All Things Pink and Sparkly

The Resolution for Women - The Secret

2012-01-24T11:19:00.000-08:00

Contentment. It has always been a secret to me. That's probably why Paul has always been one of my favorite people. "I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot." Philippians 4:11-12.

"A satisfied woman is such a surprising woman. She is shockingly noticeable to a world that lives on a watered-down version of the secret--a secret that she obviously got the truth about. You can tell it by her peace and serenity, by her solace and restfulness, by the mysterious sense of ease that accompanies her. Her presence alone delivers an air of refreshment to any setting she enters, to anyone she's around." The Resolution for Women

I WANT THAT! To not want that girl's hair or that girl's clothes or that girl's well-behaved kids. This world is so good at convincing us that we need something different or newer or better. It's a constant battle to remind myself that God has given me everything I need for this very moment in my life.

"Your God can be trusted to grant you the supply you need to excel at His purposes. So if you don't have it - whatever it is - it's because you don't need it. You may want it, but it's not necessary in order to accomplish what He knows is most important for your life today." The Resolution for Women

My Needs                     God's Provision
Food/Shelter                 wonderful home/more than enough food
Energy                          somehow there is always enough(sometimes just enough but enough)
Support                         Christian husband, family and friends
Guidance                      Scripture and Biblical books

There are so many reasons for God to withhold blessings from me. I'm selfish, I'm greedy, my heart is not ready to accept them, I am not ready to use them the way He wants. I trust that God will help me to change those things and bless me when He sees fit.

The Resolution for Women - Every Bite Counts

2012-01-23T19:05:00.000-08:00

I am currently reading The Resolution for Women by Priscilla Shirer based on the movie Courageous. I want to document the journey I go through as I read it, so I am going to attempt to post for every section I read. First, I have to say that I did not seek out this book. My husband and I watched the movie when it was out in theaters and I secretly wished that it had touched more on mothers. As I walked through Walmart the other day, I was thinking that I needed a book that would really engage me. And that's when I walked by an end-cap filled with this book and also the one for men. I truly hope God uses this book to change me and that others will be able to see and feel that change.

Today I read about being content in the moment. I had never thought of it this way, but Priscilla explained that she doesn't have many memories because she spent most of her life just looking forward to the next stage.

"I recognized that by rushing through life, I'd been subtly devaluing those around me and experiences I was involved in, not appreciating the importance and significance they bring to my life at this very moment, not grasping my responsibility for holding dear and treating well these gifts God has entrusted to me. Instead of embracing the privilege of being a blessing to my husband, my children, my friends, and others, I'd been quietly communicating that I wanted them to change and speed up, to get busy being somebody else, someone who's more in line with what I want and need, to hurry along to a place where they could make me happier than they currently do."

I went through most of my life trying to get to the next stage too. Until, all of a sudden, I realized my kids are half grown. They will never be babies again. They will never need me to tie their shoes again. They will never graduate from kindergarten again. And there will be a day when they will never live with me again. That's why with BubbaJ, I have been living in the moment. Enjoying every stage as he goes through it. Because as Priscilla said, "Only for these fleeting moments would my children talk, look, and act exactly like this. And if I chose to hurry through them in an attempt to avoid the parts I didn't like, I'd simultaneously miss all the things I did like about this season."

I Love You Most-est

2012-01-13T11:26:00.000-08:00

Sissy has discovered a new game. Here is how it goes:

Me: I love you Sissy.

Sissy: I love you more.

Me: I love you most.

Sissy: I love you most-est.

Me: I love you most-infinity.

Sissy: I love you like God.

I love that she knows God loves us more than infinity.

Raising Pharisees

2012-01-11T10:45:00.000-08:00

I recently got connected with the blog Raising Godly Children. It is a wonderful Christian blog that has the same core beliefs that I do. One of the articles I read the other day really hit home for me. Bubba and I have worked really hard at disciplining our children. Obedience and self-discipline are important concepts in scripture. But after I read that article I was reminded that they are secondary to the love of Jesus Christ. We don't want to raise well-behaved children and miss out on teaching them the love that our Father has for us. Since their example of His love for them is our love for them, I want them to feel that unconditional, always present love from me that I feel from Jesus every day. I don't want them to grow up and think they ~~have to~~ can earn their salvation. Yes, I tell them all the time that I love them no matter what, but I just want to make sure that my actions are saying that to them as well.

Resolve

2012-01-07T12:58:00.000-08:00

As the new year comes and everyone is making New Year's resolutions, I have realized that there are many things that I would like to do this year, but few things that I am actually "resolved" to do.

Here are some things I would like to do:

Eat better - less snack food and more salads and broccoli.
Exercise more - or just exercise:) I still have lots of baby weight I would love to lose.
Go to the beach - I have been ~~hinting~~ shouting at my husband that for one of our vacations this year I would like to go to a resort on the beach.
Start jogging again - I have discovered that I love to jog outside, but despise it inside on the treadmill.

Here are the things I am resolved to do :

Read my Bible everyday - I downloaded the YouVersion app on my phone and have been keeping up with this so far.
Do my Bible study 5 times a week.
Cherish every moment with my kids - even Precious and Sissy when the moments I have with them are increasingly more emotional and awkward(that's a whole other story).

I figure if I write theses things down, I will be more likely to follow through. So feel free to hold me accountable (on the things I'm resolved to do anyway).

Things I Never Want to Forget Cont.

2012-01-07T12:45:00.000-08:00

The way BubbaJ puts his arm around mine to hold on when I carry him on my hip. I never want to forget carrying him on my hip for that matter either.

Look a-likes

2011-11-28T11:46:00.000-08:00

I always knew BubbaJ looked like Sissy and Precious. I just didn't realize exactly how much until I was looking at some old photos.

BubbaJ

Sissy

Precious

Missed Opportunity

2011-11-22T11:31:00.000-08:00

I realized that the other day God gave me an opportunity to bring Him some glory, but I totally missed it. So this is me trying to make up for that.

I have always been really shy. No I mean REALLY shy. I barely talked in school until around junior high. Even after that I had one friend that was a crutch for me. She was very social and I just sort of hung around her to break the ice. Dating my husband really pushed me because he is extremely social. I was pushed into a huge extended family and lots and lots of friends. These are all baby steps that God has used to work through my anxiety. Moving here was another step in that process. I was forced to make new friends and be around people I didn't know all the time. God connected me with a wonderful group of Bible study women. Women who encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone. Mainly to learn to pray out loud. I realize this comes very natural to some people and is very stressful for others. We would stand in a circle and pray for the person next to us. No judgement, no expectations, no pressure. It was amazing. I grew so much that year. Around the same time me and a friend of mine ended up being co-coordinators of our local MOPS group. I was definitely not equipped for this role, but God showed me that He doesn't always prepare us before He calls us to do something. Sometimes the call comes first and He simply provides as it's needed. He gave me the courage to not only speak in front of a group of 20-30 women, but also to pray in front of them. I've gotten to know Him and rely on Him even more since then.

Sunday was the first day of a new class at church that two friends of mine and I put together. I ended up starting us off with a prayer and some discussion. Four years ago this would not have happened. A woman I've known since then came up to me after class and told me how impressed she was that I had done that because I used to be so shy. I should have told her how God has been working on that in me and how God gives me courage every time I have to speak in front of people. But all I said was, "Yeah, it's totally outside of my comfort zone." How could I not give God the credit for that. He is the only reason I can do it. Without Him I would be shying away in the corner like I used to. I would be nothing without Him.

Father, Thank you for standing by me through every step of my life. For giving me strength and courage when I need it most. Thank you for putting my husband and I together. For bringing that group of women together at that time in my life. Thank you for continuing to work in me every single day. I am nothing without you. Amen.

Things I Hope I Never Forget Cont.

2011-11-02T17:38:00.000-07:00

Sissy: The way you get tears in your eyes when you think about how much you love your mom and dad or when you see someone else hurting. You have such a big heart. I know God will use that to His glory some day.

No Sleep

2011-10-20T09:51:00.000-07:00

Bubba J has not been sleeping well lately. I know, I know, he's a baby and that's what babies do. It's easy to say that when you're not smack in the middle of it. Yesterday, I was talking to a friend about how he is not sleeping and there is no reason for it. She shared with me how God had worked in her when her kids were babies. I believe her words were, "There's a reason. It may not have anything to do with Bubba J, but there's a reason." When she was going through this she learned that if she was up at night with the kids, God would either give her time the next day for a nap or give her the strength to get through the day. So last night when Bubba J was up three times, I chose to trust God that he would get me through today. To my surprise this morning, I woke up at 7:10 to my husband getting the kids ready. He told me to go back to sleep and he would take the kids to school. It was such a blessing to me and confirmed that I need to trust God for my strength and comfort. Both my friend and my husband allowed God to use them in very different ways. Praise God for Christian friends and a wonderful husband.

