A Royal Pain in the Back

Do you see that picture and that really long word???

THAT is what has kept my sweet dh home from work the last two weeks and is what has limited his activity significantly. VERY significantly. As in, he's able to walk from room to room in the house. But that's it.

If you know him, you know that my dh is very athletic, active, strong, and fit as a fiddle. For him to have this injury has been hard for him to wrap his brain around.

So, besides praying for total and perfect healing so he can return to work....sooner rather than later....we're watching for His hand in this unexpected and painful sabbatical at home and are determined to rely solely on Him.

She danced...

And she danced....

She danced to Stevie Wonder "Isn't She Lovely?"

(And yes, she was.)

She danced through two performances

and three rehearsals in 4 days.

And one was on her 5th birthday, too!

And kept smiling.

She danced to

"Great Is Our Lord"

And sang along, too.

Then, she collapsed in a heap.

And I think I'll join her.

Brayden

Less than a year ago, I received three emails in a two days to pray for a little boy in our area named Brayden. He had just been diagnosed with a terminal inoperable brain tumor and was only 4, same age as our youngest. I didn't know this family but knew people that knew them. Still, I was sad to hear the news, tossed up a prayer for healing. But that was about the extent of it.

The next day, the kids and I had hair appt's. My hairdresser is a long time friend whose shop is out in the country. There was a little family there that day. A dad, mom and a little boy. It turned out to be little Brayden and his sweet parents. I believe it was no coincidence that it happened that way. It was a God-ordained meeting. My heart became instantly engaged in their lives. His mom and I hugged and shared tears as they left that day, knowing what a long and uncertain journey they were facing.

Once I explained to our three what was going on with Brayden, they, too, became committed to pray for his healing. Often over the last year, they would be the ones to remember to pray for Brayden. Rayray was especially touched by this sweet little one, remembering his precious face that day as he got his hair trimmed.

Brayden met Jesus this week. He was 5 years old. He passed away on Tuesday, May 27, the day our own AppleDoodle celebrated her 5th birthday. His homegoing service is this afternoon. Please pray for his grieving family.

Read more here.

American Idol - Our Family's Review

Update!!!!! He won! David Cook won!!! Woohooooooooooo!


I'm very sad that this is our very last Idol Family review for this year! We have a guest reviewer here this evening...none other than our CHRIS-10!

Well, here we go!

There's a strange mike appearing from nowhere. OH dear... Chris-10 says the whole "boxing match" intro was lame and all of the rest of us agree. Heavyweight title, huh? Did they say David A was a 19 year old fetus, feline..? What!?

Chris-10 has also predicted who is going to win...."David." She's so cheesy.

The two David's have on the same color jacket. Did they do that on purpose?

Randy hollers, "This is a dual for the King of the Nokia."
Paula challenges, "May the best man win."
Simon quips , " You have to hate your opponent." (Whatever...)

Let's get on with the singing, please. That's what we're here for. Not a heavyweight championship boxing match.

Round 1

David C - "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" Chris-10 isn't listening bc she's too busy singing. Wait...she stopped long enough to say, "Is he married? Does he want to be????" David, comment me and I'll sent you her number. "He rocked that song, dude," Chris10 said. And, I LOVED IT! AWESOME!!!

David A - "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" He looks so tiny on those big ol steps! "I think a lot of people got caught up in all his drama...but he can sing, though," comments C10. It was really good.

Round 2

David C - "Dream Big" Loved the line "faith is something you can't see..." Rayray said, "That song had David Cook written all over it and if he did an album like that, I'd love it."

David A - "In This Moment" Is that an anchor appliqued on his jacket...? In this moment, I wish they wouldn't wave their hands around. C10 said, "He nailed every note, hmmhmmhmm."

C10 said that David C gives a great performance, sings good, has 'the look.' But David A's technique is flawless, is the better singer. If the two had a concert, we'd rather attend David C's.

Round 3

David C - "The World I Know" We loved the song, we disagree with Simon, C10 was "mesmerized" and thinks Ryan Seacrest looks like a Ken doll she once had.

David A - "Imagine" Well, another flawless performance. He doesn't know how to miss a note, does he?

So, it must have been Simon's idea to do the whole boxing theme thing...

Bottom line y'all, we are a David Cook family, through and through.

I'll miss you guys and Mr. Linky on BooMama's blog!!!!!

Blessings to you all......Now, where's the phone????????????

