Reuben, what is he dippity doin'...

I just downloaded this song.  It makes me happy.  I really wanted Do Not, but they didn't have that one, much to my dismay.  Right now I'm uploading some CDs so I can sync them to my very old and crabby iPod.  It keeps randomly freezing up when the battery gets low.  So, I guess I just have to keep it charged.  I can handle that.  Unless that isn't the problem, in which case it's probably only a matter of time before my $50 iPod breaks and I have to go spend the money on a new, less temperamental one.  I think I decided that an 8gig is sufficient, but now the question still remains -- iPod or Zune?

I am a bit afraid of my new soft spot for hip-hop.  That's a little scary.  I almost hope it doesn't go beyond TobyMac and John Reuben.

We are going to the pool, I think.  It's sort of cold outside for the pool, and stuff.  I don't know how I'm feeling about that.  I kind of want to go, but I don't really feel like swimming.

Tonight we are going bowling with all of our favorite families.  That will be lots of fun, I think.  I like bowling, despite the fact that I'm pretty horrid at it.  Hans and Leighanna know this well.  They've bowled with me.  I think it's fun though, and I'm excited to hang out with my favorite people.

Wednesday we went to Adventureland!  That was lots of fun.  I regret to report that I did not go on a roller coaster.  I seriously, seriously, for real will get sick.  And that wouldn't be fun for me or for the people I would wind up throwing up all over.  So, I'm very sorry, but I just can't do it.  *sigh*

I need a job.  I wonder what kind of hours would work out with school and everything.  I should probably talk to Mom about that.  I'd kind of like to apply at Cafe Diem in Ankeny, since it's right across from the DMACC campus, and I love it there.  Liz works at this copy place that needs a lot of help, so that's an option too, but it sounds pretty boring.  I would like to have a cool job, but it's entirely possible that I might just have to get a normal one.  And that's fine.  I might not even get a job, so it's not like any of this is fo' sho'.

I missed a person and now that person is home.  *grin*  Just thought I'd put in a good word about that.

I listen to Christmas music in August.

136 days until I turn 18.  My phone is counting down for me.

School starts on Tuesday.  That is so weird.  Senior year.  I'M SO OLD!  Goodness.  I'm practically an old lady.  I don't know if I want to have senior year yet!  I think I like being a junior.

Shawn McDonald's first CD = awesome.  I have fantastic taste in music, if I do say so myself.  I love the music I pick.

I miss dcTalk so much.  Those were the days, man.  Things just aren't the same without them.  That was a good band.  Few compare to the awesomeninity and fantasticness that was dcTalk.  I am listening to It's Killing Me from Supernatural right now.  I am blown away by how great they were.  Just great.  Like apple pie.  Just awesome.  (This paragraph is a good example of when I rattle off stuff because I don't really know what I feel like saying)

*gasp*  Jesus Freak isn't in it's case.  WHAT IS THIS WORLD COMING TO?  There will be blood over this.  Good gracious, neither is New Way to be Human.  Donde esta las buena musica?  No esta bueno, mi amigos.  No esta bueno.  (Dang, my Spanish rocks.)

I am so weird today.

Okay, I should probably get ready and decide if I'm going to the pool.  I am still in my awesome pink pajamas.

Sincerely,
Mara Tenille

Know this, I cannot love a little, my promise to you is unconditional...

I like that song.


Today I attempted to make tapioca pudding twice.  The first time it failed miserably. The second time it looked like a success, and then failed miserably.  It was tasty tapioca soup though.  We had corndogs and curly fries for dinner.  I didn't get an email that I half expected, which bummed me out more than I thought it would.  My C.S. Lewis book has stains on it and I've only cracked the cover twice.  My hair needs to be cut.  I'm feeling particularly moody for no reason.  But we did go to Bass's house for a little bit with Em and Andy and made a nasty shake with chocolate ice cream and oatmeal cream pies and whipped cream and milk and green Poweraid.  It was pretty amazing.  We drank it from little teacups and held a toast to beef.  It was pretty spiffy.

Last night me and Sophie went to see Iron Man with Brian and Patrick.  It was a great movie.  I liked it.  And there was only one close your eyes scene.  We got Jomocha shakes afterwards, because they are amazing.

I think we're going to watch a movie now.  My vote is for School of Rock.  I heart that movie.

Mara

It's the flame in all of us the same...

My fingernails are all nice and painted.  I like that.  They're getting sort of longish.  Which is good, because it means I'm not biting them all off.

Apparently the stars are remarkable tonight.

