October 6th-wow!

So. I just now realize that my last post was September 29th-a week ago. Hmm, i've just been really busy. I had every intention of blogging at some point, but I guess my POINT is now. :) 

I am actually looking forward to tomorrow so much. I DO NOT have to leave my house unless I really want to.  Then, of course, I am thinking of something that I will probably have to leave for...but  not a biggie. Tonight was our AWANA night. The kids, yes all three of them, go to AWANA for a glorious hour and a half.  They all seem to really enjoy it and we use their story and memory verse as our "bible" for school. :) I just hit on each key thing and help them with memorization. What I didn't realize is the perks that this guaranteed hour and a half would have. (Man, how glad I am they talked me into enrolling M!) 
  So far, I have: been to dirt cheap and chinese with a bf, met for milkshakes and girltalk with another bf, spent time on the treadmill exercise, praying and praising, met with my MM for girltalk and spent time with my husband when is off on that particular Wednesday. So, not only do I know my kids having a great time...I am too! Who'da Thunk? :)  I had a great time with my MM tonight and can't wait to schedule more of those moments! What a blessing she is and how thankful I am for her!!


We have been busy with alot of this:

And this:

And this:

And this:

This, of course, does not include homeschooling, church, meetings, and basic home duties! I stay tired-alot. :) 

So, for the WEEK worth of spin-down's...I shall just do one big one on this day. I am really not in the mood to try and recall every though of the last week.

Outside my window: Is a glowing pumpkin that my kids just adore. I love how glittery and sparkly it looks. I love the fall and all of its harvest-ness.

I am thinking: of how busy my next week seems to be. And, how much I have no desire in the world (okay, maybe just a slight bit), to go to my high school reunion this weekend.  Will I regret not going and "What's the worst that could happen?"  I still, at this point, have no desire to go. Oh well, one day and a few prayers later could change my mind.

I am wearing: PJ's

I am remembering: How badly my knee hurts when the weather starts to get cool. OUCH!

I am going: To bed and read!

I am currently reading: The Yada Yada Prayer Group #3

I am hoping: for world peace. Seriously.

On my mind: How lovely the silence is after a long day.

Pondering these words:  "I don't want to gain the whole word and lose my soul..."

Praying about: Lifting up two MOPS moms that (1) is in labor now and (1) who will be induced tomorrow.

In the kitchen: Cleanliness..aaaaahhhh. :) Gotta love a clean kitchen. We had BBQ "muffins" tonight. It was an E-mealz meal. But, since (like usual) I burned my muffin pan up, I had to just lay the biscuit dough out and top it with all of the ingredients. It was good, but not very healthy. Oh well.

Around the house: It's semi-clean...and I don't care. :)

One of my favorite things: Is reading the kids' bedtime bible to them and praying with them.

From my camera:

Wednesday, September 29


Outside my window: Not really sure what. I know my nextdoor neighbors pulled in with some boom boom going on-quite annoying. My nightinggale that normally is singing away was probably frightened by the loud booming-ha.
I am thinking: I am exhausted and have a headache.
I am wearing: Old tshirt and shorts-what's new? :)
I am remembering: That I need to make a phonecall in the morning.
I am going:  To our soccer game tomorrow and hopefully no where until then! Sometimes, I get really tired of going.  Chris and the boys are supposed to "camp" in the backyard. Yeah, we shall see how long that lasts.
I am currently reading: Same as the post yesterday. :)
I am hoping:  For world peace. Seriously.
On my mind:  Is this not the same as "I am thinking.."?? 
Pondering these words:
Praying:  For different people, but personally, for compassion and clairity.
In the kitchen:  A rare thing around my house: dishes in the sink.  That is one of my  niches I guess..I cannot stand to wake up to a dirty sink.  But, time slipped away from me before taking the kids to AWANA tonight and I just didn't have time to clean out the dishwasher to put my few dirty bowls in. I also have chili in the crockpot, lefftover from tonight in hopes my beans will soften. I soaked these suckers for over an hour at least...and they were still hard. Dern, beans!
Around the house: I have to say that M's room is rather organized and clean. The kids room-oh my.  Main area's arent too bad. We LIVE here ya know. :)
One of my favorite things: The power of a good worship/praise song. I got on the treadmill tonight while the kids were at AWANA.  I turned on my mp3 thing (that Aime so generously gave to me after refusing to allow me to carry my CD PLAYER to the gym any longer) and really worshiped and praised God. I turned into a normally dreadful (because of the pain in my knee and ankle) time into an awesome 25 minutes with my Lord.  So, singing with my eyes closed and lifting my hands was a bit difficult, but did happen a few times. But for safety (if you know me, you know I probably need to keep my eyes OPEN) I had to worship with my eyes open even though i really wanted to close them. :) :)

