One more day to win...

This is the last day to put your name in the book drawing. I'll draw tomorrow. :) (Just a friendly reminder.)

DANA NICHOLS AND GINA - WINNERS OF MY LAST DRAWING - PLEASE EMAIL ME YOUR ADDRESSES!! I WANT TO SEND YOU THIS STUFF!!

I've been keeping so busy this week, but I've mostly been sitting here at the computer making my way through the nuts and bolts of writing this book. I am soooo close to being done (Dare I imagine finishing EARLY??) - but my back sure is paying the price for it. I tense up when I sit here, so all through my neck and back is shooting pain. Lovely. The mattress isn't helping either. My chiropractor said mattresses last about 7-10 years. We're right in the middle of that... and the thought of spending money on a mattress isn't appealing, but it might be necessity.

This has made me so sad. I remember years ago, sitting in the newsroom at the paper I was working for when the news about Columbine hit. We all stopped what we were doing and sat, glued to the television for the rest of the day. Completely in awe that something so gruesome - so sad - had really happened. It seems since then there's been a school shooting - maybe two - every year. This one hit really close to home.

I imagine myself sitting in Bradley Hall, listening to a professor drone on about Economics or Western Civ - one of those classes we all had to take to graduate. Never once in my time at Bradley did I worry about being shot while attending classes. It had never crossed my mind. The only things that worried me back then was whether or not my group in Communications 103 would consist of people I liked or I'd end up with people who refused to work.

I cannot stand that this kind of fear can grip our society in this kind of way. It's not fair that we, as parents, can't send our kids off to school without saying knuckle-whitening prayers every morning for their safety. I understand there have always been risks, but we're talking about senseless violence - out of everyone's control - and there's no way to stop it.

I'm so sad for the families involved in this shooting - especially for the parents of the gunman. So often it seems these parents are good, loving people - at least that's how it seems. Of course, I suppose you never really know.

I don't mean to be depressing this morning, I guess it just took me back - I never thought I'd refer to my college years as 'simpler times,' but they really were... even 10 years ago - simpler.

Anyway, we spent the better part of Wednesday making Valentine's. I made all the pieces and let Sophia cut and glue.

We had a lot of fun making them. The pencils were furry. lol Gotta love a furry pencil. Sophia picked just the right color for each classmate. I noticed the boys all got stuck with green or yellow. Not the most attractive colors in the mix.

This week, Adam called for a fast in our house. I was so glad when he came downstairs last Friday and said he felt like God really wanted us to give up video games. That meant computer games, the WII, the Leapsters - everything. This was especially important for Ethan, who, I've realized could easily become addicted. Maybe it was Sophia's dream that the Wii turned into a tornado and sucked her in that made Adam realize it was getting a little out of hand. This week has been awesome.

Ethan has rediscovered his cars, his trains and his Legos. I love hearing, "Hey Mom! Look what I built" so much more than "Hey, that guy just killed me and now I gotta start over."

Not sure what's going on with his expression there - or the pink tint to the photo, but such is life.

Tonight we are babysitting children so our church parents can go out on dates. I think it's going to be fun - we just need to go shopping and make sure we've got all of our bases covered. I'll likely leave a little early just to get the kids to bed - staying up til 10 isn't really an option around here, but I am thinking it'll be a good time. We're going to watch Underdog the last two hours to hopefully get the kids to wind down before they go home. We'll see how that goes over.

Okay, off to start my day. Sam is starting to stir - and oh, just an update... he has been sleeping in his crib! A friend of mine gave me a swaddling blanket, and while it bears a remarkable resemblance to a straight jacket, Sam loves this thing, and it almost seems like the car seat is getting uncomfortable. I am so happy. Yesterday he took a two hour nap in his crib!

So, we're off! Have a great weekend! :) 

Comments

[Carrie]

I just wanted to say that your valentines are ridiculous, I mean who does that???? Don't talk about how busy you are, you do it to yourself when you make things like that. You know there is no buying valentines now, do you know what you have started??? And I never got any chocolate! I love you, you are crazy

[Miranda Ables]

Love what you are doing with the video games. We did something similar with the TV. Isn't it wonderful when we obey God (even the little things), and we come out completely blessed??!!

Your valentines are so cute!! I can't wait to that with my little girl next year!!

Miranda Ables