The Verdict Is In...

It's a BOY!

Now I must do two things...

1.  Prepare for the biggest garage sale in our history.
2.  Go to the store so I don't bring home a naked baby!

Wish me luck.  We are so blessed.

Picture Day

Today was picture day at my daughter's school...and I was not excited about it.  I really wanted to be excited, but I find it hard to do at 5:30 am.  I am more stressed about what she is going to wear, how to do her hair, and what shoes she is going to wear.  My biggest issue is figuring out how I am going to keep her hair "together" until the pictures are taken.  So at 6:00 am I wake her up, change my mind about what she is going to wear, find out that the shoes I wanted her to wear are too small, and am indecisive about which socks best match her outfit because some of the pictures are full body.  Once I settle on the outfit, hair and new shoes we are ready to go at 6:25 am.  I drop her off at school looking so cute, but now the things that are racing through my mind are...what time will the pictures be taken and will she spill milk on her dress before her turn.  When I leave the school it dawns on me as I ride to the park and ride that I will have no idea how she looked in the pictures until many weeks later, and then I will be forced to determine if I want to buy the "so-so" pictures or have some done myself at the local JCPenny.  I decided to leave that decision with the Lord.  Upon arriving to school to pick her up she is playing on the playground, sweaty, the lace is broken on one sock, her knees are rusty, and her hair is all over the place.  I sigh in disbelief...could this be the same cute child I dropped off this morning?!  I decide the best course of action is to take a deep breath, hope the pictures were taken before she looked like "that" and wait for the proofs.  Then the teacher informed me that the pictures were taken after nap time...oh no...without a scarf...now I am really nervous.  I am sure her hair was a mess.  Ugh.  Picture Day!!!!!

Bowling with the Family

This weekend we went bowling for the first time in a very long time.  When I was a child my mother and I used to bowl weekly at the 99 cent a game bowling alley right by our house.  I even have my own bowling shoes!  (NOTE:  It has been a LONG time since I bowled...and that was evident when the soles of my very own bowling shoes began to come off during the first frame!)  I was excited to take my three-year old daughter to bowl for the first time, and she was probably more excited.  We have a toy bowling set we play with at home, but this is the real thing!  I was also concerned about bowling with a bowling ball of my own in my belly!  Could I balance to roll that big ball down the lane?  In light of this concern, my daughter and I bowled with the same 6 lb ball.  She bowled a 52!  I bowled a 103! Yes, we did use the bumpers!

In all it was a great experience, and one that I was glad to pass on to my daughter.  Perhaps she will get her own shoes one day!

I'm Back

I have been away...but now I am ready to write.  My excuse for being away...and it is a good one...I am five months pregnant.  Between nausea and fatigue, writing has not been my primary concern.  I am so sorry to those who read my posts daily.  I was also very concerned about "letting the cat out of the bag" regarding my pregnancy to you on the blog before all of our immediate family was notified.  So now I am ready to tell the world.  We are one week from determining the sex of our baby, and I am a little nervous.  We currently have a daughter, and if this baby is a girl then our clothing situation is solved; however if the baby is a boy...we have a problem...a naked baby.  Friday is the big day...I will update you on the results that evening.

At this very moment my very devoted and loving husband is painting the children's room.  The 3 year old and the baby will be moving in together.  He found a great green color that will work for a boy and a girl...or two girls.

So look forward to new content and updates on the baby.  Talk to you soon.

MLBC - Discussion #1 - Ex-Files

Welcome back book club members. I gave you a couple of extra days, but now it is time to chat about our most recent book "The Ex Files" by Victoria Christopher Murray.

Let's begin by getting your initial comments on the book and the characters.  I had a hard time getting started with the book because I had to get to know so many characters, but once I got started I could not stop.  Honestly, I was a little disappointed with how the story ended, but I guess that just leaves room for a sequel.

Leave a comment, and let's begin our discussion of "The Ex Files."

A Parting Video

Video of the Week is one of my favorite segments...and it is only fitting that it be my last post for a while.  This is the video that my entire family loves.  It is my pick for the month.  I also think it is my husband's secret way of getting me to like the one things I refuse to buy...a minivan.

Hilarious!!!



(LYRICS)


[INTRO MOM AND DAD]

Yeah

This one goes out to all you minivan families out there.
Sienna SE...in the house.
Where my mother/fathers at?
Where my kids at?