From my camera:

Just a piece of clipart I think I used for MOPPETS one time. So, I was just going through my library.  What an awesome price my Savior paid for ME.  For ME (and you).  My I praise Him all my days. Thank you, for loving me my Savior.

Tuesday, September 28th

Today is Tuesday, September 28th:

Outside my window: My two little monkeys (E and N) are climbing in their favorite tree on this BEAUTIFUL day.
I am thinking: about an appointment I have coming up.
I am wearing: Nasty brown capris and a one of my favorite (with a hole in it) tshirts that reads " Occupation: Mother  When is my 15 minute break?" :)
I am remembering: things that I have forgotten to do.
I am going: To our Boy Scout pack meeting tonight.
I am thankful for: My friends.
I am currently reading:  bible, "The Yada Yada Prayer Group" and "You are what you eat"
I am hoping: for world peace. Seriously.
On my mind: My friends A and D.
Pondering these words: .....my past does not define who I am today.....
Praying : for several friends
In the kitchen:  It is clean.  We eat supper rather early (around 4pm) because of C's schedule. We had homemade pizza and carrot sticks tonight.
Around the house:  Nothing got accomplished today but I am enjoying all of the sunlight pouring through the windows. :)
One of my favorite things:  AUTUMN!!!
From my camera:

I am one blessed gal! Thank you and love you, RHM! Miss you and Love you ADK, So proud of you and love you AEW!   These girls are fantastic. :)  I love them.  I need convention again! Shall we have a slumber party girls? (I promise, I won't make you sleep on the floor, Aime...will the couch suffice? Haha.)

Sunday, September 26th

I don't follow many blogs.  Mostly, the ones that I do follow, I will just find something interesting on  blogs that they follow and read those, etc, etc. :)
I am not quite sure what the writer of: The Simple Woman's Daybook is all about, but it did inspire a blog.  So, with that-thanks Simple Woman!

Today is Sunday, September 26th 2010:

Outside my window:  I see my big, red van in need of a washing. Also, the weather is quite dreary which isn't good for a girl that wants to go for a walk. But, I guess the much needed rain never melted anyone either, so what's my excuse?
I am thinking: That I need to go change Makennah's diaper.........now...that smell is in the trash. :) Moving along....I am thinking of how blessed I am to have the friends I have. I had lunch with one of my closest and dearest today..oh how I love her! I am thinking...of how incredibly forgiving and loving God is. Love...so amazing.
I am wearing: Ha. A blue tshirt and exercise capri's..no shoes-of course.
I am remembering: That I need to clean out my closet for the yardsale next weekend. Today really is my last chance.
I am going: to really enjoy myself at tommorrow's Sort and Shop! :)
I am currently reading: I am not reading anything right now. Well, I am reading the bible and using my Life Application Study Bible...but I  will start (probably today) reading "The Yada Yada Prayer Group".
I am hoping: for word peace. Seriously.
On my mind: What isn't on my mind? Um, I need to make a schedule for school this week, menu plan for the next payday, and get myself together for what this week's schedule (activities ) are going to be.
Noticing that: My E is really, really growing up.
Pondering these words:  Really, just all of the book of James.  My Life Application Study Bible describes the PURPOSE of the book of James as: To expose hypocritical practices and to teach right Christian behavior. 
Praying about: A vast array of things.
Around the house: Yard sale stuff is everywhere. Makennah's room is so nice and tidy, though. :)
In the kitchen: Tonight for supper, we are having hotdogs. Fun times. :) Haha!
One of my favorite things: My kids laughter and worship on Sunday mornings.

