BREATHE.

This was one of those days....up before 6 am and hit the ground running.....meeting, teach 3 courses, 4 more meetings, kids to karate, school open house, football game. No....chance.....to......breathe. We now have football win #2 under our Bulldog belts (great win, Honey!), we have met my daughter's first grade teacher (looking forward to the year, Mrs. Hill)....enjoyed some half-price appetizers at Applebee's after the game (yummy nachos and cheese sticks)......but now, there is nothing else left but to fall into bed and be thankful that tomorrow......WE CAN SLEEP IN!

MIA

This has been a TOTALLY CRAZY week.....starting a new semester, getting kids to karate, meetings for Children's ministry, housefuls of kids wanting to wring the last few drops of summer out of the week, school open houses, football games, post-football game parties......I'm tired. And I picked up a new class to teach, and it is ON-LINE, so this is a new adventure for me. I love the social experience of learning and teaching, but have been wanting to learn more about what on-line education has to offer.....so this will truly be a journey of learning for me. And now, I'm going to bed because I have another choc-ful day tomorrow........hopefully I don't have more dreams about my mom dying like I did last night.........funny how those "anxiety dreams" seem to hit when I'm at my busiest....Hmmmmm......what would Freud say? :)

We All Need A Little Pink!

My 6-year-old daughter has turned into my new "blog consultant".....she came downstairs as I was on the blog this morning, and said, "MOM, you really need to turn your blog PINK! OK, Sweet Girl, just for you, here is a new look for the start of a new school year coming up......I guess everybody needs a little shot of pink joy on their last Monday morning of summer vacation!

Living Life Together

I am a firm believer that we were not made to do life alone. God made us with a deep need for connection with Him and with other people; for the past several months, we have "done life" with an amazing group of people we call our "small group." In actuality, the group isn't very "small", because we have 5 families which adds up to 10 adults and 17 kids.....with 2 more adults and 4 more kids joining us soon! When we all get together.......it's crazy.....crazy wonderful, that is! Laughing, studying God's word, sharing joys and struggles, praying, crying, more laughing, and EATING, always good eating. As a group, we have supported one another through several periods of unemployment, new babies, financial struggles, life-threatening illnesses of children, relationship struggles, and just the down-and-dirty of every day life. Not only have we gotten to know each other as adults, but our kids have forged new friendships that are sure to last a long time. So today, we are celebrating the gift of these amazing people and urging everyone to get connected in a group like this....yes, it can be scary to be vulernable to others and share your life, but the benefits are life-changing and life-enhancing. Here is a photo of a few of our kids enjoying a cool dip in the pool today:

Don't you just love it when.....

.....you see God at work. He is all around, if only we seek the evidence. Today, I had the privilege of joining with a fun and wonderful group of woman, all of whom love scrapbooking and many of whom, as I learned over a late-night Perkins dinner together, love God and desire truly to live it out for Him. We laughed and scrapped and ate.....and shared God's goodness. So many testimonies of what God is doing; evidence that when we are transparent, God allows us to connect with each other and with Him on a deeper and deeper level. Thanks, God, for such rich blessings on this sunny Saturday.

Who Let the DOGS out?

Can I just say.....WHAT A GAME! And WHAT A RUSH! After going down 0-21 in the first quarter, our Bulldogs rallied back and then see-sawed back and forth throughout the remainder of the game. In the fourth, we stopped a drive in the red-zone, scored, then recovered a fumble and scored again to WIN THE GAME!!! What a feeling! Like I said in the previous post, my husband gives more than 100% to his coaching, so it is awesome to see his investment pay off.

And, I was so excited to get to the game that I left my lights on and ran my battery out. SO, my son was thrilled that we got to ride the players' bus home. We'll have to go get my car tomorrow.

So, the lesson here is.....don't give up, even when the going looks impossible and the chips are stacked against you. True character hangs in there and perseveres and give it their all.

Great game, guys and Coach M! And did I mention how sexy your calves are when you coach?!!

Opening Night.

The days of my husband's football games always find me a bit queasy. I know that he gives it his full heart and soul, and I put myself right out there with him. So it makes the stakes a little higher. It's been two years since he has been the head coach, so I'm getting used to being back in the throws of the high school season. We love so much about high school football........the community excitement, the band, the steam rising off the sweaty guys, the strategy, the passion. I'm sure I'll have a full report on tonight's game after the fact......are you ready for some football???

