Friday funny

Ok...sorry I've been MIA for a few days...it's been a long week, and you would think it would feel shorter thanks to having Monday off...oh well!

Anyway, I have a "funny" to share today....just something I read and had to chuckle about....


One Sunday, a minister played hooky from church so he could shoot a round of golf. St. Peter, looking down from Heaven, seethed. "You're going to let him get away with this, God?"

The Lord shook His head.

The minister took his first shot. The ball soared through the air 420 yards and dropped into the cup for a hole in one. St. Peter was outraged. "I thought you were going to punish him!"

The Lord shrugged, "Who's he going to tell?"


Enjoy your weekend and hopefully I'll be able to post something more personal next time!

Weekends are never boring

What a great weekend....

There was busyness, fun, family, food, relaxing, laughing, reminiscing, driving, and lots of love!

Here's the rundown (I'll try to keep it short and sweet!)

Miya was here at 7:45am on Saturday. Mike left for Lowe's around 10:30, so I took the kids to the park. We were only there for about an hour because it was getting near the lunch hour and my boy is like clockwork, "Feed me (or else)!"...Ok, so he didn't really say that, but he may as well have...anyway, he was getting crabby so off we go back home.

Shortly after lunch Mike is back home. He shows me the goods and then everyone is out to play. I finish up some laundry while Caleb naps. Around 2-ish Mike goes to get his oil change, but he's in for a surprise (not a good one!). They tell him a hose is about to blow. So, off to a garage he goes. He finds one and has it fixed for a LOT less then he was expecting. Still, not money we had to spend, but it's better than being on the side of the road. So, I smile and say, "That's good. I'm glad it's fixed." Mike's happy because he found "his" new mechanic.

Later on Mike takes the girls out to dinner because he wanted to spend more time with them. They found a good place to eat and brought home the leftovers. Yum!

After more playing outside, showers and baths we tucked our kids into bed and....went to sleep too!

Sunday AM we went to the 10:30 service. This made Mike very happy since he isn't a morning person (if you read my last blog you'll know what I think about the morning!). After that we had my family over for a cookout and we always have a blast! There was more playing, laughing, and eating and then it was time to bring Miya back (sad!). She wanted to stay another night and even called her mom to find out if she could (I was so proud of her!). She had to leave a message so it didn't end up working out...maybe next time!

My sisters ended up coming with me so that was great! We're a picture family so there were a ton of funny shots while riding in the van. When they forward them to me I'll post some! After dropping Miya off we went to the mall. Megan had to exchange a pair of jeans and I needed lip gloss. My lip gloss is whole different post all together. Then we found a photo booth!!!! More pictures....

On our way back to my house my sisters said it would be cool to drive by our old house. (My parents actually built it 18 years ago and we still love it. Memories!) So, I make the turn and up we go. Needless to say, when you get 4 sisters together, on a ride, with a camera and one is without her children, silliness is bound to happen!

I'll leave out the gory details, but lets just say it included my sisters "screaming" (for fun) at some young boys/kids walking on the side of the road with tubes ("Is that a horse?"), drive by's, (US:"drive by real slow, wave & say 'Hi' to our old neighbors. Kel: "guys, no, this is so embarrassing!), pictures of our street sign, pictures of our old house and having to ask the shirtless guy if we could, "Maja!", trying to find a red light so we could do a Chinese fire drill, getting all green lights, driving through town and finally getting one, laughing all the way around the van, getting back in giggling and driving back home. *whew* Too much fun! I love my sisters!

When we get home we see my dad and Mike painting the shed and my kids are very dirty! So, it's time for baths (at 8:00 at night).

Kids are bathed, dressed and tucked into bed and I crash.

Monday I woke up in a funk. I was tired, cranky, my head hurt and just in need of something and even I didn't know what it was.

It was a very warm day, but the kids and Mike were outside for a good part of it. The kids decided to use the hose and take a mud bath. Seriously. The were covered in mud from head to toe. I forgot to take a picture of them...it would have been a good one too! Mike finished painting the shed and it looks really good! So fresh and clean and new!

The rest of the day was just normal stuff. I reorganized the closet, the kids played, I actually took a nap! I really needed it.

So, that's about it for the weekend. Today it's back to the normal routine which is good too!

I'll have to post a "weekend in pictures" when I get the ones from my sisters! They are so much fun!

Sisters = best friends!