From my camera:

Recently, I celebrated my birthday. I am seriously overwhelmed with all of the wishes, calls, cards, gifts and surprises. :) I am so blessed to have incredible family and friends!

MOPS International Convention-in pictures. :)

MOPS INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION
August 5-8 2010

 

Taking pictures while waiting on general session to start and Christie and I re=enacting the famous "Chris-TIE" moment from she and Michelle's childhood. BAHAHA. :)

Our hotel was amazingly beautiful!

Dinner's out and fun times with amazing women......

Love her and miss her alot!!! :)

Rainforest Cafe...awesome place! (My food was incredible as well!!!)

One of my sweetest, dearest friends!!!

This picture brings incredible joy to my soul.  I laugh so hard! This is exactly how our room (we all roomed together) dynamic was! Love them!!!!!!

Michelle: "Kristina, give the frog a high five."  Me: "Okay, and i'll give his foot a tickle as well." Ha!

Downtown Disney with some Pirates and a Lego Toy Story.

The plant was attacking me...seriously. :)   My secret sister Michelle and I. Love her!

We met Mandisa......

YYep, we totally met Mandisa (and her band).  Ashley got her journal signed and we got pictures with her. :) So cool!!!  One of her band members asked what MOPS was...so Janalyn (see pics above) took the opportunity to tell them all about this wonderful ministry!!!! Fun times!

FREE

This trip was incredibly life changing for me. God totally used the amazing encouragement and support of the women I was with in leading me to feel comfortable enough (and OBEDIENT) to LET GO. Praise Him, for He is good!!! 

I cannot wait for next years convention! I am already planning!!! :)

My Disclaimer

It has been quite some time since my last post. In fact, it was about my traveling to Orlando, Florida for the annual MOPS International Convention. What a fabulous time I had! God totally met me there and the experience I had totally exceeding my expectations! To top it off, I had nine other amazing supporters there. Amazing. No other girls would I want to have spent my weekend with than these:

More on convention when I have time to post a TON of pictures and am in the mood to blog all of the wonderful things that happened!

So, moving on, my DISCLAIMER:  Since coming home from convention. Things have been drastically different for me.  I am looking through clearer eyes and am really seeking out to serve and honor God in all ways in my life.   Also, I just haven't "felt" like blogging, though I enjoy it immensly. I am striving to focus in other areas of my life.  This is a hobby, something I enjoy, but something that needs to be way down on my list of priorities. So, with that, I will not "post" near as often as I was.  I still love trying new foods and taking pictures of them, I still love to express myself in this way, I still want to blog-but there just wont be as many posts in a day or a week and so forth. Blogging is not my life. In an effort to keep my need to "let some things out" (in a blog friendly way of course-some things just have to be "let out" with trusted girlfriends who pretend to be peeping toms and girfriends who invite the peeping tom in for brownies-love them, haha.) I will try and sit down once or twice a week to keep the back up from taking too much space in my brain!

That is my disclaimer, and I am sticking to it. ~Queen of Disclaimers

Countdown to MOPS Convention: OH MY!!!!!!!

Lately, I have been feeling like my feet are in concrete. You know, like those dreams you have when you're trying to run, but your feet are so heavy you never move? I feel like I am running, but my heart is so heavy that I am constantly staying in one place, never moving forward.

Enter: MOPS Convention 2010  Yep, that is right, I am going to Orlando, FL with nine other amazing women for four days and three nights of comradery, fun, growth, praise, worship and relaxation.  This convention really is God's amazing timing. I NEED this. I feel like my fuel is on empty. I need a great tune up from the greatest physician. I need my tank filled from the #1 powered fuel. My prayer is this convention empowers me as a mother, relaxes my very tired soul, and that God hears our prayers for this time of fellowship and fun and that His presence is felt the entire time.  

