Fight For Life

Moving on

2009-09-16T11:23:00.001-05:00

The time has come. We are in the home stretch and will be moving in a matter of days! I have to change internet providers. I will be back with renewed excitement as soon as we are settled and have all services connected.

nothing new, everything new

2009-09-10T17:46:00.001-05:00

Not that it will be anything new but I won't be posting for a while. We are weeks from moving in and I am shutting down our service. I'll start back up as soon as I can.

I'll post some pictures of our progress this weekend.
My baby girls turns two this next Tuesday!
Heating and Air was completed today.
I've been caulking and painting doors and trim.

This house is a little like being pregnant.....
At first you dismiss the vomiting with a "that's ok, it's worth it"
Then you do the same with the leg and back aches....
Before long you are 9 months and even though you know you should be enjoying every minute and taking notes.... you are instead saying "can we just get this over with?"

That is where I am.... 9 months and counting.... Can we just get this over with?

I'll will miss your inspiring posts.....

as I see it........

2009-08-18T20:44:00.003-05:00

Turns out the things in life that seem so important
just may be.......
the things that keep you away from what really is important.

Who's got spirit??

2009-08-12T16:56:00.004-05:00

So I know that life changes.
People change.
Children grow and change.

I just found out that I may not like change too much.

Saturday morning I took LadyBug shopping for school stuff. Just me and her. No LULU. No Daddy. No aunts, sisters, grandparents, friends, or neighbors. Me and her. Big girl shopping day.
She cheerfully helped me count out the school supplies and put them in the cart. 8 boxes of crayons ***WHAT****deep breath*** check, six rolls of paper towels-check, and on and on it went $160 worth. But who's counting?.......
We were starving after all that hard work so we went to a Mexican restaurant that we love (don't know the name, sorry. But it is at the Oxford Exchange if you're ever out that way) She likes it for the virgin strawberry "cold drinks", and they mold the rice and put the beans in a tortilla cup, oh and they cut the quesadillas into triangle pizza shapes.

We spent the rest of the day going through every store we could find and racked up on some good deals!
We went to Starbucks (no caffeine for her, don't worry) then headed home.....
What a fun day! We don't get days, just the two of us any more.

Then it was meet the teacher night. I am frustrated. Nope. That doesn't do it justice. I AM FRUSTRATED!!!!! I was told that they do placement tests. They don't. I was told since it was a small school that the teacher would have so few students, she would be able to spend quality time doing extra work with her. Nope. She has 16 students at least. She can't possibly take the time needed to be sure that LadyBug is progressing to her potential!
Her teacher in 4K ran out of books for her. She is reading and comprehending at a 2nd grade level with ease. She does addition with multiple numbers. She knew her colors, shapes, numbers, and alphabet before she was two!
When we asked about the curriculum for the year.... we were told that they will start with letters, numbers and colors and by the end of the year start to read some.....!
They have to bring coloring books to keep them quietly busy while others are working when they are done!! WHAT?! She can color at home! What the heck is she going to school for??
If she isn't learning something new, she is getting behind.
Before you start thinking that I'm some kinda mad woman who pushes her child too hard..... she asks to do work, and constantly asks tough questions. She is just made that way.

Ok. I need to breathe now so... moving on..... Here is LULU. Ain't she cute?

Getting it Done

2009-08-04T14:10:00.006-05:00

I have missed you all!!
There are not enough hours in the day, lately.
I thought maybe today I'd breathe, brew some coffee, and check out every body's pages. Also, I wanted to share what we've been up-to.

LadyBug picked Orange Slice by Glidden but painted in Behr (not sure if that makes a difference in color turnout...) She also loves seaside cottage things. Remember this group we picked up for her room, back when it was going to be a gray-white?

Hmmm. Well now her room looks like this!

However orange this may look on here..... be assured, it is much more vibrant than that!!
That is where the problem lies. But, a most amazing thing happened.... DIYideas.com solved my problem!!!

It is perfect! She wanted citrus colors...hence the Orange Slice! And the art work is just a piece of MDF covered with decorative paper and card stock shapes on top!! I can totally pull this off! And get this, her 3-D chalk set came with perfectly sized stencils of sea animals!!

In other news, my kitchen is really taking shape! I'll have to snap a few pictures Wed. when I go back to sand the cabinet doors and drawer faces. I bought the appliances the other day from Home Depot. They were having a 10% off no interest for 12 months and the fridge was a perfect floor model on clearance. Are you ready for this?? $2300 for the range, fridge and dishwasher!!!!
The fridge is LG's french door top with drawer freezer on bottom, the range is LG's convection oven with smooth top (something I'll have to get used to- going from gas), the dishwasher is Maytag with all the goodies, all stainless. I was so excited! The fridge being a clearance item had to be picked up and is in this kitchen until we move and the other two will be delivered when we are ready for them.

I have some huge questions. Number one: What finish do I do on the concrete floors?
Number two: Should I paint my cabinets or stain them? should I stain the cabinets and paint the pantry and island?

Oh, I can't remember if I told you but my Master bed and bath are painted French Silver by Behr. I love this color. It is a cool blue gray but is shaded enough to be relaxing at the same time.
The main room colors are Natural Linen by Glidden and Crisp Linen White by Glidden. The crisp linen white is also in the laundry/craft room and I painted the hallways in the Natural Linen. The guest bath is called Fresh Guacamole. Yep, this may have been a bad idea, but I'm going to try and make it work. I love the color it is just a little much for the small space. Other than the girls crazy rooms, I wanted a natural and neutral tone in the house.
So, that is how far I am.
The siding is going on Monday week. The septic is going to be put in tomorrow or Thursday.
Any comments, questions or ideas are welcome. Thanks for making it through this lengthy post!!

My baby will be registered for big girl school Thursday.

COMMENTS WANTED

2009-07-24T10:04:00.005-05:00

I rode by this little junk place over and over, day after day and kept seeing this chair. I wanted it and found myself looking to see if it was still there every time. So, finally I stopped. No one came out to see if I needed help and to be honest I was starting to wander if this was some sorta pile of stuff the homeowner had collected, maybe major pack-rats or something....
I drove by two days later and it was still there. I stopped again, this time someone peeked out their head and asked if I needed help.
Yes, how much for the metal chair?? "$5", he replied. Hmm, I thought. It needed a lot of work, but I want it. SURE! "There's more inside." He said. An open invitation to scope out some more cool stuff! I found antique glass door knobs, also $5. And I'm thinking of going back for the old french doors to convert to pantry doors.
I need a little help. My kitchen, living, and dining rooms are all together in a big 30 x 32. The first thing you will see when you walk in the front door will be the island. I want to do something super cool. I am going for a minimal with rustic antiques look... any ideas. I'm thinking Natural Choice by Sherwin Williams for the walls, Greek Villa white for the trim and cabinets, the floor will be stained concrete and the counter tops are either concrete or wood, I haven't decided yet.
I want clean lines, serene feel, with wow, that's cool, where'd ya find it antiques here and there.
My plan for this chair includes attaching casters to the legs and using it at my Roll Top desk as a sort of dressing table/writing station in my bedroom.

Here is LuLu's room color as promised

I kicked but and pulled a 8 hour grout job by myself yesterday and finally finished my shower (except for touching up the ceiling and sealing the grout)

If there are any professional shower tile layer people reading...... just remember this was my first!!! And I'm darn proud of it!!!!

Comments are definitely welcome. I need help PEOPLE! Ideas!

What I've been doing

2009-07-22T09:12:00.009-05:00

I have been thinking about how simplicity makes me feel calm, relaxed and ultimately happier in general. This picture is a kitchen that says to me "I'm simple but rich in experience and detail, I may not be showy but I am efficient, relaxed, easy going. I can handle hustle and bustle of rush time or I can sit back with a warm cup of joe." I like that in a kitchen. I also like those qualities in life.

Our days have gone like this: (not so simple and relaxed)
During the week Bobby is at work and most days comes to the house to work after that as well as some side work. Our weekends are always at the house working.
My day looks like this......
7am~ wake up, feed the kids, get dressed, change over some laundry, take out the trash, pack lunch, fill water containers
9am~go to Home Depot, bank, pay a few bills, swing by McDonald's for a Caramel Iced Coffee, go to 'the property' (that is still what the kids call it)
10am~work on tile, prime, paint, rethink and plan on kitchen layout because I'm never satisfied with it, referee the girls, check up on the girls because they are curiously quiet, make time for tic tac toe, listen to LadyBug's newest book-now second grade level :0), throw LuLu up in the air until my arms feel like they are going to break, talk about colors and sing the alphabet song.
12:30~ eat a sandwich, some carrot sticks, a V8, a Powerade
12:45~get back to work, being a referee, scrape the tile down again because I made a huge mess with the adhesive, reinstall the corner caddy thingy that LuLu used as a step before the adhesive dried. Scrape off the adhesive that LuLu iced the tile with while I was gone to cut a trim piece.
5pm~ eat a few Fig Newtons, drink another Powerade, get back to work. Check out LadyBug's newest invention outside in the dirt, push LuLu around on the bike.
7pm~ go home
8pm~ bathe the girls, cook and eat dinner, clean up, put the girls to bed
10:30pm~shower
11:30pm~sleep, glorious sleep

This is the color LadyBug picked for her room. Orange Slice by Glidden, we used Behr paint. The ceiling is about 2 shades lighter. Far from the previous description of relaxing simplicity, but you are only a child once. LuLu's color is Pink Peony also a Glidden color. I will post some pics of it soon. It is dusty pink with a lilac undertone.

With the help of my little sister I have been tiling my master bath shower. The opening you see here will be a solid piece of tempered glass. I finished laying he tile and cleaned it up for grout yesterday. As soon as it is grouted I'll post the pictures. I'll have to get a better picture. You can't see it here but a rain can is in the center of the shower ceiling and a handheld is on the wall. The clawfoot will sit right in front of that.

My two little sweet girls get as dirty as humanly possible every single day that we are there! But again, you are only a child once.

My Family~ This is Why I love him Thursday

2009-07-16T08:16:00.007-05:00

She painted.

We painted.

They may be completely covered in dirt, primer, and sweat........ but they love each other.

Learning math can be fun.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And this is just another reason why I love him!!!

anxious questions

2009-07-14T21:18:00.002-05:00

So... I've been neglecting my blog among other things: such as laundry and dishes and home cooked meals......

I have been stressed...no.... anxious, yeah, anxious.

We have been so busy on our forever home that I've neglected everything else.
Bobby seems to think that I haven't neglected the girls or him, maybe the house we are in, but not the family. I can only hope that the girls feel the same way. School is starting soon, in another district, and we are not finished.

Will LadyBug be OK with a new school, new home, new life??
Will LuLu turn out OK even if I haven't been able to take all the necessary time to do the one on one that LadyBug had when she was a toddler??
Will I ever feel the same sort of balance that I felt before a second child and house building??
What is the real reality of a New Home, New Town, life??
The thing I have begged for and hope for and prayed for is drawing near and I somehow feel anxious.

I give God all the glory and praise for His grace and works of love in our family, for all the things that have been done only through Him. I am grateful. I am humbled. I am undeserving. I am blessed.