Homeschool Graduation Ceremony

Our very tight-knit homeschool co-op had our 2nd Annual Homeschool Graduation service yesterday. A homeschool graduation looks very different from regular high school graduations. We gathered at a church building of one of the graduates and it was packed with friends and family. The parents presented the diploma and other homeschool students participated where they could....by presenting the flag, leading the pledges, working sound, playing music. The moms banded together and threw a great reception afterwards.

This year we had two very precious graduates. It was a bittersweet weekend for M's family bc his stepdad's mother died two nights before graduation. M is our graduate who has spina bifida and is confined to a wheelchair. His stepdad is the only real dad M has ever known the last 12 years. As he blessed M, he told us how he knew of no other person as courageous and inspirational as M is to him. And we all agree. He is always smiling.....and never ever complains about anything and one never fails to come away encouraged after talking to M. He is precious and his family is dear to our hearts.

A's dad put his hand on her shoulder and spoke a beautiful blessing over her life. She's their only daughter and oldest child and a vital part of their family. I personally have had many wonderful conversations with A and adore her. She is one of Rayray's most favorite people ever and a Godly role model.

I just can't put into words how special the ceremony was and how it touched all of our hearts. There were many tears shed, many necks hugged, much food eaten.....

and Father was pleased.

American Idol - Our Family's Review

Top 3 tonight.

David A

"And So It Goes" (Did you see that pokey mustache on the mayor from David A's town? How....patriotic.) Ooooo. What a pretty song! We love the strings in the background, since we have a violinist in the fam. He did a beautiful job on a pretty song...although I did get a little bored in the middle of it. The Rayray really liked the acapella part at the beginning, too.

"With You" I don't know this song...but I didn't love it. It did not sound that great to me. I didn't understand a word of it and his voice was shaky and out of breathy.

"Longer" Longer than there've been fishies in the ocean... "Mr. Consistency" is how the dh has dubbed him. I'm too distracted by the annoying handwaving and the fact that the AI producers forgot what our blogs said about that. "Sing the phone book" is an overused phrase. What about..."sing the Llbean catalog" or "sing the Wall Street Journal" or "sing a Dr. Seuss book"???

Syesha

"If I Ain't Got You" (Why didn't she get the special mayoral announcement!? She only got a text in her limo...) First of all, the girl is gorgeous tonight. The Appledoodle loveditandloveditand loveditandlovedherdress! She did sing it very well...

"Fever" I love this fun song!!! (Have you heard the "Over The Rhine" version?) She said "cha-yer" for "chair." That's my southern girl!!! Liked it...but was afraid we were going to have to change the rating of the show there for a minute!

"Hit Me Up" from Happy Feet. Can't just anybody wear happy leggings like that on live tv, I'll have you know. Rayray liked it a lot and she's the dh's fave of the night and has announced that we need to vote only for her. (I wonder if that "submit to your husband" thing applies to voting for an AI contestant.....)

David C.

"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" (David got a text, too...but at least he was on the news.) Simon was funny...his ex-gf's said he inspired the lyrics. HAHAHAHAHAHA. Who is that standing up?? His mama? WHO WAS THAT? It has to be his mommy...she's crying. How sweet! Awww. Happy Mother's Day. I really liked it. I reallyreally did. A lot of people think David C is arrogant...I just don't see that. And I certainly don't see creepy.

"Dare You to Move" bySwitchfoot!?!?!! The Hero loves this song. But...oh dear. The Hero dh did not like David's performance!!!! Uhoh, David. (The waving hands...on my ever-lovin' nerves.)

"I Don't Want to Miss A Thing" LOVING the strings on stage around him!!! I'll be buying this one on itunes with my bd itunes giftcard, thank you very much. My fave song of the night.

The general consensus in the family room tonight is that we hope David Cook and Syesha are in the top two. Probably won't happen...but we shall see.

Now...do YOU have a substitute for the worn out and tired "sing the phone book" phrase???
"Sing the__________." Let me know!

Check BooMama's blog for more Top 3 Reviews!

The Turning of Forty

I turned the big 4-0 today. For some reason, it's been a hard birthday to swallow. Thirty came and went with no problem. This one...not so easily. I look back on the last decade and wonder what in the world I've been doing. Then I remember...having babies, nursing babies, wiping hinies, doing laundry and teaching kids how to read and write.

A lot of my friends turn 40 this year. One is beginning her 40s with a newborn baby. Another is beginning her new decade by getting remarried. One has found herself single again, reeling from betrayal. Then, there's my friend beginning her 40s without her mom or her mom in law....but looking forward to the newest adopted member of their family, from China. All are beginning new seasons in their lives.

