Today is a rather out-of-the-ordinary Lord's Day for us. The boys and men of our church have been on a campout at a nearby lake, and this morning we females are driving up to crash the party join them for Sunday worship and dinner. Naturally it will be a much more casual and informal feel than our regular Sunday services, but we're looking forward to the outdoor surroundings and the fresh air. I've got baked beans in the oven ready to add to what will surely be a terrific picnic lunch...

I'm one of those people, rather annoying to true enthusiasts, who tends to be a rabid fan of horse racing...three times a year. Until the first Saturday in May I probably couldn't tell you who's running in the Derby, but hey, I actually know the NAMES of the next two races, and that's more than...well, more than...well, more than a few a people who don't, right? Anyway, I was sad to have to miss the race yesterday but I have enjoyed reading the widespread interest in Bloggityville and following the faves through the posts around "town." Hurray for Street Sense, and maybe we'll have a Triple Crown this year!

The girls took their SAT's yesterday, Bethany for the fourth time and Shelley for the first. Bethany was rather nonchalant about it, even though it's her last time...Shelley, on the other hand, came out saying, "It wasn't as fun as our regular standardized testing." "Fun?" I said. "Well, you know, when we take the regular ones down at FEAST we know people and we have time to talk in between, and..." It's SO Shelley, to turn the Stanford Achievement into a social event :-)

The Papa brought us great shirts from Australia, as well as a few other souvenirs. He had a good trip business-wise, but struggled with feeling bad pretty much the whole time. I told him this means he has to go back so he can experience it all at a time that he's feeling better...he disagrees. The lack of phone contact pretty much does him in. I should be thankful for that, right?

I didn't get all the stuff done I'd planned for while he was gone. I totally underestimated the amount of time I'd spend picking up all the driving he normally does! I felt like I should just hang curtains in the van and stock it with Diet Coke and Cheez-its!

This summer we'll experience something new: our first boy to take piano lessons. This is rather an "experiment" for him...a short session to get his feet wet and see if it's something he'll get "into." Truth be told, he feels slightly coerced, as do all my kids, because the rule around the House is that you don't take lessons on any other instrument until you take a year of piano. My hang-up, I know, but after all these years I don't dare give in. I get enough of the "Boy, Mom, you never would have let us get away with that when WE were growing up..."

Aubrey just called to say that as they were packing for the church trip to the lake, they decided they looked thoroughly "Purpose-Driven" today: the pastor is in plaid shorts and a linen shirt. Told him we'd try to avoid calling him Rick :-)

Blessings to all of you this morning and a wonderful Lord's Day ahead!

Labels: Kids, Sundays, The Papa