Good Morning Sunshine :)

Good Morning Sunshine!

 Have a cup of coffee on me!  Organic of course.  Tobacco and coffee are the most heavily pesticided crops in the world.  Is pesticided a word?

I'll even let you use my favorite coffee mug.  I bought this mug at the Bentonville Farmer's Market from a wonderful craftsman.  I use it everyday.  You may use it after I finish my coffee.  Happy Day Everyone!  I

London Bridge is Falling Down

 Not this bridge.

 These bridges fell down.

 Oh the anticipation of the bridge breaking.

 Derek filling the bucket with sand to break his bridge.

 Brianna working on destroying her bridge.

 Brittany's bridge held 34 lbs before it broke!

 This is what it looks like when your bridge breaks.

 Jenelle telling about the longest bridges.

 Brittany found some dangerous bridges.

Derek showed off the world's tallest bridge.

We finished the event with refreshments.  YUM!

My husband challenged the kids to this competition.  If you google toothpick bridges you will find all kinds of information.  Basically you make a bridge with only toothpicks and wood glue.  You then attach a bucket which you pour sand or rocks in until your bridge breaks.  The bridge that can withstand the most weight wins.  It was a lot of fun and we can't wait to have another competition in the fall.  Jason did a great job of coaching and teaching the kids engineering.  He did make a bridge and Brittany beat him.  Better luck next time Dad.

 

Culture Shock

A few of you know my culture shock of moving to SW Arkansas.  In Bentonville I shared an office with two Naturopathic Doctors, could drop off recycling at any nearby town, shopped at a huge farmer's market and was part of a inclusive homeschool group of people of many faiths.  Here I feel like my freak flag is flying high.  I miss talking to my 5 Naturopathic Doctor friend and being around other people who share the same thoughts as me were comforting and uplifting.  This has made me look at how other people must feel when they move to America.  I can't imagine the culture shock that Grace (my sister in law) felt when she came here from China for graduate school.  I think we as American Christians do a poor job of making others feel welcome.  I feel out of place because my beliefs go against the grain of the community.  Everyone wants to be accepted and respected for who they are.  When other cultures come into our communities do we reach out to them?  Do we invite them to the park?  Do we respect their culture and point of view?  Often we do not.  If they don't walk through the door of our church we do not want anything to do with them.  We treat them as if they are a virus that is going to infect our children should they play together.  Shame on us!  God has given us the greatest gift of love and we are expected to share that love.  We will never reach those around us unless we love them where they are at.  We must respect their beliefs, cultural differences and families just as we want to be respected.  We need to show them God's love so when they ask why we are different from the rest of the people who shun them we have an answer.

Happy Birthday!

The girls designed Jason's Birthday Cake.

The Cake Boss has inspired them :) 

Ta-Da

The kids couldn't wait for Dad to get home.

That's a lot of candles.

After the smoke cleared we opened gifts and celebrated the best Daddy and Hubby in the world.  Happy Birthday Jason!

Garden Dreams and Compost Wishes

I received this book yesterday and can't wait to read it.  It is about manure and composting.  I will let you know how I like it.  I admit I bought the book because of the title.  This little church girl feels a little risque sometimes ;).

I am beginning to dream of my garden.  Fresh tomato's, broccoli, and squash are calling my name.  What are you going to plant this year?

The Great Snowman Caper

This snowman was the first of a family of four.

She stood tall and proud for all to see.

Then she was taken down in cold snow.

The death of Mr. Snowman was an overkill.

Please help us find the cold hearted criminals.

Around Town

Derek and I spent the day exploring Texarkana. Here we are in Spring Lake Park on the Texas Side.

The ducks were enjoying the warm day.

Here they are settling in for the evening. 

Here is Downtown Texarkana.  Years ago the railroad brought wealth to the community.

Union Station is now abandoned but the architecture is beautiful.

The first building is a museum and the building behind it is the Grim Hotel.   It is abandoned and some believe haunted.  There is talk of renovating it into apartments.  I love downtowns!  Texarkana is amazing to walk around even though mostly abandoned.  I can only imagine how it felt to get off at Union Station and walk down the street looking up at the rich buildings.  I have many more pics and will post more later.  Maybe someday I will own a shop in one of the old buildings....hmmmm. 

Lessons from 2010

My first lesson is you never know what tomorrow may bring.  If you told me December 31st, 2009 I would be living in Texarkana in the next year I would have been shocked but here we are!

I could live the rest of my life in a coastal town in New England.  The trip Jason and I took was magnificent and I can't wait to go back.

Contractors can be crooks.

Never schedule movers until your home is closed on.  Our things were being loaded when the call came in that we would have to move the closing date back two weeks.

We have many friends in NW Arkansas who loves us and we love them.

Living in town is not so bad.

My husband is truly my best friend and greatest supporter.

There are no rednecks in NW AR.  I am a Yankee even though I have always lived South of the Mason Dixon line. All NW ARers are Yankees and just don't know it.

Camouflage is a primary color in SW Arkansas and worn year round.

Many companies manufacture grits.

People in SW Arkansas are very friendly.

A poke is a sack and you should always tote it.  Tote means to carry such as I am going to tote this poke home.

NW AR has many homeschoolers.

I may be a city girl.

How to let go of destructive relationships and not feel guilty. Well, a little guilty.

That my NW AR clients were wonderful and I miss the interaction in their lives.  They are dear to my heart.

Not all Sams Clubs are equal.

Organic and recycling are not widely accepted in some parts of Arkansas.

I am rich and NW AR is rich.  Texarkana has 37% of its population below poverty level.

Fancy wheels on an old car is cool.

The higher the truck is jacked up the better.  I am looking at new wheels and springs for my truck.

My purpose is to love others.  The only way to share God is through love.