Just Some Tid Bits

Here are some funny little happenings from today that I thought were worth sharing. I will tell them in order of how they happened.

First, while I was on the phone with a friend, I saw Echo inconspicuously walk into the kitchen with his pants and underwear around his ankles. If you are asking how anyone can manage to do that in any way but a conspicuous manner, my reply would be, you just have to know my son. When a few seconds later, I heard what sounded like water trickling into some sort of container. I decided to investigate the situation, only to find my sweet little man peeing into a drinking glass. He left the kitchen heading for the bathroom with his urine, which I assumed would be dumped into it's proper receptacle. However, later I learned from John that he had handed it to John. And John thinking it was water went to take a sip. Echo yelled "NO DAD!! It's pee!!"

At some point today I was having a conversation with Blaze about calories, and how they keep you alive. And I mentioned that I burn a lot of calories at Zumba, and I haven't been consuming enough. About an hour later, she asks me, "Does milk have calories in it?" and I responded that it does. And she brings me a glass of milk and says "Here mom, drink this." She is such a sweet sensitive spirit, and I love that about her. But she can also be a bit of a worrier. I have to be careful what I say to her. A few hours later I found her almost in tears in the playroom stressing about a cartoon that just revealed to her that watching TV will ruin your eyes. With some reassurance she is feeling much better now.

Lock has been walking around all day uttering, yelling, screeching, whining, or just casually saying his newest phrase, "NO WAY!" It's especially cute when he pairs it with what he now calls me, "No Way Honey!" He had a great time making "mud pies" today with Shade and Echo. The only problem was, as their water boy, he would come in the house to refill his muddy filthy cup, take several large gulps and head out the door to bring his siblings the rest. Can you say probiotics??

Shade just announced that she had to go to the bathroom. So she picked up the dog and started heading towards said direction. When I questioned her about what part the dog was playing in her trip to the loo. She simply said "He likes to come with me." She is quite the mystery that one.

So although I have been mostly bedridden with strep throat for a couple of days, I haven't been bored!!

This is just a little something Echo built me today. I was resting on the couch and he says "Mom, come and see this!" I was so amazed I had to take a picture. Notice the bowl of balls as the "finishing touch".

Zumba!!!!!!!

One of the many reasons I believe God had us move here to AZ, was to have the fitness director at our community center convince me to become a certified Zumba instructor. This whole experience has enriched my life in so many ways. Zumba is great exercise, a wonderful creative outlet, a place to make friends, and uses two of my favorite forms of art- music and dancing. I have learned the rhythms of salsa, meringue, cumbia and reggaeton. I have also learned some African, hip hop, belly dancing, bollywood, and bhangra. I am so grateful to have found a passion that brings so many positive aspects to my life. I also get to inspire others to creatively express themselves, while at the same time they have fun, shed the stresses of life, and a few pounds to boot!! And as many of you know, I love fashion, and the fun clothes I get to wear is certainly a great big plus!

These are photos of me and my two "zumba pals" Carisa, and Rachel. We went to a Phoenix Suns game and did a master class together during half-time. We weren't the show or anything, so they really missed out!! :) I think the class would've went much better, except I had a beer, polish sausage, and giant cookie shake goin on in my belly!! UUGGGHHH!!! Friends don't let friends eat and zumba....

One of us is booty and the other is poppin'. From the looks of everyone else, I think I was doing opposite of what I was supposed to. But hey, look at those muscles... I was committed!!

To Blog or Not to Blog... Is this a title I used before??

I never make the time anymore to sit down and do something I deeply love, write down my thoughts. I'm so very thankful for the many many journals I have filled full of poetry, stories, and thoughts of all kinds. I love the feeling of nostalgia. I love remembering. So why haven't I been writing more? Well, for one, by the time I can sit down and write I am dog tired. All I want to do is snuggle up to John on the couch, watch trashy t.v. and eat forbidden foods!! For another, where many words are present, sin is also. I love the proverb that says something like: even a fool is thought to be wise as long as he doesn't open his mouth. So many people blogging about what they think about this or that thing. Sometimes not even thinking about how their words can be affecting another. I know I have stuck my mouse in my mouth a few times in cyberspace!! And last, I just haven't really felt like I had anything to say. I have felt much like this desert place that I am living. Thirsty, dry, barren, and empty. Of course if you look closely there is much beauty here. And I haven't felt much like looking closely... at anything.

I think another experience I am having right now would be something of a limbo of sorts. We are moving again. This time to the other side of the U.S. We have pulled ourselves and our children out of almost all of our activities, packed up many of our possessions, withheld ourselves from committing to serving at church, and are barely doing a full day of school. I am going down to only three days of teaching zumba, to make the transition easier at the community center. And I feel a distance already with some of the friends that I have made here. All of this must, in some way, serve to protect ourselves from the pain of saying goodbye. But at the same time, we are missing out on so much life! I obviously can't sign the girls up for any dance classes, piano lessons, or choirs, but we can serve at church, spend our last days with dear friends, and be totally present to this day that the Lord has gifted us with.

That's my story... and I may or may not stick to it.