Dancing In The Rain

Happy Birthday Jesus & Merry Christmas!

2011-12-31T14:41:00.000-08:00

From our house to yours.

Many blessing in the new year!

in case you were wondering...

2011-12-15T00:15:00.000-08:00

Outside my window...a chilly night, but I'm thankful for a warm home. Christmas lights on houses, but not ours because we're saving money this year.:)

I am thankful for... the gift of Jesus. Perspective. Faithful friends. God's grace. Provision.

From the learning rooms...R.E.S.P.E.C.T. We have a 10 year old, so a lot of teaching in this area is needed.

From the kitchen...Trying a lot of Pinterest recipes out these days. All very yummy so far. Trying not to bake too many Christmas treats since I WILL eat them if they are there.:)

I am wearing...stretchy pants. Hey, it's 11:30pm after all.

I am creating...a couple crafty things from....Pinterest, of course. But they're Christmas presents so I can't tell...shhhhh.

I am going...to a sweet friend's house tomorrow. Lincoln requested a "play date" with her daughter and it gives us moms an excuse to chat and have fun too!

I am reading... or TRYING to read a hundred different books that I haven't finished. Someday... But I AM reading the book of James. Conviction. Repeat with me..."Conviction".

I am hoping...to have the will power to start exercising regularly. Lose 40 pounds. Be healthy. ...and actually stick to it. :p

I am hearing...the fridge running. Property Brothers on HGTV. Myself yawning. My fingers typing.

Around the house...white Christmas lights, Christmas trees, laundry, special secrets, 1 clean bathroom, 1 dirty bathroom, sleeping children, groceries that still need putting away, dust...but what's new.

One of my favorite things...kisses from my children, bear hugs from my husband, and dark chocolate. Okay, that wasn't just one...but who's counting.

A few plans for the rest of the week... a play date for Lincs and mama. Family coming into town. A going away party. Foster Parent Night Out at our church. The kids last day of school for a few weeks. And The Nutcracker Tea in the "big city" with a friend and our daughters.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...the hunt for the perfect Christmas tree. Tradition. The gorgeous Pacific NW. My beautiful family.:)

Better late than never!

2011-10-29T13:28:00.000-07:00

My babies' first day of school...2nd grade and 4th grade.

Time is tickin' away, tick, tick, tickin' away.......

Practice...

2011-09-30T12:02:00.001-07:00

Practice makes perfect, right? Well that's what they say anyway. I'm far from perfect...never will be, in fact, but I'm LOVING practicing my photography! This picture was from a family shoot with my sis-in-law (hope she doesn't see this, because this card is for her birthday! Hey, Lani, act surprised.), my nieces, and my mom-in-law. It doesn't look as clear here as it does on my computer, but I was pretty happy with it.

But it wasn't perfect so I guess I'll keep practicing...:)

Picture In Portrait 5x7 folded card

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O Spring, Spring!

2011-05-24T10:27:00.000-07:00

...wherefore art thou, Spring?!
Deny Winter...
...and refuse thy rain!!
Or if thou wilt not, I will take back my love,

And I'll no longer be an Oregonian...

The Big Picture (Post) Part 2

2011-04-20T13:06:00.000-07:00

(blogger wouldn't load it all in one post.:p)

February...

We got to meet our new nephew! Isn't he a looker?!

The table for our 2nd annual Valentine's Dinner...

Emma turned 7!!!

...and a sweet family friend made these for her. D.e.l.i.c.i.o.u.s.

She had a traveling party to Build-a-Bear Workshop for some friends...

Who knew that the bathroom would be the location for our best group photo op...

Her buddies putting their heart wishes inside her Princess Pinky...

The gang and their newly adopted critters...

Red Robin for sundaes, of course!

My gorgeous girl is growing up too fast...

Snow day!

There's more, but I thought I'd spare you since by now your retinas are past the point of burning and are now bleeding.

I'll see you in about 3-4 months!!

But I'm hoping for sooner.

The Big Picture (Post)

2011-04-20T12:30:00.000-07:00

In all fairness, I did warn you not to get used to me posting ~~2 months~~ 2 days in a row. (But does it count if it took me 2 days in row to write this one post?) So, let's just recap the last 3 months with pictures (and a few words), shall we?

Get ready for your retinas to burn.

January...

Some alone time at the beach...

Remember this pic? My big camera is being held by my right hand at the top of the heart. Can't see it, can ya?!

"Wow! I see a hot guy!"

"There he is!" Try not to be jealous that he's mine.

What a gorgeous skGuy.

Upward season...

Trip to Nana's with the Sis-in-law and fam!

...and an impromptu photo shoot, with Fancy, my camera...

Nana knows everyone in town so she took us to see her friends at the firehouse.:)

Cool old leather water buckets.

To be continued... cause bloggers dumb.;)

he says, she says

2011-01-21T09:35:00.000-08:00

Don't look now but I'm posting 2 days in a row.

On a recent trip where we drove over a mountain range we were in need of "a facility". So we pulled into a snow park where we were greeted by a lovely vault toilet (aka outhouse aka a stinky hole in the ground). I usually avoid these like the plague but when nature's calling and there's 4 foot snow drifts in all the usual hiding spots, what's a family with 3 small (shorter than 4 ft) children to do...

So I pull myself up by my fancy slippers (travel wear), take a quick breath, and escort my darling daughter to the "ladies room". Where she says..."Eew! This bathroom must be really old...like from the 1980's."

Flash forward to last night...

After ~~creating a gourmet meal~~ serving up Little Caesars on paper towels, we were discussing the classic show that I had found on Netflix for the kids to watch - Pippi Longstocking. I was telling them that I used to watch Pippi when I was little girl and loved it. I can tell Will is thinking something by the way he turns his head to the side and glances at the ceiling, then he says... "I didn't think they had TVs back then."

Just when I was thinking that I wasn't young but I wasn't old either, I was just a good in between...apparently I was mistaken.

Yesterday after dropping the olders off at school Lincoln informs me that he wanted to go to his school. I remind my sweet boy that he doesn't go to school yet, but when he, in all seriousness, says that he does and I ask him where, he says... "At the taco place for dogs."

I had no response.

Now don't go thinking this posting 2 days in row thing will become a regular occurence...I'm too old for that...and too busy taking 3 year olds to the taco place for dogs.

Just call me Hallmark

2011-01-20T12:22:00.000-08:00

I took this photo of Billy and I on a recent getaway to the beach and thought it was perfect...

So, I made a Valentine's Day card at Shutterfly. (FREE if you enter CARD4U at checkout. You're welcome.)

Since I'm pretty confident the hubs won't see it and I'm certain y'all will keep your lips sealed, I decided to document the fact that I DO still get my semi-creative on every once in a blue moon.

(The inside reads "My heart wouldn't be complete without you. Happy Valentine's Day, my Love." I love a good eye-rolling-oh-brother pun.)

Brocade Red 5x7 folded card

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And it only took me how many months to post again??

I'm gonna miss...

2010-10-18T12:30:00.000-07:00

You're reading a new blog post. Crazy, I know.

No, it won't be covering the past 4 months of our lives that I haven't blogged about yet.

It will be covering some feelings I've had over the past few weeks that reached a monumental peak last night as our family sat down and watched old home movies together. Might I suggest that if you're trying to be okay with the fact that your kids are getting bigger and growing up faster than a speeding bullet this is NOT the thing to do. If you don't want to get weepy, have your ovaries hurt, and beg your husband to reverse a certain procedure, again, this is NOT the thing to do.

However, if you do want to be reminded that this time with your children (disrespectful, stinky attitudes and all) is fleeting, a blip, and that you need to slow down and enjoy this time with them, than by all means pull out the old movies. Just like I did when once again I was reminded that someday...

I'm gonna miss...

...hopping around on one foot because the other was destroyed by tiny play things (notice the crumbs too).

...pen scribbles on the walls.

...piles upon piles of folded (but mostly unfolded) laundry.

...shoes, shoes everywhere.

...potty training, potty dribbles, potty puddles, potty step-stools.
...works of art.

...pretties, purses, play clothes.

...sleeping babes.
...tape.

...the view.
...what's left from trying to fill the hollow legs of my children.

...Star Wars.

...the homework, no! But the boy((s) and girl) behind the homework...a heart aching yes.

So if you see me a little less around these parts (but hopefully more often than every 4 months) it's only because I'm off enjoying those ~~things~~ little people that are pulling at my heart strings and at my hands to come play...

Absent Bloggers Anonymous

2010-06-15T09:59:00.000-07:00

Hi.

My name is Cathy.

I'm the author of this little blog.

Not that you would know it based on the one, maybe two, times a month I make it over to this cyber page.

They say the first step is admission. So I'll admit that I've been just a tad too busy ~~running around like a chicken with my head cut off~~ living and enjoying life. And I'll admit that when I do sit down, hands positioned ready to attack the keyboard, a big idea of...nothingness comes to me and since it disturbs my husband when he finds me frozen in position, eyes glazed over looking at a blank page, I choose instead to walk away and find something more productive to do like ~~learn my latest dance moves from SYTYCD (So You Think You Can Dance for those who are deprived.)~~ fold that eleventy seventy thousandth load of laundry.

I'll try to get caught up soon on the happenings around these parts, because let's face it, it will just get harder the longer I wait...and I wouldn't want all my ~~fans~~ friends to lose heart and mourn the loss of Dancing in the Rain....

Ahem.

Oh.my.word.

2010-05-18T23:25:00.000-07:00

...except that I have none.

Just LOTS of laughter...and maybe a little pee in my pants. TMI?

A (mostly) Wordless Wednesday - Mother's Edition

2010-05-12T14:18:00.001-07:00

My Mother's Day loot:

Here's what that masterpiece in the middle says:

And because sometimes as a mom you lay aside your pride (of how you look) to capture a moment in time that is priceless and that you never want to forget...

Best.gifts.ever.

Mission ImPossible

2010-05-05T14:30:00.000-07:00

Several months ago we were approached about the opportunity to go on a family summer missions trip with others from our church.

I spent a bit of time mulling over why this wasn't the "best time for us" to go.

There were the selfish reasons: The cost, the money we'll need to raise, the vacation time the hubby will need to take, and the fact that this mission trip WILL be our vacation for the summer.

There were other reasons: Lincoln is still so young. What use will I be if I'm just looking after him the whole time? Will our children behave?

But really, these were silly selfish reasons too.

And I'm tired of being selfish. We spend our days looking out for numero uno most of the time. My husband goes to his job to support our needs. I spend my days trying to ~~stay sane~~ raise up my children and nurture them. I keep our house. Sometimes not very well. We have our kids involved in Kid's Club at church. There's Children's church, baseball, swim lessons, football, basketball, Men's and Women's Bible studies, weekend getaways, trips to the beach, working in our yard, keeping up with our shows, etc etc etc. None of which are bad, but when I look at our lives I realize how self-centered we live. Oh sure. We give and serve at our church, pray for others, try to practice hospitality, but what are we doing to reach the LOST?? Are we concerned for other's salvation like we should be? Do we willingly and freely give of our time and resources? Do we reach out to our neighbors? Do we live out our joy so those around us can see it? What more would God have us do?

We're still learning to listen to Him on that one. We're praying for soft hearts, eyes that really see, and ears that truly hear the "world" He has placed us in.

But for now, we ~~took our fingers out of our ears and stopped "na-na-naing"~~ know that God wants us to pack up our family and go, trusting Him to supply what we need. We know He will!!

In a couple of months we're gonna head out into the backwoods of Oregon where all manner of creepy crawly things reside. Where instead of towns running into towns, itty bitty towns run into nothingness which than leads to another itty bitty town. Where the kiddos don't have the same opportunities as bigger city kiddos have. Where we can serve as a family and try to be Jesus in the skin to those He will put in our paths.

We're not going far...physically. But I sure hope God takes me (us) far...spiritually. I want (us) to be stretched. I want (us) to be His hands and feet. And I know He can do that right here in The Oregon Mission Field, just as much as He could do that if we went to Mexico or Africa or Papua New Guinea.

I'm excited! We're excited...to see what God will do in our lives and in the lives of others.

So here we are, Lord. Use us. Change us.

And my dear bloggy friends, will you pray for us?!

Thursday's True Confessions

2010-04-22T14:06:00.000-07:00

I've spent way too much time on Twitter today.

I've also wasted much more time than I usually do on Facebook.

I fed my (still recovering from colds) children tortillas spread with Nutella for lunch because I let us run out of bread and I couldn't make their usual lunch of PB&J. (Wow. 3 confessions for the price of 1 in that sentence alone.)

I've dumped my "To Do" list for the day. No dusting, baking, cleaning, or exercising were done here. Neither was the "shower".

I'm still in my pajamas. As are 2 out of my 3 chillins. And I just might go get dogfood, diapers, and drive through the bank like this. They may ask me not to come back. Ever.

I'm in a sour mood. Even after reminding myself of Philippians 2:14 ("Do everything without complaining or arguing.") at the beginning of my day. Need to work on that "lead by example" thing.

I spoke harshly to the ones I love most. Oh, let's just call it what it really was. I yelled.

I picked a few pimples that left lovely red marks on my face. Am I in Jr High again?!

I sat down with my kids to cuddle and read a chapter from Mrs. Piggle Wiggle and instead ended up getting irritated with them for being kids and sent them to bed. (That was last night.)

Oh. I've also worried about some things.

And I'm not blaming any of this on the Cabin Fever and Multiple Sick Kids Syndrome that is ravaging me, mind, body, and soul....but mostly, mind.

Wait. Yes I am.

Or I was anyway.

So, I'm off to make some confessions to the True One who already took care of it on the cross but can also help me get through it in the here and now....

And there will also be some hugging of the offended and some apologies made...

And maybe a shower...

Wordless I-Don't-Have-Time-For-Words Wednesday

2010-04-14T16:03:00.000-07:00

We had EVERYTHING this Easter.

2010-04-04T22:00:00.000-07:00

There were no Easter bunnies.

No Easter baskets.

If you are looking for pictures of our perfectly coiffed family dressed in their Easter best, you won't find it here.

There were no new Easter outfits bought this year. But we were clothed in clean, good clothes.

The table was not decked with ham, rolls, and the like. But we didn't go hungry.

It was not a relaxing, quiet week spent at home. But I wouldn't have spent it any other way. It was worth it. HE was worth it.

I don't have pictures and narratives of ways we spent our time this Easter weekend.

But I DO have something of THE HIGHEST importance to tell you....

We all sin.

And the penalty for that sin is death. But there is One who died, once, for all.

My Jesus was nailed to the cross. He had the power to free Himself at any time. But He didn't. His unfailing, unending love for YOU, for ME, held Him there. It cost Him everything to set us free. And He gave it willingly.

He died.

He was buried.

But 3 days later...

HE ROSE AGAIN!

I serve a risen Savior! And one day He WILL return and take me, and anyone who would believe and trust in Him as their Redeemer, their Savior, their Lord, home with Him for eternity!

If you have never made that decision to follow after Jesus Christ, don't delay!! *Run to the cross! Run to the Savior! Mercy is there, arms open wide. Fall on His grace. All is forgiven. Hide in the hope of Love crucified. RUN TO THE CROSS!!* And the best part? You don't need to do anything before you run there...He will take you just.as.you.are.

Romans 3:23
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

Romans 6:23
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans 5:8
"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

Isaiah 53:5
"But He was pierced through for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our iniquities;
The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him,
And by His scourging we are healed.

Romans 10:13
"WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED."

Romans 10:9-10
"That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;

Romans 8:38-39
"For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

He is EVERYTHING you need.

