tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215443002012-01-12T22:12:11.019-08:00Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.comBlogger5431100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-35644679089807061092009-12-29T09:50:00.000-08:002012-01-12T21:50:01.797-08:00

She scanned the people in the pews and wondered what in the world Jesus was trying to teach her during this festive holiday season. When she took inventory of her life, it was mostly all good. God had blessed her with a kind husband, a sure marriage, provision--not too little and not too much, and strong, healthy children that made her marvel everyday. She was not for want of anything in this

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-9843232625379462052009-12-01T20:34:00.000-08:002009-12-01T22:18:54.580-08:00

I got myself a Facebook account about this time last year, and it stole. my. internet. affections.I'm not one for the gaming or collecting that people do there, but my time on Facebook has been great! I found my best friend from Kindergarten, my best friend from 3rd grade, my favorite teacher from 6th grade, and dozens of acquaintances from high school. Somehow, I've amassed nearly 400 friends

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-5104754347957487592009-11-30T21:39:00.001-08:002009-11-30T21:40:48.915-08:00

That's what it takes--so they say--to develop a habit. Tomorrow will be day one. Lord willing. I miss my blog. See you then? Hello? Anyone?

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-73719952518144969532009-07-09T12:38:00.000-07:002009-07-09T12:53:59.996-07:00

"...have never attended a day of school. They've never known a neighborhood friend. They sleep together in the same room. And the only outsiders they know are strangers their father would bring in to entertain them."-as posted on the New York Post site about Michael Jackson's parenting choices for his children before his death. The article goes on to quote those in the know about how kind,

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-21904717116042762462009-07-02T12:16:00.001-07:002009-07-02T12:18:23.851-07:00

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-89366477892214361902009-06-27T21:46:00.000-07:002009-06-28T11:16:41.214-07:00

Little Cuddlebug is about to turn 7. In the spring, she finished up her first year in the grade school program at Bible Study Fellowship. There she met a little girl named Sydney, but Sydney moved away. And then there was Rachel. On the last day of class, the two exchanged addresses.Since then, Cuddlebug has written to Rachel more times than I can count. She wrote to Rachel to tell her what

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-54757053278236009522009-06-25T21:04:00.000-07:002009-06-25T21:28:39.833-07:00

After dinner, many hands make light work. There's Fifi at the sink. Jim is at the fridge and little Cuddlebug is behind him, see? Dumpling, never mind the camera. Get to work.No chance. She and the camera were meant to be together. It beckons her and she cannot resist its lure. "I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille."Ahem, Dumpling? The Bible says that if you don't work, you don't eat and

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-9916909522807824182009-06-18T19:32:00.000-07:002009-06-23T09:14:53.203-07:00

Let the mother of many celebrate her numbersand glory in the ornaments which decorate her life.Let her not be swayed by the scoffers,nor riled by the ignorant.Let compassion be her wayand humility guide her thinking.Let her pin her badge of many blessingsto her breast and be knownfor what the Lord God has called her to do.Let the mother of some celebrate her bondand relish the closeness that more

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-69390847630192080052009-05-30T21:32:00.001-07:002009-05-30T21:38:16.386-07:00

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-25259595896561930572009-05-20T21:27:00.000-07:002009-05-20T22:56:44.255-07:00

Come on girls! It's time to go to the Student Days at the Waxahachie Renaissance Faire! Stop spinning in that chair and let's go or it will be over before we get there.Wow! This is great! Our first friend? The town crier...Dumpling was pretty offended for most of the rest of the day after she found out this jester named his dog, "Blockhead."We stumbled upon this merchant selling psalteries.

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-43973527211691508962009-03-08T15:40:00.000-07:002009-03-08T22:26:25.735-07:00

More of Him; less of me.More listening; less instructing.More patience; less guilt.More building up; less tearing down.More ease; less weight.More charity; less recompense.More beauty; less style.More togetherness; less "ministry."More in the moment; less for the future.More flexible; less brittle.More resolve; less compromise.More humility; less authority.More general; less specific.More people;

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-27204001537427090252009-02-12T22:36:00.000-08:002009-02-12T22:56:07.451-08:00

We've been invited to our first ever Valentine's Day party!And we're abuzz with questions and excitement over the unknown!Dumpling and Cuddlebug chose their card stock, Bible verse and cloth ribbon to make their Valentines special......but they're a little concerned over whether there will be boys in attendance. I remind them that the love of Christ is for everyone. Even boys. *wink*

