Tagged by LaTisha
maybe i should get my hair cut short.
i love the smell of my children when they get out of the bathtub.
people would say that they think that I am shy
i don’t understand how someone can NOT believe in God
when i wake up in the morning I wish that I could sleep longer!
i lost my patience while I had a full leg cast for 7 weeks!
life is full of experiences...some good and some bad, but all of them teaching us to draw closer to God.
my past has taught me to appreciate the times in life that are good.
i get annoyed when I have to stop reading a book
I love Sheridan's and brownie sundaes.
dogs... are a part of our family - Logan (dalmatian), Ajax (collie/lab mix), and Peter (jack russell)!
cats....make me sneeze and make my eyes itch!
tomorrow .... seems to never come.
i have low tolerance for ...... people that are always stirring up trouble.
i’m totally terrified of ......MICE!
i wonder how long it will be until we can call Dave (Ramsey) and say that we are "debt-free"
never in my life did i .... think that I would marry my 7th grade sweetheart!
high school ..... seems like ages ago
when i’m nervous I "type" with my fingers.
this one time ... I thought that we could get all of our debt paid off in 1 year! (Ha Ha HA!)
take my advice: You never know what tomorrow will hold so don't take the people in your life for granted.
making my bed is very low priority for me.
i'm almost always the person wanting to plan the next trip.
I’m addicted to sweet tea.
i want to be able to build a house here on our land one day.
The rules: Copy and paste to your own blog or email...change the answers.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Sunday, May 11, 2008
I love the weekend!
I just love weekends when we don't have a lot going on and we can just do things around the house. We did that this weekend and I really accomplished a lot. First of all, Nolan and I were the only ones at home on Friday night (Brent - work, Elijah - grandma's house) so we got to sleep until 8 which is VERY late for me since my kids usually think that they should get up at the crack of dawn. Then, on Saturday I got to do some much needed straightening in the house. After lunch I went to a greenhouse and bought flowers to plant in my containers to put on the deck. I forced Nolan out of the house and into the yard to help me...for those of you that don't know...he is a book reader and is a lot like his mother because he would rather be indoors than out. He and I had a great time...Nolan enjoyed it once he got to play with the water hose! The flowers look great and I look forward to spending lots of time on and by the deck in the pool in the coming weeks and months!
Recently, I am trying to change my laundry routine. Before being married I promised that I would NEVER wash clothes every day of my life. I still haven't done that, but I am trying to do a couple of things - I am trying to wash th laundry twice a week instead of once a week so that there won't be quite so much and I am trying to fold and put away each load of laundry as they are done instead of letting the pile GROW and GROW and GROW until I can't possibly get them all folded and put away in that day. My new plan is working...I am trying to make little steps to help make my life a little less chaotic and a little more organized and this is my first step. In the past I have spent most of one day or all of one evening each week doing laundry but at the end of the day I usually had piles left where I just couldn't get finished. I hope that I can stick to this!!
While straightening the house I found the last scrapbook that I made before I seemed to run out of time to make them. This particular scrapbook is important because it is of a summer vacation in 2004 - the last family vacation with Michael. Brent, Nolan, and I and Mom, Bill, Michael, and Jessica all spent most of a week in a cabin in Boone. We made LOTS of great memories that week. I am so glad that I made this scrapbook to be able to cherish those memories. Well, guess what I'm inspired to do now? Start scrapbooking my photos again. Now, I have to tell you that I am not too particular about my scrapbooking...not like a lot of SERIOUS scrapbookers...but I do love to have the pictures and words in a book together to have to look back on. Our memories fade and plus we will not be around forever so I think it's a great gift for your children. Anyhow...another thing I did this weekend was to begin clearing a spot in my bedroom to drag out all of my supplies and go at it again. Hopefully I can get our last camping trip done and me and my mom's trip done soon! I need to at least make some scrapbooks of the boys too.
Also - after a year and a half of being out of graduate school, I was able to go through my notebooks and find some things to throw away. I had 2 large bins of school notes and decided that I just COULDN't keep them all, so I pared it down to 1 bin. I was so proud of myself!! Now, maybe in another couple of years I can get pared down to an even smaller bin!