I am not complaining. I am just talking to some good friends, who just might understand.

A nugget. Some fire. A load of Stuff.

2009-07-11T06:50:00.006-05:00

I've been extremely busy with the house and summer life that I haven't had time to do more than a quick look-see of what has been going on around here! I am glad to see that everyone is doing well and have wonderful things going on. I have to run again but I wanted to share a few pictures first.
AND We start priming the drywall TODAY!

My camera was on fireworks setting. I thought this was a pretty cool picture of LadyBug with her sparklers. Click on these two to enlarge them!

Here is a close up on the same setting of a sparkly something, I don't know the name of but it was pretty and my camera picked up some really neat streams of fire from it.

Here is the load of drywall scrap after the hangers (?) were done.

Here is my LuLu giving everyone 'the tour'.

Here is the patio. Well almost.

I am going insane trying to pin down my paint colors. Seriously. I wish I had an interior designer friend. I will be bald before this is over!

Apparently I'm a Super Hero in the shower...

2009-07-06T09:44:00.002-05:00

When my hair is weighed down with conditioner and my legs are half shaven.....
I apparently become a super hero.

My children are tired from a busy day, I'm awaiting my husband's arrival from work, The movie Ice Age the Meltdown is put in the DVD player and everyone is happy. So, I think to myself, I wooonder if I could get away with a shower if I leave the door cracked slightly and LuLu isn't told what is going on??? I of course tell Big Sister because, if she needs me she will know where to find me. So I say, 'hey, this is a funny part!' cheerfully and then sneak away. I wash my hair, soap up, put conditioner in my hair and think.... Oh, yeah! I get to shave too!! So I quickly start to shave and all of a sudden LuLu rushes in and the most unspeakable, terrible, awful, thing has happened and I am the only Super Hero to be found that can right the wrongs of this unforgiving world!
I don't come out right away so she pulls the curtain up over her head allowing a rush of cold air to hit my legs, at this point finishing on chill bumps will be impossible so I quickly close the curtain and bump up the heat in the shower. She lifts it again, either she wants in or wants me out but either way I'm not going to finish shaving today. 'What's wrong?' I finally think to ask. She points to the living room. I give in and get out. It turns out Scrat is having a hard time with those Paranas again...
I did manage to rinse my hair and noted to myself that her bedtime really is the best time for my showers. Because, Super Heroes should always be available.

This is why I love him Thursday and GLOW STICK DOTS

2009-07-02T15:21:00.007-05:00

He is building our home. I went in for a peek this morning at the drywall being installed. I didn't want to get in their way because I think I would have been drywalled if I stayed!! They are doing a great job. And I was so excited to see WALLS not just boards. I can't wait until tomorrow when it will be completed.

He gave me a two wonderful children. The oldest did this to her bedroom wall last night.

LuLu broke LadyBug's DVD part of her TV. So LadyBug has been going to sleep in the living room so she can watch TV and 'not be lonely' I told her that she needed to sleep in her bed and gave her two of those glow in the dark sticks 'to keep her company'. And lovingly told her to go to sleep and I'd see her in the morning....

She ran upstairs and said ( in her quiet, as to not wake Daddy or Sister, voice -
' It was an accident!
There's light stick glow dots everywhere!
Come quick!'

Feeling a little frustrated, I went downstairs... the lights were still off except for the stair well light and I easily followed the 'glow dots' trail from the living room, to the kitchen, to her room, up the bed and on the wall...

I couldn't help but laugh. She was so worried that it might harm her in some mysterious way or that I might be angry--- how could I be... it was too funny??

I went to the kitchen to find something to clean up the mess and she was following me with a roll of paper towels, (the poor child was so worried, she was already prepared)
I had still not turned on the lights, because quite frankly I was enjoying our moment of laughing at all the 'glow dots'. I went to the kitchen and saw what looked like a glob of the stuff on the counter. Then I turned on the light and saw that it was a dish towel from her trying to solve the problem herself.... that explained the trail to the kitchen...

So I laughed again and turned off the lights... I picked up the glow stick where she apparently dropped it in a panic, before running upstairs..... I got the stuff on my thumb (and thought, cooool, I bet this is the crazy stuff that old witch put on those folks in that movie- Beast Master...)
We had a lot of fun and she slept soundly in her new glow in the dark room.

If it weren't for my wonderful hubby, I would not have had that experience!
She is a lot like him. ~ I'm just sayin'....;)

I can't wait until he gets home to share our story...

Mustard. It's what's for dinner.

2009-07-01T16:50:00.002-05:00

My LuLu loves mustard, ketchup, lemons, steak sauce.... just about anything that LadyBug will not touch. LuLu wanted a snack after dinner as usual, because she never eats her dinner!!!

Anyway.... as I was saying, she went to the kitchen and brought me the loaf of bread so I gave her a slice. Then she brought me the Texas Pete I exchanged that for a wedge of cheese. (what kind of parent gives their child hot sauce for a snack?) She was happy with the alternative and ate (most of) it. Then after leaving a trail of multi-grain bread crumbs and smushy cheese in the floor she brought me the mustard. So I obliged and put some in a plate with some cheese crackers. She ate it all!

*note to self: after dinner is probably not the best time to be distracted by email*

Now before you start judging me on my toddler's eating habits, know that I would have never allowed my oldest to indulge in junk instead of a balanced meal. However, I am older, wiser, busier, and all around less wonderful as a parent.

It happens to the best of us.

Planned Parenthood Abortion Center Staffer: We Bend the Rules on Sexual Abuse

2009-06-30T14:13:00.001-05:00

Planned Parenthood Abortion Center Staffer: We Bend the Rules on Sexual Abuse

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S O S

2009-06-30T09:49:00.004-05:00

Been busy.

Saturday and Sunday were both tied up with the house and being sure it was completely ready for drywall.
Monday was grocery shopping and catching up on chores.
Tuesday..... still catching up on chores.

Our drywall should be up and ready to paint in a week and a half!!!

I have to get serious about paint colors.
I'm going for a 'cottage with a hint of modern' kinda theme. I like white, cream, mushroom, walnut, dusty blues, vibrant greens.....
Does anyone have any suggestions?
The floors are acid stained concrete in a dark walnut finish. I want to incorporate bead-board. And I need to make some slip covers for my sofa and love seat but I really don't know how. They are in great shape but I want a creamy linen type cover for them that will not cost me a body part!
Help! Anyone! It's crunch time!

Grilling Goodness

2009-06-26T15:01:00.004-05:00

click on the pic to join Tina in Grilling Goodness every Friday....
She names the questions, we give the answers and compare, it is a lot of fun!!

1. When you were growing up dreaming of having children...dreaming of what their names would be...did you stick with those names?

No. I wanted to name my little girl Penelope but was waaay out voted when the time came.

2. Are you affected by the death of Michael Jackson?

What was the question?? Who??

3. Do you use your dishwasher and your fireplace?

Dishwasher, yes. Fireplace, I don't have one now and I am voting against one in the new house. I want an outdoor one though.

4. Have you ever been on a mission trip?

No. But one day maybe.

5. Will your kids participate in a Vacation Bible school this summer?

Not this year we did a summer reading program instead and to be honest our schedule has been too crazy to commit.

6. What about the economy is affecting you the worst?

definitely the gas and groceries!

7. Do your kids do chores?

LadyBug is Five and helps when I ask her but LuLu is still too young.

8. Do you use energy efficient light bulbs?

Yes, in most rooms. I do the daylight ones and I really love them.

Not too shabby for hump-day.......

2009-06-24T18:40:00.004-05:00

Getting ready for the patio....

Blessings Unending

2009-06-23T16:44:00.006-05:00

Hip Hooray for Bobby. He got us a leap ahead for drywall today!
Bobby and a co-worker got more done today than I could have helped him do in a weekend!

The wonderful surveyor that set up our easement for water went way beyond our expectations!
Where we are going to live - out in the boonies- we have to get an easement to run water lines to our property and the meter will also be on someone else's property. The surveyor who took care of it for us is also a notary public. This sweet man met me to get exact location, went to property owner to verify, received appropriate paperwork via fax, went to water board to be sure of what they wanted, drew up paperwork, went to property owner for signature, went to court house and filed it for me, went to water board again to give them a copy..... all for $200!! He is just a good hearted sweet man. He called my husband and asked if he could do all of that because he knew Bobby was very busy with work and since we had two small children I was obviously busy. Can you believe that?! So now all I have to do is show up at the water board with a handful of cash (a check really) and we are all set!!

And I was able to take my sweet girls swimming. That was a blessing.
Time is something I haven't had a lot of lately. But blessings have not run short!!

Me, LuLu - Granny, LadyBug

LadyBug, LuLu, DD, Mom, and Granny

Jumbled Mess

2009-06-22T16:31:00.004-05:00

I hope my readers will forgive me for not posting much lately. I've just had so much going on that it would look like a jumbled mess if I tried to update or put together something in a hurry. When I'm this busy it is really hard to sound intelligent because my brain is a jumbled mess.
But here are the latest goings-ons.....

Heating and Air - DONE (at least until drywall is up and painted)

LadyBug's Library reading - 504 pages so far for June!!

Plumbing - DONE (at least until drywall is up and painted)

Insulation and wiring - mostly done, will be finished this weekend

Drywall - waiting on us to finish this weekend

Grocery shopping - I am learning how to shop cheap and feed my family well.

Laundry - Uhmm, washed, mostly

LuLu's potty training - Depends on the day

You get the picture....

I did buy this really cool kitchen faucet today marked down from $247 to $92 wah hoo for me!
I am determined to get great products and great final quality as cheap as possible, for a couple reasons. ONE: I truly feel it necessary to refurbish and reuse when possible and get a deal when you can. And TWO: I need $4400 after the house is finished.....for something(s) a little more personal.

Father's Day was fantabulous. Hope yours was too.

This is why I love him Thursday and Trina

2009-06-18T16:08:00.004-05:00

It is Thursday and time to shout from the mountain tops, my reasons for loving the love of my life!
If I never have time for anything else, I want to be sure to make time to: Pray thanks to my God, Hug my girls, and Honor my husband. Those are things that must be done no matter what else is going on.
For better or for worse
In sickness and in health
For richer or for poorer
Till death do we part
I made a promise to him and to God, to honor and cherish, to love and yes, even obey, so long as we both shall live.
I plan to hold up my end of the deal as I know he feels the same.
God has planned our lives together. Whether things are good or bad we are in it together. I am thankful that because of our promise to one another and because of the stubbornness born in us both, that we will make good on that promise.

Of course he makes that easy on my end. I found yesterday that I am terribly spoiled! I had to take the trailer with me to the house so the HVAC guys would have the lumber they needed when I got there.....
I soon found out that not only does it take me a considerable amount of time to back up said trailer, I also had no clue as to how it should be reattached to my Jeep after the nice gentlemen removed it for me so I could go to lunch minus the extra 14 feet of trailer! Thank goodness for my very self sufficient sister who went with me! By the way I think we will start drywall in 2 weeks or less!!!!
Anyway..... I found out by that experience that with out Bobby I would be lost. He just does so much that I look over and take for granted everyday. Things that I didn't even realize that he did. I wish there was some grand way that I could express my devotion, adoration, and appreciation to him on Father's Day. Nothing seems to say THANK YOU enough.

