Home Again...

We are home from Thanksgiving. This is our first day home, and I'm leaving in less than an hour to pick my parents up from the Airport. They have been in the Philippines for 3 weeks. It takes such a very long time to get home, bless their hearts. I know they will be just exhausted! They like to come home to our house because they miss us so much, and where they can re-acclimate to the time zone. The Philippines is exactly 12 hours ahead of us. I'm thinking I would just want my own bed, but they seem to enjoy stopping here for a few days first. I'm glad.

They are going to have to make themselves at home though because I'm so tired from our trip I'm afraid I'll not make a very good hostess! I'll try, but I know they'll love me even if all is not in perfect order.

Speaking of that, I felt I needed to get my meal plans in order first, and it took me all day to do it! I also had to deal with some financial problems (ugh, overdrafts and insufficient funds really bite!) in the middle of the meal planning and shopping, and it slowed me down. My big girls didn't get out of their beds until after 11 this morning! I was a little put out with them since I had told them I would need help getting the house ready for my parents. None the less, I went upstairs (after 11:30 and I still had not seen them up), and asked them to dust and vacuum the downstairs while I took the little ones with me grocery shopping. We would all have to convene in Emily and Samantha's room to clean it out after I got groceries.

"Grocery Getting" took extra time. I didn't get home until after 5:30. We were all ready for dinner by then! I was surprised to find the big girls still in their jammies and un-showered state. I figured they'd taken their time getting the chores done though. Charlie helped me get the Talapia seasoned and garlic pasta cooked. I served dinner with a crisp green salad too. Sitting at the table I thought about the mess in the little girls' room, and when I would ever get to it since I had to go get my parents so soon. That's when the big girls sprung their surprise on us. They had not only taken care of the downstairs living areas, but also cleaned up the little girls' room AND Kathryn's (my parents' room when they come)! I was almost speechless with relief. And wonder.


I am unworthy.

Kath's Freaked Out Dream

We were in Thomasville.

She saw New Covenant Church Parking lot. Emily and Kath were fussing at each other. Kthryn had to go back inside to get someone or something. Hillary seemed to be irritated at her for some unknown reason, then it seemed that Hillary was not irritated at Kathryn but was frustrated , and was trying to get some music for the laptop in the oasis where there were tables and people eating. Melissa was there eating also. Some of Kath's friends went out with her to the car.
Pastor Barry was in the parking lot talking to someone in a suit holding a Bible.

Then we were in McDonald's parking lot. We were walking into the restaurant, and there was a black or hispanic man in a gray sweatshirt with the hood up, black pants, and a gray scarf wrapped around his face, concealing all but his dark eyes and some of his nose which was sharp. He looked scary. I told Kath not to look at him. Kath looked anyway, and he grabbed her wrist. She jerked away, and glared at him until we entered Micky D's.

Inside we walked around the restaurant until we reached the place where Pastor Steve was standing with his Bible in his hand. He was dressed casually in khakies and a polo shirt. Kath sat down by Sarah Taylor. Others present included Erin DuBose and family, our family, and other random people. At one point a younger version of Pastor Steve was sitting beside Kath. He grinned at her. The more mature (graying) version was still standing in front. He offered for folks to move from their seats and switch around to feel more safe. Charlie moved to a larger table (which had crumbs on it and needed to be cleaned), and then Kath and Sarah moved to Charlie's table. Then it seemed he was at a row of two seaters, but they were still with him. Kath noticed Pastor Barry was there at a table for four by himself, making it seem odd that he was alone. He was still in his suit, but was really discouraged with his head in his hands. Emily joined his table at one place in the dream, then it seemed it was not Emily, but Rebekah who was seated with him. They had asked if they could join him, and he said sure. He was not a part of the group, but he listened when Steve spoke.

We found out pillars of fire were coming to Thomasville. Kath saw this from high up, like three or four lasars moving along the ground, burning up the countryside. She had this flash while we were at McDonalds. She thinks others may have seen it too. It was a prophetic flash of vision. Kath asked when this would happen. Erin DuBose answered "August or September" and maybe added "11." At that time it was about a week out.

Also, she may have said God was sending blood. Lots of it. It was moving along, coming, but not rushing. Kath was worried about this, but Charlie told her the blood was for the unrighteous, so she was comforted. The pillars of fire would destroy our homes, but if we left, we would be safe from them. It wasn't nationwide at the time, mostly in Georgia.

Also the beach was stormy and being beaten my dark seas. Something inside the sea was churning and boiling it up.

Then we were at home, and casually getting ready to leave (packing?), and we had at this time spent positive time with Pastor Barry. Almost like we were helping him to see our vision for the church. The depression seemed to be lifting off him. Then we heard that he had tragically died. Either it was a car wreck, or suicide, something like that. Really tragic. Kath was so sad at this news. She cried.

Then Kath was standing in the street watching all the power go out. On her left was the theater which had just played "Left Behind 4." Adam Jones made a comical comment.

Oh So Sweet Sixteen

Yessir! My little baby girl is 16. You know, everyone tells you how fast it goes, and I truly believed every person who told me that. It's just different when it's your own life that speeds past at an incredible rate. I've been married for 18.5 years. When did that happen?

I guess I blinked, and it passed. Amazing.

So last night, my first-born had her Sweet Sixteen Birthday Party with friends. What kind of 16 year old writes a play for her friends to perform on her birthday? Well I'll tell you: a COOL 16 year old! My brother and his wife and sis-in-law came not only to watch, but also to record the program. There were 4 scenes, with the last one being in the same setting as the first. They used minimal props. My dh created the most awesome chalked backdrop for a London Street scene. It was hidden behind the drapes until the proper time. It turned out really well. They all had a blast.

Also they played the Box Game. Such fun!

We had pizza and greek salad for dinner. We fixed some yummo punch in a big punch bowl with floating frozen blueberries. She wanted candy cookies for her birthday cake. They were particularly sweet. The day before the party we made like a thousand white chocolate-dipped pretzels with sprinkles on the tip. Last time they made them, there weren't enough. This time there's plenty left over!

The girls watched "The Phantom of the Opera" as they camped out in the Great Room. I insisted on "lights out" by 2am. They were all asleep before 3am. It makes for a better Saturday when that happens. The last couple of times my oldest spent the night with friends, they stayed up far too late, and I didn't want that to happen again. They didn't mind.

This morning I fixed sausage and cheesy scrambled eggs to serve with Monkey Bread. They had tea in lovely tea cups and saucers. The conversation around their table made my husband and I laugh as we sat by the fire in the adjoining room, shamelessly eaves-dropping. We counted how many girls were talking over each other at a time. They seem to think they'll run out of time to get their thoughts spoken, so they just run over each other in a joyous cacophony. It was amusing.

Once all the guests had left, my two older girls and I just slumped into our comfy chairs in the Great Room, surrounded by the messy remains of the party, and sighed out a conversation about the party at slow speed in order to put off cleaning it up. Eventually it had to be done though, and we are all now glad it's behind us. The party was a smashing success.

*sigh*