Now, anyone that knows me knows I have OCD-like qualities to my personality.  I have been planning for about two weeks on what to wear, pack, etc. I am bringing my own pillow(S) and my own blanket. I have already budgeted my lunch and supper. I have Lysol on my list of "To buy".  I have my jewelry matched to each outfit (okay earrings because the only other thing I wear is my mother's necklace and my wedding rings). (Throwing a rock into my plan of what I was wearing is when the beading on one of my shirts came unraveled..Cato..you will be seeing me for an exchange! I haven't even worn this shirt yet!!!!)  I have what medicine I will be bringing JUST IN CASE for the treatment of: 1.) If I sprain an arm, ankle, etc 2.) Stomach virus (nausea/diarrhea) 3.) Sore throat/cold symptoms 4.) Headache/Mild pain    I also have on my list of "to do": 1.) Wax eyebrows (done)  2.) Color hair  3.)  Pedicure/paint toe nails   I know this all sounds crazy, but I seriously have to write EVERY THING down or I will forget it. I mean, I couldn't believe I have to write down a list of "to-do" for basic upkeep on MYSELF! What is funny, is that when I did a search for the MOPS Convention logo, different photos came up, but one that caught my eye was this: 

Yep, MOPS (or a dust broom..whatever). What really made me think is how mops are used frequently by us mothers. My mop is used for my floor, yes, but often times "it" is used for something far more than just cleaning.    Often times you hear that the mind of a child is like a sponge.  They absorb everything they see, hear and are taught.  Well, I see my mind is that of a mop. I am constantly having to try and gather all of my thoughts and plans that are in a state of chaotic disarray.  When I was younger (much like my sweet Elijah), I remembered EVERYTHING. I remembered every detail. I am sure I probably could put a date and time with the detail as well (especially if it were something that was to my benefit, like a toy. :) )  Now, you pour water on my sponge and it just goes straight through. There is no locking in the moisture (information) with me!  I will forever probably be a slave to my "lists" and be mopping all of my thoughts/lists/plans on to them.

So, that whole mop thing got me a bit side-tracked. :)  I am really thankful for the opportunity to go to convention. I raised all but 15$ that it took to pay for the trip. That was a HUGE weight lifted for me. I really do need this break. My prayer is that this "feet in concrete" feeling that I have will be obliterated by God's mighty workings. I know He has GREAT things planned for this convention. I do need this alone time. I'm not really alone, but I am taking a "vacation" from my "job".  I actually guess I could say I am on a "business trip" since my "business" is motherhood-and that is what convention is ALL ABOUT!!

Four days, three nights without my children or husband. Hmm, I am having mixed emotions about this.  I really am looking forward to getting myself ready a few mornings without Makennah swiping my mascara and trying to "put on may-up" or the always "Mommy, I can't find my _______!!!!!! (fill in blank with ANYTHING two six year old boys can lose or look over) :)  I am so stinkin' excited about the girl time. I am so excited to be rooming with three fantastic women. I am looking forward to all of the inspiration and encouragement I know that will be showered on me.  I am looking forward to getting to know nine other wonderful women. I am SO excited to see what God is going to do in me AND in others mom's hearts! I am so ready for this time of praise and worship. I am so ready for this ME AND GOD time. I.NEED.IT.    Then, I start thinking of my sweet boys. I haven't been away from them but once, when they were about 15 months old, for two nights. I have NEVER been away from M except for her staying overnight with Maw Maw and Paw Paw (and that has only been a handful of times).   I almost have tears just thinking about it. I know I probably will shed a few tears while at convention. I will miss Chris. I trust in God and I know that my sweet babies will be taken care of by my parents and by their Daddy for this time I am away. I think that my Mama has some fun things planned for them and Chris may take them swimming at the pool for probably the last time(s) of this summer. I have a tinge of guilt for taking this trip. I know they will enjoy this time and hopefully won't even miss me much.  I really need to refuel, refocus and re-prioritize.  Really, Because Better Moms......

