Tengo Un Tango!

So Kelly's taking ballroom dancing with Chico, along with her friend, Kate. The next thing we know, Chico's Mom volunteers them to do a dance exhibition at our home school academic fair. Hello? After only two lessons they're supposed to dance in front of others? [Insert modified stationary panic.]

Instead of going with the salsa, which she was already learning, Chico decides to choreograph the Tango. Actually, it's The-Tango-with-Everything-Cool-I-Could-Possibly-Throw-In.

So, here's a video of their practice. It's pretty funny at the end, because the cleaning people had just mopped the floor and there's places where the floor was still wet. You can hear Josh, the youth pastor, warning them not to step in the water. Watch them go from graceful to comical! You can hear me laughing at the end of the video. There were a few mess-ups that they went over again, but hey; that's what practice is for, right? Sorry it's a little blurry.

Keep in mind, this is only Kelly's third tango lesson.

Yes, I know the picture up top is sideways. I was going to change it, but I started to like it that way. [sheepish grin]

It's a Girl!

We have a new dog!

Actually, she's three. Her name is Callie. Jack's not completely sure what to think of her yet.


She's a Dachshund, and she's a-dor-a-ble. She's much larger than we thought she would be, but she's not a mini, she's a standard. Like Ty's car. Only, not purple.





Callie has a tail. It's been a while since we've had to deal with tails! It seems grossly long after Jack's nub. I certain it's just normal. Or standard.


She's very friendly and loves to see what everyone's doing. It's almost impossible to get a good picture of her, since she's always on the move if we're always on the move. Once we settle down, she settles down.


Her previous owners, D and M, have to relocate (thank you, Uncle Sam!) to Louisiana. D thought it was cute to let her jump on him. Thanks, D!


I have thought of getting a dachshund for Glenna for years now. When I heard they were moving, I casually asked if they'd be taking Callie with them. They were so relieved to know she would have a home!




It's also comical to have such a loooong dog around. I can barely fit her into the entire camera frame.



Here, she's pretending to be shy. Kind of like this kid I know, Brett. He about flips when a camera comes out . . . he can't clear the room fast enough! Still, I'm faster. Aren't I, Brett? Huh? Got some pictures of ya, don't I? Huh? Huh?


Ahem . . . sorry.


Still, cute and sweet and calm as she is, I have my suspicions. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, just an intuition that something, maybe, wasn't quite right. Here she is . . .

Calm, quiet, cute.





Then, these pictures revealed the horrid truth!
[cue Psycho music]

That's all I have to say about that.

Up next: Tengo un Tango!

Evangelin

So, I added this really cool Evangelin banner to my blog, but the only place it would fit is at the very bottom. Scroll all the way down to see it!

They have a show tomorrow. Go Evangelin! You may also click on the banner and it will take you to their page.

*Update- their show is next week. I jumped the calendar on that one.

Amusements

Kelly tried to get away with not doing school today. Picture crossed arms, the stomping of feet, and a pouty bottom lip. I was of course forced to make her obey, so I jumped up and started mock-spanking her while she pretended to cry.

Suddenly, Jack the Schnauzer raced to the rescue! He barked at me and jumped at me and demanded I leave his girl alone.

Glenna's comment: Great, Jack. Now we know we'll be safe if anyone comes in and tries to spank us.


Ty came searching around the back of the house today. This is unusual.

"Don't we have a ladder?"
"Daddy took it to the shop. We have a small one in the garage. What do you need?"
"Nothing."

Curious, I helped him find the small ladder. He was determined to get on the roof.

"What's up there?"
"Nothing."
"Is there something on the roof I don't know about?"

No reply.

As he boosted his lanky frame onto the roof, I spotted it. My boy was packin' heat! The butt of his BB gun was poking out of his pocket.

It was then that I understood. The squirrel who found the hole in our roof, who lives in the attic and runs around at (to Ty) ungodly hours . . . . his days are numbered.