Where my kids at?
Where my kids at?
Where my kids at?
Where my kids at?
Where my kids at?

No, seriously honeywhere are the kids?
They're right there, see?
Oh, cool beans.

[VERSE DAD]
I roll hard through the streets and the cul-de-sacs,
Proud parent of an honor roll student, Jack.
I got a swing in the front, a tree house in the back,
My #1 Dad mug says, Yeah, Im the Mack.

[VERSE MOM]
I'm the world's best nurse when my kids get sick,
I make a mean gel-mold, I perfected my tricks,
Back when I used to party as a college chick.
Now I'm cruising to their playdates lookin' all slick...

[CHROUS]
In my Swagger Wagon,
Yeah, the Swagger Wagon,
It's the Swagger Wagon,
I got the pride in my ride.
In my Swagger Wagon,
Yeah, the Swagger Wagon,
It's the Swagger Wagon.

[VERSE DAD]
Check it...

I love hangin' with my daughter sippin' tea, keep my pinky up,
All the drawings on my fridge sport an A+.
I'm an awesome parent, (Right!) and it's apparent, (True!)
And in this house there's no mother/father swearin'.

[VERSE MOM]
Straight owning bake sales with my cupcake skills,
I'm better with the money, so I handle the bills,
And I always buy in bulk, ain't afraid of no spills.
Every Mother's Day proves...I'm kind of a big deal.

Daughter: Mommy, I need to go potty.

Bring the beat back, 'cause, yo, I got more to say,
You know I'm always front and center at the school play.
I kiss their boo-boos, clean doggie doo-doos,
Cut the crust off of PB&Js, chill the Yoo-hoos.

[VERSE DAD]
Singin' "Farmer in the Dell" in perfect harmony,
When I'm rollin' with my posse in the HOV.
We rock the SE, not an SUV,
And it's true, if I were you, I'd be jealous of me...

[CHORUS]

A Little Break & MLBC Book Annoucement

I have decided to take a break from blogging for now.  Things are very busy with work and home, and I need to maintain focus in those areas.  I will return shortly better than ever.

MLBC - My Life Book Club lives on!  The next book will be Victoria Christoper Murray's The Ex Files.  Reading starts June 6th and will end on June 21st.  Check back here for discussion questions.

In Murray's powerful testament to Christian fellowship and friendship (after 2006's A Sin and a Shame), four members of an L.A. prayer group find spiritual growth and heartache as they struggle with broken dreams. Drawn together by Hope Chapel's Pastor Beverly Ford, these African-American women stand at crossroads in their lives. For Sheridan Hart it's trying to choose between marrying her lover or going back to the bisexual Ex who left her for a man. Kendall Stewart deals with her rage over her younger sister and Ex falling in love, but must make a life or death choice when her sister becomes seriously ill. Asia Ingram wants revenge on the father of her six-year-old daughter, a retiring, married LA Laker who's decided to end their decade-long affair. Vanessa Martin copes badly in the aftermath of her husband Reed's shocking suicide, grappling with a growing depression that threatens her ability to go on. The engrossing transitions the women go through make compelling reading, but some readers might find some of Pastor Ford's wisdom a little off as she assures Sheridan that Quentin, her bi-sexual Ex, "wasn't born that way." Still, Murray's vivid portrait of how faith can move mountains and heal relationships should inspire her growing conservative fan base.


Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Devotional Recap 2

For those who didn't see my initial Devotional Recap post, check it out here.

From Saturday, May 1^st
Title: Is God Disciplining You?
Scripture: Hebrews 12:6 – "The Lord disciplines those he loves."

Devotional Thought: "God's correction is not rejection…No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening – it is painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. (Heb 12:7-11)"


From Sunday, May 2^nd
Title: Three Stages In Your Walk With God
Genesis 22:4 – "Abraham lifted his eyes."

Devotional Thought: "…three stages in your walk with God: (1) When God reveals Himself to you. (2) When God points you in the right direction. (3) When God provides in ways that amaze you….When you're where God wants you to be, He will meet your every need."


From Monday, May 3^rd
Title: A Good Conscience
Scripture: Acts 23:1 – "I have lived in all good conscience before God."