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-28136901458425515742009-01-27T19:05:00.000-08:002009-01-27T23:00:09.405-08:00

Did you know...that white potatoes come from Peru, not Ireland. The Incas planted them in the Andes. On the border with Boliva--even today--potatoes are freeze dried and trampled to wear away the peel and produce a kind of mash. Did you realize...that fifty years ago housewives stayed home and the milk and produce man came to them! Have you heard...that someday, there will be a one-woman shop

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-45227373143769746862009-01-26T19:48:00.000-08:002009-01-26T22:18:01.537-08:00

...fallen off the blogging habit, that is. I'm going to try to post tomorrow night...

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-12177955496284959872008-12-10T22:08:00.001-08:002008-12-10T22:13:25.011-08:00

...it's because there are so many more wonderful things at which to gaze.

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-44206469320914982812008-12-06T20:18:00.000-08:002008-12-16T21:55:23.613-08:00

Years ago, I learned a very important lesson that this week, I forgot completely.I tend to look at all of life through the filter that is my life. I have a home. Clean clothes. Healthy food. Facilities. I assume everyone desires the same, and that if they don't have it, they want to be rescued.Martinez proved me wrong today--and freed me, too.I had gone downtown on an errand this morning,

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-10432434570825592802008-12-05T21:18:00.000-08:002009-02-02T21:09:18.992-08:00

(A continuation of yesterday's story.)The first time I saw him he was strolling in front of what used to be the Indian restaurant down the way. I thought he was just another hippie. It didn't really surprise me to see him; the make up of our side of town took on a new character right around the time that Katrina hit New Orleans and a fair amount of its flooded-out residence fled here.Within the

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-72343409253689801432008-12-03T13:37:00.000-08:002008-12-05T12:13:10.953-08:00

This morning, we got up too early to join our homeschool group in the glass lobby of the Lila Cockrell Theater. We were there to sit audience for the dress rehearsal of the Nutcracker ballet. The opening scene isn't part of the deal, but we only pay $5 for a ticket--so there are no complaints. The girls were decked out in their prettiest Christmas-colored garb and happy enough to sit around

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-47990468348123294092008-12-02T21:50:00.000-08:002008-12-02T21:56:49.589-08:00

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-35924988644463128462008-11-24T15:08:00.001-08:002008-11-24T15:18:59.007-08:00

I don't mean to be greedy, LORD...But if You will give me the strength and health to do it again, I will. After all, I'm not quite as old as Sarah, and Jim isn't near as old as Abraham.I know I should be grateful for the ones I've had...and have...and I am--but how could I not want to do it all over again when I come across a moment like this?Dumpling and Cuddlebug, 2003

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-72213249666403891012008-11-18T19:46:00.000-08:002008-11-18T20:31:02.184-08:00

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-55607760920854509632008-11-14T20:20:00.000-08:002008-11-14T20:59:30.423-08:00

This is Patience, our beagle, and Georgie our kitten.Patience is bigger than Georgie, stronger than Georgie and louder than Georgie. Patience was here before Georgie. And that is Patience's bed, not Georgie's. In every way, Patience has the power and the privilege to claim that bed.But here, Patience is exercising a more awesome power. The power to defer--the privilege to be meek.O.k....so,

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-82659993153975474112008-11-05T21:08:00.000-08:002008-11-06T07:20:12.357-08:00

Have you ever had one of those days?A day which, itself, was the last in a string of difficult days. Or weeks.Nagging and difficulty, compounded daily. A day in which you have a hard time believing that your children wouldn't be better off without you. A day in which you can't stand the sound of your own flawed parent's inflection bubbling out of your own flawed spirit, and being belched out

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-46522535493836552482008-11-04T08:17:00.000-08:002008-11-07T08:36:30.797-08:00

We're out the door to vote. Jim just called and said that our polling place has NO line! A couple of interesting things I've learned in the last day or so....From my very diverse Bach Choir, I understand that the middle class--the ones that work for the man--are having trouble getting to their proper precinct between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. So, maybe the only people electing a president

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-56098614307459786612008-11-03T07:19:00.000-08:002008-11-03T08:06:41.951-08:00

