Metamorphosis

We were just a few feet away from exiting the State Fair of Texas when we spotted the sign for the butterfly exhibit. A lack of naps, rest, or a real lunch did not stop us from taking a sharp turn left into the world of metamorphosis.

The gardens that surround the exhibit were filled with beautiful flowers being tickled by countless butterflies yielding an enchanting feel to the place. Once entering the closed in butterfly sanctuary it was clear I could spend all day there watching these frail flitting creatures. However, the children, although interested, could not be contained in a small mesh building forever.

Notice the notch out of this guy's wing.

This one thought he was hiding.

These blue butterflies never sat still. Even when on a flower, there wings were in constant, high speed motion. This was taken with a high shutter speed. I can't believe I was able to catch his wings open!

Your next buddy! Start working on that cocoon.

Check out the cool movement in this shot.

When the children began to play with the gravel that carved out the walking path we took that as our cue to move on. I wondered if Savannah had gotten anything from our exploration of butterflies. When we saw the caterpillar, I and the older gentleman running the exhibit, explained the whole process of metamorphosis. Meanwhile, instead of listening intently, Savannah flitted around plant to plant acting as though she herself where an aimless butterfly. Was our breath wasted?

To my surprise two weeks later when we were back home again, I overheard her explaining to someone else (I think it was her Daddy) the process of caterpillars turning into butterflies. By George she got it after all!

I can explain things we've read in a book to her. We can later "google" those topics and learn more. We even look everything up on You Tube so she can watch videos about our topic of choice. But nothing seals the deal like seeing it in person. Even when I think she is just having fun but not actually absorbing the experience, much to my delight, I am wrong. Later on, sometime months later, the information she has learned quietly and unsuspectingly slips into conversation. At times she adds inferences of her own that I would never dreamed she could have figured out.

Thus, my passion to travel with children is once again rationalized. The world is our classroom and we hop, fly, or drive from one subject to another then realize that they are all connected. Food, history, culture, science, literature, social studies, are all just one big subjext called Life. Notice I didn't add math in there. I still haven't figured out how that subject is fun!

Thank you Lord. Thank you Lord. Thank you Lord!

Last August I bought Savannah's fall clothes online to simplify things. When school started in September I looked for the chocolate brown converse shoes I bought for her to wear to school. They were missing. In my head I knew I had unpacked everything and I put the shoe box back into the big box that everything was shipped in, and then threw it all out. Immediately I was sick with the thought I had thrown Savannah's new shoes away before she even wore them.

I was so frustrated with myself for doing it that I put off buying another pair. But today, as I was going through all the garage sale stuff in our spare bedroom, there sat the box. I then remembered saving the box to put our junk into for the sale. But instead of utilizing the box for storage it got stacked with the boxes already filled. I shouted, "Thank you Lord. Thank you Lord. Thank you Lord!" as I opened the box and found the missing shoes that had been in my eye sight everyday.

How many other things has God saved for me before my very eyes that I have not seen?

Under Wraps

When I posted my "Simple Woman's Daybook" two weeks ago, I had to be very vague about the upcoming "adventures" I mentioned. The day after I posted that, Savannah and I left town for two weeks and at the end of our "adventure" we surprised my grandmother in Colorado for her 80th birthday. She is a sharp woman and I didn't want her to read my blog and suspect anything. Thus, all plans were under wraps.



Our first leg of the trip was a short jaunt to Dallas where my sister Dawn and her two kiddos were visiting at my mom's. We loaded up the kids and took them to the state fair for a real Texas experience. Savannah was curious about the strangely large man she had heard about called, "Big Tex" and she was anxious to see the giant ferris wheel. Ella on the other hand had no idea what this was all about but as long as Savannah and her Momma said it was going to be fun, she'd come along for the ride.



The first activity we found for the kids was a hands on farm for them to work. They picked fruit and vegetables, feed the animals, harvested wool and eggs, and even milked a cow. Oddly enough, Savannah has been asking to milk a cow for about a year now so this was a big deal to her. The animals were all made with plywood but I don't think the kids cared. At the end they sold all the goods they harvested from the farm for money and then they got to buy a little snack in the play general store.

Just a warning, while we were gone I took 1200 photos. I promise I will not post them all! I'll just give you the highlights.