Feelin' a Bit Tossed.

I was looking through some photos from some highlights of our summer. And my attention was drawn to this photo of a small boat that was anchored in the Straits of Mackinac. As we rested half-way along our 7-mile bike ride around the island, I remember my attention being drawn to this little boat. The winds were high that day, and this little boat looked so, so tiny against the expanse of the water. And it was being tossed violently, back and forth and all around with the waves.

But was struck me was this: No matter how violent and vigorous the waves got, that little boat didn't move far nor did is capsize or sink. You see, it was anchored.

I'm in a time of the year when things get stressful. And, quite frankly, I am feeling tossed around by my circumstances. Getting the kids (and me) prepared for back to school. A new university calendar starting, and along with it lots of new projects and expectations and deadlines. A new football season, meaning that my husband is gone long hours. I feel just like that little boat--tossed and thrown every way possible.

But I know that despite the waves, I AM ANCHORED. Jesus is the rock that holds me in place, even when I can't see him and when I feel vulnerable. He is there as my anchor, my stronghold, my rock. And that makes all the difference. It helps me to keep perspective and to know that this, too, shall pass. So, next time you feel tossed and thrown by your circumstances, remember this little boat. And remember that Jesus is the True Anchor.

Back to It.

Meetings. Evaluations.
Lectures. Office Hours. Grading.
Grading. Grading. Grading.
Mentoring. Teaching.
Problem-Solving. Consulting.
Reading. Researching. Learning.

My academic year is starting this week with meetings and next week, a whole new cast of students. I always start the year off with a healthy mixture of excitement, apprehension, hope for a great year, a bit of anxiety. The kids are at grandma's house for a couple of days so I can focus on getting my syllabi, etc. ready for the first day.........my daughter frequently asks, "Mommy, when are you going to be done with college?" And I say....."Never!" A student forever, that's me!

Domestic Pleasures.

Today, on a rainy Monday in mid-August, I am feeling rather.......domestic. Now those who have known me through my teen and college years know that I was academically oriented....YES. Athetically talented.....not bad. But domestic kitchen affairs.....well, not exactly a strong area of interest or giftedness. Don't get me wrong.....I love decorating and choosing colors and crafty stuff, but in the kitchen, I would rather be upacking the take-out than cooking. Until recently.....in large part thanks to the likes of Rachael Ray and other Food Network artists, I have taken a new interest in cooking and culinary pursuits as an art. I value being creative in all aspects of my life, and I am beginning to realize that cooking and meals are no exception.

So today, I collected a batch of tomatoes and peppers from our garden. Yes, we actually grew the produce ourselves. And I cut a batch of fresh cilantro from the herbs that I have in my windowsill....yes, I grew the cilantro. And I made a batch of fresh salsa. And I really enjoyed the process, the MANY STEPS OF THE PROCESS. And I learned so many skills.....like to take skins off tomatoes, dip them first in boiling water and then in ice water and the skins just fall off. And how to can without a pressure cooker. I actually increased my domestic repertoire of skills tolday. And I feel very good and accomplished.
So tonight, I have a kitchen counter full of fresh jars of salsa cooling. We had nachos and tacos with fresh salsa and my famous homemade guacamole for dinner. And I feel like a domestic success. yes, creativity comes in many forms, and the kitchen is no exception.
Next, apple season.....now I wonder what delicious and enticing apple dishes I can make with my new domestic skills?

Sunday.

Whew....what a few days. After a couple wonderful days with Kennedy shopping in Lansing, we are all outfitted and our pencil boxes are full to the brim with wonderful school supplies, just waiting for September 4 to arrive....more photos about this later.

The kids are camping with grandpa and grandma this weekend, so I have have been.....painting. I have had the paint to do my laundry room for over a year now, so this was finally the weekend. I really love the color-----Drizzle------kind of a blue-green-lt. teal, and am hoping that the freshness in the room will help me like to do laundry more....OK, not likely, but it looks much better. I also took the closet door off, painted the inside of the closet a coordinating green, and am going to make some colorful funky curtains to hang on the window and over the door. I am putting the word "FRESH" and the phrase "Loads of Fun" on the wall, so it should be pretty fun and fresh when I'm finished......we have missed the kids and look forward to seeing them later today.

