Makin' Banana Pancakes...

This is what we love about our

lazy Sunday mornings....

A cup of hot coffee

with white chocolate-coconut creamer...

A gentle breeze on the porch...

Time with Daddy...

Banana Pancakes...

The Universe and The Yellow Jacket

I had a little run-in with a yellow jacket a couple of years ago. So, I wasn't pleased to see one flying around my kitchen yesterday. My Hero took care of it for me while I cowered in another room.

Last night as I was wiping the counter, I saw a strange tiny toy head that turned out to be the head of that dead yellow jacket! So during school today we put the dead head under the microscope and it was AMAZING! We could see all the units in its compound eye, lined up in perfectly straight rows. He had little hairs all sticking out like whiskers...It was amazing, that dead head! Thank you little yellow jacket for providing a great launch for science and discovery today!

We had an ongoing discussion about how creative Father was and is...and attempted to wonder if He created one bug at a time or all at once. No matter. He had fun doing the creating, that's for sure, but at the same time, His creation is beyond ingenious and sophisticated! (See if you can figure out the yellow jacket's compound eye. Sophisticated indeed!)

While being reminded of the care our Creator took in each tiny detail down to a yellow jacket's head, He is absolutely, unfathomly vast beyond measure...beyond our mind's comprehension.

We are reading a book called Crazy Love by Francis Chan. In Chapter 1, we were instructed to watch the following 3 minute Awe Factor video. From the head of a yellow jacket to a kabillion light years away. You're gonna love this...

R. C. Sproul - "Men are never duly touched and impressed with a conviction of their insignificance, until they have contrasted themselves with the majesty of God."

American Idol - Top 13

Top 13. Two will be eliminated this week instead of one, Simon Sez.

Paula looks like a fairy princess this evening.

This is Michael Jackson night. My first thought was OH NO! But, we'll see...

1. Lil - This mom of three is amazing!!! Yea for Moms of Three!!! She absolutely was super on "The Way You Make Me Feel." I agree with Paula.....sounded like an angel singing. Ain't nothing li'l about her voice!

2. Scott - So, right off the bat I like him because, well, he's from a homeschool family, y'all. I can't help it. He learned "Keep the Faith" on the piano just this week. He's amazingly gifted. I didn't know this song, though.

3. Danny - Y'all, I had totally forgotten about this song. PYT! Pretty Young Thang. I haven't heart it in probably 20 years!!! I enjoyed it IMMENSELY and so did the hubs. We LOVED it!

4. Michael the Oil Rigger Guy - He did a great job on "You're Not Alone." Didn't know this song either but he did a great job. And Doodle was thrilled beyond words to see that his little girl had on "her" leopard print headband!!

5. Jasmine - I hope they get to keep their Glam Squad chosen outfits, btw, and I don't think they had much work to do on Jas. She was pretty glam-ready to begin with! Gorgeous! We couldn't really get into this song bc we play "I'll Be There" on Wii Music and couldn't get past our little WiiMii's singing it.

6. Kris - He's just so cute with his pretty new wifey!! We thought he did a fine job on guitar with "Remember the Time." But, again, I didn't know the song.

7. Allison - This 16 year old is Rayray's fave. But I can't even put the title of the song on the blog. Totally inappropriate for a 16 year old to sing in my opinion. So, I don't know how she did, really, bc I just couldn't listen.

8. An00p - Hon, we really want you to succeed. But I agree with Paula that "Beat It" is untouchable. I didn't listen to judges comments bc I knew they'd be harsh.

9. Jorge - Not George. HORHAY. "Never Can Say Goodbye" All of Puerto Rico will be burning up the phone lines.

Is that Ryan's Mama and Nana? Or a random mama and nana??

10. Megan - What a darling little boy she has! Bless her heart, she misses him so. We disagreed with SimonSez. The Hero said, "She picked the perfect song for her." Rockin Robin...tweettweedleetweet!

Paula changed her glittery hugemongous dogtag necklace-bracelet from one arm to the other during the break. I only noticed it because it was so huge..mongous.

11. Adam, the Jonas Brothers cousin - I guess his theatrical experience paid off. I know the judges thought his "Black and White" was the best of the night, but I still feel like I'm being screamed at.

Rayray isn't so sure about black nail polish on a guy. I'm not so sure about black nail polish, period.

