happily ever after

Today is the day...

2012-01-25T12:08:00.007-05:00

to dribble coffee on myself 4 times during my reading this morning. Don't worry, I blamed Dave.

to change the sheets. Or wash the sheets and put them back on; who has two sets of flannel sheets for the winter?

to run the trash to the curb while wearing my jammies. I know, I continue to impress the neighbors.

to do countless loads of laundry. This photo was taken BEFORE the boys dumped all their dirty clothes in the floor and I can no longer get to the garage.

to put faux-steer chicken in the crock pot for dinner. Yummo.

(funny story - my sister called me about a year ago telling me how I HAD to go to tastykitchen.com and search for 'faux-steer chicken' and make it. Then she went on and on about how much she loves 'roast-steer chicken' from the grocery store and how this is just WAY better. I finally stop her and ask her...."Does she know that it's really pronounced 'rotisserie chicken'?".....dead silence... This is when I launch into my full bodied laughter. And that folks, is my sister. She totally thought that it was pronounced 'roast steer chicken'. Bahahahahahahah!)

On a different note, it's winter in North Carolina, but you wouldn't know it by the super crazy weather we've been having. It felt like it was going to snow on Sunday, but by Tuesday, I had to put the A/C on. I coulda stayed in California for weather like this, people!!! Not okay!

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T08:33:00.007-05:00

We partied last night. Oh how we partied. We drove all the way into town to get a Goodberry's and then found it closed. So then we drove to the grocery store, cuz we needed some New Year's Dessert, and Sweetie sent me and the davester in....HUGE mistake. You don't send the two sugar bandits into the grocery store for dessert. We came out with desserts for a month.

We then hunkered down in our living room to watch a movie and taste all four ice cream flavors.

This is where the partying starts. After the movie, Sweetie and I went to bed. It was 10pm. Our boys were disgusted with us and our lameness. But we didn't care. They stayed up and watched movies and probably ate more ice cream, I really don't know, cuz I really didn't care.

There you have it, our wild New Year's Eve, we're so crazy.

Happy New Year everybody!!!

(And can I just say that it was WAY more special to wake up to the New Year nice and early and spend some quiet time in my chair, just me and the Sweetie, our coffee and our God. It was good for my soul.)

**these pictures are our 'Christmas Pictures' for the 'Christmas Cards' that I didn't send out. So we are making them into 'Happy New Year Cards', cuz that's how we roll! Enjoy!

Calvin and My Goofiness at Work

2011-09-04T16:44:00.010-04:00

Hi! My name is Calvin. I am 15 years old, born and raised in...ok all of you know me anyways so I'll spare the boring introduction. Your welcome. Anyways, I just wanted to say......I don't know what I wanted to say. I just wanted to post something on my Mamma's blog. :)

So have any of you seen the Julian Smith videos?? They are probably the funniest video's I have ever seen!! :) My favorites are Racist Coffee, Waffles, Red Eye Flashes Twice, and Jellyfish. :) Go on www.juliansmith.tv.com and watch as many as you can!! (or just go on YouTube) Julian Smith is not all I watch though.

I watch a video over and over that my best friend, and sister made in the middle of Walmart! :) I won't post it on here or even give the name of the video because my best friend gets sort of embarrassed by it (even though it's so amazing!) so for my best friend sake I will not name the video but know that it has to do with meat and cheese. ;) (Your welcome y'all!) :)

I would post some goofy videos (mostly of my parents dancing and singing) all over YouTube but they won't let me. :P So can everyone who looks at this blog post ask my Mom to be so kind and let me show you? :) I would appreciate it! :) Well I have to go so I'll post another time! :) Thank you all you funny peoples for actually reading this post. :) -Calvin

P.S. Click on this to watch the video of Racist Coffee

Favorite Words

2011-09-01T08:32:00.003-04:00

This is what I have been meditating on lately....

Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup;
You have made my lot secure.
The boundary lines have fallen for me in the pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance.

I have set the Lord always before me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad and
my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure.

You have made known to me the path of life;
You will fill me with JOY in your presence,
with eternal pleasure at your right hand.

from Psalm 16

September 1st

2011-09-01T08:00:00.007-04:00

I don't like summer. I cannot tell you how happy I am right now, it's in the 50's outside this morning and it's September 1st. Summer is coming to an end and Autumn is almost upon us. But in the continuing effort to be thankful in all things, here is my Thankful List for Summer:

1. Summer Storms, thunderstorms to be exact. My goodness they are scary and powerful. I have screamed so many times, once when sitting on the front porch enjoying, and lightning struck down right next to me. Once driving home in it and the lightning was striking on both sides of the car. And then this past week, while sitting in a class with the boys, lightning struck right outside the window, I screamed and then proceeded to climb into Dave's lap. He was none too thrilled. Goober.

2. Time at the Pool....floating around the lazy river on a tube with my book...ah, relaxing. (this is the picture I took to show my sister that I wear a floppier hat than her at the pool)

3. Sweetie and I got to spend a whole week at the beach, just the two of us, one of our very best trips away together. Precious.

4. Wearing flip flops everyday. Me lovey the flippity-floppers. (these are my spenco's, they are so comfy and are very busy rebuilding my arches this summer)

5. A renewed appreciation for the Air Conditioner, I want to kiss the inventor of that contraption!

6. Sonic Ice, it doesn't get any better than those perfect little morsels floating in my diet coke.

7. No homeschooling, nothing else needs to be said about that one.

8. Everything outside is just so green, beautiful. (this is the view from the sunroom of our back yard.)

9. The kids have their Epic Summer Camp and come home so excited & happy. Just love their time there and what they come home with. (apparently my boys are yahoos at camp, just like they are at home.)

10. It stays lighter outside later. For this girl that thinks it's bedtime when it gets dark outside, my family loves that I'm not making them go to bed at 5pm.

