Weekend Links/Update {19}

You guys. I haven’t posted Weekend Links since October.

Whaaaaa???????

The time, she is moving at warp speed. I just don’t even know.

Additionally, I have not posted new material here since the beginning of February. In light of the fact that it is now the END of February, I am equally shocked. And also sorry. So, let me just begin with a few links of great articles around the web. That way, if you don’t really care what is up with me, you can move on to more important things, like dusting the corners of your garage or alphabetizing your toiletries.

There’s a potpourri of material here, something for everyone, from the politically charged to the technically inclined. Speaking of potpourri, when was the last time you actually saw potpourri in a store? I mean, do people still use potpourri? Will someone please investigate this for me? Obviously, I’m very busy. Evidenced by my lack of blog-posting. Thank you.

Decency for President, by Max Lucado I tend to stay quiet on the internet regarding politics. But after having a candid discussion with my kids about Trump, I read this. It says what I said, but said it 1000x better.

Principal Asks Parents to “Take The Time To Get Dressed” for Drop off on Scary Mommy This is funny. Though, it doesn’t apply to me. I wear yoga pants for drop off (and for pajamas), mainly so no one can tell if I just rolled out of bed or if I’m headed to the gym.

How We Drowned Nine Phones and Found The Truth About Rice , by Scott S. Lyman. This is one of those things that I always SUSPECTED didn’t work, but didn’t want to risk it when I needed to dry out a phone.

Give Me Gratitude or Give Me Debt, on Momastery. This is an old post, and you are probably one of the millions who have already read it. But it’s worth the repeat. So, so good.

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Now, about the update. It’s been a little cray-cray in the Cooper Home and I just don’t even know where to begin. Nothing earth-shattering. It’s actually easier for me to talk about earth shattering than it is to talk about daily, ordinary crazy. it’s just all over the board, you know? So, how about we take a little stroll through my iPhone photos. They tell the story beautifully. In no particular order. Because, that is my life right now…no particular order.

My oldest daughter, Rebekah, is an artist.  I’m not kidding.  From the time she was a toddler, she could draw better than me.  During middle school and her first two years of high school, she opted to take orchestra as an elective, rather than art.  This year, she went back to art.  Just so you know how crazy-good she is, she was able to completely skip Art I and place immediately in Art II.   Then, mid-year, her teacher advanced her to Art III.  Next year, she’ll be taking AP art.  This is just one of many, many things she draws and then says, “Oh my gosh, that’s TERRIBLE.”  I wish I could be terribly artistic like this.

She also made varsity cheer this year. As a former cheerleader, this makes me very proud. You would not know how proud I am by the number of pictures I’ve taken. That would be ONE picture. Here it is. It was her very first game and it is a horrible picture. But I have it documented, if only in my mind.

My youngest Daughter, Elliana, is in 3rd grade.  She is learning multiplication and division this year.  But thanks to Common Core, she is learning it in a very odd and funkilicious manner.  I cannot compute.  I want her to just memorize her math facts with flash cards.  But no.  Instead we do this.  And by we, I mean WE.  I don’t hyper-manage homework time, but I have learned that math is one of those things you must make sure they understand as they go.  Otherwise, they are failing middle school and struggle with ACT scores.

I had to ask three people before I understood this question. I’m still not quite sure the answer.

This is what I drink when I’m helping my 3rd Grader with math.

Fashion Tip: Always coordinate your smoothie with your hairspray can. (I told you, no particular order).

This summarizes where my mind is by the end of February.  We cannot go anywhere for spring break, because: College Visits!!!  But we just booked a week at the beach, beginning the moment school is out for the summer.  Counting the days…

This is the view I get to wake up to each morning.  Sometimes I feel like God paints the sky just for me.

So, one of the main reasons I haven’t blogged is because I started a weekly Bible Study in my home.  I used to host a weekly study, but took a short break when we adopted Elliana.

That break lasted nine years.

That’s only partially true, I guess.  I started this blog during that time.  I also spoke at a few things here and there over the years.  And I taught some classes/Bible Studies at my church, and one in my old neighborhood.  But I haven’t done a Bible Study in my home, where we just go for months and get all up into each other’s lives. Until now.

I have this group of moms from my daughter’s school.  We are studying Balance (of course), and then we will study Hearing God’s Voice.  We just finished Week 5, so I feel like I’m in the groove, finally.  This study was one of the things I felt like God wanted me to focus on this year, so here I am!  It is going fantastically, so far.  It’s a cohesive group who loves to listen and share.  Last week, as we gathered around one of the ladies to pray her though a tough season, it occurred to me that this is how I envisioned using my new home. There really is nothing better than God’s presence descending upon a group of your friends in your living room.

