Precautions

Funny.  I walked into Halle's room this morning to find everything in perfect order.  Her bed neatly made, all things up off the floor, and oddly, all doors closed.  Her drapes were tightly closed, both the closet and bathroom door shut.  The shower curtain pulled tight from end to end. 

I wonder if the catch and release that happened just outside her room in the hallway last night has anything to do with the Fort Knox lock down?

Acclimatization

Tarantula found In The House....... captured ...... and released (?)!!!

Encounter

Two little dark haired boys stand before me in the grocery line.  At first glance, they appear to accompany the dark complected men in front of them.  I soon discover that these handsome young boys are alone, yet together, waiting patiently, and somewhat nervously to make their purchase.  

My heart is softened the moment I lay eyes on them - these two are nearly carbon copies of my nephews - the older brother standing slightly taller than the younger.  I am having difficulty unloading my cart, as I so desperately want to stop and stare into their eyes..... as if I might see even more a resemblance...... to touch their heads as I so naturally would my nephews'.     

  

As a familiar ache pervades, my eyes begin to tear up.  Gratefully, I am distracted by the fact that these little men do not have enough money for the milk they have been sent to buy.  I quickly pull out my wallet and then engage in small chat, being careful to respect the fact that these boys are together without the presence of an adult.  "Where is your mother?",  I wonder, and yet dare not ask.  The oldest boy is clearly intent on being the big brother.  Perhaps she is in the parking lot, anxiously watching and waiting for her charming boys to depart with the prize she so trustingly sent them to retrieve.  That's what I want to believe.  Still, I am grateful for the opportunity to really look at them, if even for a moment, to take in the similarities.  

As I watch them walk away, warning them to "be careful" (and hoping Mom will greet them just outside the door), I am sad to see them go.   And yet, my heart is moved and full of joy that I've seen these little guys.  A reminder that, without love, life is empty.  

Love & miss you, Owie and Sambo!!

Update

1. Thanks to all who checked in with us today.  We are fine...... a little rattled, but happy to report, all is well after our first big earthquake.  I have yet to hear if any extensive damage took place in other parts of the state.  The kids and I were lounging at home when the ground started to rattle and shake.  The house felt like a wobbly piece of furniture.  Early reports say the quake registered as a 5.8 on the Richter scale.   Shortly after we moved here, I felt a small tremor, but this was very different.  Pretty sure I don't want that experience again any time soon.  
   

Poem

"Like branches on a tree 

we grow in different directions, 

yet our roots remain as one.  

Each of our lives will always be 

a special part of the other."   

author unknown

A.M./ P.M.

The rooster wakes us each morning (that is, if the sprinkling system doesn't beat him to it).  I was up early yesterday - God and I had made a pact, and by His grace, I jumped out of bed at 5 a.m.  I had beaten both the sprinkler and Mr. Rooster.  The morning was fresh and quiet, and everyone else was peacefully tucked away.  As I watched the sun come up, everything in it's light came to life.  I felt as if I had been a part of something sacred. This kind of start promises to fill my day with exuberance and anticipation.  

For the most part, each evening ends with the night sky filled with a starry glow.  I drove home in the dark after bible study the other night.  Because of the slope of our driveway, as I was headed up, I felt as if I were in space. The expanse was so amazing.  As a child, I couldn't strain my eyes to see clear enough as I gazed up at the starry sky.  I remember a family reunion in Oklahoma...... as my brother and I and our distant cousins sat under the stars and did the silly things kids do, I was completely awe struck at the number of them up there.  

I'm still in awe.  

Out here, the ending to a day is quite nearly as glorious as it's beginning. 

A Letter To My Sister

"There is no situation in life in which the conversation of my dear sister 

will not administer some comfort to me." 

                                                      Lady Mary Worley Montagu

BTW,  I've had naked toe nails all summer!   That's one benefit to geography...... no pressure trying to maintain feet that pale in comparison to your lovely tooties!   I am certain that you should pick yourself up a Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Latte (iced is the new preference) on the way to that pedicure you have been lamenting over.  It's time to treat yourself!!

To my sweet sister....... Happy Birthday, you!

Ode to Grandma

From one shoe lover to another!  

We went shopping last week and Halle could not resist this purchase.      

  She's SO her mother's daughter!!

Collector

Ethan continues to have a blast adding to his portfolio of unique catches. 

 

This baby lizard is actually one of the bigger ones we've seen.  

The littlest ones are tough to a get a hold of. 

 

We found out that this blue bellied iguana likes to swim.   

He jumped in the pool as a means of escape.

I found these babies (don't they look cute against Halle's colorful 

garden glove?) as I was cleaning out our grill this weekend.  