For all these things and probably many more, I am thankful for Summer and what it brings.

HOME

2011-08-26T11:24:00.008-04:00

HOME.

I am a lover of the home.

I love to BE home.

Since moving here to North Carolina we have lived in THREE houses. Ugh. It's a sign of the economy, not a sign that we like to move.

House #1

House #2

This past spring we moved again. Into a much smaller place, or at least a much smaller yard.

Sweetie loves that he doesn't have a huge yard overwhelming him and a mile long list of things that constantly need to be done.

And I love the house.

It's not overwhelming.

It's compact.

It's cozy.

It's HOME.

House #3

Storm Preparedness

2011-08-26T11:09:00.005-04:00

Irene is coming. And us being totally clueless and naive were just planning on throwing a 'Welcome Irene' party at our house. But then one of my good friends kept sending me urgent requests that I take it seriously and get myself prepared. She helped me make a list:

1. Batteries
2. Flashlights
3. Water Bottles
4. Crank Radio
5. Propane on grill FULL!
6. Candles
7. Matches
8. Non-perishable foods.
9. Fill up the gas tanks in autos.

My well stocked pantry, there is no potted meat or vienna sausages in here, cuz, ew, gross..just canned beans and fruit.

My emergency preparedness basket...and can I just say, "NOT COOL WALMART PEEPS! For taking ALL the 'D' batteries, I mean, COME ON! Save a few for us clueless people."

Then she also advised me to bring in everything outside that might blow away or at least stake it down...

Yard Men

2011-08-26T10:51:00.004-04:00

So I got myself some new yard men. They're totally cute too.

Sometimes they grumble. But then I make cookies and they are all smiles again.

Thankful on a Saturday Morning

2011-08-13T09:04:00.003-04:00

1. Sweetie is home, two weeks apart is WAY too long.

2. Dave scampering down the stairs to snuggle with Dad on the couch this morning.

3. Getting excited for the schedule of Fall, I love a good schedule.

4. Finding a new Math Tutor this past week, no more long drive 3 times a week.

5. My Dave's vertigo is finally going away, PRAISES!

6. Calvin rubbing my feet last night before I went to sleep.

7. Having the weekend to rest & precious Church tomorrow.

8. My new Caribou Coffee, Daybreak Morning Blend, it has a rooster on the bag. So cute, but even better, SO YUMMY!

9. The fact that Sweetie is sitting across from me; drinking his coffee, reading on his laptop, with his hairy legs, socks and crocs on. This man makes me so happy!

10. I thought I would be including this sweet doggie to my thankful post this week...

but alas, it was not meant to be (her stupid owner came and claimed her)...so instead, Winston has been rockin' the pink bow. He loves me.

Happy Saturday Everyone!!!!

Working Hard

2011-08-10T08:08:00.007-04:00

So my Sweetie has been in California for two weeks, working. Work has picked up there and we are so very thankful. My dad does some work for us and this week has been no exception. Daddy has worked a lot for us. But today I got these pictures texted to me....

Yep, that would be my Sweetie working. Working hard for his family. We're so proud of him.

And then a few seconds later I got this picture...

My Dad on the same job, working, actually working.

(isn't my Daddy cute?)

Sweetie got a severe lashing after I got these photos.

Though about an hour later I got this photo, from my Dad, titled "problem in my kitchen, how do i fix it?"

This would be what my Sweetie does when he goes to California, he stays with my parents, but then sets up office on the kitchen counter. My dad thinks it might stop my mom's ability to cook food for them, this causes him anxiety. Hilarious.

A New Beginning

2011-08-10T08:05:00.001-04:00

I've been wanting to get back to bloggin, but my computer settings wouldn't allow me to post anything. For some reason it's all okay again. So I'll be back.

Thankful on this Blustery Saturday Morning

2011-04-16T07:32:00.004-04:00

The word blustery makes me think of Winnie-the-Pooh. Calvin used to LOVE Winnie-the-Pooh. Oh how I wish I could get those days back. There are so many things I would do differently. Like slow down, not take things so seriously, but maybe take other things more seriously. It's true what they say, they grow up SO FAST. I loved them as babies and I also love them at this age. It is so much fun to see the young men they are changing into. But this time is very full of worry for me. I fall asleep every night just praying for wisdom in how to parent them. And trying to give my worries to God about just how much I am screwing them up. These teenage years are definitely NOT for wimps. But I am thankful for them. Thankful for my boys. So very thankful. Thankful for the presence of God in their lives. And seeing evidence of that.

So back to my title....I'm very thankful for this 'blustery' Saturday morning. It's very windy outside, a storm is coming in today. Looking forward to having a family day of working together in the attic. Gotta tackle that beast together, it's a danger zone.

1. Spring - it's like a celebration of God's beauty.

2. Baby Lucy - some sweet friends just got their little baby girl last week and I got to hold her for like two blissful hours. I love her story and all the lives that her LIFE is impacting.

3. My Sweetie - he is such perfection to me.

4. My baby Dave and his softness, inside & out.

5. My Calvi and his big heart.

6. Kitty - he finally snuggled with me this morning.

7. The opportunity to purge and get down to more basics.

8. We are moving soon, to a home that will be ours to stay for a long time and enjoy being settled.

9. My small group & church family - they are like Christ in my life, everyday.

10. My God - the one God - who forgives me, who sustains me, who loves me like no other.

I hope you are finding lots to be thankful for today. There are blessings and joys all around us, you just have to choose to see them.

...it's good to be back...

What We've Been Doing

2010-09-19T08:17:00.002-04:00

I used to have this listed in the sidebar. But I wanted to have it saved, as a journal of our doings for future remembrance and nostalgia. Your welcome.

