Baby, you're a star

Apparently my Becka was a big hit, along with her co-stars at the Liberty U Coffeehouse, a huge talent show with an audience of several thousand. She was Doreen in a Stuart skit. For those who don't know, Doreen and Stuart are a dysfunctional mom and little boy from MadTV. Doreen is stuck in the 80's and has a Wisconsin accent. Stuart, age 7, but always played by a 6'2" man, says things like, "I peed a little!" when he gets nervous or excited, or, "I'm in my dark place" when he's sad/angry. Doreen says things like, "He's just a helpless little boy - he couldn't find his way out of a paper bag!" She'll also explain, "Stuart is special, it takes looooove and paaaaatience.... and - because Staurt has been saying, 'Mama? Mama? Mama?" the whole time she's talking - (shouts) What is it, Stuart!?"

I wish I had been there for the skit. Sadly, there is no youtube of it, but I did get some pics of facebook... (she's the one with the microphone) The last one has Jerry Falwell Jr in it. He likes these skits so much they made a little role for him.

Another 100%

I got my critique back, and I got 100% on it! This was the paper I didn't like at all. My prof said it was a "model critique," and wants to use it in future classes! My whole family is cheering me tonight. :)

Hello Cello!

I picked up a full size cello for myself yesterday. I'll rent it for a while and see how I do. It's brand new, an Eastman. This is one of Noah's teacher's favorite makers. Now I know why. I tightened up my bow and made that cello ring! I can play all the Twinkles, Hot Cross Buns, Scotland's Burning, and a couple different scales.

Noah taught me the anchor points today. We also played rounds of Scotland's Burning. I still have to catch up to him, though. He left me in the dust months ago, when I tired of playing his little cello. It's much easier to play this one. I'm piggy-backing on Noah's suzuki lessons, something I've heard many suzuki moms do. Noah's teacher is excited for me. I hope I can master it. I've practiced four times today. I have to stop after 10 minutes, as my arm and thumb muscles (on my bowing arm/hand) ache. After an hour, I can get back to it.

Between practicing, I managed to complete my commentary outline for my class. The trend I'm commenting on is micro-chipping, of clothes, appliances, and even people's arms! It's very interesting, and frightening. One can really see the image of the Beast in all this...

My sister, Gayle, scanned a bunch of our old family photos. I got a kick out of looking at them.

Here I am after my baptism, with my parents, and my sisters, Wendy and Gayle. 1967

Here's my mom with my brother, Steve, and me. We were born 14 months apart. I was still bigger than him then. Now he towers above me at 6'2".

At my Aunt Gerry's house, 1969.

An eccentric group... back, L-R: my sisters, Gayle and Wendy and my Aunt Ginger

front, L-R: my Uncle Billy, me, and my brother, Steve ~1972~

We were swimming at my Uncle Bob's house. I remember it yet.

He came from afar...

Sarah has a boyfriend, and he's tall, dark, and handsome... His name is Praveen, and he's originally from India. He now lives and works a few states away as an engineer, and has been a Christian for 18 months. He's been growing much in the Lord, and especially likes the works of C.S. Lewis and Ravi Zacharias.

Sarah met Praveen on Christianmingle.com. She was drawn to his being Indian; he to the part of her profile that said she liked to bake. ;) After a month of talking on the phone with Sarah, he flew in to meet all of us. David and I were very impressed with him. Sarah is besotted with him, lol! His English is very good, but happily, he still has a strong Indian accent. Time will tell what comes of all this. Praveen is the first guy Sarah's dated who really clicked with her. They seem to have everything in common, and a very similar world view. They are both somewhat business-like, and addressed a lot of the usual specifics early on. Phone/mail relationships are like this, as there is nothing to do but talk. Usual dating involves activities like bowling or seeing movies, and this leaves less time for talking. So they have probably compressed three months of talk into one. I've been told all this by two other gals who went through the same kind of "dating." One was my sister, who is still happily married to her long-distance guy, for 10 years now.

It's really interesting to see their phyical contrast. I've always thought Indian people were very attractive and interesting. They are the most gracious people I've constistantly ever met. As Sarah has always been fascinated with very different cultures, I think she would do better than most assimilating to one. This is why I am not too concerned with the obvious culture clashes that will occur. I think she'll take this in stride. She is open to living here or in India, if something does come of this...

I'm very happy for Sarah. Praveen's a really nice guy.

boundaries

I have been setting boundaries over the last few days, and while it is somewhat anxiety-producing, it is also needful. I can take people's insulting comments well enough, but when they attack my children, Mother Bear comes out. Not good.

Irish thoughts...

It's St. Patrick's Day, and this always reminds me that I'm part Irish. My Grandpa Casey gave me my Irish roots. Sadly, I don't remember him, as he died when I was two. I know that he met me, and that is some consolation. My son, Josh, looks somewhat like him. Also, Josh, like Grandpa, is quite clever.

Grandpa's family hailed from County Mayo, off to the the left, on the coast. Perhaps this has something to do with my love of mayonaisse ;) and of the shore. I also love to make up stories. I do not like the sound of bagpipes, but my red-haired daughter, Sarah, does. By their looks, my kids would all blend into Ireland. I am told that more than any other culture, I look Irish.

My sister, Wendy, took my girls to Ireland when they were 9 and 11. They had a good time, exploring old castles, trail-riding, playing on the smooth boulders on the shores, and seeing the sheer cliffs. They even stayed overnight in a castle. The girls came home with a ton a pictures, Irish lace, wool blankets, and delicate teapots, creamers, and sugar bowls, all courtesy of Aunt Wendy, meant for their trousseaus. The girls picked out everything. Sarah's teapot is from Donegal china, made from Ireland's own clay, and so delicate that you can see through it if it's held up to the sun. I am just amazed that my sister somehow carried those tea sets back without them breaking. They are now in storage, along with other housewares, awaiting their housekeeping days. I know my girls will always be grateful to their Aunt Wendy for this amazing experience.

