The Dentist

I went to the dentist for my cleaning today.  I really do not like to go to the dentist, but I make my kids go and so I feel it is only fair that I should go too.  I survived and it was an ok visit.  BUT, I just do not see how someone could CHOOSE to dig around in someone else's mouth.  I just don't get the fascination.  I think they just like to torture us by spraying that ice cold water directly on your teeth-ouch!  I wonder if anyone has ever gone to the dentist and NOT gotten a lecture about how to brush your teeth and floss more thoroughly.  Actually, I didn't get that usual lecture today.  I guess there is always hope!  Im sure people feel the same way about my job when I wouldn't change it for anything.  God definitely gives us a passion for our calling that allows us to 'dig in' even the foulest of mouths as long as we have the positive outcome of helping others.
On another note, I had to buy diapers and wipes for a diaper shower tomorrow, and I was so embarrassed to carry them around Walmart.  Why am I so silly?
TM

The week before school starts

I thought I was doing pretty good and staying on top of everything that needed to be done before school starts but I still ended up running around like crazy this week.  Cooper started shaving with a 'real' razor, wearing 'real' makeup, and is growing up REAL fast.  They got haircuts, new glasses and contacts,  manicures and pedicures, and of course a couple more pairs jeans - not to mention the Toms sale we stumbled upon. Samuel had Fish Camp and a swim party, got a new schedule, changed a schedule, and still had to get a few more supplies.  Packed all the paperwork and lunch items that we can.  Fixed supper and breakfast.  Got showers.  In bed.  I had to write it all out just to burn off some energy so maybe I will get some sleep tonight.  I am not complaining about any of these preps.  I'm learning everyday how quickly my time with them is passing.  I am so proud of my kids and I know this is going to be a great year for both of them.  So good fortune to all of my friends in education and all of the students starting school tomorrow! God bless you with an exceptional year!
TM

Old Reliable

The lesson in Faith Factory tonight was about doing what you say you're going to do. I don't feel like I have difficulty being dependable. I'm pretty determined to be reliable. My problem is that I often don't trust others to be reliable.  Sometimes I'm sure I rob others of the opportunity to be a blessing to me or others to be dependable because of my lack of trust. Trust is one of my weaknesses. I already know that.Wow one student just called that dishonor. I'm gonna have to work on this.
TM

Blogging

So every night I sit in front of this blog and ask myself, Rick, Samuel, and Cooper what I can write about.  Then I just stare at the screen and think of other.  I really am more fun than this. I think I'm trying too hard not to think too hard....  Is that a bad thing? To just let something BE something without having to have a deep meaning?  Is that permissible in a blog?  And now I am freaking out because my iPad won't let me go back up and change other to nothing without erasing it all. Acting weird.  Anyway, I guess it isn't very intellectual of me to just want to watch or read something for pure entertainment.  Oh well, I warned you this would not be deep thinking, inspirational blog.  Read at your own risk.  Maybe I'll move that way eventually.
TM

Awaken

Had a great night with Awaken university students tonight at our back to school cookout.  Several new students were there!  Looks like we have a great group of kids who are going to step up and become great leaders on campus and in Awaken.  We are so blessed to have the opportunity to work with these students.

Ahhh...Saturday

Well this was one of our last lazy Saturdays for a while.  Pretty soon well be up early for cross country or soccer so I took advantage of the day.  Got to sleep in, then drank a whole cup of coffee before it got cold while I read a good book.  Cooper had a back to school style show then a birthday party.  Ordered in pizza and The Hunger Games.  I even got to take a quick nap and watch some Andy Griffith.  It really was a great end to a very busy week.  Now to get geared up to meet what I hope will be many college kids in the morning at COTR.  Can't wait to see what God has waiting for Awaken Ministry!  Well, I hope you too had a chance to slow down and do something YOU wanted to do today.  I'm off to get some sleep.  I do love sleep!
TM

I'm still here

I'm still here. Just had a couple of very busy late nights.  Wednesday we had our back to school church picnic.  It was great. But working that bounce house........ whew.   After  we got everything cleaned up and put away, it was a little late when we got home.  Then I had a little girl time with dinner and a movie (hungry mouse and all) last night and just crashed when I got home.  So I thought I'd write something this morning.  I will just have to get accustomed to writing on the go.  We are about to enter our busy season.  Sam has a football scrimmage at 5. Cooper has a soccer scrimmage at 530 then style show rehearsal 6-730.  And Rick and I both have to make quick day trips out of town and try to get back to take them.  Cross country will start soon too.  Not to mention our responsibilites at the church.  I wouldn't have it any other way!  So, I have used my allotted blogging time and must get ready to pull out of here in a few minutes.  So I'll leave you with a cheesy line that my silly son likes to throw out there: ( the ole, boy trying to put his arm around a girl trick) "If you were a pirate, would you wear your PARAKEET on this shoulder (near) or this shoulder (far)?". Yes he actually said parakeet!,,
TM