So to wrap up a very wordy post.... He is great!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It is very important that I recognize Trina. She is such a sweet lady. Her love for peacocks isn't her only unique expression. She loves color and style. But more than that, she loves her family and God. She is involved in youth in a radical and awesome way. I always look forward to her posts. She is the type, you feel like you know her even if you haven't met. I appreciate that. Too many people wear masks when the real person is always so much more interesting to know. She was so kind to mention me in her blog and give me this wonderful gift. It means a lot that someone gets me.

Jason Upton-Look at that Dog

2009-06-18T15:48:00.002-05:00

This guy, Jason Upton did the last service at our LIFT supernatural worship summit. We had a blast. If you get time, look him up he is truly a man after God's own heart, and a pleasure to listen to.

Jason Upton speaks about Adoption

2009-06-16T16:11:00.002-05:00

please watch this. It speaks volumes!

art and stuff like it

2009-06-15T16:58:00.005-05:00

Please click on the pictures to enlarge the view, you will not want to miss the details...

I believe art to be a product formed through many mediums. I believe nature, ink,paint, crayon, chalk, voice, motion, instrument, concrete, machine, tools and clay are all different mediums to reach the ultimate goal of art. My children are artists, My God is an artist, Tattoo professionals are artists, dancers are artists, painters are artists, I am an artist, my husband is an artist, a builder is an artist, a musician is an artist, a teacher is an artist. The question then is, What is art? My answer, Anything created. No matter, professional or novice. Anything can be art.

So now lets eat granola and hug some trees ;)

OK. Here is the scoop.... My HVAC guy will be at the house early in the morning. HIP HIP HOORAY!
Through God all things are possible.

natural and bare not recycled or green

2009-06-14T15:48:00.005-05:00

I have been encouraged to tap into my creativity by the LIFT worship summit classes and let me warn you now...... If you've no patience for elementary or rusty poetry...... you will not be held accountable if you leave now. That said, let me tell you that I've not 'written' in quite some time. But I opened my spirit to flow out as best as my mind could communicate my experience and lesson I learned this weekend. Please bare with me but I have to push away the enemy by not being fearful that I will receive judgement and know that the inevitable judgement of others can not and should not hold up or shut up my creativity. So in very basic, back to the beginning poetry I have laid out my heart. I am confident that this early piece will grow into more of what I was created for....

So, ahem, OK, ......... without further ado........ here goes:

Broken and down
brown suit and frown
head too heavy to wear this crown

wander through streets
wander through town
looking for peace
still unfound

to the end of the rainbow
to the break of the sun
ends are frayed
knots undone

eyelashes on cheeks
with mascara runs
feet bare
spirit shunned
pebbles turned stones
arteries moan
under flesh, blood, bone
and image shown

eyes can not see
ears can not hear
spirit rising
done with fear

pick up the cross
where lay a crown
much too heavy
put it back down

for broken for weak
for lost for found
one strong and certain
savior abounds

forgiven and loved
place now found
at the feet of the One
who wears the crown
~mary

Grilling Goodness

2009-06-12T09:04:00.004-05:00

Go to visit Tina here to play along.

Grilling Goodness

1. What's the heaviest thing in your purse? a sippy cup

2. Do you mostly use cash or debit/credit cards? all the above, it depends on the purchase

3. Do you cut your hair shorter in the summer or pull it up a lot? I pull it up. I used to have very long hair but since I've had kids I tend to keep it shorter. But I prefer it to be long enough to pull back.

4. Do you like your man scruffy or clean shaven? I like scruffy.... but when he cleans up and cuts his hair and wears something besides work clothes.... it does make my heart skip a beat *blush*

5. What have your children done/said to embarass you lately? Well, LadyBug is working on not saying things that might hurt the feelings of others... so instead of telling me I look old, she said I look much newer when I put my makeup on.

6. Do you use plug-in type air fresheners around the house?I do those lysol spray ones and glade fans. With allergies in the house I can only use Apple Cinimmon in the Fall and Winter and Lavender Vanilla in the Spring and Summer.

7. Do you have any interest in the NBA or NHL finals? (Do you even know who's competing?)I'm sorry, what was the question?

8. What is weighing heavily on your mind lately? To be quite honest, with so much going on, I have just given it all to God because I can't carry it. So really I only worry over the small stuff.

What Was I Supposed To Be - Ray Boltz

2009-06-11T15:28:00.002-05:00

this is why I love him Thursday

2009-06-11T14:43:00.004-05:00

Because...... why not?!
That is why!

Oh and since he didn't have side work last night.......

He came in, ate dinner, talked to us, played with the girls........

And DID NOT turn on the TV!!!

What a man~
What a man~
What mighty, mighty, Good man!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This has nothing to do with today's post but I am so excited I wanted to share anyway.
My baby sister went for her very first prenatal check up today.
She has a beautiful 1 cm long sweety that will be spoiled, like nobody's business! I can't wait ('cept I have to, for nine months) to be the aunt. Since Bobby and I are both the oldest we don't have nieces or nephews.

Oh, but the times are a changin'! Now I get to hold them without fear of dreaded spoilage, (even though some might accuse me of doing that with my own angels)
I do feel it is necessary to help out parents by following their house rules even when the little stinker is at your own house... I have learned that only grandparents are afforded the right to contribute to the dreaded spoilage.... because after all they raised our butts, they deserve it!
So, DD, I solemnly swear -'cept, I don't believe in swearing- to abide by your house rules when I am watching over your little angel. Because my time will come to contribute to spoilage. So long as you allow me to: kiss, hug, transport ~ in an approved car seat that is fastened so snug in the car that hurricane force winds could not move it, feed, nurture, and pamper them while they are in my care.

So now I spoke my peace, Everett. And I done counted to three.

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One more thing and then I promise I'll be done.....

I am going to be part of a Supernatural Worship Summit called LIFT starting tonight. It will take up most of my weekend but I can't wait to tell you how it goes!

I can see it!!!!

2009-06-10T14:44:00.005-05:00

I'm so glad to be back!!! I can finally see my blog again. Please get comfy, I'm in the mood to catch up.
Here is a break down on my forever home and how it is coming along....

I got a beautiful sleek stainless range hood and shower tiles yesterday. The range hood was a chunk of money but beautiful and worth it! The tiles I picked up at Southeastern Salvage for .49 sq ft !! Just so you know a 10 sq ft box of tile is heavy and loading and unloading can be tiresome and dangerous! I also went to The Old Gray Barn today and picked up some things for LadyBug's nautical cottage themed room.

Here are the tiles now there is one less tile because I dropped the darn box on my ankle and broke one (at least I hope I only broke one) They are 3" x 6" snow white matte. Let me see if I can explain this well enough to give you a picture of my master bath...... when you walk in the door you will see the clawfoot, behind it will be the glass side of the shower and you'll see these tiles in a subway pattern. All soft whites, creams, and some soft blues.

This is why I said tile can be dangerous! I thought I broke something other than a tile at that moment, but the *Que the poor me, pitiful music* excruciating pain has subsided. Note the swollen, awful, boo-boo...?

While we were working over the weekend LuLu made herself a friend. She also met a lizard but he didn't like her as much as she liked him. Click on the picture to enlarge if you can't see her froggy friend.

Here are the things I found for LadyBug's room. It was only $15 after taxes! She (we) want a relaxing retreat kind of feel so I will refrain or at least try to refrain from buying anything else 'themed' to her room. All we need now is bedding, rug, apothecary jar (for sea shells) and a worn and very large chest to put at the end of her bed for toys. Oops I forgot the desk, she needs a desk too.... but that is it. Cross my heart. The boat thing is a picture frame, $3. And the crab is brass and his head opens to hide a treasure inside, $2.

This is the view I get when I head into town from my 'forever home' I have already become so attached to the place that I look for excuses as to why we can't leave just yet. Even after working there all day.

I have tons of ideas for the house I'd like to share but I'll spare you this time.
I can see it now, it is all coming together.

just so you know

2009-06-05T10:01:00.004-05:00

I can not see my blog. I can post. But something wacky is going on and it will not allow me to see it. So if you can log on, please don't give up on me. I will be back as soon as they get this worked out.

Clawfoot and this is why I love him Thursday

2009-06-04T06:46:00.003-05:00

This wonderful man just got off work and is working on my project. Every one who knows me will not be shocked by my openess about my anal tendencies to 'do it myself ' adn that in all reality..... even though my hands felt like they were falling off from using the grinder, I grudgingly let it go into his hands.... But between the thoughts of ' I could have done it myself ' I was really and truely thankful for him doing so much! He gave me a 'demonstration on proper grinder use' And for two days, came home after a long day at work and helped. Then took the feet to the machine shop and bead blasted them, oh ........ and he ran up to Home Depot to get a new paint roller --because the roller covers I picked up didn't fit the paint roller I had! LuLu was asleep and daylight was running out so he just took LadyBug with him and took care of it.

Here is the paint. I had it custom tinted to a dreamy light blue.

This was after wire brush grinding, three coats of paint stripper, wash down with acetone, another wash and scrub with muretic acid, hand held wire brushing, sanding of the bondo (some lune put on one side of the darn thing) and still more more grinding with the grinding wheel! Whew! That exhausted me all over again just typing it!!

TaDa! Only four days of WORK and one coat still to go on the outside when the rain and humidity clears for at least 5 hours.

By the way, I have to flip her over and refinish the inside still!! I also have a 1940's cast kitchen sink to do. That will have to wait for next week.

Don't know much 'bout Penelope's....

2009-06-01T14:25:00.006-05:00

Don't know much about Science books

Don't know much about the French I took

But I do know that I love you

And I know that if you love me too

What a wonderful world this would be......

LadyBug found this

I think it is a millipede??? I don't know.... She insisted on calling it a Penelope all day though! It was so cute... (her watching after it, not the bug!) She kept up with it and made a make-shift amusement park for it out of plumbing parts. LuLu found it quite entertaining to push it with her foot so that it rolled into a impenetrable ball....making the mothering instinct of LadyBug come out...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We (and when I say we, I mean Chad and Bobby) did get a lot of the plumbing done and I think they are finishing it up in the afternoons this week. By the way the plumber's name is Chad. They are our friends and it just seems very impersonal to say the plumber. I mean hubby is a concrete machine operator and mechanic but I'd rather call him honey. Because that is who he is not what he does.

We have to get water to our property now, yep, I said to our property! the nearest meter approx. 400 feet away. This is a frustrating and costly issue that must be dealt with when moving to the 'boonies'.

Here is a quick shot I got of the boys. Don't tell them I put this on here :) You know how guys are.... Oh that is not my good side, You should have told me and I would have fixed my hair, you know I need to know in advance.... Oh, wait.... that is me, I'm thinking of.... They probably wouldn't mind after all.

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

Grilling Goodness

2009-05-29T19:06:00.003-05:00

1. If you had 10 hours at home alone, what would you do? Sleep in, do as many 'work in progress' projects..... oops I ran out of time!