I'm off to get kids their breakfast, hungry tummies are calling!

Morning

I love the morning!

For a few reasons....

~ the day is new, fresh, clean. Nothing has happened yet. It's like a new beginning!
~ the birds are singing (very loudly sometimes!)
~ the sun is streaming through the windows. So bright and cheerful!
~ the smell of just brewed coffee
~ the quiet moments before kids get up where I can spend prayerfully thinking of my day.

There are more reasons than that, but those were the ones I could put into words. The others are just feeling, kind of.

I love being able to sit down with my coffee and have my quiet time. Whether it be to read something, listen to something or just prepare for the day ahead. It helps me to think about how I am to be as a mom & a wife. I reflect on things that I need to change and prayerfully ask for help in changing those things!

This is what the morning helps me to do. Focus. On God, my family, my heart.

I say I am a morning person. Not because I love to wake up at a certain time, but because of what I am able focus on when I get up at that time.

(I feel like I could have written the following verse. God is so awesome!)

Psalm 25:4-5 (NLT)
" Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you."

TGIF

I don't know about you, but I am so excited for the long weekend! Not to say I'll be sitting around eating bonbons, one could only dream!

No....this weekend will be busy, just without the normal work schedule.

Just to recap a bit...

Afton was with my mom for a few days this week which was good for the both of us. She was the center of attention for a bit (which is good...and bad) and I was able to regroup. The past month has been a little harder on us just because of the age and stage the kids are at. I love being a mom, but parenting is the hardest job in the world!!!!! I've been very consistent in teaching and training the kids and I was definitely feeling it this month. So, the few days she was away was a time to refocus and really pray about how I am parenting.

I picked her up on Wednesday afternoon, but in the two days leading up to it I was praying really hard that the transition would be as smooth as possible. I expected some bumps, but I was praying God would work on my patience and understanding, as well as Afton's attitude and adjusting to "home life". Guess what!? He did...
We had one or two issues, but for the most part everything has been great! Praise God for that!

I did realize that when Afton isn't here there is a flurry of excitement missing! The busyness, the bouncing from one thing to the next, the energy, the endless questions and chatting. Oh yeah...there is also less mess to pick up! I didn't realize how much of a mess she leaves in her wake! Honestly...that child can do some serious damage to a room, any room!

It is nice to have her home though! We missed her a lot and it made me realize how quickly she is growing up and how much I need to treasure her at the place she is in her life! She is so precious! I can't believe I've been blessed with such wonderful children!

I'm hoping that we have a little bit of time on Saturday to relax as a family. Miya is with us this weekend (YAY!!!) so that is awesome! Sunday we're going to visit extended family and then Monday we have been invited to a cookout with some friends! All in all, a busy, family and friend filled weekend!

Enjoy your Friday (and loooong weekend if I don't "chat" with you)

Hopefully I'll have some cool pictures to post from this weekend.

I realized I need to add more photos to my posts to keep things interesting, so lets see what I can come up with....

(my sister took this picture and then sent it to me...smart girl...how'd she know?)

Later.....

Too deep to have a title.....

(Warning: deep & thought provoking post comin' at ya)

Not that it's a bad thing, but if you're into the "light reading" this morning you won't find that here...at least not in this post!

See, I've been thinking about something we discussed in Home Group*

(*Home group is a Bible study that meets on Tuesday nights at our pastors house*)

Right now we're reading through Romans. Last night we were reading Romans 11 and let me tell you...that is some powerful stuff. What has been sticking with me all morning is this...

What amazes me about this chapter is how a chosen nation (Israel), knowing they are the chosen race, could still "get it all wrong". They rejected God! In turn, God didn't reject them, but mercy was shown on the Gentiles. They were given the chance to be part of the "chosen people", not Jews by heritage, but like an adoption. (Or as Romans 11:16-24 explains it like a wild olive branch being grafted onto cultivated olive tree). After seeing how God extended his mercy and grace to the Gentiles, Israel came around, but not until the full number of Gentiles (according to God's appointing) had been saved (see 11:25). Only then, will the Jews be restored.

What it made me think about was my own life. God graciously, through His mercy saved me! It wasn't because of something I had done. No good work, no "living a good life". (Titus 3:5a "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy he saved us") There is nothing that could get me to heaven other than hearing God's word, having faith, confessing Jesus as Lord, and believing in my heart that God raised Him from the dead. I am to live by faith each day and serve Him through my thoughts, words, and actions.