*Words from our church's Easter presentation that we were blessed to be a part of this past week and weekend.

Oh...

2010-03-29T14:55:00.000-07:00

...the places you'll go...

...the words you'll read...

The following story was written in the car, as a text message (10 to be exact), and saved as a draft. I'm a dedicated blogger...ahem.

While on our travels down to Cali we were in desperate need of a restroom so we stopped at the next Rest Area. We walked into what can only be referred to as anything other than a bathroom. Unbeknownst to me there was a naughty word of the female dog persuasion written across the ~~restroom~~ ghetto alley wall.

We'll use the word "twitch" in place of it for the rest of this story since that is what I did (along with simultaneously laughing and screaming inside my head).

My daughter, who was alternately gagging and "eww"ing over the deplorable conditions while I was trying NOT to gag as I "prepped" the area (wiped pee off the seat being careful to keep a thick layer of tissue between my hands and the damp and then lay a thick layer on the seat for her to sit on...oh the benefits to being a boy and having the world as your urinal. And yes, I'm OCD. And yes, this is a really loooong sentence.), discovered that while the world is a little boys urinals, a public restroom is a little girl's urban dictionary. Apparently. So, I'm "prepping" when I hear my darling daughter's little voice say "TWITCH!", enunciating e.a.c.h.l.e.t.t.e.r. like any good kindergartner who has just discovered the joy of reading will do. "I'm sorry? What?!", I say, obviously not using the shiniest marble in my noggin, since she then, of course, repeated it..."TWITCH! It says "twitch" right there on the wall!".

Good job reading, honey, but there are some words that should not be read out loud (or written on public walls...but that's someone else's parental speech to give.)

UGH! Why does their sweet innocence have to be spoiled so early?!

...the people...

...and things...

...and wild turkeys??...

...you'll see...

...when it's Spring Break...

...and it's blog fodder you seek.

I must have blinked

2010-03-16T09:54:00.000-07:00

Don't blink...

...your baby girl turns 6 years old...

...life goes faster than you think.

EMMA GRACE

Dreamer Dancer Decorator Diva

Affectionate Ambitious Artistic Athletic Accessory-wearer

Uninhibited Unabandoned Unique

Gorgeous Generous Gracious Girly Grape-lover

Happy Hoarder High-spirited

Teacher Ticklish Talkative

Extrovert Emotional Effervescent

Reader Reorganizing Rascal

Loved by us.

Happy Birthday to our Babes.
(a little late)

10 on the 10th

2010-03-10T06:00:00.000-08:00

Hey look! It's been 2 weeks in between blog posts again.

And I am progressively getting further behind on the things that I would like to blog about but it's time for Mer's 10 on the 10th and one of those posts was going to be about the fact that I finally have some recipes (10 to be exact) added to my new blog, Good Grub. So, thanks, Mer!

And, since it's 11:03 PM, the kids/hubs coughing has been keeping me up at night, and I'm still feeling the ~~torture~~ burn of Jillian and her 30 Day Dred, I best type this out lickety split, schedule it to post and get to bed while it's quiet and the gettin's good.

The 10 Recipes That Had The Privilege of Being Added To My Recipe Blog First (Boy am I original.)

1) Black Bean Soup
2) Greek Pizza (Mer requested it and I delivered.)
3) Black Bean Tortilla Casserole
4) Amish Breakfast Casserole
5) Creamy Beef Enchiladas
6) Topsy-Turvy Apple Pie (Never said I was Betty Crocker or Martha Stewart.)
7) Chicken Tortilla Soup (I have one word for you - FRITOS)
8) Lasagna (If it ain't broke, don't try and fix it.)
9) Guacamole (It's a no-brainer)
10) Chicken Fettuccine (Paula "Butter" Dean approved)

Well that's about all my shredded fingers could handle tonight. So...

The suuuuun haaaas goooone to bed and so must I....gooood byyyye!

Until the end of time, my Loves, my Valentines

2010-02-23T16:23:00.000-08:00

My funny valentine

Sweet, comic valentine

You make me smile with my heart

Your looks are laughable,

unphotographable

yet you're my favorite work of art...

My funny ValentineS,

sweet, comic ValentineS

You make me smile with my heart,

Your looks are laughable,

unphotographable

Yet you're my favorite works of art...

Don't change a hair for me

Not if you care for me

Stay little, Valentines

Stay....

...my Loves, my Valentines....

Yes, I know I did a mash-up of 2 songs, and yes, that IS a bouquet of red licorice on the table during our special V-Day family dinner...cause that's.how.I.roll.

Time is tickin' away...tick tick tickin' away.

2010-02-09T11:00:00.000-08:00

You will NOT believe what's happening??!!

I'm at home in the middle of the morning. Alone. It's quiet. I am only responsible for myself. And for the next hour I can choose to do what.ever.I.want.

What? You were hoping for something more exciting? Well around these parts, this is cause for celebration or, at least, another cup of coffee.

So I've been sitting here trying to decide what I should do with my time. I'm beginning to think that my time will come and go without me actually reaching a decision....but I'll have gotten to do it in peace and quiet!!

My options:

1) I could always work on my Read Through the Bible in a Year. Have I not mentioned I'm doing this? Hey, peeps, I'm reading through the Bible in a year....that's the goal anyway. At the beginning of the year several of my blogeeps were talking about this Read With Me challenge and I really felt led (or poked and prodded by the Holy Spirit...however you want to look at it.) to participate. My hubby is even doing it with me. I might be a wee bit behind, but I firmly believe in grace...and the grace days I get each month. And I won't lose a grade for not getting my homework done on time, so I'll just continue to enjoy the blessings I receive simply from just diving into the Word each day.

2) I could go pull meat out of the freezer in hopes that it's thawed by dinner time. And in so doing, avoid the frantic 4 o'clock dash from freezer to fridge to pantry back to fridge to pull out "leftovers" which consists of laying out all sorts of randomness (olives, cheese, spaghetti noodles, pumpkin puree...) and arranging it on plates in such a way that would indicate I actually planned this meal. Which reminds me...I meant to work on last week's menu plan...2 weeks ago. Darn.

3) Speaking of food...I could use this time to start entering our favorite recipes on my newly created recipe blog: Good Grub. It will be full of all kinds of good grub...someday. I know, how about I let you know when the Good Grub actually includes the grub, m'kay?

4) Yesterday I cleaned the infamous "corner" of my bedroom. I'm pretty pleased with myself and not the least bit upset that I had to point out to my husband that I accomplished this. Never mind that I asked if he noticed approximately 1/2 of a minute after he walked through the door.

Doesn't it look lovely? This is progress, people. I could have taken a before picture but didn't want to break the rose colored glasses you look at me through. Ahem.

I could use this time to take pictures so I can put these things that our family is done with on Craig's List and hopefully have them leave "The Corner" forever. But I think a better idea is to reward yesterday's hard work with some of these. What say you, Whimzie?:)

5) Perhaps my time would be better spent finally loading music onto Ruby. (Haven't decided on a name. Just trying different ones on for size. What do you think?) She's not an iPod, but she cost much less, is cute, and plays music well...which, after all, is her purpose.

6) I guess I could blog too. If I only had the time....

WOAH! Did you see that?! That was the time that just flew by. My house is no longer quiet and lunches must be made, but it was nice while it lasted. Thanks, Dad!

And there's always this afternoon while Emma's at school and Lincs is napping. Think I'll do #1 on my list....right after...

7) I could use my time to take a shower that lasts longer than 3.2 minutes.

...now wondering how many times I used the word "time" in this post....enough times to be annoying?

iLove

2010-01-29T13:00:00.000-08:00

This is the post in which I vow this to be the last day I ~~utter~~ type the words vomit, diarrhea, mucus and phlegm. But don't hold me to it for very long.

Unless, of course, I'm asked a direct question. You know like: Hey, Cat, have you scaled Mt. Wannahockaloogie yet? Or: Dearest leader of the Whininites, hast thou parted the Phlegm Sea?? Then and only then will I allow myself to twitter, facebook, blog, text, speak about such dreaded words as these.

In one last ditch effort to get it all out of my system, I have a most important question. Why is there no iPhone app for this? You know like iMed or iDoc or iDiarrheaAllNightLong? Not that this technologically challenged family will ever hope to own an iPhone, but you know, just in case....

Oh and one more thing...vomit, hurl, upchuck, throw up, spew, blow chunks, heave, puke,diarrhea, squirts, runs, the trots, phlegm, mucus, snot (with or without the rocket), goo, gunk and sludge.

There. That should just about do it.

Now that some of you have vowed never to read my blog again, while others are continuing the list of synonyms in their heads, we'll move on to lighter and more lovely things.

Thank you, Coffee Gal, for the idea I'm now going to steal and tweak for my own purposes!

iLove...

iLove... that my 2 year old baby still smells like a baby. You know, unless he doesn't smell like one. You know, as in...can't say the words, remember? Just refer back to my most recent ~~complaints~~ updates on Twitter or Facebook. And iLove that (because of the you-know-what) I've had more opportunities to cuddle with him lately.

iLove...that that same baby says things like, "Mama, kiss me on my leeps." and "Why hello, Apples, it's nice to see you again!" and does things like this...

iLove...to hear my precious Emma say things like "I'm sorry you're sad. Can I give you a hug?" to her big brother even if he's being Mr. Cranky Pants.

iLove...to see that same little girl dance and twirl on her tiptoes on the basketball court when she's supposed to be playing, well, basketball.

iLove...the silly, adorable grin on my 8 year old son's face when he tells us the latest joke he's heard or made up (even if they make no sense). His smile and laugh are contagious.

iLove...the church family we are apart of. For on the same day that I felt like throwing myself to floor and having a good old toddler temper tantrum over dealing with the you-know-what for so long, a friend brought us dinner, followed by dinners the next 2 nights from 2 other dear friends. We are blessed indeed.

iLove...that it's looking like my boyfriend and I (aka The Hubs) will be getting a much needed date night tonight. It's been tooooo long.

iLove...this...
...and I might have a ~~freak-out-what-will-I-ever-do-I-left-the-house-without-it~~ slight obsession with this double-walled-non-sweating-20oz-AWESOME reusable cup from Starbucks.

iLove...that we scored this for FREE off of Craig's List last night...
so the kids could get more practice for this...
iLove...that my oldest son in his prayers last night said, "Dear God, If it's your will, could You keep our new basketball hoop up and working. That would be great. Amen."

iLove...that I'm still thinking about dancin'.

I may not have gotten hairapy or friendapy or footapy or retailapy but reminding myself of the things iLove is always good therapy....

And that app cost me nothing!

Forward:

2010-01-26T10:00:00.000-08:00

Forwarded emails. You know the ones.

I used to, but now ~~never~~ rarely forward forwarded emails. I'm sorry, but most days I don't even have time for the really important stuff like ~~Twitter, Facebook, blogging, leisure book reading, napping~~ dishes, laundry, bathroom cleaning, organizing, DISINFECTING, figuring out which end is up. Ahem.

And confession: I sometimes don't even read the forwarded emails I receive. (Please, no offense to the sender!) Unless they catch my attention as something that is personally just for me or will be really good, informative, important, encouraging, unique, or side-splitting funny (Please keep sending those!) they don't get my time.

This one that came to my inbox yesterday from sweet Danielle was one of the "few". It's one that had never come before. You know, unlike the ones or slight variations of the ones that you've received a total of 157 times. And since reading it I have NOT been able to get the imagery out of my head. Maybe it's because the word "dance" is used and I tend to like everything about that word. Whatever it may be, I'm "forwarding" it on to you all, my dear family and friends. I hope it encourages and spurs you on today.

"G U I D A N C E

When I meditated on the word Guidance,
I kept seeing "dance" at the end of the word.
I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing.
When two people try to lead, nothing feels right.
The movement doesn't flow with the music,
and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.
When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead,
both bodies begin to flow with the music.
One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back
or by pressing Lightly in one direction or another.
It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully.
The dance takes surrender, willingness,
and attentiveness from one person
and gentle guidance and skill from the other.
My eyes drew back to the word Guidance.
When I saw "G": I thought of God, followed by "u" and "i".
"God, "u" and "i" dance."
God, you, and I dance.
As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust
that I would get guidance about my life.
Once again, I became willing to let God lead.
My prayer for you today is that God's blessings
and mercies are upon you on this day and everyday.
May you abide in God, as God abides in you.
Dance together with God, trusting God to lead
and to guide you through each season of your life.

I Hope You Dance Through 2010!"

Now you, too, can dance through your day to the sounds of Lee Ann Womack in your head.

And even if you think you don't have rhythm, I suspect that Jesus' has enough for the both of you.

Now dance away, dance away, dance away all!!!!

Oxymoron

2010-01-21T12:27:00.001-08:00

Is it just me or is this an oxymoron???

And am I a moron for even thinking it? Don't answer that.

Christmas Preserved

2010-01-15T12:08:00.000-08:00

Proof that my claim (from this post), of not even being sure which end is up most days, is true, comes from the fact that in that post there were pictures that did not belong. Beautiful? Yes. But that were taken on that particular trip? No. In my scatterbrained state I assumed that the pictures in my computer files that were right next to one another were related. We DO live near such beauty as this:

But these were, however, taken on an entirely different trip.

Aaaallrightythen.

Now, in my need to move on and blog about Christmas before it really IS Easter, I'm writing/uploading under the influence of cold medicine and 3 weeks of mucus and phlegm of which I've never seen the likes. So there are no guarantees as to what will be expelled (ahem) here and I can not be held responsible....or so I'm telling myself.

Since my words have seemed to fail me lately (or they've been drowning in a sea of mucus) and to save you all from undeserved mumbo jumbo and to preserve your retina from the crazy, random diatribe that might ensue...how 'bout I just go with a pictorial documentary of our Christmas season and celebrations, m'kay?

A picture really was worth a thousand words and probably was a lot less painful at this point for you AND me.

With these memories preserved (and essentially being caught up on my blogging) a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Now if I can just get my lungs and head to feel lighter we'd be JAM UP AND JELLY TIGHT.

Until next time...

...when I most assuredly WON'T use the words mucus and phlegm....

...you're welcome.

You might be a Redneck if....

2010-01-13T09:41:00.001-08:00

...you use a child's baton to reach the fast forward button of your VCR.

...you still "record" your shows on your old school VCR.

...there's no clock and no way to program and no remote for your VCR.

...you have a basket propping up the broken shelves that hold your VCR.

...you decide to take the picture during the worst commercial/preview possible just because you want to blog about your VCR.

It's looking A LOT like Christmas and I haven't even blogged about Thanksgiving.

2009-12-18T10:34:00.000-08:00

Hi.

I'll wait while you pick yourself up off the floor.

I AM alive. Just some days I don't know which end is up. I'm not saying today is any different, but I figured I should try and get Thanksgiving blogged about before the New Year came around.

(Is it just me or does the first blog post following a long break require all kinds of painful thinking, rethinking, writing, rewriting, and then a final oh-well-ing??)

Along with not really having time to blog, I haven't felt much like blogging either. GASP. Shocker, I know. I have, however, wanted to catch up on all the blogs that I like to read, but again with the time. I know you are all just waiting in anticipation for a comment from me. Ok, wait. Let me find my favorite pen so I can give myself a Realty Check. I recognize that is most likely not the case, but reading all y'all's (my grammatical abilities astound even me) blogs makes me feel like I just sat down with you over a cup of coffee (drowned in creamer, please) and a carmelita (or whatever else all you domestic divas have been cooking up) and caught up with your lives.