I've been talking with Father about this whole thing. He reminded me how He was with me during the last 10 years and isn't about to leave me now. He loves me so much and I can put my entire trust in Him bc He, alone, is forever faithful. He proved it over and over and over again the last decade. He was there during my pregnancies, deliveries, and miscarriages. He was there when our son had his terrible seizures. He was there when I walked through the fire with my friend. He was even there when my toddler son started walking toward the busy street...and the cat, of all things, tipped me off! He was there when I felt Him and when I didn't feel Him. He was actively there when I needed Him...and when I didn't think I needed Him. He was there, closer than my breath, holding, loving, protecting, guiding me during the happiest times, the saddest times, the hardest times, the depressed times. He was there during our times of laughter, times of discouragement, times of anger and times of pain. There was not one second when His hand was not upon this family and my life over the last 10 years.

So, with all confidence not in myself but in Abba Father, I will walk boldly through the door of a new season of life.

I will not lie to myself and pretend my 40s will be a piece of cake (iced chocolate pound cake is preferrable). For Pete's sake, I will have TEENAGERS in the house. I know there will be many reasons to trust Him. But I make up my mind NOW that no matter what happens, He is always good, always faithful, and always trustworthy.

So bring on the steaks (that have been marinating all afternoon) and the iced chocolate pound cake! We some celebrating to do!

American Idol - Our Family's Review

Top 4!!! I needed an American Idol diversion tonight...a little respite from my mourning bc tomorrow I hit the big 4-0. Yep...tis true. I may be 39 and holding for a few more hours, but there are still some things I do not know. For instance, I really didn't know that the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame was an actual place. I thought it was more like a list...or an idea...or a Rock N Roll roll of songs kept in a vault somewhere? Please don't hold it against me! Ok. Here we go.

David Cook -"Hungry Like the Wolves" JellyB and I agree that it does sound a lot like DuranDuran. BUT, it was still really good.

"Baba O'Riley" JellyB said this is SUCH a good song. Don't you think his hair looks mucho betterifico than when we first met him? Since the JellyB knows and loves this song, he thinks he missed it a little bit on the high notes but otherwise, did it proud. David, we think you're the best one of the 4, overall.

Syesha- "Proud Mary" SHUT UP!!! Syesha!!! You go girl!!! We loved it!!!!! Did you see her dancing! Simon, you were W.R.O.N.G. Syesha, you were our favorite tonight.

"A Change Has Got To Come" Look how gorgeous!!!! DIVA. I have chill bumps. Incredible! We alllllll loved it. Jelly B called Randy an idiot. Now the JellyBean is laughing at me bc I am crying with Paula and Syesha bc I agree with Paula and Simon. sniffsniffsniff

Jason - "I Shot The Sheriff" Oh no. Am I the only one that remembers that horrid audition where that guy dressed up like a sheriff and sang that song??? Ick. Why would he choose that song? He's moving around a lot.....was he trying to dance and be a little more exciting? It was awkwardish. Rayray said it was karaoke-ish BEFORE Randy. Simon, utterly atrocious might be a little harsh....

I must pause here and comment that Paula is more coherent and is putting her sentences together better tonight than I've seen her in the last few years. Simon is also being courteous and letting Paula finish her sentences, too. The recent flap must have brought about some changes.

"Mr. Tambourine Man" This is great song...we love it....OH, Shut up! He just forgot one whole line. He's TOAST. We like the songs he picks...and we'll even buy his cd, for real. But unless his followers vote like crazy, he's gone like a freight train.

David A - "Stand By Me" The JellyB seems to think he needs his adenoids taken out, for some reason. Nice job on Stand By Me.

"Love Me Tender" Elvis! My Hero's fave. He hasn't listened to one song all night....but this one. He LOVED it. I liked it ok...but it's sweeter when my Hero sings it to me. Awwwww.

Jason...Gone like a freight train, gone like yesterday.

P. S. Did you notice...NO HAND WAVING! They actually read our pleas! They heard us!!!!

For more reviews, got to BooMama's place.

Field Trip to Museum of Aviation

Here are some pics of our homeschool field trip this week

to the Museum of Aviation

at Robins Air Force Base.

We missed our turn and found ourselves

at the security checkpoint gate

of Robins Air Force Base,

with no way to turn around

and obviously no military id or

clearance to get through.

All three carloads of us...

It was quite humorous,

AFTER the fact.

I apologized profusely for

"causing a breech in homeland security."

Thankfully, the very nice soldier

was more amused than anything else...

and he did let us have our licenses back, eventually.

Our Very Own Wild Weasels

The girls...make bombs look good!

Tuff guys

Here we all are...

(plus some extra dude poking his head out

right above Rayray.)