Today, I am teaching the kids about what Jesus meant when He said He is LIVING WATER.....what a powerful truth. Water quenches us for a time but we quickly thirst again. Likewise, the worlds says that it has so many things that will satisfy the thirst of our souls. BUT, Jesus offers to us water that will quench our deepest thirst for good, and that it will become in us "a spring of water welling up to eternal life." What a cool word picture that is. Not only does it quench our souls permanently but it wells up." I'm praying that God will work in the minds of these kids--and of me--to really GET what He means here. Enjoy this amazing but rainy Sunday.....worship, rest, and praise God that He is all the water we need.

On our List.....

Crayons....the huge 128 box with sharpener, of course
Markers
Colored Pencils
Pencil box
Pencil Sharpener
Glue Sticks
Dry-Erase Board Marker
2-Pocket Folders
Erasers
Scissors
Water Bottle
Drawing Pad

We are off for a couple days of school supply and Mommy-Daughter bliss. My daughter, though only 6, has developed her Mommy's love for colorful school supplies.....she is so excited about getting a new package of rainbox Flair pens, she can hardly contain it! I'm sure I'll have lots of fun photos of our little getaway on Friday.

Back-to-School Approaching.

It must be back to school time for my kids....How do I know? Because I had my first "Mommy anxiety" dream of the year last night.....it seems that every year, as I prepare my kids and myself for a new school year, I start having a series of dreams about the first day. Last year, as Kennedy was getting ready to start kindergarten, I remember dreaming that she got on the wrong school bus and I was hopping from bus to bus, trying to find her but I couldn't.

Last night's dream was about first grade....I dreamed that I took her to school and she was put into the worst teacher's classroom. And, to make matters worse, I forgot my camera!! Then, she didn't know anyone else in her class and I showed up to the first day wearing only my bathing suit. Hmmmm......how would old Freud interpret that one?

For the most part, I love back-to-school time. I love shopping for new supplies, picking out new backpacks with my kids, choosing that special outfit for the first day. Waiting for the letter that says which class they are in. The impending start of fall and Friday night football games and school picnics and all the newness that comes with starting a new year.

Tomorrow, I am leaving with my daughter for an overnight school shopping trip. This is something that my parents did for us and I am so excited to begin it with my daugther. We are going to stay in a hotel, go out for dinner to wherever she chooses, pick out new supplies and new clothes, and just hang out together. It is a special way to mark the ending of summer and the beginning of a new year. She will be going to school all-day every day for the first time this year, so it is a big step for both of us. I'm a firm believer in spending one-to-one time alone with each of my children ( and for my husband to do the same) so I am looking very forward to this time with just she and I. When my son starts first grade, I plan to start the same tradition with him....or maybe he would prefer shopping with Dad, we'll just have to wait and see!

Tuesday has been pretty normal around here....playing, a meeting, tidying up, paying some bills. Tonight, we are on for karate lessons and then my monthly card-making group. I'm looking forward to some creativity time and them hopefully a relaxing evening. I wish you Tuesday's simple pleasures.

Babies.

Those who know me well know that in my deepst heart, I would love to have a third child. I just feel that yearning to nurse and nurture and enjoy all of the blessings that a new baby, toddler and child brings at each and every stage.

While the jury is still out on whether that will become reality, in the meantime, I love spending time with babies.....I love everything about them, the smells (well, most of them!), the softeness, all the sounds a baby makes. So today, I just loved having my almost-2-month-old niece, brother, and sister--law visit for the day. Hayden felt that little Sammie needed to be inducted inot the pirate sister-and-brotherhood....he looked at this photo and said "I'm Captain Hayden and Sammie is my Little Mate." So precious. And is there anything more cute than those little belly buttons?

We were also pleased to play host to baby Sammie's very first swim. She wasn't quite sure what to think of it, but as she relaxed, she started to smile and kick and really seemed to enjoy the floating sensation. Of course, Hayden can't figure out why baby Sammie can't walk or swim yet.

After her swim and a change into cozy new clothes, Sammie proceeded to fall asleep on Aunt Nicci's lap. So, of course, this was the perfect opportunity to snap some sleeping baby photos, I am just mesmerized by her long lashes and tiny nose and sweet pink lips.