And since I know there are a handful of friends and family out there who want to get caught up on mine, I give you a post with insane amounts of photos (and parenthesis), a few mindless comments here and there, and whatever amounts of creativity (or not) I can pull out of whatever end happens to be up today (ok, that kind of sounded bad).

**************************

Betcha didn't know what Thanksgiving is about.

Well, besides thanks giving, that is.

It's about getting there....

9.5 hours of getting there...

But, boy, is it worth the drive...

It's about playing hard...

...sweet cheeks...

...and love.

It's about the devotion before the big meal, focusing on all Christ has done for us. Now that's something to be thankful for.

It's about LOTS of people...but not just any people...family.

It's about the big brother blaming it on the little brother....

...even though everyone knows it was Billy who ate the first bite of Uncle Joe's pie and tried to hide it. Which is really funny when it happens at Thanksgiving, but which I find not so funny when it happens at home...can you say OCD? Yes, I am. Self diagnosed, of course.

It's about sisters...

...and sisters who are friends...

It's about "life giving" amounts of food... ???????????

...and always about the men cleaning up afterward...

...and us watching!!!

It's about "angry faces"...?

...and " 'sup dude?"s.

It's about being plum tuckered out at the end of the day or the middle of the day or the beginning of the day...but all in the name of ~~love~~ fun.

Phew! Oh, I'm not done. Just thought you might need to stretch your legs or take a bathroom break or refill your eggnog.

I'll wait....

Round 2.

Thanksgiving is about....

the traditional Christmas tree farm trip...

...and Tias and Uncles...

...and sisters...

...and brothers....

...and Nanas and sons...

...and Nanas with candy...

...and more candy...:)

Oh yeah, and it's about the hunt for the Christmas tree...

...but also the rides...

...and the rides...

...and the rides...

...and the rides...

...and the rides.

It's about love...

...and cute kids.

And it's about the lessons from Knuckle Joe about the art of choosing the right tree and how to properly cut it down...

...and about the victory!

That's what our Thanksgiving was about.

Now...

Why I'm leaving you with a most heinous picture of myself I'll never know. Except that the irony of some random chick in a small town, at a Denny's/Shari's/IHOP like restaurant, wearing the exact.same. clearanced Old Navy (which is about an hour away from this town) sweater as I am, made me laugh so hard that I just had to take a picture "with" her.

If you are one of the proud and the few that made it through this entire post you are cool.beans.

Phew, I am exhausted from all the uploading and waiting...and uploading and waiting....now if all those blood, sweat and tears could just burn off all those Thanksgiving calories.

I'm going to go rest up now in hopes that it's not Easter before I blog about anything Christmas related.

(Couldn't stand the thought of leaving a bad taste in your mouth with that last picture, so here you go.)

TTFN

25 Days of Free Music!

2009-12-01T13:51:00.000-08:00

Probably not the post you were expecting after my long absence due to our Thanksgiving trip, but I couldn't not share the wealth!!

When I can snatch a free moment away from paying bills, decorating the house, doing the laundry and dishes, and the other usual routine I'll share the wealth of pictures and stories from our Vaca, but until then check out this deal!

Amazon.com is offering 25 days of free music this month. Go back everyday for a new free MP3 download! I was super excited to see today's song...Casting Crowns "Joy To The World". Download - complete.

Go here to get yours!

And now you can't say I never gave ya anything.;)

It's been six years...

2009-11-18T07:50:00.000-08:00

Yes, count them. 1,2,3,4,5,6 years since the last time we had "Family Pictures" taken. We finally decided it was time ~~I realized that "just 10 more pounds" wasn't gonna happen~~ and who better to do it than a sweet friend from church who is starting up her photography business. She's pretty great and talented, don't ya think?:) Go to Kivett Photography to see more of her work and if you live in our neck of the woods or will be visiting, she comes highly recommended by us!!

So we got our act together enough to get them taken. Now I just need to make some decisions. Which prints, which size.... And any one who knows me well, will know that this will not be a simple, quick, or easy task.

Let's just hope it doesn't take me 6 years.

Which ones were your favorites??

Cause I just might steal your answers.

BOGO

2009-11-11T15:00:00.000-08:00

It's BOGO time!!!

Since I'm all about frugality and saving money these days, I'm giving you 2 for the price of 1. 2 blog posts for the time it takes to read 1! Always lookin' out for my dear blog readers. Yes, I am.

But along with that comes a warning: This will be a doozy of a loooong blog post.

Run if you must. But if you must, do so quietly so my little bloggy ego won't be crushed.

For those of you putting on your full armor and braving the battle....I give you...

...and...

I know, technically, it's not the 10th (Sorry Mer.)....or Tuesday (You know...GladiTuesday. Sorry Gretchen) .

But, technically, it's my blog. And technically I always seem to be running a little behind. And technically my day crashed and burned yesterday before I could finish this and I just didn't have the energy to get my hiney off the couch (and I wasn't about to turn off The Biggest Loser and So You Think You Can Dance.).

So technically I guess you could say this is my 10 on the 11th and my GladiWednesday. Which technically doesn't have the same ring to it. But technically it probably doesn't really matter. Technically I should probably stop using the word technically in this post, because technically it's starting to sound weird and unwordy-like, and I've technically used it in places where technically shouldn't be used.....

~~Technically~~ moving right along...

10 Things I Should Have Blogged About Months Ago But Can't Get My Act Together Enough To Get It Done...That Just So Happen To Be Things That Make Me Glad

And....we're off....

1~ My buddy turned 8. 2 months ago.

There was good and new friends. Pizza. Make-Your-Own ice cream sundaes. Silly games. Lightsabers and swords (of course). 1st ever sleepover. And I survived it all. So glad about that. Speechlessly glad that God see fit to put this rough and tumble, enough like me to challenge me, loving, sensitive, silly, giggly, handsome boy in our lives 8 years ago....

2~ Many, many ~~moons~~ Saturdays ago we spent the day with our good friends, the Blairs. Just that there makes me glad. Glad because we've been friends with them for almost 11 years. Glad because we've been through life's highest of highs and lowest of lows with them and our friendship has remained. Faithful friends.

The day itself made us all kinds of glad too. The parents got together and schemed. We blew up several balloons, wrote on little slips of paper different things that we would do that day, put them in the balloons, and let the kids take turns popping them to see what would happen next. It was good fun! And the kids were thrilled when we actually ate ice cream before lunch.:)

3~ So thankful for baby sleep bums. So glad that, while he'll always technically :) be my baby, for now he really is the baby. And I will take all the "baby" I can get.

4~ Another school year. Another field trip. Another pumpkin patch. Another chance to get special mama-daddy-daughter time.

How about them apples? (Yes, apples from Oregon, Amber. Not that we're known for them, though.;))

5~ I had the privilege of watching my sweet friend Summer's baby girl for a day. Can you say sugary sweetness?

I'll let the picture finish speaking of my gladness over that one.

6~ Lincoln had his first trip to the dentist. I tried not to project my dislike for this necessary evil onto him, especially since he was happy as a clam to be there. Weird kid.

7~ I finally have the recipe for the Sweet & Spicy Mac and Cheese from one of my favorite restaurants. 4 cups of heavy whipping cream. ...What are you waiting for?

Do you even need to ask if I'm glad about that????

8~ This fall season brought us our induction into flag football. It was....interesting. But also a ton of fun. After a season of learning the sport, the concepts, and the art of paying attention (why do I feel like this will be the never ending lesson?), Will topped it off with scoring 3 touchdowns and pulling more flags on defense than he's ever pulled in the last 2 games.

But, really, any game where they got to slip 'n slide in the mud was a success to them. I on the other hand did NOT appreciate the one game that sent me home looking like a drenched poodle, left my car smelling like that drenched poodle, and caused me to have to clean out my purse just so it could air dry. Thankfully that was a one hit wonder.

(That's him with the ball!)

9~That same boy that would willingly roll around in mud (Actually, it kind of sounds like fun...and I may have done it once in college.), has a love for his baby blanket still. And this makes me sad glad. I just made that up.

Glad...because that blanket used to be MY blanket as a child and I love that he loves it.

Sad...because that blanket used to be MY blanket as a child and I may have some issues with this....

I may have even threatened to take it away if any more holes appear or get bigger. I may have. I may have also shed a few tears over it's state and wondered if a more craftier person than I could rescue it. I may have to come to terms with the fact that it's no longer mine. May. Yes, I realize that I may need professional help. But I'd rather not talk about it...

There. All caught up.

Whatever will I blog about now???

OK, so technically I didn't have "10" but technically...well, I think we've already covered that....

My Music Monday

2009-11-09T15:49:00.000-08:00

A new favorite I heard just today...

Your Hands by JJ Heller

I have unanswered prayers
I have trouble I wish wasn't there
And I have asked a thousand ways
That You would take my pain away
That You would take my pain away

I am trying to understand
How to walk this weary land
Make straight the paths that crookedly lie
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands

When You walked upon the Earth
You healed the broken, lost, and hurt
I know You hate to see me cry
One day You will set all things right
Yea, one day You will set all things right

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands

Your hands
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave You when...

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave...
I never leave Your hands

free is a very good price

2009-11-06T14:56:00.000-08:00

I sat down here over an hour ago to try and type out a thoughtful or funny or witty or link sharing post, but instead found myself ~~catching~~ trying to catch up on all my blog reading and commenting. And so my "free" time is coming to a close.

But since it's become my habit to post on Thursdays and I want to feel like I actually accomplished something today other than my typical rounds of dishes, laundry, meals, toy pick up, temperature taking, med dispensing, shower taking, vacuuming, taxing...well you get the picture...I'll leave you with this picture instead.

The rugrats. In all their costume awesomness. Which cost their mama nary a penny. Because she's good like that. And borrowed, free, or "last year's" was my motto.

Self praise stinks unless it's about saving money.

Speaking of ~~self praise~~ saving money (;p), I saved over $80 so far this week with all my coupon clipping thankyouverymuch. Which might explain the lack of creative energy needed to write an interesting post.

But my husband thanks me.

I guess you can thank me now too...cause this yawner of a post (due to my rambling, but partially redeemed because of cute kidlets) is done...and you can reclaim your "free" time.

...and in case I don't see ya, good afternoon, good evening, and good night!

Head.Game.Now.

2009-10-29T13:55:00.000-07:00

So Lincoln's got his head in the game in more ways than one.

He's got his head in the prayin' game....

(Saying the blessing before dinner.)

"Dear Dog (God),
Food.
All done."

He's got his head in the bloggin' game...

Guess he thought I needed a little help with my blog posts. Guess posting once a week wasn't enough for him. Guess he was getting started on one for me....an eye witness account regarding the travesties (cleanliness and organization) of the Master "Suite".

And he's got his head in THE GAME...the High School Musical game that is.

This would be ~~a daily~~ an hourly request. "Tia! Head in the game!" "Mama! Head in the game!" "Basketball!" "High School Musical!" "You are the music in meeeeee!" (If you know not of what he speaks, than you must get YOUR head in the game. C'mon now.)

And wouldn't you know it, his BEST performances have yet to be caught on video (and he's recently acquired some NEW moves) so these will have to suffice...

...darkness, diaper, focus/sound problems and all....

So I married met an axe murderer a good friend.

2009-10-22T20:13:00.000-07:00

I have a friend.

I've known her for awhile now.

But I just got to meet her 3 weeks ago.

Now, I know what you're probably thinking. Shoot, I used to think like that too.

What if she's an axe murderer?! (My hubs DID ask this.)

What if she's some crazy stalker chic?! (He asked this as well.)

What if she's really a man?! (This may have even been a question in his mind. Or Mr. Rascal Raisers.)

And before this whole bloggy thing, I probably would have had those same questions. Don't get me wrong. There are some situations where you would definitely want to be asking these questions. You still have to be very careful, protective of your family, and smart about it. But I just KNEW she wasn't all those things....cause we just "get" each other. Was she goofy like me? Yes! ...thank goodness! Crazed, psycho, stalker, I'm-gonna-tie you-up-in-the-basement, and travel-all-the-way-from-Arkansas-to-Oregon-to-do-it creep? NO.

There's several women I've come to know through this blog world. I got to meet Gretchen (precious, sweet lady!) in the flesh too...cause she lives in WA and us Pacific Northwesties gots to stick together. But I never thought I would get to meet any of the others (who, sadly, mostly live across the country) and be able to seal the friendship with a hug, a laugh, or a PDDP.

So when Amb messaged me that Mr. Rascal Raiser would be taking a little business trip to Oregon and she was hittin' the Oregon Trail with him, I was so ding dang excited I made myself a paper chain to count it down!

And you thought I was kidding....

The Day arrived. She texted me that she was almost to my house.

I was excited...and a little nervous.

I opened the door and....we hugged. (Cause she must have left her axe at home and I turned out NOT to be a 400lb man who wanted to chain her up in my basement. :))
And it felt like we had been friends forever.

And my hubby texted to make sure I wasn't dead.

And she texted her hubby to let him know I wasn't a man, that she wasn't tied up in my basement and that she didn't need his emergency code word (Sponge Bob) after all.

And we had a little coffee with our creamer.

And we ate coffee cake..which was a little dry.

And we ate carmalitas too...which is dessert, but both of us are OK with eating it for breakfast. Cause that's how we roll.

And my kids asked her a hundred questions, talked her ears off, and asked her to play with them. And the oldest one who was at school cried when he didn't get to meet her. Cause she's cool like that.

And we exchanged our gifts of bling.
And because she KNOWS me, loves me, and doesn't want to cause undo stress in my life she brought me Non-Bangle Bling.
Isn't it cute?! LOVE it!!

And we talked and talked and talked and talked and talked...about silly things and about important things.

And we laughed.

And the hubby who would just roll his eyes at it all, make fun of us for IMing for hours instead of picking up the phone and calling but then boot me out of the way to "chat" with her, came home early from work just so we could go out and have some kidless time to together.

Chipotle. Talk. Drive. Talk. Listen to Hannah Montana. Talk. Talk. Talk.

What was I talking about again???? Oh yeah...we self-diagnosed ourselves with adult onset ADD, too. (Added to our list of things in common.) Which is why it's taken me so long to put this post together, and which also explains the post itself....

Sonic. Pineapple Diet Dr. Peppers. (Cause she's the one that lured me over to the dark side.) Matchy debit cards. (Just one more way we're twinsies.)
E.Z. Orchards for apple cider donuts (I promise the fresh, hot ones are MUCH better!), lemon honey stick (Yuck!), Fartless chili, popcorn, beans (Genius.), and goofy pictures.
Outlet mall. (Cause we both like to get our shop on.) Not enough time. (We didn't eat there! Amazing, I know. But we had to preserve our stomachs for the next stop.)

And then off to meet the thoughtful husband mentioned above and Sponge Bob Hubs at The Cheesecake Factory for dinner...because apparently we both like to eat. Avoided an altercation, but received a tongue lashing from a crazed "I just spent 10x my Mercedes payment, impulse buying at the mall and my man's gonna be ticked" lady.
And we laughed. And we did NOT make fun of the waiter who talked in a disturbingly quiet voice while using smooth and dramatic hand gestures as he gave us his take on chutney. Ahem.
And we talked of things you usually don't talk about with people you've just met. (But remember we've known each other for decades. I mean years. I mean months. Days? Hours? Technicalities.)

And our day was gone. Just.like.that.

And my suspicions were confirmed. She IS just as adorable, sweet, beautiful (inside and out) and funny as she appears on her blog. We could be the best of friends. She IS a kindred spirit. And I can now move her from "friends from my screen that someday I'll meet" to "those I'm blessed to know in the flesh".

