Blog-O-Lantern Contest... My entry

Okay, it took some time and effort this morning but I did it!

I was going to try and do Mater from the movie Cars but got too nervous.
So here he is, one of the most curious monkeys around...

Go check out Theresa's blog for more info on the contest.
She did an excellent Cinderella carving!!

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen thoughts rolling around in my head...

1. How come I just realized that the show King of Queens means he's the King of Queens, NY?

2. Why didn't I remember how much you have to pee when you're first pregnant?

3. Would I turn my shirt inside out like those women on the Dove deodorant commercials?

4. I wonder if I'm having a girl this time?

5. I wonder how long Lauren with be on sabbatical?

6. I wonder how much I can spend at the candle party tonight : )

7. I wish my SIL wasn't leaving in April for the mission field

8. My hubby is soooo great! He just called an offered to pick up dinner so I don't have to worry about it tonight!

9. I really like the new Rachel Ray show. Glad T got me started on watching her : )

10. Man, Shalee must think I'm a flake! I've never called her back. Maybe tomorrow.

11. I wonder if I'll have to change the name of my blog in about 8 months?

12. I'm so glad HolyMama stabbed her nose and not her eye the other day!

13. I love having my Mom around the corner for anything I need!

Birthday Surprise Pictures

Tina couldn't get the pictures to load so I thought I would try...

Happy Birthday Tina

Okay, so do you really think pregnancy brain can kick in this quickly with your third child??

My sister-n-law's birthday was yesterday. She turned 28 years old. See I planned a big birthday surprise for her and a bunch of the girls for Thursday night. We took her to the Cheesecake Factory and had a wonderful time! She was surprised and everything happened as planned. We also made her a scrapbook that she can take overseas when they leave for the mission field in April. Oh yeah, and a dozen red roses in a vase. I thought we had a great time and she seemed to really enjoy it.

Then yesterday while I was on the phone with her, I totally forgot it was her birthday!! Well, not really because I asked her what they did and she said they went to a soccer game. I reminded her about her oldest son, Andrew, saying that was her birthday present. Then about 5 minutes later I asked what they were doing and she said "opening presents." I was sitting there in silence trying to figure out what the presents were for?? Duh, then it hit me and I felt like a complete moron!!

Tina, I hope you know just how much I care about you! You are one of the best friends I have ever had!! What would I do without you by my side? We've gone through the good times and bad. Thick and Thin. Well, mostly you've been thin... just kidding : ) Anyway, I love you very much and couldn't have picked a better sister-n-law if God would have given me a choice!!

Hope you had a wonderful birthday!!

Rock-a-Bye Baby

Just getting some practice for when our next little bundle of Joy comes in about 9 months!!

That's right, I'm having a BABY! Just thought all of you blogging friends out there would like to know my little secret. I took the test on Wednesday and it's positive!

We're very excited and praying for a little girl : )

My Grandma keeps saying "Just think Pink!"

I'll keep you updated.

My Own Little Action Film

Today we were headed out for a fun time at the zoo. I decided to go out the garage and load the two back seats and boosters in the van so my nephews could come along. When I finished loading up, I closed the garage door and got in the van. That's when I smelled it... the poopy pull-up coming from the back. I got out, unbuckled him and realized I had forgotten pull-ups and wipes for this little outing. Plus, I didn't have the Buy-one-get-one-free coupons for the zoo. So I grabbed my keys and ran up to the house. When I went to open the door I realized I hadn't unlached the security bar when I went out the garage.

I was stuck, it was either break a window or slam into the door and knock that thing off the wall. I wasn't about to break a window and deal with that mess! So I opened the door, took a few steps back and slammed into the front door with my shoulder. It didn't work the first or second time but the third was a real hit! The door flew open and I thought to myself "What have I just done?" I was so worried that my husband would be upset but surely he would understand that there was just no other way in.

I grabbed what I needed out of the house, jumped back in the van and headed for the zoo. I first called my sister-n-law to let her know we were on our way to pick up the boys. I told her what had happened and she laughed her head off! She said "That was for diapers, wipes and coupons... I can only imagine what you would have done if your baby was stuck inside?"

Then I made the dreaded call to my husband... He laughed so hard and then said "Honey, you didn't hurt yourself did you?" What a guy, he wasn't concerned about the damage to the wall but more about me!!

