Rules of the Road

It's so simple people. Drive right, pass left

Drive right, pass left is the law in Germany; yet, another thing I love about Deutchland. =) Just do it! Photo shared by Val from FB poster, Cheri Peters Lee, who likely poached from someone else. Nonetheless, this truth must be shared.

New Beginnings

Gracie is off and running in Second grade. New school, new friends, new routines. After a lengthy discussion about whether she wanted me to take her to school or ride the bus, she went to bed a car rider the night before and woke up a bus rider. =) A girl's prerogative is to change her mind. So, cutie Gracie rode the bus to school for the very 1st time.  Albeit she hasn't ridden the bus to or from since, but that's fodder for another blog post. Happy school year, little Miss Grace. You are my pride and joy. I just can't smile big enough to express my delight in the charming young lady you are growing to be. 

Gracie ist ausgeschaltet und läuft in der zweiten Klasse. Neue Schule, neue Freunde, neue Routinen. Nach längerer Diskussion etwa ob sie wollte mich zu ihrzur Schule nehmen oder reiten den Bus ging sie ein Auto rider der Nacht vor bed and wachte einen Bus rider. =) Ein Mädchen das Vorrecht ist es, sie umzustimmen. So ritt Cutie Gracie dem Bus zur Schule für die sehr 1st time. Nun hat sie sich nicht mit dem Bus zu oder von da geritten, aber das ist Futter für dieanderen Blog-Post. Glückliche Schuljahr, kleine Miss Grace. Sie sind mein ganzer Stolz. Ich kann einfach nicht lächeln groß genug, um meine Freude in die charmante junge Dame, die du immer sein werden auszudrücken.

Baby Love & Then Some

Gracie is vacationing with friends who love like family in Kentucky and Missouri while I prepare yet again for qualifying exams in a couple of weeks. She held her own for the first three days, keeping our conversations very brief and mostly on the topic of the care package. =) Last night, she called all weepy. She realizes now how much she misses me and promises that she does not want to leave me again. All future vacations will be together she declared. Also, she has lifted the ban on Baby Love, a pet name I swiped from Auntie Nae. On her 7th birthday she announced I could no longer call her Baby Love, nor could I sing the song that typically follows the sweet name calling. Devastation. Yes, I was devastated. Oh, and if I slipped up - she called me out on it. Sadness~ Well, happy days are here again because I can once again call her Baby Love. I sung her to sleep last night.  Tonight she called up with a request to read a book. She picked one and so did I.  She chose "Puppies, Puppies, Puppies," by Susan Meyers.  I picked "You Are My I Love You," by Maryann Cusimano.  Grace was enthralled with that sweet book and here is a bit of the why:

I am your parent; you are my child. I am your quiet place; you are my wild. 
I am your calm face; you are my giggle. I am your wait; you are my wiggle. 
I am your carriage ride; you are my queen.  I am your push; you are my swing.
I am you audience; you are my clown.  I am your London Bridge; you are my falling down.
I am your carrot sticks; you are my licorice.  I am your dandelion; you are my first wish.
I am your water wings; you are my deep.  I am your open arms; you are my running leap.
I am your way home; you are my new path. I am your dry towel; you are my wet bath.
I am your dinner; you are my chocolate cake. I am your bedtime; you are my wide awake.
I am your finish line; you are my race.  I am your praying hands; you are my saying grace.
I am your favorite book; you are my new lines.  I am your night-light; you are my starshine.
I am your lullaby; you are my peekaboo. I am your good-night kiss, you are my I love you. 

 Isn't that the sweetest book? Gracie added a couple more lines and then sang a song. I wish I could remember more of her sweet refrain.

You are my dream. I am your wish. You are the one I love most of all. We can always snuggle, both big and small.

Song: When I see you, you were there for me. I only look into you. You were always there for me. You were the one I trust the most. You were the one I loved because, you are loved so much. You were the one who made me. Say it together, you were the one that made my little body. You are the one who makes me come alive.

I have the sweetest girl EVER! Can't wait to hug that Baby Love!