12. Matt on the piano - He's so musically gifted, y'all. He did a great job on "Human Nature."

13. Alexis Grace - She just a little pistol! I didn't like the song but she is so tiny with a HUGE voice.

Bottom line: We know who our favorites are but aren't real sure who'll be "toast" tomorrow night. We're thinking Anoop and maybe Jasmine? But some of the guys might be in trouble NOT because they didn't do an excellent job but just bc there were several guys singing less-popular Michael Jackson pieces. We'll see!!!

What do you think the change in rules will be!?!?!?! Check out BooMama for other enlightening discussions of the top 13!

The Boy and His Eyes

I took all three kids to the eye dr last week...bc we finally have decent choices of eye people.

It really wasn't a big surprise to find out that Butter is farsighted. I had seen some signs this school year...but STILL. I felt like Mother-Teacher Of The Year...bc when you are attempting to read words and work math problems you kinda need for them to be CLEAR, not blurry.

I was gazing at this pic of him in his cool new glasses and Father gently reminded me of something. And I'm so glad He did.

When we found out we were expecting a little boy, I asked Father if Butter could please have his Daddy's beautiful brown eyes. Rayray has my eyes. I wanted our son to have Daddy's eyes. And it never hurts to ask.

Well, he was born with blue eyes. He turned one with blue eyes. He turned 2...blue eyes, still. Our boy is notorious for never getting in a hurry. Never. Nada. Between ages two and three, guess what happened?!? Blue eyes turned brown. Yep, tis true. Exact same shade of brown as his daddy's.

I remember the day Father reminded me of my prayer three years earlier. I remember sitting on my bed with tears in my eyes, in awe and wonder at how Father loves me so and heard my prayer...even for something seemingly little like a baby's eye color. He waited until Butter was older so I'd KNOW it was a direct answer to this mama's prayer.

Our Boy has his daddy's eyes in more ways than just eye color, though. No, I'm not talking about how they can both be looking straight at an object and still not see it! ;)

I'm talking about eyes full of compassion. Eyes that see from the heart. Eyes that are gentle. Eyes that are kind, loving, and tender. Eyes that are accepting and non-judgmental. Eyes that are full of mercy. Eyes that are deep. Eyes that make me smile and tear-up at the same time.

Yep, he's got his Daddy's eyes...

And they both have their Father's eyes...

Training Wheels

"Daddy, will you please take my training wheels off?"

Why does the 5 year old baby of the family insist on growing up so quick?

Is it not enough that just this week I boxed up wooden puzzles for the attic?

Is it not enough that just this week I chose a dozen or so of our most special board books and boxed them up, too? Some of them were 13 years old, some 9, some 5. All were well loved. I could "read" most of them with my eyes closed. So could the kids. But, my babies are too old for them now.

So why did it have to be this week, too, that Appledoodle decided to take her training wheels off?

In a way, I feel wistful, saying goodbye to all things "baby." But on the other hand, I'm relieved we actually survived the long years of babies, toddlers and preschoolers! We're on to a completely different season for our family now.

Anyway, Daddy removed the training wheels and a very determined 5 year old Appledoodle rose to the challenge with her normal tenacity.

First, Daddy ran along on the grass, with one hand on the bike seat.

Next, down the driveway.

All of a sudden, she was riding across the grass all alone,

with a very satisfied grin on her face.

I almost missed it..almost.

Black and White by Rayray

Black and White

This world is like watercolor;
Only all the colors are black and white and grey.
The beautiful colors that You made in each of us
are beginning to fade.

Everyone is falling.
Falling for this game.
You keep calling,
But they continue to fade.

Everyone is blending in.
They can't tell up from down.
People jumping into the peer pressure bin;
Coming out, none look sound.

This is a black-and-white world.
But I refuse to blend.
That's why I only look to you, Lord.
Never to any of them. ©
~Rayray

UPDATED: Golden Presidential Curtains

I apparently gave up my Google search too soon!

Golden Presidential Curtains can be found in the grand East Room of the White House....along with absolutely gorgeous crystal chandeliers.

And no, these curtains are not new....or a part of a massive redecorating campaign. Maybe they just got a good, fresh washing and ironing and are looking extra shiny and golden for the new residents.

Cased closed.

Now, on to more important things.