2. Do you have a fond memory of your dad? This is going to sound very odd but my most fond memory of my dad was when I was being disciplined once.... He made me and my middle sister write apology letters to each other after we had one of our fights.... when I read mine it was full of I'm sorry, but if you hadn't... I wouldn't haves.... so he explained to me that when you are sorry, you are sorry. That is it. No strings attached. No butts. You are either sorry or you are not. I still carry that with me whether it be a disagreement with my hubby or my kids.

3. Do you prefer the pool or the beach? BEACH

4. What's the furthest you've driven for one day of fun? About two hours, to a cave, zoo or aquarium, six flags.... guess I'm two hours from everything?!

5. Solid, clear solid, clear gel or aerosol? Deodorant of choice, that is. Clear solid

6. Do you tan or burn/peel? burn in the spots only the tanning bed have seen... tan every other place.

7. What's your favorite pasta-based meal? lobster ravioli

8. Do you wax or pluck your eyebrows? usually pluck... and my man beard hairs are too noticeable to miss a week!

This is why I love him Thursday

2009-05-28T10:13:00.005-05:00

As it turns out.... this summer heat will be no different than the summers before.

You see, my sweet husband works outside. And this humid Alabama heat is exhausting. If it is 20 degrees or 120 degrees, he works outside. Sometimes he works in the rain. Sometimes he works in the blistering cold. Sometimes he works in the Alabama humidity that seriously can't be any better than the Rain Forrest! You know those days when you go outside and think 'I am so thankful for air conditioning'?... well he doesn't get that luxury from daylight 'till late afternoon. And those days when you step outside and you can see your breath (if the cold didn't take your breath away)? Well, you guessed it.... no heater.

Anyway, I am so thankful for him. And do you know he never complains? He doesn't grunt when he has to get up at 4 am. He doesn't say a word when it hurts just to stretch. He never comes home and says 'I can't do this anymore'. He only says it is his job. He works harder than anyone I know. And that is not just me bragging... I have had men that work with him tell me they can't keep up with him.

He is on a mission. He is on a mission to be the best man he can be. He doesn't go out at night. Doesn't go to bars. Doesn't find excuses to be away from home. Doesn't complain when the house is less than perfect. Doesn't complain when I completely ruin a meal. He loves his Mama. He loves his girls. He loves me. None of us ever question that.

He doesn't worry about whether or not his shoes match his shirt. He doesn't want formal hair cuts. He likes when I don't wear make up. He likes the windows down in the car, but keeps them up when we ride so it doesn't mess up our hair. When I get angry, he makes me laugh. He doesn't 'look' at other women (now granted he may see them, but he doesn't look) He respects me. He respects his position and roll as a husband.

He is a blessing to me and those who know him. He is my husband. I love him.

Wordful Wednesdays

2009-05-27T16:15:00.006-05:00

My sister DD and I have been walking three to three and a half miles three times a week together. Sometimes Jess comes with us and this time Mom came. LadyBug was also with us because she is out of school for the summer. LadyBug tuckered out by lap two and sat on a soggy stump while we finished. We walk across from the fire department *wink* *wink* :) I kid my hubby about that, but honestly we are so busy gossiping (I mean.... talking) that we don't even notice.

Here is Mom pushing LuLu, DD is in the back.

See LadyBug way up front?? That is why she tuckered out so quick!!

We are formaldehyde free, 35% post consumer, mold and mildew resistant!

2009-05-26T11:44:00.007-05:00

In case you didn't already know, my husband and I have been married for a little over 7 1/2 yrs. We have been planning our 'forever home' (a term I borrowed from a friend) for about 6 of those 7 1/2 years!! I have felt a little disappointed several times because I wanted my home and I wanted it now! But the house we are in has been good to us, and God's plan is not our plan. Finally my prayers are being answered and we are moving along on our 'forever home'. The one will will cherish for our time on earth. The one we will raise our two sweet girls in. The one we will work hard on caring for. The one we will actually do landscaping around. The one we will see many sunsets from our 30' long front porch. The one we will fight in. The one we will love in. The one we will make mistakes in. The one we will experience victories in. The one we will play with our grandchildren in. The one we will grow old together in.

Our journey with our 'forever home' started long before we purchased the 7 acre tract it sits on in December of 2006. A year later we poured the pad for the floor. Another year and a half later and we started on the framing. We are moving right along now.

We insulated every wall that the plumber from Plumbing Dynamics didn't have to work on over the weekend!! We are hoping to have him (our plumber) there this week or weekend to finish up so we can complete the insulation. We also ran the telephone/data wires and cable wires, cut the grass (weeds) that have grown out of control this spring and cleaned up inside.

Here is a picture from last winter when my hubby 'Bob the builder' started the framing.

Here is a picture of the outside. I don't have one of the outside that has roofing on it but I will do that next time.

Here is a picture of the inside with some insulation.

I can't wait for the HVAC guy and Plumber to get their stuff done so we can Sheetrock and tile!!!

You might ask why we are taking so long?.... We decided not to go get a large mortgage so we have done what we can and now we are financing the rest because we want to be in there by next school season.

Mary Kay

2009-05-26T10:09:00.003-05:00

Check out this new blog. Alicia is a sweet lady with a darling daughter. This new site is for her Mary Kay products and parties, hop on over and check it out!!

Grilling Goodness

2009-05-22T20:29:00.003-05:00

Join in on the fun by clicking here.

1. Do you have a cell phone that allows you to check your email? If I subscribed to the service I could. But it would probably be very slow.

2. Have you ever caught a foul ball at a baseball game? I don't go to baseball games.

3. What foreign accent can you imitate the best? None really.

4. Do you have plans for Memorial Day? No, not yet, but I'll probably eat.

5. Does your hair look decent if you let it air dry? It gets really BIG. and not in a good way like the girls on the shampoo commercials.

6. When is the last time you went to a waterpark? When I was little, I don't swim, I'd rather do roller-coasters.

7. Do you turn on your porch light every night? No, my husband uses it when he is leaving for work, it stays on all day and off at night.... I know that doesn't make sense but it is true.

8. Have you ever had to call the fire department? Yes a few times, and when I was four years old we lost our home to a fire.

This is why I love him Thursday

2009-05-21T08:04:00.004-05:00

It's Thursday, time to list my sweethearts lovable qualities.....
This weeks list includes...

He took Wed. morning off to go to LadyBug's 4k graduation, then went to work without complaining while we headed off to the end of the year pool party!

He is being so patient with me on my never ending list of things I want to do to our house.

He is undeniably the hardest working, best man, I have ever met.

He has been eating my half hearted meals lately, because I've been preoccupied with everything else going on and waited till the last minute to put something together for dinner.

I feel blessed to have him in my life. The past 11 years have gone by so fast! I couldn't imagine, wouldn't want to imagine, my life without him. We are so different in so many ways. God put us together that way. He has all my missing pieces and I have his, that way we fit perfectly together. Like a puzzle we need each other to be complete.

Life Liberty and Justice for All?

2009-05-19T22:03:00.001-05:00

I want to get personal for a minute.I found out yesterday that my baby sister (20 yrs old) is pregnant! She is due Jan. 18 2009. I am thrilled. My parents and grandparents are thrilled. My sister and her husband are thrilled. My middle sister is thrilled. My middle sister has had two miscarriages. She cries often for her losses and suffers a condition making it very difficult to conceive. I have two beautiful daughters. Our baby sister is now expecting. My middle sister is still empty handed. I can't begin to understand why she is faced with this emptiness. I don't understand. I do know however, that there are babies killed daily in the name of 'choice' while my wonderful loving sister has an empty womb and a heavy heart. I want nothing more than to put a stop to legal abortion. But I want to uplift adoption. Make adoption less expensive and less painful. Make adoption well known, not a closed door. I am sad. I feel like freedom can go too far. When we tear apart sleeping infants in the womb in the name of freedom, we have given our soldiers who fight for freedom a bad name. I don't want my tax dollars to fund abortion. I don't want my flag to stand for abortion tolerance. What happened to Life, Liberty, and Justice for All?

Link A Thon 332 to be exact!

2009-05-19T20:42:00.005-05:00

Here is a list of 332 blogs that participated in the Blog Link A Thon on MomDot. Check them out! What a great way to make the world small!!

Video of Priest arrested at Notre Dame

2009-05-16T14:09:00.002-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiz4tfjSuPc&feature=player_embedded

We're in the money, We're in the money...

2009-05-15T16:24:00.004-05:00

No I didn't win the lottery. But we are finalizing a loan to finish our house!!!
God has made a promise and as always, He never fails at keeping His promise.
Though His timing is not ours, we trust in Him and hold fast to His word!!

I know you are getting tired of the background changes, so am I. I just ain't happy no matter which one I go with. OK that was southern sounding for sure but my roots keep me grounded.
I want happy but calming at the same time... that is me.... a big jumble of randomness...

This is why I love him Thursday

2009-05-14T09:30:00.004-05:00

You can see yesterday's post here where I explained what I know about Daddy.

This is why I love him Thursday is my weekly reminder of just how special my man is. Because it's the little things that easily slip through and are forgotten. And it's the little things that are the biggest over time.

Why do I love him:

He came home when he got off work early yesterday instead of going to the machine shop to chat.

He tucked LadyBug in, set her sleep-timer, and talked with her before he went to bed.

He worked in the rain yesterday.

He made Mother's Day my day and did all the things I wanted to do. (He even said he would eat Italian food, if that was what I wanted):)

He got up an hour early this morning for work (about 4:30am) and never complained.

So ladies I don't know what it is like at your house. But to me, I have the best husband ever!! He does some things I'd be embarrassed to tell, and some things that are frustrating, but he couldn't be more perfect. After all, he puts up with me, what more could I ask??
I'd like to hear from you. What are some things your husbands or boyfriends do that are special?

My Dad and wordful wednesday

2009-05-13T12:07:00.004-05:00

To clarify from yesterday , it was my Dad who called. I think it is Melanoma. All he said was that it was the 'bad kind'.

The doctor was removing some sun cancers (he has been a hard working construction worker all his life) which I guess is a run of the mill type deal for outdoor workers?. But when he went in to get the stitches removed Monday the doctor kept apologising because she would never had opened it had she known.... anyway, I know this is going to sound very selfish because I am going to say I for a few minutes..... I am very frustrated that I can't be very supportive, we have always had our differences, or have much too much in common, and I was a heartache for him, more than not, growing up. And I don't know where to begin in letting him know I love him and will be there anyway that I can. His name is Daniel. Thank you for all the prayers I know you'll be sending out! He doesn't see the oncologist until the 22nd of this month. I'll keep you posted.

On a much lighter note:

Have any of you tried this?

I picked it up today and tried it. (not on my upper lip and chin because that would just be embarrassing):) I found that it did work quick and painless. Much faster than plucking and much less painful and easier than waxing. But right after I finished I started feeling a little sting like I had waxed with a little redness. I have to take antibiotics, use a sulfur wash and two different harsh creams to keep my acne down so the redness may very well be due to my skin already being maxed out. I just shaved last night so I haven't tried it anywhere else.

Oh and I need some help!! SOS!!

I found out that LadyBug's class will be having a end of the year pool party next Wed. what in the world can I do about my ghostly white legs before then??