A couple of things I've learned while jogging

2011-10-16T18:51:00.000-07:00

So I'm new to jogging, but I've already made a few observations.

1. People do their laundry at night, so I get to smell lavender and springtime as I jog.

2. You only notice the wind when you're running against it.

3. The street lights remind me of being a kid. The whole, be home when the street lights come on thing. Having fun with my friends, no worries, and not realizing how lucky I was to not have any responsibilities.

Talk Radio

2011-10-06T09:14:00.000-07:00

If you remember not long ago, I joined a new group. Nerds. I started to enjoy reading. Well, now I have crossed over into a new age group. Old!! No, I did not have a birthday. I started enjoying Christian talk radio. Only old people like that, right? So, I guess I'm old.

Things I Never Want to Forget Cont.

2011-10-05T12:56:00.000-07:00

The way Bubba J flaps his arms when he is SO excited!

As we were reading a book yesterday, there were some kids eating cookies in it. Sissy says, "Hey, no fair." Like she should get a cookie too.

Fantastic Find Friday on Steroids

2011-09-22T09:37:00.000-07:00

I hit the best garage sale today. Here is all the loot I came away with:

My favorite find is a dress. Precious tried on many like it this weekend when I took her shopping for her birthday. They all cost around $40. I got this one for $1. Yeah, that's right, $1!

He Speaks

2011-09-21T07:06:00.000-07:00

When I was a young Christian it was hard for me to understand how God could actually speak to us. I sort of thought people who said that were a little crazy. As my relationship with God has grown and strengthened, He has given me the privelege of hearing Him speak more and more. Sometimes it is an ever-so-slight nudge, but yesterday I felt like He was scolding, almost yelling, at me.

I know that the Bible says not to worry about anything.

Matthew 6:25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?"

Matthew 6:27 "Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?"

But why is it that I seem to give myself a pass when it comes to my kids? Because, after all, what good mother wouldn't worry about her kids? Precious has been having a little girlfriend drama going on at school and it put me into a worry talespin. I spent most of the day yesterday trying to figure out how to fix her problem. And that's when God started yelling. I have to learn to trust Him with my kids. Just think how many lessons I would keep them from having by trying to fix everything for them. We all want our kids to grow up to be good people. Did you ever stop and think about how that will happen? How did you learn your life's most important lessons? God knows we learn so much better through experiences. I can think of many times in my life when God has allowed me to go through a valley in order to learn a lesson and come out on the other side a better person. I want my girls to be better people. So I stopped worrying, got down on my knees, and turned Precious' situation over to Him. Even if that meant she had to walk through a valley with only God by her side. I also want Precious to know that she is smart enough and kind enough to handle these situations without me. I'll still keep a good line of communication open with her though. Just in case she needs her momma for something.

P.S. Turns out the situation pretty much resolved itself while she was at school. I was worrying about it when it wasn't even an issue anymore.

2011-09-11T14:25:00.000-07:00

It has always been hard for me to put into words the peace I feel about sending my kids to public school. I knwo that's what God's plan is for my family, but trying to explain it to someone else has always eluded me. My friend sent her first child to kindergarten this year and posted this on her blog. It happened to be the entry in the book she was reading for a few days before her daughter's first day at school. It put into words the feelings that I have about letting go of my kids so that they can become better people. It is from the Jesus Calling book by Sarah Young.

"Entrust your loved ones to Me; release them into My protective care. They are much safer with Me than in your clinging hands. If you let your loved one become an idol in your heart, you endanger that one - as well as yourself."

"When you release loved ones to Me, you are free to cling to My hand. As you entrust others into My care, I am free to shower blessings on them. My Presence will go with them wherever they go, and I will give them rest. This same Presence stays with you as you relax and place your trust in Me. Watch and see what I will do."

Father, As I cling to you for comfort and peace, please use every experience my kids have for your glory. Shower them with all the blessings that only you can give. Show our family your overwhelming, magnificent glory and grace. Amen.

Bubba J

2011-09-09T18:48:00.000-07:00

My brother-in-law was visiting a few weekends ago, so I was telling him the story about when I said, "Bubba!" in a scolding tone and my husband turned around even though I was talking to Babby Bubba. I have always called my husband Bubba and that has carried over to our son. My brother-in-law decided the baby should be Bubba Junior or Bubba J, so from now on Babby Bubba will be Bubba J:)

I'm a different mom this time.

2011-09-09T18:42:00.000-07:00

I know people always say that when you have kids far apart, you change the way you parent, but I never thought I'd be one of those parents. We were deliberate about everything we did with the kids. Every decision we made, we thought about carefully before we made it. Why would we do anything differently? But I can't forget all the things I've learned and stories I've heard since the girls were little. I can't forget about my friend telling me about the babies in Ethiopia that don't cry because no one ever comes. I can't forget about the many friends that I have that have lost precious babies before they ever got to meet them. I can't forget how fast this time goes by. How quickly my girls have become young ladies. So when Baby Bubba is crying, I will pick him up. When he wakes up in the middle of the night (even though he should be fine), I will go feed him, rock him, or just snuggle him. Later, I'll read him that book for the tenth time today and play monster trucks or dinosaurs for a little longer. Because I can't forget.

Things I NEVER Want to Forget

2011-09-09T18:22:00.000-07:00

I wish I could put all of these things in one post, but I can't think of them all at once, so I am going to start a series of things about the kids that I hope I never forget.

Baby Bubba:
The way he reaches for my face and grabs hold like he never wants to let go.
The way it takes all of his concentration to hold onto a small object and move it from hand to hand.
The feeling I get when he's fussing and I'm the only one that can make him smile:)
The way he nuzzles my shoulder when he's so tired but won't go to sleep.

Sissy:
The way she hugs me so tight in the morning before school and in the afternoon afterward like she truly missed me while she was gone all day. If you've never gotten to be on the receiving end of one of her hugs, she gives the best bear hugs ever!

Precious:
The way she sees the good in people no matter what. She loves people that have hurt her with all the love that she did before they hurt her. I could take a lesson from that.

Sewing Project

2011-08-19T18:44:00.000-07:00

Here is what I spent part of my day doing today. I saw this on Pinterest and thought, "I can make that." One of my friends makes a wrap similar to the Moby that I have and LOVE, but sometimes when I'm just running in to a store to grab a few things it takes too long to get on. This, I can simply put over my head and slip Baby Bubba in and go. I already used it once and it worked really well.

First Day of School

2011-08-17T09:06:00.000-07:00

10 Years Scares Me

2011-07-26T14:00:00.000-07:00

This month my husband and I celebrated 10 years of marriage. I wish this was going to be a mushy post where I say how much I love him and how wonderful marriage is. I do love him very much and marriage is wonderful, but this post is not about that. I know I should be whole-heartedly celebrating, but there's something in the back of my mind that keeps saying, "The best years are behind you." I have heard of a lot of marriages that make it to 10 years. It's after that that things seem to fall apart. Whether it's an affair, financial problems, or just growing apart, people get divorced. I am trying to work through that fear as we speak. I don't fear that my husband will have an affair or that we'll have financial problems or that we'll grow apart. I know our relationship is strong and we are both committed to working through any problems that might creep up. This fear is simply an unsubstantiated attack. An attack by the Evil One. So, I'm trying to use a technique that a friend taught me at MOPS(Mothers of Preschoolers). Replace fear with truth. Here goes:

My husband and I love each other very much.
We both agreed when we got married(and still do) that "divorce" is not in our vocabulary.
Our children have added to the joy that we have in our lives.
We can work through anything with God's help.

Dear Lord,
Thank you for bringing my husband and I together. I would not be whole without him. As I look back, I can see how you led us to each other and prepared my heart to meet him. Thank you for using our circumstances to bring us closer together through the last 10 years and for being with us as we have made this journey together. Your constant reminder that only you can meet all my needs has made me a better wife. Thank you for the many blessings you have given us, especially our kids. I could not have picked a better father for them. Please continue to be with us, grow us, and bless us for the next 10 years too.
In Jesus Name, Amen.

Happy Tooth Day!

2011-07-08T03:55:00.000-07:00

Sissy lost her first tooth last night. It took her a while to loose a tooth so the whole family was excited for her. Precious threw her a loosing-your-first-tooth party complete with a happy tooth day card. All the important people were in attendance. Doggy, Kitty, and Bunny all cleared their schedules to attend. Sissy thought she was big stuff. Good thing the tooth fairy remembered to come.

Speaking of tooth fairy, Precious figured out last night that if Santa wasn't real, then the tooth fairy probably wasn't either. She could barely contain herself as we went to bed last night. Hopefully she can keep her mouth shut long enough for Sissy to have some fun with it.

