Monday, September 14, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day?
(Apologies to Alan Jackson for stealing his song title.)
I was sitting in a chapel service at work -- we had weekly Tuesday chapel services. Our superintendent left the service at some point, having been informed of what was going on. He returned and announced to us all the details he knew. In stunned silence, we returned to our offices and huddled around radios. You couldn't even get online the Internet was so jammed. Next we were all calling family members everywhere. Before long, an announcement was made sending us all home.
I watched the the news all day, holding tightly to my Big A, who was then my Little A -- just about to turn 3.
Where were you? What do you remember?
I adore the song lyrics by Alan Jackson:
"Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)"
Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Out in the yard with your wife and children
Working on some stage in LA
Did you stand there in shock at the site of
That black smoke rising against that blue sky
Did you shout out in anger
In fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry
Did you weep for the children
Who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don't know
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below
Did you burst out in pride
For the red white and blue
The heroes who died just doing what they do
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself to what really matters
I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love
Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Teaching a class full of innocent children
Driving down some cold interstate
Did you feel guilty cause you're a survivor
In a crowded room did you feel alone
Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her
Did you dust off that Bible at home
Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened
Close your eyes and not go to sleep
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages
Speak with some stranger on the street
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Go out and buy you a gun
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watching
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some stranger
Stand in line and give your own blood
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love
I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love
I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love
The greatest is love
The greatest is love
Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
I was sitting in a chapel service at work -- we had weekly Tuesday chapel services. Our superintendent left the service at some point, having been informed of what was going on. He returned and announced to us all the details he knew. In stunned silence, we returned to our offices and huddled around radios. You couldn't even get online the Internet was so jammed. Next we were all calling family members everywhere. Before long, an announcement was made sending us all home.
I watched the the news all day, holding tightly to my Big A, who was then my Little A -- just about to turn 3.
Where were you? What do you remember?
I adore the song lyrics by Alan Jackson:
"Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)"
Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Out in the yard with your wife and children
Working on some stage in LA
Did you stand there in shock at the site of
That black smoke rising against that blue sky
Did you shout out in anger
In fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry
Did you weep for the children
Who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don't know
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below
Did you burst out in pride
For the red white and blue
The heroes who died just doing what they do
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself to what really matters
I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love
Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Teaching a class full of innocent children
Driving down some cold interstate
Did you feel guilty cause you're a survivor
In a crowded room did you feel alone
Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her
Did you dust off that Bible at home
Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened
Close your eyes and not go to sleep
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages
Speak with some stranger on the street
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Go out and buy you a gun
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watching
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some stranger
Stand in line and give your own blood
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love
I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love
I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love
The greatest is love
The greatest is love
Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Thursday, September 10, 2009
A new blog
I so love blogging. I love reading them. I love writing them. In fact, I have a history of serial blog creation and abandonment because I've had a hard time figuring out what I should be blogging about. A good blogger needs a topic. Last year during the election season I was blogging madly about politics and news events. It worked for a while, but the truth is that I'm just not an expert about politics and news events. There are way too many people who do it better. So I've been thinking for months, what can I really blog about and be ME?
And then it came to me.
The Bible says that where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. My treasure is my family. That's where my heart is all the time. I am a mom. That's who I am and what I do. But I also have a career. I love it, but I struggle every day of my life to figure out the balance between the two. For years, I had no peace about the situation. But I found it in the last year or so. I finally accepted that being a working mother is who I am and what I do. I need to stop feeling guilty about that, embrace the path God has given me, and figure out how to do it victoriously.
So a year or so I gave up the fight that I would someday be a stay-at-home mom. I know that I will always be a working mom. And I am finally Ok with that.
And so my blog idea was finally born: Momma Works
The Zoesphere blog will continue as a more personal blog for sharing photos of the kids and updates on family stuff -- for people who know us and love us and actually want so much detail. But my "writing outlet" that I've been longing for will be the Momma Works blog. Check it out if you're interested ...
And then it came to me.
The Bible says that where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. My treasure is my family. That's where my heart is all the time. I am a mom. That's who I am and what I do. But I also have a career. I love it, but I struggle every day of my life to figure out the balance between the two. For years, I had no peace about the situation. But I found it in the last year or so. I finally accepted that being a working mother is who I am and what I do. I need to stop feeling guilty about that, embrace the path God has given me, and figure out how to do it victoriously.
So a year or so I gave up the fight that I would someday be a stay-at-home mom. I know that I will always be a working mom. And I am finally Ok with that.
And so my blog idea was finally born: Momma Works
The Zoesphere blog will continue as a more personal blog for sharing photos of the kids and updates on family stuff -- for people who know us and love us and actually want so much detail. But my "writing outlet" that I've been longing for will be the Momma Works blog. Check it out if you're interested ...
Friday, September 4, 2009
Lemonade anyone?
During last weekend's garage sale, the girls had a lemonade stand. They raked in $9 -- and some of those quarters came from "donations" from people who didn't want lemonade, but thought they were cute. My problem is that NO ONE came up and gave me a donation for just being cute. What's up with that?
The last hoorah at the old duplex! It is ... finished.
The last hoorah at the old duplex! It is ... finished.
Summer dance recital
Both girls took dance this summer (Little A is now in Ballet 2, and Big A took her first dance class, Lyrical 1). They had their recital last Friday night, during a very busy weekend, with a crazy week to follow ... so I am late posting pics.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
The story of the little girl who couldn't see
Once upon a time there was a little girl who couldn't read the board the day she started fifth grade ...
And so her mother took her to the eye doctor...
And, lo, the doctor said, "She needs glasses."
The little girl picked out some new specs and learned how to use them, and then anxiously awaited for her new accessories to arrive ...
And the day did indeed come. Here is the little girl before ...
And after!!!
And so the little girl goes forth into the world, where she says she can now see individual blades of grass, cows that don't look like specks in the field, and horses that don't look like hot dogs. And she'll even be able to read that board at school too!
And so her mother took her to the eye doctor...
And, lo, the doctor said, "She needs glasses."
The little girl picked out some new specs and learned how to use them, and then anxiously awaited for her new accessories to arrive ...
And the day did indeed come. Here is the little girl before ...
And after!!!
And so the little girl goes forth into the world, where she says she can now see individual blades of grass, cows that don't look like specks in the field, and horses that don't look like hot dogs. And she'll even be able to read that board at school too!
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