My mama and daddy were here for 12 days. It was too much fun. We went to Asheville, NC to visit the Biltmore. We went to Tennessee to visit friends, very fun and relaxing. Spent a day on the lake on a boat, very cool. And laughed A LOT.

We've started back to school. Co-op craziness & busy-ness. Science class in my dining room. Doing math & spanish on the computers. Good times. The boys are having fun, except for when I have them actually do school work, they don't have so much fun with that.

The boys football games have started, so our Saturdays are spent at the park, relaxing (for us, not them) & playing (them, not us) and seeing friends.

Me, being the lover of all things scheduling is trying her hardest to fit everything in, find a doable schedule, not neglect relationships and figure out if loosing weight is really worth a precious time-slot. Blech!

Sunday Blessings

2010-09-19T08:13:00.003-04:00

My heart is full.

I awoke this morning to these goobers playing catch in the backyard.

The sun was peeking through, and the coffee was brewing.

We get to go to church this morning, what a privilege.

Happy Sunday everyone. Love you.

Thankful on a Saturday Morning

2010-08-21T07:52:00.003-04:00

I didn't do my thankful post on Thursday this week. It's sad, but I just wasn't feeling very thankful, I'm not quite sure why, but I've been working on praying more and wouldn't you know it, God has overwhelmed me with a thankful spirit again. He's so good that way.

1. I just said it in my sidebar, but I am VERY thankful that summer is coming to a close. I love the schedule of the school year. And I LOVE the cooler temperatures. I cannot wait to be able to enjoy the outdoors a whole lot more. This heat and humidity tends to make me feel sick. So even though it's not officially here yet, I am thankful for cooler temperatures and the season of Autumn.

2. My boy Calvin. I tease and complain and whine, but he's such a joy. He's a typical teenage boy with his quirks and all, but overall, he's SUCH a great kid. His heart is seeking Christ, and even just typing that makes me want to cry. He's super sweet to me and others as well. We are constantly getting comments from others about how much they like him, and I say that only because to me, that is such a direct testimony to what God can do in our lives. Calvin is all God's. I have had to pray and pray over the years that God would make up for all my short comings as a Mom to him. I have and do fail constantly, but God is prevailing and I am SO thankful.

3. The Word of God. My Bible. Every morning I yearn for time in it. Sitting with the Book open on my lap. Praying and just soaking It in.

4. Mrs. Elisabeth Elliot. Her writings are just precious and I'm so thankful for them. I just started to read (for the second time) "Keep a Quiet Heart"....

"This was my heart's desire then. It is the same today. A willing acceptance of all that God assigns and a glad surrender of all that I am and have constitute the key to receiving the gift of a quiet heart. Whenever I have balked, the quietness goes. Iit is restored, and life immeasurably simplified, when Ii have trusted and obeyed.

God loves us with an everlasting love. He is unutterably merciful and kind, and sees to it that not a day passes without the opportunity for new applications of the old truth of becoming a child of God. This, to me, sums up the meaning of life." AMEN!

5. Sweetie's unconditional love for me. No matter what. That's what he vowed. And that's what he shows me each and everyday. We've been together since I was 16, a lot changes in that amount of time, I mean, what am I now, 23? :o) No, really, I'm 38. That's a whole lotta time. Things change, people change, their looks...change, 'things' morph and move and well....aren't lookin' as good anymore. But the man is a saint and loves me. My sin has become harder and harder to hide, and yet, he still extends me that grace everyday. He shows me that forgiveness of God in everyway. And I am so very thankful.

6. My Baby Dave. He's got pimples. He likes a girl. He's learned how to talk back. He wants Justin Beiber hair (ugh). He runs circles (literally) around me everyday ALLDAY. He's a little clumsy and spills things easily. His room is most always a toxic area. And blah, blah, blah. But he's my baby. He will still curl up in my lap. Still wants lots of kisses and hugs from me. Still loves that bedtime ritual of 'just one more hug & kiss'. Is a whizz at memorizing scripture. Loves his Dad mostest and looks just like him, and I love that! He's a comedic genious with great timing. And he's got some sweet dance moves. And when we have to correct him, his heart is full of repentance and his prayers are precious.

7. Our Church. I LOVE going to church. I don't like being out of town and missing. I LOVE going to the Adult Bible Fellowship (Sunday School) with funny and precious Mr. Tim teachin' us; LOVE my time with our Small Group, all our peeps in there, precious friends; LOVE the worship we sing together with the great Mr. Josh leading us; and LOVE Pastor Dwayne and his preaching of the Word. Thank you Open Door, my Home, I just love you!

8. We interrupt this post to give you this video.... my Dave just called me away from my computer to share a sweet video he just found on the web....just for me, little 'ol me....love that boy. I dedicate this to all my friends, hard workin' Moms that you are!

Mahahahahahahahahaaa!!!!!!

9. The second cup of coffee that Sweetie just brought me. Still sitting here in the sunroom, nothing 'having' to be done this morning, reading, blogging, laughing with the family, Calvin getting to finally sleep in this morning. A perfect morning, and I'm very thankful.

10. My parents. They are coming to visit us in like a week and a half and staying for 12 days. And it's hilarious (and sad) to me that when people find out, they ask me, is that a 'good thing'? YES! It's a VERY good thing. I am very excited and can't wait and love them and miss them and have so much fun with them, we are counting the days till they get here. They are precious, and tomorrow marks them being married for 46 years! Congrats, Mama & Daddy, thanks for loving each other so much and for being such an awesome example to us, daily. We all love you so much! (Daddy, this is your yearly reminder to make sure you get her flowers or candy or a card or an apple fritter or somethin'...don't forget!)

Aren't they cute?? (this is them a few years ago, though they still look like this, all cute and stuff.)