And further evidence that there was a baby in the house today.........

White Belts.

For the past year, my daughter, Kennedy, has expressed an interest in karate. "When can we take karate lessons, Mom?" I must have heard 100 times. So, this week, we registered both of the kids in the PAK karate school. Today, they received their white karate uniforms and their very first belt, the white belt. Basically, Master Hammond, the instructor, serves as a mentor and commits to taking the kids all the way through to their black belts. So far, we are very impressed with the program, particularly the discpline, respect, and structure that is expected. All of the kids address Master Hammond as "Yes, Sir" and "No, Sir" and are expected to refrain from talking unless spoken to.....OK, so this last part is a bit challenging for Hayden, but we have already seen progress. Kennedy has already made so much growth in her balance and kicks in only 2 sessions, and she is so excited to have her official uniform and belt. It is definitely a sacrifice for schedules (they meet 2 times per week) and financially, but I really think the dividends for the kids' confidence and self-discipline will be priceless. As long as they don't practice their kicks on the neighbor kids or each other or US, we'll be all set!

Ode to Red.

Mosaic on Red
Originally uploaded by nicmcdonald72

I have been playing around with Flickr and had so much fun making this mosaic that I've entitled "Ode to Red." Give it a try....it is making me happy today on a hot, steamy, overcast Wednesday here in West Michigan. I'm thinking I'll create one color-schemed mosaic in Flickr each Wednesday for the next few weeks.....creative inspiration, and all I have to do is locate the photos. Have a great one.....my house is full FULL of kids, so it's noisy but what summer should be about.

Are you ready for some FOOTBALL??

Today, the first Monday in August, for some means that school is right around the corner. In our house, it means THE START OF FOOTBALL PRACTICE!

So this morning, before 7 am, my husband was headed out to the muddy field to get ready for his players. Basically, the next week is about conditioning the summer cobwebs out of his players.....run, run, run, run, and more run. Sounds great, huh?

This is my husband's first year back as head coach after winning a state championship 3 years ago at his previous school, so he is excited and anxious to be back in the saddle again.

There is nothing quite like high school football....the lights, the crisp air, the band, the community crowd, the after-game get-togethers......we have really enjoyed being part of this as a family.

Go BULLDOGS!

Friday Night at the BallPark.

Good Friends.
HotDogs and Dippin' Dots and Elephant Ears and BLUE COTTON CANDY.
Prizes won (Canned Fruit Cocktail....Yummy.)
Dancing the Chicken Dance and YMCA.
A VERY LONG 8th Inning.
Lots of laughs.
Lots of kids.....ready to go home by the 5th inning.
A great night at the minor league ball park.
And a Pink Birthday IPOD loaded with all her favorite songs makes for a very happy 6-year-old.

The Upside of Tragedy.

GOD WORKS IN THE MIDST OF TRAGEDY.

I have become more and more convinced of this over the past two weeks. Today, our little town of Byron Center is in the newspaper again. This time, one of our high school teachers has been accused of sexually inappropriate actions involving a high school student. This on the heels of the murder-suicide involving two of our teachers and our personal friends; a car accident involving four high school students, two of whom were killed; a fire at an historic meat market in town; another car accident yesterday which apparently claimed another life. We are a town that is broken and trying to pull together to start the healing. Asking questions. Searching, sometimes in despair, for answers. What happens to cause a wonderful, thriving, seemingly happy young man who was so caring and wonderful with children and adults alike to murder his girlfriend and then commit suicide? How does a teenage boy involved in a car accident that resulted in the death of his two friends--though in no way through his own fault--go into a new school year carrying the guilt and questions? How does a father--who is also a principal--face a school full of kids when his own precious teenage daughter is dead and will never set foot in a school or her home again?

Tragedy and loss is part of the human experience. I say that with fear and a bit of trepidation, because I know that I have not experienced much death and loss in my life compared to some. And I know that time will inevitably change that.