Devotional Thought: "Your conscience is like a motion detector letting you know that a thief has entered your home intending to rob, or even kill you…keep your conscience in good repair. Respond to its warnings. Be guided by its instructions. Make sure that at all times it's grounded in Scripture."


All of the devotions excerpts from "The Word for you Today – Strength and Guidance for Daily Living" published by World Hope Ministries of Houston, Texas. (http://www.worldhopeministries.org/)

Garden Update

Bad news…my garden is suffering. I think I am going to have to abandon my initial idea of planting seeds, and move to transplants. I made it past phase one, making something grow, but things got very complicated after that. Watering was different for each type of plant in my garden, and I couldn't balance the watering of the plants with the watering of the grass. Therefore, when my husband watered the grass some of my plants suffered. However, I have not given up hope. I am going to go to Lowe's (or some equally good plant store) and get transplants. I may have to plant my "sensitive" plants in separate pots. I am going to try again. I have more seeds and a lot of determination. I will keep you up to date.

Someone Should’ve Told Me

As I grow I learn…and as I learn I pass along to you. I am a fan of shows that follow the lives of friends. Examples are Sex in the City (the movie or the WB version – I am too sensitive for the HBO version), Let's Talk about Pep, and Why Did I Get Married (Tyler Perry). I love the idea of friends sticking together through the good and the bad, and always having someone to talk to or lean on. I am often jealous (sorry to say) of these types of friendships mostly because I don't have a group like this of my own. Someone should've told me that these friendships are hard to come by and are often established when you don't have "young" children.

When I looked into this friendship phenomenon further I noticed that they all have two things in common. First is the lack of "young" children, and two, age. All of my favorite friend show characters do not have children under 5 years old. A good theory for why this exists is that you don't have time for friendships when you have children that young. You probably are a "bad" friend when you have little time because friendship must be cultivated. If I am honest, I would have to agree that time is something I don't really have to lend right now. I have just enough time to eat, work, sleep, cook, clean, be a mom, and be a wife. I try to keep in touch, but it is not that easy during this phase in my life. Luckily I have a small group of understanding friends that realize life happens, and don't take it personally if they don't hear from me in a few weeks.

Another factor is my age, which almost lines up with the young children theory. All of my shows depict friendship circles where the members are in a different phase of life than I am. They are generally in their mid to late 30s or older. These people normally have older children and more time. I have settled with the fact that I just don't fit the criteria right now.

Another honorable mention is distance or geographical location. If you don't live by your friends you can't see them as much – simply stated. My closest friends live on the other side of town or in another city. It is hard to gather for the everyday pleasantries when you have to spend most of your time in the car traveling.

With all of this in mind, I have determined that it is alright to be without the friendship circle for now. I will wait my turn…grow up…raise my children…and maybe then my circle will come. Someone should've told me that making and keeping friends is just as hard as an adult as it is during childhood.

Where Have I Been?

I have been around...here and there...meeting after meeting...and basking in Mother's Day relaxation mode.  I just want to assure you that I am doing ok.  Family is ok.  Everything is fine.  I have been searching for inspiration, and I think I have finally found it.  Thank you for being patient with me.

I pray you are having a great week and have wonderful plans for the weekend.

Talk to you soon.

Devotional Recap

I have been reading a daily devotional from World Hope Ministries (read more here), and I have been so blessed it.  I would love to share a bit of what has blessed me in hopes of returning the favor.  If you have not started your daily devotional...start here.  It is short, sweet, but very fulfilling.  Remember the key to devotion is honesty.  God knows.  Enjoy.

From Thursday, April 29th
Title: Character
Scripture: Matthew 7:24 "Anyone who listens...and follows...is...like a person who builds a house on solid rock."

Devotional Thought: "Are you putting all your efforts into maintaining an image while neglecting foundational things such as your attitude, your integrity and your God-given purpose?...When you make these things the foundation of your life you'll make it through any storm."

From Friday, April 30th
Title: In Church - But Lonely
Scripture: Psalm 142:4 "No man cared for my soul."

Devotional Thought: "Pastor, if your greatest concern on Monday is 'how many people did we have in church yesterday?' check your heart. You may be more concerned with your own image than meeting people's needs...Many of those who come to church aren't looking for profound answers, they just want to feel cared for."

From Saturday, May 1st
Title: Is God Disciplining You?
Scripture: Hebrews 12:6 "The Lord disciplines those he loves."