While we can't get to heaven by being a good person, living a good life, and doing good things, this should be a natural response to living for Jesus. We should want to live our life the way He commands. As an example to others. Not just lip service (saying "I'm a Christian", but the way they speak and live their life don't reflect that).

Israel was trying to be righteous by following the law (doing the right things, being a "good person", the ten commandments etc). The law cannot make someone righteous based on what they do. Instead, Jesus makes us righteous through God's grace because of our faith. How amazing is that?!

Another way I applied this to my personal life is this.

I know how I am to live my life in a way that is pleasing to God. Am I perfect? No. Will I make mistakes? Definitely! Will I be disobedient to His instructions? Yup. Why? Because we are human...we are not perfect. If we were perfect there would be no need for Jesus dying on the cross in order that we may have eternal life in heaven. This doesn't mean that we now have an excuse to sin. The little quote "It's easier to ask forgiveness than it is to ask permission" comes to mind. I've never liked it because it's looking for an excuse to do something wrong.

Just because I am a Christian does not give me the right to do things just because I know I am forgiven! Because I am a Christian I am to live my life for Christ. Diligently seeking out His will for my life. God's plans may not be mine, but I am to trust Him and live by faith no matter what the world says.

On the other hand, when I do make a mistake and do something wrong I need to confess it and make it right. And could it be possible that God would use my sin, my disobedience for good in someone else's life? Like He did for the Gentiles because of Israel's sin?

I've made many mistakes in my life. I have regrets about things that I have done, things that I am not proud of. I've turned around though, and although I can't change my past I can do everything in my power to make things right and not make those mistakes again. I'm not sure if my disobedience to God's word will result in someone else's life being blessed in ways that I can't imagine. (Like Israel and the Gentiles in Romans 11).

I just pray that my life, my words, my actions and my testimony (good and bad) be pleasing to God!

(I told you this wasn't "light reading". I really felt that God was putting this on my heart for a reason. I kept thinking about it and felt this incredible urge to put it on paper, and when God is urging me that strongly I better listen! So, I hope this is an encouragement and a blessing to someone today. My purpose for starting a blog was to reach out and connect with people. To share bits about my family, my heart, my God and to use it as He sees fit.)

Quick prayer request

Afton had the opportunity to spend a few days with my mom and two sisters, which is great! She's been there since Sunday night and I'll be picking her up this afternoon around 4pm. As we all know, when kids come back home there is usually an adjustment period. They're used to not being under the "normal" house rules, she's been the center of attention, and mommy and daddy haven't been around.

I've been praying that the transition back to regular home life won't be as much of a fight as I am anticipating. So, if you would, please pray as well....

That would be so amazing! I'll let you know how it all goes...

I know everything happens for a reason so I'm prepared for anything, but, boy, it would be nice if it were easy *big grin*

For the ladies out there

I know you've probably all read this before or received it in an email, but I had to share it again! It never fails to make me laugh...every time!

Don't try this at home...seriously...for real...leave it to the professionals...don't try to save money by doing it yourself...it never works!

(Disclaimer: if you are sensitive about your nether region and don't like reading "wax", "pain" and "whoo-ha" in the same sentence please turn around and run as fast as you can from your computer screen. Don't forget to exit from the page first, or you'll be in for a surprise when you sit back down at your computer tomorrow morning!)


All hair removal methods have tricked women with their promises of easy, painless removal - The epilady, scissors, razors, Nair. And now...the wax.

My night began as any other normal weeknight. Come home, fix dinner, play with the kids. I then had the thought that would ring painfully in my mind for the next few hours:

'Maybe I should pull the waxing kit out of the medicine cabinet.' So I headed to the site of my demise: the bathroom.

It was one of those 'cold wax' kits. No melting a clump of hot wax, you just rub the strips together in your hand, they get warm and you peel them apart and press them to your leg (or wherever else) and you pull
the hair right off.

No muss, no fuss. How hard can it be? I mean, I'm not a genius, but I am mechanically inclined enough to figure this out.

(YA THINK!?!)

So I pull one of the thin strips out. Its two strips facing each other stuck together. Instead of rubbing them together, my genius kicks in so I get out the hair dryer and heat it to 1000 degrees.

(Cold wax, yeah...right!) I lay the strip across my thigh. Hold the skin around it tight and pull.

