Testing, Testing...1, 2, 3

The mid-term is OVER, and boy am I glad. Aside from a cramping hand and issues with my pencil lead, it was quite a bit less painful than I expected. Don't misunderstand, the test was beyond hard (at least I gathered so from some of the looks and comments of some of my classmates). But, I'm certain that I passed. Time will tell the final grade (actually my professor will do the telling, but I assume that you're getting the point). I do wish that I had known all questions were weighted equally. That announcement was made before I came in the room. So, I wrote 4 pages for the first essay and was left with little time to answer the next 5. Needless to say, I didn't write as much as I could have.
Honestly, I am happier at the end of this test than I can ever remember being. As I mentioned in the previous blog, this time I wasn't just regurgitating information. I was talking about something that moved me. I suppose I should be thankful that there were questions that gave me the freedom to interject what I "know".
Now I am in the final countdown for the semester. I have one paper, a group project and of course, THE THESIS. How time flies. Isn't that what it is supposed to do when you are having fun?

What I Know...Or, in Most Cases Maybe What I Don't

Tomorrow I will be taking my first mid-term "test" in almost 7 years. I'm not quite sure what to do with myself. I am beyond the cramming of the early years of college, because I respect myself and where my money is going more. But, at the same time the details of my life have gotten in the way of studying as if I would have wanted. (For instance, this morning I played in the floor with Ashton and his Diego toys for over an hour!)
So, for this mid-term, there may be a lot that I don't know (at least where the brain is concerned). I do know this though - as I have grown in my career as a student, I realize that if a person has enough determination, they can cram an enormous number of facts into their wee little brains. That is a testament to the pitfalls of the learning process. I have come to conclusion that learning is not about the facts I have stuffed away in my brain. It is an issue integration into the whole of my life and my world view. While making a "A" is probably still pretty high on my priority list, I am far more concerned with how the text is interpreting and changing me. (That is a definitive Rick Moore statement that cannot be said without proper credit being given.) There is an ebb and flow to the learning process and when you find your passion, it will all begin to converge. This is the place I am thankful to say that I have now reached. I am hesistant to say that what I have found is passion. More so, I believe I have had an awakening. Maybe I would not feel so inclined if my degree were another subject, but would venture to say that the people who are the best in their field have also reached the same conclusions.
Rather than being scared of my test tomorrow and the grade I may or may not receive, I am excited to see what I have really learned...to see what is inside of me.
So, here's to knowing the right things.

Thesis Inspiration

If you are one of my professors, please don't hold this against me. He really was before his time and literally has "rocked" my world in more ways than one. I must admit, I wish the Church of God had a few Steve Taylors.



And, one for the road...does anyone else remember?



Ok, ok, just one more - Finally, the "post-modern" version of clone.



What am I doing? I'm supposed to be writing a thesis, right? And now, I can't stop. Save me from myself. Can I get an "Amen"?

I'm Angry....

I'm sick of people twisting scripture for political gain. I'm also sick of people using scripture as a reason for backing one candidate or the other. What I am most sick of is people saying that scripture says things that it just doesn't say, which makes it a lie. And all the prophecy gurus using Revelation to prove your point should know better. Because while Revelation says nothing about the things you are saying it does, it does say that if you add or take away from the words of this book damnation will come to you. If I were you, I would think twice before you keep touting your crap. It also proves to me that Christians have become a group of gullible know nothings who just believe this crap because they think voting for a certain party makes them a better Christian...HOGWASH (to use a delicate southern term!).
I will be glad when this election is over. I have previously said on facebook and will repeat here...Obama is not Jesus, Palin is not Esther, McCain is not the Voice Crying in the Wilderness and none of them will save our country. As Christians, we should be smarter than this. The political system is broken, our church is broken and we are broken. We are not being the people of God. We are being a bunch of pinheads who expect the capitalistic system to fix our woes instead of looking to the one who can fix it and make His Kingdom come on this earth (have you forgotten that it is OUR job to help make His Kingdom evident in the earth?).
I could go on, but I am so angry, I can hardly bring myself together to write these words. I'm sorry if these words offend you, but
I'm ANGRY! Why aren't you?

Scooby, Scooby Doo...Where Are You?

