Proverbs 31:10-31: October 2009

Monday, October 12, 2009

Making my four year old's dream come true

Conner and I participated in the Susan G. Komen 5k Race for the Cure on Saturday with our dear friend Julie Otto in memory of another friend, Linna Guzzi. As usual there were thousands out to support breast cancer awareness and it's always nice to see so many people come together for a common cause. Especially touching is the "sea of pink" where all of the survivors come down in one group wearing pink and celebrating survivorship.

Another highlight of this year's race happened post-race. As some of you know, Conner is a big fan of radio personality Delilah. He listens to her every night on Mix 92.9. Delilah had a meet and greet after the race. We were second in line to meet her and Conner got an autographed picture in addition to a few pics with him in her lap. He also gave her a Bob the Builder stamp with pink ink on her hand. The folks at Mix 92.9 were very kind and Conner gave a few of the staff some stamps of their own.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Beautiful Day with Camren & Exciting Travel News

So far Camren and I have walked 4.2 miles, played at the playground and mowed the grass this morning. Very productive day thus far and it's just past noon. We had a nice pizza lunch and now he is getting his nap in before picking up Conner at pre-school. We have plans to walk again this afternoon with some friends from church after we pickup Conner.

Conner has been doing really well at Dayspring Academy and we just love how he wakes up (sometimes before I'm out of bed, although I am awake :) to make sure he's not late for school. At 6:35 this morning he was worried that school had already started. He wants to be the first one there and I ever so explicitly explained to him that there's no way we'll ever be at school by 7:15 (when some teacher's kids arrive) and we're doing good to be there by 7:40. Or 7:45 really. I can't imagine him being gone five days a week next year when he is in kindergarten. This is like real life stuff - letting them go and grow. I mean when you have them at home with you and you're in a little bubble you tend not to think about certain things. Some of the things that have recently crept into my psyche are not all that pleasant which is probably why Gone Baby Gone is still sitting in the Netflix sleeve as I don't know if I can watch a movie about a 4 year old getting kidnapped. I guess I thought it would sit in my queue a little longer than it did. Now it's here and it's reality.

I am not naive to think that these things don't happen but I just really never entertain the thought of these things happening to us. But as we all know that's the first thing that's said after some tragedy. Anyway, totally didn't mean to get off on this tangent which brings us to some exciting news on the travel front. Andy and I will be going to Pestworld (international convention of bug people) at the end of this month in Las Vegas. Alone. 4 hours away via plane. Kids not in my control. Plane not in my control. So now I guess you can see why I have been entertaining some out of sorts thoughts.

The trip will be fantastic and I trust that all will go well but I do ask for your prayers for my anxiety during the last week of October! My aunt Donna will be flying in from California to visit with us during our downtime from the convention. This trip is, as a lot things still are, bittersweet due to the fact that we had planned last year for my grandmother to be there with us too (knowing the location of the convention before she passed). Mamaw LOVED Las Vegas (well any casino, really) and I have fond memories of being a 15 year old winner in Reno (they didn't card much back then) during a trip there with her for a bowling tournament as well as many other countless trips she, Donna and I took for weekends to Vegas (yes, I used to take a flight Friday night and then red-eye back to work for Monday morning). She taught us all so much about living life and this trip will be a tribute to her and just letting go and having fun. Donna and I are so excited and it will be good for us to have some much needed girl time during this trip.

I hope you are all enjoying fall. We've had a mixed bag of rain and sun but when it's sunny it's been absolutely fabulous.

Proverbs 31:10-31 (GWT)

10 “Who can find a wife with a strong character? She is worth far more than jewels.11 Her husband trusts her with all his heart, and he does not lack anything good. 12 She helps him and never harms him all the days of her life. 13 “She seeks out wool and linen with care and works with willing hands. 14 She is like merchant ships. She brings her food from far away. 15 She wakes up while it is still dark and gives food to her family and portions of food to her female slaves. 16 “She picks out a field and buys it. She plants a vineyard from the profits she has earned. 17 She puts on strength like a belt and goes to work with energy. 18 She sees that she is making a good profit. Her lamp burns late at night. 19 “She puts her hands on the distaff, and her fingers hold a spindle. 20 She opens her hands to oppressed people and stretches them out to needy people. 21 She does not fear for her family when it snows because her whole family has a double layer of clothing. 22 She makes quilts for herself. Her clothes are made of linen and purple cloth. 23 “Her husband is known at the city gates when he sits with the leaders of the land. 24 “She makes linen garments and sells them and delivers belts to the merchants. 25 She dresses with strength and nobility, and she smiles at the future. 26 “She speaks with wisdom, and on her tongue there is tender instruction. 27 She keeps a close eye on the conduct of her family, and she does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children and her husband stand up and bless her. In addition, he sings her praises, by saying, 29 ‘Many women have done noble work, but you have surpassed them all!’ 30 “Charm is deceptive, and beauty evaporates, but a woman who has the fear of the Lord should be praised. 31 Reward her for what she has done, and let her achievements praise her at the city gates.”