Now, we will have to replace part of the door frame because it's just too far gone but that's okay. I learned my lesson and will never do anything like that again! I've added some pictures to the bottom so all of you can see the damage done. Hope you get a good laugh!!

Conversations with God

Here's a conversation I had with Seth (2 yrs) the other day...

Seth: I wan nack mama.
Me: Seth, you need to say please.
Seth: Pease mama, I have nack now!
Me: I'm sorry Seth maybe in a little while.
Seth: No mama, I have nack now!!
Me: Not right now, maybe after lunch.
Seth (crying and throwing a fit): Pease mama, pease!

Well, this reminded me of another conversation...

Me: Lord can I have such and such?
God: Did you say please?
Me: Lord can I please have such and such?
God: Not right now, maybe later.
Me: But God I really need this now!
God: Wait, I will do it when I know it's best for you.
Me (crying and throwing a fit): Please Lord, please!

I wonder how many times God has gotten tired of hearing me fuss and whine about not getting what I wanted, when I wanted it. This really had me thinking. I want to be a child that doesn't argue when God says no. I want to wait and see His plan for my life!!

Thursday Thirteen



Thirteen Things Seth has gotten into lately...



1. Sun screen ~ Oh yes he did and smeared it all over the front recliner

2. Blue marker ~ Yep, and colored his bed

3. Orange marker ~ Uh huh, and colored his closet doors

4. My Mascara ~ He did a great job on his face, twice in fact

5. Crayons ~ You guessed it, on the living room wall

6. Coffee ~ All over the kitchen floor

7. Shampoo ~ Playroom floor

8. Blush ~ He looked like a clown

9. Honey ~ Thank goodness I caught him in time, it was only on his hands

10. My Lipstick ~ Good thing it wasn't new

11. Bubble Bath ~ Luckily this one was in the tub

12. Dog Food ~ He did eat some of it because he had dog breath when I found him

And #13 the Icing on the cake... Just that, he got into a tub of frosting at my Mom's the morning and rubbed it all over the tile floor, hallway closet and tracked it onto the carpet in the playroom!!

Some of you might think that this has happened over the last two years that he's been alive... Nope, this has all happened in the last 7 days!! Please pray that I don't lose my sanity!!

I'll take any ideas that you've got to break him of this little problem : )




Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)


Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants



Tagged for a meme

Shalee tagged me all the way from her diner for this one...

It's a word meaning meme where I am to write what the words mean to me.

Buttercup: For the life of me I can't think of anything. There is an oldies song that keeps trying to play in my head that mentions buttercup but I can't get the tune or words right.
*updated* The song is Build Me Up Buttercup

Bookstore: Barnes and Noble

Pasta: My sister once got a card from a friend of my Moms and it said "Sorry it's pasta your birthday." She had made it herself and added pasta noodles. It was very cute!

Inspiration: My kids, they seem to inspire me to reach higher, try harder and push farther than I ever thought I could.

Now I'm going to tag some people I know haven't done this one yet... Tina, Mom, Jodi, Sherry, Julie (although I'm still waiting for her to do the one with Noah) and Theresa (when she's feeling all better... we're praying for you T)

Here are your words..
Pizza
Friendship
Daisy
Grace

Bloggy Tour of Testimonies

One Wednesday night when I was 5 years old I went to church just like always. I was in Sparks in the AWANA program. I remember thinking I wanted to know more about asking Jesus into my heart. So I went up to the leader, my Aunt Karen, and asked her what I needed to do to. She took me for a walk and we talked about it. She asked me some questions and I answered. She took me to the foyer at the front of the sanctuary and we sat and talked. I remember her leading me in the prayer and I was so excited. We went and found my Grandpa and Grandma and shared the news. They were all so proud of me!

A while later my Dad came to pick me up and we called my Mom. She was in the hospital after having had some kind of surgery. She was so excited and I think started crying while we were talking.

Then on my sixth birthday I got baptized. I remember how excited and nervous I was all at the same time. I knew I was in good hands since my Grandpa was the pastor and I had never seen him drop anyone before. What a great thing to do on your birthday!

Later when I was about 14 I remember crying and talking with my Mom one night. I was so upset and didn't understand why. I had really been struggling with some bad attitudes and feeling like I wasn't a very good person. She suggested that I pray and rededicate my life to Christ. We prayed together and talked some more. I felt much better.

It's great to know I am a child of God!!

Now head over to Lauren's blog and join in. We would all love to hear your testimony today!

