Minivan Moments

Well, this weekend, we spent a lot of times with family and friends. We stayed close to home, almost at home all weekend, but we had a nice time. It has been awhile since I updated, so I thought I would let you all know how we are doing and what we are up to. Dania is talking in sentences, teething, and throwing things all over the house (including at me if I make her mad). Calysta is getting closer to those lovely teen years with every day. Quin is working hard (and having fun, of course) through Lego Indiana Jones. (We love those Lego games because there is no blood... the violence is with Lego characters, and they all just break up into Lego pieces when they "die") We are planning for upcoming birthdays, and we are studying history and architecture. This week or next, we hope to take a field trip to a neighboring town and check out all their old buildings and such. They have something called "I-Spy: Franklin on Foot" which is a walking tour (possibly self-...

I have taken quite for granted that I would have the time To embrace all my tomorrows, when, truly, they aren't mine. I haven't any promise from God, in all His grace, That I am due a future, not on Earth, in any case. The days that I've been given, up to now, this very day, Are intended to be cherished, and not just passed away. If I am to be faithful to The One who calls me His, I plan to make some changes: to live , not just exist. And so, to each of you out there, "hearing" my heart's wish, I hope that you will value a meaningful life lived . Let this not be a heavy day; let guilt not weigh your heart; Just reach into your soul and find the path on which to start. It's marked with love and kindness, with a sharing of your lives; And a life that's filled with real love is a blessing in God's eyes. ~ Angela M. Varela Sept. 14, 2008

Well, my beloved Grampa Brown was laid to rest in the Arlington National Cemetery last month, and my baby sister has been married off. We are back from our travels, done with all of our preparations, and plodding through homeschooling. We are finally unpacked, getting a handle on the "fit in the housework" game, which has become very challenging, but learning a lot about how homeschooling works in our home. This past week, we visited our City Hall, where the kids got to see photos of all of our past mayors, tour the courtroom, see where our city approves or denies permits, and talk with a police officer about the role of the police in our community. There was a lot to see for such a small city (land-wise), and we were able to share with everyone in the building our delicious homemade muffins. The kids seemed to get more curious about government and our city after this visit, so the field trip definitely paid off! Dania has begun to speak in 2- and 3-word sentences, and sh...

Time is like the baby's socks... pieces of it slip away without notice until one day, you are looking for it specifically, only to discover it has disappeared! I have just a few minutes to spare, so I thought I would update the site..... We are homeschooling again! Quin is in Kindergarten, and he is doing fantastic!! Calysta is in the 3rd grade now, and she is really taking to her schoolwork better than last year! Hurray, Summer Vacation!! The baby/toddler/distraction/destroyer is just meandering about trying to be in the middle of everyone's business. She likes to "write" and "read" with the big kids. I figure at this rate, she'll be in kindergarten next year! Anyway, we are preparing for our trip to Virginia to watch my baby sister get married! We will also be attending the funeral and memorial service for my grandfather who passed away last month. I have been working on a tribute video/slideshow that will be shown at the memorial. It has bee...

The Disappearing Toddler needs a new name. Well, yes, she does still like to run off in all sorts of public places, but she has a new... um, hobby, you could say. She has recently taken to spit shining herself. And others. If you aren't paying attention. Yup, she spits into her hands, then "washes" herself. And others. If you aren't paying attention. You know, if you have kids, you're already aware that dealing with the seepage of their bodily fluids is part of the package. However, I can tell you with no small amount of experience here that being spit shined by my toddler is still disgusting. Really, really icky. Really. Icky. Any tips on how to abbreviate this favored past-time?? She really likes it. Her family, however, not so much. Well, for now, we are telling her "no" and putting her away from us. We'll see how that pans out for us. Gotta go. She is now fishing pieces of stale snacks out from under the entertainment center. An...

I just finished the most amazing book: The Shack . This book was not only a great read, it was poignant, inspiring, and life-changing. If you have not heard of the book, check out their site: www.theshackbook.com If you have heard of it, but not read it, PLEASE reconsider!! This book sat in my house for several months before I was convicted enough to read it, and when I read it, I was really hooked! I couldn't wait to get back to the book each time I had to put it down (which was often since I have three children, all of whom were ill during this time). I am not going to tell you much about the book; I am just going to tell you that it will change how you think about God... in a GOOD way. In a let-out-that-breath-you-were-holding way. In a kind of " Oh, Thank You, Jesus! " kind of way. Seriously, this book could be the difference between really knowing God and just thinking that you know God. One thing I have said for as long as I have considered myself a Christia...

You know, I used to believe that I would never get married. I have been married for 7 years now. I used to wonder if I would have children of my own. I have been blessed with three. I once thought that if I went to college, I would fail. I got my Bachelor of Science degree in 4 years with a 3.7 GPA. When we moved to Tennessee in 2000, I had no friends, and I wondered if anyone would want to be my friend. Now, I have more friends than I have time to appreciate. I once believed that I was an invisible member of society. Then I became a Christian, and invisible was good - I want people to see Jesus when they look at me, not Angie. Last weekend, as you know, my dear grandfather passed away. It was said to be peaceful, but it was -and is- painful for the rest of us. Since my grandfather served this great country in the Navy for many years, he will be honored with a special burial at Arlington National Cemetery next month. Since that day is several weeks away, my neighbors (dear ...