The Female Brain

David Made His Teacher Laugh Out Loud

Today at David's parent/teacher conference she shared a funny essay that David wrote last month. Well, it wasn't suppose to be funny. It was on the serious subject of criminals vs. the law. (they were able to chose whatever they wanted to write about). She said that she stayed after school to grade papers and read through the rough drafts of the essay's. As she read David's she felt it was a bit violent for a school project. The picture he had drawn was of some cops with their guns drawn and aimed at some guy in a car. She continued reading about how the police had to chase the bad guy and then make him get out of the car with his hands up. After they searched him they found out that he had been drinking and driving and also smoking "wheat". (hahahaha)
She said that she laughed so loud that she is sure teachers down the hall heard her. Anyways, she ended up asking him how he came up with this subject idea, knowing that Dustin and I aren't really the "wheat" smoking type. He told her that he saw it on cops and that he thought it was cool. She agreed that it was cool, but probably not appropriate for school, so he ended up doing his essay on Snakes. I think I would have rather read his version of COPS.

Fun at the Spinny Park

The kids asked us to take them to the "spinny park" on Saturday afternoon. Dustin and I had no clue what they were talking about. Grace told us it was on the waterfront downtown Port Orchard...shows you how often we go downtown. The sun was out, we were all finally over the flu bug, so we decided to go and have some fun.

I think sometimes we forget what a beautiful place we live in. The mountains behind the marina looked so beautiful. I tried to capture it with my camera but a photo can't compare to that "in awe" feeling I had as I gazed at His amazing creation. The kids ran off to the park while I stood for a moment and took it all in. Wow.

Well, now we know why the kids called it the "spinny park". Almost everything there spins in one way or another. It was a little crowded but the kids still had a lot of fun.

We took the steps down to the water front so the kids could look for shells and other sea creatures that had washed in with the tide. It was nice to get some fresh air and enjoy each others company.

Kitty vs Printer

...this will make you smile. So cute.

An adorable picture of Hope

I was snapping pictures of David like crazy at his Little League gathering today, so on the way to the car I told Hope to jump up on this post so I could get a picture of her. When I got home and uploaded my pictures I fell in love with it. She is beautiful..inside and out and a constant joy to have around.

Little League Opening Day

Well, it's baseball season once again. We have anticipated this day since it ended last year. For the next few months David will be on the field playing ball with his biggest fan in the bleechers cheering him on. I was able to be at every one of his games last year. I enjoy watching him as he puts his heart and soul into every play. We have noticed a huge difference in his attitude since he started playing baseball in a league. He is learning how to get along with others and that it's okay to make mistakes. His coach this year is awesome with the kids and we couldn't be happier with his new team, the ORIOLES. Dustin is an assistant coach this year and has been out there working with the kids 2 to 3 times a week.

Today was Opening Day, held at John Sedgwick, crowded with 300 Little League players as well as their families, as we brought in the 2009 season.

Monday is David's first game of the season and I will be there rain or shine (or even snow with the weather we have been having, haha).

Doing the happy dance!


GO ORIOLES!!!

It's Lindsey's Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday, dear friend. As I have said before on many occasions... I thank God for bringing you into my life. You have been a constant encouragement to me, a bright spot in my every day life. I hope that you get everything you wish for and more.

Snuggies

Okay, what in the world is the deal with the Snuggie? We saw the commercial on TV about a year ago and couldn’t stop laughing, thinking who in their right mind would spend money on a blanket with arms? Well, people are buying them up like crazy. They have sold millions. Haven’t these people ever heard of a robe? The Snuggie is basically an oversized robe worn backwards which leaves your back exposed. People are actually wearing these blankets in public. I surely hope this doesn't set a pattern for what our clothes will look like in the future.

