The Tale of the Flying Frog

Once upon a time there lived a stubborn little Frog.  Frog did not like to be told he could not do things.  In fact, the more you told him he couldn't do it, the more he would want to do it.  Moreover, Frog was also a determined little guy who would put his mind to things and never, ever give up.

As Frog grew, he decided he wanted to learn to fly.  No one told him he couldn't fly, but I'm sure they had their doubts.  Wouldn't have mattered anyway, this Frog wanted to fly so Frog was gonna fly.  He saw his opportunity to learn to fly, planned out all that would be required of him to pursue that opportunity and after almost 3 years, he had earned the prize...he was going to go to Flying School and learn to fly.

The day to head to Flying School came and calamity struck...this Frog was stung by bees, swelled up like a puffer fish, and had to be taken to the ER...just 3 hours before he was to drive off into the sunset headed for Flying School.  Now for your average, ordinary frog, this may have been the end of the story.  But this is no ordinary frog.   Frog is determined so even while shaking furiously from the medications to help with the bee stings and a room full of medical people telling him, NO WAY, he is planning on how to prove them wrong.

So Papa Frog calls the FAA to be sure Frog knows exactly how to be medically cleared to fly. The Headmaster of the Flying School is notified of his late arrival, and Mama Frog prepares to drive him to Flying School.  Flying may be in his not so distant future, but driving is definitely not in his present at the moment.

Not much keeps Frog down, and much like a cat, he always lands on his feet, and in spite of his not so little adventure with the bees, Frog passes Flying School with flying colors and is now ready to pursue his private pilot's license.

Alas, Frog has a new problem.  Acquiring this license costs lots of money, and he has no job. Nor does he have time for one as he pursues his other Really Big Dream:   an appointment to USAFA.   So with his trademark determination, he pursues that dream, while still keeping the dream of flying alive.  One happy day, he learns he has attained that prize.  This means that his college money is now available to use for pursuing his pilot's license.  Papa Frog releases the funds for Frog to once again pursue his dream of flying.

Frog is in a race against time to acquire enough hours and skills to pass his check ride before he must report  to USAFA.  Alas, he acquires the hours and is allowed to take his check ride.  Unfortunately, he is not adequately prepared and suffers the disappointment of not earning that license before he departs for USAFA.

Months go by,  Frog adapts to his new environment and  thinks he can be content to stay grounded.  However, that doesn't last long and Frog's itching to hit the skies again so he once again sets his eyes on the skies.

And now Frog flies...with his very own personal pilot's license!!

NOT THE END OF THE ADVENTURES OF A FLYING FROG.....

Tea bags?

Apparently there are rules..

Sweetness:  Mom, did you know J was adopted?  His sister told me.

Me:  No, I didn't.  Is she adopted too?

Sweetness:  No, he's the only one in their family.  The others are biological.  And their mom is pregnant again!

Me: That's exciting.

Sweetness, with obvious dismay in her voice: But Mom, they already have 3 biological children!

Me: So?

Sweetness:  I thought you were only supposed to have 3 biological children if you adopt!

A kid's gotta do what a kid's gotta do

Today at riding lessons, the girls left the office building ahead of me...one headed to the car to get her forgotten riding gloves; the other, toward the ponies in the opposite direction.

Neither girl made it to her planned destination without a little diversion...for in the path of each was an inviting mud puddle just begging to be jumped in.  Both girls complied instantly and simultaneously.

Living in "wet, rainy England" does have its perks.

A delightful morning find

As I sat down in the den today for morning coffee and devotions, I was greeted by this lovely artwork on our coffee table.  

MWC is a failure

I don't usually like to air dirty laundry...or as my very good friend would say should I complain publicly about  MWC's faults, "your slip is showing!"  but I just can't help myself today.

You see we had a sermon this evening on what it means to be a godly husband.  It was a most excellent sermon and our pastor laid out 7 things a man must do to NOT be a godly husband.  MWC failed at all 7!  I mean really, what husband can fail at 7 things at once!  To be fair, while he failed MOST items BIG time, there are a few he only failed a little..but I won't tell which ones were epic fails and which are little. I do have my limits as to how much dirty laundry I'm willing to air.

So here's the list of items MWC fails at.  Bummer for me isn't it?

Item #1.  Do NOT love your wife with agape love...agape being a deep sacrificial love.

Item #2.  Hold grudges, deny all guilt and responsibility in conflicts and grumble about the unfinished piece of work your wife is now instead of seeing the piece of glory she is becoming.

Item #3.  Don't take the lead. Do not be a shepherd to your family, praying for them and setting a Christ-like example for them.

Item #4.  Neglect your wife. Do not nurture or cherish her and show her how important she is to you.

Item #5.  Be unfaithful to her.  Not just physically. Let other priorities such as work and family steal you away from her.

Item #6. Dominate and control her.

Item #7.  Do not follow Christ or realize the greatness you've been called to to be Christlike in your home so that your wife will see and know Christ by watching you.

I can only hope and pray that my sons grow up to be such failures and my daughters marry some.