Sissyisms

2011-06-19T13:02:00.000-07:00

Sissy: "Some people are crazy! They don't like ice cream."

Sissy: "I love God a million degrees. And then even more than that."

I love her SO much!!

Mud Soup

2011-05-10T15:19:00.000-07:00

When I picked the girls up from school today, I told them we were going to make dirt cake. My kids are so deprived because they've never had it before. They both stuck their tongues out and said, "Blah, we don't want to eat that!" Precious kept asking me if we were really going to eat the "mud soup." It was hilarious!

2011-04-14T08:11:00.000-07:00

Last weekend my husband took a weekend to go fishing with the guys. He doesn't do this very often so I highly encourage it when the opportunity presents itself. And that's why, even though he is not much of a fisherman, he jetted off to Oklahoma to go spoonbill fishing. Neither one of us really knew what a spoonbill was or how you fish for them. Imagine my surprise when he texted me this picture on Saturday

So that's what a spoonbill is!! Each of the three guys caught four of these huge fish. You catch them by "snagging" which is basically dragging a fishing line with a bunch of hooks on it through the water hoping you'll "snag" one of these big puppies. They can only keep one fish each according to state law and the state cleans them for you because they harvest the caviar for themselves. Works out for everyone:) I'll have to update this post after we have a fish fry and let you know how they taste, although I have heard they aren't very good. I'm sure the guys will be walking around with their chests puffed up that day though because they actually caught our supper for us. And before you get to feeling too sorry for me, the kids and I spent the night at my parent's house. The girls got to play with their cousins and Baby Bubba got Grammy and Auntie snuggles. I got some much needed girltalk with my mom and sister.

Nursing in Public

2011-03-23T19:45:00.000-07:00

This topic has come to mind since I am nursing a newborn and don't always have an extra 30 minutes to blow sitting in the car feeding my baby when we are out-and-about. With my first baby, I would have died at the thought of nursing in front of anyone other than my husband, mother, and sister. Then with my second, I was okay nursing in front of all of our family (covered of course). Now that I am much wiser and much more comfortable with myself, I will nurse in a public place. I am still self-conscious about it, but I decided I shouldn't live my life a certain way because of other people's opinions. Then my friend told me a story about her friend. She was nursing in a restaurant near here and their waiter I'm sure very innocently asked her if she would go to the restroom to nurse. He thought he was being so nice by adding that they had put a chair in there for her. Apparently the people at the table next to them had complained. Part of me gets furious when I hear this because 1) she has every legal right to nurse there and 2) there is nothing gross or unnatural about nursing your baby. The other part of me makes excuses like, "They've just never been around a nursing mother." and "They're probably just really young." Luckily this woman's husband stuck up for her and she was confident enough to handle the situation. I probably would have gone crying to my car never to return. So now I'm trying to prepare myself with something to say if I am ever in that situation. I decided I should tell the waiter to tell the people complaining that they are welcome to eat their meal in the restroom because my baby will not be eating in there. Have any of you ever been put in this situation or something similar? What did you do or say?

Sissyisms

2011-02-07T15:24:00.000-08:00

Grandma is staying with us while we await the arrival of Baby Bubba so she can stay with the girls while we are in the hospital. She has been knitting a blanket for some friends of ours for a wedding gift and Sissy was full of questions. Now, according to Sissy, grandma is knitting a "napkin" which translates afghan. Grandma keeps correcting her but she finally just told grandma that she knew what it was, but she was going to call it a napkin.

She also always talks about being "born." She has said this enough that the whole family knows she means that she's bored and we have given up on correcting her. Well, the other day, Precious was talking about the baby being born. Sissy said with a confused look on her face, "I don't think the baby will be born. He'll be having lots of fun."

My 'push' playlist

2011-02-02T07:18:00.000-08:00

Have I mentioned that I am really nervous about delivering this baby? The anxiety keeps increasing as I get closer and closer to my due date. One of the things I am doing to try to relax during pregnancy is putting together a playlist of some of my favorite songs that will hopefully take my mind off all the PAIN. Here are the songs I have so far:

Better Than A Hallelujah - Amy Grant
Blink - Revive
Born Again - Third Day
Butterfly Fly Away - Miley Cyrus (I have two young girls. What else can I say?)
The Climb - Miley again
By Your Side - Tenth Avenue North
City On Our Knees - Tobymac
Finally Home - MercyMe
Free To Be Me - Francesca Battistelli
Give Me Your Eyes - Brandon Heath
God of Wonders - Rebecca St. James
Holy Is The Lord - Chris Tomlin
Gone - Tobymac
Hope Now - Addison Road
How He Loves - David Crowder Band
Human - Natalie Grant
I Can Only Imagine - Steven Anderson
Lead Me - Sanctus Real
Light Up the Sky - The Afters
More Beautiful You - Jonny Diaz
More Like Falling In Love - Jason Gray
The Motions - Matthew West
O Praise Him - David Crowder Band
Praise You In This Storm - Casting Crowns
Realize - Colbie Caillat
Sea of Faces - Kutless
Song of Hope - Robbie Seay Band
Sweetly Broken - Jeremy Riddle
To God Alone - Aaron Shust
Untitled Hymn(Come to Jesus) - Christ Rice
We Fall Down - Kutless
What Faith Can Do - Kutless
What Love Really Means - JJ Heller
Word of God Speak - MercyMe
The Words I Would Say - Sidewalk Prophets
You Are More - Tenth Avenue North
You Reign - MercyMe

Let me know if you can think of anything to add.

What do you do on a snow day?....Fashion Show!!!

2011-02-02T07:06:00.000-08:00

The girls put together this fashion show for me yesterday. When it was over I even got to purchase some of the merchandise. How is a boy going to fit into this?? Here is just a taste of the show I got.

Shower

2011-02-01T08:39:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures from the shower that my awesome friends threw for Baby Bubba and me.

Here's a little back story so you will be in on the joke. When my friend had her baby, she decided to use cloth diapers. I know crazy! Then, my other friend thought she would try them and ended up loving them. Apparently the insanity was contagious and another friend that is due soon is using them too. Two of them had cloth diaper-themed showers. So I jokingly told the girls that I wanted an anti-cloth diaper shower. Fast-forward to the shower where they made tiny picket signs. Sorry the picture didn't turn out the best.

One of them gave me a diaper cake and put a sign on top as the center piece. Down With Cloth Diapers!

I love that they can share in my sense of humor and not be hurt that I call them crazy. The truth is I admire them for being so dedicated. Not enough to join the madness though. My sister even made the trip, despite the threat of bad weather, to be there for the shower.

I had a great time at the shower. There's just something about a group of women getting together to celebrate one of the greatest blessings God can give.

Sensibility

2011-01-27T10:37:00.000-08:00

Since I tend to post all of the crazy, outrageous things my kids say, I thought I better post something they said that was actually sensible. Recently, we had another girls-night-out, so we went to our favorite restaurant, Olive Garden. We have had many meaningful conversations there and this evening did not disappoint. As you know, Precious has, we'll say, a fascination with boys. She always has. Normally she talks about whether or not they like her or think she's pretty. The conversation started pretty much the same with her telling me that her friend D(the one she has planned to marry since preschool) now wants to marry a different girl in her class. I was bracing myself for where this conversation was going to go, but she continued to tell me that that was okay because she could marry someone else. "After all, mom, there are lots of boys I haven't even met yet!" Praise the Lord, she is making some sense.

Staying present in pregnancy...

2011-01-25T14:44:00.000-08:00

...is easy when you are hanging over the toilet because that's all you can think about. And it's not difficult when your belly starts growing because you're so excited that your baby is developing. But when you are in the last weeks of pregnancy, it is oh-so-hard not to wake up every morning wondering if today will be the day when you get to meet your new, little bundle of joy. To not spend every moment wondering what the delivery will be like, what he will look like, how much you will love him. I know that some anticipation is good, but lately I have been consumed by it, barely able to function or think about anything else. So today, I pledge to be present for the rest of my pregnancy. To waddle every where I go. To go to the bathroom at least five times a night. And to enjoy every last kick and hiccup that only I get to feel for now. Because this is probably the last time I will get to do all those things and I want to know that I enjoyed it to the fullest instead of missing out because I was anticipating whatever comes next.

2011-01-21T08:54:00.000-08:00

Throughout this whole pregnancy I have been asking God to give me a verse that would help me get through everything. Mainly the delivery because my past deliveries were, well, very painful. I kept searching, but only found very generic, not meaningful-at-all verses. Thursday night, I started having contractions. I've had some braxton hicks contractions for the last few weeks, but these were actually painful. I sort of panicked at the thought of how much pain I was in for, but then they slowed down and stopped. The next day I opened up the Max Lucado newsletter that I get once a week. Honestly, for the last few months I have just been deleting them because I haven't had the time to commit to reading them, but for some reason I decided to read this one. Now I know why. Through this, God gave me the verse I have been praying for.