Joe Biden had it right. Our country will be tested. By terrorists. The ones who have not forgotten their hatred toward us, even if most of us have forgotten about them. The ones who necessitate that every American should be reading the Holy Bible in History class. They are the descendants of Ishmael; we are supporters of Israel.If you don't know of what I speak, you can thank your public

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-67780030877886026312008-11-02T19:56:00.000-08:002008-11-03T16:24:58.782-08:00

...but in a good way.Over the summer, Fifi sewed her first skirt. Right before her birthday back in June, to be exact. Here, she excitedly found the pieces that her chosen pattern called for...she cut them...she ironed them--I hope she didn't forget to empty the iron of any water still in the reservoir!...she found her reflection in the shiny bottom, because she was, after all, not quite 13...

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-61466692538526362592008-10-28T09:14:00.000-07:002008-10-28T09:40:22.552-07:00

Because I have so much to say, and not enough time to do it justice; and furthermore because I have so much to say that is better left unsaid (or stuffed down); and finally, because I am going to enjoy a "staycation" with my family this week (with pictures to follow), I thought I'd quickly check in here to direct you to two of the cutest blogs I follow.I am so very biased--and you've been

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-87512925637541972802008-10-20T20:43:00.000-07:002008-10-21T07:35:18.420-07:00

When I went in to check on her, she was sitting up with her face over the bucket that her daddy had set next to the bell that she should ring if she becomes sick and needs assistance. I asked her how she felt, and she whined a little about how much her tummy hurt. Well, not hurt, exactly; she feels nauseated.With Fifi's help, I find a couple of ponytail clips, sit myself down behind Dumpling and

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-25930405957331816872008-10-17T09:33:00.000-07:002008-10-17T09:46:42.617-07:00

This is our 11th year living in South Texas. And every year sometime in mid-October when everyone else is talking about fall and folliage, my gentle husband comes home and plops himself on the chair to announce, "I hate this."He's irritated because we're still running the a/c, the mosquitoes are still biting and it's 90 degrees outside.I tell him to wait. Just wait for it. Soon enough, we'll

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-89491675309998863382008-10-15T20:24:00.000-07:002008-10-15T21:09:15.977-07:00

I miss blogging.I don't mean I miss doing it; obviously, I'm still doing it. See me type?I miss blogging when it was new. Fresh. Exciting. Kind. Honest.I miss blogging back when the CWO blogring had about 100 blogs and you could hope to surf over and check out at least most of them.I miss blogging when layouts were still mostly simple. When there was one queen and her court was small. I

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-8752881322365569012008-10-13T06:37:00.000-07:002008-10-13T08:33:33.827-07:00

ForToday...Outside my Window...it is grey and rainy,causing the girls to sleep longer than me--a rare occasion.I am thinking...about what God wants from us and for usin a specific area.From the learning rooms...Fifi's work is corrected and ready for a new lesson;we are almost through with our history spine for the term.I am thankful for...this day in which America is still free,there is bread in

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-51993337840381829282008-10-10T19:34:00.000-07:002008-10-11T11:17:37.715-07:00

When you give a child a music education, you give her a chance to train in the noble discipline of hard work, diligence, and perseverance for a skill that will bless her and others for a lifetime.Musicianship doesn't happen quickly. It happens one small bite at a time. Over the course of months and years, a child will be helped to shun the culture's craving for immediacy, and instead will revel

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-14769013199892569552008-09-29T20:31:00.001-07:002008-09-29T22:40:47.668-07:00

I'm not taking a position on the bailout. I do not know enough about economics to form an intelligent opinion, much less an argument.But I do know character! And I will comment on that...Remember The Sound of Music? Remember as the Captain and his family were making their escape from the Nazis, the nuns hid them behind the locked gates in the grave yard? And remember how they almost went

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-84842790278710292832008-09-27T20:15:00.000-07:002008-09-27T23:17:26.426-07:00

In a faraway place there is a girl who is six and very capable.All the day long she says, "I can!" and does her mother's bidding.She is plain and small, and keeps her hands on her hips, with her chin held high.She has no time for puerile pleasures, and wears only the hint of a smile.This girl will do well.In a faraway place there is a girl who is eight and very cheerful.All the day long

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-43252050553939326962008-09-26T22:50:00.001-07:002008-09-26T22:53:02.580-07:00

and all they wanted to know was, "Are you going to make popcorn?" and "Are we winning?"