My Barbara Walters Moment

2010-08-19T20:59:00.003-04:00

I absolutely, 100 % stole this right from Crayola Lady’s blog (but she stole it first from Lori's blog) and had Dave (currently 12) answer the following fun questions:

1. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE T. V. SHOW? Deal or No Deal (family version)

2. WHAT DID YOU HAVE FOR BREAKFAST? Bowl of Coco Puffs, 2 Waffles & 1 piece of bacon

3. WHAT IS YOUR MIDDLE NAME? Bob

4. FAVORITE FOOD? Kraft Macaroni & Cheese (he’s getting Dad points for that one)

5. WHAT FOOD DO YOU DISLIKE? Anything gluten – free (this comes from his mama eating gluten free for a whole month, the poor kid)

6. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE COLOR? Red

7. FAVORITE LUNCH? See #4

8. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO? Play football (he meant to say snuggle with his mommy)

9. IF YOU COULD GO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD ON VACATION, WHERE WOULD YOU GO? Legoland

10. FAVORITE SPORT? Baseball & football

11. WHEN IS YOUR BIRTHDAY? On leap year day (not really)

12. ARE YOU A MORNING PERSON OR A NIGHT PERSON? Morning

13. PETS: Yes, a shiba inu terrier mix, named Winston, who is the best dog in the universe. (not really)

14. ANY NEW AND EXCITING NEWS YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH US? I’ve got a girlfriend (yeh, but she doesn’t know it)

15. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? Dentist

16. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CANDY? Skittles

17. WHERE IS THE FURTHEST YOU'VE EVER BEEN FROM HOME? California

18. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BOOK? To Kill a Mockingbird

19. WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF? Myself

20. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE? Mission Impossible 3

21. WHICH CAME FIRST, THE CHICKEN OR THE EGG? What?

And then I did these questions as well…

1. What is your favorite word? Déjà vu

2. What is your least favorite word? Cuss Words

3. What do you like? God

4. What don't you like? Other gods

5. What sound or noise do you love? Ske-doosh (he meant to say the sound of his mother’s voice)

6. What sound or noise do you hate? Fingernails on a chalkboard

7. What profession would you not like to do? Work at the Dump

8. What would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? "Well done my good and faithful servant!!!"

WIWW (the last one)

2010-08-18T21:19:00.006-04:00

This is the last time I'm doing this, cuz, well, I don't like it. But I don't have anything else to blog about tonight, and I do have a camera loaded with self-portraits, lovely. So here you go...oh and Sara, I didn't mean it, you don't get to comment, you goober. (just kidding, you know I love ya)

I don't know what day this was, and who knows WHAT we did.

feet: God
shorts: kohl's
top: ann taylor loft

Sunday, church & lunch. I didn't like this outfit at all, I felt all 'colorful' and stuff, but by the time I got it on, it was time to go and Sweetie was NOT hip with the whole 'I need to change' thing. Geesh.

sandals: kohl's, on clearance for like $5, wee-hoo
jeans: ann taylor loft
tank: eddie bauer
cardi: target

I don't remember what day this was, nor do I remember what I did while wearing it, something riveting, I'm sure.

flips: rainbows
capris: sam's club
cami: target
tunic: eddie bauer

Wednesday, hangin' at home and runnin' around just a tad...
flips: target
capris: gap, regular jeans, just folded up
top: thrifted

Hunting Season

2010-08-17T21:48:00.005-04:00

So Dave walked out on the deck the other morning and got greeted by this lovely creature....

We will call him, Mr. Spider. I'm thinking with him being the size of a mini-bus, he deserves the Mr.

So Calvin, being the great protector and all, decided to go hunting....

And this is what was left of Mr. Spider after Calvin got done with him.

Mahahahahahaaaaa!!!! Don't mess with us, Mr. Spider!

We all feel SO much better, having Calvin around.

School Pictures

2010-08-14T17:13:00.013-04:00

In my efforts to clean and organize the office better today, I found some little treasures. Well, don't you know there was no more cleaning and organizing for the rest of the day, as I was laying on the floor in the fetal position wondering what happened to these precious little faces...

They were both in Little Miracles Preschool, Dave in the little 2 1/2 year old class and Calvin in the 4 year old class. Dave was REALLY sick that year, I finally pulled him out. Like what did my baby need to be at preschool for anyhow??? I have always loved this picture. I have it in an 8x10 hanging on our walls.

Calvin @ Mountain Valley Academy (a homeschool charter school) and Dave @ Little Wonders Preschool

Okay, so not quite a 'school picture' but I also love this one, and have it hanging on our wall too. This would be Peter Pan & The Buzz.

I think this is after I started homeschooling on my own and had to do my own yearly school pictures. On this particular year, I timed it just right so I could have the toothless grin of my Calvi. I will always remember this day, they were total ya-hoo's and WOULD NOT settle down. We had been at the mall most of the day and who knows WHAT I fed them!

These are actual 'School Pictures' taken through a homeschool group we were involved in at the time. Look how scared my baby is. I don't like school pictures.

Ah, this is probably the picture I got taken of them to replace the one above. There is another on of these, where Calvin held the Dave upside down and little Dave's undies are showing. But I love how the Dave has his little thumb in his pocket in this one. Adorable.

Ready For Some Football

2010-08-13T20:49:00.001-04:00

So it's football season again. Though it doesn't feel like it outside. I'm used to Calvin playing. I love it that Calvin plays. But this year, the family blind sided me. We're in Dick's Sporting Goods and I'm grabbing what Calvin needed for his season, when all of a sudden I'm told to get a cup for the Dave, get a mouth guard for the Dave, oh and get some cleats for the Dave.....WHOA, HOLD THE PHONE!!!! Yep, my Baby is playing football.

Look at him, one stiff breeze and the guy will tip over with that big helmet on. Ugh, I can't watch. This is why Dads need to take over, at some point, the upbringing of their boys. Us Moms are just too weak. We can't handle the pressure.