Tonight we went to Luke Vespestad's birthday party.  Then he split his head open on a coffee table and had to go get stitches.  So we came home.  The boys ended up going back to spend the night anyway, but with no lightsabers.

Mom is singing loud with no music.  Because she is listening to the iPod Patrick gave me.  I will let him have it back when I buy one, if he wants, or I will just buy it from him.

This is Mara's Mom:  At least I'm singing on key.  I think.  Am I?  Wait. Don't answer that Mara.

Mara's not back yet, so I'll tell you about her rat.  It loves her.  You can tell.  It wants to snuggle with her and stuff.  He could run anywhere he wants to, but he stays close to her and burrows into her clothes.  It's funny.

She just brought in a pile of CD's to transfer.  Geoff Moore Evolution is on top with TFK Flame In All Of Us following behind.  Next comes Anberlin Lost Songs and then Stellar Kart.  And then a bunch more.

Speaking of CD's, everyone must get Tenth Avenue North's CD.  Or borrow it from me.  Awesome CD.

OK, the iPod made a doo-duh-lee-loo sound and she tapped Geoff Moore and said something, but I'm listening to Hilllsong United so I don't know what I'm supposed to do.  She's tapping the screen.  Now she's saying, "El clicko por favor."  She has not quit speaking Spanglish since we got back from Mexico.  She even texts me in Spanglish.  Which reminds me...Prairie Fest is having a Texting Competition.  How horrid is that?  Completely, I tell you.  What's worse?  They aren't having the Talent Show.  Which reminds me...they ARE having some kind of singing competition with a $250 prize and Mara is being rather noncommittal and apathetic about it, so y'all should do some convincing.  For crying out loud, it's a shot at a lot of free money.

She's back.  And she's eating cheese crackers.  Geoff Moore has successfully been transferred, as has Mae and Deas Vail.  This now ends my stream of consciousness...

Okay.  Now back to me blogging.  So, the iPod thing is doing great.  Luke's head is now all stitched back together.  These cheese crackers are not very good.  In fact, they sort of taste like cardboard with the cheese powder you get in boxed macaroni and cheese.

So, this year I think we are going to Lifelight again.  There are going to be some pretty awesome bands there this year (Switchfoot, The Afters, Lincoln Brewster, Remedy Drive, Family Force 5, Natalie Grant, Sanctus Real, etc), and probably some pretty lame but equally entertaining ones.  There are also some nifty sounding seminars that I'd like to go to.  Lincoln Brewster and Jared Anderson (not sure who he is) are doing a worship seminar, and the To Write Love On Her Arms guy is doing one, and lots more.  I'm excited to go.  It's in less than a month though, so if that is going to happen then we should probably get truckin' with the planning and all.  Although, last year, if I'm remembering right, it wasn't until like 2 weeks before that we even decided to go.  However, I prefer to have things planned somewhat before diving in head first.  I'm just sort of a loser that way.

Copeland is seriously one of the best bands ever.

Stiiiillll trucking along on these CDs.  I want to have everything ripped by tomorrow night, but we'll see how that goes.  Sometimes I get distracted.

Thursday we are going to the fair.  We will be getting there obscenely early in the morning, because WHO is trying to break the record for 'most people taking a bite out of a corndog at one time' and gosh, who wouldn't want to be involved in that?  Plus, the corndog is free and then we don't have to pay to get into the fair.  So we'll see the butter version of Shawn Johnson and walk around and do whatever you do at the fair and then come home.  Good times, I tell you.

Facebook is interesting, because it is really nice to be friends with all sorts of people you would normally have a hard time keeping up on, but that chat thing drives me insane sometimes.  Sometimes I just don't want to IM anyone, and I should have the freedom to lie about my online status like I do with Windows Live Messenger or AIM or GTalk, but no, I have no choice but to be seen as 'online'.  So then, people think I hate them because I don't respond to their IMs, and then I feel bad, but I still ignore them because Facebook is just stupid that way.  Good grief.

Apparently you can turn Facebook chat off.  Now I feel sort of stupid.

Underoath is good, too.

Lewispaul, one of my three favorite Harms boys, is getting HUGE.  I kid you not.  He looks so old.  He's like, a kid now!  None of that baby stuff anymore.  Good gracious, before I know it he'll be asking me where his sippy cup is instead of just squawking untiI bring it to him.  This is just no good, I tell you.  I feel so old.

Alright, I am going to finish up these CDs and head to bed.  I am sleepy.

Mara Tenille

Write down to remind yourself on how it can be...

