My favorite church sermon

Caution contains religion and politics:

I'm not one to talk about my views very often in the area of religion and politics. I think this is due to the fact that I believe more in "doing" than just talking. I avoid the topics because I don't want to offend anyone because everyone has different views and I am no better than anyone else. However, I wonder if people that really know me understand my views at all. I heard the most wonderful sermon the other day at church and I just have to share it. It is so similar to my views that I felt I could have written it myself. So I thought I would share it with anyone that wants to listen. I'm not trying to change anyone's views or convert anyone. I just want you to not judge, but just listen and get to know me and what I believe in better.

So if you have 20 minutes of free time to listen, you are welcome to a glimpse of my views. The sermon is based on Matthew 22:15-22 Click here and then click on the sermon "God or Caesar-Who to obey?"

Yes to the greyhound, but later

I know the voting period isn't over, but I just wanted you to know that we are going to get the second dog. We are going to wait a bit longer than my original Christmas present idea though. Instead for Christmas, I booked a trip to Orlando yesterday! Yay it will be warm there. We are going to go in Jan after all of the hoopla. When we have gone to Orlando in the past we have always stayed at a Disney resort and just went to their parks. This time we are staying with my dad and step mom (newly retired) and we want to check out some other places. So my questions to you are...1)recommendations for things to do (or avoid) in Orlando and 2) a way to get by on a small budget. We are still planning on going to Disney World for a day or two, I can't go that far and not go there. I think I could live there ;)

Don't you wonder how I make it through a day when I have to ask my blog friends all of these questions about how to live my life?

Do we need another dog?

I am in love with Greyhounds and I've been wanting to adopt one for a while. We always thought it would be our next dog after Daisy left us. Well yesterday while shopping at the dollar store I saw a van parked next to us that had 3 greyhounds in it. They went into the pet store, so Lance and I went in to see if they were doing an adoption day. They were doing a meet and greet for this organization, it helps retired race dogs find homes. After talking to representatives for a while, I thought that now is the perfect time to get another dog. We have been reading through the literature and everything sounds perfect. We are thinking of starting the process in the next couple of months to make our new dog a family birthday present. If you know anything about retired racing greyhounds please share. I also included a new poll to get your opinions.

The little things they do

In Lance news...Last night Lance was moved up in his city orchestra to 1st violin. He auditioned a while back and he was happy with playing 2nd, but very excited about being moved up. The bad part is the songs are harder now (who would have thought?) His next goal will be to move up to the better orchestra.

Last night was Liam's last soccer game of the season. (The pictures were taken on Sat. because I am a fair weather fan, I only go in fair weather, haha. No, really I had to take Lance to orchestra. I just didn't want to fool you into thinking we have good weather here, full disclosure) He really improved this season. All of the boys did actually. They used to just run in a clump, but now they understand positions and they really try to score goals.

Okay, they are still near each other more than they should be, but spread out a little bit more. Liam is the one doing the Karate action in the middle (I don't know why, must be the way he runs faster)The back of Liam looking for the ball. At least he is looking in the right direction (Look at the kid in the background looking the wrong way). The funniest part of their games is when a kid would just take off with the ball and everyone has to scream..."go the other way!" Fun games:)All the kids got a little medal for playing this season. He is trying to show you that the picture changes on the medal, why can't you see that?

Brag Time

(This post is mainly for grandparents etc. because it is just a brag about my boys).

The end of the quarter was on Friday and we got report cards.
Lance- His major areas are broken down into smaller things and each thing receives a grade. I will tell you in which area he got a little lower grade. There are specific assignments that count in the different areas, sometimes it's only one assignment that got him that grade.
Reading-3 A's and a B in comprehension
Writing-2 A's and a B in Handwriting and Word Processing
Math- 1 A and a B+ in Mathematical Reasoning
Social Studies- A's in all the units covered
Science- A's in all the units covered
Art- A
PE-A
Spanish-A
Music-A
Latin-A

Liam's is stranger since he is first grade. They have a 1-4 grading system. 2-needs improvement, 3 meets expectations, 4 exceeds expectations.
Reading- All 3's
Writing- 2's (handwriting being one again)
Math- All 3's
Social Studies- All 3's
Science- All 3's
Art- All 3's
PE- All 3's
Spanish- All 4's (I think he is a little charmer with the Spanish teacher)
Music- All 3's

Overall, we are really happy. We just ask that they do all of their work and they do their best. I warned you that this is a boring post:)

Shout out

Just have to give a shout out to my blogging buddy's new Etsy shop. Go here to see the great things she has made and she is willing to sell. Think Christmas gifts!

I baked!

Suddenly I had a burst of domestication. I don't know why. It could be this post or maybe I'm nesting (maybe our kids are just around the corner?) Anyway, I baked cookies yesterday! I used to cook and bake more, but then I had kids and life got busy etc. Lately, I lack successes, maybe the issue of being too busy plays here also.

Ryan always teases Lance telling him that it is his turn to cook dinners because mommy used to cook until Lance was born, therefore it must be Lance's turn.

Another sign that reminded me that I do nothing in the kitchen was yesterday as I went for my mixer that sits on the counter, I noticed cobwebs on the beater. The possible causes of this could be a) We have an unusual amount of very active spiders b) I don't use it very often c) I don't clean. I think it is a combination of b and c.

My boys almost died of shock when they came home from school and saw the cookies. They of course wanted to know the next time I would be baking and can they put in a request.

I just wanted to share my small victory. My hopes and dreams are to be as good as some of my blogging buddies (you know who you are domestication divas, with your good for you foods). For now I'm just happy that my oven still worked.