See my Calvi, he's big, he's allowed to play the football. He can handle the pressure, nobody's knocking him over.

But he's teaching his little brother how to look tough, Dave's got it down pretty good.

Here they are, they switched gear, Calvin nearly gave himself an aneurysm trying to put Dave's helmet on. It was funny.

But on a side note, I caught Sweetie smellin' his armpits. Classic. He's sooooo cute.

Thankful on a Thursday

2010-08-12T23:09:00.003-04:00

1. Air Conditioning. Seriously. In my house and in my car and in my grocery store. It's the only reason I'm still alive.

2. My boy Calvin posing as the water delivery man, he replaces the big giant water bottles on the cooler for me so our thirsts are quenched. He likes to flex his muscles when he does it.

3. Sweetie doesn't work from home anymore, but we've found a way to make it all better, we flirt-email all day long.

4. Fall, Autumn, October....it's coming, I can see it on the calendar, I wish it would come a little faster, but I know it's coming.

5. Ceiling fans. In every room. A very important part of staying cool.

6. School supplies. I got a little giddy in the isles at the Walmart tonight.

7. My minivan and the ability to hual the ya-hoo's around.

8. My squishy pillow with a pink pillow case on it. "It's SOOOooooo squishy!"

9. The biblestudy I'm doing right now, Breaking Free by Beth Moore, it's a goody.

10. Going on facebook and seeing a status update from my sister.

Hope you were THANKFUL today.

WIWW (posted on a Thursday)

2010-08-12T07:29:00.010-04:00

This was exhausting this week. Thinking WAY too much about what I wore. That can either be a good thing, cuz I normally walk around in sweats or jammies. But it just felt a little 'self-absorbed'. Plus taking pictures of myself, was not too good for my confidence level. Ugh, please tell me the camera adds like thirty pounds. But it was a little fun to try to look a little cuter, to pull different outfits together, and I know Sweetie appreciated seeing me in something OTHER than my jammies.

On a side note, I'm also waiting for Sara to comment her fashion do's & don'ts on my outfits. She's always been my fashion police, so please don't leave me hangin' girl.

Thursday, ran errands, did chores & office work.
HAT: petco park (padres)
CAMI: target
TOP: ann taylor loft (clearance)
BOTTOMS: ann taylor loft
FLIPS: my pink rainbows (my favs)

Friday, stayed home most of the day working in the office, as if you couldn't tell.
JAMMIES: target (from top to bottom)
SLIPPERS: my pink ugg slipper, the other favorite shoe

later on Friday, ran a couple of errands, meeting that night.
TOP: old navy
DRESS: old navy
HEADBAND: target

Saturday, watching friends' kids while they move.
TOP: eddie bauer (clearance)
BOTTOMS: kohl's (i think)
FLIPS: again with my pink rainbows

Sunday Morning, Church with the family
TANK TOP: target (jr. department) and yes, I'm aware that it needed to be ironed, please don't tell my Mama.
CARDIGAN: ann taylor loft (bought from local consignment shop downtown)
PANTS: ann taylor loft (so old)
SHOES: dsw shoes (so comfy)
HEADBAND: target

Monday Night, Date Night with the Sweetie
TOP: kohl's (have it in every color)
SKIRT: eddie bauer (because it was on clearance and because it's a size small and because I'm a sucker for a long skirt. My sister told me no, but I said yes.)
SHOES: kohl's clearance, and oh my so comfy.

Tuesday Night, Small Group Ladies Nite at Cheryl's house
TOP: j.jill (clearance)
BOTTOMS: ann taylor loft (clearance)

Whatcha think? Too many headbands?

If you've got some extra time, go check out what other's wore at The Pleated Poppy.

Putt-Putt Night & a Mess

2010-08-09T21:57:00.005-04:00

After a wonderful & lazy Sunday afternoon of de-compressing, we got out and played a little putt-putt.

On a different note, my parents will be here in three weeks. And THIS is what my silverware drawer looks like.

My mama keeps a VERY tidy silverware drawer. I'm thinking she's gonna get a 'special' project when she gets here.

Super Heroes

2010-08-07T20:23:00.009-04:00

So I live with boys. God saw fit to bless us with sons 14 & 12 years ago. And I'm thankful. Everyday. I'm thankful when I vacuum up 300 airsoft b.b.'s from the corners of everyroom. I'm thankful when I step on legos in the middle of the night. I'm thankful when I find dirty socks under the seat in my car. I'm thankful when I find un-eaten sandwiches hidden under t-shirts on the floor. And thankful when i see stray toys blown to pieces in the driveway covered in black soot. Good times, all the time.

And the following is another reason/reasons I'm so thankful I have boys. A couple months ago Sweetie and I found some extra guests in our room when we went to bed.

This is Luke Skywalker & some Storm Trooper, I think. They keep their watch over us from the TV bracket.

And this is Chewy and some other Trooper guy thing. They keep watch from the bookshelf.

And this, this sweet handsome guy, he's the Buzz. And he was a special gift to me from the Dave. And he's very strong in his masculinity to stay perched here amongst the girlie perfume bottles.

Sweetie and I sleep better knowing we are being guarded and watched over.

Thanks Dave, you're such a little lover.

Thankful Thursday

2010-08-05T20:17:00.002-04:00

I took the boys to lunch the other day. The waiter came to our table and asked for our drink order....

Waiter: Mam? What can I get you to drink?
Me: Unsweet Iced Tea, please.
Waiter: (to Dave) And for you?
Dave: Dr. Pepper, please.
Waiter: (to Calvin) And for you?
Calvin: Bud Light, please.

{{cricket, cricket, cricket}}

Waiter: (leans in to Calvin) Dude, your braces kinda give you away. You get water.
Me: (laughing uncontrollably)

My Calvin, he's such a funny guy!