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-26339203741992169312008-09-19T21:39:00.001-07:002008-09-19T22:12:55.809-07:00

Here is Dumping playing pensive. I think the mama in her brings it to the fore.Here is Dumpling during a suspenseful moment in our last lunch time read aloud. The moment obviously resolved o.k. Here is what I saw when I looked to my left later in the chapter.If Dumpling is down with the sniffles, Cuddlebug is going to play nurse. Or a horrible scene out of a Dustin Hoffman film.Here Dumpling

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-90956818545908312542008-09-16T17:29:00.000-07:002008-09-17T07:28:53.428-07:00

Do you own a Vitamix? Scroll down for information to keep your family safe.So, are you going through your pantry like I did just now to toss all your plastics with known BPA? Did you hear the report that says it's dangerous, but maybe, sort of, not dangerous enough to warrant a warning? And then we're told, in the same breath, to watch out for plastics that have a "7" in the recycling triangle

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-71050952659028698152008-09-15T12:57:00.001-07:002008-09-15T20:57:23.122-07:00

...and he said to give y'all recess for the rest of the day. Miss Mason would be proud, young ones.

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-63622371820567708412008-09-11T09:31:00.000-07:002008-09-11T09:41:23.082-07:00

Click the post title and then feel free to make a comment or post a link over there to your own remembrance of that horrible day.In this election year, we must remember to know the enemy because neither positive thinking nor rainbows; not butterflies; not flowers; not even gifted orators flying throught the air on pretty unicorns will keep us safe from the enduring threat.

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-18234747038826959912008-09-10T21:31:00.000-07:002008-09-10T21:41:45.037-07:00

I'm increasingly convinced, through experience, of the ultimate effectiveness of learning through literature--which is quite a different thing than learning by reading. Literature is literature; reading is too often done with a choppy, boring, tedious textbook.My very favorite memory of 6th grade was of hunkering down with my classmates--girls sitting "Indian style," (which I guess these days is

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-7680330219144675592008-09-10T20:38:00.000-07:002008-09-09T20:45:31.169-07:00

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-57006521779985415852008-09-08T20:44:00.001-07:002008-09-09T11:29:33.900-07:00

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-45772103080923207832008-09-03T19:57:00.000-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.526-07:00

And living. And following a call. And letting others follow theirs.Who are you to judge someone else's servant?To his own master he stands or falls.And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.Romans 14:4

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-87962229145132899482008-09-02T20:16:00.000-07:002008-09-09T13:51:14.066-07:00

And they can be used in any order.They are:"I can!"and"Can I?"And she says them in one order or the other...50 times a day.Oh yes. And she lost another tooth, which is kind of cute and gross all at the same time.

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-51492594457282903862008-08-31T21:06:00.000-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.488-07:00

Sometimes you've got to let the dead bury their dead.I'm feeling liberated lately. Fifi and I were debriefing the other day--commiserating about our shared experience with a certain group which, whenever our lives intersect theirs, leave us all feeling a little left out, lonely, rejected--like...like..."Misfits?" Fifi interjects."Yes! That's it! Misfits...I'm so glad you're reading Dickens,

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-7297166613937709832008-08-29T20:34:00.000-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.327-07:00

And then...poof! All memory of his mesmerizing speech and over the top arrogant stadium set-up at the DNC was...gone. Gone like dried up Texas mud on the bottom of your boot--it's thick and sticky and you're sure it can't be beat, but really it flakes off in big chunks if you just wait long enough.Obama and Biden looked a lot like big chunks of Texas mud this afternoon. And all because this

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-70780051411044298402008-08-24T20:22:00.001-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.290-07:00

So, a question for you...Did you attend church where you are today? And while you were there to build up the Body of Christ and spur one another on to good works, did you look around and find the new person...the wallflower...the person in need of a friendly greeting? Did you merely greet them? Or did you extend yourself to meet them?When Mrs. Smith came in late during the hymn singing and sat

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-62413183010724758362008-08-20T19:21:00.000-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.492-07:00

That's what my husband, Jim, is doing tomorrow.Fifi would say, "he's half-a-hundred." Tonight at dinner, when he waxed profound and said something to the effect of, "tomorrow I'll start my 5th decade," I had to break it to him that today he's finishing his 5th decade--thus the "50th" birthday. And that tomorrow he starts his 6th decade.And then he started counting on his fingers, "O.k., when I

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-43414325776024524762008-08-15T22:20:00.001-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.414-07:00

...on my book review blog. We read a lot this summer. It's our favorite thing that always gets done.