Blessed indeed.

I have a good friend.

She's not an axe murderer.

Her name is Amber.

We've met now...in the flesh.

...and now I miss her.

Anybody handing out frequent flier miles to Arkansas???

***And for a different and (most likely) wittier version go here.

the post that I decided to work on cause it would take less time but instead has taken copious amounts cause I got all thinky

2009-10-15T16:30:00.000-07:00

So, I have several different posts I could be working on right now. For instance, the post about my baby turning 8 over a month ago, or the really fun time we had with friends many Saturdays ago, or the 8 year old's first ever sleepover that I survived, or an amazing MIRL that God orchestrated, or how my absence here in the blog world is just an indication that I'm spending more time with God, my family, my IRL friends, taking care of my home, and simply kicking back with my hubby instead of my laptop....and maybe trying to get a little more sleep since I can't seem to kick this tiredness.

But I have NO intention of giving up this blog that I love so much or the "in screen" and now "in skin" friends that encourage me, touch my heart, and make me laugh. I am simply in a "season of a little less blogging" right now. I read yours when I can...sometimes without time to comment. I twitter here and there....cause it takes mere seconds. And I occasionally take a few minutes to catch up with my mix of in real life and bloggy friends on Facebook.

For today, though, I'll just catch you up with these little snippets.... (An idea I stole from someone elses blog.)

Sitting. . . In a chair, in front of the desktop computer (Yes, I said desktop. Do y'all know what those are?), waiting for the Posture Police to make their appearance.

Drinking. . . Alternating between my free (cause they have punch cards!) Dutch Bros Eggnog Vanilla Latte (Because I, in no way, feel guilty having it twice in one week...) and water (Apparently one should not live on mochalatte alone....pshaw! Who made up that rule anyway?!).

Moving. . . forward, past some old and into the new. It's a God thing, and it's a good thing. How's that for vague?;)

Reflecting. . . on the fact that God judges righteously. It's not my job. If I feel like I've been wronged or I'm hurt by something someone did, didn't do, said, or didn't say I need to continue making sure that I'm living out His will for me by obeying His Words to me (love, be gentle, be kind, forgive)...He will take care of the rest. Even if the person doesn't necessarily deserve it or ask for it. Why do I do this? Not for that person, not for me, but for HIM! I do it because that's how I show my love TO HIM. THAT'S my motivation.

Planning. . . a menu for Saturday night. Some long-time friends are coming over for dinner. It has been waaaaay too long since we've gotten together with them. I also just might be planning on holding a precious tiny person all.night.long.:)

Looking forward to. . .Bunko tonight, getting some nice family and kid pictures taken by some talented ladies in our church. Thanksgiving - Family Reunion Style!! & Christmas (Elaboration not needed.)

Wanting. . . an iPod. Yes, my material girl is rearing her ugly head. Does it make it more spiritual if it's because I'm finding praise song after praise song that I want to buy on iTunes and listen to over and over again? Just means I need to get crackalackin' and sell some of this ~~junk~~ gently used articles of clothing that are ~~piled high like Mt. KillinMeWithClutter in the corner of my bedroom~~ neatly folded and store away in matching RubberMaid totes.....cause I want me some Hairapy too. And I am living in a material world and I am.......possibly the last human being on the face of the planet to own an iPod, iPhone, iTouch, iDoohicky, or iWatchamacallit....

Hoping. . . that I get a little better at time management. Right now it's football, school, church, school, church, football, church, school...you get the idea. Before too long football will be replaced by Upward Basketball which both Will and Emma will be participating in...and so it begins....and I still have not been menu planning very well. Hoping I get my rear in gear....

Regretting. . . that I answered the call of those cookies in the pantry yesterday. The term "popping them like happy pills" comes to mind....

Surprised. . . that I already have a good stash going for Christmas. The best part? Rock bottom, clearance prices. I'm so proud of myself!

Studying. . . my husband. Just trying to brush up on my knowledge of what makes him tick and what things really show him that I love and respect him. Pretty sure I'm enrolled in the life course....and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Frustrated. . . that I continually care what others think of me. OK...that may have sounded bad. What I mean is, ultimately I really only need to worry about what GOD thinks of me. Others may have false impressions or opinions of me, but God's view of me will always be true. He sees all of me. And if that doesn't light a fire under me and encourage me to be more like Him, I don't know what will.

Eager. . . for my next MIRL (meeting in real life), for more opportunities to see and visit with the 2 MIRLs that I've already been blessed to have, and for chances to love on and hang out with my precious "in skin" friends who live in my neck of the woods.

Enjoying. . . our church family. We truly feel God's leading and direction in where we settled in. We have been blessed already by the people, the worship, the teaching, and in being able to serve.

Missing. . . our family that lives far away....and being able to fit into those size 6 10 jeans.:)

Bummed. . . that all of you can't experience Lincoln's Nobel Peace Prize winning (Exaaaactly.) rendition of High School Musical's "Get Your Head In The Game" in person.... But don't despair, it will be coming to a blog near you very soon, so get your tickets and popcorn ready.

Until next time... when I spend way more time on a post than I intended to spend... and use way more ellipses than are appropriate....

.....

a spoonful of sugar

2009-10-07T12:38:00.000-07:00

The 2 youngest and I have been housebound for 3 days now. You would think I would have time to blog....

But once again the sickies have hit, a little too early in the season if you ask me...which apparently no one did, and apparently we had the flu test where ~~you don't get the results until you're actually well again, in the mean time not knowing if the rest of the family will end up with the Hogs Disease~~ it takes 2-3 days to get the "more accurate" results back.

So I've been busy covering my ears to the sounds of the Terrible 2 1/2's, nursing the little girl who's going on Day 4 of the yo-yo fever, sore throat (negative for Strep) and cough, trying to keep the "2 1/2" from wallering her and catching "it", and watching continuous rounds of High School Musical 1, 2, and 3.

But since I know you all have been missing me terribly in the almost 2 weeks I've been gone (Wow...time sure does fly when you're having MIRL and family in town, in addition to the regularly scheduled programs.), I thought I would tide you over with some sweetness...and maybe, just maybe, it will help the medicine go down in these parts a little easier, too.

A little sugar...for the eyes.

3 month old Sugar had to go home with her family when the sickies came to call.:(

Woah. One could get sick from all the eye candy these families make...

And a little sugar...for the teeth.

**These were made for Ladie's Night Out at my church last month.**

“Everything but the Kitchen Sink” Bar Cookies
From the Kitchen of Nikki Hughes

1 pkg (18 ounces) refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough
1 jar (7 ounces) marshmallow crème
½ cup creamy peanut butter
1-1/2 cups toasted corn cereal (Chex)
1 cup m&m’s

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 13X9-inch baking pan. Remove dough from wrapper according to package directions.Press dough into prepared baking pan. Bake 13 minutes.Remove baking pan from oven. Drop teaspoonfuls of marshmallow crème and peanut butter over hot cookie base.Bake 1 minute. Carefully spread marshmallow crème and peanut butter over cookie base.Sprinkle cereal and m&m’s over melted marshmallow and peanut butter mixture.Bake 7 minutes. Cool completely on wire rack.

You're welcome.

And don't shoot the messenger if you can't stop at just one and end up eating the whole pan. You needed new jeans anyway, right?

We're all in this together...

2009-09-24T13:50:00.000-07:00

I've been a little busier than normal this past week. I know you were wondering. Instead of running around in 847 different directions, I've been running around in 1,290 ones.

This week was the official start of RockSalt for our kids. It replaces Awana at our church. Good stuff.

This week was the kickoff of Women's Discipleship. I'll be studying the book of John. I'm so excited for this time. Good stuff.

We had football practice, choir practice, I met with a mentor, and tonight is Back To School Night. All good stuff.

And along with all these "usuals", I had the honor and privilege to show this lovey lady around town and teach her the lay of the land.

Isn't she a beauty? Meet my hubby's cousin...well, more like a sister really. Tia, as I will refer to her since that's what my kiddos call her, has come to live with us for a little while. She moved up here to go to school, find work, and establish residency before attending the ~~more expensive if you live out of state~~ bigger university near by.

Since we don't have any extra rooms in our house, Emma graciously gave up hers. I'm not exaggerating when I say she was thrilled to let Tia have her room to live in for a time. She's as happy as a clam in the bottom bunk of the boy's room, and the only issue we're having is that those pesky StarWars guys keep leaving their lightsabers laying around Barbie's house. It's best just to get used to it, dears.

The fact that Tia is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside, is giving, sweet, a wonderful helper and great with the kids, just makes her a joy to be around.

Bonus: She comes bringing a plethora of girly, teeny, musical movies. Oh yeah. I've got a built in "Girl's Night In" when.ever.I.want!!! We're talking someone who, instead of rolling their eyes when asked if they would like to watch High School Musical, Pride & Prejudice, Seven Brides For Seven Brothers, Hannah Montana, Legally Blond, Anne of Green Gables, or Gone With The Wind for the hundredth time, will gleefully answer "YES!" and even join in when I jump up off the couch to pop it, lock it, polka dot it...

So we're pleased as punch to have her living here! We're praying she continues to feel God's peace about her move, praying for guidance, a job, His will to be revealed and for a close group of godly friends who will encourage her, spur her on, and support her.

We also pray that our crazy family won't drive her crazy...that she'll always be able to find her shoes after Linc's has traipsed them all over kingdom come, that her pillow will always be free of little people snot and slobber, that she will never discover the mice have been playing in her makeup (and by mice, I mean Emma...or Lincoln.), that she will never be walked in on taking a shower or changing her clothes, and that most of all that she will always know how much we love her and value her...even when we're all running around in our 1,290 different directions.

Because family is just...good stuff.

ALL of them.

The second day week of second grade & the Garden where I guess they grow the olives Kinders

2009-09-17T15:30:00.000-07:00

So, in good mom form, after missing posting about Will's first ~~day~~ WEEK of 2nd grade, I decided the world wouldn't end if I posted his first day of school photo during his second week of school. But before I do I wanted to share a little ditty with you all (Since we've already established that I often times think in terms of songs and music.) so you too can have Bob and Larry repeating over and over through your pretty little heads. You're welcome.

Now Billy Joe McGuffrey was a really clumsy kid
On the second day of second grade, I'll tell you what he did
He slipped on a banana peel, flew up in the sky
Landed on a chimpanzee who poked him in the eye

First aid in the second grade
First aid in the second grade
First aid in the second grade
You could buy a zoo with all the doctor bills he paid
(For those who are not edjucated in all things VeggieTales...it's from "Jonah".)

Yes. This is what I found myself humming as we hoofed it over to the school. There were no banana peels in site, but a good old sidewalk curb will work in a pinch. Which is exactly what took Will down. I'm happy to report that he did.not. land on a chimpanzee, nor did one poke him in the eye. Phew.

I do score mom points for getting these 1st day of school pics:

I realize that now that you've actually seen them, those points might be retracted. I'm sure none of you would ever in a million years point out that I let my son leave for school with crazy hair, the likes of which can not be blamed on cowlicks. So I'll point it out for you. In my defense it's not like I don't have 3,286 things on my mind and on my "To Do" list. And truthfully, I thought his hair was still looking just fine...until we were walking out the door with no time to do anything about it. But still.... Aside from that and the fact that I waited until the night before school started to get supplies (Sold out. Who needs 40 glue sticks anyway?), the first and second week have started off swimmingly. We like his teacher. He has a new (good, we've heard) principal. I have a son who still LOVES going. I have a son who gets giddy with excitement over library check-out day. I have a son who I've seen be tender and sweet with the special ed children. I have a son who would eat cafeteria cheese pizza every.day.of.the.week. if I let him.... and the just-rolled-out-of-bed hair he's sportin' in NO WAY takes away from how incredibly HANDSOME this boy of mine is. And that's all I have to say about that.

As far as that little girl who headed off to the Garden of Kinders this week??? I had geared myself up to be all weepy and thinky, but when it came time I realized that she's done this 1/2 day of school before. She thrives in it actually, and a sweet lady from our church is the assistant in her class. So I was tearless. Now, next year when she heads off to full days in the 1st grade (hearing that song again) get ready to send me boxes of Kleenex.

Isn't she just the cutest??

So I'm doing good with having a big 2nd grader and kindergartner or maybe I'm just in denial...but whatever it is, it just feels right to be back into the the routine of things...Lincoln might have a different opinion, though, because I'm pretty sure he's missin' him some sissy pretty fierce...

It's my life.

2009-09-14T13:20:00.000-07:00

Not really sure what's going on around here...

Half nekkid baseball?

Skunks on the loose?

I wear my sunglasses at night, so I can...sorry, got lost in the moment. My brain often thinks in terms of songs and music.
Knee pads on shins and whiskers on kittens...see what I mean.

Jedi Masters, Anakin, the Emperor, or whatever the heck it is...And now all I have going through my head is "Duuuuh DUH duh.duh.duh. DUUUH duh. Duh.duh.duh DUUUH duh. Duh duh duh duuuuh.".
Well, I quit my job down at the car wash
I left my mama a goodbye note.
By sundown I'd left ~~Kingston~~ Oregon
With my guitar under my ~~coat~~ buns?

It's that swingin' little guitar man.

(I'm not gonna lie. I googled "take guitar" to find an appropriate song to sum up the look of "Don't you dare take my guitar" that Linc's has on his face. Much to my surprise it wasn't a Country Geetar song. It was Elvis. I do love me some Elvis every once in awhile.)

So...whatever is going on around here, it sure is strange. (Kind of like this post.)Then again, it just may be normal. For us. You may be right, we may be crazy, but it just might be a lunatic you're lookin' for...

If so, you came to the right place. Because it's my life. It's now or never....

I couldn't go out in a blaze of glory without a little Bon Jovi.

I'm a nerd.

I'll stop.

I've bored you, my lovely readers, long enough...think I'll just beat it. Ahem. My token tribute to MJ....

Have I mentioned I'm a nerd. And weird.

And random.

And that I started this post July 31st and it's just been sitting here, unpublished. Perhaps with good reason.

I'm done.

10 on the 10th - Favorites of Fall

2009-09-11T14:02:00.000-07:00

**Yes, I realize it's now the 11th. But I started this post on the 10th. Does that count?

I always enjoy Meredith's little meme because it ~~encourages my procrastination of finishing already started blog posts~~ gives me something different and interesting to blog about using a list format. Cause I'm anal like that.

I love fall. I could fill line after line with the reasons I love fall, but I'll keep it to a respectable "10".

1~ The apple cider donuts from various local orchards. 'Nuff said.

2~ Clear blue skies (Oregon actually has beautiful Septembers), crisp, new, cool, fresh air, the color of the falling leaves. God's paintbrush working overtime.

3~ The Pumpkin Patch and ALL that entails. So many memories. So much fun.

(Yes, that last photo is our 1st baby. Sigh.)

4~ Pumpkin Roll. Which tastes even better when eaten with coffee and good friends....

5~ Change in wardrobe. Cause I'm tired of the 3 over-washed, now-pilly outfits I alternate between for the summer.

6~ Back to school - The newness and novelty of it. You know...before the newness and novelty wear off and it becomes the daily grind.

7~ Thanksgiving. Cause it promises time with family...whether here at home or in another state. And turkey, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce (the one shaped like the can. Cause that's what I like. Don't judge.), Stove Top (Yes, from a box. Although I hear tell the dressing my Arkansas Grandma makes outshines Stove Top by a hundred miles.), and, of course, the pecan, pumpkin, and apple pies. And football. And the Macy's day parade. And shopping with the ladies. And great Christmas movies like "White Christmas", "It's A Wonderful Life", "Mircle on 34th St." and the classics "Elf" and "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation". And... just thought I'd add one more sentence that started with "and".