We have settled into a new nightly routine at our house. After evening playtime, dinner and bath time, we all pile into the living room for an evening snack and some Scooby Doo. It's funny how special it is that my kids love the same cartoons that I did when I was a kid. What is even funnier is that Boomerang is around making sure that they are still on TV.
Every day when the kids get home, they immediately start asking to watch Scooby Doo. Unlike the rest of you, we just got a DVR. Scooby Doo has now been put on series record. I promise we will never miss an episode.
The best part (other than just sitting and winding down with my kids)is to hear them sing the song. We will be riding along in the car and Ashton will randomly burst into song..."cooby, cooby doo wheh ah oo, we need uhr elp dis houahr". It is the most wonderful thing. It makes me smile and laugh. I heard today on CNN that laughter really is great medicine. It reduces cortisol in your body and helps you to burn fat. So, hey we can't go wrong there.
If I can ever find the cord to my video camera, I will try to catch "the boy" in action. You'll love hearing him sing as much as I do.

Owens Family Update

We did it. We finally made the move to Cleveland at the end of July. We arrived in time to move in on August 1st. Things have been a whirlwind since then. Belle started school at Westwood Baptist on the 11th of August. She loved it! Even though she already knew all of her colors and shapes, she learned how to spell all of her colors. She made some great new friends and had two great teachers Mrs. Miller and Mrs. Morris. I say this all in past tense because Belle was offered the wonderful opportunity to go to school at "The Village". So, at the beginning of September Belle started school there. Once again, she loved it and still does! She has made new friends, but misses her other friends at Westwood and in Tallahassee. At night, Belle and I always talk about her day. I just listen. Every night I find out something new that I would not have known if we didn't just lie there and talk. Sometimes, I wish I could just freeze time.
On the 20th of August, I started school. Whew...to say that I am in over my head is probably the understatement of the year. I also started my internship early in September. So, between school and work at my internship, I am full time Monday through Thursday. The most difficult part has been being without the kids. When I was home full time, I always wanted to work. Now that am I gone from them, I just want to be with them. I have realized through this that there is a happy medium for me. I just keep reminding myself that I will have breaks soon and this is only for a year. I have the best kids ever! I have also been reading and writing a lot. I am just in the beginning stages of my thesis, but God is already shaking me to the core. At the beginning of the semester, our professors told us that our thesis wouldn't be great if it wasn't something that we were passionate about. Well, there is no lack of passion, and God keeps turning up the heat! I will talk more about my thesis and details of this in a later post.
As for Ashton...well, he is a champ! He is talking like a commentator. He is rarely ever at a loss for words. I am fascinated by the conversations that he and his sister have started to have together. For the month of August, I stayed with Ashton when I wasn't in school so that Brian could work on the job search and go to interviews. When I was in class, Ashton got to hang out with Dad. When I started my internship, Brian kept both kids full time Monday through Friday. What a champ. Needless to say, Brian and Ashton have built quite a bond. Ashton now asks for Dad when he needs comforting. I say that is awesome! In the middle of September, Ashton started school at Broad street Methodist. He has never complained about school, but we're not sure if he likes it as much as Belle. He does talk about the playground a lot. He has also started to name some of his friends. I wish you could hear him call their names. It's a hoot. His greeting when he is picked up is always, "I had a great day today!". He also loves to sing. He is singing his alphabet, twinkle, twinkle little star and itsy, bitsy spider. His favorite books are currently Barnyard Dance and The Lady With the Alligator Purse (he calls it "Miss Lucy had a Baby"). So for the most part, we are never at a loss for smiles and joy when it comes to Ashton.
Brian has been working hard with the kids and around the house. He suckered me into getting a dog. We now also have a rat terrier in our home. We call him Huck, but his official name is Huckleberry Sebastian Gaston Owens. What a mouth full. He is a good dog, but Brian and the kids take care of him. I really keep my hands off. After a long job search and some lengthy interviews, Brian officially started his new job. We are thankful, and Brian is very happy. Congratulations!
We have had some wonderful times in the mountains since we have been here. The weather has been terrific. We have taken the kids a couple of times to watch the rafters on the Ocoee River. We have been blessed to be able to spend time with very old and dear friends, who are now our new friends again. And, my parents moved to Cleveland just last week. They are now the official daytime caretakers for the Owens' kids. As you can guess, Belle and Ashton are not complaining.
We are all finally starting to settle in to our new routines, our new home and our new life here in Tennessee. A big thank you to the McMullin family, Skip Jenkins and "Aunt Gladys" for helping to make the transition as smooth as it could be. We love you all very much. Well, this has been a pretty long update. Hopefully, it won't be 4 months before my next post! ;)