I just can't close this post without talking about today being Mother's day. I spent lunch with my mom and then I cooked dinner for Brent's mom. I am so lucky to have such a wonderful mother and mother-in-law. I have to tell you that throughout the day I had moments of reflection on my brother's absence. I thought about Mother's days that have passed where Michael and I planned things together for Mom. One year we made a picnic lunch together (a memory in and of itself!) and then on Sunday we went to the park together. It was a fun day. Other years we didn't always do anything too special, but just spending time together has created SO MANY memories. I'm so sad today that my brother isn't here on this earth anymore. Those of you who read my blog are probably getting so SICK of hearing about this, but you are my closest friends and family (or why else would you be reading this?!!) so I feel like it's okay to tell you. I loved him so much and I wish for all the world that I could talk to him again. Also, I know that today was hard for my mom but because I was selfishly thinking of my own sorrow I didn't say the right words to her to tell her how much she means to me and how much I know she misses my brother. She mentioned that he should be at lunch today to say the prayer. He always said the most meaningful prayers and he was always sure to thank God for our mother, but especially on mother's day he always prayed such a sweet prayer thanking God for her and also for me, as a mother. I probably wouldn't have thought of this, but since my mom brought it up, I realize that she's right...that was missing this year. There are so many little things that we take for granted each day and I think that is why it is so important for me to do things like scrapbooking, writing in a journal for my boys (they each have one and I write in them at random times just to talk about things in our lives) - they don't know about them and I don't plan to give them to them until they are grown, taking pictures, spending time with our family and friends, taking vacations and going on trips and doing fun things with each other, etc. Mom - I love you and I am sorry that I didn't say the right words today. I love you so much and I know how you feel!
One more thing - I have had my medicine changed AGAIN so pray that I will be able to function in the next few weeks. The first few days were pretty iffy but this weekend I have felt better so hopefully this will be a good change and I will continue to have stable moods.
I haven't said this before but I want to now: If you are one of the people that I am sharing my blog with - I LOVE YOU and you are important to me. I wish that I could see some of you more often (MOVE BACK to NC - hint, hint) but you are all part of who I am. You all mean so much to me and "I thank God every time I remember you." Phil 1:3
Recently, I am trying to change my laundry routine. Before being married I promised that I would NEVER wash clothes every day of my life. I still haven't done that, but I am trying to do a couple of things - I am trying to wash th laundry twice a week instead of once a week so that there won't be quite so much and I am trying to fold and put away each load of laundry as they are done instead of letting the pile GROW and GROW and GROW until I can't possibly get them all folded and put away in that day. My new plan is working...I am trying to make little steps to help make my life a little less chaotic and a little more organized and this is my first step. In the past I have spent most of one day or all of one evening each week doing laundry but at the end of the day I usually had piles left where I just couldn't get finished. I hope that I can stick to this!!
While straightening the house I found the last scrapbook that I made before I seemed to run out of time to make them. This particular scrapbook is important because it is of a summer vacation in 2004 - the last family vacation with Michael. Brent, Nolan, and I and Mom, Bill, Michael, and Jessica all spent most of a week in a cabin in Boone. We made LOTS of great memories that week. I am so glad that I made this scrapbook to be able to cherish those memories. Well, guess what I'm inspired to do now? Start scrapbooking my photos again. Now, I have to tell you that I am not too particular about my scrapbooking...not like a lot of SERIOUS scrapbookers...but I do love to have the pictures and words in a book together to have to look back on. Our memories fade and plus we will not be around forever so I think it's a great gift for your children. Anyhow...another thing I did this weekend was to begin clearing a spot in my bedroom to drag out all of my supplies and go at it again. Hopefully I can get our last camping trip done and me and my mom's trip done soon! I need to at least make some scrapbooks of the boys too.
Also - after a year and a half of being out of graduate school, I was able to go through my notebooks and find some things to throw away. I had 2 large bins of school notes and decided that I just COULDN't keep them all, so I pared it down to 1 bin. I was so proud of myself!! Now, maybe in another couple of years I can get pared down to an even smaller bin!
I just can't close this post without talking about today being Mother's day. I spent lunch with my mom and then I cooked dinner for Brent's mom. I am so lucky to have such a wonderful mother and mother-in-law. I have to tell you that throughout the day I had moments of reflection on my brother's absence. I thought about Mother's days that have passed where Michael and I planned things together for Mom. One year we made a picnic lunch together (a memory in and of itself!) and then on Sunday we went to the park together. It was a fun day. Other years we didn't always do anything too special, but just spending time together has created SO MANY memories. I'm so sad today that my brother isn't here on this earth anymore. Those of you who read my blog are probably getting so SICK of hearing about this, but you are my closest friends and family (or why else would you be reading this?!!) so I feel like it's okay to tell you. I loved him so much and I wish for all the world that I could talk to him again. Also, I know that today was hard for my mom but because I was selfishly thinking of my own sorrow I didn't say the right words to her to tell her how much she means to me and how much I know she misses my brother. She mentioned that he should be at lunch today to say the prayer. He always said the most meaningful prayers and he was always sure to thank God for our mother, but especially on mother's day he always prayed such a sweet prayer thanking God for her and also for me, as a mother. I probably wouldn't have thought of this, but since my mom brought it up, I realize that she's right...that was missing this year. There are so many little things that we take for granted each day and I think that is why it is so important for me to do things like scrapbooking, writing in a journal for my boys (they each have one and I write in them at random times just to talk about things in our lives) - they don't know about them and I don't plan to give them to them until they are grown, taking pictures, spending time with our family and friends, taking vacations and going on trips and doing fun things with each other, etc. Mom - I love you and I am sorry that I didn't say the right words today. I love you so much and I know how you feel!