8~ Christmas music. There's just something about it. We seem to start listening to it earlier and earlier with each passing year. The hubs would listen year around if I let him. Some faves around here: Avalon, Michael W. Smith, City on a Hill, Moriah Carey(even though I don't like her so much anymore.), Josh Groban, Rat Pack Christmas, and I know I'm missing some. What are your favorites? We'd love to add to our library!

9~ The Great Christmas Tree Hunt. With pockets full of mint, regular, and peanut M&Ms. I LOVE getting down the tubs of Christmas decorations from the attic...or should I say Billy loves doing it for me. (And I never use sarcasm either.) I can't tell you how excited I am this year to be out of a teeny apartment and into a house where I can actually pull out ALL my Christmas decorations. Because Fall means....Christmas is coming!

10~ And THIS fall...a MIRL that I am over the moon about. Can.not.wait.

So there you have it. I said I would stop at 10 and stop I must. Because those other unfinished posts will NEVER be published if I use up my written word allotment for the day.

And since there are so many more reasons to love fall (like pumpkin spice lattes, hot apple cider, snuggling up w/ your kids under a blanket...) share in your comment some of your faves of the season! I insist!

No, really.

Please? Thank you. (See? I do have manners!:P)

Slump

2009-09-08T15:08:00.000-07:00

I'm in a slump.

And the blogger in me really wanted to come up with a creative way to say "I'm in a slump". But...I'm in a slump.

I sit down to blog and get up within 10 minutes time having written nothing. Slump.

I try to find the words to talk about my baby turning 8 years old last week, but none are to be found. Slump.

I have a hundred things I need to do...possibly more...and all I do is start doing #1, get distracted, start #2, get distracted, start #3, get distracted, never finishing any of them. Slump.

I tell myself I'm going to trust God about this car situation, and in the very next breath start worrying about it. Slump.

I'm struggling with some behaviour issues with my children, and just can't seem to get through to them. Much like God with me. Funny how I sometimes have a higher standard for my children then I do myself. Slump.

Trying not to be Debbie Downer, trying to be cheery, trying to buck up, but just about everything today sends me to tears. Speaking of tears... Slump.

The one good thing about this slump is that there's one direction left to go and the uphill climb leads me to Him. On second thought, I'm pretty sure He's right there in the slump with me. Sitting right beside me. I just need to open my eyes and take his hand and let Him...

Lead me to the cross
Where Your love poured out
Bring me to my knees
Lord I lay me down
Rid me of myself
I belong to You
Oh Lead me, lead me to the cross
(Hillsong United)

Guess I just needed to take the time to remind myself of that. Again.

Why does it always have to be so applicable?

2009-09-03T07:58:00.000-07:00

She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Proverbs 31:27

Guess I won't be idle today....or eat bread.

Pray for me peeps. I've got a lot on my plate.

Apparently not bread, though.

Rats.

Post-Monday Gladitudes

2009-09-01T15:00:00.000-07:00

Is it too late for the Monday Gladdies??

I think not.

I'm so tired I can barely keep my eyes open and the yawns are about to split my head in two, but ~~the pressure to never go too long without posting~~ the need to share all the things I am glad about tips the scales in your favor. If you could call it a favor, that is. Maybe it's just a nuisance to you. But whatever. Author of this blog? Me.

I'm as full of the gladitudes as a tick who is buried in the family dog. Me needs to let them out before I burst! Too much of a word picture?

Getting on with it then...

10) Started off last week with a "getting in touch with your inner teen" Girl's Night Out. What's not to love about that? About 15 ladies sat around and played "I've Never", giggled, snorted, and nervously awaited their turn at the prank calls that may or may not have taken place. Ahem. Calls like "Your fridge is running...you better go catch it!" and (wives calling husbands) "Like, oh my gosh, I think you're totally cute. And, like, will you go to prom with me?!" most certainly did not happen. There was not an excess of junk food ingested. Things such as Doritos, Ding Dongs, Twinkies, Funyuns, Pixie Stix, Pop Rocks, popcorn, licorice, Skittles, cookie dough and the like did not give me a stomach ache, reminding me of why I can no longer eat like a teen (At least, not without paying the consequence for it later). We did not watch "17 Again" and marvel at the talents of Zak Efron and Matthew Perry. To top off the night we did not don our black attire, grab Saran Wrap and toilet paper and head out before ~~we all got too tired~~ our curfew to leave our signatcha on a friend's abode. (Go here http://img132.yfrog.com/i/qgmy.jpg/ to see us getting ready. Taken by an accomplice of the male gender.) So glad I didn't do all those things! So glad I got to spend that fun bonding time with some great old and new friends. Not old as in age old, but long time friends. Just clarifying.

Hm. This is quickly turning into a Not Me! Monday post. Focus, Cathy. Focus.

9) Garage sales. It just about drives me to distraction that I haven't been able to wheel and deal this summer as much as I had it in my mind that I NEEDED to. BUT, I'm ever so glad that I made it to at least 1, and it was a doozy of a neighborhood sale so it fed my addiction (of good deals) for a little longer.

A few of the "must haves"...

These awesome 50's dishes were $5 for 12 plates and 12 cups. Aren't they cute?! Not sure when I'll use them...guess I need to throw a party!

Not pictured:

~A denim Old Navy vest for Emma.

~An electric hedge trimmer complete with extension cord (which I didn't notice, but the hubs sure was excited about. Note to self: All it takes to make him happy is an extension cord. Good to know.) which I offered $5 for and he accepted.

The deal of the century and the one that sent the hubs over the moon? Our very first gaming system!! The Atari Flashback 2 for $1.50!!!! Oh yeah, baby. Can you say Pitfall, Centipede, Pong??

8) 11 years. 11 YEARS!!! That's how long it had been since I'd seen this friend from college. So when we knew we were passing right through her town during our little family getaway, we decided to make her town our lunch stop. We picked a really classy, chic place for our reunion. Cause we're classy and chic. And nothing says class and chicness like....McDonalds. Especially when your son falls face first from a bench to the exposed aggregate in the playland, and after asking for an icepack a manager doesn't come see how he is for 1/2 hour. Exposed aggregate + kid friendly = oxymoron.

We caught up on each other's lives...well, as much as you can when you have an hour to eat, comfort grater-faced babes, and wrangle 4 young children. But it was SO good to reconnect face to face, not just facebook to facebook!

7) My first MIRL. Wow, that's a pretty important title! And the lurvly Gretchen now holds it. We came bearing Pumpkin Zucchini Bread (Yes, I'm a nerd.) and met near her digs at a place called "The Spotted Cow". One word - GELATO. But as sweet as the gelato was, the company was even sweeter. She was as lovely, easy to talk to, and adorable in real life as she is on her blog. More so. And, in fact, it was a little bittersweet, because now that I've gotten a taste of gelato...er...facetime with Gretchen ;) 250 miles seems even further then it did before. So good to meet her. Such good "getting to know you" conversation. Such a wonderful person. Such yummy gelato.:)

That's Gretchen with the spotted cow, I mean the freckled "Cathy", I mean with me at "The Spotted Cow". Sheesh.

6) Glad for chances to see the beauty God created...while eating. Double bonus. **This gladdy made possible by the generosity of a woman who gave us their unused nights at a resort on the Washington coast. More blogging about that to follow.**

5) Glad for moments like these:
That even though they last mere fractions of a minute, somehow in that short amount of time my mama cup is filled back up.

4) I'm super duper glad in advance for future MIRLs, cause I know that along with my flesh and bone friends, God brought these in my screen for a reason and purpose as well!

3) Amandel Gebakjes - Also known as Almond Tarts to us less egeecated folk. Also known as heaven on earth. Also known as God's dessert. Also known as one more craving that will attach itself to my muffin top. Found in a little dutch town, in a little dutch bakery. That which lured us back for Round 2 for the happy dance in our mouth goodness.

2) Second chances. At this point God's really probably given me about 36,135 of them. However, "God is a god of 36,135 chances! Our God is a God...do do do do, do do doo...of 36,135 chances!" just doesn't flow the same and it may have thrown Jonah off a little. (VMV = Veggietale Movie Version)

1) He has made me glad. He has made me glad. I will rejoice for He has made me gla-a-ad!

And she goes out with song....

Cause my OCD self wouldn't let me finish with just 9. Needed to round it out to an even 10. Now you would think that OCD part of me would help my grammar and punctuation. Apparently not.

We get by with a little camping with friends...

2009-08-26T09:44:00.001-07:00

We love this family....if you know what I mean. ;)

Don't you hate it when people use inside jokes on their blogs?? Cause that's totally what I'm doing.

Well, then I'll tell you that we had some serious fun....that's what she said. ;)

Okay, okay!! How about I just show you?

The fun...not the inside joke. The joke is really not a big secret. Just us, being silly. Cause silly is fun.

Al
most

THERE!

Found us some beach babes.:)
Someone forgot the zoom was zoomed in. I'll pretend you can't see who that someone was.

One word: CREVICES

7 boys. 3 girls.

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside ocean...

And if you get the choice to sit it out or dance....I hope you dance!!
We met ~~Dusty~~ Sandy Bottoms while we were there. (Sadly, Lucky Day and Ned Nederlander were no where to be found.)

And his band The Beach Piggies.

We roasted marshmallows, ate s'mores, told "ghost stories" (which interestingly enough, all had to do with Scooby-Doo), made our Jiffy Pop (You know the ones...big foil dome.) over the campfire, talked, and laughed. But my fingers were too sticky and my eyes burning from campfire smoke to get pictures. Trust me, though, it was good times.

And we left.

Tired.

But happy.

And full. Cause we stopped at one of our fave places to eat at the coast.
And with sand in crevices.
And mouths. The End.

P.S. Are you dizzy yet from all those pictures?? Well, if you want to permanently damage your retinas (doesn't that sound appealing?) you can see some more of our beautiful coast and our past trips to it. Cause you know that will make your day....if you know what I mean....

Sometimes...

2009-08-24T08:23:00.000-07:00

Sometimes...when the day is beginning, I just want to crawl back in bed and spend the day there. For brief moments I wish it was quiet and I was alone and responsibility free. I would "call in sick", roll over, and sleep for 13 hours like I did in college...if my 30+ year old back wouldn't scream at me later.

Sometimes...I wish I could rewind and start all over with my children. Same kids. Different mom. A mom who was always calm, always tender, always even tempered, always had her head on straight and her priorities in the right place, always willing to say "Yes!" instead of "No" or "Just a minute!" (but that minute never comes) to the request of a book read or a game played...instead I'll remember that I'm forgiven, today is a new start, and there's still time.

Sometimes...I look for satisfaction in other things. Things that will leave me still hungry and still thirsting. Things that I KNOW will not fulfill. Stubbornly looking away from that which will quench my thirst. SO glad He has a hold of me, cause sometimes I "forget" to hold tight to Him.

Sometimes...I wonder how a God like Him could possibly still be giving chances to a girl like me...but then He sends His Word (sometimes even through other's words) to remind me of His love, His grace, His comfort, His goodness, His power, my salvation, my place in His family, and my hope.

Sometimes...I rush through my time with Lord, to get to the other things I want to be doing. Fulfilling a duty instead of being devoted to Him. What does my life show that I'm devoted to? Him? Or time spent cleaning house, putting everything in it's place (a hundred times a day), finding just the right outfit for me or the kids, blogging, having my computer time, not missing certain T.V. shows, over indulging in food?

What I really need to be doing is engaging in a perpetual staring contest with my Everything. Not breaking my gaze. Lord, I want to be captivated by You. Ev.ery.day. So much so that I am completely filled up by You to the point of You spilling out of me. So full of You that there's nothing left of me. So full of You that it's You people see. So full of You that it's only You I see.

Captivated by You
I am captivated by You
May my life be one unbroken gaze
Fixed upon the beauty of Your face

Beholding is becoming, so as You fill my gaze
I become more like You and my heart is changed
Beholding is becoming, so as You fill my view
Transform me into the likeness of You

(Lyrics/Music by Vicky Beeching)

pardon the dust sand

2009-08-21T09:08:00.000-07:00

...I'm still cleaning it out of crevices, the dryer lint trap, carseats, pants, and the ziplock of goldfish crackers.

I'll be back soon to post about our adventures of late.

Maybe today.

Maybe next week.

Maybe...eventually, anyway.

What kind of wax is it?

2009-08-15T09:00:00.000-07:00

Emma was getting ready to tattle on Lincoln ONCE AGAIN when I politely *ahem* asked her to mind her own business.

I overhear her say, "Hee. Hee. Yeah, mind your own business wax".

I THEN overhear big brother correcting her and saying, "Nooo. (Can't you just hear his tone?) It's not business wax, it's bizneez wax, Emma".

Good thing we're not the kind of parents that ever tell our children to mind their own bizneez wax....or business wax....or whatever....

A Double Victory

2009-08-13T11:30:00.000-07:00

I have bangle bracelet challenged hands.

There. I said it.

I can squeeze. I can contort. But those things will just.not.slip.on.

I've even been known to slather them up, just so I can accessorize properly. But to no avail.

I've had to face the facts. And resort to "stretchy" wrist candy. But sometimes its just.not. the same.

So when I won the little bloggity giveaway that was going on at my new, like-old friend Amber's blog, I was cautiously excited. Excited, because I love to win. And well, I did. Excited because it was coming from this sweet gal who shares a state with my sweet Grandma. Excited because the prize was ridiculously cute. But cautious because, well, I think I just covered that and I'd rather not keep talking about a painful and traumatic subject.

And when that package arrived in my mail, I excitedly ripped it open, momentarily forgetting my challenged hands....until I tried to put it on, that is. How was I going to proudly model my loot if I couldn't get it on my dad-gum wrist?! It wouldn't work as an anklet. Wearing it on a chain around my neck was out, unless I wanted to bust a cap and go all gangsta on ya head. (Um, or however that goes.) And I'm pretty sure my hubby would never approve me getting it turned into a nose ring. So I found myself in a little pickle.

However, I'm not one to give up easily. At least not for the sake of fashion. So I waited a couple hours for the swelling (caused by trying to force it on) to go down before I tried again. I squeezed and I squeezed that thumb and pinkie together in hopes of victory. And just when I was about ready to give up, have a good cry, and confess my lameness to Amb, it slipped on! (And by "slipped on" I mean "scrapped and left marks that might be gone by next year".) If I hadn't been in my car, not much could have stopped me from doing a little jig in honor of wrist candy that quite possibly may have become a permanent feature to my person.

I also almost broke out singing "High School Musical" songs in my mic at worship team practice last night, but that's another subject entirely.

Instead I'll leave you with the poor quality phone picture that I snapped of myself after one of my life's greatest achievements. (tongue in cheek) And I won't tell you that it only took me 15 tries to get a picture that didn't make me gag (because I've already established that I stink at self portraits), or that I edited the snot out of this one just to make it presentable.

Well, there you go. Me in all my blingy goodness. Thank you, Amber!!! SO GLAD I didn't have to say, "Return to Sender"...

***************************

Updated: ...because, well, it has actually taken me almost a month to finish this post and hit publish....