1. I'm thankful for laughter and the good times I have with my guys, all three of them.

2. My new (to me) books I'm reading.

3. My 'Yummy Grandma' lotion from a sweet friend, so yummy. I slather it on while I'm doing my bible study.

4. The ability to work, it makes me feel so good.

5. My 'JOY' mug with the verse that says....'the joy of the Lord is my strength'...I LOVE that verse.

6. The HUGE thunder, lightning & rain storm outside right now.

7. There is currently NO laundry piled in the hallway or on my bed.

8. The super-uber cheap, but yummy & healthy meal I made tonight for the fam. Big pot of beans & roasted corn.

9. Washing my hair after wearing a baseball cap all day, ahhhhhhhhh.

10. I taught Calvin how to do laundry this week, and he's taken upon himself to do, like, 4 loads without being asked. (Mom pride is beaming!)

What I Wore Wednesday

2010-08-04T19:57:00.005-04:00

So Lindsey over at the Pleated Poppy has been doing this thing. And she's all cute and her outfits are all cute. And then Lisa over at It's the Little Things did it, and she's way cute and has the way cute outfits and all. So I started thinking that it would be SO much fun if I joined in the fun. Expecially since, on most day's I never change out of my p.j.'s or walking outfit. But that's just the way I roll, so enjoy.

This is what I put on after my shower this morning, thinking I'd wear it all day, but I felt a little 'hawaiian vacation' and all, so I changed.

I put this on, because, let's face it, I was trying to pull off an uber cute outfit for this post alone! But all I did was go to the Farmer's Market, where I sweated like a pig and wished I was on a 'hawaiian vacation'.

And this is what I have on now, cuz it's more me. Apron and all.

Look Out Here It Comes....

2010-08-03T19:07:00.026-04:00

So when I'm at a loss as to what to blog about, I just go to my camera. I get all the weird pics, and believe me, there are plenty of them, and I use them as blog fodder....

Take this for instance. Whenever I download my pics I find ALL SORTS of odd pictures of my offspring. Makes for a good time and a loaded down computer.

On a different note, Dave has entered the lovely teenager-ness. He's still my shnoogy bear, but he's got this, 'I'm so bored, please entertain me', kind of attitude.

Take this day for instance, Dave found a turtle to torture. It kept him busy for a whole afternoon. This is Winston, trying to get the turtle to come out and play. I finally put a stop to it when I caught him playing shuffle board with the poor shy-guy.

Spring came and the neighborhood looked a lot different from the front porch. Very green here.

This rose bush is my favorite, except when it got over grown and tried to attack me while going in the back door. NOT a good day. Sweetie pruned it for me, no more thorns in my hair.

The back deck is such a good place for a good peaceful sit. One particular evening it was Ladies Nite here, we sat out on the deck, it was my night to give my testimony. Half way through we got cold and had to go get blankets, we sat like old grandma's under our blankets and laughed into the evening. Very precious night.

I had no idea these were here, but on this one day, I decided to walk ALL THE WAY around the house and found these. Beautiful!

This is my favorite room in the house, the sunroom. Ahhhhhhhhhh, the peace.

In May, Calvin and I got to go to Washington DC with our homeschool co-op. We had SUCH a great time.

Calvin and I in front of Mt. Vernon. So pretty. The house, not us.

Calvi and I in Union Station. So big.

Me and my friend Courtenay. On the top of the double decker bus. We almost lost our lives that day, by too many low laying branches. DC needed to work on their tree trimming.

Mr. James got us into the Capital building on our last day. A totally cool day.

Here we are, the whole co-op group. Precious people.

When Sweetie took Dave to California, I took Calvin out on a date. Outback Steakhouse, the boy got the biggest steak, and ate the whole thing. Very impressive.

I can't believe I didn't take a picture of the HUGE hydrangea bushes that we have in front of the house. They bloomed in late May/early June and were GORGEOUS!!! This is just ONE of the many bouquets that I made with them.

We went bowling one day, as a family. When it gets too hot, we go bowling. These are Sweetie's legs. I'm a total sucker for his legs. See those shoes, he used to wear bowling shoes for regular shoes. He can totally rock the bowling shoes.

My boy, Calvi, bowling.

My baby, Dave, bowling.

Me and my crazy boys. Why do they act like such goof balls.

And me and my Sweetie, oh my, how I love this guy.

Have I mentioned before that my Dave is just, 'so cool'.

One of my favorite friends adopted twins from Russia this past winter, here we are at the pool. My big toe was quite entertaining. And they are very much in my heart.

Just a couple weeks ago, Sweetie took me to California, just the two of us. Here we are at the Padre game. Good times.

Wow, quite a little scrap book this turned into!

Sorry It's Been So Long, The Sequel

2010-08-02T20:56:00.004-04:00

mahahahaha, I know I'm just SOOOOoooooo funny!

See we're all here. Including Mr. Football head in the back seat.

Just thought I'd give you a little teaser. I'm back and I'll share more tomorrow. Thanks for being SO patient.

Sorry It's Been So Long

2010-04-30T21:26:00.021-04:00

It's just me and the Davester around here right now. Cuz Sweetie and the Calv are in Israel for 12 days. The goobers.

See Sweetie? We miss him.

See Calvin? We miss him too. See his mustache?

Can you see it now? He calls himself the Spaniard. He's funny. He also said that my Potato Salad that I made for Easter had too many potatoes in it. He's hilarious. I miss the Spaniard.

Here are some pictures from the past month or so...

I snapped this picture, this is what Dave does when Sweetie gets home from work. Precious. I do this to, but it doesn't work the same, I don't understand why.

Remember this photo?

Yep, not much has changed.

The guys went on the Men's Retreat with our church. This is Dave about 4 hours before they needed to leave. He was VERY ready, and yes, they played golf, and yes, Dave smoked 'em.