Tonight I went to Harmsen's for a hawt partay.  We watched Stardust (not a fan) and did random things.  It was pretty good times.  I enjoyed myself.

Yesterday I got a rat.  His name is Maximilian.   He is amazing.

I don't know what to get Andrew for his birthday.

Tomorrow I have Senior pictures.  I'm pretty pumped about them.  I have some cool outfits picked out, too, so it should be amazing.  Haha.  I'm excited.

I'm out of things to talk about already.  I guess this is just short.

Mara Tenille

Isn't it nice to know that the lining is silver...

This blog post will have pictures. Hooray! Here is a picture of Mia and I. She is two. She's very sweet, and a total attention hog, and hardly talks at all. All the girls loved her. Speaking of the girls, here we all are. From the left: Bekah, Makensie, Emily, Sophie, Kristin, Me, and Sierra. I don't know why Lenna isn't in the picture. Maybe she was taking it or something. Here we are singing, too. And here's me and Bekah with some of the little boys. Hooray! The end.

The current debate that is taking over my life: Zune or iPod? I am leaning towards an iPod, but what kind? Refurbished or new? Is 8 gigs enough or do I need to go for a Classic? Zunes are supposedly better quality. What size? What color? Do I get a fancy one with artwork on it or save the $30 and get a plain one? So many decisions. Any thoughts?

Mara

They say you never know what you've got 'til it's gone...

Hello world!  I have returned to my beloved blog once again.  It's been awhile.  Here is the lowdown on the last couple of weeks.

Mexico was fantastic.  Monday I had the stomach flu, which was definitely pretty crappy, but that was the only day I was sick and no one else got it.  We spent the whole week doing VBS ministry and really just playing and loving on these kids.  They are really great people, and many of them got saved while we were there.  The boys all preached for the evening services at the church we were working with and that was really good, and everyone's bible lessons for the kids were awesome.  Everything was just awesome.  That was last week.

Now on to this week.  Two of my wisdom teeth were rather rudely cut out of my mouth by some oral surgeon/evil tooth stealer this past Tuesday.  The procedure was fine except I woke up and immediately threw up all of my vital organs because of the anesthesia.  I threw up for a couple hours and then was fine.  It's healing fine, and yes.  Those teeth should never have existed.  I think they are a product of the Fall.  No, actually the fact that they have to be surgically removed (or removed at all for that matter) is a product of the Fall.  Ridiculous I tell you.  I have to go back in a few months and have the other two removed.  Not sure how I feel about the anesthesia this time around, however.

Today I had my check up at the oral surgeon place.  Everything was fine.  Then my family went and visited with my Grammy for a while and played their Wii.  I amt he boxing champion of the universe.  Then I went to Family Christian and got a big collection of Clive books and a CD and part of Andrew's birthday present.  Oh, and a Jesus fishy for The Tater.  Then I went to the pool with my mom and got to hang out with Andrew and three crazy junior high boys.  Peter, Erick, and Colin.  Fun times.  Then I went to Ethan's surprise party.  Ethan is Liz's boyfriend.  Liz is my friend.  So, yes, that was good times, and we had fun doing random things and playing random games and such.  Now I'm home.  Yay!

Tomorrow morning Andrew and his family leave for vacation.  Those who read my blog either already knew that or don't care.  However, just know that I will miss them all (some more than others.  *shrug* I'm not going to lie to you) and that is why I include that in this blog.

Tomorrow we are cleaning out my van.  The Tater is nasty, and needs some ubercleaning.  Like, scrub that sucker with some Comet cleaning.  It's gross.  You know how your parents always made you bathe when you were little and they told you that they loved you nomatter what, but you still had to be clean?  That's sort of how I feel.  I love my van, but it's just no good.  No bien, Se*squigglyn*or, no bien.

Hmm.  It's almost two.  Time for sleep.

Mara Tenille Dickens
The Butterfly Child

We're all the sisters and the brothers until we find we don't believe the same...

Today I went to bible study, and then went to the pool, and then went to the last baseball game, and then came home.  It was nice.  I think I got a little bit burned.  Good stuff.

My 29 on my thumb keeps getting messed up.  Grrrrr.

Okoboji was fine.  I got some candy.  I wish I had gotten a t-shirt, and I wish I'd gotten Andrew that sucker with the nasty bug in it.

Baseball is over now.  That is a little bit sad.  Football is coming though!  Senior year is coming too.  Scary.

Well.  I am going to go sit in the hammock and work on stuff for Mexico.  Adios!

Mara