a Penny for your thoughts...

I saw the funniest thing this morning. I went into CVS pharmacy to get some much needed Sudafed for my cold. As I was walking back to the pharmacy counter, I passed a display that advertised "Old Fashioned Penny Candy". I thought, "Hmmm...that's kinda cool." Then I saw the price... 2 for $3.00!!

such a Funny commercial...

The boys and I stumbled across this commercial while watching t.v. on Friday afternoon. It has quickly become a family favorite. Any one of us can be heard singing this song throughout the day. Enjoy!

big Girl bed...

Our precious baby girl made the move from a crib to a "big girl bed." She was so excited and found it very hard not to "jump for joy" all over the bed itself. The bed frame is an antique wrought iron bed that belonged to my great-great aunt. I inherited the bed a few years ago from my grandfather and knew that my daughter would sleep in it one day. After a few coats of white paint, a new mattress and linens...it's a little girl's dream. I think her face says it all.

a smattering of gratitude...

innocent eyes... smiles... Starbucks... fluffy pink slippers... dishwashers... bleach... a pot of hot soup on the stove... warm baked bread... little toes... hugs... kisses... freshly washed clothes... baby wipes... piano lessons... reading Harry Potter books with my son... Boy Scouts... public schools... United States Air Force... sacrifice... the cross... family... fellowship... holidays... birthdays... health... mornings... fresh starts... apologies... computers... blogging... Cubbies... teaching... bubbles... cellphones... friends... babies... children... flowers... princesses... pink... questions... little minds at work... cool breezes... mountains... oceans... movies... books... chocolate... fresh blueberry muffins... sippy cups... timeout carpets... husband... God's word... shower gel... candles... fireplaces... perfume... uncontrollable giggles... life... love... home

gratitude again...

Yesterday I was able to help a friend. What I did and who I did it for are irrelevant. The amazing part of the experience, aside from helping someone I like, was the way that God was completely and obviously the author of the whole thing. I had laid on my heart for the last few weeks to help this friend. When I approached her and told her what I planned to do for her, she said that it was the very thing that she had been wanting and had stated so to her husband just a few days earlier. How wonderful that God saw her need and met it so quickly and how wonderful for me that he allowed me to be a part of filling that need. So, my gratitude for today is that God sees me as a tool for His good and pleasing will and purpose on this earth. What an affirmation of love that my Father sees me as a capable and useful daughter. I just love Him for that!

gratitude...

Yesterday's ladies bible class was wonderful. [Let me give a shout-out to Ms. Lori who does an excellent job teaching and has a wonderful way of humbly and gently presenting a lesson and encouraging wonderful discussion.] Our lesson was on gratitude. We ended our class time by going around the room and having each person state one thing they were grateful for. It was so uplifting to hear each sister, young and old, share the gratitude of her heart. So often we, let me make this personal, I am remiss in voicing my gratitude, but have no problem voicing my irritations, frustrations and complaints. So, in keeping with the spirit of the class yesterday, I am going to spend the next week blogging about something I am grateful for in my day.

Today's gratitude has to do with my shower. Don't get nervous...this is a G-rated blog. When I got out of the shower today, I noticed that it was rather warm and steamy in the bathroom. I didn't run the water any hotter than normal...then it hit me...I had an uninterrupted shower. Some of you may be scratching your head and saying "so what". But, if you are a mother of young children or have ever been a mother of young children, you know what an amazing and rare event that is. I had no little voyeurs peeking in or constantly fanning the bathroom door open and closed. So, thank you Lord for the small gift of an uninterrupted shower. It meant a lot to this daughter of yours.

Elfin fun...

My family and I have prepared a fun Christmas message for you. Please enjoy...and Merry Christmas.

Sugar wars...

(In a post-Halloween world)

I have always prided myself on being a balanced mother when it comes to sugar. I allow my kids to enjoy treats and sweets within reason, but I don't let them overindulge. If I ever doubted that statement, this weekend was a testament to it's truth.

There has been a battle raging since Friday night in my house and it is still continuing. My children are literally engaged in a war against sugar. Their little bodies consumed more sugar on Friday and Saturday than they are accustomed to and oh can you tell by their behavior. They are tired, cranky, and snappy with me and with each other. World War III took place at my breakfast table between 7:15-7:30 am this morning. One minute they are up and the next minute they are crashing.

I have been tempted to secretly burn the candy in the backyard at night while they are sleeping. But I am a bit concerned the neighbors will see my gleeful face and think that I am making a ritual sacrifice to some pagan god. Oh well, I guess this is what my poor parents went through every year at Halloween...and so it goes...

weekend Wisdom...

"21Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. 22Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." James 1:21-22

Happy Halloween...


