Wegmans . . . . "Well, . . . . I'll tell ya . . . . . "

I didn't have anything specific on my agenda today (now that's a rarity!!!, although I could have/should have been cleaning the house and doing laundry!---and probably e-mailing some of my friends whom I haven't been in touch with in awhile!), so I thought I'd go over to the new Wegman's and check it out! Thought maybe I'd grab a bite to eat there. The store has received so much hype! It is indeed a fascinating store. Such a variety of items! And the market place is VERY similar to a real "market" (I'm thinking of Philadelphia's in-town Market, although it doesn't quite come close to that, but that's the "feel" you get at Wegman's---and it was as bustling as a market!) I knew there were a few items which I wanted to purchase (good prices, as advertised in their flyer). I am a comparison shopper!

Because I'm a comparison shopper, the prices on most items (and especially the Market Place Cafe food!) made me gulp! Items similar to what Giant Food Stores sells in their salad bar for $3.99/lb (like fresh, cut melons and fruit) were $6.99/lb!!!!! There were a variety of items around (fresh crab cakes which looked and smelled delicious, and a huge bar of Asian food for carry-out), but hardly anything was less than $6.99/lb.!!!! (I chose not to eat there, after all!). I do have to say, however, that I did try a sample of their cold spaghetti salad, and I have never tasted any spaghetti salad that was quite so delicious. Not only the flavor, but the entire texture of every ingredient. Exquisite would be the word!!! Maybe I should have picked up some of that for a treat for Scott and Joel. They would probably love it.

I'll probably go back, but I can't see coming out of there with a cart full of groceries. My budget would not be able to handle that, exquisite though some of the prepared food may be!!!

Sportsmanship

I can't quite come up with an adequate title for this photo, but I love it! There's something "Chariots of Fire"-esque about this picture. Just high school cross country runners after their 5K run, mingling and chatting with members from the other team.

A Little Late, but . . . . .

A picture from the first day of school . . . .

Joel with a "chip on his shoulder"

Joel with a "chip on his shoulder"! :o)

Smiling for the Camera!

Our Church Family Picnic was moved to our Fellowship Hall, rather than being held at the local park. (It was raining!) We ran out of seats for everyone. Since Micah and Sarah's mom and myself were on the committee which planned the picnic, our kids ended up relinquishing their seats, and they sat behind the counter. They didn't mind that I was taking pictures! Our family loves this photo! It makes us smile!

Getting Ready for Cross Country Season . . .

A GORGEOUS day! A 5K which was organized to benefit the local library was held this morning at a local park and through a development. Joel ran in the 5K, Anna ran in the fun run. This was the first running event in which Anna has participated. Joel hasn't been training her this summer, so she wasn't all that prepared, but he was encouraging her in the last leg (close to the finish line)! Joel received a first-place medal for his age group! Abby worked all afternoon and evening yesterday, so she stayed home.

So many thoughts, too many to type . . . .

Oh, it's been awhile since I've posted any thoughts! I've had too many running through my head, and not all are thoughts that I would want to share on a public forum (my kids would really hate it if I "thought out loud" about some parts of their lives here . . . and thinking about the lives of our kids is something most moms do!). Some thoughts and words are meant to be "one-on-one discussions" (or sometimes three-on-one if you're a mom of three kids), and not necessarily open to the public!

We haven't taken all that many pictures lately (so nothing to post here)---just keeping busy and trying to stay cool (and appreciating summer but looking forward to the routine which comes with the school year).

My two oldest kids--Abby and Joel--are soon going to be "flying the coop." They both have a few years yet, but I remember when they were babies, and those 16+ and 14+ years have just flown by, so I know that the next two and four years will also fly by and be gone before I know it. At this point, I realize that it won't be too long until they are sharing space with college roommates and then possibly spouses, and I'm wondering whether I've chosen all the right battles, and whether I should have chosen some which I didn't! (Like, will future college roommates and spouses get frustrated with my kids because after 14 and 16 years, they still don't always pick up after themselves all the time? --- I've already discussed this with them, so I think it's okay to discuss it here!) When I was analyzing and lamenting about this topic one day, Joel laughed and said, "Mom, it'll be just fine!!!!" (Obviously, he doesn't want me to keep nagging him about his room!) Well, it will build their character to work these issues out with future housemates---although it will be less painful if they learn those things within the next few years. I think both of them (and probably Anna, too!) will need www.Flylady.net!!!! We tend to be creative, perfectionist people who get sidetracked and then think if something can't be done perfectly, then why get started, because the job seems too overwhelming (we use flylady instead of therapy!!!!) and then we procrastinate!

My basic goals as a parent: 1) to help my kids know that they are loved unconditionally by God and by us as their parents---and that will give them a sense of security and belonging and acceptance. (Love the kid's book by Max Lucado --- "Just in Case You Ever Wonder.") I want my kids to know their Creator, and to know how much He loves them. We haven't always been the best reflection of God's love (after all, we're human, and we've made tons of mistakes---and children understand this aspect of their parents so much better once they have children of their own!). If they are solid in God's love, then the little issues (like picking up after themselves), while important, are minor in the whole scheme of life. If my kids were the neatest, most obedient children on the face of the earth, but didn't know and experience and feel secure in God's love and know who Jesus is and what He did, then we would have really "missed the boat" as parents. (But that doesn't mean I'm not going to get on their cases about "finding a home" for their stuff---and that "home" is not the floor!!!)