Tickling the ivories

While I was downloading my FLIP from the weekend, I came across these.  This is just me showing off my kids and being a proud mom.  I love tagging along in what my kids do.  There are so blessed.

All Great Racers come to Indy

That's what the sign said anyway...

We spent a wonderful weekend in Indy at the Long Course State Swim meet.  August swam like a fish, as usual and had a good weekend.

She swam in the IUPUI Natatorium, which is a pretty cool place.  There is a lot of history with great swimmers having competed there.

doing some warm ups

practicing some starts for the back stroke

Standing on the podium after getting her 5th place in the 50 Back stroke

The BEST swim coach!!!

This is somebody who has done something in swimming handing out the medals.  We just didn't know who.

There is a lot of swimming packed into the weekend. August had to qualify for the finals in the morning and then return in the evening to swim in the finals.  That's ok, though.  She was doing what she loves to do.  We were able to have dinner and get to know the other swim families a little better throughout the weekend.  It really was a great weekend.

August competed very well.  She finished 5th in the 50 back, 8th in the 100 back, 13th in the 50 breast, 13th in the 100 breast, and 14th in the 200IM.  We are so very proud of her.  She's an amazing young lady and we can't wait to see where God takes her with this amazing talent He has given her.

Here's a video of the 50 back  prelim race.  I need to learn to be quiet when I record.  I really don't like hearing my voice on here so, please, focus on August racing...she's in lane 5.



Teaching our kids to pray

I have been blessed to pray with little ones for a long time.  My own little ones and also little ones from church.  I have felt that it is important to teach them to give their all when they pray.  What does that mean?  Let me explain..

Do you know how squirmy and unfocused a little one can be?  One minute they are on their chair and the next minute they are attempting to climb a wall!  We all need to give our full attention and learn to be respectful when we pray.  I recently heard it explained in a way that I thought was a PERFECT way to teach children to pray.

*WHY DO WE FOLD OUR HANDS WHEN WE PRAY? OUT OF RESPECT FOR OUR FRIENDS.  It is hard to stay focused when we are trying to punch our friend or waving our hands in the air. If our hands are folded in front of us, they are not going to distract our friends.

*WHY DO WE CLOSE OUR EYES WHEN WE PRAY?  OUT OF RESPECT FOR OURSELVES. When our eyes are closed we are not looking around to see what our friends are doing and we can focus on our talk with God. 

*WHY DO WE BOW OUR HEADS WHEN WE PRAY? OUT OF RESPECT FOR GOD. God deserves us to bow before Him.  We are showing respect and love when we bow our heads to talk to God.

  

It is time...

These are my new accessories.  Nice, huh? Not really but I'm learning they are necessary.  About 15 years ago, I had reconstruction surgery on my ACL.  Recently I was running on a treadmill that I had FINALLY talked my husband into buying for me and I re injured my knee.  I think it's the ACL again and I go for an MRI this week to see. 

I have been...ah let's just call it...stubborn for the last week.  Trying to continue to do what I normally do.  That's just not possible without being in a great deal of pain.  Soooo it is time to let others help me.

My husband cancelled his trip for work this week so he can help me.  He's a great guy & I sure do love him.  He offered to do all of the things I normally do in order to help me rest my knee.  Instead of trying to be super-woman, I am going to humbly accept his offer.  This is hard for me to do.  I feel bad for him having to work all day AND come home and do all things at home too.  He knows I'm in pain and he wants to help. Did I mention that I love him?

A neighbor offered her help if I need anything.  I asked her to watch Rori while I get my MRI.  Not only is she doing that, she's also making dinner for us that night.  I'm so thankful for friends.

I have been walking on my knee without crutches and yesterday put the ask out on facebook to borrow a pair of crutches.  My daughter's friend (along with many others) offered a pair she had at her house.  I'm thankful for my daughter's awesome friends.

It's great to be a person who enjoys doing stuff for others (like me).  It's humbling to be on the receiving end.  I'm surrounded by awesome people and I am SO THANKFUL for them.  





The stage loves her...and so do we!

Some videos of Rori that are soo cute

Our Valentines project

If you don't know what Pinterest is, I'm torn to recommend it to you.  It is a WONDERFUL site.  I get a lot of recipes, how to ideas, craft ideas, home decorating ideas from it.  This site pretty much makes magazines a thing of the past.  Then why do I have a hard time recommending it to you??? Because it's ADDICTING!!!


But yet helpful at the same time..

I got this idea from Pinterest www.pinterest.com for Reagan's valentines for her class this year. 

Since we got these for a Christmas gift

I knew this was the right craft for us.

start with the template.  Sorry this is side ways...

Red foam paper

brown foam paper

black Sharpie for tracing

trace the lips onto the red foam paper

trace the mustache's on the brown foam paper

cut them out

after they are cut out

Insert the lollipop into foam paper.  This is super easy to do.

Good thing her lips are smiling cause she's sure not

Super easy and super unique!  There wasn't another like it in her bag!!!



Just another post about toilet paper

As you may know, I have a pet peeve about toilet paper.  Not the paper itself, but how NO ONE in my house seems to know how to replace it when it is empty.  I have blogged a few times about it.   My friend posted this picture on my facebook wall and I got quite the chuckle out of it. 

I fall in the first box.  After reading this, however, I am considering changing to the 2nd box.