One more thing - I have had my medicine changed AGAIN so pray that I will be able to function in the next few weeks. The first few days were pretty iffy but this weekend I have felt better so hopefully this will be a good change and I will continue to have stable moods.
I haven't said this before but I want to now: If you are one of the people that I am sharing my blog with - I LOVE YOU and you are important to me. I wish that I could see some of you more often (MOVE BACK to NC - hint, hint) but you are all part of who I am. You all mean so much to me and "I thank God every time I remember you." Phil 1:3
Friday, May 9, 2008
From our Mother's day trip to Edisto Beach...
This is an example of the masses of seashells that we were excited to find on Edisto Beach!! (Very impressive compared to all other beaches that I've been to.)
We saw this tacky decorated tree on the way onto the island and I just had to find out what the story is. At the Edisto Bazaar that we attended a photographer had 8 x 10's of this tree for $35! She told me that after Hurricane Hugo, an anonymous lady wanted to cheer up people on the island so she decorated this dead tree in the marsh off of the highway. People loved it and she's been decorating it ever since. Kind of neat, I thought...would you like to buy a copy of this tree that I photographed from me for $35????
I realized on Saturday night that we weren't going to have a picture of us together from this trip, so after our yummy meal at Enterprise Pavilion I asked the waitress to take our picture. I should have taken a picture of the view that we had while eating. We were overlooking the ocean and it felt like we were on a cruise ship.
I just loved the spanish moss hanging from the trees on Edisto. I took this picture on the way off the island. This picture doesn't capture how beautiful these trees were.
This is the part of the beach that is worth the 1 1/2 miles walk. I heard others calling it "the point" and you could find some amazing shells here. I was disappointed that I didn't find a sand dollar, but I found plenty of other shells instead.
There are more pictures of the shells to come but they haven't been developed yet.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Awesome place...awesome company!
My mom and I had an AWESOME time at Edisto Island, South Carolina. In the past few years I have realized how much I like to pick up seashells. We spent hours and walked miles, literally, looking for shells. This beach is a great place for this, also. At the state park there on the island there is a place on the beach that has shells covering every inch of the beach. We found some beautiful shells and soon I was trying to come up with ways to make money with the treasures that we had found. I even started writing a poem about looking for the shells and how being on the beach is a good opportunity for quiet time with God. My mom and I had a great time and got to spend a lot of quality time together. We ate at a couple of good restaurants -Enterprise Pavilion, The Plantation Grill, Po Boys BBQ. The island is small and there are only about 3 gas stations and less than a dozen restaurants. I read 3 books during the weekend - Nearlyweds by Beth Kendrick, Babes in Captivity by Pamela Redmond Satran, and Second Chances by Debra White Smith. We went to the Ediso Island Bazaar on Saturday and picked up a few treasures, including a stack of books that were $1 each!! (Prayer by Phillip Yancey, The Great Divorce by CS Lewis, and The 5 People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom to name a few). We also went to a great store called "With These Hands" art gallery. They had a beautiful selection of handmade items from all over the United States. During the trip, we found some great bargains, too. We went to a consignment store on the way and I got 4 skirts and a couple of shirts for very good prices. On the way home we stopped at a Cracker Barrel and I got 3 shirts for $7.50 each. I'm such a bargain shopper!
This was mine and my mom's first trip together alone. We had a great time and made some great memories. I hope that we will get to make this a yearly trip together...whether we go back to Edisto or somewhere new.
This was mine and my mom's first trip together alone. We had a great time and made some great memories. I hope that we will get to make this a yearly trip together...whether we go back to Edisto or somewhere new.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Nolan and Elijah
My boys love music and love to sing just like me and Brent. My father and my brother have taught me to love and appreciate Johnny Cash. Now, I am teaching my boys as well. Nolan loves to sing the "Ring of Fire" and "I Got Stripes". He also is asking for his "own" mp3 player! He loves to listen to my ipod and I have made him a playlist with his favorites on it. His other favorite song is "Nothing But the Blood of Jesus". Nolan also loves instruments like his Uncle Michael did and has great rhythm. Listen to all of his favorite songs from the radio and you will quickly realize that they all have great drum beats!! He wants to learn how to play the fiddle/violin and also wants to learn how to play the keyboard, since Michael was teaching him to play. The day before Michael died, Michael kept Nolan and one of Nolan's favorite memories from that day is that Michael played Disney songs on his guitar for him. Specifically, he remembers him playing "Bippity Boppity Boo".