CATS

Gracie recently wrapped up a 7 week summer enrichment program drama camp with the local high school performing CATS, the Musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber.  Talk about hard work...play, work, and learn. What's not to love? Five days a week; four to seven hours a day of singing, dancing, makeup, acting, and just hanging with the big kids was pure joy for the Gracie girl.   Two weeks into the program, Gracie asked me to go ahead and take money out of the bank to pay for next year's camp. She's THAT into it. =)

At the end of the first week, I peeked in for a few minutes.  "Now, don't be afraid, mom. When the show starts, they will pull the house lights down and it will get dark.  The house lights are the lights where the audience sits." That's right, they learned even theater lingo and technical terms.  In fact, the children were involved in every aspect of the production from makeup, choreography, set design, vocals, lighting, costumes...the whole nine yards. What an experience! In fact, upon leaving the set for the last time, Gracie thanked Mr Thorsky, program director, for the "glorious" experience. 

Preview Gala

As a mother, I finally felt the thrill and pride my mom must have experienced as she watched her kids involved in something worthwhile and fun.  Mom was usually involved in whatever we were doing; volunteering in some way - scouts, cheerleading, etc. She was so proud and supportive of our efforts.  I know what she was feeling; now I understand her joy. 

I just can't say enough good about the summer enrichment program and the drama camp. It made me want to invest my time and energy beyond multiple trips to the theater. I wanted to dive in head first and support the kids.  I recently saw this somewhere and it fit the situation:  Those who can, do. Those who can do more, volunteer. =) So, I earnestly helped with tickets and organized the cast party to show my appreciation for the efforts of the children and those involved in making the camp a success. Can't wait til next year.  Annie, here we come! 

Grace & the cast of CATS

Heavyside Layer

Bustopher Jones. Gracie loved hanging out on the car.

Fifi and Old Deuteronomy

Fifi and the Great Rumpus Cat

Munkustrap and Fifi

Skimbleshanks, Fifi, and Rum Tum Tugger

Gus, the theatre cat, Skimbleshanks, Fifi, and Rum Tum Tugger

Jennyanydots and the lady bug bunch

Fifi with the triumphant Siamese Kittens bringing Growltiger to justice! 

Ballet teacher, Ms. Teresa, came out to support her dancer girls in CATS!

Every Blooming Thing

That blog post sounds familiar. Hope I didn't use it before. =) Just wanted to post some recent pictures from my little garden spot. I'm loving it. Not digging the cutie chipmunk tearing up and tunneling in my geraniums, but I'm loving the colors of summer blooming in my yard. 

I don't have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness - it's right in front of me if I'm paying attention and practicing gratitude. Brene Brown

Wanderlust

Force yourself to wander off the beaten path and see what you find.  Dare to be delighted in a place you've never known before.  Quote of my own, inspired by folks at The Happiness Project

Popsicle Relief

Whew, it's hot outside. With the heat index, we are well over 100 moisture laden degrees. I see at least four Popsicle sleeves/tubes. It's a Popsicle free-for-all kind of day.  Scooby Doo is playing in the background while Grace works on some crafty thing with both fans circulating a bit of relief. Pardon me, a pink Popsicle is calling my name. =) Happy sunny summer day!

Thank FULL

I happened upon these quotes over at Families That Stick .  I want to forever remember them, so I'm writing them down here.  I'm sure this blog--this record of my thoughts, will be here forever. =) Where I forever want to find it, is in my heart and the heart of my Gracie girl. Beeee thankFULL! I'm not sure if thankfulness is taught or caught, so I need to tackle it both ways...to practice and to preach.

I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.

Gilbert Keith Chesterton

When I started counting my blessings, 

my whole life turned around.

Willie Nelson

I See No Stain On You, My Child

I woke up this morning singing a powerful line from a favorite song, My Beloved, by Kari Jobe. "I see no stain on you, my child." When He washes us, we are clean.  Simply put. I am clean. If only I could get it out of my head and into my heart. He has covered me, my mistakes and even my misgivings. I am clean. And then there's the singing over me. Isn't it a wonder, this love of our God? He sings over us with delight; with songs of peace. Peace. As I live and breath, I inhale His peace. I rest in Him. I rest in you, Lord. I am your beloved and you are mine.


You're my beloved, you're my bride
To sing over you is my delight
Come away with me my love

Under my mercy come and wait
Till we are standing face to face
I see no stain on you my child

You're beautiful to me
So beautiful to me

I sing over you my song of peace
Cast all your care down at my feet
Come and find your rest in me

I'll breathe my life inside of you
I'll bear you up on eagle's wings
And hide you in the shadow of my strength

I'll take you to my quiet waters
I'll restore your soul
Come rest in me and be made whole

You're my beloved, you're my bride
To sing over you is my delight
Come away with me my love


Kari Jobe - My Beloved