behind the van so we could get out this afternoon (a woman can only live without Sonic so long).  He asked if I would pay him.  I replied, "Yes, with a roof over your head, a warm bed to sleep in, and clothes to wear."  Not the answer he was looking for but he shoveled that part of the drive!

 Reese spent the morning building a Lego Pirate Ship.  This picture is of his crew giving each other rabbit ears.  Only Reese!



Super Bowl Sunday

Ah, Super Bowl Sunday.  One of my favorite days of the year.  A good football game (usually), clever commercials, and lots of great friends to share it all with.  Our Sunday School class decided to have a party so we could hang out and watch the game together.

First off, we have to talk about all the great food. We had so much food there, I didn't even get to try everything! It was all yummy and I was stuffed. 

Strawberry-banana smores

Ham and cheese sliders

 Little smokies

Some of us were really into the game.  Steven and I were rooting for Green Bay.  I was also glad it was a good game.  The game is so hyped that it's a big disappointment if it's not  a close game.  I like the Steelers as well and wouldn't have been too upset if they had won (unlike last year--I'm not really a big Saints fan).

We all enjoyed the halftime show (well, some of us enjoyed it, some of us enjoyed making fun of it.) Barrett had been making the "what is she doing?" face at Fergie but changed before I snapped the photo.

We also haven't talked about the commercials yet.  The Darth Vader Volkswagen ad was probably my favorite.  Hard to argue against something that cute!  The Doritos "urn" and Doritos pug commercials were close seconds.  All good ads. 

The kids all had a ball playing together.  Lane was really hamming it up for the camera.

 

Bart let their big yellow lab, Lily, out. Colt was scared to death of her! He hid between Lacy's legs to stay safe.

The best thing about this party though were the friends. The people in our Sunday School class have become some of my closest friends. I love hanging out with them and spending time with them. When we started the class four years ago (wow, has it really been that long?) I never really thought about forming all these new friendships. That has been the best thing about the class though--not necessarily what we do on Sundays (although that's terrific) but the relationships we have outside of the church. I love all of you guys!

Snow day!

Ah, there is nothing better when you are a child than a snow day.  Getting to stay home, play, watch TV, etc. when you're really supposed to be at home working--it's terrific (not too bad when you're an adult either!)

Reese woke me up at 8:15 and said, "What's wrong?" I told him he didn't have to go to school and he pumped his fists and said, "Awesome!" I made pancakes for brunch while the kids hauled out all of their Legos and My Little Pony's.

They have spent the day playing with toys and the Wii and watching TV.  And yes, it's almost 3:00 and they are both still in their pj's! 

I have done laundry, made a chocolate cake and hung out with the kids.

And before you start feeling sorry for Steven, he's had a ball driving around town in his Jeep!  He spent over an hour "running errands". 

Sometimes beauty is in the most unlikely places.  I passed my front door and saw the most gorgeous pattern all over it!  It looked like an artisan had spent hours brushing this pattern on my door.  However, it was the handiwork of the greatest Artist of all.  Amazing to me how people can questions God's existence or attribute all the wonders around us to chance.  He's there, every day in the beauty of nature if we will just take the time to stop and see.

  Have a great time enjoying the snow everyone!