Let's hear it for Air Conditioning!!!

Yep, that was the inside air temp a little over an hour ago...and that was after the new unit had been running for about 30 minutes. It has taken a day and a half to get it in but this Bryant 3 1/2 ton unit is working like a charm. I am very grateful that God allowed the weather to stay cooler until the installers could get this unit in and running. It is a shame that we are so spoiled to the cooler air conditions. But as one of my teachers said, "I am not ashamed to say, I need refrigeration. " I am looking forward to sleeping in the cool tonight, although with the windows open and the cool nights we have had, I have not been uncomfortable. But with the forecast of humidity coming back by tomorrow and with that the temps will rise...it is good that they are getting this finished up today! As and added bonus they also say that we should run more efficiently too. AND, on top of that....we are supposed to get a $1500 tax credit for upgrading to a more energy efficient system! So, I say again,

LET'S HEAR IT FOR AIR CONDITIONING!!!!

JUST LOOK AT THAT BAD BOY!

Enjoy the moments....

With school starting my thoughts go back to how quickly this summer has passed and also how quickly time in general passes us by. I suppose Dr. Dobson was having these same thoughts because his newsletter for the month addressed just that thought. I have just read it from front to back, (something I do not always do but did this time) and found a few things I thought were very timely and appropriate for those of you young mothers that read my blog.
So, if you will indulge me, I would like to quote Dr. James Dobson...a man who has had an enormous impact on my life through his videos and books. He writes:

"Addressing myself now to mothers and fathers of young children. I urge you to keep this eternal perspective in view as you race through the days of your lives. Don't permit yourself to become discouraged with the responsibilities of parenting. Yes, it is an exhausting and difficult assignment, and there are times when you will feel like throwing in the towel. But I beg you to stay the course! Get on your knees before the Lord and ask for His strength and wisdom. Finish the job to which He has called you! There is no more important task in living, and you will understand that assignment more clearly when you stand where Shirley and I are today. In the blink of an eye, you will be hugging your children good-bye and returning home to an empty house. That is the way the system works."

And then this was a prayer Dr. Dobson's father prayed for their family after they had been together for a short visit:


"And Lord, we want to thank You for the fellowship and love that we feel for each other today. This has been such a special time for us with Jim and Shirley and their children. But, Heavenly Father, we are keenly aware that the joy that is ours today is a temporal pleasure. Our lives will not always be this stable and secure. Change is inevitable, and it will come to us, too. We will accept it when it comes, of course, but we give You praise for the happiness and warmth that has been ours these past few days. We have had more than our share of good things, and we thank You for Your love. Amen."


Dr. Dobson writes that shortly thereafter they hugged and said good-bye then boarded the plane for home. A week later, his father suddenly grabbed his chest and told his mother to call the paramedics. He died on December 4th of that year. His mother has also gone to be with the Lord now. His last statement in this section of his newsletter grabs me. He said, "How quickly it all unraveled."


I guess that is what has also grabbed my heart today...how quickly our lives can unravel...one minute everything is fun and you are enjoying wonderful times together. Then in a blink of an eye or in the space of a heart beat...all that can change. We should all be living with Dr. Dobson's father's philosophy in mind..."Thanking God for what we have...which we cannot keep." As Dr. Dobson says, "We all need to capture that concept."


So, my charge to you who read this is...Enjoy the moments, for too soon they are gone!

First Day of 2nd Grade for Camryn!

This post is a little late...a week and a day to be exact, but I have been very busy with getting things going at school. So better late than never I say.

Well, it is very hard to believe that my granddaughter is in 2nd Grade! It seems that she was just a baby yesterday. Now she is so grown up and such a big girl with lots of personality and sass! I feel very fortunate that I get to see her everyday at school. It makes my day when she comes slipping into my office to give me a hug when she is on her way to the restroom. I definitely do not take that privilege for granted.

Here are a few pictures of her on the first day of her second grade year:

I don't know why this is showing up as underscored, but it is!
Here she is as Andrea pulls up to drop her off. No more need for Momma to walk her in. *sigh*

Walking up to the front door and obviously feeling so cute and sassy with her new hair cut.

Pausing for Nanna to take a picture

Hanging her bag up (she is behind the little boy in white)

That is her desk in the foreground with all the supplies piled on top.

Here she is with papers for Mrs. Young

Sitting at her desk ready for a new year!

And finally, a picture of her and her teacher, Mrs. Young.

I believe this will be a great year for Camryn. Mrs. Young is an awesome teacher who will take her far in her elementary education!
Happy Second Grade to you, Camryn!