wednesday thoughts

The summer has brought an unexpected busyness into our lives. Here, I thought with our last final would bring and endless supply of lazy hot afternoons and evenings that are only accompanied by lemonade, swimming pools, and breezes. We've surely had our share of swimming pools, since our church just bought a swim club adjacent to our current property, and Philip is part-managing it. But it seems like once you have a child (and I'm sure it only grows with each additional child), summers don't slow down as they once did when YOU were a child. I remember longing to go back to school come mid-July. After my birthday hit, Beaver Lake was swam in, and I had watched Gomer Pile and The Beverly Hilbillies more than 35 times (once each afternoon right at lunchtime), there practically was no reason for summer anymore. I am enjoying not getting up at 6am every morning to take Philip to school, and not driving close to 500 miles every week back and forth in our smallish town. Sure saves on gas money, too. I guess I'm just ready for a little getaway, a little vacation to really start this summer off.

My father-in-law is about to leave again overseas this weekend. For those of you who don't know, this would be numero tres in about 3 years. He's built for it, that's for sure. It's exciting seeing my family, my extended family that is, at our church week after week. I'm abounding with exuberance knowing that the plans that God has in store for them are coming closer and closer. Isn't it wonderful knowing that God's will for His children are for good things and that putting His kingdom at a priority position in your life will actually change circumstances and fulfill a part of your life that is vacant. And I'm not just talking salvation here. Salvation is the foundation, but God wants us to live an abundant life... with meaning and direction and joy. I hope these words don't just look like "christianese" to people. There really is such depth to the heart of God. Oh, how I long for people to walk in their destiny in Christ.

We've been playing MarioKart and Super Mario Galaxy for the Wii lately. It's so fun, and Deron loves watching it about as much... no, more than pretty much everything. We have to limit his watching time... hehe.

I bought a bottle of cleaner today from a door-to-door salesman. I can't believe it. I never would have thought I would. I don't regret the purchase, it just surprised me that I did. Supposedly it will clean anything (glass, your car, calcium buildup, paint, permanent marker, etc, etc, etc.). It's organic and non-toxic, and one bottle will last you for a whole year. I am officially intrigued and pumped about cleaning now. I plan to start with the bathroom tomorrow, maybe then I'll wash the windows and the oven... ooh, then maybe wash the car. I certainly will let you know if my purchase was for naught or the next item on my "gotta tell my friends" list.

Philip's birthday was Sunday. He got a nice new grill among other things (including a "1-up" shirt with a tasteful green 1-up mushroom from the legendary Mario games. Our nephew Noah got that for him. :) Since I caught a stomach bug last Saturday, our planned fun-day was postponed until later. Hopefully this Saturday will be the day...