I'll have you know that you CAN teach old dogs new tricks, because I'm managed to get my bracelet past my formerly bangle challenged hands several more times since that fated day...and my wrists and outfits thank me...and Amber.:)

(insert picture)

2009-08-11T22:39:00.000-07:00

I think I'm a seasoned blogger. Not great. Not well known. But seasoned. Which is why this weekend while away I was sorely disappointed by my lack of blogger attention to detail. Otherwise read as, I didn't take one.stinkin.picture. (Hanging head in shame.) My intentions were good. My camera,with it's purposely fully charged battery, was ready and waiting in the purse that it was banished to the entire weekend. A weekend that was full of all kinds of picture worthy moments.

This trip found us heading over the mountains to the area that we lived in for 3+ years before we moved back to our current town about a year ago. Visiting some great friends. Friends that have never failed to make us feel loved, appreciated, or special. Friends that would almost bring us to tears by selflessly taking time out of his day to, unbeknownst to us, go over to our house that ~~any day now we have high hopes of selling~~ is another victim to the tanked housing market and sits empty and neglected, and mow the ~~grass~~ hay, clean up junk, and cut his way through the jungle that is our ~~weeds~~ mature wild trees. Friends that would do this because they knew we were going to have to take a day of our weekend to go over there and "git 'er dun". Friends that would host a BBQ just so we could see and visit with some of our other friends that we left behind and miss. Friends that would put up with our idiosyncrasies. Friends that would keep our dog for us until we could find a rental that would let us bring her home. Friends that....fill in the blank.

We talked about getting a group picture of both our families.

(insert picture that was not taken by that sorry excuse of a seasoned blogger.)

I thought several times of snapping pics of all 6 kiddos playing in the pool, skippin' around the backyard, typing on the "old" garage sale typewriter, stretched out over almost every square inch of a bedroom when it was time to go to sleep, licking up Push-Ups before the sun could melt them, sneaking chips, giggling, fighting one minute and being best buds the next, sharing gum, writing "stories", playing games, making each other laugh.

(insert incredibly adorable, memory heavy pictures that were not taken by that sorry excuse of a seasoned blogger.)

A few times I headed to get the camera to take pictures of all our friends eating, chatting, laughing, reconnecting at the "Friends" BBQ.

(Insert picture that never made it on to my camera because of that sorry excuse of a seasoned blogger.)

Should have made an effort to get some pictures of our visits with Nana and our other very missed friends.

(Insert the shoulda, woulda, coulda, pictures that will never exist now because of that sorry excuse of a seasoned blogger.)

Our time there went too fast.
And so it drew to a close with nary a picture.

Oh and one last thing, since we got approval from the owner of our rental to bring our dog, Star (Don't blame me. Apparently my kids prefer grocery store stranger's suggestions for names over their own mother's. I'm not bitter.), home to live with us, we planned to pick her up while we were visiting. When Billy said to get in the car, she must have thought he said, "Get on the hood of our friend's suburban". (She gets her hearing from her Daddy. Ahem.) There she was, while we all just laughed and stared in disbelief that this had actually happened. A big black dog perched on the hood of a big, white suburban. Owners and friends standing there amazed at her cat-like skillz. Gives a whole new meaning to the words "hood ornament", doesn't it?

And if I was any kind of dedicated blogger there would be a picture showcasing this funny and highly unusual event. Alas, the blogger has left ~~the building~~ her brain elsewhere.

Ooorrr...

It's quite possible and highly probable that I was just enjoying a fun-filled, relaxing, rejuvenating, friendiful (I like made up words. They make me happy.) weekend without worrying about snapping pictures every second of every day.

And that's OK.
And that was good.
And our weekend was good.
And the fellowship was good.
And the weather was good.
And the food was good.
And the scenery was good.
And the friends...are some of the best!

(Insert picture that I hold in my head of my smiling, beautiful family and friends)

It's just a shame you can't see it.....

Wordless Wednesday - We salute Shark Week

2009-08-05T11:02:00.000-07:00

Raise your ~~hand~~ bum if you've been sucked into Shark Week!

Monday Gladitudes

2009-08-03T22:30:00.000-07:00

A newish bloggy friend, Gretchen, knows the importance of being glad and having the right attitude in life. So how could I not join her?! There's just too many blessings in life to not show my "gladitude" for them and to the One Who grants them.

So on to my gladdies...

1 ~ I am so glad for His Word. I am thankful for it's teaching, admonishing, and encouragement. I'm grateful that He has given us this as a means to know Him better. Why do I struggle at times to be in it daily, when all I ever am after being in it is humbled, filled, and glad?

"Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you..."Col. 3:16a

2 ~ As crazy and weird as it may sound, I was glad today as I was paying my bills. Oh, I wasn't at first. In fact, I was feeling like complaining because I was thinking that the one month I thought we would have something leftover, a few unexpected expenses just happened to pop up. But before I could get very far, I was reminded to be thankful that those curve balls came in a month when there WAS extra. It wasn't very long ago that we weren't sure how we would buy milk and I'm complaining that I don't have a little extra money?! May it never be!! He has blessed us greatly with a roof over our heads, clothes on our bodies (which you all can add to your "glads"!), and food to eat! We are blessed indeed.

3 ~ I am gladder than glad, glad beyond measure, overflowing with gladness that my sweet, dear friend, Summer was granted her heart's desire...to be a mama! After many years of infertility, God answered Summer and Mike's prayers in an amazing, special way. Their hearts have welcomed a beautiful little girl into their family!

This special lady was meant to be a mama, and God had someone very special in mind. Baby Moriah is blessed beyond measure to call this amazing woman "mama" and God has blessed them abundantly with this sweet babe. They prayed for a child. He answered. In His time. In His way. Perfectly. Only God could have orchestrated Moriah being born into their waiting arms and hearts. He chose them for each other, and if that's not something to be glad about, I don't know what is. We can't even contain our gladness for you, Mike, Summer, and Moriah!!!

At the shower that we (Karyn, Mya, and I) recently threw for Summer and Moriah, Karyn gave Summer this poem that she found and it says it in words so beautifully...

"Not flesh of my flesh,

nor bone of my bone

but still miraculously my own

never forget -not for a minute-

you weren't born under my heart

but in it."

And this picture portrays it perfectly...

And as for me having another little babe to hold? Well, that's just the gladdy goodness on top!
I did have to share her, though, and was I glad about that? I don't have to answer that.

There are probably eleventy hundred more things that I could share that have me all gladified, like the $2 pair of almost new school jeans I found for Will at Goodwill, or that we get to spend some days this weekend visiting some good friends, or that I have 3 healthy, beautiful children, or that God has blessed me with new friends that feel like old friends, or that it's summer, the sun is shining, and my kids have those really cute tan lines, or that I have two friends who are pregnant with prayed for babies, or that I rode that ride (even though it made me sick) with my son while he still wants me to do things like that with him, or that it's no longer 108 degrees outside (cause that was too hot, even for me) but, instead, I'll just leave you with these 3 things.:)

Thanks for listening while I played "The Glad Game"!

..............I know I left "Pollyanna" laying around here somewhere...................................

My inner child showed up at the "Wacky Caterpillar"

2009-08-01T16:30:00.000-07:00

This weekend is the annual Bite of Salem, and since the hubby had a booth for his foster parent recruitment set up at it, I thought I would take the kids and meet up with Papa and Mimi down there. I tweeted about wondering why they call it "Bite" (singular) when there's so many local restaurants serving up yummy smelling foods that rope you in to take many bites (plural...such a spelling and grammar expert, I am.). But Gretchen lovingly tweeted me that it's really the "bite" it takes out of the ole wallet-O that gives it it's name. So true. So true.

Anyway, on to the carnival part...

Give me a rip roarin' roller coaster any day. Those ones that are found at parks where it costs an arm and leg just to get in. But put me face to face with those small, tight, spin-around-in-a-hundred-circles-before-it-ends kind of carnival rides, and I start sweating (and not because it's hot), and getting clammy, and wishing I had the kid's trusty "barf bowl" on hand.

I tried not to deflect my fear of certain carnival rides, which shall remain nameless but which should be illegal in all 50 states,
on to my children, but thank goodness they were not yet tall enough to ride some of them without an adult. A consenting adult. Of which, I am not one.

However, being the, you know, "fun mom" (ahem) that I am, I decided to join the kids on a ride or two.

So there was the "Baja Buggy" ride,
the Super Slide,
the Thunder Bolt,
the Wacky Caterpillar (even though a mini-coaster, it still managed to bring out the cheezy grin in me),

and the good ole standby...the Tilt-a-Whirl. Which I refused to ride because of it's obvious spinnyness.

Then there was the Cliff Hanger...where I decide to really pull out my "Fun Mom" card. (Verbal stealage going on. Sorry Amber.)

Here's me. Having fun with my oldest. Smile on my face. Voice inside my head screaming, "What are you doing?!" (When you have to take your shoes off for ride, that right there should tell you something.)
Here's me. Still having fun. Actually wishing I could spend all day up there. It was that fun.
(Yes, that would be MY legs sticking out for all the world to see.)

Here's me. Still having the time of my life, if the kid-like look of glee (Yes, I said "glee".) on my face is any indication.

Here's me. Realizing that the people below quite possibly may be wearing my breakfast soon.

Sorry, no picture proof. My dad was done taking pictures by then, and upon being unlocked I was too busy talking myself out of sprinting for the nearest Honey Bucket. If only there had been another hard-core blogger there who would have known that was a photo op and a bloggy moment waiting to be documented......

Yup. I'm ashamed to admit the Cliff Hanger became the Stomach Turner. But it was fun while it lasted. Well, up until the eagle landed and began wishing for her glory years back, that is.

Next, I thought of getting some cotton candy for the kids, but decided that the mere presence of it might send my stomach over the edge.

"Fun Mom" exit stage left.

~The rides - Free. (We were given some unlimited ride wristbands.)
~The (highway robbery priced) pizza slices - $9 (It took all I had not to go an a tirade about what that $9 could have gotten me elsewhere.)
~The moment when you realize that it really sucks to get old. - Priceless. (Because no amount of carnival corn dogs or snow cones was going to talk my stomach out of it's imminent need to hurl.)

...although, now that I've been home for a little while and recovered, I think I hear the yakisoba, and local frenchtoast-on-a-stick calling my name. Leave it to me to gravitate towards the food.

And, maybe, just maybe I'll use the day's remaining "fun mom" card on that big, sticky bag of ~~sugar air~~ cotton candy....

this, that, these, and those

2009-07-29T15:30:00.000-07:00

What do the ragamuffins do when it's approximately 257 degrees outside??

A little of this...

A little of that...

A few of these...

And lots of those...

And what do I do when it's approximately 257 degrees outside??

Well, join 'em, of course!

...and this, that, these, and those are the dog days of summer...

Salad & Babies

2009-07-26T20:26:00.000-07:00

What do these two things have in common, you ask?

Well, apparently, a great deal in the eyes of my daughter.

Because they are exactly the 2 reasons that she has for not wanting to become a mommy.

"I don't want to be a mommy, because mommies eat salad and have babies and that hurts."

Which part hurts, hon? Having the babies or not being able to stomach or stay the same weight on ramen noodles, soda, bagels, Taco Bell and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups? (At least, that's what I remember eating in college when I was skinny, but still thought I was fat.) Oh that's right...BOTH.

**This message was brought to you by an adorable little dark haired, brown eyed, 5 year old beauty via her salad eating (but still not skinny), baby bearing, eye sight failing, 20 something...oh fine, 22 something (ahem ;)), frazzled, dish pan handed mama.

Think I'll go eat some ~~salad~~ Reese's now...

(Oh and FYI, if that's what it means to be a mommy, then sign me up and call me Lettuce.)

Camping With Dirt Friends!

2009-07-22T23:27:00.000-07:00

Whoever coined the phrase "lazy days of summer", must not have had 3 young children at the time. Or at least, they didn't have MY 3 young children, bless their little hearts, because I have yet to see the lazy part of this summer. Except for the days leading up to our camping trip with our friends, the Blairs. For one might assume, based on the amount of packing that still needed to be done at 12am of the day we would be leaving, that I indeed had been practicing laziness. Which then begs the question, does laziness, in fact, need to be practiced? But I digress.

Usually, the week leading up to a trip or vacation, my children are the textbook model of health, they are the most angelic of children, I always keep my cool and talk with the utmost tenderness and kindness, I am packed and ready several days in advance, forgetting nothing, we awake the morning of, bright eyed and bushy tailed ready for our next big adventure, and every one hops in the car after being asked the first time, without irritating their beloved brother or sister, and we all break out into "Kumbaya My Lord" as we merrily go on our way. And there was not the least bit of sarcasm in that last paragraph.

Even though all that was NOT the case, even though we started out on yet another vacation with sick kids (This time with fevers, headaches, and the like.), even though I had the craziest of weeks leading up to our trip, and even though we didn't leave bright and early, but instead woke up, finished packing, and hit the road by 1pm...

And even though now, from all the aloe gel that's being applied every 1/2 hour, my forehead and nose resemble Kermit the Frog with a sunburn... (It's a small blessing that it's not in a place where clothing actually has to touch.)

And even though I'm still ~~finding stow-away bugs~~ unpacking camping gear, ~~running loads of sweat and dirt caked clothes in hot water~~ doing laundry, and ~~finding copious amounts of Central Oregon Mountain dirt~~ hosing off shoes...

We had A GREAT TIME!! And one of the best parts was we got to spend it with our faithful friends of 10+ years who we love!

We cooked...

We (parents) stayed up late paying card games and eating popcorn and candy.(Shhh. Don't tell the kids!)

And occasionally the dirt bandit would show up...
We hiked around at our lake...

and up to another beautiful lake...

We posed for pictures...

...of the girls...

...of the boys...
And occasionally the dirt bandit would show up...

We swam...

We slept...

And occasionally the ~~dirt~~ mud ~~bandit~~ monster would show up... (I know. You're simply amazed by my cleverness. I can't even stand it myself.)

We ate s'mores...of course!

We sat around the campfire...
And occasionally the dirt bandit would show up...

And a camping trip wouldn't be complete without...

light sabers?

Boys will be boys...

And boys will tease the girls by taking the food that they were trying to feed the ants with. Yeah. (And WHY do we buy expensive toys when they find the most simple of things to entertain themselves with??)

And occasionally the dirt bandit...oh, who are we kidding, it LIVED at our campsite.

See?!

And maybe, just maybe, by next week our feet will actually be dirt free.

Just in time for the next adventure. :)

The End.

**Sorry to end this post on a sad note but while we were there, the lake we were camping at experienced the tragedy of a 18 year old boy drowning (This local news clip tells the story. The man interviewed is our friend who we were camping with.) and we spent that evening in shock, talking with our children, reminding them of water safety, praying with them, for the friends and family of the victim. If you think of it, would you pray for them too? ...and it's a good time to remind ourselves and our children the smart and safe way to enjoy the water this summer...

I love me some 80's.

2009-07-16T09:26:00.000-07:00

But really, who doesn't? (And if you don't, I don't know if we can be friends. I kid.)

And who doesn't love listening to amazingly talented people sing or jump or....well, you'll see.

And who isn't inspired, encouraged, comforted, or just filled with happiness or some other lovely emotion when listening to certain music?

And seriously, who doesn't love Africa by Toto?! Just sayin'.

And now you'll be humming, singing, and...snapping that all.day.long.

You're welcome.

But don't just thank me. Thank my friend, Erin, for sending me this little gem.

Not Me! Monday

2009-07-14T14:38:00.000-07:00

Since this is definitely not late, I won't just direct you, quickly, to MckMama's place to read what everyone else didn't do this last week. Whether it's true confessions or bragging in disguise (like mine definitely is not) you, too, can join in!

I am not using Not Me! Monday as my forum of choice to get a little caught up on my blogging. Nope. Not me.