This is a normal scene in the sun room every morning. I thought they were so cute with their dueling laptops.

I got to go to California to see my family, stayed for a week. Had so much precious fun. The first day, was tea at Grandma's house. It was a little yucky, but we got through it, as long as Marcie didn't look directly at the Deviled Eggs, and I pretended that the Tuna Salad was really Chicken Salad.

Staying at my parents house is so much fun when I go to California. Memories EVERYWHERE! I found this in their driveway... Do you see the little hand prints? First of all, that's my foot. (I know, cute shoes, that's not the point.) The big hand print is my niece Mallory, she was like 5, she's about to turn 17. The middle hand print is my Calvi, he was 2. TWO PEOPLE! But see the wee-one, that precious little-itty-bitty hand...that would be the Dave's hand...he was like 1 month old. ONE. MONTH. OLD. {{sigh}}

This is the stepping stone in the back yard garden. Again, that's MY foot. (Enough about the shoes, people, yes, they are VERY comfortable too!) But the big foot is my niece's foot. The middle foot is the Calvi's little two year old foot, such a cute foot. And the wee-one, yep, that would be the Davester foot. I could stick the hole thing in my mouth, and often did. I don't do that anymore, they aren't as tasty as they used to be. {{sigh}}

We went to Mexico one day. Got to see the places my Daddy has worked. The orphanage, the deaf school. My Daddy, he's such a servant. It was a very special day. This is Marcie's girl, she cried when we left.

Daddy also took us shooting one day. Yep, this is Marcie all loaded and ready to go. Be afraid, be very afraid.

This is my Mama. She's an excellent marksman, you SO would NOT want to break into her house. We call her Annie Oakley. Don't let the classy exterior fool you, she'd totally take you out.

Lancie helping my niece Mallory be brave while she shot. She shoots like her Auntie. She shoots the dirt in the mountain, makes me so proud.

And this is my Daddy, the man behind all the fun!

And this is Me and My Sister. Not the best picture, but I don't care. I love my sister. She's a hoot. She even re-made her guest room for me to come and stay with her. And got me my own little box of See's Candy and handpicked all my favorites. Perfection.

There were so many other fun things about the trip...a day out with Sara, the mostest-funnest time at Jay's sister's house seeing all the family, Daddy making me his french toast, eating Rubio's fish tacos & churro, laying on my mama's bed and talking with her, mexican food (REAL mexican food) with my Auntie Joyce & Uncle Don, visiting our renters and doing a walk through of our house, they are so sweet, playing spoons with the family and getting a 'little' loud....and so much much more.

Oh, and I can't leave this photo out....Dave (and Jay) entered in the Awana Grand Prix at church. They built this car themselves. See those lego heads...that would be them. Sweetie had gotten a little frustrated the night before (since he remembered at 9pm that the race was the following morning and they were NO WHERE near being done with the car)...when it came time for Dave to pick out the lego heads, he kept trying to find the one with the grumpy face 'to be Dad'...nice. They won the reward 2nd place for design, I think it was Jay's face that sealed the deal.

That's pretty much it...until I get some goofy photos of my two big men covered in Dead Sea Mud and a photo of the remains of the fish that Sweetie ate by the Sea of Galilee.

Me and my Dave, just a couple more days. We're keeping ourselves comforted with lots of fun and a few Sonic drinks!

Thankful Thursday Morning

2010-03-11T06:23:00.002-05:00

"Give Thanks in all circumstances,

for this is God's will for you,

in Christ Jesus."
1 Thess. 5:18

This is the verse that found me last night. I scribbled it down on a sticky note and went to sleep.

This morning I awoke before dawn with a tickle in my throat, as I walked downstairs to get some water, I could see that dawn was coming and it was foggy outside. The house was quiet, birds were chirping, and the HOUSE WAS QUIET.

This week has been really good, but really overwhelming for me. I realized that this 'tickle in my throat' quite possibly was the Holy Spirit allowing me some quiet time with God. I didn't go back upstairs. I laid on the couch and prayed and slowly watched the morning come. And was overwhelmed again, but this time with THANKFULNESS.

1. I'm so VERY MUCH thankful for God's presence in my life, I don't know how others deal with things, my heart breaks for those that don't have the Lord to lean on and give their burdens to.

2. I'm VERY thankful for my husband. His gift of wisdom and love blesses me everyday. His partnership in parenting these past few weeks, THANK YOU JESUS!!!! His fun and sweetness with me, THANK YOU JESUS!!! His wisdom in handling things, THANK YOU JESUS!!!

3. My boys. They are precious, and full of preciousnesses that give me great joy. Even in the midst of their 'potty humor' I love them and I'm very thankful for the gift of them.

4. I'm very thankful for the friends God has given me. The ladies at church, the ladies outside of church. The fellowship, the laughter, the comraderie the sweetness...I'm so very thankful for these women.
(oh my gosh, my spell check just did a total number on 'comraderie', and I'm completely lost as to which one is the actual spelling, so I'm leaving it and lettin' it rock on its own!)

5. Homeschool Co-op. The boys and I joined a co-op this week (hence the overwhelmedness). It is an answer to prayer as we enter these next few years. I always said that I couldn't be in a homeschool co-op, because let's just say you REALLY don't want ME teaching your kids logic, grammar, math, spanish, world history...I mean let's just say it...I excel at naptime, I love the snack, I rule the recess - and that's about it. :o) So this is HUGE for us to be in a co-op. It runs differently and that's why it's working for us. The boys are loving it, even though Dave isn't really 'in' yet. I'm very thankful for this new adventure in our lives. (and I'm thankful for you, Courteney, for inviting us! you're such a blessing!)

