Draw the curtains, nail down the blinds

We have a unique living situation. As you all probably already know, we sold our house at the beginning of March. Currently we are renting a house. We are renting it on a "campus." That's about as specific as I'd like to be with our living location and broadcasting it to the interweb, so if you know where we live I'd appreciate the ambiguity as well in your comments.

The reason I'm bringing it up today is because at this very moment, right outside my front door is this:


Yes. Three HUGE inflatable bouncehouses/slides. Where we live they are celebrating. A celebration that only takes place every 5 years, to my understanding. Which means, it's a BIG celebration.

And, we are not really invited to play on those lovely, fun, totally-would-wear-my-kids-out toys that are RIGHT OUTSIDE OUR FRONT DOOR. Yes, that's our lawn furniture and toys laying in the grass. Squeals and laughter are echoing through our house as the sounds of children enjoying themselves on these bounceable toys. And, there's a band playing somewhere on the not so distant lawn.

Those things pretty much make our RRIAP look like a deflated kiddie pool.

Wow. I've never drawn our blinds so tightly as I am today. I think I'll blindfold my kids and carry them out to the van 1 by 1 and leave for the entire afternoon. Thanks to a friend who will make that possible by loaning us her house this afternoon.

I sure hope no one gets the bright idea to look out the window. Something tells me I'll be playing zone defense this morning, with my zone being all the windows/doors on the front side of our house.

Bring on the meltdowns.

Her First Day

Today my 16 year old sister begins her first day of her junior year of high school. Just writing that sentence blows me away because in my mind she will always be 5 years old and look exactly like this:

I know. Kids all over the country are beginning school this week so what makes my sister so special? What makes her first day of her junior year more significant than most 16 year old girls?

Today is the first day that she will go to school without her mother alive. Today is the first day that she will realize that she is not like all the other girls anymore. When other 16 year old girls complain about fights with their moms, her heart will feel that twinge of pain and she will be reminded that she doesn't have that luxury. While other girls are reassured by their mothers that their outfit does indeed look great, she will stare at herself in the mirror and have to reassure herself. When she walks down the halls she will surely pass the nurse's office where her mother used to work. She will be reminded that her mom is no longer just a few doors away. Memories of her mom, her best friend, will flood her heart and mind, no doubt.

Today my sister becomes a woman in so many ways. Today she faces giants that seem to loom in the distance. Today she faces fears that I could never imagine. Today she faces life without her best friend.

Please be in prayer for my sister today. I cannot tell you how proud I am of the young woman that she is becoming. However, this year will prove to be the biggest test of her faith. If you have a few moments, won't you beseech the Wonderful Counselor on her behalf?

Thank you friends. Thank you so very much.

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31