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-68106311709062938482008-08-12T19:52:00.001-07:002008-10-02T21:47:55.015-07:00

Mmmm mmmm good. Frozen yogurt from Costco.*sigh* Yum."I'm all done already.""Oh, that's nice for you. I'm not.""Whoa there, Cuddlebug! You almost dropped that whole sundae.""You know...I can help you with it, if you want me to.""Um....""No thank you.""Well. I don't really want any, anyway.""No. Really. I'm good. I'm glad for her.""Ack! I can't stand it!""O.k., o.k., let me think. What

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-38726836218457270612008-08-08T22:28:00.000-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.333-07:00

...he blew into Italy and, finding that operas were banned by the pope, found work in sacred music. He composed Dixit Dominus in 1707, decades before his 1741 masterpiece, Messiah. You'll hear that he clearly had something to prove!I sang this with my choir 2 seasons ago. It was, and remains one of my very favorite experiences!Here are some clips by other musicians I found on the web. I only

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-7482885365600675792008-08-04T07:31:00.001-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.464-07:00

She's not saved because she was baptized; she was baptized because she is saved! Hers is not a testimony of stark contrast in lifestyle. Her story will not sell books. The miracle of her salvation is between her and her Savior, alone.The Great I Am works in the deceitful hearts of ignorant people......convicting us of our inherent sin, hidden sin, and sinful actions......terrifying us of the

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-39927579909380363502008-08-01T21:31:00.000-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.548-07:00

Four times each year I make the dreaded trek. I risk the ugly effect. I load up the girls and I take them to...the mall.I don't like the mall. I always regret what I've purchased there, when I've purchased there, and it's always too far to drive for a return. The mall is a creepy place. It's crowded with scary tatooed people with frighteningly profane mouths. And the Spencer's store is

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-64995282711052164012008-07-30T21:37:00.000-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.412-07:00

Jim and I spent hours playing chess on this little wooden folding board when we lived in a small, one-bedroom apartment nestled into the side of a mountain large dirt clod on the northern end of the Phoenix valley. That was 19 years ago. Before children. Before homemaking. Even before we knew our Savior.Our best evenings at home were usually spent listening to music and either playing chess or

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-43448365176262122312008-07-30T15:11:00.001-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.289-07:00

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-84242212881431793702008-07-28T19:39:00.000-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.237-07:00

He is a funny looking, offensively effeminate man. And I can say that because I'm pretty sure he means to be--it's part of his celebrity schtick. Everywhere he goes, he wears itty-bitty exercise shorts from the 80s and sleeveless tanks to match. And they usually sparkle.We don't see him around much anymore--which is a sign of the times and illustrates his point--but we got an earful from him

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-80207307722520002282008-07-23T19:34:00.001-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.274-07:00

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-60431629605283008482008-07-16T20:39:00.000-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.282-07:00

My Tia Eli was sworn in as a citizen of the United States today! She's actually my step-grandmother, but everyone calls her "Tia," which means "Aunt" in Spanish. She came here from Costa Rica 20 years ago to marry my widowed grandfather, and she faithfully loved him to his death over a decade ago.She's a lady who laughs easily, gives generously, and is very sure that we're all going to be

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-42782413356275804252008-07-09T19:46:00.000-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.494-07:00

This is the cake.Cuddlebug wanted five things. She wanted it: (1) homemade(2) brown...brown? Really?(3) with pink swirlies(4) with pink insides(5) with princesses on top I thought, "blech." But then, I'm not the one turning 6. So, into the wee hours I did decorate.I was almost overcome by the sweet smell of that chocolate frosting going on the strawberry insides, *blech* but in the end it

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-62949893294081532532008-07-04T08:04:00.000-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.315-07:00

If I remember rightly, Independence Day is about the signing of the Declaration of Independence that happened near or around this date 14 months after the start of the Revolutionary War (which began at Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775). And if my history is not revisionist, the Declaration was actually made for the benefit of France. We needed their help against Britain, and they needed

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-80217342804512937372008-07-02T21:03:00.001-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.246-07:00

Fifi gathering manna in the evening...Dumpling following along...Everyone looking for animated "googlies" on theOne Year Bible Blog after one of our evening readings.And me, praising God for the faithfulness tostick with it for 6 months...and counting!