Chargers and the One Good Thing

The ONE good thing about the Chargers losing to the Patriots, is that I am now free to go to any Superbowl party!

Last year, the boys made it all the way to the Superbowl with me cheering them on but without me watching a single game. I watched the Superbowl, and they lost.

I blame myself.

This year, I didn't watch ANY games and again, they performed brilliantly! A certain JH tried to convince me it didn't matter whether I watched or not, that I was just being superstitious. I rebuked him and told him, "Get thee behind me!"

Do you think they lost to the Patriots because I kept peeking at the score on line?

Lovely Rita

Kathleen and Rita

A message from my mother-in-love, Kathleen:

THANK YOU ONE AND ALL FOR YOUR PRAYERS SENT OUT FOR MY SISTER; GOD HAD A PLAN, WE DON'T ALWAYS GET TO UNDERSTAND. RITA TOOK HER LAST BREATH AT 4 AM THIS MORNING, SURROUNDED BY HER 5 CHILDREN, HER FIANCE, AND ALL HER SIBLINGS, (THERE ARE FOUR OF US). IT WAS TOUCHING AND PEACEFUL. WE ARE ALL VERY SAD FOR OUR LOSS, AND WILL BE ACCEPTING GOD'S WILL FOR US. SHE DIDN'T MAKE HER 64TH BIRTHDAY, WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN ON FEB.13TH. WE ARE GOING TO CELEBRATE HER LIFE AT A CATHOLIC MASS SAID BY HER GRIEVING BROTHER, TERRY, IN THE CHURCH WE ALL GREW UP IN, ST JOSEPH'S IN (DELETED), AT 7:30 PM ON WED. THE 23RD. WE WILL GATHER IN THE PARISH HALL AFTER. ANYONE THAT WANTS TO MAY COME AND JOIN US.

RITA LEFT US WITH A GREAT EXAMPLE OF A SOBER WOMAN FOR 37 YEARS.

Rita's children are Jennifer, Vicki, Jackie, Chris (only 1 son!) and Shannon, and I know they would appreciate your prayers. Himself and I were trying to add it up last night, but I believe she had 9 grandchildren! They all will have a terrible hole in their lives.


It's amazing how much Kathleen and Rita's lives paralleled each other; both married young, both had five children, both had to leave an abusive relationship, both remarried and were widowed. They grew up together, raised their children together, suffered and triumphed together. I know Mom, Uncle John, Aunt Mary Ann, and Uncle Terry are going to miss her so much! These five stuck by each other through thick and thin, even caring for each other's children when needed.

As I said, Rita (and her siblings) welcomed me right into the family. I had invitations to bridal showers, weddings, baby showers, and birthdays. She would drive down from L.A. to our celebrations as well. She was always so ladylike, and I rarely saw her without a smile. As Himself's sister reminded me on the phone yesterday, she was my Aunt Rita, too.

Thank you to all of you for your kind words and prayers. It is deeply appreciated.

Mourning and Dancing

We just received word; Aunt Rita passed away this morning. Please pray for my Mother-in-love, Kathleen. This was her baby sister. To this point, they don't know the cause of her death. We are devastated.

Aunt Rita always made me feel like I was part of the family. She will be dearly missed. She had five children and 6 or 7 grandchildren.


Update on Taylor; Cancer has been 100% ruled out! They suspect a bacteria at this point. Still doing further tests. We are so, so thankful, and we appreciate your prayers.

No one is guaranteed tomorrow. Life is short, my friends! Is there someone you need to talk to, make amends with, or send some love? Please don't put it off!

And please don't put off understanding the message of the cross. To put it bluntly, we all will have an eternity, but it will either be with God, or separated from God. He loves you so much, He simply doesn't want to be separated from you! That's why He sent His Son to die on the cross for your sins, so that you may spend eternity with Him.