Today is a special day for another reason. On this day, 24 years ago, I woke up for the first time next to my new husband, David. I remember the feeling so well. It was a fresh happy feeling as I looked at the shiny wedding band on my finger. I kissed David awake, and we were soon off to a breakfast buffet in the hotel. This is before I drank coffee. That is funny to me, as coffee is now such a regular part of my morning. ( I started drinking it, half a cup a day, while pregnant with Rebekah, for headaches I got from the pregnancy.) I can't believe we're been married for 24 years. How they flew! I'm so thankful for the good husband I have.

Spring has sprung

I just got back from a walk with Noah. He rode his new scooter and got lots of exercise. As we walked/scootered, I was delighted to see all the crocuses popping up. Yellow, purple, white, all happily announcing the arrival of spring. Yay!

Sarah is rather besotted with a young man, an engineer from the midwest. He is Indian, which is no surprise. Sarah has long been fascinated with the Indian (not American) culture. She even does mehndi, henna skin-dyeing. We're all going to meet him this weekend. He sounds like a really nice guy, and best of all, he likes science and fantasy fiction. This is right down Sarah's alley...

Rebekah has been at Coco Beach all week, and is now in a noisy crowded car heading back to college. I am happy to say she didn't burn, as she was covered with 45 spf all week. Good girl.

Introduction for blog party

Hello, My name is Jill and I am really looking forward to meeting other like-minded gals through this link "party."

I am a Bible-believing Christian, having accepted Christ when I was nine years old because I learned that without Him, I was going to Hell. I used to be afraid to admit this, as many of my peers talked about being saved because they desired the peace and/or friendship of God. My reason, escape from the flames of Hell, seemed so base and self-serving. Now I realize that fear of Hell is reason enough to look to my Savior, the only One Who can cover my sins, and deliver me from eternal torment. Peace, grace, and friendship with God are fringe benefits.

I've run the gantlet of Christian denominations. I was raised Catholic until age 10. Following that, my mom took us to a Pentacostal church. Eventually, my husband and I attended Assembly of God churches, as well as non-denom charistmatic churches. We had a 3-year stint in a Messianic body, which was very interesting, and fun. But they did not use the KJV. Use of the KJV became our priority, and that's how we ended up in an independent Baptist church, where we've remained for 14 years.

I've been married to David, my high school sweet heart, for 24 years. He's an engineer and is especially interested in creationism. I'm a homemaker, and am especially interested in five particular creations: our five children, ages 23 down to 6. They are a continual source of delight for David and me. They have been home-, private-, and public-schooled. Three are now in college, one is in 10th grade, and the last is a first-grader.

I am a stay-at-home-mom, though I have worked part-time outside of the home a few times through the years. I don't like working outside of the home, as I just don't have enough time for the extra little things, like one more story, or lingering at bedtime to answer a little one's questions about God. (Why do they always wait until you and they are tired to ask, "How big is heaven... exactly?")

My hobbies? Well, I would like to have some, and I think about that as I taxi the kids about, load the dishwasher, or scrub a toilet. I used to think I was a scrapbooker, but I only did one, our wedding album, and I really haven't done anything since. I like to take snapshots, and organize them. I also enjoy zoos, my favorite animal being the giraffe. I also enjoy writing, and have kept a journal since I was 15. Well, now, I've come up with a few hobbies/interests. Oops - I left out one interest - Danny Kaye. Yep, call me weird, but the man was a performing genius. He was the Jim Carrey of his day, and then some.

What else can I say about myself? I really liked, OK - loved - the movies, Pride and Prejudice (with Colin Firth) and Sense and Sensability (with Emma Thompson). I am very fond of the the book Jane Eyre. I also enjoyed two books recently, by Lisa See, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan and Peony in Love.

I adore babies, and often feel a deep sadness that I can have no more. (hysterectomy, age 40) Still, grandchilren will fill that void...

I hope to make lots of new friends and enjoy the different flavors of other large Christian families out there. (No, I am not a cannibal - you know what I mean ;)

busy, busy

Seems every day has new demands. I don't have much time to post, so I'll be concise.

Rebekah's play was well cast, and well done. In the role of Elizabeth "Goody" Proctor, she had half the audience in tears. She and her "husband," John Proctor (in the pic) received a standing ovation. I was so proud! Here's a pic -












I got 100% on my case study, Hiding from the White Coats: Mental Health Care in the Post War Years. I just about floated to my car after getting it back. Now I'm working on a critique. Unlike the case study, I've not enjoyed doing the critique. I'm just looking forward to handing it in this week. I hope for a C+.

Noah has a big recital coming up. He has learned three new songs: Go Tell Aunt Rhody, Allegro, and Sakura. Also, he's learned to play Twinkle in the A string.

My father-in-law gave me an evaluation the other day. He said I was "compassionate," and had a "gift for exhortation" and something else, but I can't remember... Anyway, I was very touched.

Seven fire engines flew by our neighborhood this morning. I've watched the local news, off and on, but still haven't learned the cause. After the 4th one went by, I started praying for anyone who may by injured.*

*I found out the next day that it was an electrical fire in a nearby house. The house was just a few feet away from the homes next door, thus the call for so much backup. One man got 2nd degree burns on his face and arms, and is in the hospital. I thank God for sparing his life, and that he didn't get 3rd degree burns. I will continue to pray for his full recovery, and most of all, that he will think about eternity and whether or not he is prepared to die... and that God will draw him to Himself, through His Son, Jesus. Also, I'm so grateful for firefighters, paid and volunteer.