I Got No Pictures

It's been an eventful few weeks and I have basically no pictures to share of any of it. But, here's a handy reference list:

1) Our area got hit hard with tornados on April 27 and the power was out at my house for close to a week
2) Sarah turned 15 on April 28, as we fled town (two years ago she spent her birthday at my grandpa's funeral... she has memorable birthdays)
3) I took the kids to Nashville to find power and then (because it is only 2 hours further) to Paducah to stay with Beth.
4) In Nashville, we went to the science museum and had a blast.
5) In Paducah, we were warmly welcomed like family., as always.. Nancy prepared us a wonderful meal and we got to help Beth celebrate her recent engagement to Chris. Sam was adorable as always.
6) Before the power went out on the day of "the storms" (we are now as a community marking time in relation to this day), I found out I had bronchitis. FIVE prescriptions later, I still don't think I'm completely over it, but I am much improved
7) Also on the morning of "the storms"... I made an offer on a house!!!! Had the inspection today and it passed with flying colors. I can't wait to share more about that.
8) I finished my first term of college (the second time around) and signed up for two more classes for summer.
9) God remained Faithful and True through it all.

Spring

These smell good. This makes me happy when I come home.

Visitor

Rufus's friend, Gator, came to stay with us for a few days while his mommy (Tammy) went to Las Vegas. Unfortunately, Rufus's mommy (me) had a severe allergic reaction with the arrival of Gator, the likes of which she hadn't suffered in a long, long time. And she's never been allergic to dogs (cats, yes.... but Daschund's are dogs, right?) but this was pretty bad. So.... Gator was banned to the kitchen and the house was scrubbed and vacuumed and the bedding was washed (because Libby put Gator on the bed). Since then, mommy has been okay (except for a lingering cough). But poor Gator (and Rufus, because it would be rude to leave our guest in the kitchen alone) has been staring through bars all weekend. His mommy comes home tonight. We are all sort-of glad about that.

Rufus Gets Comfortable

Jacob didn't have any trouble falling asleep on the couch tonight. But, Rufus had some trouble finding just the right spot to snuggle up next to him.

Yeah, mom, that's your quilt keeping them both comfy!

Glimpses of my last few Days

Enjoying an unexpected rainbow in the sky never gets old. Studying gets old... but gazing out the window of the library at Monte Sano is not so bad.

I Pledge Allegiance

I was at the girls' school this morning signing them in because we were a couple minutes late and we arrived during the morning announcements being made over the loud speaker. When the announcements were done, the speaker began the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America And to the Republic, for which it stands, One nation, under God, indivisible, With liberty and justice for all. I wasn't paying much attention until I noticed the secretaries stood up and put their hands over their hearts and then the man next to me (another parent), turned around and put his hand over his heart. Once I realized what was going on... I turned around and the girls were already facing a flag in the corner of the lobby with their hands over their hearts, so I joined in the recitation about the time we got to "for which it stands". I didn't know they still say the Pledge of Allegiance every morning in the middle school. I'm so glad they do. And I was happy to be there this morning to experience it. Isn't there something cool about being in a group of people you don't really know, but everyone knows the protocol, shares a common "allegiance", recites the same words in unison.... ? I think so.

Jacob's Birthday Party

Jacob had a birthday sleepover Friday. We went to the mall a while and one thing he did was visit the arcade. He and his friends got 2300 tickets between them. Before the arcade, we visited the new H20 Balls.... you get zipped into one of these balls and pushed into a pool of water. The kids said it was hot inside the ball and all I could think of was the germs that were probably incubating in there! Gross!

Kaitlyn (Sarah's friend), Sarah, Shelby, Alec, Scott and Jacob waiting for the H20 Balls.

Now, how weird is this? I pulled up to a light behind this lady and saw she had my birthday on her license plate. How thoughtful of her!

Other than the birthday sleepover, we also went to a movie over the weekend- Jacob and I saw "Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2" which was actually pretty funny.