The petting zoo was good this year. Camels, giraffes, kangaroos, and turtles accompanied the usual goats, deers, donkeys, and lamas. Savannah found the baby kangaroo to be very sweet.

Next up, rides! Ella was a bit apprehensive for her inaugural ride. But I snatched her up quickly into my lap before she could voice concern about the absence of her mother or the safety of this strange machine. The first turn of the ride gave us a jerk and my muscles tighten as I waited for her to begin to cry. But instead I heard Ella bust out in her cutest giggle while Savannah turned around and stated, "This is the best ride ever!"

After that, the kids where good to go on their own. They had no qualms about riding a nascar car by themselves, even if their mother's did!

Do you see my child and my neice hanging on for dear life with their hair in the wind as they race around a track? She and Ella loved every minute of this ride.

Man, they look like big kids these days!

A million dollar in rides, funnel cakes, and giant pretzels (my favorite) later, we were ready to go home (the moms and a Grandma were anyway). It took some convincing to get the kids to believe we were really out of tickets and we had to let someone else have a turn on the rides.

But, as we headed out of the park we spotted one more "must see" exhibit...

Simple Woman's Daybook

For today, Monday, October 20, 2008

Outside my window...bright blue, cloudless skies and crisp fall air.

I am thinking...how good it feels to be back at home again after being gone a day under two weeks. There truly is no place like home.

I am thankful for...an abundance of family and for the gift of spending time with them. Other than God, there is nothing more important in my life than family. Gratefully, I have shared that value with Savannah over the past couple of weeks.

From the kitchen...fresh groceries purchased this morning under great stress. We had nothing in the house so our trip to the store was a mammoth one. Savannah and I will probably whip up some pumpkin bread soon. That should fill the house with aromas of the season.

I am wearing...black yoga pants in hopes of a workout during Savannah's nap.

I am working on...getting unpacked, laundry and cleaning out the attic for our MOPs garage sale fundraiser.

I am going...to take Savannah to dance and then to the chiropractor for a much needed adjustment. I am suppose to be at a Relay For Life meeting tonight but with just getting back into town, I don't see that happening.

I am reading...uh, I'm embarrassed to say. I bought a Family Circle magazine today at the store for the first time. I've never bought a "mom" type magazine. My preffered magazine reading is more along the lines of Food and Wine, In Style, Conde Nast Traveler, and Southern Living. But I was curious. What can I say? Just don't tell anybody,

I am hoping...to get back into the normal swing of things before Savannah and I head back to Colorado next month.

I am hearing...silence. Savannah is now napping however, I am not working out as I had planned.

I am laughing at...the craziness of our day. I was in a sour mood until my husband sent me a sweet text out of the blue that made me smile. He didn't even know what kind of day Savannah and I were having but his timing was perfect.

One of my favorite things is...pictures! I am going through the 1200 pics I took over the past two weeks and preparing them to be uploaded to snapfish.

Around the house...bags are unpacked be we are not quite settled in yet.

A few plans for the week...work a little, clean out the attic and get ready for the garage sale, projects around the house, normal activities. Somewhere in there we'll squeeze in a date night.

A picture thought I am sharing with you...my sister Dawn and I on the way to our family reunion in Centerville a couple of weekends ago. Everyone should be so blessed to have a sister like her.

Simple Woman's Daybook

For today, Monday, October 6, 2008

Outside my window...dark yet peaceful silence. The crickets of last week have apparently moved on.

I am thinking...about all the things discussed in tonight's Sunday School teachers meeting. There is much to think and pray about in regard to where our class is going and how we are going to get there.

I am thankful for...Savannah's gift of communication in spite of the fact she practices this gift non-stop throughout the day. At 3:30 this afternoon she asked, "Momma, are you listening to me?" I replied, "Dear, I lost track about 300 words ago. Sorry honey, but I just can't keep up." There was a slight pause and then the words began to free flow again reflecting every passing thought that enters her head. Whether it is connected to the thought that precedes it or not is irrelevant.

From the kitchen...emptiness. We ventured out to a local eating establishment before our meeting tonight. No dishes, no cooking. It's been a good day.

I am wearing... pajamas. Barefoot. I promise I do get out of my p.j.s. But for some reason p.j.'s are called for when blogging my Simple Woman's Daybook.

