April 20, 2008 by Kelly.

I received an update on the Avocet my son and I helped rescue early last week. Apparently the clavicle wasn’t broken, but there was a fracture in its wing. Since there are two bones next to each other there, the good bone will act as a natural splint and it should heal in a few weeks.

Rather than bring the bird back to the golf course where it was too exposed and out of its natural migration path, it was taken to Great Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge in northwest Oklahoma. This refuge has non-public areas and many Avocets nest there. To read the full story, check out the Tulsa Audubon Society’s page.

(The rescue has also been mentioned at the Ducks Unlimited website and the Tulsa World.)

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April 15, 2008 by Kelly.

I just had the privilege of assisting (ever so slightly–I took photos) with a bird rescue. I’d noticed an American Avocet hanging around the pond at the local golf course, so I contacted the Tulsa Audubon Society and let them know. Today, on our way home from piano lessons, my son and I saw people at the pond trying to catch the bird. We stopped to see if we could help. The gentleman who lives across the street had a really good dog who also assisted. Here’s a few photos…

The Avocet is now being cared for by a veterinarian who specializes in rehabilitating wild animals.

Thanks go out to John Kennington, current President of the Tulsa Audubon Society, and Gail Storey, Vice-President.

And, of course, a special thanks to Zoe for her help in rescuing the Avocet!

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April 12, 2008 by Kelly.

I found this on my friend Tara’s blog and wanted to give it a shot. So, here are my One Word Answers…

You’re Feeling: Happy
To Your Left: Window
On Your Mind: Writing
Last Meal Included: Beef
You Sometimes Find it Hard To: Decide
The Weather: Cloudy
Something You Have a Collection of: Garfield
A Smell that Cheers You Up: Citrus
A Smell that Can Ruin Your Mood: Perfume
How Long Since You Last Shaved: Hours
The Current State of Your Hair: Disheveled
The Largest Item On Your Desk/Workspace Right Now (besides computer): Printer
Your Skill with Chopsticks: Beginner
Which Section You Head to First In the Bookstore: Bibles
…and After That?: Nonfiction
Something You’re Craving: Chocolate
Your General Thoughts On the Presidential Race: Scary
How Many Times You’ve Been Hospitalized this Year: Zero
A Favorite Place to Go for Quiet Time: CoffeeShop
You’ve Always Secretly Thought You’d Be a Good: Librarian
Something that Freaks You Out a Little: Blood
Something You’ve Eaten Too Much of Lately: Chocolate
You Have Never: Sky-dived
You Never Want To: Sky-dive

Ha! That was kinda fun! Really made me think. I like that.

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November 8, 2007 by Kelly.

Does anyone know how to speak “vacuum” language? I don’t. I was vacuuming today, trying to spruce up for company from out of town, and apparently my vacuum wanted a break. Since I don’t speak its language, I didn’t give it one. It took a half hour break on its own. :-\

I think this is a good example of where sign language could come in handy. All I had to do was use my hand to feel how hot it was, and I would have known to give it a break!

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November 2, 2007 by Kelly.

Garbage bags from his hoodie pocket!

We spent the whole day raking leaves. It’s been dry, so all the bags are free of wet, heavy leaves. We did eight bags between 9 and 11 A.M. Between 12:30 and 3 P.M. we did twelve more bags! Not only that, but we got most of the root of the plant/tree growing under our gas meter removed.

Tomorrow we’ll work on the area around the pool. Next week we’ll work on the front yard. Yup, those twenty bags were all from the driveway (top and bottom) and behind the house (upper yard and lower boardwalk). I’m just glad the leaves were all dry.

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October 24, 2007 by Kelly.

As I’ve mentioned before, Wednesday is my afternoon to write. Imagine my chagrin this morning as I thought about taking my youngest to the dentist at 2pm — and then realized today is Wednesday!

My husband’s parents are in town, and they offered to take my son to his movie production class. I find it easy to get turned around up in that neighborhood, so I couldn’t send them up there in good conscience.

I will have to sacrifice some of my time today.  Hopefully, the dental appointment will go quickly and then I can get some time to write. I will leave it in God’s capable hands.

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October 22, 2007 by Kelly.

Recently, I shared in a discussion about how to be the best wife possible. One woman stated, “This is my first and most important ministry, even above [caring for my children]!”

How true! Like I always tell my kids, “Someday you’ll grow up and move away, but I’m stuck with your father for life!”

Seriously, this is something I’m passionate about. The anonymity of the Internet has made it so easy to complain about our husbands to others. Once we’re in a complaining mood, it’s easy to make a snide or snippy comment to his face, too. Is that honoring God?!

Eph 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

Col 3:18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
Col 3:19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

You’ll notice in the above passages that we are never told to “love” our husbands, but to submit to them. Proper submission is a form of respect. Men need respect! Men are told to love their wives. We need love — they need respect.

That is not to say that men don’t need love and women don’t need respect. But, it’s our inherent perceptions of the above that make us feel loved. For years I would do things that I thought would make my husband feel loved… but I was doing what would make me feel loved. Once I changed my way of thinking, and held my husband in the highest respect, his attitude toward me changed as well.

