Where has the time gone?

I was trying to come up with something interesting to post. As you can see from the title of this entry, I was not successful! Where has the time gone? Specifically 2008! I feel like the past two weeks have been a blur of school, appointments, basketball games, laundry, and windshield time! Not to worry, though. Tonight I arrived home at about 6:30 p.m., cleaned the basement, did one load of laundry, and watched some tv! It's been great!

Don't get me wrong, I like to do all of the things I do, I truly don't feel overcommitted right now, and I do get to spend quite a lot of time with my family. But I can't say that I've ever felt relaxed and unstressed (destressed?? not sure what prefix is correct) at any time over the last 16 days.

What to do about it? I don't know. Quit my job maybe? Nah, I would enjoy staying home for awhile, but I really like to get out into the community, not to mention the paycheck! I've been trying to go to bed earlier, I eat right, I exercise regularly, and I .....perhaps I've discovered my problem!

Before Christmas and the new year, I was devoted to spending time in God's word. Our church read through the New Testament as a congregation, and I kept up with the daily readings. Since we have completed the New Testament I've been reading my Bible only sporadically. In 2007, I didn't always get the reading in in the morning, but I would double up the next day and be back on track. In addition, I had fresh "food for thought" each day as I was on the treadmill, driving to another school district, or going about my day. I don't have that now, and I can see that I need it! Don't we all?

Here's where I need some help: any suggestions for a short daily devotion that requires Scripture reading in addition to a short message from the author? I'm talking 10-15 minutes max, people! I have to be realistic. :) All recommendations are appreciated! Thanks for your help.

News Flash!

Our lives just got a bit more hectic...Jason became the high school girls basketball coach as of about 5:00 p.m. Saturday! WOW! To put it succinctly, the former coach is unable to continue, and Jason is now the man. Jason is nervous, excited, stressed, and experiencing about every other emotion you can name. His first game as coach is not next week, Friday, or even Thursday. It's tomorrow! Yikes! We'll keep you posted.
Since Jason is Passionate (with a capital P) about basketball, he will hopefully be able to convey his love of the game to his girls! They have some major teambuilding to do. I don't think he slept at all Saturday night, but last night was much better after he held a team meeting, met with parents, and got to work with the girls for a while.


Paige had another game tonight. They played an excellent team with a seemingly endless bench. We lost, but Paige played her heart out. She ended up with 12 points and some work to do on freethrows. :) Paige's team has 7 players (sometimes 8), and degrees of talent and dedication vary, as with any 7th grade girls team! So, she plays again tomorrow and again on Thursday. What a week-and that's just basketball!

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and it's back to the rat race!

Lane, Paige, & cousin Brooklynne in the aftermath of Christmas at Grandma Jeannie's.

Did everyone have a wonderful Christmas? I hope so! We were able to spend lots of time with extended family, and the kids had a great time playing with cousins.

We were able to travel to my sister's for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Jen & I went to Winfield to visit our grandmother and see our aunt & uncle. Grandmother lives in an assisted living facility, and she looked great! It had been over a year since I'd seen her. Last time I was there, she still lived at home. Anyway, this move has been a blessing, not just for grandmother,

but for my mom, her brother, and her sister.

New Year's Day we went to the Cosmosphere (which Jason loved), toured the museum, and then watched The Polar Express on Imax. That was fun! I had never seen the movie, only read the book. Jen & I discussed the fact that the entire movie was based on a picture book, so how could the movie possibly be a feature-length film? Well, it was, and it was a good one! Two thumbs up!

Well, this brings me to the end of my Christmas vacation from school. I love the time at home with my family, my coffee, and my books. What did I accomplish during my 13 days (weekends included!) of vacation time? Hmmmm....we fit in all of the time with family and friends, Jason and the kids went snowmobiling, we moved cattle, I did a lot of laundry, cooking, cleaning, etc.

HOWEVER, I did manage to read several books! So, in no particular order, I finished The Kite Runner, The Wheel of Darkness by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, My Sister's Keeper and Salem Falls by Jodi Picoult, a couple of books for junior high students, and The Princess Bride. Out of all of those, I would recommend The Princess Bride! This was about my third time through, and it gets better every time I read it. If you've never read the book, go to your local library today and check it out. Then watch the movie (it's good, too). What's next on my reading list? A book about King Arthur and then two books my sister loaned me. Can't wait!!

Well, reality is calling to me. I need to go get ready for inservice. But my coffee....my books.....my coffee....my books.....