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-69838269755790830972008-06-24T21:48:00.000-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.489-07:00

Most who read here do--well, that or GoogleReader, which I can't quite figure out--but for those who are still just stopping by to what surely must seem a retired blog, I'm still here! I really am!My laptop died, and I'm doing without it very nicely. Anytime I feel sad or lonely for what it had to offer, I just go upstairs and stand in my new walk-in closet by elfa systems which we purchased

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-20631589416778287392008-06-20T07:59:00.000-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.416-07:00

This article by Sonny Scott, presumably a government schooler, about us."Methinks American middle-class people are uncomfortable around the home schooled for the same reason the alcoholic is uneasy around the teetotaler." From the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, June 8, 2008Hat tip: Mama Archer

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-50004366972216213352008-06-17T21:53:00.001-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.511-07:00

At 13 years old, it's time for Fifi the violinist to find a reliable music group with which to play. She has one full semester and a couple of special projects under her belt, so she approached this audition with very realistic expectations. There are 5 levels of musicianship, from beginner to high school/college-aged touring group. She hoped to make the cut on level 2, but was prepared to be

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-54109541805129676192008-06-10T21:26:00.000-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.313-07:00

...and of all the ways, and of all the people with whom she could have chosen to spend the day, she wanted to spend it with me. I am so thankful that God made her my daughter.

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-8433853738100599692008-06-07T21:06:00.000-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.530-07:00

Gute Nacht, o Wesen, Good night, existenceDas die Welt erlesen, Chosen by the world,Mir gefällst du nicht. You do not please me.Gute Nacht, ihr Sünden, Good night, you sins, Bleibet weit dahinten,

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-90107090429211588702008-06-06T22:29:00.000-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.391-07:00

Last week, I heard Colossians 3 preached. Really heard it preached.Have you heard it preached? You think so? Then why didn't you tell me?Somewhere in the middle of the chapter, it dawned on me...no, wait...He illumined me about what it really means to tame the tongue. To edify others with my words. To minister grace to the hearer. I get it. And you know what? It's hard. It's hard to leave

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-11281169166297146612008-05-28T21:00:00.000-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.465-07:00

- slightly conflicted 5-year-old Cuddlebug from the bottom of the stairs as I headed to my room to freshen up for dinner out at a "Kids Eat Free" restaurant--just moments after turning the last page of C.S. Lewis' The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, and just moments after her inquiry as to where we were going was met with her big sisters' erroneous answer.

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-62294697219269975672008-05-24T21:33:00.001-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.307-07:00

...brought to you by these moments......as we made our way through this story...There's a new review up over at my book report blog.

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-29447092630960000402008-05-17T21:55:00.001-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.422-07:00

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-12620974958271953692008-05-17T21:32:00.000-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.250-07:00

thinks to buy you a souvenir from her cruise to Acapulco......it's only fitting that you take the time to put pencil to paper and express your thanks.

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-39276078356764197752008-05-14T20:18:00.000-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.392-07:00

Combine and Simmer:1 husband with a day off1 intelligent and challenging movie by Ben Stein1 box of Milkduds1 buttered pretzel1 trip to Stein Mart to replace Husband's butter-stained pants1 tenderloin with poblano peppers and Mexican cheese at La Fonda on Main1 near-13 year old, live-in babysitter3 cul-de-sac neighbors on babysitting alert2 boxes of mac 'n cheese for dinner--so nobody

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-71995978670407912162008-05-13T20:47:00.001-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.330-07:00

Here's a catch I didn't know she caught. It's a good catch too, because I don't usually sit down while I'm on the phone. Kind of like when I don't grab a cart at the grocery store hoping that will keep my load light. I'm guessing that if I sat down, I talked for awhile.Does he look tired of it? In his defense, this was at the end of a long series of poses that she demanded of him......and

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-89044215085162234142008-05-09T20:55:00.001-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.444-07:00