I think I am done with the mouse thing!

Humor Me.....

Surely someone thought my last post was funny.......?

Advice

Gum is not a good thing to throw away in the trash compactor.

Cousins.....

We Miss you!!

Noisy Neighbors

I've decided that it will be necessary to sleep with the windows closed for a while.  I rest better not listening to the coyotes.

Resolve

   

I went to a women's bible study Thursday.  We had new friends over for dinner last night.  We once again visited the church that we are almost certain is to be our church home.  All these things make me feel as though I belong. 

And so, today starts a first since our arrival.  I'm settling in.  My mind is unpacking and now has time to "take up residence" and embrace this change........ and I'm glad.

Where Did It Go?

Fourteen years ago today this guy came into our lives - what a transformation took place on that day, so long ago, and yet it seems like just yesterday.  It is true what everyone says about how quickly the years go by........  We are enjoying every one!

Happy Birthday, Son!   You enrich our lives!  

The Myth

The need for order.  Ever wonder about it?  I admit, it's not something I think of with much intensity, although I know it is an issue for me.  But as of late, I'm very curious about it's importance, and the imminent control the lack of it threatens to have upon me.  

Why is it that my mind wants me to think after all the little details are tucked away and remedied, I will have arrived in a state of controlled bliss? It's as if knowing more about our new geographic location will erase the discomfort that comes from not knowing such things.   How odd, and how silly!  

I suppose, for many of us it ends in the effort we put forth to try and achieve (rather, the myth that says we Must Have) control over even the minor details of our lives.  Isn't this in part, why we women nest?

Well friends, after much grappling (I love that word), I think I'm starting to get it.   Settle in to what isn't familiar - to what is, in fact, uncontrollable. Normal is ever changing.   God, however, is not!  

House Pics

Some of you have asked for pictures of the house.  I can appreciate that 

because I'm a visual person, so I'm sending a few along 

of the  kitchen/family room/outdoor loggia areas.  

Can you see us here?

 

Always

Two weeks ago today we set foot in our new home.   It's been exciting, surprising, and wonderfully fun.  Now....... reality is setting in, and the last few days have been a bit challenging for me.   

I want to tell you that God is so amazing - when we go to Him, there He is, waiting patiently, and full of comfort.  I have found the book of Philippians to be a great encouragement to me as I consider what Paul must have been experiencing. Admittedly, I feel so small in my grappling in comparison to Paul's trials. And yet what he writes about is so pertinent, even for today. God, who is infinite, is also so very basic in His message to us.  

"Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: rejoice!"  Philippians 4:4

The secret to Paul's joy was that he was grounded in his relationship with Christ, despite what was (or wasn't) happening in his life.  It's that simple..... and that complex.  

My flesh threatens my dependency upon the Lord.  Intentional time with Him - that's where it's at.  Getting to know who God is by reading His word, and communicating with Him.  

And that, I believe, is why He allows the bumpy road.  If it weren't for the trials, we'd be far too dependent on ourselves.  

Thanks Paul, for your incredible example.   

I rejoice in you, oh Lord!!

The Beachhhhh

If you've seen the Bean movies, you'll hear the title to this entry and laugh!

We spent the afternoon at the beach on Sunday.  

Take a look at these gleeful faces!  

I don't know who had a better time - the kids, or Bill and I 

as we watched them run from the crashing waves.  

Right now this feels like the never-ending vacation.  

I'm sure it won't be that way forever, but we're taking it all in!

Happy Birthday Arville ~ We Love You!!

Culture Shock

Forever sunshine!

LARGE bugs!

Rattle snakes (not yet seen, but warned to take precaution)

Black widow spiders!!

What you thought must be a rolling black out, but was only a scheduled power outage that you weren't informed of.

A lock on your water - note to self:  this happens if you neglect to contact the water company.

Small town atmosphere in one of the world's largest economies

Finding out that preconceived ideas are never accurate

Bobcats, mountain lion, and coyotes are common backyard possibilities

Drought friendly plants

Navigating control panels 

Trash limits - only what fits into two 100 gallon barrels - anything else gets left behind, unless otherwise scheduled - oh, and for a fee!

No recycling service in our neighborhood (we didn't have one back at home, but I mean, come on, we're living in the land of "need to be green" for goodness sake!).  I'm sure this is because we are in a rural area, but still!

Not being able to speak to the Mexican workers who show up for weekly property maintenance!

Random patrons stopping to ask for a dollar, or two.

Really good food available at every corner!

Waking to the sound of the rooster

Uninvited house guests - be they lizards or baby mice (they were found after their cries were heard from underneath the dryer), they're always around to make us feel welcome!  

Really fast drivers

I'm sure the list will continue to grow!!