After the weekend in which I was not spoiled by an afternoon nap, hubby taking kids to park, hubby cooking dinner, and hubby cleaning up after dinner, we did not also get to have a date "day" the next day while the kids played with Mimi and Papa.

I did not laugh my evil sinister laugh (muwahahahaha!) when my hubby, who for approximately 10 years has refused to step foot into an IKEA since the first (and I was worried, the last) time, suggested (on his own!) that part of our "date day" should include a stop at IKEA and when walking out of said store, then proceeded to admit, "I love IKEA" to me. I did not rejoice after realizing that it would not have to be another 10 years before I could revisit one of my favorite stores of all time.

While at IKEA we did not pick up some chairs to complete our "front" room,

some much needed containers to hold my bulk buys from Winco,

some fun rugs to brighten up the kitchen and cushion my feet while slaving away at the stove or sink,

and a couple other cheap finds.

By the time we left IKEA, a good 3 hours had definitely not come and gone and we were absolutely not desperate for something to fill our bellies.

Being the hater of most things fish, I did not agree to stop at a sushi place for an appetizer just because my hubby was craving it. I did not actually enjoy the 3 (no fish containing) items that I ate. Nope. Not me.

And while getting proof of my sushi eating ways, I absolutely did not sling my soy sauce/wasabi creation all over my shirt and not notice it until getting in the car. (I do not see about a hundred things that I don't like about this picture....all which have something to do with double chins, bug eyes, hair placement and nostrils.)

We then did not take a leisurely stroll along Portland's waterfront, take pictures of this beautiful city, and weird-people watch while furiously licking at our shared ice cream cone that was quickly melting before our very eyes.

But, if all this had taken place, we absolutely would not have found it heavenly to simply be together, strolling (Did you hear me say strolling?! Strolling, people! Not dragging a posse through a store, holding back grabby hands, feeding many hungry mouths, taking "potty breaks", eating McDonald's, putting a movie on in the car for the drive to the city, racing back home for rests/naps/the safety of home.) hand in hand, finishing an entire ice cream cone ourselves, talking....................................

You get the pic.

Well, wonders never cease.

2009-07-09T19:15:00.000-07:00

And no, I'm not talking about the fact that I'm actually posting after a week has come and gone since my last post. If you can even call what I wrote last time an actual "post". Although, it is a small wonder that I'm ~~finding~~ making time to sit down and give some attention to my little blog, read by a few faithfuls.

The wonders that I speaketh of are many, though. So I will proceed. You're welcome.

I might, in fact, be referring to the wonder that we finally made it down to California to visit part of Billy's side of the family after having not been for about a year and a half. Too long!

And it's possible that I might be speaking of the wonder of quality time spent just "being" together...
(We started missing you the moment we stepped into the car to leave Tia Gina, Uncle Joe, Dani, Gabe, Ang, Noah, Micah, and baby Lily!)

...and to the wonder of God's creation provided for our enjoyment (and for our cooling off)...
...and to the wonder that IS Puerto Rican Lechon, rice, and beans prepared lovingly by Billy and his uncle (while wearing aprons - why don't I have a picture of that?) (and homemade cheesecake that wasn't around long enough to get a picture of)... ...and to the wonder that kids have for the simple joys of the sprinkler (have I mentioned the cooling off part?)...

...or not...
...and to the wonder of the hand and "bottom" prints...
...which they happened to think looked like a bunny's head. I didn't argue with them.

...and to the wonder of...

(need I say more?)

...and to the wonder of beautiful babes...

(See that boy on the dock? Yup, that's my oldest. And that's about as still and about as close as I could get for a picture the whole time we were there.)

(I couldn't resist, Dani. You ARE one of the beautiful babes.;))

...and the fact that God even gives us the privilege of caring for them.

But the best wonder of all that I might be referring to would be witnessing one of God's miracles in person. The birth of one of God's creations never gets old to me and I couldn't have received a greater blessing to send us off on our way home.

Welcome to this big, crazy, loving, all-up-in-your-business (in a good way), amazing family, sweet baby Lily!! We love you!

...aaaaand...I'm done. And it only took 2 hours 8 minutes 23 seconds (ok, maybe a smidge more), 20+ photos, and more brain cells than I could stand to loose to do it. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know. Wonders never cease.

Speaking of wonders (which I have been, in case you just skipped to the bottom of this post), it's a wonder that you kind people stuck around through that highly overdue monstrosity of a long post. Kudos to you.

Now, if I could just get that "The Contents of my Purse" post, that has you all waiting on pins and needles, drafted. Now that would be a wonder....

Dear Dancing In The Rain,

2009-07-02T23:30:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry

I'm neglecting you.

I miss you. Really I do.

But, you see, life

is happening all around me.

And I would miss it more

if I neglected it.

But I know that you'll be here

when I'm ready to fill you with words and pictures again.

Cause I will.

Soon.

I promise.

Next time I'm not

tending to

sinks full of dishes,

couches piled with laundry,

scraped knees,

kids drying off from the pool,

filling the cupboards and fridge,

vacuuming up crumbs,

picking up dirty clothes,

picking up books and toys,

exercising this body,

painting little girl's toenails,

packing for a trip to the park,

cuddling waking babes,

dating my husband,

worshiping my King,

building and nurturing my friendships,

visiting with family,

I'll tend to you.

You understand, don't you?

Not Me! Monday - Vacation Style

2009-06-29T15:37:00.000-07:00

We DID go on vacation for 8 days. We DID go to California to see family. We DID have a wonderful time. And I WILL write more about all that later...along with "The Contents of My Purse" post that I promised you and that I know you all are just dying to read. But first, I couldn't pass up "The Confessions of a ~~World Traveler~~ Road Trip Mama" Not Me! Edition. So buckle your seat belts and hold on tight while I bring you up to "speed" on all the things I did NOT do this last week. (Which in layman's terms means I did do.) If you need the driver's manual on how this all works, visit MckMama, so you can pass the test and become a licensed "Not Me-er". Did I take that a little too far?? Naaaah.

We did not have to start out on our 10 hour drive with "Barf Bowl" in hand. We would not be so used to kids feeling sick the morning of the beginning of vacation that we actually have a "Barf Bowl"....and it's absolutely not decorated.

We did NOT resort to eating at MickyDs a total of 3 times. I have spent way too much time trying to have my family eat healthier things to then say "heck with it" on our vacation and cave for what was cheap and easy. But, seriously, where's an In-N-Out when you need it?

And I definitely would not have taken a picture of my baby sleeping on his Aunt and Uncle's couch, only to discover while uploading and examining the pictures that, yes indeed, he did fall asleep with a fry sleeve in hand. Nope. Not me.

I absolutely did not let my children participate in another unhealthy activity (watching way more T.V. than they're used to watching) because it was just too.dang.hot., during the triple digit heat wave that lasted a few days, to even step foot outside.

I did not pray that my "sis-in-law" (She's technically not my SIL. Billy's cousin's wife. But he's like a brother to Billy and she's like a sis to me.) would go into labor while we were in California so I could be a part of it, be an eye witness to another miracle, and hold my new "niece" before she's a year old. I did not rub her belly numerous times and say, "C'mon bebe!" (Nacho Libre style) to "aid" in that process. I am not still glowing that God answered my prayer. More about all those "Nots" in another post, of course!

I did not, myself, on our 10 hour drive home, eat In-N-Out (burger, fries, AND shake. Thankyouverymuch.), a couple bites of Linc's Subway sandwich, a foo-foo coffee from Dutch Bros, Taco Bell, AND a Take 5 candy bar. And I won't tell you that when we arrived home at around 9pm I did not also down a Nutty Bar that I discovered we still had in the pantry. (Can someone please tell me why I typed that out? It looks so much worse in writing.) Because if I had consumed about 8 times the calories that any human being should consume in a given day, I would absolutely never admit to it. And I would never excuse it in my own brain, by telling myself that I had sweat enough in the last 2 record high northern California days to burn off most of that ~~junk~~ food. DEFINITELY not me.
I did not come home to a kid's bathroom that smelled all kinds of rancid because someone forgot to flush the toilet before we left for 8 days. That would never happen in this household, especially after I thought I checked for that before we left.

Because I would never laugh at my own joke or overuse a joke (facebook, twitter, blog, ahem) I will not tell you again that the evil voice of Mt. KillinMeWithLaundry is calling my name yet again. The really scary part? Mt. KillinMeWithLaundry can magically move from suitcase, to laundry room floor, and then rest itself on living room couch where it decides to settle until I just can't stand it any longer and decide to move it to the closets. And I'm not telling how long I can stand for it to reside there. I'm not telling all my bad habits. Really, I'm not.

Until the next time I decide to air all my dirty laundry... (snicker, snicker, snort) Get it?! See, I told you I never laugh at my own ~~bad~~ jokes. NOPE! NOT ME!!

For my tweet peeps...

2009-06-19T15:25:00.000-07:00

...and whoever else might be interested.

I honestly can't remember the last time I paid for a FULL session at hairapy. You know, cut AND color. So it was with great excitement and some nervousness that I set out today to do just that. I decided to ignore the husband's suggestion to go platinum. I usually aim to please him, but I don't think he quite understands that freckled fair skin and platinum don't mix. There's no need for me to try and look more washed out then I already do. But I hope he's a little pleased because I gussied up my natural auburnish color (Yes, it's a color. It's the color of a youthful vibrant auburn gone brownish with age. How's that for a description?) with some darker red and blond highlights. And I decided to go a little sassy with the cut. I must say, I'm pleased as punch at how it turned out. And deem this hairstylist "a keeper"! One of the many reasons being: she spent quality time explaining and showing me how to style it and different ways of styling it and all kinds of useful tips. A must for me who is bond by The Curse of ThehairthatIcan'tstyleathomeandhaveitlookthesameasitdidwhenaprofessionaldidit-andthusitlooksrediculous.

Soooo...
getting on with it...

Um. Yeah. Me trying to look sassy. When you don't got it, you don't got it. Let's just go with me looking cheesy and nerdy.

...pretty sure I stink at self portraits...
To get the effect featured in this photo simply clean your bathroom mirror, wait 1 day maybe less, and then step back and enjoy the speckled toothpaste look that was achieved by your spouse (cause it definitely isn't me that holds this talent. ahem. I just hold the talent for noticing it and then either ignoring it or taking pictures of it and posting it on my blog for all the world to see.) But, hey, it shows off my highlights and that's all that matters.

Well, there you have it.

On a totally different note...I'll be on a little blogging break for about a week. But when I come back prepare yourself for a profound post on "The Contents Of My Purse". Now, won't that be special.

...if that doesn't make you come back, I don't know what will.

I told you so.

2009-06-16T22:00:00.000-07:00

Be warned. I'm breaking all kinds of unspoken and spoken parent/wife/husband/friend/kid rules with this title.

Be warned x 2. Serious eye candy forth coming.

I told you so.

I told you recently some of Emma's cute little 5 year old sayings. Well just the other day she was taking a shower and she asked me to close the curtain. When I did, she says, "Thank you...don't mention it." Um. Ok.... I love her.

I told you that Lincoln has a slight obsession with guitars. What? I didn't tell you that...well, I did now.
So when I realized that his swim shorts from last summer we're going to be a little too small this summer and I happened upon these at Gymboree for a really good price. I bought them. Because they're perfect. What do you think?

I told you in my twittering that a smashing rendition of the "Hallelujah Chorus" would be quite appropriate after making myself an appointment for a pedicure. I wasn't kidding. I'll spare you the before (since it had been well over a year since my last pedi), but here's the after...

Hellooooo, smoother heels and pretty toes! Even if you are freakishly long...

Bonus: I used a gift certificate from my March birthday. I didn't pay a cent. AND I got to go with my friend who bought me the certificate. Thanks Summer!

Go Cathy! It's your birthday! well, it was your birthday...

I told you that baseball is ~~a time sucking vortex of which you should stay far, far away~~ taking up some of our time. But Saturday marked the last game of the season, which means we actually may have ~~a life~~ time to do other things now.

But I also told you that I couldn't be prouder of my first year, much improved, double base hitter.

I told you how much I love this man and how, daily, I'm trying to show him that more by "dating" him.

Just in case you were wondering...it's going pretty good. Getting better every day. And if you're any kind of friend at all, you'll pretend you don't see my pastey white, flabby arm in the reflection of the hub's glasses.

I told ~~you~~ myself that with this...
I had gone as "edgy" as I would go with my children's hair.

But then "Field Day" happened.

There were bounce houses...
...fire hoses...
...snow cones...
...and then this...
And it's safe to say that if he didn't look quite punk rocker before, he surely does now. But I kinda liked it.

I told you that I've been weepy lately what with all the growing up that's going on around these parts. Well, Will's officially a big 2nd grader now...sigh...

...but not so big that he can't still walk hand in hand with his daddy!

And, I tell ya, that's just the way I like it.;)

Letter To Self

2009-06-12T15:30:00.000-07:00

Lest all of you gracious people think I've got it completely figured out and am doing it EVERYday...just thought I would share part of a letter that I wrote myself at Women's Retreat with my church back in March and just now received in the mail.

Dear Self,
"Are you surrendering to Him?
Are you living like Jesus would be enough for you?
Are you moving past past hurts and anger into forgiveness?
Are you respecting your husband?
Are you continuing to leave behind the "if onlys" (and might I add, the "whys" and "what ifs") and everything else that holds you back from the Lord's best for you?
Are you letting God pursue you?
Are you letting tests, trials, and struggles strengthen you?
Where have your priorities been?
Are your activities and actions showing that?"
In His Grip,
Me

As you can see it's taken me several months to get a clue on some things. And truly, if I'm being honest, some of these things are daily surrenders. So...I just may need to send this letter to myself over and over again on a 3 month schedule just as a good little nudge to keep on...and as encouragement that even when I flub up, it doesn't mean I give up.

"Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:12-14

"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:1-3

"For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal." 2 Cor. 4:17-18

10, Ten, X, diez, zehn, dix

2009-06-10T13:29:00.001-07:00

No matter how you say it, sometimes it's hard for me either to come up with 10 things or narrow it down to 10 things. I thought of doing my 10 favorite foods or my 10 favorite 80's songs, but I couldn't narrow it down... And I thought about telling you 10 things I would be doing this summer, 10 of my favorite "things", 10 things that annoy me, 10 things that are making me smile right now, or 10 random things that I betcha didn't know about me, but I just didn't have the energy...
because there's 10 things that I've giving or trying to give most of my energy to these days and it's...

10 of the reasons that I'm not blogging as frequently as I used to or sometimes would like.

But I'm OK with that, because, really, I'm just trying to take care of these responsibilities and blessings that God has placed in my life, right here, right now, in the right way, with the right attitude.

1) This should ALWAYS be first on my list, because it should always be in the center of everything else I do. Sadly, this is not always the case for me, but I want it to be. And I'm striving for it to be. And it's getting more amazing and better every day.

2)
3)4) 5)

I just didn't feel like I needed to explain those last four. Was I right???

6) Wardens of Laundry Prison...

...it's a life sentence with no chance of parole.

(This photo was not staged. Shocker.)

7) Why do I feel like I don't really need to explain this one either. I mean with 3 boys in the house does any one doubt that the time it takes to fill those hollow legs is from sun up to sun down?

And of course you can't have the previous without this...so it really doesn't need it's own number. Just try not to judge me. Ok, you have permission to judge me for the 1 Christmas mug that didn't make it back in with the rest of it's family. Actually, judge the move, not me.

(This photo was not staged. Another shocker, I know.)

