Let's get his freak show on the road!

"Let's get this freak show on the road!"  This is a catchphrase my Mom and I have adopted to describe my family when we're on the move.  Now, since I have been through LIFE ministries, I try really hard not to make the confession that my family and their antics are a "freak show."  So, like any good nerd, I googled the word freak for the modern day definition, and wikipedia describes freak in this way:  In contemporary usage, the word "freak" is commonly used to refer to a person with something unusual about their appearance or behavior.  Okay, so maybe I'm still allowed to use the phrase.

I would describe my family as original and unusual.  I'm proud to say that we try to be that way.  If I start to look like an average American who cares what others think about my convictions, we have a problem.  Fortunately, I don't see that happening.  I'm the girl who wants a Star of David tattooed on my forearm because I don't want a statement posted where no one can see it.  I want to shout it and proclaim it!  Lucky for my husband, I see the down side of that idea.  I'll settle for someplace much more respectable. 

My title "Fun on Purpose," was born from a decision I made this year.  Being a practical person (to a fault), I find it very difficult to have fun when I know (A) we should be getting more work done (B) we could have saved money by not having fun (C) the people I'm with are determined to irritate me someway, somehow (usually my kids).  I know this phase of my busy life is fleeting, and my children will be grown and gone before I know it.  So, I have resolved to have fun even if I have to have fun on purpose.  I will have fun when I'm supposed to be having fun, when I don't feel like doing what needs to be done, and any time I have my girls around me to maximize my family's life experience.  It is really hard to love each other and show God's love to others when you are trying so hard not to have fun.  I know, I've done it plenty.  Note: this philosophy does include trips to Walmart and house cleaning.  sigh...  

I started this blog  as an avenue, or release, for all of the thoughts, ideas, concerns, and revelations that pour, and I mean pour, through my head every day.  I can't even count how many things I ponder, discuss with myself, and stew about on a daily basis.  I've grown accustomed to chattering and blabbing with my Mother on a daily basis about everything that crosses my mind.  We used to pass 4 hour car trips without a single moment of silence.  Now, she's in the Middle East, my husband wears headphones 95% of the time, says uh-huh 4% of the time, & wants to talk about paint colors or yard work the other 1%, and my girls talk more than I do.  My outlets are few.  I don't know how many posts I've written in my mind, and every time I post on facebook, it says I've used too many words.  By the time I'm finished editing to fit my comment in the space provided, all the wit is gone, and I'm left with some boring fact update that says we had pizza for dinner or my dog pooped on the rug.  Not so fun.  Every story is better with more words, hand gestures, and funny sounds.  This, I am good at. 

I'm working on the head-phone wearing husband to do some illustrations to enhance my story telling, revelation sharing, and precious memory saving in this blog.  For now, I may have to stick with a cute photo or two.  Or, maybe I'll pull out my mad MS Paint skills like I did for my brother, the Grumpasaurus.  (It's on his FB wall - the kid named Andy with the ever-changing hair colors.) 

I will not dog my family, so if you're related, don't worry.  If I'm going to pick on you, I'll let you know.  I will definitely pick on myself first.  My favorite line from a country song is, "Lord, please help me help my stupid self."  I will always be the first one to laugh at myself.  Otherwise, everyone around me who is laughing would be laughing at me, not with me.  I prefer the "with".  I can't take myself too seriously because I take life too seriously - planning every minute of every day for everyone within my reach.  So, if you like spontaneity, steer clear, I've got a plan.  Always.

I'll think up some brilliantly funny thing to post soon, I promise.  One day, my kids can read the archives of my blog to remember what they were up to and what their Momma thought about it all.