When you pass through waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you. For I am the Lord your God. Isaiah 43:2-3

Not only was the verse what I have been searching for, but the entire newsletter contained very meaningful and applicable information. Here are a few excerpts from the newsletter.

"We live beneath the protective palm of a sovereign King who superintends every circumstance of our lives and delights in doing us good." This part reminds me that no matter how much pain there is to bring him here, we will have a wonderful baby boy to love in the end.

"God's ways are always right. They may not make sense to us. They may be mysterious, inexplicable, difficult, and even painful. But they are right."

"Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine. Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him." Luke 22:42-43 If the glory of God outranks the comfort of Christ, who am I to ask for more?

Thank you, Father, for giving me exactly what I need, exactly when I need it.

Shot down by a drifter.

2011-01-19T06:53:00.000-08:00

When I read the book Outflow, I was pretty good about getting outside of my comfort zone to do something to bless someone else. Recently; however, I have only done small things that fit completely inside my bubble of comfort. This morning as I was pulling out of McDonalds, there was a man obviously carrying all of his belongings, standing in the freezing cold. I wasn't sure what I should do, so I made an agreement with God that if the man was still there after I ran a few errands, I would do something for him. He had switched sides of the road but was still there when I was done, so I grabbed $5.00 out of my wallet and pulled up next to him. I asked him if he could use some money to which he responded, "How much is that?" So I told him $5.00. Then he simply turned his back to me. What?! I wasn't exactly sure what he was doing so I sat there for a minute with my arm reached out with the money, but he just ignored me, so I left. I know that God does not want me to stop stepping out of my comfort zone to help others, but this one is going to take me a while to get over.

Infomercials

2011-01-18T07:18:00.000-08:00

Ugh! Who came up with these things! My kids think we need everything they advertise. These commercials are like a breeding ground for discontentment. My kids think Baby Bubba needs the "your baby can read" DVDs. Sissy also thinks I need every cleaning implement every made. It's funny that she thinks that it would make me SO happy to have a new mop or vacuum. Thank goodness for DVR and the fast forward button!

What if...?

2011-01-13T17:58:00.000-08:00

I was prepared for all the "why" questions when my kids were toddlers, but I have now entered a new phase of questions. Precious has started asking me "what if" questions. Here is one of our conversations from the other day.

Precious: What if a baby was walking down the street and fell in one of those big holes where the water goes? (She's referring to those long culverts that drain the water from the streets.)

Me: Well, a baby would not be walking down the street.

Precious: But what if one was?

Me: Well, a baby would probably have an adult with them that would protect them.

Precious: But what if they didn't?

This could go on forever just like the why questions. Most of the time I just have to say, "It's just not going to happen." Which often sends us back to the "why" questions.

More Than Just One Pregnancy Symptom

2010-12-21T10:18:00.000-08:00

As I was trying to get my wedding ring off to wash dishes today, I struggled a little bit to get it off. I sat there contemplating why my ring would be tight. I wasn't hot (that's definitely not one of my pregnancy symptoms). What could it be? And then that's when it dawned on me that I have not only started retaining water in my hands, but I've also lost my mind because why did I not make that connection right away?

P.S. My husband would say I lost my mind several months ago...and he's probably right:)

Halloween

2010-10-31T13:55:00.000-07:00

Photo Shoot

2010-10-31T11:42:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures the girls took when they had mom's camera in their room:

Yes, I think she's pretending to pick her nose.

I'm not sure what to say??

The Greatest Great-Grandma

2010-10-31T11:28:00.000-07:00

We recently took a trip to see my husband's grandma. The kids had so much fun helping Great-grandma, having a tea party and playing. One of Great-grandma's specialties is fruit with sugar to dip it in. The kids love it. This time we even had to bring home some of Great-grandma's "special" sugar because ours isn't the same at home :) Here are some pictures.

Precious Thoughts From Precious

2010-10-26T10:27:00.000-07:00

Thought #1
This morning in the car on the way to school Precious told me she wants to go to Paris. Apparently Barbie went to Paris in one of her movies. I informed her that I will probably never go to Paris because I don't like to fly, so Sissy said she would go with her. They planned their trip to Paris when they are "grown-ups" and even thought to make sure Dad stayed at home with me so I wouldn't be lonely. I pray that some day they actually do get to go to Paris together. I want them to know that they can do whatever they want to do. Even spend a crazy amount of money to go to a place where I hear everyone is rude :)

Thought #2
I love taking my girls out to dinner. I especially love taking each of them out separately, just the two of us. I love the conversations we have, the things they share with me and getting to concentrate completely on them, no distractions. Saturday night Dad went to a football game with a friend, so I got to take the girls out to eat.
Don't ask me how this came up, but Precious told me that she feels funny when boys look at her. When I asked her why, she said that she just wants them to like her. She is 7, not 13, not even 10, SEVEN! I was totally unprepared and didn't have any idea how to respond. I simply said that all that really matters is that God loves us and our family loves us. Any suggestions on what an appropriate response would have been. I love that she feels comfortable enough with me to share and I hope she will continue to come to me for advice when she gets older. If we had not gone to eat she probably never would have mentioned that. I plan to keep taking my girls out to dinner because who knows where the conversation will lead.

Brad Paisley - Anything Like Me (Lyrics)

2010-10-22T18:49:00.000-07:00

Dear Baby Bubba (that's what I'm going to call our baby boy until he makes his appearance),
I am so excited for you to join our family. I prayed about you long before you were conceived. I knew God had a plan for our family and that He would reveal it to me in His time. The day we found out you were a boy, I was in complete shock. I bounced between excitement and panic. I have only been around girls. How am I going to handle a boy? I trust that God will prepare me for all of the challenges we will face together. This song reveals many of the things I look forward to. I can't wait to see the relationship that you and your dad will have. I have a special relationship with each of my girls, but I know it will be different with you. That's one of the things I look forward to the most. This song's for you, Baby Bubba.
In Great Anticipation,
Mom

U

2010-10-05T06:34:00.000-07:00

Our Sunday school class is doing the iMarriage study by Andy Stanley. It's been great so far. The concept is that everyone starts a marriage with certain desires and those desires can turn into expectations if we're not careful. Eventually those expectations will lead to disappointment. "I" marriages exist when all a person can think about is what "I" deserve and what "I" am owed. Well, what I discovered yesterday is that I also have a big "U" in my marriage. The "U" for me is when I read a study and all I can think about is what you (meaning my spouse) need to do better. Nothing in the Bible teaches us to examine others to make them better. In fact, it tells us the opposite.

Matthew 7:4 How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?

Isaiah 11:3 And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see,or decide disputes by what his ears hear,

Matthew 7:1 Judge not, that you be not judged.

I shouldn't worry about what my spouse is doing wrong, while I myself am not a perfect mate. Well, pretty far from it actually. I have struggled to focus on what I can do to make my spouse feel good about our marriage. It's like I always tell the kids, "You worry about you." Nothing gets accomplished by simply telling others what they need to do. We are called by God to follow his commands and He will take it from there.

Psalm 50:4 He calls to the heavens above and to the earth, that he may judge his people

Isaiah 11:4 but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.

"Success in marriage does not come merely through finding the right mate, but through being the right mate." - Barnett R. Brickner

Pictures before Pictures

2010-09-20T07:41:00.000-07:00

Today is picture day at school, so we did a little photo shoot before we left.

Porsha and Alexa

Porsha

Alexa

It's hard with every child.

2010-08-18T06:46:00.000-07:00

I spent most of last year dreading one particular day. The day my baby starts kindergarten. Since we're having another baby, I thought maybe it wouldn't be so hard. But today was that day and it was still hard! It wasn't any easier or harder than taking Precious to school last year and I'm sure taking the baby to school a long, long time from now will be just as hard. It didn't matter to me that before long we will have a new baby to snuggle and spend the day with. What matters is the time I will not be spending with Sissy. Because while she is at school all day learning important things and making wonderful friends, I will be home NOT spending time with her. Not playing Barbies with her, not eating lunch with her, and not snuggling with her on the couch watching cartoons. While I know from Precious, it will get easier each day, I will still be spending today with a lump in my throat wondering what Sissy is doing every moment of today.

Dear Lord, Thank you so much for the wonderful girls you have blessed me with. Thank you for allowing me to stay home and spend all my time with them. Watch over Sissy as she starts school and has new adventures when I'm not there to guide her. Remind her that You are with her always. Guide her to the right friends and bless the relationships that she will make this year. Help me to adjust to parenting the girls at this stage. Prepare Sissy and me for the challenges and situations that she will face this year. As Sissy would say, "Thank you for everything in the whole world." Amen.

