If Your Name is Spring, Welcome In!

Less than three months ago this glass dome housed a candle and was embraced by a wreath of glistening berries and evergreens. It was cozy and warm to look at. But I am so done with cozy and warm. I want to put my flip flops on and open the windows.

Last summer The Entertainer and I took a walk on my dad's property and brought home several sheets of moss that we found. Amazingly, it stayed plush and green all winter with nary (and I mean nary) a drop of attention. So I put a layer of pebbles, then a layer of dirt and gave the moss a new home. Now this glass dome is fresh and GREEN!

It's Funny, Get It?

The Reader loves to read anything. I love for him to read most anything as well. But recently I love to hear him read riddle books. I picked up "Sheepish Riddles" by Katy Hall and Lisa Eisenberg on my most recent trip to the library for the boys. Here's how our nightly reading time sounds:

The Reader "Hey mom, where do sheep go to get a haircut?"
Mom "I don't know, where?"
The Reader "To the baa-baa shop. (Insert chuckle) Get it, the baa-baa, like bar-ber shop? Get it?"
Mom "Yes, I get it"
The Reader "What kind of birthday party do lambs like?"
Mom "I dunno, what?"
The Reader "Sheepovers! Get it? Sheep instead of sleep? (Practically falling on the floor laughing at this point)

If you have any reluctant readers, riddle books are great. The play into the child's natural humor and reading the riddles over and over give him great practice. It also introduces homophones like ewe and you or sheer and shear. Encourage them to memorize some to share with their friends at school. And if for no other reason it's just stinking cute to hear your children laughing at jokes.

50 Things About Me

There are different versions of this floating around cyberspace. Copy and play along if you'd like!

1. Where were you 3 hours ago? At the post office
2. Who are you in love with? My husband and my boys
3. Have you ever eaten a crayon? As much as I love new pointy crayons I have never eaten one.
4. Is there anything pink within 10 feet of you? No - did I mention I have three boys?
5. When is the last time you went to the mall? Tuesday
6. Are you wearing socks right now? No
7. Do you have a car worth over $2,000? Yes
8. When was the last time you drove out of town? I guess that depends on your definition, according to my definition that would be a long, long time ago. Probably in the fall.
9. Have you been to the movies in the last 5 days? No
11. What are you wearing right now? Denim skirt, red long sleeved tee, black sweater
12. Do you wash your car or let the car wash do it? Usually the car wash
13. Last food that you ate? Nutter Butters
14. Where were you last week at this time? Getting dinner ready
15. You bought any clothing items in the last week? I bought two pairs of jeans for The Reader this week
16. When is the last time you ran? About a month ago
17. What's the last sporting event you watched? I have no idea
18. What is your favorite animal? Elephant or Giraffe
19. Your dream vacation? Africa, though the purpose of it wouldn't be a vacation
20. Last person's house you were in? My mom's
21. Worst injury you've ever had? Torn hamstring
22. Have you been in love? Yes!
23. Do you miss anyone right now? Yes
24. Last play you saw? Pinocchio
25. What is your secret weapon to lure in the opposite sex? ???
26. What are your plans for tonight? Eat dinner with my family and help with homework
27. Who is the last person you sent a MySpace message or comment? I don't have a MySpace account
28. Next trip you are going to take? Hard to say
29. Ever go to camp? Yes and I have wonderful memories
30. Were you an honor roll student in school? Usually
31. What do you want to know about the future? Nothing
32. Are you wearing any perfume or cologne? Nope
33. Are you due sometime this year for a doctor's visit? Nope, just had one
34. Where is your best friend? At home with their families
35. Who is your best friend? Mr. Steady, Marcella K, and Kenny D
36. Do you have a tan? Never, I wasn't blessed with much melanin
37. What are you listening to right now? Mr. Steady and The Entertainer's conversation as Mr. Steady is changing The Entertainer's diaper
38. Do you collect anything? Clutter
39. Who is the biggest gossiper you know? I gave up talking bad about people for Lent, ask me on April 13 - totally kidding!
40. Last time you got stopped by a cop or pulled over? 2001
41. Have you ever drank your soda from a straw? Um, yes
42. What does your last text message say? Don't have texting capabilities
43. Do you like hot sauce? No way.
44. Last time you took a shower? This morning
45. Do you need to do laundry? No, it's all caught up for this week
46. What is your heritage? German
47. Are you some one's best friend? Yes
48. Are you rich? I am so blessed you just wouldn't even believe me if I told you
49. What were you doing at 12AM last night? Sleeping!
50. Who was the last person to call you? A customer

Let There Be Light

When we moved into this house we inherited this light. It is obviously unattractive and hugs the ceiling like nobody's business. It wasn't that big of a deal until we flip flopped our playroom and dining rooms.

When Mr. Steady and I found a brass chandelier at the thrift store for $2.50 I knew it was my opportunity to bring some class to the dining room. Mr. Steady spray painted with a matte black, no primer, no sanding! It looks great. He switched out the chain and added a longer cord. Then you voted on the globes and we (finally) bought the frosted amber globes. Mr. Steady reluctantly happily hung the chandy 60" from the floor (because the Nester said so) and I have been thrilled with it. The only thing I would do differently again is look for a chandelier with matching suitable globes already in them. We had to buy globes a couple at a time because of the cost and if I found another light with matching globes for a little more, I would snatch it up. Globes cost anywhere from $7 for the basic to upwards of $20 for the fancy schmancy ones. Mine were somewhere on the lower end. So even if you pay $15 for a three lamp light you're still ahead of the game.

Five Finger Prayer

Star of the Week

The Thinker was the "Star of the Week" in his class at school last week. He filled out a book about himself and then took in pictures. I was invited to attend Tuesday as his teacher interviewed him and allowed the class to ask questions about his life. I was also invited to stay for lunch.

I know I have shared with you that I have been a little dismayed at The Thinker's grades lately (which I am happy to report are back on the rise). I overheard a conversation at lunch, in which I will not divulge details here, that just reassured me that God really is working on The Thinker's heart. And a godly heart and a bold, bold witness are so much more important than grades.

Thinker, I am so proud of the way you fearlessly share your faith in such a loving way. Never be afraid to lovingly guide your peers to Christ. I know God was smiling on you Tuesday! You are a star in my book - and in God's!

Pay It Forward

UPDATED: Congratulations to Such_Savage, Chazya and Shannon! You win! Email me your snail mail address at coveredandpraying at sbcglobal dot com and I will get your gift out to you!
As a side note, I DO know where I got the graphic, it's a Suzy's Zoo, what I meant to say is that there is a Pay It Forward boom going on around the blogosphere and lots of bloggers are doing a giveaway for the first three commenters.

Stole this from another blog but can't tell you where. Not because I am stingy and don't want to share my source of blog fodder but because I literally cannot remember.

The first three commenters right here, right now will receive a gift from me. I can't tell you what it is (ok, now that IS because I don't want to share my source of blog fodder) but I will send it to you within the next week.