Have you placed your trust in Christ, that His death, burial, and resurrection was the payment for your sins? It's honestly that simple. There are no hoops to jump through or penance to pay; Jesus paid it all. He only asks that you believe this in your heart and you will be saved.

I'm sure I may have turned off some readers with this message, but you know what? Life's too short. I love all of you too much to spend eternity without you!

Announcing . . .

With his permission, I am pleased to announce that Tyler is now giving drum lessons!

Come one, come all. Bring ear plugs, or don't play at all. (Sorry, that last bit was my own addition.)

Parents, don't be afraid of a little noise! You'll soon be excited when you hear their "banging" has turned into actual practice. You'll be excited with them when you hear them working so hard to get a part, and then finally getting it! Plus, in today's contemporary church, drummers are not only used, but needed. Himself has been playing drums in church music teams for over 15 years now. Tyler has played both drums and bass guitar for the youth music teams.


Himself and I were never what you would consider athletic in the fact that our lives were committed to sports. While we've done our share of little league, we're much more drawn to music and rock concerts.

Leave it to God to give us this child. Instead of football games or baseball games, these two rock 'n roll loving parents get to go to this . . .

Yessir, that's my son.

Ty's band, Evangelin, has posted all four of their new songs on their web page. Be sure to check them out! Personally, I think they saved the best for last when they posted the last song from their new EP. It's amazing.


Contact me for details!

When it Rains . . .

Three of the five tests for cancer have come out negative for Taylor! We are thankful and optimistic. Now, they're leaning towards an infection. Prayers so appreciated!

Learned today that Himself's Aunt is in the hospital. She is gravely ill with double pneumonia and intubated because she can't breathe on her own. Her name is Rita . . . please add her to your prayers!

Thinking of Aunt Rita today, it's almost as if California is a separate life. Tyler would be the only one to really remember the extended family, and he doesn't. Kelly remembers snippets, like twirling in a dress at a party or a photographer taking her picture at a wedding. Glenna wasn't even two.

So I have this whole other life that my children know almost nothing about. I met Himself's family, married him, and then I was the one who went to the bridal showers and baby showers and really got to know everyone. If I were still in California, I would still be attending the birthdays and celebrations. I miss them!

On our wedding day, at the reception, I remember walking past this table full of beautiful people. I was amazed when they all stopped their conversation to smile and nod at me. What was up with that? Beautiful people don't usually do that to this little country gal. They were so friendly! (Most of them were Aunt Rita's children.)

It was a month before it finally hit me; they stopped and nodded and smiled because I was the BRIDE. You know, the one in the white dress? Veil?

Sigh.

Da-Niece

This cutie is my niece, Taylor. She just turned 9! I know that, because she was born the year we moved out here (1998) and I missed seeing her for the first five years of her life. Her Mom just sent me these pictures from their Christmas in Hawaii.



Taylor belongs to my brother, Mark. This is the one who tormented me and did every thing in the "rotten" category of the Older Brother Handbook. He's since apologized. I've forgiven him. However, to this day I can't stand to have anyone pat the top of my head. Thanks, Bro!




I can forgive him because one of the best things he ever did was marry Debbie. Debbie's great! Then, of course, they gave me my niece. Can't fault a guy once he's married a great gal and given you a niece.




Taylor's into all kinds of stuff. I know, because I check her mom's web page to keep tabs on her! I hate having to watch her grow from afar or love her long distance. Still, I know I'm the Auntie, and that gives me some kind of weird ownership. I get to tell her I love her and mean it.


Sadly, I've been neglecting my Auntie duties. It's strange, but Mark and I have never been the type of siblings who need to chat on the phone all the time. I know without a doubt that if I ever needed my brother, he would be there (he's proven this over and over when we lived in CA). I know where I stand with him, and he knows where he stands with me. We have this strange security. We love each other and root for each other, but we don't necessarily tell each other.


I think of Taylor all the time, but I never tell her! I think a little kid needs to know that. I'm sorry, honey. I love you. I've always loved you! You are so precious to me!