8) I do not like plain white walls. I do not like them. Not at all. (Green Eggs and Ham anyone?)

I need to be putting more energy to getting all my pictures and such unpacked and put up. 6 months should have been plenty of time, right??

'Nuff said.

10)

Notice how high on the list this was? Well, this wasn't a list of the top 10 ways I'm being tortured, so it's lucky it even made it on here. Stop looking at me with your evil eye, Jillian. Walk away from The Shred, Leslie, just like I do.

And if this was "13 on the 13th" I would have included our church, family, and friends. But they get a MOST honorable mention and WOULD have made the 10 on the 10th if I would have had recent pictures of them all. So, now I know what is next on my list to do....

Don't think I'll be coming up for air or with more hours in the day any time soon. So this "little less frequent" blogging, might just have to be the new norm.

Don't miss me too much...

P.S. Don't forget to visit Mer, who created this carnival, to see what "10" she and all her peeps came up with.

If I could turn back slow down time...

2009-06-06T00:11:00.000-07:00

A little Cher never hurt anyone. Then again...

I would be remiss if I failed to tell you all about the lovely "date" my oldest son and I went on recently. We did run a couple of errands first, which I tried to make sweeter by letting him suck down an entire Orange Julius by himself. We then headed to the movie "Up". Loved.it. And can I just say how much I love this tender-hearted son of mine?

I also forgot how much I love Junior Mints. But that is clearly not the point of this post, so moving right along...

Will wept at one point in the movie. And was "so sad" in another part. It's probably fair to say that he did not appreciate the emotions of the movie as much as I did, but I'm pretty sure that the subsequent trip to the Dollar Tree may have made UP for it. He is a 7 year old boy, and there's nothing like cheap plastic ~~crap~~ toys that will break within the first 2 hours of play. Again, not the point of this post...

This movie was full of little nuggets. It portrays that life's true adventure isn't about travels or accomplishments, but about relationships. And we know which ONE relationship is the most important. But a slightly less obvious lesson that really stood out to me, as it is something that I've been learning in my life recently anyway, was about finding joy in your current circumstances whether you would classify them as an adventure or not. Instead of bemoaning the adventure you think you've missed, or spending all your precious time striving to be in an adventure that maybe isn't for you or wishing to be back in an adventure you've already been through, just BE in the adventure that you are in the middle of RIGHT NOW. BE an active part of it. For this is where God has placed you!

Did that make sense?? Well, yes Cathy, it did. Well, thank you very much. It is my blog after all.

I can't tell you how many times lately I just stare at my kids and get all weepy. Weepy because I can literally see them shooting UP right before my eyes. Weepy because I no longer have a true baby in the house. Weepy because with each year they get older they get closer to the real hurt and pain of this world. Weepy because it seems they are already slipping away from me. Weepy because I don't get to (or hardly ever get to) rock them to sleep anymore, smell their baby smell (it's now being replaced by dirty boy smell....the not good kind) or bathe their chubby baby bodies. Weepy because their funny baby talk and pronunciations are replaced by the proper words. Weepy because I think about all the mistakes I've already made with them and in raising them and wish that I could just start fresh sometimes.

Weepy because my youngest baby is pulling his words together and forming more sentences every day. Weepy because he rarely sits still long enough to just cuddle with his mama.

Weepy because my little girl, who just yesterday was learning to walk, is now a preschool graduate and will be moving UP to kindergarten next school year.

Weepy because my firstborn is physically growing UP and getting closer and closer to eye level, reads chapter books without any help from us, stays UP a little later, goes on sleepovers at friend's houses, and says things like this heart squeezer, "Mom, we should have these mama/son dates more often. This is nice."

So what's a mom to do? Stay weepy forever? Or enjoy the present adventure I'm in...because if I sit here too long dreaming about how it used to be, in the mean time missing out on the now, the now will be gone and will become the next "used to be" and I'll have missed ALL of it too and all the blessings that God has for me in it.

Apparently, I'm all about the sentences that only make sense to me tonight.

So, I'm going to applaud Lincoln's growing vocabulary. (But not correct him too much;)) And, yes, I'm going to rock him and cuddle him when he lets me. I'm going to potty train him and not keep him in diapers forever just so that I can feel like I have a baby still. (Besides, how weird would that be when he gets to elementary school age. Forget about middle school and high school.)

I'm going to take the time to sit down and paint Emma's toenails. I'll think about getting her ear's pierced. I'll be excited for her, because she's overjoyed that she'll be a big girl in kindergarten next year. I'll commit to a dance class, because she's my twirler, leaper, and poser. I'll be patient when she's asking how to spell word after word after word after word after word, because I want her to love words as much as I do.

And I'm going to embrace the era of baseball, basketball, swimming, etc, that we find ourselves in with Will. I'm going to cheer like a crazy mama, until he starts to be embarrassed by it, and then I'll tone it down a little...maybe. Eventually I'll let him walk to school...but not yet. (Hey, he's only 7 years old. Let's not rush things!)

And on those increasingly rare occasions when they cuddle UP close to me, ask to sit in my lap or read to them, throw their arms around my neck and lay a wet one on me, or when they come to me for comfort after getting hurt...I'll take it. I'll take them. In my arms. And maybe hold them just a little longer.

I'll hold them close, but I won't hold them back. And I won't hold myself back from enjoying the adventure that I'm in.

Oh and before I go (because I really should go, since it's really late/early and I feel like this post is just a jumbled mess of my crazy thoughts) I wanted to share with you one of MY new favorite things. With lots of help from my friend, Erin, I made these charms for my necklace. It probably doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what the letters stand for. I'm pretty proud of these "babies" of mine, proud to be their mama, and proud to hold them close to my heart.

Eating ladybugs may be harmful to your health hearing

2009-06-03T12:07:00.000-07:00

News flash:
Eating live ladybugs does not appear to be deadly or harmful to your health, at least not in the first 5 hours. I'll keep you posted on any long term side effects if they appear. Other than the damaged eardrums caused by the Scream Heard 'Round The World, of course.

Background:
Emma's been catching many a gnat (The "g". It's silent. Reference to VeggieTales, in case you were wondering.), ant, ladybug, and other unidentifiable bug in her new "bug home" from Sonic. Well, the night previous she had caught round 2. And I guess she forgot that her sweet and innocent (ahem) little brother must have one eye kept on him at all times, because she left said ladybug unattended for ~~an hour~~ a millisecond.

Play by play:
Emma: Scream Heard 'Round The World!!!!!!!!!! HE ATE MY LADYBUG!! EEEEKKKKK!! AAAHHHH!!!! WAAAHHHHH!!!!!! MY LEG'S BEING GNAWED OFF BY A GIANT HAIRY POISONOUS TARANTULA!!!!!! (OK, she didn't really say that last part, but if you had only heard her wails you may have assumed it was happening.)

Mama: (dashes in to see what the heck is going on, does a sweep of Lincoln's mouth, sees Lincoln holding an open and empty "bug home") Yup. He sure did. Yucky, Lincoln!

Emma: (Sobbing, wailing, gnashing of teeth) My ladybug is DEEEEAD!!!

Mama: Yes, he is. And he's in Lincoln's tummy now. Lovely. C'mon, Lincoln, let's go eat breakfast...part 2.

Mama: (With all the sympathy I can muster...because I'm positive that this isn't the last time something like this will happen.) I'm sorry Emma. How about from now on you keep your "bug home" outside and out of Lincoln's ~~mouth~~ reach. K?

Never a dull moment...

I'm just glad Linc's breakfast wasn't the little scallywag ladybugs she caught "fighting" a week or so ago...

Not Me! Monday

2009-06-01T13:58:00.000-07:00

MckMama started this ~~little~~ HUGE carnival as a way to "confess" to those things that we all do but often don't say out loud in a theureputic, I'm right there with you, been there done that, I totally understand, yup, this is my life, we all have "those" moments, bonding kind of way.
Let us laugh at with you and make some of those "moments" that you would rather forget memorable in a different, more humurous way! Let's be honest and live to tell about it together over at My Charming Kids!

So have you lost track yet of the times that I've insisted that I did.not. wait until the last minute was actually over and done with before starting on my Not Me's instead of recording them throughout the week?

You haven't? Well, then I will definitely not be a broken record and say that once again I did not wait and I'm not sitting here with an empty glass, an unfilled balloon, a blank page, a dead battery, a broken pencil, a flat tire, a burnt out bulb, a....well, you get my drift.

I will absolutely, most definitely, with all seriousness NOT in any way, shape, or form copy Mama Bear's idea for Not Me! Monday and pawn it off as my own idea. And I would never be one to use as many different words as possible to say one thing just to make my post a more acceptable length. Not me!

So I will NOT just leave you with our weekend photos of our "fabulous fun with family and faithful friends", a little alliteration, and call it good. Nope. Not me. I would NEVER cheat on a Not Me! Monday like that. Ever.

you know this is why you keep coming back

2009-05-29T14:06:00.000-07:00

Sonic - Take Two: ...because I can't be on that side of town now and NOT visit...

Today it was a Vanilla Diet Dr. Pepper. Very yum. Much more mild than my beloved PDDP. But at the risk of losing my new found friendships with Meredith and Carpoolqueen, I have to say it comes in 2nd behind my Pineapple Diet Dr. Pepper. Do you like how it's now my PDDP, Amber? And it most definitely does deserve it's own text color...cause it's special like that.

Is anyone getting a little scared about my obsession yet?

Aren't you glad you can visit my blog to get my educated (I need my bachelors degree to be good for something.) opinion on the plethora (again...my bachelors degree) of beverage combinations one can obtain from Sonic??

You're welcome.

What is the world coming to? What is my life coming to...that the most exciting thing I can think to blog about is my Sonic runs. It's a sad, sad state of affairs, I tell ya.

So since I feel like this post should be about more than just Sonic. Step away from the drink, Cathy. Here's a few other happenings, that if you're visiting my blog, you must know about...

Summer Cuts

Inspired by this cool dude, we went a little faux hawkish. And let's face it, as sad as it was to see his baby look go again, he looks mighty dashing with his new look, don't you think?

And it's nice to have options.

He can go faux...

...or no....because as long as it's paired with pink shoes he can't go wrong...

...or just plain goofy.

And since I like to ~~punish myself~~ make the most of my time I decided to get the other 2 ragamuffins taken care of on the same day.

Believe me. It was time to get this scary mess of a head
shaped up into something a little more manageable.

The face? Not so much manageable. Apparently we all know how to sport our goofy look.

Which leads me so beautifully into this eye pleasing performance by my hubby which was recorded at a Foster Parent Appreciation Dinner that he organized. Didn't want you to feel left out, Hon.

(He's the one on the far left.)

Ahhh, makes a woman proud.

Wasn't watching the Village People just the icing on the cake or the pineapple in the Diet Dr. Pepper as it were?

P.S. Because I'm thoughtful, I left you with lots of links to follow to keep yourself busy over the weekend. You know, because you all have nothing to do...

don't leave home without it helmet

2009-05-27T22:56:00.000-07:00

Alternate title: A Post Of The Wordless Variety
Other alternate title: I don't have time to be all witty and wordy.

the proof is in the pudding pineapple...that got stuck in my straw

2009-05-26T13:23:00.000-07:00

I've fallen in love with another...

Drink, that is. Or lured over to the dark side. However you want to put it...

After having been ~~hounded~~ gently encouraged by some blogging friends to visit Sonic (which I had yet to do) AND after having been told that I couldn't knock the Pineapple Diet Dr. Pepper from Sonic before I tried it (I'm not naming any names...AMBER!) , I finally ~~caved~~ willingly took my merry self with family in tow to our ~~neighborhood~~ across-town Sonic for a Memorial Day treat. And I have to say the PDDP, as it shall now be dubbed, was heavenly and exceeded my expectations (which I will admit weren't that high). And the fact that there is REAL pineapple in it? Well that's just an added bonus.

For those who need further proof that I indeed mean what I say. I, of course, had my hubby take a picture of me delighting in my new found love (which he, of course, did not make fun of. Ahem.) because that is, of course, just what you do when you have joined the World Wide Blogging Community of Sonic Lovers UnAnonymous. That's a lot of "of course"s...

So in the word's of Lincoln after he tasted his daddy's..."Wow-eee!"

I should be done talking about Sonic now, right? Wrong. Because I have one more part to the story. We also decided to try out a few food items. And while the fry sauce turns out to be something that I would run over small children to get to, grab handfuls of, and hoard in my car and pantry... and the taste of the tots were evil (in the sense that I can just feel them attaching themselves to my muffin top, since I could easily eat a pound of them) I have to say I was disappointed in the bang for my buck. I ordered off the "value" menu, and perhaps that is where I was led astray, but please tell me I'm not the only one that would have expected more than 7 tater tots in my little paper bag. Yes, that was before eating any of them. And, yes, I counted them. Which I had to, because when I went up and asked if this was the "normal" portion size, I was told the "value"(and I use that term loosely at this point) should contain 8 tater tots. Phew. Boy do I feel better. All is right with the world now. Wait! What?! You have got to be kidding me!!!

But, oh, does it get better. Yes, it does. After I counted mine and discovered I had 7, she asked me if I would like her to go get me ONE MORE. Yeah. Because that will make it worth the $1 that I spent. So while the taste of the tots was divine, the pain in my frugal mind and pocket were not.

Will all of that keep me away from my Pineapple Diet Dr. Pepper and the Vanilla Diet Dr. Pepper that I will most assuredly try next time (that one's for you Mer!)?? No it will not. I have a feeling that Sonic will see quite a bit of me this summer. Specifically during Happy Hour when the drinks are half price!

I have a date...

2009-05-22T12:47:00.000-07:00

...with my hubby tonight. Last week we reached the anniversary of our 11th year together. But tonight we CELEBRATE it! We're blessed to have parents who love to have their grandkids stay with them from time to time. And so tonight we're taking advantage of that and getting out! It's been way too long since we've had a "date night", as our kids have come to know it. Life gets crazy, schedules fill up, and the weeks slip by. But we eventually find time to spend an evening together, because we knew from the very beginning how important it would be once we had children to keep time alone together sacred, special, and a regular thing.

Yes, tonight we'll have a date date. Talking, laughing, driving, dinner out, walking (hand in hand), and just enjoying eachother's company.

But I've discovered lately that I need to be better at "dating" my husband every day. In the little things. The things that came so natural when love first blossomed, before the busyness, before children, before the tough trials tried to break you down, before you were in a committed marriage that Satan did not want to see thrive. The things that say "I love you. I cherish you." without actually saying "I love you. I cherish you." Because we all can say those words, but do we put them into action on a daily basis.

"What do you have going on at work this week, babe?"

"Hi honey, how was your day?" And then actually stop what you're doing and listen!

"Hon, I just want you to know how much I appreciated you getting the lawn mowed and things tidied up outside this weekend."

"I'm so proud of the work you do at your job!"

"I love watching you with our children. They love you so much and you're such a good daddy."

Me being the one to plan a surprise date, arrange for childcare.

Fixing a meal that I know is one of his favorites.

Watching one of "his" movies, that I don't necessarily care for without complaints.

Dropping by the office and surprising him with a special treat (coffee, cookies, etc.)

Being calm and gentle with my children when they are being challenging. This one I've discovered speaks to MY hubby.

Being silly and goofy with him and the kids in the evening.

It's my tone of voice when talking to him, alone, in front of friends and family, in front of our children.

And a few other things that will remain unwritten....

These are just some examples of things that "speak" my love AND respect (which is even more important) to my husband.

How do you "date" yours? Please, do share!