Have a wonderful, spooky, family filled, sugar overloaded kind of day!!

Majestic Oak Farms...

When we lived in Louisville, Kentucky, we got spoiled to living so close to Indiana farmland. We experienced our first pumpkin patch in October of 2001. One of my favorite pictures of Dawson is at that farm, next to a pumpkin that is almost as big as he is. When we moved to Virginia, we were blessed to have a church sponsored pumpkin patch that we went to every year. But when we moved to Florida...well, pumpkin patches are few and far between, unless you count the asphalt varieties.

So, I decided to google pumpkin patches and see what came up. Well, I found a wonderful farm called Majestic Oak Farms. It's located in Cottondale, FL...about an hour's drive from Panama City. It was a find!! We spent about 3 hours there. They have trikes and bikes for the kids to ride...hay rides...real Amish horse and cart rides...pumpkins...apple cider demonstrations...carmel apples...apple bobbing...fishing...swinging...chickens...horses... It was such a peaceful way to spend the day. If you're looking for a great place to spend a fall day...this is it!! The kids had a great time and we will be back (Lord willing) next year.

Our sweet family.

Our pumpkin load.

Fishing & enjoying the many photo ops.

Grandmommy & Grandaddy

Grandma & Grandpa

Family camp...

I am not what you would call an outdoor girl. Don't get me wrong...I enjoy being outside (evening on the porch or on a porch swing is the best!), but I do not like to be hot or to sweat. I was the little girl, who when sent outside to play, would stand at the sliding glass door with just my nose stuck inside so I could breathe the cold air.

As I am emerging from the baby making years, I am again open to trying and experiencing new things. I want my children not to be bound by their neuroses, or mine for that matter. It is with that heartfelt conviction that I went camping this weekend. We loaded up our 3 kids and headed off to Defuniak Springs and the Boy Scout Camp Family Weekend.

Overall, it was a fun weekend. The weather was perfect. Cool day...warm sun...even colder night. We all slept huddled together in our new tent...smelling like smoke and dirt...but blissfully together. The only draw back to the entire weekend was a visit from my special friend (not a good time to be without indoor plumbing). We came away better for having gone...more cemented as a family...and appreciative for our nice, warm beds.

Craft time...

Our new tent...it has 3 rooms!

Genevieve & Daddy at the bonfire.

Me & my boys.

unapologetic blogger...

I know that it has been a while since I have posted a new entry, but I have been busy. I don't want to be one of those bloggers that starts every post with an apology or excuse. I have been experiencing life and taking care of my family. My goal is not to go for long periods of time between posts, because that only stifles my creative outlet. But, as I said in my very first post, this isn't about expectations...it's about just letting go and being. So...no apologies. But please keep checking back...it's not much of a blog without readers.

Here is a picture of the boys after Cherry Street's Fall Festival, this weekend. It was a fun way to spend a Friday night and help out our local school. God Bless!

and no...I did not let them go to bed like that. I thought about it, but I'm not that good of a mother.

weekend Wisdom...

"19My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires."

James 1: 19-20

movie #2...

Here is another film that Dawson created, starring his brother. You may have to turn up the volume to be able to hear all of Carter's dialogue. What makes this funny is his pronunciation of "grim reaper"...his speech impediment makes it an adorable "gwim weeperw."

weekend Wisdom...

"12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." James 1:12

directorial debut...

Dawson is a budding movie director. We gave him a video camera for his birthday and he has amazed us with the zany and often hilarious short films that he comes up with. Carter often gets commandeered to play the leading role. Over the next week, I will post some of my favorites. So, without further ado...

life with Roids...

I went to my doctor on Tuesday. He decided that much of my symptoms (dizziness, headache, etc...) sounded like chronic sinusitis. Hmmm....maybe that explains why I've never been able to breath!! He feels like that constant state seems to be aggravating my vertigo. So, he's put me on a 3 week medical clean out with an antibiotic and steroids.

Two days later I am feeling better. But the steroids have already been a trip worth blogging about. I took my first dose yesterday morning and by the afternoon I was a sweaty Superwomen. I was the Proverbs 31 women, literally on steroids. So much so that I was finally able to drift off to sleep sometime after 3:00 this morning.

So, today....I am a very tired Superwoman who is being held up by a prescription. Please pray for me...and my family. This is going to be one wild ride.

Cardboard Testimonies...

My mother sent me a link to this video on the Richland Hills church site. It is extremely powerful. We all have a story and so we all have a testimony in Christ Jesus. We matter!! Our lives matter and they can be the link between some one's hurting and dying soul and the cure for it all...Jesus Christ. Please watch it (with a Kleenex or 2) and think about how you can be a living, breathing example of Christ to this lost world.

weekend Wisdom...

"2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4"