Feelin' like HS

2009-05-12T11:30:00.003-05:00

I've been on facebook for quite a while and have become kinda sick and tired of it. Maybe it's just the people I am in contact with on there but it just seems so childish like high school! I have a teacher from 9th grade history class on there and he is the most frustrating man I know!

Really, how come someone in a position such as that can publicly preach christianity while tearing christians down!!

I mean seriously, it is very heard to be what you are called to be and stand your ground. I understand that. It is much, much easier to be what the majority finds popular. But, come on, if you are a teacher and call yourself christian, (a follower of Christ) how can you in good faith cram free-for-all ideas into young minds?

It breaks my heart that my babies will be faced with this when they are in school. All I can do is teach them the best I can and pray that they will be equipped to handle these people in their lives. Our world is changing at a very fast pace. It seems like we will be facing criminal charges for standing our ground in America of all places. Where everything is ok except moral responsibility.

Hardened hearts are only softened by God. How many modern day Pharaohs are there?
God lead me with a pillar of fire in the night!

Oh and the phone just rang....Daddy has Cancer.....

I wanted to post about some light hearted my silly kids did..... kinda post but, my heart is heavy and I feel like I'm in spiritual warfare against weapons I don't always understand.

My experiment turned coconut cookie

2009-05-11T14:27:00.005-05:00

I bought LadyBug a coconut because she loves Man vs. Wild and thought she would like to eat one and drink the water out of it.

I had never opened a coconut myself and decided to watch a YouTube video to see how... after a briefing by someone who looked like they knew what they were doing we rushed into the kitchen to try it ourselves, because it looked 'easy enough a cave man could do it'.
I didn't have the ginormous butcher knife he had so I just used the edge of my meat mallet. It worked, not as easily for me as him, and we got the thing open.

LadyBug drank some of the water and nibbled on the meat with a forced smile and a yummy but I could tell she was faking so I wouldn't feel bad after all that work!! Then I dug out all the meat and shaved off the hard outside, put the husk? into the crabs cage and pulverized the meat.

Now what to do with it, obviously she wasn't going to eat it all and I couldn't eat the whole thing myself, so I looked on Food Network and couldn't find a recipe that looked good or else didn't have the right ingredients. So I decided to use my basic knowledge of a sugar cookie recipe and went from there.

The recipe I came up with looks nothing like an original sugar cookie dough but turned out delicious!! It is a rich, almost chewy, sweet, coconutty but not too coconutty treat.

3/4 stick softened butter
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup cream cheese
2 tsp vanilla
2 tsp honey
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1 egg
4 cups self rising flour
1 cup fresh grated coconut

preheat oven to 400
spray a cookie sheet with nonstick spray
add first 9 ingredients to a large mixing bowl and cream together on high speed until smooth and creamy
add flour slowly about 1/2 cup at a time and mix thoroughly on medium speed between each addition
add coconut and continue to mix on medium speed for an additional two or three minutes.

I made large cookies with a couple tablespoons of dough for each. They spread so give them room. Makes about 2 dozen large cookies.

I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

Mother's Day

2009-05-10T20:02:00.004-05:00

What a happy Mother's Day weekend!!
Saturday my sisters and I took mom to breakfast. LuLu came with me.
LadyBug and Bobby took his mom fishing. Then we cooked up some ribs and potato salad and watched the race.
Sunday Bobby declared my day. Him and the girls took me to breakfast, the antique flea market, the pet store, and an early dinner!! We had a great day together.
I hope everyone else had a wonderful Mother's Day too!!

Yes, I changed it again.....and this is why I love him Thursday!

2009-05-07T17:03:00.004-05:00

I know this must be like playing musical chairs, the way I change my background so much! I want a three column, but not all the busy background to go with it. If only I knew how to manage that. Although the ones I've had are really cute, they are just a little busier than me.
LadyBug will look at something in the stores and say "mom look isn't this.... oh, never mind it has too much accessories, right?" Yep, she is five and yep, she knows that is just what I am...
I'm not sure if basic or plain would be the right descriptions, but that's who I am, really. I wear my wedding band, no diamonds, no earrings, no necklace most of the time, no polish on my finger nails, no mousse or hairspray, just me, my t-shirt and jeans, and flip-flops. I am complicated enough with out all the 'accessories' as she would say, so in a way it balances.

So for now I am happy with this background.

Now for the real business:

I can't leave out my sweetheart. So, here are this week's reasons why I love him:

He tries to stay awake when I take too long in the shower at night.

He always kisses me and the girls before he leaves for work.

He never fails to include me in whatever he has done that day, even when I don't know what he is talking about.

He loves being a family man.

Beauty, my new-to-me friend!

2009-05-05T13:23:00.003-05:00

Say hello to my little friend.
My new-to-me clawfoot.
She has all her parts and is in great shape for her age. The people who owned her cut her loose and gave her to me... for a fee of course $350 to be exact! I can't wait to strip her down and redress her in pearly white beautifulness!! Sorry I don't have a picture of her right side up but I couldn't move her. She weighs considerably more than me. Oh, but what a beauty she will be....

Monday

2009-05-04T13:40:00.003-05:00

I really, seriously, don't know why I am bothering to do this... I mean really, seriously that cluster map is quite depressing as is the rain. But here is my update from the weekend:

Friday.....hmmm, don't remember

Saturday..... Shopped, it rained, couldn't watch most of the race, couldn't go to SoulStock, it rained...

Sunday... it rained, tornadoes came , got stuck inside Walmart because of the storms.... it rained....

Monday... it rained, got groceries because after being stuck in a holding room in walmart on Sunday I decided not to grocery shop then and had to make up for that mistake today.... and it rained....
BUT, I am going to hopefully pick up my (new to me) clawfoot tub this evening... will post pics tomorrow, hopefully. Oh, and it is raining.

Grilling Goodness - Lazy Edition

2009-05-01T12:22:00.003-05:00

Grilling Goodness is a Friday meme by Golden Goodness, click here to sign in and play along. Just copy and paste to your blog, erase the answers and fill in yours.

1. My ex is...I wouldn't have a clue, that is the great thing about being an 'ex'. I don't have an exhusband just boyfriends.

2. I should learn to...clean my house with as much zeal as I have when I am checking for updates on here or shopping.

3. I love...my life

4. People would say that I am...opinionated and true to myself. And I am definitely not perfect but I am perfectly fine with that.

5. I don't understand...why everyone can't just think like me?? Oops I didn't mean to say that of course.... I don't understand most of the Old Testament.

6. When I wake up in the morning…I hit the snooze two times, then regret not getting all our clothes and daily necessities laid out the night before.

7. I lost...my car in the Walmart parking lot more times than I care to tell.

8. Life is full of...crazy, unforgettable, sweet moments.

This is why I love him Thursday-New Blog

2009-04-30T10:24:00.003-05:00

Every Thursday I like to share with the world why I love my husband. Doing this has helped me look for the little things that make a big impact on my heart. Things that he does to show his love or things that are uniquely him.

Why do I love him:

He works outside in 85 degree heat in April without complaining to be the provider for our family.

He smiles with his eyes.

He is well beyond his years in wisdom.

He gives with all his heart.

He is dependable.

He is trustworthy.

He is himself no matter who he is around.

He is willing to go outside his comfort zone to do the things I enjoy.

I have a new blog. I have decided to do a pro life blog in addition to this one. I will try to keep it up to date with government and pro life announcements. Please follow and share so that I will know who is reading and you can add or comment at any time.

Wordful Wednesdays

2009-04-29T09:32:00.002-05:00

LadyBug and I took advantage of LuLu's nap time to do a manicure and pedicure at home. I haven't taken the time to pamper her in a while and I am very thankful that I did!

LuLu loves lemons. No salt. No sugar. Just lemons. I don't let her have them as often as she would like because I guess it is bad for your teeth, but she will just eat on it until there is nothing left but the yellow outside!

Praying for Baylee

2009-04-28T20:24:00.002-05:00

Please pray for my little cousin Baylee she is in the hospital again. She has many difficulties, a couple surgeries to wrap her esophagus and a feeding tube in her stomach as well as infections that don't seem to go away. Please pray that this Seven month old sweetheart will be touched and healed in a way only God can, that He will be glorified. Thank you. Mary.

ABC meme from facebook

2009-04-28T11:49:00.002-05:00

ABC meme from facebook. Adapted from The Mommy Diaries. Tag you are it. Let's see what you've got!? Here are my answers:

A - Age: 28
B - Bed size: Queen
C - Chore you hate: MOP, window washing
D - Dog's name: Buddy
E - Essential start your day item:green tea
F - Favorite color: robin's egg,white
G - Gold or Silver: silver
H - Height: 5'7"
I - Instruments you played: clarinet
J - Job title: mom,wife,bookkeeper
K-Kids: Alexandria 5, Kaylee Grace 1 1/2
L - Living arrangements: family of 4
M - Mom's name: Donna
N - Nicknames: Beth, Pooh, BethyPooh, Mom, Mommy, Momma, MaryBeth
O - Overnight hospital stay other than birth: None!
P - Pet Peeve: dishonesty
Q - Quote from a movie:"You lean against me, and I'll lean against you, that way we don't have to sleep with our heads in the mud" Oh and "Shake and Bake, yeah, that just happened" Oh and one more "give me some of your tots. No way, man, I'm freakin starving."
R - Right or left handed: Right
S - Siblings: Jess, DD
T - Time you wake up: Alarm goes off at 6:30, but I usually get out of bed around 6:50 (me too)
U- Underwear: mostly, haha.
V - Vegetable you dislike: those nasty green Lima beans, but that is it.
W - Ways you run late: last minute diaper or potty and empty already sippy cup
X - X-rays you've had: teeth, back, stomach
Y - Yummy food you make: Homemade potato soup and carrot cake
Z - Zoo Favorites: hippos, giraffes

Pro life training, Scott Kusendorf video

2009-04-27T14:26:00.000-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKXIaxXrZmA&feature=player_embedded

Monday-Me

2009-04-27T13:42:00.004-05:00

I want to start by saying I do not apologize for being who I am.
In a politically correct world, I should accept and be tolerant of everyone's 'right' to do as they please. But I am not of this world.
Recently for several reasons I have neglected to 'preach' about abortion and loving those who have to live with out the options that are given no second thought by most.
I don't want anyone to feel that I am in anyway, anything but what I am. I can not apologize for that. I can say that I am sorry if I step on anyones's toes, this is not in my mission. Please feel free to let me know what you think one way or another. I appreciate the honesty, as that is what I try to be, even when it costs more than I would like. I stand here:
Do I tolerate killing babies? Nope.
Do I love those who made the decision? Yep
Do I think teens should be taught that sex is ok outside of marriage? Nope.
Will I be a parent who teaches abstinence? Yep.
Do I think it was a good idea or even acceptable? Nope.
Will I teach my girls that their worth is far greater than any boy other than the right one can understand? Yep.
Will I teach them that there are consequences to decisions? Yep
Will I love and support them with an honest relationship? Absolutely!!
I am not sure why I felt the need to get all of this out but I did so here it is.

Grilling Goodness

2009-04-24T15:38:00.005-05:00

Let's get grillin! Join the fun with Golden Goodness.

