Fishing Trip last weekend.

The Cableman has always dreamed of having his own boat. Here he is in all his glory.



The view from our boat at sunrise.

Noah playing his gameboy inside the boat with the canvas up.

Four of the five loves of my life.

Blog Silence

Children

Women should not have children over 35. Thirty-five children are enough. ~ Anonymous

Feeling not so groovy.

I have been sleeping since Friday night. I slept most of the day on Saturday. I got up Sunday went to church came home and went back to bed. I got up this Monday morning and got the kids off to school, late. I swear I could lay back down and sleep the rest of the day. This isn't a cold, it's a sleeping sickness.

Unfortunately, the dishes are piled to the ceiling in the kitchen, the laundry is piled to the ceiling. There's no food, nothing "'cept an ole turkey". Where's the cleaning lady? Where are the laundry fairies? Why are there 3 pairs of my husband's underware in the bathroom floor?

I wanna go back to bed.

Higher up and Farther in

I must admit I came to the Narnia Chronicles late in life, I was 30 years old when I first read the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. However, I was hooked for life!! I adore these books and have read them at least once a year since. I, like every good Narnia aficionado, believe that the books should be read not in the order that the publisher has numbered them. One MUST read the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe first. Then you can read the other books either as numbered saving the Magician's Nephew for last or you can read the Magician's Nephew and then read the rest as numbered. I believe it simply ruins the series to read the Magician's Nephew first. Half the fun of the Lion book is wondering where some of the things that are in Narnia came from. If these things are revealed before you ever start, then to me it just isn't as much fun.


My favorite scene from the book is the favorite of many. When Lucy asks "Is he quite safe?" and Mrs. Beaver says "Safe? Safe? Who said anything about safe? Of course he's not safe, but he is good."

The Ugly Rooster

I know some people love to collect these, but it really is unusal. I got it for free because of the chip (that no one sees) on his crown.

Searching for eggs

Andrew with his haul.

Noah jumping for an egg.

Ooopps! Madelynn tripped.

Colton and Kaytlynn.

New Boat

Thursday night I had a horrendous headache and I laid down. The Cableman and the kids were good sports about it, they got all the boat gear out and cleaned out the van so we could leave early on Friday to go to the boat dealership. The Cableman took all the stuff that wouldn't fit in the van and put it in The Friend's Explorer. Good thing too, The Friend was loaded down!

Friday morning we got up early and dressed everybody in MULTIPLE layers, I had on 3 pairs of pants and 4 or 5 shirts, two pairs of socks, tennis shoes, a hoodie and my fishing jacket. We went to the grocery and bought food. I'm gonna have to figure out what food travels well, because bologna just didn't cut it.

So we get to the boat place at 9:00 am and The Cableman's dad met us there. The Cableman's dad was very proud of The Cableman. Anyway, after they showed us how to put on the canopy, explained the motor, told us how to start the thing (the motor is very nice it has a power trim on it which we weren't expecting), had us sign the papers and took us for a test drive on the river, it was 1:30 pm before we ever headed out to the lake. It's a good thing The Friend came along to the dealership because he was able to watch the kiddos while we messed around with the salespeople.


Here is the boat in the parking lot of the dealership. The water on the ground is coming from the watermuffs. They put watermuffs on the engine when it is not in the water so they can start it. You never want to start an outboard marine engine if it isn't in the water. The canvas in the back goes all the way over the back they just had it unsnapped while they were showing The Cableman the gas tank. Of course we took the canvas off to take it to the lake so it wouldn't blow off or rip.

Here are the kids at the cabin blowing off a little steam Saturday morning. They had been in the car so long on Friday that they were anxious to have a little play time.

Here's Gabrielle's first bass ever. Almost a keeper at 13 inches. She was so proud. She kept saying things like, "Daddy told me to keep my pole in the water, and I did and I caught one." and "This is my first bass my Daddy caught with me." and "My Daddy likes bass." I thought for a brief second hey what about Mommy, but I had to giggle at her and myself. At first she was afraid to grab it's mouth because she thought it had teeth.

And Danielle not to be out done caught a good sized bluegill.

The fishing was good off the dock. The Cableman wants to sink a porcupine kind thing under the dock to attract more fish. This weekend we caught bass, crappie, catfish, and bluegill.

It was fun but it was also VERY cold and The Cableman caught some kind of stomach virus. I don't know if he caught it from being run down or if it was just in the air but he was so sick yesterday morning that he couldn't even sit up. He is better today but now I feel like death warmed over, but I have to struggle through because it is spring break and because I have a mountain of laundry.

Just 5 Things I have learned.

First, God is Holy. I don't mean holy by our standards, I mean He is exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness. He is by His nature the very definition of a Holy God.

Second, there is no vacancy in the Trinity. Try as I might I cannot control others. I am not God.

Third, prayer isn't just about my wants and needs. Prayer is first about coming before a Holy God and worshiping him, second submitting my will to His, and admitting that I cannot do anything without Him and then asking for help with what burdens my heart.

Fourth, no person can fill all my needs, wants or desires. Only God can fill that "God-shaped hole" which Pascal once referred to. To place that burden on my husband or children is an abomination. I know that abomination is a strong word but I can think of no other word to describe how horrible and destructive this burden can be to those we love.

Fifth, sex was created by God. It is not dirty. It is not shameful. It is not displeasing to God, the God who created it, as long as it is practiced within the limits He set for us. Try this and see if it doesn't radically change your sex life with your spouse. Get down on your knees beside your marriage bed and pray. Pray "God let all that happens in this bed bring glory to you." If you will take a servant's heart into your sex life, you will honor marriage. Give your spouse more honor than you want and it will radically change not just your sex life but your entire relationship.