You never let go

I am constantly surprised at how God loves us and takes care of us. A few weeks ago we were really struggling with our money and I wasn't sure how we would provide enough groceries for the week. I was getting nervous but hadn't really mentioned it to anyone because I knew God would provide. Sure enough my Mom called me up and said "I'm going to Sam's Club, do you want to ride along?" She did her shopping, we paid and went back to her house. She started dividing stuff up and setting some aside. I didn't really think much about it until she said "Here's some stuff you can have for your house. We'll never eat all of this here." I thanked her and told her she didn't need to do that. She gave her standard answer "That's what Mom's are for! I'm not asking you if you want to take it, I'm telling you that you have to. Grandma used to send stuff home with me and now it's my turn."

A couple weeks later I had sent hubby to the store to pick up groceries but I forgot a couple things on the list. When he got home I realized that he had used the whole grocery budget and we hadn't gotten any meat. The very next day my friend Julie came over about 20 minutes before playgroup. She had a freezer bag in her hand and asked "Do you have room in your freezer for some meat? Someone at church gave us a bunch of meat and we'll never eat it all." She gave me 4 packs of hamburger (2 lbs each), a couple steaks and some frozen hamburger patties. I was so amazed by God and His goodness to our family! I hadn't even asked Him for anything extra but He knew we would need it.

Lately we've been praying that God would continue to bless our family so that we could in turn bless others. I know God is in control and only He knows the plans for our family. I'm trying to sit back and let Him do the planning. It's hard sometimes but I've found this song is a great reminder...



Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I’m caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won’t turn back
I know You are near

And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?

Chorus:
Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me

And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We’ll live to know You here on the earth

Chorus:

Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You

Stacey's Mom has got it going on

My Mom informed me this morning that she just couldn't get this song out of her head yesterday. I think she was trying to tell me something : )

My Mom is a beautiful woman! I've known for a long time just how young she looks. I remember when my sister and I were young, we would go to the store or school and people would say something about our big sister. I didn't think anything of it until I was older and realized just what a complitment that was. We still get asked if we're sisters all the time! I'm just hoping it will get passed down to me!! Here are some pictures, see what you think...

My Mom and Dad, still very much in love after 27 years

Still young enough to swing and play with her grandkids

With my boys at her 45th birthday dinner (this year)

Blog-o-Latern

Theresa over at Bullfrogs & Butterflies wants us to carve a pumpkin. I think it's going to be a great little contest. If you're interested go check out her blog for details. I can't wait to see everyone's creations. I know I'm already thinking about what I'm going to do!!

Prayer for my Grandma

Just wanted to take a moment to ask all my bloggin' buddies to pray for my Grandma. She was taken to the ER last night with pain in her stomach and chest. We all thought it was her heart at first but they've ruled that out. They are looking into her pancreas at this point. She's supposed to go in for a CT scan this afternoon/evening and see if they can locate the problem. If they can't then they may have to do surgery. My Grandma is very special to me and I hate to see her in pain. Please pray that it will be something simple and that God would help the doctors to see it clearly.

This is a picture of my Grandma and Grandpa from a couple months ago

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Things about Talking with Lauren 1…. She is just as funny on the phone as she is on her blog 2. She's very loving and kind 3. She's a great listener! 4. She's patient... Seth asked me for something so many times I can't even count and I couldn't understand what he was saying. She just let me work it out with him. In fact, she tried to help me figure out what he was saying : ) 5. We discovered that birth order played a big part in both of our families. 6. My oldest son acts a lot like her's 7. My youngest son acts just like her's and she's now encouraged me to harness that and use it for good around the house with chores in a couple years : ) 8. Her husband, Julian, really can't help himself from joining the conversation. I think maybe he should have his own blog! 9. Lauren and her family used to live in AZ ~ probably only a 35 minute drive from me. 10. Her voice sounds nothing like I imagined for some reason 11. But it was very nice 12. She'll make fun of you about your sidebar but in such a nice way that you will want to laugh, too! 13. I will be talking with her again for sure! My next goal is to talk with Shalee. Lauren and I both think she would be a blast! I also need to call Theresa back... Sorry, T : ) Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)


Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants



THIS IS HOW THE PINK STYLE LOOKS:

Fun meme with Josh

Answers given by Josh, Age 5:

1. Something I do well: Playing video games, math & drawing pictures

2. Something I'd like to improve on: Drawing pictures

3. My favorite food: Mashed potatoes and corn

4. Three words that best describe me: Caring, sweet & serious

5. My happiest moment: My birthday (getting irritated now)

6. The most important thing in my life now: Spending time with my family

7. Then to the moms - Is there anything that surprised you? Actually, only that #1 and #2 contain the same answer. I think he was a little confused.