Yesterday we celebrated 19 years as husband and wife (24 years as “us”) and I must say, I have never felt more loved than I do at this point in my life!!

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September 20, 2007 by Kelly.

I have a new friend. She is different than the friends I’ve made over the past 10 years. I can see her smile, hug her… and only talk with her when it’s convenient for both of us. She is not a cyber-friend–I don’t even know her email address! This is an in-the-flesh friend. Other than my husband, I’ve not had a close friend for … oh, my … probably over 20 years! I sound pitiful, I know.

High school was full of friendships. I had two close girlfriends, but after high school, we seemed to drift apart. They had their lives and I had mine. Once I met my husband, he became my best friend. Any female friends I had were co-workers, neighbors, relatives, and eventually cyber-friends. The longer I stayed home, the more I relied on the Internet for interaction.

The Internet was ideal, really. It still is! I have become friends with people that I may not have otherwise associated with because of our church affiliation, employment status, or children’s ages. But all of those friendships are long-distance. I cannot invite them over for lunch, or ask them to be the emergency contact for my children. I cannot hug them, or cry on their shoulder, when the need arises. I can only write to them, and wait for a reply.

As I mentioned, my husband is my best friend. I can hug him, or cry on his shoulder, when the need arises. I can go to lunch with him and talk about anything and everything. But, my husband thinks differently than I do. He’s a man. I understand him (probably better than he understands me) but sometimes I long for a girlfriend — a best friend who’s a girl.

We’ve known these new friends for about a year, but lately we’ve been spending more time with them, planning times together outside of church (that’s where we met). Three days ago I spent a little over an hour at a coffeehouse with my new friend–just she and I–getting to know her. We’ve decided that if it weren’t for the discrepencies in our physical appearances we would be twins!

Last night at church I felt different toward her. More comfortable. This is my friend, and at the end of the evening she will still be my friend. I needed to ask her something (she works with the kids in AWANA while I attend the Pastor’s Class for Bible study, so we don’t see seach other except for before and after services) so I approached her and we talked while we walked to her room. It took a matter of minutes to discuss my question, so we parted ways. I didn’t feel obligated to make small-talk. It was comfortable, familiar.

I have a friend!

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September 9, 2007 by Kelly.

I have about 10 minutes to write this post. If I don’t get it done, will my life be any worse? No, probably not. Will I feel that I’ve not accomplished something? Yes, definitely! This morning I was reminded that Jesus could come at any moment — in the twinkling of an eye. When I’m caught up in the clouds with my Lord, will I be saying, “Wait! I have to finish that post!” or “Wait, can I take a moment to be sure all the ladies on my email lists are saved?” No, I can’t do that. Will I even want to? Probably.

If I feel I can’t leave these things, maybe they are too precious to me. Or, maybe I’ve not been doing the job that God has set before me. Perhaps I haven’t been telling enough people about Him. Or perhaps I feel He can’t do things without me — like I’m the only person who can do the job, and if I don’t do it then God’s plans will not come to fruition.

Ha! I can’t believe I think that highly of myself! But, seriously… are there things in my life that I’m leaving ‘undone’ that I’ll regret not doing if I’m called away from this life tomorrow… or later today… or in a few minutes? This is what I’ll be thinking about over the next few hours.

How about you? Are you ready?

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September 5, 2007 by Kelly.

I thought I was busy last year. I feel busier this year! A few years ago I didn’t want to travel all over the place, hauling kids here and there for activities unless it was a family activity. But, my husband challenged me to do so, in order to give our children as many opportunities as possible for the best education.

Last year the two oldest boys did some co-op classes, plus the oldest took classes at the local tech center. This year will be the same, almost: the oldest is still at the tech center, but only the second oldest is doing co-op classes… at least, he will be, when we get him all signed up. He’s also getting a job (oldest already has one) which means I’ll be transporting him there, too.

It’s getting harder to juggle things like appointments and shopping trips. Our cable box isn’t working so someone is coming tomorrow to fix it. Hopefully I’ll be home from taking son #3 to the doctor for his sore throat. If I’m really lucky I’ll have time to stop at Sam’s Club and pick up Spaghetti-O’s and milk after the appointment and still get home in time for the cable guy.

Sometime I have to call about those co-op classes, and I should schedule a “yearly” for myself, as well. Wouldn’t a trip to a museum be nice? Yes, well, sorry, I don’t seem to have time this week… maybe next week. Did I mention my email provider is currently experiencing difficulties so I can’t access my mail to see if the teacher of the co-op class wrote back? {Technology is wonderful.}

I wonder what will happen at church tonight. Amazingly, I’m not having any palpitations today, but I fear they will start soon–maybe at church.

Lord, could you slow things down for just a few hours? I’d sure like a little rest. Keep my mind from wandering to all the ‘what if…’ scenarios that are playing out in my mind. Help me to live one day, one moment, at a time. Amen.

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