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield. Psalm 5:11-12

3 Words - Gum...In...Hair

2010-08-07T17:51:00.000-07:00

Yes that happened to my sweet little Sissy today. Apparently she was trying to spit it out but it got caught in her hair. So, if this ever happens to you or your kids, peanut butter actually does work. First I tried ice, but it didn't do anything. The peanut butter broke down the gum and I could slide it off her hair in chunks. So we made it through without cutting any hair. She's working on taking her gum out of her mouth with her fingers and placing it in the trash now.

Announcement

2010-07-30T18:15:00.000-07:00

Here is how we shared our news with everyone.

Super Girls

2010-07-30T18:02:00.000-07:00

Here's what a boring summer day can bring about when it's too hot to go outside. The girls found some masks that I had leftover from Precious's birthday party and decorated them. Of course, it wouldn't be complete without the entire costume...

Meet Super Girl.

And this is Golf Girl (because her hat is a golf visor).

Update

2010-07-16T16:09:00.000-07:00

Remember the spider that Precious brought home from school and then the snake that found its way to our house. Mainly because my husband bought it and gave it to my girls to torment me with. Well, it keeps making its way to some pretty impressive places. One time, while I was taking a shower, the girls put it on the bath rug so it would scare me when I got out. Then, today, I found it under our bedspread. I'm not sure how long it's been there. I only found it because I was washing the sheets. If I didn't hate the thing so much, I would be pretty impressed at the thought the girls have put into their hiding places. Although, it does scare me to think of what they'll be able to come up with when they get a little older, or even worse, teenagers.

Probably Shouldn't

2010-06-28T09:42:00.000-07:00

Okay, I probably shouldn't blog about this because I'm still pretty upset about it. But I just had to get some feedback. We went to the castle park today. That's what we call it, but I guess technically it's Shryock Park at PlayPark Pointe. When we pulled up I noticed some kids playing inappropriately on the equipment, so I used the opportunity to teach the kids a lesson. These kids were climbing on top of the railing and on top of the tube slide at the very top. I told the girls how dangerous this was and that that's not how the equipment was intended to be used. They both agreed that they should not play like that. So we went in to have a good time. The kids ran off and I started making my grocery list as I sat in one of the seating areas. The group of kids that were playing inappropriately eventually came over as I was showing the girls a birds nest with baby birds in it. The momma bird had been in and out feeding them. The other kids decided it would be a good idea to mess with the nest. I let it go for a while because they weren't actually doing it any harm, but then one of them decided they wanted to knock it down. One of them even said, "We should mess with it so the momma bird won't come back and we can take them home." I told them probably ten times to leave the nest alone and they wouldn't listen. So finally I told them that if they continued to mess with the nest I would call the city and they would make them leave the park. An empty statement I know, but it worked. Then their dad showed up and they ran right over and told him what I had said. He blew it off for a while, but then started ranting out loud to himself about it. "I don't see what the city is going to do about it anyway." "Stupid people in Augusta, think they have money and they can make one phone call and something is going to happen." Now I really, really hate confrontation. It took all I had to tell those kids to stop messing with the nest. I just sat there and kept making my list. They finally left. Who knows how long they had been there. The oldest kid, who looked at least 10, told me they had been there since 6:00 in the morning (it was 9:30 when we were there). The girls played a little longer and then we left too. I don't know if I did the right thing or what I should have done. I'm curious. What would you all have done in that situation? I've been fretting about it every since and then I saw this verse on facebook:

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done." Philippians 4:6, NLT

I guess God's telling me not to worry about it. Maybe I should listen for once:)

With a cheep cheep here and a cheep cheep there.

2010-06-25T11:52:00.000-07:00

The girls found a little surprise in our yard the other day. Three baby birds. They can't quite fly yet, but a momma bird has been flying in and feeding them occasionally. Sissy is obsessed with them. She wants to go out and check on them every 15 minutes. Precious likes them, but keeps her distance. Here's a picture.

God is good . . . All the time!

2010-05-19T12:58:00.000-07:00

God has blessed me so much today. For starters, Precious's kindergarten teacher gave me a decorated pot with a plant today to say thanks. It has each kid's fingerprint, decorated to look like a ladybug. It's adorable. Then, I got to watch Sissy graduate from preschool. The entire class did such an awesome job singing for us. The teachers are true blessings. Then in Sissy's cubby at preschool, I got a note from an anonymous person. It was very uplifting. Next a Thank You note in the mail. And a message from a friend received in an unusual away. I got some junk mail from the college that I went to. I usually do not open them, but I did today. Inside was a handwritten note from my friend. He works at the printshop on campus and probably stuffed the envelopes. He took time out of his busy day to write a funny note. Such a small thing, but good for a laugh.

From all these blessings today I have come to one conclusion. God wants me to feel blessed, especially today. I truly appreciate all the blessings of today, but I am eternally grateful that I have a God who cares about how I feel today, right now.

Fantastic Find Friday

2010-05-15T13:31:00.000-07:00

I LOVE to garage sale, so I'm starting a new tradition. If you enjoy finding good deals too, feel free to participate. Here is my fantastic find for this Friday:

$2.00

This looks like something I would buy from a catalog for $30. Yeah for me!

Selfish or Selfless?

2010-04-28T17:32:00.000-07:00

There are two types of people in this world. Selfish and selfless. Selfish people who care, not only for themselves, but for themselves before anyone else and selfless people who always think of others first. Which type of person are you? This question is not answered by what we would say about ourselves when asked, but by how we act each and every day. Do you hold the door for the mother with six kids coming in the store behind you or do you let the door slam shut in the face of whoever it is traipsing in after you? Do you wave to the person in the car next to you even though you don't know them because they waved at you or do you snub them thinking to yourself, "I don't know who that is?" (This one can inadvertently happen to me because I'm in another world sometimes, so if you wave at me and I don't wave back, I didn't see you.) Do you listen to the friend who just needs someone to talk to or do you avoid them because you know they've had a bad day? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.1 John 3:18 Are you selfish or selfless today? Lady that threw a fit in her car today because I wasn't driving fast enough for you, I think you know the answer to that. You are forgiven today (If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9), but please try harder tomorrow. I will too.

My daughter does NOT have the gruds!

2010-04-12T17:59:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Precious, who is 6, started crying. I asked her what was wrong and she said that she was afraid that she had the gruds. So I asked her what the gruds were. She told me that it’s something that gets in your brain and makes it weird. Again, she told me that she wasn’t sure if she had it or not. I finally got out of her that it was something they had been talking about at school and it was on the cd that they had sent home to listen to. We listened to it together and it was about saying no to drugs. Suddenly it all made sense. I explained to her what drugs were and that drugs from the doctor were okay, but other drugs can damage your brain. After all that, she decided that I was right and she did NOT have the gruds. I don’t know if it’s her age or what, but all of a sudden she is hypersensitive about everything. She doesn’t want to wear short-sleeved shirts to school because she doesn’t like her hairy arms. Yes, they are a bit hairy, but she is totally blowing it out of proportion. It breaks my heart to see her so embarrassed of something, even if it’s small. I would love to hear any advice on the subject.

What do you say to the person who made your dreams come true?

2010-04-05T14:52:00.000-07:00

You know those people who know from the minute they can speak what they want to do when they grow up? I’m not one of those people. Growing up, I envied those people. I always had the drive and motivation, but not the dream. I picked a major and got my degree because that’s what you’re supposed to do. I got married because ever since I met my husband that’s what I wanted to do. And I worked because I had to. Then we decided to start our family and I remembered the one thing that I did always know. I always knew I wanted to stay home with my kids. Since that was my husband’s plan too, that’s what we did. God blessed us with two girls and I have loved every minute of being a mother. I’m so glad that I was the one to see them roll over for the first time, crawl for the first time, and take their first steps. I’m the one they want to kiss their boo-boos and whose hand they reach for before they cross the street. As they get older, I’m the one who they want to tell about their day when they get out of school and I’m the one who gives them a hug and tells them it will be alright when they’ve had a bad day. God allowed me to be a mother, but my husband makes it possible for me to be a stay-at-home mom. He makes my dream come true each and every day. While I’m at home reading books and giving girls hugs, he’s working hard to make that happen. So what do you say to the person who made your dream come true? I say, Bubba, thank you and I love you!!

Thankless Job

2010-03-31T16:08:00.000-07:00

As I was making treats for Sissy's preschool class, she comes in and asks me what I'm making.

Me: Rice krispie treats.

Sissy: Oh. I don't like those.

I wanted to scream, "Since when?!!" I had put a lot of thought into what I was going to make and a decent amount of effort into making them. Then she informs me that she's not going to like them. Motherhood is such a thankless job. I guess I should be used to it by now, but occasionally you dream that someone might just appreciate something you do. I ended up making jello jigglers to go with them and she loved those.