It works!

OK, so it wasn't the best feeling, but it wasn't too bad. I can do this! Hair removal no longer eludes me! I am She-rah, fighter of all wayward body hair and maker of smooth skin extraordinaire.

With my next wax strip I move north. After checking on the kids, I sneak back into the bathroom, for the ultimate hair fighting championship.

I drop my panties and place one foot on the toilet. Using the same procedure, I apply the one strip across the right side of my bikini line, covering the right half of my *hoo-hoo* and stretching down to the inside of my butt cheek (Yes, it was a long strip) I inhale deeply and brace myself.

RRRRIIIPPP!!!!

I'm blind!!! Blinded from pain!!!!....OH MY GOSH!!!!!!!!!

Vision returning, I notice that I've only managed to pull off half the strip.

CRAP!!!

Another deep breath and RRIIPP!! Everything is swirly and spotted. I think I may pass out...must stay conscious...Do I hear crashing drums???

Breathe, breathe...OK, back to normal.

I want to see my trophy - a wax covered strip, the one that has caused me so much pain, with my hairy pelt sticking to it. I want to revel in the glory that is my triumph over body hair. I hold up the strip!

There's no hair on it. Where is the hair???

WHERE IS THE WAX???

Slowly I ease my head down, foot still perched on the toilet.I see the hair. The hair that should be on the strip. I touch. I am touching wax.

CRAP!

I run my fingers over the most sensitive part of my body, which is now covered in cold wax and matted hair. Then I make the next BIG mistake...remember my foot is still propped up on the toilet? I know I need to do something. So I put my foot down.

DANG!!!!!!!!

I hear the slamming of a cell door. *Hoo-Hoo*?? sealed shut! Butt?? Sealed shut!

I penguin walk around the bathroom trying to figure out what to do and think to myself 'Please don't let me get the urge to poop. My head may pop off!'

What can I do to melt the wax?

Hot water!! Hot water melts wax!!! I'll run the hottest water I can stand into the bathtub, get in, immerse the wax-covered bits and the wax should melt and I can gently wipe it off, right???

WRONG!!!!!!!

I get in the tub - the water is slightly hotter than that used to torture prisoners of war or sterilize surgical equipment. I sit.

Now, the only thing worse than having your nether regions glued together is having them glued together and then glued to the bottom of the tub...in scalding hot water. Which, by the way, doesn't melt cold wax.

So, now I'm stuck to the bottom of the tub as though I had cement-epoxied myself to the porcelain!!

God bless the man who had convinced me a few months ago to have a phone put in the bathroom!!!!!

I call my friend, thinking surely she has waxed before and has some secret of how to get me undone. It's a very good conversation starter - 'So, my butt and who-ha are glued together to the bottom of the tub!'

There is a slight pause. She doesn't know any secret tricks for removal but she does try to hide her laughter from me. She wants to know exactly where the wax is located, 'Are we talking cheeks or who-ha?'

She's laughing out loud by now...I can hear her. I give her the rundown and she suggests I call the number on the side of the box. YEAH!!!!! Right!!

Like, I should be the joke of someone else's night.

While we go through various solutions. I resort to scraping the wax off with a razor.

Nothing feels better then to have your girlie goodies covered in hot wax, glued shut, stuck to the tub in super hot water and then dry-shaving the sticky wax off!!

By now the brain is not working, dignity has taken a major hike and I'm pretty sure I'm going to need Post-Traumatic Stress counseling for this event.

My friend is still talking with me when I finally see my saving grace.... the lotion they give you to remove the excess wax.

What do I really have to lose at this point? I rub some on and.....OH.MY.GOSH!!!!!!!

The scream probably woke the kids and scared the dickens out of my friend.

It's sooo painful, but I really don't care. IT WORKS!! IT WORKS!!

I get a hearty congratulation from my friend and she hangs up.

I successfully remove the remainder of the wax and then notice to my grief and despair....THE HAIR IS STILL THERE.......ALL OF IT!!!!!!!!!!

So I recklessly shave it off. Heck, I'm numb by now. Nothing hurts. I could have amputated my own leg at this point.

Next week I'm going to try hair color...... : )

Short video from Red Sox game

Now for the video...

This is a tradition at Fenway park and one of the best parts. To read about how
it started check out this link. I wish I had thought to start videoing
at the beginning, but it's still really cool.

Enjoy...