I read today that you are expecting your 18th baby. Wow! Congratulations! What a precious gift the Lord has entrusted to you and your husband in those 17 lives with one on the way. I pray your pregnancy and delivery will be safe, uneventful and a delight to you all.I cannot even imagine the energy you must possess to get it all done. I know you talk a lot about jurisdictions and such, and so as I

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-29906529974888017392008-05-06T19:44:00.000-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.260-07:00

Over the weekend, I attended my Early Music Choir's season finale. I didn't sing this year, but I attended--every concert weekend.Bach's choral works are to Grafted Branch as David's harp was to King Saul. *sigh* Is there more profound beauty on the Earth? I've not found it.But I digress...After the concert on Saturday, Fifi and I decided to have dinner out. And since we were dressed to "the

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-91279602522416960532008-05-01T21:55:00.001-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.430-07:00

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-77044842400231226772008-04-29T08:45:00.000-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.510-07:00

Today, I am 40. I don't care who knows. It is what it is--and I'm still figuring that out.Sometimes I pause at my reflection and think, "Wow. I'm the grown up. I'm the grown up? That can't be right."The hair is noticeably graying. The liver spots (do we still call them "liver spots?") started to show up last year. The metabolism halted, almost to the day, when I turned 38. Arthritis has

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-26552647255796778032008-04-26T21:46:00.000-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.331-07:00

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-19640103469490079502008-04-24T20:35:00.000-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.381-07:00

Yesterday, she turned to me, and in her most serious tone, broke the news."Mommy, today is my last day to be seven."And so it was. Today, Dumpling celebrated her birthday with a small party full of other homeschooled friends. She wanted, "traditional," so...There was the warm up game that helped to break the ice between lots of little girls who didn't know one another. I made Fifi play. She

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-77702354223329979502008-04-22T20:32:00.001-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.455-07:00

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-51846343394142212922008-04-21T20:02:00.000-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.267-07:00

It's true. Misery loves company. For that reason, I'm glad that the Lord has left us His Word, rich with stories of imperfect people living out faith through painful circumstances.Lately, I've been pondering what it was like for Rebekah after Jacob left for Uncle Laban's house? Remember the story? Rebekah overheard her husband, Isaac, make plans to give his favorite son, Esau, his blessing,

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-41638786678646657932008-04-19T17:52:00.000-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.508-07:00

I think there is nothing that I can do about the unenviable position of our government in El Dorado, Texas this month, sans once again make the prayer that hard circumstances always extricates from my tongue, "Lord, come quickly!" *sigh* So, rather than get sucked deeper into the minutia with fellow bloggers, behind the scenes, who need a good argument to get the blood pumping--instead of

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-25855231379652756532008-04-15T20:59:00.000-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.323-07:00

I don't like it. I don't like it one bit.I don't like their lifestyle. I don't like their god. I don't like their hairstyles. I don't like their clothes.But what I don't like even more is that the anonymous call of a teenager (that may or may not be true) has--by itself--ripped hundreds of small children from their mothers' arms; wives from their husbands; and followers from their freedom.

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-5445086111845433682008-04-11T21:10:00.000-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.487-07:00

Applying K9 Advantix to the cat, even by accident, and even for just a minute or so, will--hours later--result in a midnight trip to the veterinary ER, 2 nights in intensive care, and a lot of moolah. But you pay it--not so much to save the cat, but more so you can say you didn't kill the cat. And so the score still stands at Husband: 0 GB: 1Two nights in intensive care with a staff of people

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-66728356543380647852008-04-10T19:20:00.001-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.236-07:00

The business was sold. The long farewells accomplished.The line for a green card has been 2 years long.The lawyer was hired early to help in preparing the applications--to dot the "i"s and cross the "t"s. Only one of them can speak the language, and only the other one can drive. We gave him a list of low-paying jobs to choose from if he would like to work--legally--in our free country while he

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-67070134219636176742008-04-08T21:41:00.000-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.320-07:00

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-9472393086371115602008-03-31T21:37:00.001-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.261-07:00

Welcome to my Keepin' It Real post, hosted by Brenda at The Family Revised. Here at Restoring the Years, we're raising daughters. Lovely daughters. Our world is filled with books, togetherness, love, tenderness and music...We're always careful to mind our social graces.And we're sure to close our lips while we chew.We're always grateful for whatever we get.We are never idle.And we care well

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-22584741920087860382008-03-28T20:47:00.000-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.345-07:00