.....Really DO Make a Better World!!!!

I have a ton of anxiety about the trip and about leaving my family. I've never done this before. It is totally brand new to me. I feel, though, I am taking that giant leap of faith and just going with it. Faith in knowing that my God, my protector, will keep us safe as we travel and are at convention. Faith in knowing not only is God protecting and providing for my children, but they are going to enjoy their one-on-one time with grandparents and their Daddy. Faith in knowing that HE KNOWS how badly I want my load lifted and faith in knowing that He will take care of that load.  I am going with what I know will be a blessed time and I can come home and mop everything back onto my lists and be refreshed for a new school year, a new MOPS year and a new year of mothering.

*Believe it or not, I am NOT taking my computer with me to convention and my phone does not have Internet capabilities. I will be (sort of) technology free for a few days, which is much needed. I will, however, try and blog a bit before I go to convention. Blogging about all this craziness is making me feel much better!!! :)

Girls Game Night

I recently had the opportunity to enjoy much needed girl time. I hosted a game night at my house. I have to say I haven't laughed that hard in a VERY long time. My sweet husband stayed in our bedroom and watched movies on the computer and the kiddos were with grandparents.

Not only did I have amazing company, but we had amazing refreshments as well!!!

We had brownies, three different types of pie, sausage balls, veggie pizza, sub sandwiches, hummus, chocolate and of course chips. :)  The funny thing is, we spent like 30 minutes just standing around the food eating, talking and drinking before anyone ever decided to start playing games. Ha! That is a party of women for you!

We also had...wine.  I did throw out a warning about the wine I had in my fridge...it probably hadn't been opened in six months or more. Not thinking, (and finding it quite difficult) I start to open the bottle....

Thankfully, the cork hit the ceiling with most of its force before it pelted MM on the way back down. I am blessed she is still my friend after that frightening encounter. Haha!!

I was so thrilled to have a combination of old friends, new friends and just met friends at game night. It made for just the right combination of fun game play. We played a game D brought called, Things.

(This picture is for A. She asked if I wanted her to turn the game around so that it wouldn't be sideways I told her no, that I would just fix it on my computer...well..I didn't fix it and I don't feel like fixing it. :) So..turn your head to the side people!!!)

This game was hilarious. It is true, you never quite know what your friends are going to say!!  One of the questions was, "What is something you would not want to see advertised in the classifieds?"  Well, our answered varied, but I happened to capture this one:

This has to be better than "Child for sale-FREE!", right? :)  I happened to guess who wrote this answer....and I was right. Bahahahaha.

We laughed so hard at the answers to some of the questions. Some questions we had answers that were so similar is was a bit scary. Great minds, Great minds.....

Here are my friends D and A. Comfy are ya, A? :)

Two of my oldest friends M and A. :)

I also had another sweet friend B that came and a new friend S that D brought along. :)

We had such a fantastic time. It was much needed!  I do plan on doing this again REALLY, REALLY soon.........

Who's Game?

Hot as a Fever

So what does 115 degree heat index and an A/C that stops working equal: One unhappy Mama!!!!!

As if having some crappity crap in my throat/chest wasn't enough...as I was loading the kids into our van after a night with their grandparents, I get a text from C saying that our A/C stopped working (at home). JUST GREAAAAT. So here we are early afternoon on a Sunday. Husband and Daddy couldn't figure out what was wrong with the A/C and within an hour it was already 82 degrees. Thank God, it did rain for a few minutes.

So, I pack up our bags and head BACK to my parents house. Great thing that I did, because that night (after the kids going to bed at 6:45pm from sheer exhaustion-and Mommy made them) M started to run a fever. I am so glad that I didn't decide to stay home. Poor baby, it would have been miserable for her.