Our weekend in pictures

(Make sure you check out the "Weekend recap" first, then check out the pictures)


Fenway Park

The Green Monster

Just a cool picture of the lights, the
Prudential building, and the Budweiser sign

Daisuke Matsuzaka (Dice K) - Pitcher

"Yoooooouuuuuuukkkkk" (aka:Kevin Youkilis)

Big Papi's 3 run homer ~ some guy had to walk right into my picture. That's why it's a bit off center (you can see the guys head at the bottom left)


Terry Francona arguing a call

Manny

Jason Varitek

Mike Lowell

Jonathan Papelbon ~ closer

...and the best part!!!!

To be continued...

(next post should be the video)

Weekend recap

Wow, what a weekend!! It was busy, it was fun, it was tiring, but WOW...it was great!

Saturday started off bright and early as usual with the normal breakfast, coffee and kids.

I left around 9am to vacuum out the van, get some cash for the Red Sox game, fill up the gas tank ($61.10 for gas!!!! crazy!!!), hit the grocery store for a few things and last, but not least...Starbucks...mmm-mmm good!

I was back at the house around 10:15. Just in time for Mike to leave for a co-op meeting. It was just me and the kids for a while until my soon to be sister-in-law, Carrie, arrived. She was awesome enough to watch the kids so Mike and I could go to the game! (Love you Carrie!!!)

Mike came home around 1:30 and ten minutes later we were out the door! Can I just tell you that we're pro's now when it comes to the subway and getting to Fenway? We're pretty proud of that since this was only our third time...fourth?...hmmm...anyway, we don't go too often so we were happy just to know our way around and be able to tell people which orange line to get on. Pretty confusing for first timers, good thing we were there *winking, of course*

So, we make it to Fenway and the seats are amazing!! It was such a gorgeous day, the sun was shining, it was the perfect temperature, great company (thanks Mike & Karin), and the game was awesome....THE RED SOX WON! What could be more perfect!? It was so nice to relax, just the two of us! To be "Mike & Steph" for a little while.

The first game Mike took me to (my first game ever) was for Mothers Day last year. Each time we've see Daisuke (Dice K) Matsuzaka pitch and each time they've won!!

(Ah-ha...it is four games...I just remembered...we've seen Dice K three times and Tim Wakefield once)

Sorry, tangent!

Moving on to Sunday...

I ended up going to the early service at church so I was up at 5:45 that morning. Mike and the kids stayed home which was good for them. The music was awesome and the sermon was great!

It was just me so I was able to hang out for a while after church just chatting and hanging out with my family for a bit! After that, two of my sisters came home with me. The ride home consisted of stopping at the mall (which didn't open until 12pm!!!) so I picked up a pair of pants for Mike and he was the lucky one that day.

When we got home we ate, relaxed for a bit, did kid stuff, and then....out the door...again!

This time to take his mom and dad out for a late Mothers Day dinner! We dropped the kids and my sisters at my moms house and off we went. Dinner was really nice and the company (and conversation) was good!

After dropping them back off at home we went to grab our children. Well, as soon as we pulled in Afton informed me that she was sleeping over Grammies house until Wednesday! Of course, she told us it was okay because Grammie said yes. She was so excited so she ended up staying. The sad part is she said to me, "I want to live here forever and never go home." Awww...sad! Of course, I know how that goes...I was young once...well, I'm still young, I guess...ok, fine, I'm not that young, but I'm not that old! I'm just 29 forever...and that's final! What I'm trying to say is, I remember saying the same thing so I didn't take it personally. Besides, a kid would have to be crazy not to want to live at Grammies house...no "house rules", she can watch movies more, she spoiled like crazy since she's the only kid in the house...uh, yeah...can I move it to and never go home?

It's already weird without her though. So quiet! We may pick her up early.

So, that's pretty much it in a nutshell. Our exciting, always busy weekend. Lots of fun though.

I think I'll post pictures in another post since this one is pretty long already.

Be back later with some really cool pictures and a video (if I can figure out how to get it on here...never done one of those before).

Ciao~

Game Day

So excited!!! In two hours we'll be off to the Red Sox game!!!

My friends hubby was able to get 4 tickets to tonights game and she asked us!

Her hubby had the following requirements for the couple that would come though, here they are:

* low maintanance - check
* didn't have to entertain us - check-a-roony
* loved the game - double, triple check
* wouldn't have to answer lots of questions - check check and check again!