The unfortunate thing is that I haven’t figured out how to prepare for and teach the Bible Study and also blog.  Preparing/hosting/cleaning takes up all my writing time.  I could probably squeeze a few hours out to write on top of this, but then I’d be cutting into my margin.  I don’t want to cut into my margin.  My margin keeps me sane.

So, for now, we’ll just keep plugging along and figure it out.  I’ll write here when I can.  But if I’m MIA, you’ll know I’m probably wiping down the guest bath and brewing coffee for my people.  Here are some tulips I bought before my last study.

Oh, speaking of my guest bath, here is a funny story: My guest bath is on an exterior wall and it’s frigid. It’s so cold, no one wants to pee in there. So, I bought this little space heater, and it has magically transformed it into everyone’s favorite room. Well, the other morning, I went to wake up my kids for school, but didn’t find Elijah (my 14 year old) in his bed. I found him sleeping on the floor of the guest bath. Right there at the foot of the toilet, wrapped in his blanket. True story. (no picture).

Sickness descended upon my people.  First Rebekah. Then Elliana.  Then Elijah.  They all took turns with cough, fever, congestion, missing school, etc, etc, etc.  Jon was sick in there at one point, too.  I got all cocky and declared that I hadn’t been sick for, like, a year.  I was sure it was because of drinking Shakeology every day and incorporating stellar hand washing skillz.  Well, pride cometh before a fall.  Because it hit me hard.  Probably harder than the others.  I’m on Week 3 of The Crud.

Of course, life goes on, even when Mom is sick, right?  So, last weekend, Jon and I had to attend a black tie fund raiser for the American Heart Association.  I had a low-grade fever, a cough, and couldn’t breath.  But I had a manicure and pedicure and also wore eyeliner and eye shadow and lipstick.  I have no pictures of me that night.  But I have this picture of me in the dress from the fitting room.  (Clearance rack at Dillards, $55)

The day that I was actually my sickest, Elliana competed in the district spelling bee.  I was so proud of her.  She made it through 8 rounds and into the top 10 for her grade.  I sat in the farthest corner, wrapped in my coat, with a cup of hot tea and tissues pressed against my face.  Then I went home and slept for 36 hours.  And then I went to the Heart Ball.

Living in Kentucky in winter, you never know what season it is.  We’ve had a regular mix of snow days, dreary-rainy days, and beautiful spring-like days.  Here is a snow day.  And that is our drive way.  We can sled down it, and it’s very fun.

These are Rebekah’s eyes.  I am so smitten with my daughter’s beauty.  Seriously.  Sometimes I just stare at her.  It creeps her out.  But I don’t care.  This day, I actually grabbed my camera and just asked if I could take a picture of her eyes.

Yesterday, she ran out the door as I was making dinner.  She hasn’t eaten with us at all this week, because she’s almost 17, and that’s what almost 17-year-olds do.  As I watched the car drive away to be with friends and eat fast food, my eyes welled up with tears, because I realized we’ve come to the end of another season. The season of all my kids being home for dinner, helping to set the table, complaining about whatever I was serving, fighting over whose turn it is to rinse off the dishes…I’m so thankful I made family dinner a priority her whole life. I can’t believe we’re already here. *tears*

I realize that I have no pictures of Elijah here.  Mostly, because he runs away every time I have my camera pointed at him.

Let’s see…he is playing basketball and working hard at school.  School is not his favorite thing, so the fact that he’s getting all As and Bs (okay, one C) right now makes all of us do a happy dance.  We recently got some results from academic testing.  That has been very helpful in putting a plan in place for him at school.  However, we are still searching for a better high school for him.  That whole process makes me want to go hide under my blankets and binge-watch Parenthood.

Oh! Oh! Oh!  Speaking of TV, I almost forgot to talk about American Idol!!!!  It’s the farewell season.  I know I’m probably the only person still watching, but I am so sad it’s over.  I’ve watched every episode of every season.  I have no pictures of this either.

Back to the kids…Elliana just started taking piano lessons and she does tumbling once a week.  Honestly, between two different basketball schedules, tumbling, piano and Common Core math, it’s a miracle this ship is still floating.  It’s a busy season, for sure.  Basketball is almost done, so we will get a little break.  I’m looking so forward to the break.  Breaks are good.

This is more stress relief tea, because I want to remind you that I drink it every day.

If you are still reading, you are a true fan.  Bless you. That is all.