Devotional Thought: "God's correction is not rejection.  His disapproval of your actions is not disapproval of you...If God doesn't discipline you as he does all his children, it means that your are illegitimate and are not really his at all."

From Sunday, May 2nd
Title: Three Stages in Your Walk with God
Scripture: Genesis 22:4 "Abraham lifted his eyes."

Devotional Thought: The three stages in your walk with God: "(1) When God reveals Himself to you...(2) When God points you in the right direction...(3) When God provides in ways that amaze you...When you're where God wants you to be, He will meet your every need."

From Wednesday, May 5th
Title: In the Refiner's Fire
Scripture: Malachi 3:3 "He will sit like a refiner of silver."

Devotional Thought: "Are you in the refiner's fire today?...just sit still and let the refiner do His work...remember: (a) He knows what He's doing, so trust Him. (b) He won't allow you to be destroyed by the circumstances, or take His eye off you. (c) When the process is complete, you'll be more like Jesus and less like your old self...Isn't that what you've prayed for?

Extrra Note: This devotional is so powerful.  It tells a woman's story of visiting a silversmith.  She asked him a very important question about the process of refining silver, "'How do you know when the process is complete?  Smiling, he replied, 'That's easy; I see my face reflected in it.'"  WOW...now that is good!

Happy...

Happy Cinco de Mayo (I am from Texas...we always celebrate the holiday.  We also see great Mexican restaurant specials today!)

and

Happy Anniversary Sis and Brother in Law!  Have a great day.

The Rules...

I came across this list yesterday, it was hanging in my laudry room, but it came from my teenage years. (I remember it hanging outside of my door at my mom's house.) I thought it was amusing, and would be nice to share.

The Rules...

1. The female always makes the rules.
2. The rules are subject to change at anytime, without prior notification to the male.
3. No Male can possibly know all the rules.
4. If the female suspects the male knows some or most of the rules she must immediately change some or all of the rules.
5. The female is never wrong.
6. If the female seems to be wrong it is because of a misunderstanding caused by something the male did or said, which was wrong.
7. If the previous rule applies, the male must immediately apologize for causing the misunderstanding.
8. The female may change her mind at any time.
9. The male must never change his mind without express, prior, written consent from the female.
10. The female has the right to be angry or emotionally upset at any time.
11. The male must remain calm at all times, unless the female wants him to become angry or emotionally upset.
12. The female must not let the male know whether she wants him to become angry or emotionally upset.
13. Any attempt to document the validity of these rules could result in bodily harm to the person attempting such documentation.
14. If the female has PMS, all rules are null and void at her discretion.

Springbook Publications, Inc.

MLBC Final Discussion

Thank you so much for participating in the My Life Book Club. Our inaugural book selection "What Doesn't Kill You" was wonderful, and I really enjoyed the discussion. (A special thanks for the authors Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant for recognizing our little book club.) I know we can't all be together, but this has to be the next best thing.

For our final discussion I would like to focus on Tee's definition of marriage. This question comes from the reading guide in the back of the book, and it is a very interesting one that will surely bring forth great discussion.

"When Tee recounts her marriage, she distinguishes between the dreamy stage of love and the 'reality portion that set in… The part about what's for dinner? Who's doing the laundry? And what time are you coming home?' Do you agree with this distinction?" So let's talk about marriage. Is there a dreamy stage and a reality stage? If so, how do you deal with the transition from one to another? When does the transition happen? Why would the stages exist? If not, is marriage rooted in one stage or the other? No stage at all? What advice would you give Tee about marriage…to Ron? (I am being optimistic!)

Even if you didn't read the book, leave a comment. Let me know how you view the "stages" (or lack thereof) in marriage, and what advice you would give to those contemplating marriage.

Garden Update 2

It's been almost a month, and the garden is coming along well. Green is coming up in every square. This is amazing as my primary focus was to get something to grow. I was very worried that I would do all of this work and nothing would sprout. Thanks to a little God water, rain, the garden is making progress, and the progress is much faster than I anticipated. Phase one is complete. Now I have new worries…what happens next? I spent all of my planning time making sure my soil was correct and my box was built to specifications. I chose my vegetable types with care, and have been diligent in my watering and maintenance. I was even worried about the garden when we went to Surprise, Arizona, but luckily God answered my prayers and let it rain while I was gone. Now I water and wait, but how will I know it is time to harvest? What will it look like? How do you harvest it? I guess I will have to go back and reread that part of the book. Please continue to pray for me and the garden. Here are a few pictures and a list of what I have planted.