*whew* I'm so glad we passed the "test"!!

I'm taking my camera so I'll post pictures at some point!

Enjoy your Saturday....

It's been a bit

All I can say is....

I'M SO HAPPY IT'S FRIDAY!

Not to say that the weekend will be any less busy, but it's nice not to have the work routine!

I've done a bit of redesigning on the blog! It needed it, badly! I hope you like it.

Anyway, I don't have too much to say today. I'm a bit foggy thanks to allergy medication (not that I have allergies...because I've never had them...don't want them...nope, not for me!)

So, I am off to sit my butt on the couch and relax!

I hope I'll get the chance to post a little bit tonight or this weekend, but we'll see!

Have a great weekend!!

My gift(s)

Check out my mothers day present from Mike & the kids

This is so me!

Simple, inexpensive and it's something I will use daily!

I'm just so thankful for my hubby and my children! Yesterday was a great day.
I was with my family. We were able to see Mike's family and my family. We came home.
Mike and the kids were outside for a while. Our family was together (minus Miya).

I am a happy mama! God has blessed me with my family! What more could a
mom want on Mothers Day?

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

To all the the mama's out there...

I hope you have a wonderful Mothers Day!

What a blessing it is to be a mom...every hug...every tear...every time you get up in the middle of the night to feed your children, comfort your children, check on your children, pray for you children...every time you see them accomplish something new.

Treasure these moments of their childhood because it goes by so fast! Enjoy all of it, the good, the bad and the stinky!

It is the most wonderful, rewarding challenge I have ever faced and I wouldn't change anything! I am so happy and content to be a mama and I thank God for blessing me with the opportunity to raise the children He gave me!

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

Heavy heart

You know when people say they have a heavy heart you nod your head in understanding? Well, sometimes I wonder what they mean by a heavy heart. What does it mean to them? What are they feeling at that moment?

I was sitting here trying to think of the right word for how I feel, and "heavy heart" came to mind. It described perfectly what I feel inside right now!

It's not worry or confusion. It's not frustration or anger. It's not sorrow or heartache. Just "heavy hearted".

I know that I am blessed beyond words to have a personal relationship with God. He has done amazing things in my life over the past 4 years. Things that I never thought would happen. At one point I knew that things needed to change, but I didn't even know how to ask God to change those things. I had the desire to change, but it just seemed so hard, and it was so easy to just be who I was. Why should I change? I like being who I am!

It was during those times of "liking who I was" that I realized I wasn't the person God wanted me to be. So I prayed. I prayed for His help because I knew that I couldn't do it on my own. I didn't really think I needed to change, but God did. Slowly He worked on my heart. He changed me.

Today I see how I respond to things and what a difference between now and 4 years ago! My goal is to please God, not myself. My goal is to honor Him in all that I do and say.

So, what's the reason for the heavy heart?

I guess it's just knowing that there are people who make excuses for doing or saying things because they want to. They may know it's wrong, but they want to do it so they will. Then they will apologize for it after. Shouldn't we be sensitive to those things before they happen? Shouldn't we be looking out for the interests of others before ourselves? Isn't that what God would want us to do?

I am finding fewer Christians who hold true to the Word of God. Now please don't think I am judging people. I am watching how they live, how they talk, how they interact with others and if I didn't know them I wouldn't think they were a Christian. Maybe I would think they are good people who go to church. I do know that there is an accountability that we are to have with each other, fellow Christians. Where does that begin and end? I'm looking for your thoughts on this one.

I've been praying for God to show me what He wants me to learn. I don't want to walk around telling people what they should or shouldn't do, but at the same time I believe I shouldn't sit quietly and say nothing. Ideas?

Today I feel that it is so important to be a clear testimony and image of Christ. If we don't reflect Him in everything we do then I think we're missing something. I'm not saying we'll be perfect...I know that I am not...I will make mistakes, but I pray that they will be fewer and fewer as I become more sensitive to God's leading.

Anyway, that's all that was on my mind tonight! I know, not exactly the light and fun stuff I usually post, but then again, I do have a serious side! *chuckle*

I'm tired now so I'm off to bed! I may read this tomorrow and take it off especially since I will have had a whole night to think about it!

I've officially been tagged!!!