Notice the disclaimer in the title? This was a really nice week. We got done what needed to be done, and some besides. And there was a lot of beauty to behold. Some I remembered to capture, some I just relished from the inside.Later, we will peek behind the scenes with Brenda's Keeping It Real event on April 1st, but for now...We started last weekend like this, remember?I. do. not. know what we

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-15633842918101241872008-03-26T21:24:00.000-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.549-07:00

I still read aloud to them. All of them. It's one of the most faithful elements of our homeschooling effort, and easily the girls' favorite hour of the day. It doesn't matter that they can all read for themselves. It doesn't matter that Fifi can devour 500 pages in the 5 minute ride from the library to our home. Reading aloud together--sharing a story, laughing at the funny parts, or...uh...

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-48864658409462686582008-03-23T20:59:00.001-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.283-07:00

Can you guess what's going on in this picture?

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-31552329843365387322008-03-21T20:19:00.000-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.395-07:00

Button up your spring best, girls!And put on your new Sunday shoes.*hmmmm* Do you have some nicer ruffle socks, Cuddlebug? Yes? Good. Go put them on because we want to give our very best effort.Does everybody have the words to our song? Follow along, girls, because we want nice, strong starts for each verse.I see you. It is a happy day, really--isn't it, Cuddlebug?Today the girls and I were

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-35076764262311435372008-03-19T20:17:00.001-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.262-07:00

It's a sad state, isn't it?10 years ago, when we were awakened to walk with the Lord, Husband made the very difficult decision to be honest with his favorite brother about our change of mind--indeed, our strong conviction--to reassign custody of our (then only) daughter to my God-fearing, Bible-believing, aunt and uncle. Two years earlier, when Fifi was but an infant and we were still lost, we

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-81474102326097844672008-03-17T20:12:00.000-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.343-07:00

...were just bolder.I lifted this off Mama Archer's very excellent blog. You may need to read it twice--or thrice--to really wrap your mind around it. John Owen (1616 - 1683) was an English theologian and "was without doubt not only the greatest theologian of the English Puritan movement but also one of the greatest European Reformed theologians of his day, and quite possibly possessed the

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-73759641810474308362008-03-14T19:52:00.000-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.325-07:00

Edited for a preface: I notice that this post is being passed around, yet I don't know to whom or by whom. So, to you who are reading, who may have been the one giving or sponsoring the lecture of which I speak, let me say this: first, thank you for your time, effort and invitation--it has stretched me. And if I am mistaken in my interpretation of what you were telling your audience--if you

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-30420398941920932932008-03-13T12:50:00.001-07:002008-09-05T20:28:54.253-07:00

Oh yes.That was a much better road trip than we "enjoyed" last year. At one point though, there was miles and miles of backup on the I-35 just north of Austin because two semi trucks collided, but it was o.k. For me, at least. The only reason I know what was at the head of that line was because I passed it going the other direction. Whew!I actually made it to East Dallas in 5 hours. And

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-88326865692577790782008-03-07T20:58:00.000-08:002008-09-05T20:28:54.532-07:00

That how I'm making the annual trip north to the Dallas area for my favorite aunt's birthday this year.This is how I made it last year. Ugh. The memories.I'll try to pull together something fun or profound for posting next week.

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-67045434264113422372008-03-06T08:43:00.001-08:002008-09-05T20:28:54.257-07:00

Cuddlebug was a little shocked when Mommy easily picked it out of her mouth. (It was a much easier job than it was with one of Dumpling's first loose teeth.)But was so relieved that this exciting, but scary "first" was behind her. Fifi catches the moment.Before running upstairs to share the happy news with a sick Daddy, big sister, Dumpling, was there at the ready with the "treasure chest" to

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-56732155857727922432008-03-04T21:34:00.001-08:002008-09-05T20:28:54.285-07:00

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-19014891062889436632008-02-29T20:26:00.000-08:002008-09-05T20:28:54.300-07:00

Me, class of '86. Two hours hair and make-up--no wonder I never learned to play an instrument.

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21544300.post-10533246963906051082008-02-29T20:14:00.000-08:002008-09-05T20:28:54.398-07:00

The lunch lady at Cuddlebug's school--who is Me, of course--took good care in feeding peanut butter and honey to the 5 year old with four loose teeth.

Grafted Branchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13234492249971474897noreply@blogger.com9