Today Is Not "O" Day

2010-03-05T11:01:00.000-08:00

After we dropped Precious off at school this morning, Sissy and I were playing "friend." The next thing I know, I look at the clock and it was 8:45. Sissy should be at school already. So I checked the calendar quickly because Fridays are always show-and-tell days. It was "O" day, but we didn't have time to run upstairs to get an O toy. I grabbed a can of olives and we headed out the door. As I rushed her into school while everyone else was already seated, I noticed the "O" things in the other kids' cubbies were not "O"s at all. They were "G"s. It was too late at this point, so I left my 4 year-old daughter to explain why we had olives instead of grapes. I talked to the teacher after school and she said they used the "G" for great since the olives were Great Value. Thank goodness for Wal-Mart brand food :)

Pregnancy Care Center

2010-02-28T15:43:00.000-08:00

Lately I've had the opportunity to get to know a little more about our local Pregnancy Care Center. I've heard quite a bit about it from my friend Farm Chick, but now I've gotten to see if first hand. Our family is going to Disneyworld in May and I heard about their Give A Day, Get A Day program. I found out from Farm Chick that the Pregnancy Care Center was particpating. We made some blankets and delivered them to the Center.

The girls and I had lots of fun picking out fabric and I really enjoy sewing.

Then my husband and I got to go to the annual Pregnancy Care Center banquet. We got to eat some good food, visit with some wonderful people, and even came away with one of the auction baskets. Again, lots of fun. It reminded me how lucky our community is to have an organization like that around. A place with wonderful, Christian women there that have a true heart for Christ. Striving to make a change, one person at a time. The world could use more people like that.

1 Peter 4:10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.

Lord, Help me to use the gifts you have given me to serve others and glorify your name.

Helping HAITI

2010-02-28T15:17:00.000-08:00

To raise money for Haiti, Precious's school came up with Haiti week. You paid $1 a day to participate and you got to do all kinds of fun things like hat day, storybook character day, and tie day. Sissy just had to participate too. Here is a picture of them dressed up as Fancy Nancy.

Sissy is a little confused about it. We had recently been talking about nicknames. At first her nickname was going to be Ariel or Goldygloss which was not what I was trying to accomlish anyway, but after storybook character day, she thought her nickname was Fancy Nancy. We'll have to address this sometime in the future. I thought Haiti week was a wonderful way for the kids to see how much fun it can be to help others.

Two Kids And A Picket Fence

2010-02-27T09:22:00.000-08:00

My sister pointed this blog post out to me and it was so good, I thought I'd share. This one's for my pregnant friends out there and the ones contemplating another child.

http://mychildiloveyou.blogspot.com/2010/02/why-most-families-have-2-children.html

Another First...Almost

2010-02-21T16:16:00.000-08:00

Well, we almost had the first time the toothfairy forgets to come last night. Thankfully my husband had to get up early to go to work and remembered, but Precious was already waking up when he went in her room. He managed to sneak the dollar into the pillow, but couldn't get the tooth out without her noticing. She thought it was hilarious that the toothfairy forgot to take the tooth. We decided she better leave it in her pillow tonight so the toothfairy doesn't get in trouble for not having the tooth. Whew! Crisis adverted. FYI-this tooth was worse than the other two to get out. At one point I just decided it was going to stay in there forever. Here's a picture of her with her friend that also recently lost her tooth. I called them the toothless twins.

Today I had a first.

2010-02-04T06:23:00.001-08:00

There's a first time for everything. Your first date, your first kiss, your first child.... Well, today I had another first. The first time you go through the drive-through in your jammies and robe. ~~I didn't have time~~ I was too lazy to get dressed before I took Porsha to school this morning, but McDonalds breakfast sounded good enough to embarrass myself over. I went through just like normal. Neither lady said anything unusual, but I'm left wondering if they talked about me after I was gone. I'm pretty sure if I worked there, I'd have a good laugh with friends about the crazy lady coming through the drive-through in her jammies and robe. Have I told you how good our McDonalds is? It's way better than any other McDonalds I've been too. Their food is fresh and yummy and the people who work there are super friendly. Definitely worth a little embarrassment.

July 21, 2001

2010-02-01T14:37:00.000-08:00

We watched our wedding video with our kids last night. They both loved seeing Mom in a beautiful, princess dress and Dad all dressed up in a tux. The big finally was the much-anticipated kiss. It gave them the giggles for a while. They got to see their young aunts and uncles and grandmas and grandpas. Sissy kept asking where she was. They both tried on my wedding ring.

Then they put on their "wedding dresses" and danced while we watched our wedding dance. It's wonderful for our kids to get to see our very own fairytale come true.

Recipes

2010-01-14T14:18:00.000-08:00

Okay, my friend Erin challenged me to post some recipes. I'm going to start by saying that if you're looking for some healthy food to serve your family, you're looking in the wrong place. Now if you're looking for some really yummy recipes, you're in the right place. Here you go:

Enchiladas

1 lb. hamburger
1 can refried beans
1 can enchilada sauce
1 pkg. tortillas
1 can chopped olives
shredded cheese
lettuce
sour cream

Brown hamburger and drain. Mix in refried beans and chopped olives. Fill tortilla shells and put in 9X13 pan. Cover with enchilada sauce and shredded cheese. Cook at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes.

Southwestern Eggrolls

1 lb. hot italian sausage
1 can (15oz.) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (11 oz.) Mexicorn, drained
1 can (10 oz.) diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
1 pkg. (8.8 oz.) ready-to-serve Spanish rice
19 egg roll wrappers
oil to fry

Cook sausage and drain. Stir in beans, mexicorn, tomatoes, and rice. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, simmer, uncovered for 5-10 minutes or heated through. Place 1/3 cup mixture in egg roll wrappers and fold together as instructed on package. Fry egg rolls in 1 inch of oil heated to 375 degrees for 30 seconds on each side or until golden brown. Drain excess oil.

Sloppy Joes

1 lb. hamburger
1 can chicken gumbo soup
1/4 c. ketchup
1/8 c. mustard
2 T. Worchestershire sauce

Brown hamburger and mix ingredients.

Ham and Potato Soup

4 or 5 potatoes
3 T. butter
3 T. flour
crushed red pepper flakes
pepper
3 cups milk
4 oz. velveeta
sliced or cubed ham

Peel and cube potatoes. Cook until tender in pot of water. Drain potatoes, but reserve 1 cup of the liquid. Melt butter in saucepan. Add flour and season with pepper and red pepper flakes. Gradually add potatoes, reserved liquid, and milk. Add velveeta and ham. Simmer over low heat 30 minutes or until cheese is melted stirring frequently.

Hope you enjoy!!

The Outflow of God's Love

2010-01-08T12:25:00.000-08:00

At Sunday school we're reading the book Outflow by Steve Sjogren and Dave Ping. It's about outward-focused living in a self-focused world. I can't explain the whole book in a single post, but it's about showing God to others through various acts of kindness. The hope is that someday each of us will constantly be thinking of how to help others in our daily lives, building relationships with others, and using those relationships to introduce others to God. Each week it encourages you to find simple ways to show God's love. I keep thinking I should do this or that, but never followed through. Today I was going to so something. Since it was so cold outside and it was trash day, I decided to make hot chocolate for the trash guys(I'm not sure what the politically correct term is for trash guy?). Simple, right? Making hot chocolate is simple. Walking to the curb is simple. Giving them the hot chocolate is simple. But for some reason I started having anxiety as I waited for the trash truck to pull up. Some of my thoughts were "They don't want your hot chocolate." and "They're going to think you're crazy." But I knew this was what God called me to do today, so to be obedient I followed through. I made the hot chocolate, carried it to the curb, and asked the man if he would like some hot chocolate. What happened next totally shocked me. That man, the one that was supposed to laugh in my face, thanked me and gave me a hug. A HUG!! I walked away feeling so good that I'm left wondering if I was showing God's love to him or if he was showing God's love to me??

Father, I can't thank you enough for letting me have this experience today. Thank you for giving me the courage to do something unexpected. Thank you for the response that the man had. Please allow me to continue to help others to your glory. In Jesus Name, Amen.

2010-01-07T14:37:00.001-08:00

Friend: So Sissy what did you get for Christmas?

Sissy: A Jump-o-line (trampoline).

Sissy also wanted to make sure we went shopping at the "fake mall." I still haven't figured this one out. I think she's talking about Kohl's because it looks like a mall. I told her Kohl's wasn't a mall, so I think she started calling it the "fake mall."