1. When you were in school, did you study hard or cram the night before? I studied math like crazy! I still am terrible with math. Literature was my love.

2. What can pull you out of a really funky mood? New clothes or a dinner and movie.

3. Do you keep the invoice after you've paid the bill? always!!

4. Do you have yard sales? Shop at them? I don't really do either. I do love going to them I just don't for some reason. And I have and have had plenty of stuff to do one, I just always donate instead.

5. When was the last time you rode a rollercoaster? Oh, Baby. Last Summer, Six Flags!! I LOVE THEM!! The bigger the better.

6. Spring cleaning...do you do such things as wash your windows? Heck Naw! I will stand on my head not to wash a window! Nasty trim, doors and the funky stuff on top of the kitchen cabinets but not, let me repeat, not the windows.

7. How often do you clean out your refrigerator? Once a week before grocery shopping

8. Have you ever been a victim of identity theft? Not in the way you would think. I did have someone put a phone bill they never paid in my name when I was a young teenager. I didn't know it until much later and it took eight years to clear my credit completely.

Tears in a Bottle review

2009-04-24T15:05:00.002-05:00

Today we are doing a review of the book "Tears in a Bottle" by Sylvia Bambola. You can check out all the details here. We are supposed to answer the questions followed by our own thoughts. Next week we start a new book so if you are interested in joining go here.

1. Which character did you like the most and why? Kirt. He was so patient with Maggie. He loved her and waited while he encouraged her through Christ to get over her own pains. Maggie was great too but without Kirt she would only partially be able to help those girls.

The least and why? My least favorite was Flo the OM because as awful as Thor and that nasty Newly was, to me, her being a woman, should have made her choose to not be involved with them in any way. It is hard to explain but I feel like she knew what was going on and felt it more important to save the business than fix the problem and save those poor girls by calling in proper authorities.

2. Did you learn something you didn't know before? I had the harsh realization that it is business, to the owners of the mills it is business, money to be made. That breaks my heart.

3. What major emotion did the story evoke in you as a reader? Fear. Fear that most women faced with this decision will not know the facts. Will not know the heart shattering truths. Will not know that in no way will abortion ever 'fix' their situation.

4. If you could change something about the book what would it be and why? There would have been fewer characters. I appreciate the fact that the author needed to share with the readers, just how many people are affected by abortion, but so many characters in such a short story kept me from being able to fully connect with any individual one. I hated that Becky went through with the abortion, but in some way it was necessary for the story. What she heard, felt and saw in that tube was a necessary story to be told.

5. At what point in the book did you decide if you liked it or not?What helped make this decision? I decided I liked it from the beginning. Because I am on a personal journey to know what women go through because facts and realities are often more than what you can see with the natural eye.

I think I covered most everything with the questions, thank you Carrie for doing this! I am so glad that Adam went to Maggie. And that the author kept everything in check so that the story didn't get too big and ruin the realness, if that makes any sense.?

Baby Bunny is Back! Oh and This is Why I love him Thursday.

2009-04-23T16:26:00.005-05:00

The baby bunny from yesterday (that hopped away) was in my drive again this morning. My dog still looking out for it when it comes out into the open!! This time I got a few pictures of it.

Notice the oak leaf just to the right of the little bunny, they are nearly the same size!! I'm so glad he/she is doing well and that Buddy is looking out for him/her. I was so afraid it wouldn't make it without it's mommy (being so small and all). I love Spring.

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Oh, and I didn't forget about my hubby! I love him today and always. Here are this week's reasons why:

He loves me.

He took me with him to work on his buddy's car instead of leaving me at home.

He let me drink over half of his beer drink.

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This is my life right now....... Babies, Bunnies, Buddy, Beer, Beef, Boxes, , Bobby.

Some are constant (Babies, Bobby, Boxes, Buddy), some in small quantities (Beer), some are 'rare' (Bunnies, Beef) But I love them all.

Wordful Wednesdays

2009-04-22T15:46:00.003-05:00

Today's Wordful Wednesday post is my kitchen table redo.??
I had this great old solid oak table that I bought for $20 bucks with 4 chairs in 1998 when I moved out after high school. Needless to say the poor thing needed something. So I decided to paint it charcoal. Why? Just because. Anyway so I was at Walmart and decided to look over at the mistints and I found my perfect shade of charcoal. It was a gallon of porch and floor satin charcoal.....for $5.50! So I brought it home and used my five year old as free labor to help sand away the very old poly. Then it was paint time!!

I have also had this little hen about that long and even though I'm not into chickens anymore I can't seem to part with her.

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On another note........my dog Buddy, found a baby bunny in my yard this morning and was caring for it when my Granny noticed what was going on... he was licking it and trying to see about it. He is part beagle and part basset hound but I don't think he knows it because he never bothers anything. I forgot to take a picture of it!!! I was so frustrated with myself when I realized! It was smaller than my hand... I kept it in a shoe box for a couple hours then took it outside and it hopped out of the box and went right back where it came from! I was a little sad and a little relieved when it hopped away. I didn't have time to take care of it, anyway. But it was so cute! I just wish I would have taken a picture! :(

Today

2009-04-21T09:05:00.002-05:00

Today Stellan is on my mind again (his surgery is this morning).
Today my girls are sleeping in.
Today my husband's hobby is taking over my yard.
Today I realized that God is only labeled once on my list of blog labels.
Today I am feeling creative.
Today I am emotional.
Today is a new day.
Today my kids will be my priority.
Today I will paint my kitchen.
Today I will mop the floors.
Today I will do whatever I darn well please because a woman should have that right when she gets her 'visit' monthly.... I mean if they took away our huts that we were banished to in the old days then we should at least get a 'free day' in return!

Is anyone out there? Tornadoes and Joe's!

2009-04-20T14:45:00.006-05:00

I am so happy to report that my unfinished home is O.K.!! We were watching the weather/News last night and heard a report that there was a lot of damage... very close to our property yesterday evening so as soon as I could I went to check on it today. It was perfect, unfinished, but perfect.

Bobby took us to a late lunch at Joe's yesterday. I felt like I had eaten Thanksgiving dinner! I had two crabs, shrimp, sausage, corn, potatoes, fries, great-balls-of-fire, and cake and Ice cream!!! Yep, I ate all that. It was one of those steamer things.... anyway, it was delish. But, I was miserable for the rest of the evening. LadyBug was so cute with her crab, trying her hardest, and doing pretty well, at opening it up to get at the meat. LuLu hasn't developed a taste for seafood so she mostly ate fries. I didn't ask to see the bill, I just enjoyed the food. We don't get to do that often so we just enjoyed it! I do really, really, really want to go to the beach now!

Oh, and I need an ego boost... is anyone out there? Am I wasting my time posting?
Just feelin' a little slumpy...

Grilling Goodness #26

2009-04-17T13:38:00.003-05:00

Grilling Goodness fun hosted by Golden Goodness .

1. Do you prefer reality TV or dramas or comedies? Comedies

2. If you could have free cosmetic surgery, what would you have done? I think everyone knows this one already..

3. What are you itching to get but you have 'bitten the bullet'? a new camcorder mine still uses the little tapes.

4. Do you have a bad habit that you hope your children don't pick up? saying things like butt, cramp, darn.... it doesn't seem so bad at the time but if I heard one of my little princesses saying that I would be mortified.

5. What was your favorite meal growing up? Poke Salad made with eggs and bacon grease and eggs on a homemade buttermilk biscuit with a tall glass of sweet tea. I only like unsweet tea now and wouldn't dare eat something that unhealthy that often anymore but man does it taste good!

6. What meal did you have as a youngster that you don't have as an adult? the one above and butter beans... yuk!

7. What is your earliest memory of a "vacation"? Where'd you go? To Georgia to the swamps to see alligators with my grandparents.

8. What was the "Best Thing" you ever got for Christmas, before age 12? a baby doll complete with stroller and crib.

This is why I love him Thursday

2009-04-16T14:42:00.003-05:00

This is why I love him Thursday...... I realize that most of you probably don't give a hoot why I love my husband, but I have found that searching myself to find reasons or looking for reasons in our daily life has brought me closer to him. He doesn't know I do this post. The more often I do this the more I think I should definitely tell him some of the reasons.... hmmm, guess I should do that.
Why do I love him:

He told me ahead of time that he had to do a side job and would be late coming home.

He decided for himself that it would be a bad idea to drive his buddy's race car this weekend.

He has promised to take the family to the flea market Sunday morning.

He reads to our little one.

Pleated Petal Tank ANTHROPOLIFICATION GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-04-15T21:00:00.000-05:00

Here is a giveaway you won't want to miss, a beautiful, flowy, flowery tank. Check it out:

Pleated Petal Tank ANTHROPOLIFICATION GIVEAWAY!!!!

Wordful Wednesdays

2009-04-15T09:40:00.007-05:00

Spring brings rain, warming temperatures, children playing outside... Spring is full of life's treasures.

Some treasures of Spring are big drippy, droppy rain drops falling from cherry blossoms outside your window,

then, some of Springs treasures are tiny flowers that pop their little heads up to see the sun,

and sometimes its a....well.... a...... frog!

Monday, Monday- How blessed are we?

2009-04-13T09:58:00.006-05:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter!
We spent the day at Granny and Popaw's house. It was so nice having everyone together, we don't do it often enough. The only two missing were my Sis-in-law and my Jess (my sister/best friend). The kids had so many eggs to hunt all the baskets were filled! The food was great, I'd give you a run down on what I ate but it's too embarrassing! The girlies accumulated far too much chocolate, and it was wonderful!
We are so blessed as a people to be able to come together, eat what we want, talk about what we want, enjoy a Christian celebration because we want, watch our children laugh and play because we want, and complain about whatever our government is doing or not doing, without fear because we want. What else could we want?

Grilling Goodness

2009-04-10T08:22:00.003-05:00

Another Friday, another addition to Grilling Goodness with Golden Goodness
Always fun, always fresh..... here we go:

1. What's one of the best things you've seen lately? this may sound corny or whatever, but my family smiling and all happy, no stress, just happy.

2. Has Spring brought you something you don't like? POLLEN

3. What kind of sandwiches do you like? nothing beats a really good cooked on the grill burger, lean hamburger meat, but add on the bacon and cheese! Yum, it's 8:30 am and now I want a burger.

4. Do you carry GermX with you at all times? I used to when my first born was little, now only for the yuckiest of stuff.

5. Does each person in your house have their own hamper or do you have a central hamper for everyone? We have 4. But they are for all of us. one for hubby's work clothes, one for colors, one for darks and jeans, one for whites.

6. How often do you balance your checkbook? every day that I use my debit card or a check... hey I don't have enough money to let it ride till I get a chance.

7. What's the hardest thing you've done lately? This one is a little complex.... LadyBug asks me questions that a five year old wouldn't normally ask..... when she was three she wanted to know how LuLu was going to come out of my tummy..she was told, then watched. When she was four she asked if Santa was real... my policy is to tell her the truth if she asks a question (on her level)
Then she asked if God would make her go to hell if she wanted to believe in Peter Pan.. I assured her that God knows that she loves Him and wouldn't mind a little girl playing pretend. Now she is saying surely the Easter Bunny isn't real because what rabbit could carry all that stuff and get into your house at night?.... I am starting to wander...... Is honesty really the best policy?

