Amelia-palooza Day 1

Tom and I picked up Amelia at 11am today. We are going to have her until Saturday. I know that Andy and Kelly will miss her, but we are looking forward to having a lot of fun.

Amelia eating a snack and watching a cartoon with Papa before naptime

"It's not time yet for my nap, I still have some snack left."

"I am getting a little tired"

putting on sunscreen before we swim

"I'm not sure I want to swim Papa"

"I like the water, but the sun is hurting my eyes"

suppertime

a little help from Papa

Not sure who is chasing whom

run Cocoa run

unknown flower before Amelia picks for Mimi

no, this isn't time out, Amelia is just taking a rest

jammies on and watching Dora

another snack

"Blanket, check; pacifier, check; a little music, check; yeah I'm ready to sleep"

"Night Papa"

"Goodnight Amelia!"

watch your words

Proverbs 12:18 Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

James 1:19 ....Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.

Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Don't you just hate it when the Bible gets personal?!! Today's "Jesus Calling" devotional is about watching what we say. That

our words have the ability to bless or to wound. Often it's not the words that I use that are bad, the problem comes with how I say things... just a bit of sarcasm and possibly a little eye rolling thrown in. I hate that I do that. It is not attractive in a teenager--it is down right ugly in a fifty three year old! Something to remember this week to work on.

One thousand gifts:

#33 "homemade" meatloaf from Cracker Barrel

#34 papa swimming with Amelia

the weekend

Yes, I know that it is already Tuesday, but I am going to write about last weekend. I finally got to Champaign-Urbana-Mahomet... or as I usually write C-U-M. I had planned to drive to Illinois much more often than I have. I really miss everyone, but especially in this heat, I just want to stay at home. Last weekend I didn't really have a choice. I needed to be there.

On Saturday, we celebrated Brooke's 2nd birthday. We met at Jupiters for pizza and cake. Luke and Rachel had obviously been working with Brooke on blowing out candles, but they must have forgotten to tell her she was to wait until the end of our singing "Happy Birthday!" We had just gotten out "Happy Birthday to you" and whoosh Brooke blew out the candle. There wasn't even time to get a good picture of her, the cake, and the lit candle! We all just laughed, re-lit the candle, held Brooke back, took photos, and then let her blow out her candle again.

When I wrote "We...took photos" I was using that term for the general crowd. I made sure to pack my camera so that I could get some good pictures to share, but forgot to check on the battery. I left it at home, being recharged. I am just not very good at this taking pictures thing.

I had planned to spend the night with my mom, but she had made plans to go out with her friends to listen to one of their favorite bands... now I ask you, isn't there something wrong with that whole picture?!! It worked out just fine, I asked my dad if it was OK if I stayed at his house and luckily his Saturday night wasn't booked.

On Sunday, Patty and I had a bridal shower for Rachel. Again, no battery=no pictures. Kelly, Andy, and Amelia drove over that morning so that Kelly and Amelia could be at the shower. There were several women that couldn't make it, but I think Rachel appreciated the shower and was pleased with her gifts. That's all that really counts.

One thousand gifts

#22 sweet time of prayer on my drive to Illinois

#23 the voices of Michael Buble', Josh Grobin, and George Beverly Shay

#25 a too short visit with Autie

#26 loving and being loved by family

#27 the stories and laughter of Steve