Our New Favorite Game

2009-12-21T11:31:00.001-08:00

Precious has been such a good girl at school that she got to draw several items out of the treasure chest. Just before Christmas break started she came home with a very disgusting- looking plastic spider(thanks Mrs. S). I HATE all bugs. Spiders, crickets, june bugs, and yes ladybugs. I'm proud to say I'm an equal-opportunity bug hater. My daughter knows this about me, but she also has learned a lot of sneaky things from her father. Her new favorite thing to do is to stand around the corner so I can't see her and throw the spider at me. You would think I would learn after a few times, but she is SOOO sneaky about it, it scares me every time. She's sneakier than you would think a 6 year old could be (probably sneakier than me). Mrs. S--I'm really happy that Precious is good for you at school, but please, please do not send any more plastic bugs home with her!

Oh Krispy Kreme guy you make me laugh!

2009-11-23T10:02:00.000-08:00

While Christmas shopping with my sister in Wichita, we both decided we burned enough calories that day to enjoy a Krispy Kreme donut. So we went through the drive-through and got two original donuts and one small coke. Our total was supposed to be ready at the window. So we pull up and this is what happens:

Krispy Kreme Guy: That'll be $137. (with a completely straight face)

Me: Okay (while handing over my debit card)

He was joking and I completely missed it. I realized it as soon as he busted out laughing. It was one of the wonderful laughs in a day spent making memories with my sister.

Faith

2009-11-05T14:43:00.000-08:00

Check out this link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pO6DXOsKOw4

Fall Fun

2009-11-03T16:46:00.000-08:00

The girls had fun playing in the leaves.

I got to go to the Pumpkin Patch with Precious and her class.Precious dressed up as Tinker Bell.Sissy wanted to be Minnie Mouse.

Rah Rah

2009-11-03T16:18:00.000-08:00

Here is some video of Precious cheering at the Orioles game.

2009-10-09T12:21:00.001-07:00

"Not everyone can do great things, but everyone can do small things with great love." Mother Teresa

Marshmellow Me

2009-10-08T18:49:00.001-07:00

Sissy: I wish I was a marshmellow. Then I could eat myself.

Me: I'm glad you're not a marshmellow because I would miss you if someone ate you.

Sissy: Okay, I wish there was a marshmellow me and a human me. Then human me could eat marshmellow me.

Super Precious!

2009-10-08T18:26:00.000-07:00

Precious turned 6 on September 21. She wanted a supergirl party,

so we invited school friends to the "castle park" for some action.

I made capes so all of them could be super girls.

They each decorated their own masks.

At one point Sissy had hers on upside down. She was so

proud of it, I didn't have the heart to tell her, but one of the girls

finally did. She just turned it around and kept playing.

2009-09-22T17:30:00.001-07:00

Sissy: Are we late?

Me: No. We're early.

Sissy: What's that mean?!

First Day of Preschool

2009-09-13T12:25:00.000-07:00

Taking Sissy to her first day of preschool was a breeze. At least compared to taking Precious to kindergarten. She was excited to get to go to Precious's old classroom. It's funny how different the girls are. When Precious is at school, I worry that she won't speak up when she needs to and that she'll get lost in the rest of the class. With Sissy, I worry that she'll talk too much and get too rowdy with her friends. Sending either one of them to school isn't easy, but I know she'll be in good hands at First Baptist Preschool.

Dear Lord, Be with Sissy as she starts preschool. Help her to learn new things, listen to her teachers, and make new friends. Guide and protect her in every situation. Give her strength, courage, and wisdom as she goes through her day without me. I know that you'll be with her Lord, but remind her of that throughout the day. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Newest Realization

2009-09-13T12:10:00.000-07:00

The story starts with my sister and I's plan to meet at the Sedgwick County Zoo Saturday with our four kids. As I pulled up to the zoo that day, everything was blocked off. I found out from a volunteer that today was one of very few days the zoo closes. They were very nice and gave the kids free popcorn and free tickets to get into the zoo some other time. But now, I had to figure out something to do with my two kids and my sister and her kids. We went to the park, ate at Olive Garden, and walked around the shops. After spending the entire morning telling Precious to listen and stop giving me an attitude, I realized something. I will not get to truly enjoy my kids company again until they're 25 years old!! Okay, I'm only half kidding. For the first few years of your kid's life, you make excuses for them. They're still learning. They're not old enough to know better yet. Well, my kids are past that stage. They SHOULD know better. If anyone has any advice on how to deal with a 6 year old with an attitude, I'm all ears!! Here was my attempt. I explained to Precious how when you're little the rules are there to keep you safe. ex. You don't touch a hot stove because it could burn you. I continued to tell her that the rules are for a different reason now. They exist to help her grow into the person God wants her to be. ex. Treat others with respect. This is actually working. All night last night and all day today, she has not whined, complained, or disrespected me! Okay, it might have something to do with Daddy threatening her with hiney spankings too, but I think I'll take the credit on this one. In the mean time, I'll keep looking forward to their 25th birthdays.

Great Girl Friends And Sisters in Christ

2009-09-05T07:06:00.001-07:00

I wanted to take this opportunity to thank God for blessing me with such wonderful friends. When we lived in Hutch, I refused to make friends because I knew we would be leaving in a few years. It was hard enough for me to leave all of the friends that I had made in Pratt. So I spent the first years of both my kids' lives with only my husband to help me through it. Other's helped too, but we were pretty much alone in our everyday lives. When we got to Hutch Precious was 1 week old and of course Sissy was yet to be conceived. When we left Hutch, Precious was 3 and Sissy was 1 1/2. Let's just say those were some difficult times. Thank you hubby for being so wonderful and understanding during that time in our lives. Since we've moved to Augusta, I have been welcomed with open arms from almost everyone I've come into contact with. God lead us to an awesome church family. And I have made the best friends through MOPS, Bible study, and other activities. Friends that will tell you what God's saying to you even if you don't want to hear it. Friends that are there for you at all times. Friends that will sit in a booth of a restaurant with you and go through Romans 4 verse by verse so that you clearly understand it. These are the kind of friends that if you are lucky enough to come across in your lifetime, you want to grab on with all your might and never let go. Believe me I'm not letting go. I love all of you!

Lord, I'm amazed sometimes that you know exactly what I need at exactly the right time. I praise you for being so wise and sovereign. Thank you for connecting me with such wonderful, Christian friends that can help me grow in my faith. Help me to always cherish these friends and to help them in the same ways that they've helped me. In Jesus name, Amen.

Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel. Proverbs 27:9

Our First Visit from the Toothfairy

2009-08-21T07:38:00.000-07:00

Who knew losing a tooth could be this much work?

After having a loose tooth for over a week, here is where we were.

So we started the "wiggling process."
And this is how much Precious liked it.

Finally, after DAYS of the wiggling process, it came out.

Trust me there was much drama involved.
Here she is with the pillow that the tooth fairy takes the tooth out of and replaces with $1.

SURPRISE!

2009-08-20T07:43:00.000-07:00

Two very special things happened on my birthday this year.

1. Porsha came home from school and said she had something in her backpack for me for my birthday. A "gift" for Mom, not prompted by Dad or teacher or anyone. It was so rewarding for her to think of me on my birthday all by herself. She brought home a book from the library that she thought we could read together to celebrate my birthday. There's no greater gift than that.

2. When Daddy asked Alexa what she wanted to do for Mom's birthday she said, "Yell SURPRISE!" So when I walked into the room that afternoon, they all yelled SURPRISE and gave me my birthday cards and gift.

Thanks to my husband and kids for a wonderful day!!

I Found the Ghost

2009-08-18T08:34:00.001-07:00

For the last few weeks our garage door would randomly open. I would run outside each time to see if there was someone driving by. I had heard that someone else's garage door opener could be programmed the same as yours and would therefore open your garage door too. There was never anyone around. I even worried while we were on vacation for a few days that the garage door would open and no one would be there to shut it. Well, today I found the ghost that keeps opening the garage door. Here she is:

We have the spare garage door opener in a drawer in the kitchen. Today just after the ghost had opened the garage door, Sissy asked me, "What does this button do?" She admitted to pushing it a few times lately. At least I know what's going on now.

First Day Gitters?

2009-08-14T13:51:00.000-07:00

For me, not her. Precious started kindergarten yesterday. After meeting her teacher on Tuesday, she was so excited to go to school. The whole family loaded up to drop her off. Daddy took her into the school and she was off (Mom couldn't quite deal with letting go of her little girl in front of the rest of the school). I spent the whole day wondering what she was doing, if she was having fun, what she was having for lunch, etc., etc. The only thing I didn't worry about is if she was doing okay because I know what a wonderful person she has turned out to be. I know she makes friends easily, listens to her teachers, and enjoys learning new things. When we picked her up, she went on and on about playing in the gym, reading books, coloring, eating soft tacos for lunch. She didn't like the fruit, but she ate it anyway(that's my girl:) And she was even more excited to go back the next day. Except, she threw up last night and has been running a fever ever since. I had to call her in sick on her second day of school:( She's doing pretty good, but I feel so awful for her. Now she has to wait until Monday to do all those fun things again.