8. Are you a texter? I am. But I have to say I am much slower at it than most.

This is why I love HIM Thursday- special edition

2009-04-09T12:15:00.003-05:00

Today I wanted to share why I love Jesus!, instead of my usual hubby post.
Why do I love HIM?....Let me count the ways:

* He first loved me
* He saw past my sin
* He comforts me
* He lives to give me hope
* He loves the unlovable
* He forgives the unforgiven
* He is passionate
* He is gentle
* He is fire
* He is a warm breeze
* He cried for me
* He died for me
* He rose for me
* He was
* He is
* He will be

Let me not forget. I am nothing without Him. He is still everything without me.

Thank you God, for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank You for the sacrifice You made, and the sacrifice Jesus made, because of Your great love! I want Your passion to live inside of me. I want to do what You want me to do. I want to love You in a way that is unmistakable. You are everything and I am nothing without You. I praise Your name and am humbled in Your presence. In Jesus' Name Amen.

Wordful Wednesdays

2009-04-08T14:51:00.006-05:00

Today's wordful Wednesday...... Easter party at the park.

LadyBug's class had an Easter party at the park today. We had so much fun!

Urgent- Please Read

2009-04-07T10:28:00.007-05:00

Please take the time to read and sign this letter from Americans United for Life and this letter from Family Research Council as a patient or provider of health care. Our health care providers are being told they have to perform abortions or they are fired!! Please let our President know that we do not stand for this, that we should choose who we want to see for medical care, and with what values, as a right as an American.
I have websites on my left sidebar and Americans United for Life Feed on my right sidebar. I frequently add and update these so that current information is always available, please feel free to use any of the links to research, or act on any issues we are facing. The current economic status of our country, however concerning it may be, is overshadowing the Freedom of Choice Act by Stealth!
Our precious little ones are at constant threat of silent destruction and our voice is all they have.

Spring pictures and weekend review

2009-04-06T12:36:00.005-05:00

Spring Pictures

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The weekend

The girlies were gone for the weekend. We watched Fast and Furious Friday night. I have to say this was the best one yet! There were a few scenes and a few words I would edit out if I could but the rest was really exciting. They grab your attention in the first minute and don't let go! Needless to say, I LOVED it!! We ate dinner at Costa's, and got home about 1:30 am. Then Saturday night we went to the dirt track and I actually had a really good time! We got home about 1:00 am again. *note* we are usually in the bed by 10:00.
We had a lot of fun but we were ready to get our girlies and hug on them by Sunday morning!!

Danny Gokey

2009-04-03T14:32:00.003-05:00

Danny's Voice (Danny Gokey from American Idol) is about the foundation he and his wife started. It is his personal story and is very moving. If you can, take the time to read his story and watch the video.

Fast Furious Friday

2009-04-03T09:33:00.005-05:00

TGIF! Need I say more?
Bobby is working on our house today. His wonderful boss is doing the wiring. They are doing the telephone wires today. I really had no idea how many decisions would need to be made so quickly. Thankfully, I have received some very good tips. So far we have built out of pocket, oh and thank you - Home Depot Card. But the time has come to BORROW. Yuk, I hate to say that word, it sounded very loud just typing it. Anyway, I am very excited that we will be moving forward in a quick way very soon. (the plans took five years to 'perfect' and just getting it dried in has taken a year or more!)
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Bobby is taking me out tonight! Fast and Furious. Anyone who knows me knows that this tops.... dinner, although we will do that too. Then if funds allow we will attend the 'races' Saturday night. For those who know me... you know this is not so exciting. But my MIL has the kids for the weekend and I am going to walk hand in hand with my love..... through mud, dust, smells, loud engines roaring, swearing in the background, and lots and lots of did I mention- DIRT? Oh well, he loves me, and I love him.
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Stellan is doing much better! He still needs our prayers.

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Thought for the Weekend:

Encourage and be encouraged. Jabez asked God and God did what Jabez asked.
(1 Chronicles 4:9-10)
God knows us each by name, His plan is written. Our names are written on his hand.
(Isaiah 49:16)
Because Jesus took the fall, we are able to rise. God loves us so much that we are able to stand tall, look the enemy in the eye and say 'you are defeated'! Who is your enemy? Are you taking charge of your victory? Your enemy could be anything; health, violence, anger, jealousy, grief, shame, lust.... You have victory in Jesus!

This is why I love him Thursday

2009-04-02T13:36:00.003-05:00

This is why I love him Thursday.
My dear sweet Fella, Let me count the ways:

He got aggravated that the phone rang during dinner.

He let LadyBug help him paint.

He reminds me that bad weather isn't exciting it is bad. (I do still get a little excited, anyway)

He forgives me.

Somebody Loves Me, Thanks Carrie

2009-04-01T21:35:00.002-05:00

My friend Carrie gave me this wonderfully sweet award!!

Is she sweet, or what?

Now I am sending it on:

Wendy @ The Shabby Nest

Trina @ Fabulously Frugalicious

Mandy @ Feeding the Need to be heard

Jess @ Love More

Layla @ The Lettered Cottage

Carrie @ Capturing Glimpses (didn't know if I was supposed to send this back to you or not, But I always look forward to your posts.

I check these everytime I log on.... Always wandering what they will come up with next. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Wordful Wednesdays

2009-04-01T06:30:00.001-05:00

Hosted by Seven Clown Circus , its Wordful Wednesday. Here are my beauties.

LuLu has found great delight in putting clothes on by herself. She found this beanie and decided to wear it, regardless of the fact that it is a comfy 70 degrees in here.

LadyBug was playing on the computer (her new favorite webite is Pixie Hollow) and our mouse stopped working so she understandably was very frustrated.

Prayer in school petition

2009-03-31T08:28:00.003-05:00

Sign with me on this very important matter, Please. Click here to sign a petition to put prayer back in school.

Prayer Vigil for Stellan

2009-03-30T09:28:00.003-05:00

I'm sure by now you all have heard about Stellan. If not he is a beautiful 5 month old wonder who has been going through some tough times. His little heart needs big prayers. A prayer vigil is being held for him now. If you feel led, please visit by clicking here, and pray with us for this little boy and his family.

Thought for the Day:

God knows each of us by name. Each with a purpose in his will.

matters of the heart part 2

2009-03-29T16:57:00.003-05:00

My heart does beat again.
The weight much lighter.
Carried to the Cross.
A smile from my love.
A smile escapes my lips.
The heart so easily repaired.
The soul so quickly sings.

matters of the heart

2009-03-29T10:55:00.003-05:00

I have heard the faint sound of my heart breaking.
Every silent tear burns a trail down my face.
Stinging like poison.
My mind whirls.
Joy escapes me.
Lonely is the only feeling left.
No peace surrounding me.
Just the sound of the breaking.
I can't breathe.
I can't sleep.
The weight is more than I can bare.

Grilling Goodness #24

2009-03-27T08:29:00.005-05:00

Yay, Friday!!! Grilling Goodness fun. Click on the button above to play along. Hosted by
Golden Goodness .

1. Do you prefer to write with pen or pencil? I love pens....you know the sound the pen makes when you use just one sheet of paper like on Sixteen Candles when she was exchanging notes in class with her friend about Jake..... anyway I decided I liked pens way back then...

2. What was off limits to you growing up that you do all the time now? nothing really....hmm.... I do recall saying quite often, when I grow up I will....but I guess when you grow up it doesn't seem that important anymore.

3. What is the age difference between you and your spouse? 11 months 2 weeks, I am older.

4. Did you hurt yourself in anyway this week? I burned my hand making 'sugar doughnuts' for LadyBug

5. Do you like wallpaper enough to hang it in your home? I've been thinking about this. I think I like it for small projects but not a whole wall.

6. What do you need to do that you've been putting off? mop

7. What did you do this week that you wish you hadn't? I'll have to invert the question. I wish I would have played princesses with LadyBug yesterday.

8. Did anything keep you up late this week? Jay Leno

This is why I love him Thursday

2009-03-26T08:45:00.003-05:00

My way of reminding myself what a wonderful man I am married to. (Even when I have to think about it;)) Because it is the little things that count the most;

Let me count the ways:

He came home early yesterday, because he could.

He remembered to dig out LadyBug's fishing pole for her trip to Granny and Popaw's house.

He put LuLu to bed, while I took a shower.

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LuLu goes for her 18 month check up this morning. I am so glad the weather has cleared enough to go.
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Still praying for little Stellan. What a fighter he is!

I hope you all have a blessed day.

Thought for the day:

Keep your chin up, your eyes closed, your heart and ears open, and your knees dirty. Then all will come in due time.

2009-03-25T09:56:00.002-05:00

click this button to read his journey.

Wordful Wednesdays

2009-03-25T06:00:00.002-05:00

It is hump-day and I am happy to share my new Spring pictures with you. Click here for more Wordful Wednesdays. I have always been a fan of Fall but for some reason this year Spring has definitely made me rethink my favorite season.

Here are a few more pictures of Spring at my house.

Hickory bloom

flower from a bush in my yard. don't know what it is called.
Hickory tree

Still Prayin

2009-03-24T13:29:00.004-05:00

Still praying for Stellan today. God's hand is on this family. My mind cannot conceive words to express my hearts desire for them so I pray in spirit today. Please join me. Alex prayed for him yesterday and she came back to tell me that God told her to go to sleep last night and Stellan would be well today. Please be in agreement. Amen.

Monday, Monday

2009-03-23T13:32:00.003-05:00

Update.. the repair man did arrive in a timely manner and was very polite. Anyone who is wandering what could possibly have put my 4 month old washer into lock down? Drum roll please.....A nail which apparently had not been removed from the pocket it should never have been in. But all is said and done and I am ready to move on.
Please take the time to read my charming kids and pray for this family they are in immediate need of prayer. Nothing is too big for my God!

PMS

2009-03-22T17:21:00.003-05:00

So it is Sunday afternoon... I have PMS, including a face full of acne, and a broken (brand new) front loader which apparently is in lock down mode - and has been since Friday afternoon, with my wet laundry stuck inside it!! The repair man can't be here 'till Monday sometime!! My house is relative to a disaster area, it smells of unwashed laundry, pizza and a recent 'dirty' diaper and looks like a family of wild animals inhabit it. Oh and Kyle Bush won the race!
'Calgon, take me away'
Now I feel much better and I think I'll go clean up for the lovely repair man who shall arrive well dressed, well mannered, and with perfect timing. Whilst my children and I sit quietly doing an art project that will not be messy, with grins, giggles, and untangled hair, And my 'monthly' shows up in the morning not the middle of the night and with no cramps....ahhh. I do love to daydream.

2009-03-20T09:30:00.003-05:00

Grilling Goodness #23

I am always excited about doing this. Is there a better way to get to know such random, quirky things about people that build friendships?

1. Are you competitive? Are any people who know me reading this?..No... Ok good... No way. I am the most easy going, humble person you'll ever meet!

2. What do you most often eat for breakfast? usually raisin bran or something similar

3. Do you have a 'raggidy' piece of furniture? My kitchen table has been with me since I moved out on my own 11 years ago, I got it at a yard sale for $20 then, with chairs!! It is solid wood, just ugly.

