So I've been quiet lately...

I think maybe it's along the lines of 'if you don't have anyting nice to say...'

I've been in a funk. And didn't want to spread the funkiness. So I've just been quiet.

I'm getting over it.

So here I am.

*****

So let's see. What to talk about today...

We got the Verizon bill. The first one since Kyler got his phone. And even though we thought we did everything to avoid that first awful bill where you discover your preteen has sent three billion text messages and you suddenly owe $1200 to your wireless carrier, we still had a little surprise on the bill.

Seems that he's spent a bit of time browsing for ringtones. Like every day. Numerous times a day. Every couple of minutes in some cases. He didn't download any of them - just listened to the samples. But guess what? That eats up minutes. So we went over our allotted 'family plan' shared minutes.

To the tune of $.45 a minute over.

$127.00 in overages.

I hardly use my cell phone. My minutes? Only 88 for the month. Asia talks a LOT on his phone. He used 467. And Kyler used 468. So they split the difference after Verizon graciously gave us a $50.00 credit. And Kyler's phone is now permanently disabled from web-browsing. Sheesh.

*****

Watched the first of the 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy with the kids last week. I'd never seen it. Never read the books. We're watching the second one tonight. Of course, I was thoroughly unsatisfied with the terrible ending to the first movie - so I'm eager to see what happens next.

I typically do not like big epic, fantasy-ish movies and avoid them. I've avoided these for years. But somehow I was drawn to them this summer. And so we're watching. Perhaps we'll discuss them at a later date. I'm certain many of my readers have much to say.

*****

We had the most terrific thunderstorm last Friday. I was at work, where we lost power for about an hour and a half, and where a power line came down on the street right in front of us. So exciting. It was lovely to have some rain, which certainly helped with all the fires started by the lightning. I LOVE thunder and lightning.

*****

The kids and I are memorizing Philippians 2:1-11 together this summer.
I'll leave you with these words...

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ,
if any comfort from his love,
if any fellowship with the Spirit,
if any tenderness and compassion,
then make my joy complete by being like-minded,
having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit,
but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

*****
Good stuff.

Happy Monday!