what we are reading

I just finished reading  The Help and loved it!  My friend Ellie and I went to the movie which was very good but as always the book was better than the movie.  Wow it makes me think about a lot of things.  I am young enough that I have never seen separate bathrooms and drinking fountains for blacks and whites.  I admired Skeeters character and the bravery that was displayed by all the women who told their stories.  Did you read The Help?  What did you think?
The kids and I have been reading Shel Silverstein Where the Sidewalk Ends and we have been giggling like crazy.  We are also reading some Eye Witness books from the library about Mammals and Butterflies.  What have you been reading with your kids lately?

Wedding part 1

Bill's daughter Alexandra married Scott Schuler on August 20th so we went to Indiana for the festivities.  Bill's oldest daughter Laura and her friends helped with the decorations and the reception (at Laura's house)
Simple but very pretty decorations at the church

(flowers were all from friend's yards)

Marcus, Bill, Ryder and Christopher

(Bill's big boys and grandson)

Christopher and his girlfriend Lindsey

Bill and Griffin

Both Lindsey's, aren't they cute!

(Marcus' wife and Christopher's girlfriend)

All the girls, plus Ryder

the dresses were a dark blue- my pictures did not turn out the greatest in the church

Alex and Laura (Bill's big girls)

Alex and Bill

The wedding was beautiful (I actually missed most of it because I had to take Griffin out but what I saw was lovely)

I will share reception pictures soon.

Hurricane Irene Update

Category 1 when it hit the shores of NC, we are getting super high winds and our yard is a mess with limbs and leaves but so far that is all the damage.  We are so thankful.  Things are not nearly as bad as they prepared for so we are blessed!

Yes, hurricane Irene is on her way.  Lots of evacuations and preparations under way.  Right now it looks like it will be a category 4 hurricane.  We should be fine, just wind and rain.  One of my best friends lives on the coast so I am hoping their home is safe.  We may have some company this weekend.  Pray for those preparing that they get out safely. 

IWU and Memory Lane

We were in Indiana last weekend and I took the kids to visit IWU, the university I attended for 4 years.  It was a walk down memory lane yet so much has changed since I left 9 years ago (more than 9 new buildings).

Jackson Library -I believe this was finished before I graduated but I remember studying in the old library

Burns Science Hall- I spent SO MUCH time here since I was a biology major

Shatford House is an all freshman dorm except for the resident director and resident assistants.  I actually lived here two years because my sophomore year I was the resident chaplain.  Being a Shatford sister was an honor and we had so much fun.

The Williams Prayer Chapel which was finished my last year of school and was donated to the school by Wilbur and Ardelia Williams.  I had Dr. Williams for Old Testament and he was an amazing teacher and mentor.  Professor Ardelia created all of the stain glass windows.

I have a picture of myself in front of the chapel when I graduated but I do not remember spending any time in the chapel, I am not sure if this is because it wasn't done until the end of my fourth year or if it was because I lived on the other side of campus and was busy with school and work and did not make time to stop and visit.

The IWU campus is amazing and always immaculate.  These hanging baskets are so huge and beautiful.

Inside the Student center- which was expanded right about the time I was graduating

coffee bar and fire place

new area outside the renovated Wild Cat Express

student center mall, complete with theatre, art gallery and restaurants- pizza, subs

hammick outside dorms- we had so much fun

Sydney was pretending it was a cacoon and then she hatched into a butterfly and flew around the yard

bells on outside of new Chapel Auditorium

chapel- this is new since I graduated, we used to have chapel in the Phillippe Performing Arts Center (picture below) three days a week

I lived in one of these apartments my senior year- this is where I was on 9/11 getting ready for chapel

I lived in one other dorm that I did not get a picture of this trip.  I had one stroller and the kids were taking turns walking and they were tired so we needed to end the visit.  IWU was a wonderful experience, both in terms of my education and also my emotional and spiritual growth. 

Sydney enjoyed seeing where mommy went to school for undergrad and Griffin had fun running around.

Good Will finds

We took some clothes to Good Will a few weeks ago to donate and then we found a few deals.

Sydney still loves skirts and I love skirts or pants that can go with any top. 

This jean skirt was a 6T but did not fall off her hips so we bought it for 1.75

We also found 2 pairs of 2T jeans for Griffin 1.75 each.  One pair had an adjustable waist so they will stay up and the other pair fit nicely.

Frog and rainbow pjs for Syd for 2.50- small stain on top but I think I can get it out

I plan to go back to Good Will and shop more when then kids are not with me because they were running all over and it was hard to sort through the clothes.

Sydney and I need to have another fashion show and try on all the pants from last year to see if any of them will work for this fall.

Have you found any deals lately?

Theme Song

This is my theme song lately.  I know a few different people have recorded it including Jeremy Camp and also Fernando Ortega.  I want to continue to focus on what truly matters and I know that this world and all it troubles are so brief in the scheme of eternity.  Here are the lyrics to "Give Me Jesus"

In the morning, when I rise

In the morning, when I rise

In the morning, when I rise, give me Jesus

Give me Jesus,

Give me Jesus,

You can have all this world,

But give me Jesus

When I am alone

When I am alone

When I am alone, give me Jesus

Give me Jesus,

Give me Jesus,

You can have all this world,

But give me Jesus

When I come to die

When I come to die

When I come to die, give me Jesus

Give me Jesus,

Give me Jesus,

You can have all this world,

You can have all this world,

You can have all this world,

But give me Jesus

inspiring

"....there's the real danger of overlooking a very important day...today... For this is the place and time for living.  Let us live each day abundantly and beautifully while it is here. "  Esther Baldin York