Missing friends

Everyday when I check up on my friends on Facebook, there is always a post from someone that I met in Haiti.  I sure do miss them and the mission.  Sometimes I feel a little jealous that God didn't choose me to be a long term missionary.  I know He knows what is best for me and I trust him to place me where he needs me.  It doesn't make me love Haiti or think about Haiti any less.  I love to read their encouraging words, updates on activities, and look at the pictures they post.  It is so hard to describe what goes on there.  You will just have to see for yourself.  So to my Haitian friends: Ou konnen as nou sonje e nou priye Bondye beni ou.  M'a kontan we nou anko.  I hope I got some of that right :). I am already looking forward to our next trip.  If you'd like to see some pics of our trip, you can view some on my Facebook page.
TM

Stuck in my head

Well this song is ringing in my head so I thought I'd share a few lines with you.
You're presence is all I need
It's all I want and its all I seek
And without it there's no meaning.
Your presence is the song I sing
The air I breathe and the love I need
And without it I'm not living.

So true!
TM

Sharks

One of our favorite weeks- Shark Week vs Shark Fest!  We just keep flipping between the two.  So they were doing some experiments with various types of sharks to see what they respond to.  They recommended: don't splash, don't make noise, don't swim, don't wear yellow, don't have anything shiny, don't swim at dusk or dawn, and added don't pee in the ocean to avoid a shark attack.  Sounds like a wonderful day at the beach doesn't it?  I prefer to stay in the sand anyway.  I just do not like to swim with critters.  Some of the stories of survival are just amazing.  I keep looking for a life analogy.  All I know is sharks are unpredictable and really there is nothing you can do to avoid an attack.  I guess you just hit them in the head until they give up :) and determine to stay alive!
TM

He's a Freshman!

It can't be true!  Samuel can't be a Fresman already. Seems like just yesterday he was sitting in my lap in the rocking chair.  Well time does fly when you're having fun and I definitely have fun with my family.  We spend a lot of out time watching our kids participate in sports.  Samuel had a football scrimmage today.  He plays wide receiver and kicker.  We have this little joke at out house that I yell for "ROB" at is games.  Since he plays wide receiver, I ask him to stay close to the sideline and Run Out of Bounds if it looks like he is going to get hit.  He thinks it's hilarious and Rick tells him, "Don't you dare." I like to tease him about it.  Anyway, he caught the pass thrown to him today and survived the tackle.  He had a nice hit of his own on the defensive side too.  I will probably be writing many blogs about my kids and their sports or school activities.  I am one proud momma!
TM

The Nudge

I hope all of you have someone or someoneS in your life that are always there to hold you accountable and encourage you in your endeavors.  So I got a message from one brother last night and a text from another brother this morning asking why I haven't written in several days.  I have many excuses - none of them valid - except that I have been staying up too late watching the olympics.  Go USA!  I really didn't think anyone was even looking at the blog so I was kind of surprised to hear from them.  Just goes to show - you never know who is watching you.  I'm very thankful that they were and that they reminded me - ever so nicely -  to keep up this silly blogging thing.  Even though we are far apart in years and  miles, I can never remember a time when all of my brothers WEREN'T there to give me a little nudge and most importantly encouragement.  Like teaching me ski, or letting me practice all of my cheerleading stunts on them, or "letting" me take care of their ag calf......  I won't lie - it's been a l-o-n-g week for me mentally and this was just what I needed.  So look around you, find someone to "nudge" (all of those games on my ipad have a "nudge" button when someone waits to long to respond).  You never know what you might set in motion - so beware of future blogs!!!
Thanks bros!
TM

An Open Door

When you start to walk through a doorway, do you ever hesitate?  Well, sometimes I can't help but wonder what is waiting on the top of that door to be dumped on me.  You know, like every prankster has set up at least once in their lifetime.  Is it something soft and fluffy that is there for the sole purpose to make you laugh and enjoy the moment of just having fun?  I love to laugh and have fun!  Is it something gooey or slimy that may be a little messy, but in the end, really doesn't cause any harm?  Or is it that big anvil that Wiley Coyote loved so much?  We can appreciate the first two and if there was something more ominous looming above, you have two choices: 1) open slowly and proceed very cautiously or 2) go fast and let it fall on the person who is on your tail!
tm

Back to School Shopping

I took Cooper to pick up a few items for back to school tonight and I am flooded with memories of my childhood.  I remember being 11 and going into 6th grade (like Cooper) at South Georgia Elementary.  My favorite item was my ATB (Anthony's Tops and Bottoms) jeans with an embroidered roller skate on the hip pocket! I was rocking those jeans!!  I had a pretty great 6th grade year- minus the Carmex in my hair, thank you BJ!  I would love to hear what your favorite back to school outfit was.
PS I was going to post a pic of Cooper in her new green jeans but I can't figure out how yet. I'll keep working on that.

Write......anything

Write, Tori!  Write anything.  I said I was going to do this and I put it off until August 1- mostly because I just could not think of anything to write. I've never had such a hard time coming up with words. I know you believe that.  Maybe I have too many words and can't get them sorted out enough to write them.  So I will write a quick poem about words to finish today's blog. (oh boy, this blog is going to be so boring. I don't think I'll be sending out this link for a while!)
W- What to say?
O - Or maybe I should listen?
R - Read the lines again.
D - Decide
S - Surrender


tm