A mini challenge

So over at The Sunday School Rebel blog (which is one of the many places I lurk on the internet) She had up a little challenge about opening the 6th picture from the 6th folder in your pictures and telling the story of it.
This is what I found. The statues at the Hoover Dam. A couple of summers ago, we took the kids and went to Las Vegas for a week. I had never been to Las Vegas. It was not a great trip. It was super hot (duh!), and we kept thinking we could walk places since they looked so close together on the map, but we would walk and walk in the heat with weirdos flicking cards about hookers at us and like an hour later we would end up at our destination, with sore feet and grumpy constitutions. One day, we drove out to Hoover Dam and took a tour. It was pretty remarkable. The sheer size of it was just enough to take your breath away. I thought these statues were lovely. I think they were near the sign that talks about how the story (the one that says the workers who fell into the concrete as they were building the dam were buried alive) is not true. It was pretty funny because Mark told us this story in the car on our way out there, and we were all impressed by it. But, nope, just another urban legend. Anyway, here's to randomly recording a little memory.
Happy Thursday!
Love, Nancy

Fasting and Feasting

Today is Ash Wednesday. I have recently begun to travel back to church. I've gone maybe 3 or 4 weeks now. It is beginning to feel familiar and comfortable. Then, the priest announced the closeness of Lent. It took me by surprise. And when I read that Ash Wednesday was a fasting day, I immediately felt a sense of discomfort. I have never felt "right" about fasting. It always put me in a bad mood. I am a stickler about eating 3 good solid meals every day. And, on fasting days, you are allowed 2 small meals (less than half a regular meal) and one regular meal. You are not allowed meat, and no snacking. To say the least, this does not fit into my regular schedule.
But, this year I prayed and prayed that I could accept the fasting and use this as an opportunity to feel a hunger for God in my life. It was the best fasting day I have experienced. I also decided on what I am going to "do" for Lent. It is pretty traditional to "give up" something....instead I am going to work on reaching out to someone each day. I will take the time to call or write or email someone I care about... someone I don't keep in regular contact with. This is my commitment for the next 40 days. So, if you are reading this and you don't want to talk to me, you'd better start screening your calls! :-)
Happy Ash Wednesday
I hope you are also experiencing a renewal in your life.
Love, Nancy

To Do list for the week:

1. Work out every day
2. Get at least some pages completed in classroom memory books.
3. Make a Dr's appt.
4. Get a garage door opener for my side of the garage.
5. Get Gina's address.
6. Mail packages to Michelle and Gina.
7. Clean off the HORRID back shelf in my classroom.
8. Do something fun with my family.
9. Clean out my "junk drawer."
10. Blog about something interesting.

So far I'm 0/10!

No Stories

I just can't seem to get myself interested in blogging lately. I guess I just do not have any stories to tell right now. Here is a quick and dirty (or maybe boring) rundown of what been going on....
Well, last Friday, I found out my dd had lied about where she spent the previous Friday night, so we've had a week of restriction for her with 2 more to go. Ironic after my previous post.
I am REALLY trying to lose 3 pounds this month. I haven't touched any of the yummy stuff in my cupboard left over from the 100th day of school, and I even passed on Cindyanna's (allegedly) delicious cupcakes today. Tomorrow I will be inundated with chocolates from my little sweeties at school, but I am planning to bring it all home for the family.
I am looking forward to having all of next week off from school to start on my class's memory books. I hope to not be up until 3 am the night before the last day of school working on them as I have been known to do.
I am reading a pretty interesting book right now called The 19th Wife. It is about the beginning of the Mormon Church with a current day murder mystery all wrapped up inside. I like it so far.
I am watching these shows on TV:
The Bachelor, The Biggest Loser, LOST, Grey's Anatomy, ER, & Friday Night Lights.
I also end up watching many news type shows on Fox News and CNN because I love my husband and want to spend time with him and that is all he watches. These shows exhaust me.
I guess that's all for now...

I can hear them laughing...

together.
Just 15 short years ago this picture was taken. And this amazing life... so vibrant and forceful and FULL became a part of our days. She was our sweet little girl and we adored her. She certainly wasn't what we expected. She's a naturally gifted athlete who hates sports. She struggles a bit in school but works hard and is pretty successful. She is passionate about things. She shares her passion in ways that will sometimes break your eardrums. And, unfortunately, she and her Daddy have had a really hard time getting along lately. But tonight, they are sitting on the couches in the living room watching a movie together JUST THE TWO OF THEM. I can hear them laughing together. I hear little comments verging on pleasant conversation. My heart is so full of gratitude for this that it is about to burst. I would love more than anything to have a picture of this moment. But I can't risk breaking the spell. I just can't. It is too precious.