I did however really enjoy #6, he said it without absolutely any prompting on my part!

Now I'm tagging Tina, Andrew and Kaleb over at Four kids, no brain cells

Julie and Noah over at Desert Diva

Kate and her kids over at the Tate school

Hare today, gone tomorrow

A few weeks ago Josh decided that we need a new pet at our house. We already have a dog and four fish. I'm not sure where the idea came from but he's sure of it. At first he was talking about a hampster or a bunny. I think hampsters are a little too much like mice and I'm not sure what I would do if it got out. So I persuaded him that we could look into getting a bunny. He's been saving his money and has about $10 now. Today I'm supposed to call around and find out about how much we're going to need to get a bunny.

Do any of you know what kind we should get? I don't want one that's going to get huge, we want something that will stay pretty small. Any ideas?

A girl's night out

No, I'm not talking dessert or coffee with a girlfriend. I went to see Chonda Pierce in concert! What a gift God has given her to encourage women through laughter. She is just hilarious. It was so great to sit there with my Mom, sister, Grandma and sister-n-law and laugh, cry and then laugh until we cried.

She has so many good points that made me stop and think. The one that really hit was about the depression she had a couple years back. She said she basically just hit a wall and couldn't go on. It was easier for her to just stay in bed then to face her day. I've felt this way. I know what it's like to just want to stay in bed. I can't say I've ever actually done this but I've wanted to so many times in my life. It was great to hear her talk about it and share what took place in her life. God just gave her the strength to push on and keep going. It encouraged me to keep trusting God and to live each day for Him!!

When the concert was over and almost everyone had left we were still hanging around the front of the church. Chonda actually came out and started visiting with those standing around. She had no shoes on and was so relaxed. It was great to shake her hand and to know that she's just another lady like you and me! She thanked us for coming and told us she appreciated us. As we were walking to our car, I asked "Why didn't anyone get her autograph?" Duh!

Oh yeah, at least I didn't pee my pants like someone we all know... Gibee : )

What time of day are you?

You Are Sunrise

You enjoy living a slow, fulfilling life. You enjoy living every moment, no matter how ordinary. You are a person of reflection and meditation. You start and end every day by looking inward. Caring and giving, you enjoy making people happy. You're often cooking for friends or buying them gifts. All in all, you know how to love life for what it is - not for how it should be.

What Time Of Day Are You?

My September 11th story

I remember getting up and getting ready for work. I had to be there at 6:30 so I was up pretty early. I got the baby ready to go to Grandma's house.

When I got to my Mom's house, the news was on like it usually was. She said "Honey, did you hear about the accident? A plane flew into the twin towers this morning." I remember thinking "what are the twin towers anyway?" I knew they were in New York but I had no real idea what went on there and why someone could accidentally fly a plane into something so tall unless it was on purpose.

I went ahead and went to work. When I got there they had the TV on in the back. I thought that was pretty weird since we never turned it on while the store was running. A few people said something about it "being just horrible" or "how could someone do something like this?" I didn't really think much of it and went to my office in the front of the building. I turned on my radio to my favorite country station and started my daily routine of counting the drawers from the previous day. All they kept talking about on the radio was the plane crash and then I heard those two little words that will stay with me forever... "terrorist attack!"

I called my Mom right away and asked her what it was all about. She was able to tell me more in detail about what was going on. I remember her telling me about the other plane crashes and I welled up with tears. It was so hard to understand. I remember we had hardly any customers that day. My boss finally let me go home early to be with my son, Josh, who wasn't even two months old.

When I got home, I remember sitting on the couch with Josh and crying wondering how something like this could happen to our country. I remember thinking "God, how could I bring a child into a world like this?" My heart went out to all those families who lost loved ones that day. I prayed for the children who would never get to see their parents again. I prayed for the single parents who would have to put their children to bed that night by themselves. I prayed for the Mom's who were pregnant and who's husbands would not get to see their children and the miracle of birth.

I don't remember everything about that day because I was so overcome with emotion but I do remember thanking God for opening our eyes and bringing us together as One Nation Under God!!

Today my heart goes out to all the families who were affected by that horrible day!! I will continue to pray for all of you!!