Look how happy everyone looks in their Snuggies. Awwwwwww.Our favorite part of the commercial is when the family is dressed in Snuggies at an outdoor sporting event. I haven't seen it yet, but I am sure we will see some Snuggie wearers at the Little League games this year, while the rest of us who didn't want to spend the $14.95 will be in our trusty coats and mittens like we have done for many years. You know that I will have my camera ready to capture the monk looking spectators so that we can laugh together. That is, unless you are a Snuggie lover and have one of your own ; )

Winter's Forest by Hopie

My little Hopie brought this painting home from art class yesterday. I fell in love with it immediately. I think she is very talented with the pencil, or paint in this case. We have discussed having my mom give her water-color painting lessons. I think she's ready!

I want to have it framed, but they sent it home folded and now there are creases in it. Does anyone know anything about framing or how to get rid of the fold lines?

"Love and Sorrow Felt by a Sparrow"

A sparrow is injured when she is hit by a car as she swooped low across the road.

Her mate brought her food and attended to her with love and compassion.


He left to get her food again but when he came back she had died. He tried to move her....a rarely seen effort for swallows!



He stood beside her, crying as he realized she was gone.

Finally, aware that she would never return to him, he stood by her with sadness in his eyes.

Sparrows will keep the same mate for their entire lifetime.

...and some people say that animals don't have feelings or emotions.

Ally-ology : )

Tag- You're it!!! Let others know a little more about yourself by re-posting and tagging your friends. Re post note as your name "ology"

1) What is your favorite salad dressing? that oil/vinegarette that comes in the bagged Costco salads

2) What is your favorite sit-down restaurant? The Olive Garden sounds nice right now

3) What food could you eat for 2 weeks straight and not get sick of it? cereal

4) What are your pizza toppings of choice? loaded with everything (except sardines of course)

5) What do you like to put on your toast? don't eat toast much, only butter if I have a slice

6) How many televisions are in your house? 3, but I could live without them!

7) What color is your cell phone? silver

8) Are you right-handed or left-handed? right

9) Have you ever had anything removed from your body? a few teeth, a cyst and a couple of kids

10) What is the last heavy item you lifted? my big booty when I climbed out of bed this morning

11) Have you ever been knocked unconscious? twice that I remember. A bike accident as a little kid and once when my sister Ruth and I were fighting and she knocked over a book shelf that landed on my head! (Don't mess with a red-head)

12) If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die? nope

13) If you could change your name, what would you change it to? ummm.. I wouldn't

14) Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000? definitely! show me the money!

15) How many pairs of flip flops do you own? not sure anymore, but they are small and easy to store : )

16) What’s your goal for the year? lose weight and exercise (which I plan to start any day now)

17) Last person you talked to? Joy...no surprises there

18) Last person you hugged? David, he's been so sick and he actually let me cuddle with him on the couch last night.

19) Favorite Season? Autumn

20) Favorite Holiday? Thanksgiving

21) Favorite day of the week? Saturday

22) Favorite Month? October

23) First place you went this morning? met Joy at Albertsons so we could carpool. She treated me to a yummy Starbucks chai tea : )

24) Do you always answer the phone? nope

25-27)Where'd these questions go? someone didn't want to answer them so they just deleted them. Where's the fun in that???

28) If you could change your eye color what would it be? I have no complaint with the eye color that I have

29) What flavor drink do you get at Sonic? I LOVE Sonic's sweet tea whenever I am in Texas.

30) Have you ever had a pet fish? yes

31) Favorite Christmas song? it's a toss up between, What Child is This and O Holy Night

32) What's on your wish list for your birthday? I already got my present...a ticket to Texas!

33) Can you do push ups? a couple...I think...hehe

34) Can you do a chin up? huh? are you kidding me? ...refer back to question #10..Impossible to lift that weight

35) Does the future make you more nervous or excited? neither, I am just taking it a day at a time

36) Do you have any saved texts? nope

37) Ever loved a dog like its your child? haha...guilty. My doggies are my babies.

38) Do you have an accent? no

39) What is the last song to make you cry? "Not a Day Goes By" Lonestar

40) Plans tonight? American Idol :)

41) Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom? yes...a bad place to be. Ps. 40:2 "He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings." : )

42) Name 3 things you bought yesterday? nothin : (

43) Have you ever been given roses? many times...but not in a LONG time (hint hint)

44) Current hate right now? David being sick

45) Met someone who changed your life? yes, He can change yours too

46) How did you bring in the New Year? spent it at church

47) What song represents you? "Does Jesus Care?"