Elijah loves to sing "his songs" as he calls them. That refers to the children's CDs that we have in the car. In my mom's car he is currently listening to a CD of children's worship music. On Monday, my mom told me that it was so sweet to listen to him singing "Old Time Religion" or "Old Time Riggion" as he pronounces it! The little girl, Kayleigh, that he stays with during the day has taught him the "mermaid" song and you can often hear him singing "aaaahahhhaaa". (If you don't understand, watch "The Little Mermaid". Elijah also loves to sing "Low" by FloRida....I think that means I'm a bad influence!!! But it is very cute to listen to him sing "low, low, low, low".
The boys are so precious and I love them so much!!!
Elijah loves to sing "his songs" as he calls them. That refers to the children's CDs that we have in the car. In my mom's car he is currently listening to a CD of children's worship music. On Monday, my mom told me that it was so sweet to listen to him singing "Old Time Religion" or "Old Time Riggion" as he pronounces it! The little girl, Kayleigh, that he stays with during the day has taught him the "mermaid" song and you can often hear him singing "aaaahahhhaaa". (If you don't understand, watch "The Little Mermaid". Elijah also loves to sing "Low" by FloRida....I think that means I'm a bad influence!!! But it is very cute to listen to him sing "low, low, low, low".
The boys are so precious and I love them so much!!!
Awesome Husband
God has blessed me with an awesome husband!
First - he's letting me leave for the weekend and keeping the boys so my mom and I can have a weekend away.
Second - He told me what he is getting me for Mother's Day and I am so excited. Ever since we got married I have talked about how when we build a house I want to have a computer monitor in the kitchen so I can just pull up my recipes to see them. Sounds a little far fetched, right? Well, Brent is getting me software to start entering my recipes so that I can eventually make my dream come true! How awesome! I am so excited. Of course, it will take me a LONG time to enter all of the recipes, but it will be a fun project and I can't wait. Plus, the software will allow you to create your own cookbooks, so that will be fun as well. Dave Ramsey would love for me to do that for Christmas presents this year, don't you think???
Thank you my dear, thoughtful husband for being so wonderful!
First - he's letting me leave for the weekend and keeping the boys so my mom and I can have a weekend away.
Second - He told me what he is getting me for Mother's Day and I am so excited. Ever since we got married I have talked about how when we build a house I want to have a computer monitor in the kitchen so I can just pull up my recipes to see them. Sounds a little far fetched, right? Well, Brent is getting me software to start entering my recipes so that I can eventually make my dream come true! How awesome! I am so excited. Of course, it will take me a LONG time to enter all of the recipes, but it will be a fun project and I can't wait. Plus, the software will allow you to create your own cookbooks, so that will be fun as well. Dave Ramsey would love for me to do that for Christmas presents this year, don't you think???
Thank you my dear, thoughtful husband for being so wonderful!
Mother/Daughter Weekend
For Mother's day, I am taking my mom to the beach for the weekend. We are leaving today for Edisto Beach, SC. The weather is supposed to be beautiful and my mom and I deserve a weekend to relax and only take care of ourselves, so that's what we plan to do. We are going to read and spend time on the beach and spend some good quality time together. The great thing about this beach, so I've heard, is that it is uncommercialized, so we are looking forward to the peace and quiet. The Edisto Beach State Park is known for it's great seashells so we are going to visit there as well. The Serpentarium is also there, but I doubt that we will make a stop there! Brent and the boys will be spending some quality boy time together and I am sure that they will have a great weekend as well!
Of course, I have TOO many books packed again, but that's okay. I am 2/3 of the way through "So you Don't Want to go to church Anymore" by Jake Colsen and have also started "3:16" Max Lucado. I also stopped by the library yesterday and checked out the following - Second Chances by Debra White Smith, Nearlyweds by Beth Kendrick (a new author for me), Happiness Sold Separately by Lolly Winston (if you haven't read Lolly's 1st book Good Grief, I highly recommend it!), and The Atonement Child by Francine Rivers. (They let you renew these books - don't worry!)
See you soon!
Of course, I have TOO many books packed again, but that's okay. I am 2/3 of the way through "So you Don't Want to go to church Anymore" by Jake Colsen and have also started "3:16" Max Lucado. I also stopped by the library yesterday and checked out the following - Second Chances by Debra White Smith, Nearlyweds by Beth Kendrick (a new author for me), Happiness Sold Separately by Lolly Winston (if you haven't read Lolly's 1st book Good Grief, I highly recommend it!), and The Atonement Child by Francine Rivers. (They let you renew these books - don't worry!)
See you soon!
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