I am reading...nothing currently. I will probably start something new tomorrow. I did just finish Dave Ramsey's "Total Money Makeover." Wow was that a good book to pick up! Mark and I have a few new ideas to put into play. We were already doing lots of good things but now we can do them even better.

I am hoping...I never know what to put for this one. Should I hope for world peace? Lower gas prices? Or to just make it through the day without losing my patience with Savannah? Truth be told, I am hoping God will take care of it all.

I am creating...new ideas for our Sunday School class in light of tonight's meeting. And I am still working on that M-O costume.

I am hearing...Mark listening to college football interviews on his computer. I am missing the crickets about right now.

Around the house...things are blooming outside although you really can't tell in the pics from my previous post. However, the grass and some of the flower beds appear to be dried up and tired from the summer. Sometimes when I look at them, I can see them begging for me to put them down for the winter.

One of my favorite things...can I say running again? It really is one of my most favorite things ever. I get anxious when I don't run. My mood darkens and I become edgy. It's as if the extra energy is building up and might explode on some poor unsuspecting soul. I think I am addicted to the endorphins. Maybe I should get some help!

A few plans for the rest of the week...lots of adventures are in the plans! Non-stop adventures! That is, for Savannah and I anyway. Daddy has to stay home and work. First up is the state fair on Wednesday. Those of you who know Savannah will know which part she is most excited about. The snacks! Do you know they are offering a awray of fried food (more than usual) this year? They are frying everything but water! I'm talking jelly beans, bacon (how can you fry it more?), dinner rolls (this is just odd!), green beans (this is just wrong), banana splits, honey buns, and the list goes on. I could easily start a rant right now but so far, my blog is rant free. I almost broke that seal when I saw a commercial from the corn people about High Fructose Corn Syrup, but I refrained. That took an enormous amount of restraint. So, to avoid giving y'all any more amunition to make fun of the dietitian, I must change the subject.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...




These are just a small fraction of the angel trumpet blooms in my backyard right now.

Around the House

Many of you have been asking for pictures of the house since we painted. We have gone from a cold silvery white to a warm and inviting pale yellow. Mark just finished our "tropical nut" front door this weekend. It's a faded shade of red with a little tint of orange to it and I thought the name "tropical nut" fit me well.

And here is the back of the house.

Retro

My day and this post began with 2 inspirations. The first is Rana's picture file on myspace called "Old School," featuring, as you might have guessed, pictures of friends from younger years. The second inspiration was Cari's post about reconnecting with friends from the past on facebook. A light bulb went off and for some reason I thought it would be fun to post some retro pictures of my own.

While Savannah napped I perused albums from childhood and teenage years. It was brutal. I couldn't find anything I wanted to post. You see, I began to go through an awkward stage around the time I was born until about last year. My picture quest turned into a self loathing fest. I don't mind posing for pictures, I just don't want to see them ever again. And might I add that Mandy Baker never went through an awkward stage. I have reviewed the evidence and her hair and clothes are adorable from 1st through 12 grade. How can this be? Just for spite, I have not included her in my picture gallery. Just kidding Mandy, you know I love you. You are not in the pictures below because you missed this church trip.

Note to self: It may be time to review your notes from the contentment bible study last summer. See chapter on contentment with one's self.

1993 HRBC youth choir trip to Disney World

Kelly, Kristen, Eeyore, Rachel, and Myself

We don't keep in touch with Eeyore at all. It's sad.

Breakfast in the condo with Kelly, Rachel, Kristen, and Rana. They gave us the pastries Kelly is holding every morning of that trip.

Did y'all remember that Chris Rice went on that trip? I have a picture of him on the bus sitting next to Paul Mason. I guess he just came along as a shaperone. Gosh he was so cute. I think we all had a crush on him back then.



Below is HRBC Senior Sunday 2001 when we graduated High School.
Just kidding. It was 1997.

Mandy, Jenny, Rachel, Rana, Mandy, myself, and Carly.

We need a current picture! We all look better now. Rachel's hair is short, dark, and trendy now. Rana's hair looks sleek and dark now too. Mandy obviously is still cute as ever. Not long after this picture, I discovered eyebrow waxing which greatly improved my attempt at beauty. And Carly no longer looks like she would rather stick a fork in her eye than stand beside us.

Maybe I will round up the courage to post more haunting pics from the past. I could start retro Wednesdays for some kind of self history appreciation. Oh, that would be scary.