Loss and death are painful. But in the last few weeks, another aspect of tragedy has shown itself real in our family and community. Loss has this striking way of drawing us close, shifting perspective back where it needs to be. A community pulls together to get the meat market back in business only a day after the fire. Parents find healing in the concern and caring shown by so many. A father reconsiders his need to bring his children to church on Sunday, even though his wife works weekends and it takes lots of extra effort. Many give their lives to Christ, the only True Comfort. Many who made previous life commitments to Christ renew that commitment to be salt and light to the lost.

God uses tragedy to change us. To shape us. To soften our hearts, break our wills, and lead us closer to Him. He uses tragedy for His glory, even when it seems so impossible. The possibility of someone I love dying scares me to my core. When I even dare let my mind wander to the question of what it must be like to lose your own husband or parent or, God forbid, one of my own children......I cannot even fathom. But God gives us a Hope and Promises that He will walk with us and He works together every circumstance for our good and His glory.

When I get to heaven, I am looking forward to seeing God's plan for how this string of events and losses here are part of His bigger plan. For now, we are pulling together and looking to Him for the Hope and Strength and Love to move ahead and reach others for Him.

Six.

It was all about PINK and PURPLE and unicorns and princesses and all things GIRL today. Two weeks ago, we were all about pirates and treasure hunting and all things little boy, but today was girls' day as we celebrated Kennedy's sixth birthday. What a fun day we had...though I am truly exhausted and ready for a break from birthdays. Highlights of the day included:

Breakfast in bed for Kennedy, at her request. For about the past year, Kennedy has been saying how fun it would be to have breakfast served in bed to her, so today was her day, complete with bacon and eggs, fresh-baked biscuits, and fresh fruit. Oh, and sparkly pink flowers in a vase that Aunt Kendra gave her pink flowers in on the day she was born.
Eight six-year-old girls for a unicorn party, complete with cake, making jewelry, a pinata, and viewing of "The Last Unicorn." So fun and energizing to be around little girls at this age. And Hayden loved being doted on by all these cuties.

So many fun and creative gifts, including two WEBKINZ. I had never heard of these, which are basically the technological version of stuffed animals. You can go on-line and make them a furnished house, clothe them, take them to the vet....very fun.

Summer reading club celebration at the library--both of my kids exceeded their reading goals, so they received cool prize bags. Great job, kids....love that you are loving reading.

Dinner at Panera Bread, one of our favorites. We all picked French Onion soup in a bread bowl....so savory and good, even on a 95-degree day.

All capped off with ice cream at ColdStone Creamery......chocolate with Oreos for the birthday girl, blue cottton candy with sprinkle candies for Hayden, and peanut butter cup for me. A sweet ending to a very sweet sixth birthday. Love you, 6-year-0ld birthday girl, and am so thankful that you are in my life.

Six Years Ago Tonight.....

.....precisely at this moment, I was in active and painful labor with my first child. At 12:09 am on August 2nd, 2001, I gave birth to our first child, Kennedy Nicole. And our world changed forever. And now, though I can hardly believe it, she will be turning six years old in just a few short minutes after midnight. Wow, how time has a way of slipping by. In a way, it seems that we have known Kennedy forever, because it is hard to remember what life was like before God blessed us with her; yet in another way, time has passed in a blink.

This is the "rated G" version of the scene at our house tonight, on the eve of Kennedy's sixth birthday:

I was in the house and the kids were supposedly out jumping on the tramp while I prepared dinner. Then, I just happened to glance out the window and saw streaks of VERY WHITE SKIN as my two precious kiddos streaked through the backyard BUCK NAKED. They had the hose going and were just have a fine time frolicking in the water. Giggling. Smiling. Just plain enjoying life.

My first thought: Oh my word! What will the neighbors think?

But, then I just had to chuckle and smile. Oh, the innocence that they have. To think nothing of shedding their clothes to feel the cool water on their bare skin on a near-100-degree day.

Now, there is certainly a time for modesty even when you are 4 and 6, so after letting them run for a few more minutes, I called them in and helped them get their swimsuits on.

Sweet Girl, you are turning 6 tomorrow, and I hope that you retain so much of this innocence and wonder and abandon that you showed me today. May you always be free from worry about others' expectations or what the world says you need to be or what you need to do; may you always keep your eyes firmly on Christ to define who you are and what you need to become. I love you, thank the Lord for each and every day He allows us to have with you as our precious girl, and hope you have a fun and magical birthday........let's just stay dressed when the party guests get here, OK?