So, Monday morning arrives. Even though I am in "my house" (my old house I lived in before I got married for many years) it isn't my "home" anymore. I find this very strange and almost a bit sad. I have SO many incredible memories there, but since I have been gone almost eight years now, it really doesn't feel comfortable to me anymore. I really did miss MY home. I wanted to be home so badly. Mainly because there were SO many things that I could be doing: laundry, laundry, laundry. I don't have to stay right behind the kids at MY house because everything is kid friendly. Oh, lets not forget to mention: MY BED. C and I (after seven years of marriage) FINALLY  broke down and bought a brand new bed. A Select Comfort. :) For a while after we got it I wasn't all that happy..but now, I love it. I love, love, love my bed. I love my side, I love my pillows, I love the way it smells, I. Love. My. Bed. (Oh what shall I do when convention comes up in three weeks and I am away from it for three nights...I will go into withdrawals!!!!)

So anyway, while waiting for the word that C had found someone and our air was indeed working again, the kids played and watched cartoons. I tried to keep my parents house tidy. I tried to do routine stuff, naps, dishes, etc.

The boys enjoyed playing outside with "Little Kitty" (the stray that came up) and in the dirt.  One of M's favorite dolls to play with at my parents is Poor Pitiful Pearl. She is pitiful (looking) alright! :)

The carriage was my grandmothers. I love it. Too bad it wasn't for a human baby, because I so would have rocked it. :)

The stamp on the back of Pearl's head either says 1963 or 1968..I can't remember. :) Either way, Pearl was my Mama's baby doll. My Maw Maw Maddox had her fixed up a bit, because let's face it whether '63 or '68..Pearl was a bit old.

Bad quality photo, I know...but this is what PPP looked like before she got a makeover. :)

Moving along.......

With no diet coke, I needed a pick-me-up after the sleepless night I had.  So what was left of my parents coffee (in the pot of course), I attempted to make my own iced coffee. I put a bit of their creamer, milk, sugar and ice: VIOLA! It was incredibly impressive! I may just have to start making these every morning!!

Around 3pm I finally headed home after getting the word that our A/C was working again. Ugh, Daddy, Husband, A/C guy and too much money later: It was a breaker. He did do some preventative maintenance checks, but still..sheesh.

So I get home and C is in bed because he has to work 12hrs that night....I open my dishwasher hoping that he had remembered to start it like I had asked. He did! I then looked in the bottom to see a pool of yucky water. SERIOUSLY.

Thank you, Lord, for the brains you gave the people that invented the WET/Dry Shop Vac. So, crisis averted, my dishwasher works fine. :)

Backing up a few days............

Friday night I decided I wanted a milkshake. Knowing that Hardee's is just down the road, I figured I would head out since the kids were in bed (and C was at home). "The Enterprise" needs some work done on it, so to avoid driving it and possibly furthering the work that needs to be done on it, I decided to drive "The Man Van".  "The Man Van" is our old mini-van that C now drives to work. :)  So, I was coming home from Hardee's and was at the red light in front of the WCC.  I heard what sounded like something fly off. I didn't really think much of it...until my oil light came on and my heat gauge went from C to almost H. NOT.A.GOOD.SIGN. So, I called C and told him what happened. He, of course, wanted me to pull over right then...well, can't really do that when you are going up a really steep hill. So, luckily, I made it to DCS and pulled over there. God was really looking over me that night. As SOON as I started to turn into the parking lot I lost power steering. I am pretty strong (haha) so I was able to maneuver the man van pretty easily.  I told C I would text our neighbor to see if she was home and if she wouldn't mind coming and sitting (since the kids were asleep) long enough for him to come and get me. She was home! Praise the Lord!!!

While waiting on C I had a lovely, just lovely view:

Under that light on the right were two little shirtless boys and an ice chest. I have no idea what they were doing that close to the highway at almost 10 o'clock at night, but, they entertained me none-the-less.

Knowing that "The Enterprise" would be there to beam me up within ten minutes, I really wasn't all that concerned. Hey, at least I had my MILKSHAKE. :)

So, this weekend has been particularly crazy. I did have a really good time laughing my butt off at Girls Game Night! We only got through one hilarious game and few bottles of wine, but the food was great and so was the conversation. I will leave that for a blog post all its on!!!