I've been tagged, called out, challenged....so...I'm stepping up to the challenge...thanks for thinking of me Apple. I feel so cool! I have to warn my flock of readers though, I'm a bit sleepy so don't hold me responsible for all of my answers, ok?...Ok...here we go

Fun stuff....

What I was doing ten years ago. Ten years ago, let's see, I was planning a wedding that was set to happen 4 months later. I was also house hunting or making an offer on a house that would be signed for in August. (Wow...talk about going back in time!)

Five things on my to-do list. Only five?!
1. Grocery shopping
2. Vacuum living room
3. Enroll Afton in swimming lessons
4. Balance checkbook/pay bills
5. Finish laundry

Things I would do if I were a billionaire. Pay off the rest of the debt we have, set up college funds for the kids, take care of my family, give money to worthy causes, donate to a church I grew up in and our current one, buy a larger house so (hopefully) we won't have to move again and my kids can grow up in it, buy my hubby a really nice bass boat, a set or two of golf clubs, and a trip to the place of his dreams. Save the rest and do the things we want to do as a family. Put money away for retirement.

Three bad habits. Drinking lots of coffee & buying coffee at Starbucks, saying I'll check "one thing" on the computer & getting caught up & taking longer than I should, not sticking to my grocery list

Five places I have lived. Various cities and towns in NH & in Alaska for 2 1/2 months

Five jobs I have had. Best "job" ever - being a WAH/SAH mom (hardest too!!!)Receptionist, Contact lens coordinator/manager, CSR for contact lens manufacturer, waitress at a retirement community

So, that was lots of fun....

I'm going to tag anyone and everyone that reads this. Leave me a comment when you repost so I can go check it out!

(That wasn't so bad...*whew*)

A quick trip down memory lane

The other day a series of events got me thinking (dangerous, I know!)

It was Saturday, the day of my sisters dance recital, and I was sitting in the auditorium with Afton, my mom, my sister, and my soon to be sister in law. The recital hadn't started yet so Afton was freely roaming the aisle. Good thing we were in the back! She had her moments of normal 4 1/2 year old behavior like not wanting to sit still, wanting to take endless pictures with our cameras, and eating more M&M's. I was in "mommy mode" so I would answer her endless questions and correct her when she needed it.

Here is the kicker....

My mom looks at me and say, "I hear so much of myself in you when you are talking to Afton. I used to say the same things to you." (Ouch!...ok..just kidding on the "ouch" part)

The second was when I was driving home later that evening. Just before pulling into the grocery store I flipped the radio station and came upon Garrison Keillor. Just hearing his voice and listening to the stories brought me back to a time when I was sitting in the back of my parents car wishing we could listen to something more fun!

Here I was sitting in the parking lot at the grocery store, listening to the radio program I used to hate, laughing, and then (hold on to your seats!) writing something that he said down because I thought it was hilarious!

If that wasn't bad enough I remember my parents listening to Paul Harvey. As a kid, can you say "boring"? As an adult, can you say "informative and entertaining"?

Ummm...yeah...I know...scary!

Ok, here is my list.

Top 3, I mean 4, reasons you know you're becoming like your parents:

1. Your mom says she hears herself in you when you talk to your own daughter (oh boy!)
2. You listen to Garrison Keillor, laugh, then write what he said down so you remember it (gasp)
3. You listen to Paul Harvey and nod your head in agreement or understanding (uh-oh)
4. You listen to Garrison Keillor and Paul Harvey and you don't change the radio station!!

I just hope I have the best of both of my parents!

...and now you know...The Rest of the Story. (My dad will get that one *love you, Dad*)

Quote of the Day

I found this quote on a forum that I read. It was part of one of the ladies "signature lines" and I had to share...

It made me laugh, but I also realized how true it actually is! Anyway...enjoy!

"I've seen the village and I don't want it raising my children!"

Amazing Video

Wow!!

(that's pretty much all I can say, except that it's hard not to get teary eyed watching this)

Silly girl

I realized the other day that Afton isn't just growing up, she's maturing...aaakkk!
She's only 4 1/2, she can't "mature" yet!

Unfortunately there isn't anything I can do to stop that so I may as well enjoy it.

While it is challenging to deal with the 'tudes, it's also very amusing to see what she comes up with!

For instance, Afton comes up to me yesterday and says, "How do I look?". As I turn around, this is what I saw...

Then she started to giggle

So, I will enjoy the moments of little girl silliness
because I will miss them when they're gone!