Lord, Please be with Precious as she has all these new experiences. Guide her in your ways when I can't be there to help her. Give her the confidence to make new friends and stick up for them when need be. Protect her from anything that she's not ready to handle yet. Grant me the strength and knowledge to deal with any problems she has along the way. In Jesus name, Amen.

Blissful Branson

2009-08-14T09:02:00.000-07:00

We ended up in Branson for our quick vacation before school started. We spent two days at Silver Dollar City. The kids road ride after ride. Alexa even road Fire in the Hole with Jeremiah (Mom's afraid of roller coasters). We also rented a boat for an afternoon and cruised around Tablerock. When we finally booked our hotel, everything was booked because of a car show in town. We ended up at the Hilton located at the Branson Landing. There was shopping everywhere and a fountain and shows, even a train you can ride through the mountains. We all had lots of fun. Here's some pictures.

2009-07-27T06:51:00.001-07:00

Me: "You know I'm going to miss you when you're in school all day."

Precious: "You mean I'll get to each lunch at school!"

2009-07-27T06:49:00.000-07:00

Sissy as she's running down the stairs: "Mom, we have an emergency!"

Me: "What is it?"

Sissy: "The necklace is in a knot."

Good thing she knows what an emergency is:)

2009-07-16T12:28:00.000-07:00

The kids have been begging us to go camping ever since summer started, so last weekend we popped a tent at the lake and roughed it. It was everything I remembered it to be. Hot....uncomfortable....hot! It was definitely worth it to share a special night with the kids. They have been informed that we won't be doing it again for a while though:)

Making Memories

2009-07-16T12:03:00.000-07:00

Isn't it funny how it means so much to us when our kids get to experience something that we enjoyed as kids? I got to spent 4 days at El Dorado Lake with my parents and my sister and her family. My kids and their cousins got to bond while swimming in the lake, roasting marshmallows and catching lightening bugs. It's special for me because I got to enjoy those things with my cousins when I was a kid. I have such fond memories of just being silly with my cousins. I pray that my kids will remember those days and cherish them the way I do.

Our Legacy

2009-06-24T09:41:00.000-07:00

My grandpa passed away around Christmas time. Since we have family all over the country, the funeral was postponed until June so everyone could make plans to be there. Because of this, we took an unconventional approach to the funeral. Grandpa was cremated and my uncle made a great pine box for the ashes. Grandpa worked for the Santa Fe Railroad for his entire working life, so there's a Santa Fe Railroad plate on the box. Grandpa always said to just bury him in an old pine box next to Grandma, so that's why the box was made of pine. The focus of the funeral was on what a great legacy Grandpa leaves behind. It was wonderful to hear about his life as a Christian and the dedication he instilled in his sons. My grandmother developed Alzheimers early in her life and Grandpa stood by her side until she passed 20 years ago. Even as Grandpa developed dimmensia himself, Grandma was always on his mind. I am inspired by his commitment to his wife and to Jesus Christ. I wish everyone would have such a wonderful legacy in their family.

For death is no more than a turning of us over from time to eternity.--William Penn

Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.--Psalms 116:15

FREEDOM

2009-06-24T09:28:00.001-07:00

Precious learned to ride her bike without training wheels the other day. I'm completely shocked for a couple of reasons. One because she should NOT be old enough to ride her bike yet. And, two because she is so timid, I thought it would take her a few more years. She can even bike ride with Jeremiah and he has to keep up with her. Here's some video of my precious girl and her new found freedom.

Miscellaneous

2009-06-07T11:22:00.000-07:00

Check it out!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iueQU3sC2m8

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him. 1 Corinthians 2:9

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

In His will is our peace. Dante Alighieri

Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything. James 1:2-4

Mini-Mozart

2009-06-05T12:43:00.000-07:00

Precious has been asking me to take piano lessons for about a year. I had Grandma send home a book with the teacher's manual last time the kids visited and we finally got started the other day. I'm learning as she does. Who knows maybe I'll be a Mozart too:) She has picked up on it really well and even taught herself two more songs. I thought it would be a battle trying to get her to practice, but so far she's been practicing 4 or 5 times a day without me even having to prompt her. Here's what she learned in one day.

The Kind of Person Who Reads Books

2009-05-17T15:10:00.000-07:00

I have never been the kind of person who reads books. My mother blames it on being the second child. She always read to my sister, but when I came along there was no more time for that. Who knows why, but I've always thought book readers were nerds (even in my adult-years reading sounds nerdy). When I started attending Bible study, I enjoyed reading my daily homework. I just figured that was different. Now I've been reading all kinds of marriage and parenting books and I actually like it. The other day I even bought a book at a garage sale like my sister always does. Am I a nerd now? I guess according to myself, I am. I don't think you'll find me reading romance novels any time soon, but if there's something I can learn from a book, I just might read it.

Biggy-Bigs

2009-05-12T11:53:00.000-07:00

You know how mothers have their little nicknames for their kids. Well, mine for Sissy is babies-babes because she is supposed to always be my baby. Yesterday she turned 4! She informed me that she could no longer be my babies-babes. She would have to be my biggy-bigs. I wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry. My little girl is growing up.

Squish, Squash, QUACK!

2009-05-06T17:46:00.000-07:00

Most of you know Farm Chick. We took a trip out to her house to see their new ducks. Here are some of the pics. The kids loved them and had fun traipsing around in the mud and rain.

2009-05-01T13:12:00.000-07:00

Me: I could spend forever with you.

Sissy: I'm never going to heaven with God. I'm going to watch for cars.

Do you think I'm getting through to her or just confusing her?

Love Dare Day 25

2009-05-01T12:55:00.000-07:00

Okay, I'm taking it REALLY slow. Another good day on a rough topic. Forgiveness. The book made me look at it in a different way. It says, "Forgiveness doesn't absolve anyone of blame. It doesn't clear their record with God. It just clears you of having to worry about how to punish them." I've always struggled with why I should forgive someone who doesn't ask forgiveness or even feel like they've done something wrong. Even God doesn't do that! But that's exactly the reason why I can forgive someone who doesn't ask forgiveness. Because God will take care of their punishment. "You release your anger and the responsibility for judging this person to the Lord. 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord. Romans 12:19." Whew! Thank God that's not my responsibility. The book also says, "Great marriages are not created by people who never hurt each other, only by people who choose to keep no record of wrongs." I guess that means I should forget about the flowers J didn't buy me for Valentine's Day and the dishes he didn't help me with. Easier said than done, but it might be harder to live in the prison of unforgiveness.

Love Dare Day 24

2009-04-19T14:51:00.000-07:00

Here's an update on how my Love Dare is going. Since my marriage is not in any danger, I'm taking it a little slower than was probably intended, but it's working out good for us.

http://www.bhpublishinggroup.com/lovedare/

Today's dare was about lust. They define lust as setting your heart and passions on something forbidden. Lust progresses from eyes to heart to action. In other words, what you think about becomes what you do. And then follows shame and regret. They say, "When your eyes and heart are on God, your actions will lead you to lasting joy, not to endless cycles of regret and condemnation." While sexual lust is not one of the sins that I struggle with, the book pointed out that there are many different kinds of lust. You know when you have a terrible day and nothing seemed to go right. Don't you have those things that you turn to to make yourself feel better? I like to buy new clothes or eat. I know I should really turn to God, but it's just not easy. I would also say that I lust after money. It's easy for me to say, "Life will be so much easier when we have more money." I feel like my natural tendency is to be discontent. That's one of the reason that I love to study Paul. He learned to be content in every situation. Even when he was in dungeons and being tortured, he was content. I know that's what God intended for me to have, I just hope I can do it sooner rather than later. The book says, "Focus on being grateful for everything God has already given you rather than choosing discontentment." CHOOSING DISCONTENTMENT. Is that what I do? It doesn't feel like it's a choice. I need to be grateful for what God has given me and CHOOSE CONTENTMENT. If only it were really that easy.

Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 John 2:15

Ear Surgery

2009-04-17T11:23:00.000-07:00

I was mowing the lawn yesterday like the wonderful wife that I am (ha, ha) and suddenly a bug flew in my ear! I tried the obvious, shaking it out, but it was stuck. So I went over to the neighbor's house to see if she could get it out or at least see where it was. She could see it, but not reach it and the crawling was driving me crazy. Before I knew it, I was at the doctor's office hoping that they would be able to get it out because if not, they were going to send me to the ER. And I was not going to the ER for a silly bug in my ear. It did feel like a monster bug though. When they finally got it out, it was a little tiny wormy looking thing (YUCK!). They made sure there was nothing else in there and that the worm didn't do any damage and sent me on my way. I will be mowing the lawn with cotton balls in my ears from now on.