I Remember

September 11 sneaks up on me yet I can still remember every event of that morning like it was yesterday. I can still picture stopping cold in front of the TV as I saw the smoke billowing from the World Trade Center. I remember leaving the apartment just to get away from those images. I remember the father in the park telling me that the towers had just collapsed and I myself collapsing into tears. As painful as these memories are for me, I lift up those who were more deeply affected by this tragic day. I weep for those who never had the chance to say goodbye to their loved ones.

This morning, as Ian and I were reading our devotional, we were led to Romans 8:35-39(NLT):

"Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or are hungry or cold or in danger or threatened with death? (Even the Scriptures say, "For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.") No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ who loved us.

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels can't , and teh demons can't. Our fears for today, our woories about tomorrow, adn even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away. Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Horrific events will happen. God grieves these with us. Still, I know where I am going if my life were to end as abruptly as those lost that sad September day. My prayer is that you know where you will be going to.

And Visions of Superbowls Danced in Their Heads

Hooray! Football season is officially underway! I so missed spending my Sunday afternoons on the couch with Rich cheering madly for our teams. I will also admit that when the current schedule was announced last April and we found out our Bears would be playing the Colts, we both collectively groaned. We just remember sitting at an icy Soldier Field in 2004 watching Peyton pick apart our defense. So, we were overjoyed at our team's "shocking" win last night over the Colts. We are now primed to enjoy the run to the Superbowl!

Need some prayers

I had a conversation with someone this morning and now I really need to pray about where God is leading me with this. If you can spare a prayer for discernment, I'd appreciate it.

Annoying parents for thousands of years and still going strong!

An excerpt from a rather disturbing note in Ian's take-home folder:

"Hello Parents of 4th Grade Students,

As you already may be aware, in 4th grade, the students in msic class learn to play the recorder. It is a wind instrument, similar to a flute. It was first played thousands of years ago in the Renaissance period."

[I think I will invest in a good supply of ear plugs now.]

How Did This Happen?

Yesterday was the first day of school. For the first time since he started preschool, Ian didn't want me to take him to school for the first day. He preferred to take the bus with his friends. At first I thought I was going to be ok with it, but as he stepped out the door, I was really kind of sad as it's a reminder of how quickly he is growing up. Seriously, how did I get old enough to have a fourth grader?

So, I spent most of my day yesterday wondering how it was going and could barely contain myself as the hour approached for him to come home on the bus. I couldn't wait to hear all about his first day. Kyra and I waited at the bus stop at whcih point, he came off again with his friends and promptly wanted to go play with them. Another crushing blow to the mommy heart!

Still, I am glad he is excited to be back at school and with his friends. I know he was anxious to get back. We did get a lot out of him at dinner and he has told me that I will like his new teacher, Mrs. D, as her two favorite things are crafts and reading. What's not to like about that? Still, I pray for this to be a great year for my "baby boy."

A New Toy (but for who?)

Ian has always loved maps, so it really didn't surprise me when he would stop in front of the GPS display at Radio Schack and check out all of the models. He's had a gift card for Target for quite some time. Rich introduced him to the geocaching website and the idea of going on "treasure hunts" intrigued him. So, my boys made a stop at Target on their way home on Saturday and picked up a GPS.

Seriously, I think Rich wanted one all along but wanted to have a "partner in crime." To say they have been obsessed is an uncderstatement. The funny thing is that it took them two days to actually find their first cache. Apparently, it is a little more difficult than they wuold have thought. Anyhow, here is a picture of Ian with his first "cache". I apologize for the grainy picture; it's from Rich's phone since venturing into the woods with Kyra isn't exactly a viable option at this time.

September Play List

Where ever did August go? I actually went out for a run this morning before creating a new playlist so I just used one from last month, but it did motivate me to go create this month's edition. Here's what is on the list for September:

4 Minutes - Madonna featuring Justin Timberlake & Timbaland
Give It To Me Good - Trixter (FYI: this one isn't even recognized by iTunes; I love my 80s hairbands!)
Hot N Cold - Kate Perry
Burnin' Up - Jonas Brothers
Livin' la Vida Loca - Ricky Martin
You Are Being Loved - Steven Curtis Chapman
Down in Mississippi (Up to No Good) - Sugarland
How Bad Do You Want It - Tim McGraw
Your Love Is Better Than Life - Newsboys
Shiftwork - Kenny Chesney (with George Strait)
Human Wheels - John Mellencamp
Lost Highway - Bon Jovi
The Ballad of John & Yoko - The Beatles
I Can Be Your Friend - Veggietales
I Write Sins Not Tragedies - Panic! At The Disco
Sugar, We're Goin Down - Fall Out Boy
Check Yes Juliet - We The Kings