Here, Taylor's doing something I've never been able to do. Surf! I used to love to body surf or boogie board, but I could never stand on top of the water like this. Way to go, Tay!


We visited her in California several years ago. She had the flu and it was so comical. She wanted to play with Glenna so badly! She would throw up and then beg me to let Glenna sleep in her bed or play with her. She wasn't about to let that flu keep her down. By the way, everyone in my family got the flu except Glenna.


Right now, Taylor is battling something and we're not sure what it is. In short, she's been sick and had some surgery, and now we're waiting for some test results. I know she's a pistol, and I know she's a fighter. I know she's safely in the hand of God. Still, would you mind praying for her? Prayer changes things, and Taylor needs prayer. There's nothing I can do for her 3,000 miles away except pray.

I'm praying, Taylor, and I love you!

Overheard

As we were loading up to leave for Arkansas, I overheard this conversation between Glenna and Kelly:

Glenna: Ok, I know we're going to be cramped in the car and we'll probably start bugging each other and get cranky, so just remember that we love each other.

Kelly: Deal.

Hug.

Note to Self . . .

. . . Find glasses first, then remove contacts.

Meet Maddie

This is Maddie ---Short for Madelyn, AKA The Pony. This photo is the view one usually sees of Maddie, especially if sitting down. Don't be frightened, she's extremely gentle. She just wants to make sure you can see her. See?


Maddie is a Harlequin Great Dane. I want you to note that Kelly is sitting up as tall as she can in this photo, but Maddie still towers over her. Danes like to get up close to your face and peer into your soul. That's what Maddie's doing to Kelly, here.


Maddie says Kelly has a good soul. We knew that. I just love Maddie's one black leg and her pink and black nose! This dog is only a year and a half old.


Maddie has the complete and total run of the house. Here she's howling at The Mom because someone went outside without her. She's telling The Mom how unfair that was and to please get up and let her out. Now.


The funniest thing is to see her climb up into this chair, then fold herself into it and curl up in a ball. Oh no, this chair's not too small for me. I can fit. Honestly!



At Dad's house, there's a total of three large dogs. Sarah Bear is the chow mix you see here with Maddie, and Cody is the yellow lab you see on the couch. Did I mention the dogs rule the house? Want further proof?



When anyone is in the kitchen, the dogs are there. Note Maddie's head is counter height. To keep her from eating food off the counter, they hide it in the microwave. There are two microwaves for some reason; I guess one is for cooking and one is for hiding food?


Mealtimes are spent defending our plates from the dogs. They're right at the elbow, sticking their noses into plates left unguarded. Tyler couldn't stop laughing at how "normal" this was to everyone but us, and then we eventually adapted as well. I made lasagna one night and spent the time shoving the lab away with one foot and shoving Maddie away with my elbow. By the second meal I prepared, they realized I wasn't going to feed them anything. Dad and The Mom were so amazed to see all three dogs not in the kitchen while I was cooking.




Maddie's other favorite thing to do is put her paws on the chair or couch and tower over the occupant. Dad and The Mom seem to be the only ones who don't mind this. They just scratch her and tell her how wonderful she is. I make her get off immediately and THEN tell her how wonderful she is. Let's face it -- she is wonderful!



To my kids, watching a dog get on the couch is the funniest thing, because they've never seen it! We've always treated dogs like dogs; no people food, and they belong on the floor. Jack is permitted on Kelly's bed only, and even now she's trying to find ways to keep him off.


With three dogs, life was never a dull moment. Still, I was thankful to get home to my miniature schnauzer!

Quote of the Day

So may we never settle for mere head knowledge divorced from a changed life, may we never fail to cast ourselves on the limitless resources of God in Christ, and may we never fail to view worship as a grace-enabled response of complete devotion to our Savior.
-- Bob Kauflin, Sovereign Grace Ministries

Read the full article here.