4. What do you wash your face with? 10% benzoyl peroxide cream. But hopefully after my derm appt. on Tuesday I'll get some magic stuff so I won't need it anymore.

5. What colors does Spring make you want to wear? Blues, greens, rosy pinks

6. Do you like working your flower beds? I do veggies, but I recently killed the cactus my daughter got me.... Yes you heard right.... I Mary KILLED a cactus. It can happen, it isn't a myth.

7. What is something you want that you've never had? No guys reading I hope.... Boobs!

8. How many miles do you have on your car? 260,000 + miles GO, JEEP!

Carrie's givaway- Capturing Glimpses

2009-03-20T09:13:00.005-05:00

My friend Carrie is doing a giveaway on her blog to celebrate her 100th post! Her blog is very touching and always worth the read... so check it out!

Diary of an Unborn Child

2009-03-19T11:49:00.004-05:00

Oct. 5: Today my life began. My parents do not know it yet, but it is I already. And I am to be a girl. I shall have blond hair and blue eyes. Just about everything is settled, even the fact that I shall love flowers.

Oct 19: Some say that I am not a real person yet, that only my mother exists. But I am a real person, just as a small crumb of bread is yet truly bread. My mother is. And I am.

Oct 23: My mouth is just beginning to open now. Just think, in a year or so I shall be laughing and later talking. I know what my first word will be: Mama

Oct 25: My heart began to beat today all by it's self. From now on it shall gently beat for the rest of my life without ever stopping to rest! And after many years it will tire. It will stop, and then I shall die.

Nov 2: I am growing a bit every day. My arms and legs are beginning to take shape. But I have to wait a long time yet before those little legs will raise me to my mother's arms, before these Little arms will be able to gather flowers and embrace my father.

Nov 12: Tiny fingers are beginning to form on my hands. Funny how small they are! I'll be able to stroke my mother's hair with them.

Nov 20: It wasn't until today that the doctor told mom that I am living her under her heart. Oh, how happy she must be! Are you happy mom?

Nov 25: My mom and dad are probably thinking about a name for me. But they don't even know that I am a little girl. I want to be called Kathy. I am getting so big already.

Dec 10: My hair is growing. It is smooth and bright and shiny. I wonder what kind of hair mom has?

Dec 13: I am just about able to see. It is dark around me. When mom brings me into the world it will be full of sunshine and flowers. But what I want more than anything is to see my mom. How do you look, mom?

Dec 24: I wonder if mom hears the whispering of my heart? Some children come into the world a little sick. But my heart is strong and healthy. It beats so evenly; tup-tup, tup-tup. You'll have a healthy little daughter, mom!

Dec 28: Today my mother killed me.
-Anonymous
AWAKE- may 22, 1980

This is why I love him Thursday

2009-03-19T10:22:00.006-05:00

A great way to remind myself of the little things he does that makes him special or makes me feel special because I am with him. Props to Jen!

He is home for dinner every night.

He makes me laugh when I am angry.

His eyes smile when he smiles.

His heart is tender even though he is tough.

His hugs are like a warm blanket.

Ok that is all the mush you get today. Jealous yet? Alright... I know that isn't the point, but it does help remind me how wonderful he really is.

Wordful Wednesdays

2009-03-18T11:01:00.004-05:00

Wordful Wednesday. Always a fun way to share my favorite pictures and gab about them. check out SevEn cLoWn CirCuS for more!

LuLu's fav way to eat....... her feet propped up!! Of course this isn't allowed but it continues anyway! And yes her beautiful feet are big like mommy's! I know that is what you are thinking.... so there it is! Ha!

Maybe LuLu has my feet. But Look at LadyBug and Daddy. WoW! They are two peas in a pod!! I'm not sure if it was the cute way they both are kicked back 'just so' (without thinking about it, I might add) or the same look they have on their faces...... Anyone else detect a hint of attitude? Like father, Like daughter.

Thought for the Day:

Sing with me now, Spring is here, Spring is here. What a wonderful time of year!

Spring is a great time to clean out, clean up, and renew. In whatever areas necessary.

Grilling Goodness #22

2009-03-13T09:50:00.003-05:00

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here it is. Grilling Goodness, this is always fun!

1. Did you learn anything new this week? I learned that God wants me to be quiet and just love sometimes.
2. Will you wear green on St. Patty's Day or do you not give a hoot?? I'll wear it Wed. for LadyBug's school party.
3. Do you wash clothes throughout the week or only on a specific day? I try to wash them as each sorter gets full. I tried doing it only on Mondays but nothing smells worse than dirty work clothes and whites...Peeyeww! I average at least one load per day.
4. What is one of the most popular 'spams' you get in your junk email inbox? Eversave recipes.
5. Are you where you want to be? (you decide the meaning of the question for your answer) In life I am a work in progress. Physically I'd like to be in our new house and in drop-dead gorgeous shape..... hey, I can dream, right!?
6. Do you know how to swim? Not very well. I can not tread water at all.
7. Do you take trips with your girlfriends? No. And honestly, I am fine with that. My heart is with my family.
8. What was your favorite purchase this week? (big or small) Hahaha. A new bra. For those of us....uhm....smaller people, finding one that actually fits..... in more than one direction.... is quite a feat.
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quiet gentle sound, still small voice

2009-03-12T08:45:00.003-05:00

NCV calls it a quiet gentle sound. King James calls it a still small voice.
What sound? What voice? It was God!

1Kings 19: 11-13
11)The LORD said to Elijah, " Go, stand in front of me on the mountain and I will pass by you."
Then a very strong wind blew until it caused mountains to fall apart and large rocks to break in front of the LORD. But the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12)After the earthquake, there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. After the fire, there was a quiet, gentle sound. 13)When Elijah heard it, he covered his face with his coat and went out and stood at the entrance to the cave. Then a voice said to him, "Elijah! Why are you here?"

So the mountains are falling apart, rocks are breaking, the earth is shaking, and fire breaks out! God could have chosen any of these things to show his power as he spoke to Elijah. HE chose to speak to Elijah quietly, gently. Like a mother speaks to her child after a nightmare. That is just how Elijah was feeling. Scared and alone. Elijah was frightened. God doesn't have to be loud, HE doesn't have to be seen or heard. HE can and will be but, The LORD is content to be quiet and gentle when HE needs to be.
God doesn't stop at being quiet and gentle, HE then asks Elijah ..why are you here? God wants to hear us, and quiet our fears, answer our prayers, and just love us.
In my calling, though loud and active may be necessary, I should never forget that quiet and gentle can be more powerful.
Please share your thoughts if you can.

Wordful Wednesdays

2009-03-11T14:36:00.005-05:00

This is a version for the ones who can't help but talk about their post pictures!! Wordful Wednesdays by SevEn cLoWn CirCuS. Check it out. Here is mine.

LadyBug has the flu. Her fever has been soaring to nearly 105! Can you tell by looking at this?

Her eyes and flushed face are the only clues. She wanted to play outside and declared to everyone in hearing distance..." I can't take this sickness anymore! I just can't!!" Of course she had to take rest periods and I had to keep begging her to watch movies to keep her fever down. Because the Advil couldn't keep up and Tylenol seemed useless. But between the terrible shivering spells, when her temp would drop to 101 or 102, she would smile like you wouldn't believe. The heart of a child is amazing wouldn't you say!?

I haven't done Thought for the Day for a while so here it is:

Thought for the Day:

There is no greater release than forgiveness.

1 Kings 11:9-10 9)The LORD had appeared to Solomon twice, but the king turned away from following the LORD, the God of Israel. The LORD was angry with Solomon, 10) because he had commanded Solomon not to follow other gods. But Solomon did not obey the LORD's commands.

God wants to forgive us!! Why else would he bother to go to Solomon twice? He was hoping Solomon would ask forgiveness and turn from the false gods and back to Him!

country life and the flu

2009-03-10T11:05:00.006-05:00

I just thought this was beautiful. It has nothing to do with my post.
Aunt Nita, LadyBug, and LuLu

Me, LadyBug, LuLu, and Aunt Nita. We had just finished climbing that 'hill' which I have to say seemed more like a mountain!

We spent Sunday with Aunt Nita and Uncle Skunky (not his real name, of course) in Nectar, AL. LadyBug and LuLu played outside the entire day. We went hiking. A kid friendly version, but exhilarating none the less. I rarely get a chance to hike but I do love it! LadyBug and LuLu went with the guys in the mini truck, they really liked that. Then they played with the goat, made mud pies and visited with the cows! Ye Haw, Yippee-Ki-Yay and all that good stuff!! We had a fun day! Fresh air and cow patties.... it doesn't get much better than farm life!! And Nita's garden veggies from last season for lunch! Makes you feel a little lazy the next time you heat up some frozen meal or open a can you bought from the grocery store. I've got to learn to can. It tastes so much better when you know where it came from. Anyone ever heard of a baby food cake?? She made us one. It is delicious!! Kinda like a spice cake.
I was so happy that we were all well and enjoying the day after the dreaded stomach virus. Then LadyBug came upstairs Sunday night and said she couldn't sleep. So I made her a pallet and she kept trying to clear her throat. Uggh, this pollen is getting to her even with the singulair, is what I was thinking.... But Monday morning she was whining about everything and by Monday afternoon we were going to Dr. Joe because she had a fever of 103! Out of the blue! So anyway, it is the flu. I was devastated! "No, she can't have the flu! She just had a stomach virus!" I blurted out, like that would change his diagnosis. The poor thing just started eating and drinking again! But you know what?? She wanted to play outside when we got home from the doctor's office! As long as the Advil is in her system she seems perfectly fine other than a cough. What a strange flu. Her fever keeps soaring though. It was 104.6 a few minutes ago. I would appreciate your prayers for Alex and for Gracie not to get it. We continue to be blessed and happy!

stem cell research

2009-03-10T10:42:00.003-05:00

Our President has given the go ahead to use embryonic stem cells for research.
As you may have heard on the news last night, President Obama wants stem cell research to include embryos. This has been proven to be unnecessary. Please visit the following web site to see why.
http://www.stemcellresearch.org/

random heart moments

2009-03-07T09:15:00.003-06:00

It has been a while guys, so you have to hear it today!
Do a little research. Take some time from your day and pray for the unborn. Pray for the adults who conceive these gifts and those who can't. Pray for God's forgiveness. Hug your children. Take time out today to talk to your children. What are they thinking about? What do they like to do? What are they studying in school? Who are they hanging out with? What is their favorite color? Why? You might be surprised at some of their answers! Thank God for your precious children. Thank God for His will in your life. Remember those who have no children and are filled with sorrow. Have a fun and wonderful weekend. But take some quiet time to talk to God and express your thanks. Pray for healing in the lives of those effected by the tragedy of losing a child by health, accidents, war, or abortion.

Thought for the day:

A moment of silence for God to listen to your heart is worth more than the most eloquent of words. God hears us differently than we hear others. He can hear what we are 'really' saying. Sometimes words can't describe what our hearts are saying. He can hear that too! Just be in His presence. Talk or not. He WILL hear you.