48) Name three people who might complete this? I think everyone already did this one

49) What were you doing 12 AM last night? trying to sleep

50) What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? I woke up to the cat meowing so I guess my first thought was, What in the world does kitty want?" I found her happily rolling on the floor outside our bedroom door with a dead mouse beside her. She's my hero and she was so proud of herself. Good kitty!

I TAG Lindsey.

Happy Birthday, my Joyness!

Well, today my little sister is turning "thirty...something". I can't believe that we have gotten so old. I am glad that we are both still young at heart and can still have a good time acting like crazy kids. We still talk and giggle to the wee hours of the morning.

We got her a pretty raspberry cake at work on Friday to show her how much we love and appreciate her at the office. Of course, the stinker that I am, I had to light "thirty...something" candles to show how OLD she was. Check out the smoke after she blew out the candles. We had people waving folders at the fire detectors so they wouldn't go off. haha.

Anyway, I love you so much, Joy. I still thank the Lord all the time for letting our paths cross so long ago. (thirty...something years ago). My goodness, it can't get any better than having a sister for a best friend. Some of the best times I have had were with you at my side. The memories are sweet, but having you in my every day life is even sweeter. Have a WONDERFUL day!

SNOW in Mid-March!!

I woke up this morning with a text from my dad who is in Arizona right now, preaching a revival meeting. He sent a picture of the view from his hotel room window. Beautiful sunny landscape...it's suppose to be in the 80's there today. I texted him back saying that it was rainy and windy here...since that is what it was like when I went to bed last night. Then...I looked out the window and immediately sent another text that said, " I take that back. It's dumping SNOW here!" I love the snow, but really, in March? I am ready to see flowers blooming outside my window and wake up to the birds singing in the trees.

Flu, flu go away...don't come back, we want to play.

What a month we have had here at the Renfro house. Grace was the first one to come down with the nasty cold & flu that has been going around. Then it was my turn. There were times I felt like I was in and out of consciousness, dozing off for hours at a time. I missed a week of work as well as several church services. Dustin happened to be in China so it was really tough keeping tabs on the kids, their homework, and meals. We all survived "mommy" being sick, then Dustin got really sick after he got home. He missed a week of work as well, so when Hopie woke up with the crud on Monday neither of us could afford to miss work and stay home with her. THANK GOD FOR GRANDMA! She is such a blessing when it comes to her children and her grandchildren. Countless times she has dropped all of her plans at a moments notice to help us out in a pinch. Thank you, Mom. I love you so much.

Tonight, Dustin and Grace are in Portland for dance competitions while I am here with the younger two. Hopie is finally on the mend, however, David has been sick since Thursday night. They have been so bored being cooped up in the house for so long. Hope suggested that we build a tent for them to sleep in, so that being sick would be more fun. Their smiles were well worth the mess in my living room. By the time I thought to grab my camera, David was already half asleep...again. Poor thing, I know all too well how sick he is feeling.

The Lighthouse

Here's a picture my friend Renea took at Long Beach. As soon as I saw it I thought it would make a fun photoshop project. I added a little paint here and there to enhance what was already a beautiful picture. It reminded me of that old song I use to sing as a little girl.

There's a lighthouse on the hillside

that overlooks life's sea.

When I'm tossed it sends out a light

that I might see.

And the light that shines in darkness now

will safely lead me home,

If it wasn't for the lighthouse,

my ship would sail no more.

Everyone that lives around us,

says tear that old lighthouse down,

The big ships don't sail this way anymore,

ain't no use in it standing round.

But then my mind goes back to that stormy night,

when just in time I saw the light

With the light from that old lighthouse,

that stands there on the hill.

And I thank God for The Lighthouse,

I owe my life to Him.

Jesus is The Lighthouse

and from the rocks of sin,

He has shown the light around me,

so that I might clearly see.

If it wasn't for The Lighthouse,

Where would this ship be?