Note: The last picture shows my "hybrid" plant.  I accidently put two seeds in one square.  Ooops. So I have a basil/pepper plant...they are fighting for the square right now.  We will see who wins!


Squash
Peppers
Lettuce (Romaine)
Lettuce (Green Leaf)
Basil
Oregano
Tomato
Carrots
Onion

Daily Word

About two months ago I confiscated a daily meditation book from my husband. I wanted something to read on the bus that would enhance my relationship with God. It only takes a few minutes, but I have found it to be very helpful. It's called "The Word for You Today – Strength and Guidance for Daily Living" and it is produced by World Hope Ministries. I believe we received our copy for free by making a donation online at http://www.worldhopeministries.org/.

I wanted to share a sample of the word from Tuesday, April 27^th, and I encourage you to request your copy and read along with me. The scripture referenced is Isaiah 40:31 "They will soar…They will run…They will walk." The major point of the reading was that "Faith doesn't exempt us from life's seasons; it just enables us to go through them victoriously." What season are you in? Are you a flier, a runner or a walker?

If you are a flier you are being "blessed by God and experiencing success beyond your natural abilities." If you are a runner you "thank God you are still in the race…your time will come." If you are a walker "Some days pain, discouragement and fatigue make it impossible to fly high or run; all you can do is walk without fainting…Walking counts with God."

I now know I have been through all of the seasons at some point in time, and it is ok. I made it out of the walking stage, kept my stamina up in the running stage, and soared in the flying stage. Every day with the Lord is a blessing. Be encouraged today.

Here is a great country song by Chris Young...love it...just keep moving towards the man/woman God wants you to be.

Someone Should’ve Told Me

Couponing is very interesting to me and has been a benefit to my family and our budget. I have clipped and organized, combed the internet for deals, and submitted countless mail in rebates. I am now tired. I have also realized that most of the things that are on sale, or freebies, I have already purchased. I have come to realize that I don't need another tube of toothpaste, or another toothbrush. I have enough floss to hold me for about a year or more. I have enough bars of soap, good quality soap, to wash my entire family and guests for about a year. I have more cleaning supplies than I have house to clean. Let's just say I am stocked up! After this realization I discovered that couponing, even for couponaholics, goes in cycles. I know that sales go in cycles, but I had no idea that my stockpile would go in cycles too. Couponing is really only fun if you are getting things you need or want for "rock bottom prices," but now that I have all of those things, thank God, what do I do now? Someone should've told me that it is ok to stop "major" couponing for a while.

Yesterday, I went to Walgreens and I did not have the urge to flip my register rewards. This is very unlike me. All I wanted to do was buy something at a good price and use my rewards to get the price even lower. I went to the clearance isle and discovered some great children's toys for 50% off. The toys would go great in my gift closet for birthday parties we are invited to. I also found a great set of books with a read along CD for my daughter. I got them all for $7.55 and I was overjoyed. I was also excited to finally rid myself of the register rewards. Walgreens register rewards are hard to keep up with, which is probably why I have never blogged about them. There are so many rules associated with using them, and it takes a lot of effort to get great deals. Now don't get me wrong, great deals come with register rewards, but you will have to work for it. The register rewards also expire very soon after you get them, much sooner that CVS extra bucks, therefore you are always looking for ways to flip them. Once I realized that the items that were offering register rewards were already in my stockpile in mass quantity, I decided to let the rewards, and the work associated with them, go for now. My CVS extra bucks will probably disappear soon too because truth be told, I think my house has everything a drug store has to offer.

Contrary to my initial thoughts about couponing the theory is not "go hard or go home". It is more like "get what you need now and come back when you need more." I will stop my major couponing for now, but will start again when my stockpile warrants it. I will not post deals on my blog while I am "off" (too tempting), but I do encourage you to build your stockpile as needed. Visit the blogs I used to read with fury and get your pantry ready for battle. I will still shop with coupons, but I will not do all of the grand research I once did until I need too. Sales go in cycles and so does couponing.

Happy Birthday Nay!

Happy Birthday Nay!  We love you.

Happy Birthday Daddy

Happy Birthday Daddy!  Love you.