I've got the gardenin' blues

Singing the blues

the gardenin' blues

(to the tune of the "babysitting blues")

hi my name is julie

and it's summer here in arizona,

it's gotten so dang hot here

that it's so hard...

it's so hard...

to keep my garden going

so I have... the gardenin' blues

it's hot here in the morning

and it's hot here in the night

this heat has killed my peach tree

killed my plum tree too

so I'm so sad...

yeah so sad...

I have... the gardenin' blues

my garden looks so lonesome

all my pretty flowers wilted

yeah my garden's such a mess

and I don't know what to do

that's why...I have the blues

I have... the gardenin' blues

I remember when it was thrivin'

before this summer came

now it's just a memory

and it makes me feel like cryin'

do you know what I'm talkin' about...

if you do...then you've also had... the gardenin' blues

been cleaning out the garden

ready for this heat to head on out

I'll be glad...

yeah so glad...

when I can start all over

and no longer sing the gardenin' blues

cause I'm singing... the gardenin' blues

til my garden looks this nice again...

i'll be singing... the gardenin' blues

"babysitting blues" (video)

Sharing Faith At School

Protecting what we have

Reclaiming what we've lost

Shaping how we become

These are notebooks and folders being sold at Walmart stores. It is encouraging to see the country's largest retailer stocking school supplies with openly religious messages. It is encouraging to see christian messages being promoted.

As we see Christianity removed from our schools, isn't it teaching children that christian values and faith are something to hide and be embarrased about?

Many times teachers have the mistaken impression that anything religious is not allowed in school, and they make on-the-spot decisions that religious items need to go. They are wrong.

Some school boards have adopted official policies that inhibit student-initiated religious expression. But these policies also are inconsistent with what the relevant laws actually say.

Such messages are perfectly legal and they conform with court rulings that give wide latitude to students who want to express religious views in public schools.

Given the precedents established by court decisions, parents who stand up for the religious rights of their children to voluntarily express their beliefs in a way that doesn't disrupt instruction will usually win, if they have informed legal counsel.

This is information provided by Attorney David Cortman of the Alliance Defense Fund. View an interview with him by clicking here.

He advises students to first obey school authority if they are told to keep religious messages out of sight, but then parents ought to step in. The ADF provides a "Students Rights Handbook" here

Isn't it time to bring God back into our schools?

"God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son" John 3:16

This message is illegal in 53 countries.

Restricted nations: 40

Hostile areas: 13

Happy Birthday Michelle!

This sweet little angel came into my life

34 years ago today,

my middle child

my daughter

my Michelle

I have seen this very same look on Megan many many times.

I wonder if she will be like her mommy.

I hope so.

I hope she has Michelle's independence,

confidence,

and strength.

I hope she brings as much love and joy into Michelle's life

as Michelle has brought to mine.

and wisdom...
I hope Megan has her mommy's wisdom
for Michelle has taught me so much about
life, faith, and endurance.
I love how she sees things with so much depth and clarity.
I admire how she turns to God for guidance
and how she listens and trusts.
I am forever grateful that He allowed me to be her mother.
I didn't think she and I could get any closer than we already were...
like milk and cookies
yogi and booboo
bert and ernie
macaroni and cheese
rain and puddles
toast and jam

~but this year we did~

Happy Birthday Michelle!

I love you,

Momma

+: )

Summer

Summer in Arizona means it's swimming weather!
It's good to be home.
As beautiful as the weather is in Southern California this time of year (where I have spent half of my summer), I do enjoy our hot weather... so I can get in the pool. Being the wimp that I am I wait until the pool water is above 88 degrees. p e r f e c t !

and this is what I had waiting for me at home...

I am surrounded by love*

I so enjoyed my time with them. I love when they come over and we catch up and grill and laugh and eat and swim. Good family time. I love each and every one of them! The ones in Arizona and the ones in California.

Tomorrow is Michelle's birthday and I will be there for her birthday!

Yep, I'm going back and I get to give her a birthday hug in person!

So much love*

So much to be thankful for*

The rest of July

~Lots went on in AZ during my July stay at Michelle's.

~It got hot.

~Our AC unit stopped working.

~Mikey started a new job.

~Gil and Linda had a beautiful 40 yr wedding anniversary celebration.

~Gil had knee replacement surgery with complications that made his hospital stay too long. He is home and enjoying his physical therapy sessions, right brother? : )

~Grandson Marty did not achieve the backflip he was hoping for in the pool and hit his head. Made this nana's heart stop beating when Michelle took the phone call. He braved through the staples in the back of his head. Thank God you are okay my little Marty!

~David found 2 baby snakes in our house. Luckily there were dead.

Before I knew it July was over and I was headed home with such mixed feelings. How do you leave behind a daughter who has been fighting cancer and gone through chemo and surgery? How do you leave behind her little ones who have given me so many lovees? I have been with them 24/7 and even though I miss home and everyone there, it is so hard to leave.

In the last six months, I have been up here a lot!

and my dear sweet David drove there every single weekend that I was there.
Bless his heart +: )

At the end of July, I drove back home with him. Can I really unpack and put my suitcase away?

I have such mixed feelings. I can't wait to see the rest of the family! And I can't wait to visit Michelle again!

We saw this on our way home...

I think it's a good sign.

"The voice of the Lord is over the waters;

the voice of the Lord is Powerful;

the voice of the Lord is Majestic"

Psalm 29:3

Beach Bonfire!

Finally, my very first bonfire on the beach!!

next post: going home

Breakfast in Bed

Megan

+cheerios
+milk

+ her animal friends

equals

breakfast in bed

: )

next post: beach bonfire