6. Laughter. Last night was 'Exercise Night' on the Wii Fit. You haven't laughed till you see your three guys trying to Hula Hoop. H.I.L.A.R.I.O.U.S. Last week was the first time, it was my turn to choose the sport and in an effort to find something that I might excel at, above the guys, I picked hula-hoopin'. I was literally crying, I was laughing so hard, they finally asked me to leave the room, but I crawled back to the door just to fall to the ground laughing again at, well, mostly the Calvin, that boy has some sweet moves! And yes, I rule at the hula-hoopin'. Wii Fit, good times.

7. Spring. I'm thankful that spring is a comin'. Tuesday we spent the afternoon at the park. The PARK, people. It was 70 degrees, SEVENTY, people! The boys got little sunburns on their pasty faces, and I think I got my fill of the vitamin D to last me another month!

8. I got a cold this past week. And I'm thankful that for the fist time in a few years it didn't turn into a flu. It was just a normal, little, mamsy-pamsy cold. (Ah-Choo! Bless me.) I'm so thankful.

9. Neighbors. I'm thankful for our neighbors. Have I mentioned before that we've never lived in a neighborhood. And the Dave has always wanted to. Now we live in a neighborhood and guess what lives right behind us...three boys. Sweet family. Athletic family. THREE BOYS. The oldest is the Dave's age and they are too cute. Just yesterday sitting at my desk I can see when they get home from school and are in the back yard playing, I yell to the Dave and he goes runnin' out. They play football, basketball, Calvin takes them on adventures in the forest, and they swing. Too funny to see these 12 year old boys swingin' so high on the swings. Very fun. And the little brother, he's 5 and LOVES to come visit me. Except that he cleans out my peanut bowl and often doesn't tell him Mama where he's goin'. Nice. They are comin' to dinner tomorrow night, they are wanting to start attending a church, we are excited for the opportunity to minister in their lives.

10. Scripture. Not too long ago I started praying that God would give me such a desire for His Word. He has answered that prayer. Sometimes I just sit, with my beloved Bible open on my lap, my hands laid flat on the pages, and just breathe a sigh of peace and joy for this freedom that we have. I love that no matter what book, chapter, or verse I'm reading, God is speaking directly into my life, my heart, and I'm VERY thankful.

Have a blessed day lovies.

My Golden Nugget for This Morning

2010-03-04T08:28:00.003-05:00

Worry is Disobedience.

That is so profound, and so true.

Worry is Disobedience.

'The disciplined mind makes no room for doubting God's plans for me.'

Is my life full of HIM, or is it full of 'other stuff'??

"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you (God). Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal." Isaiah 26:3-4

In you, Lord - in YOUR WILL, in YOUR PRESENCE - all is well.

Cleaning the House & a Tour

2010-02-27T18:59:00.012-05:00

There is just something about Saturdays and getting chores done. It's all good. So as the guys were outside doing chores, and in the garage doing chores and in the attic doing chores....I got to stay inside, doing what I love best. Nesting. (No, I'm not pregnant.)

My kitchen is wonderful, I absolutely love it. The sunshine, it makes me a happy-happy girl.

It came with this island, that has become 'kitchen central', all my pots, pans & lids are in the drawers. So handy.

It's an 'eat-in kitchen', love this, that the whole family congregates here, breakfast & lunch, while I cook and serve it up. Sweetie found this little table when we were first married and refinished it, it's precious.

A view to the back deck, and where dog & cats sit and whimper till we let them in. Or certain neighbor boys come knockin', wantin' to play.

Counter by the stove, and where all the music is played in the house. Those are my salt & pepper bowls, makes its so much easier and fun while cookin'.

Coffee central, and my favorite place in the morning. Mmmmm, I can taste tomorrow mornins' coffee. And yes, that's all our vitamins. Mmmmm, I can taste the burping of those fish oil capsules. So tasty.

Love these glass cupboards, and it helped that all my dishes are white. This is also 'appliance alley'. I have WAY too many appliances, and not enough places to store them, plus I use them ALL THE TIME, so putting them away is just a pain.

This is our itty-bitty fridge. This came with the house, and what with the buyers of our other house beggin' for the fridge, I'm now stuck with this beauty. I'm thankful that we have our extra fridge in the garage. I just have to clean this baby out every couple of days to make sure that nothing is getting pushed to the back and wasted. Someday, I might get a real 'grown-up' fridge, till then, 'itty-bitty' will have to do. It also doesn't have an ice maker, so my boys got to learn about the art of making ice, re-filling the ice trays and not just stealin' 2 out of the tray and putting it back. They had no idea what these things were before we got this fridge. So I'm thinking it's completely worth it.

The little hallway going to the 'fancy dining room'. I'm a lover of the wreath.

Again, the phone wall and cookbook shelves. That bookcase is a total piece of junk, but I spray painted it and decided it looks charming.

And now follow me upstairs, we'll check out the laundry room....

This new house, doesn't have a laundry room, it has a laundry closet. But it is on the second floor, so I'm not complaining. And of course I still found a way to put my stamp on it and make it all cutesy.

I love me some baskets, bummer I couldn't put labels on these shelves. A very sad thing.

Randomness

2010-02-21T22:29:00.007-05:00

Last Saturday we woke up to this. Gorgeous, and we had nothing going on that day, just a cozy-lazy day at home together.

"Snow Caps"

We celebrated Valentine's Day...someone sent me roses...he might like me a little.

Sweetie took me out, we used a gift card we had for the Cheesecake Factory, yummo. Coffee, walkin' the mall, and a movie. A perfect night.

I'm sorry, but I just had to show you what it's like living in this house with Jr. High boys. Yes, all three of them! It's mud, don't worry. But when you're sitting intently at your desk trying to focus and get some work done and all of a sudden this is thrown at you, well, one might scream. Yes, he got the reaction he was looking for, the goober.

A little family portrait for you, though we couldn't seem to get Sweetie into the picture, but that's okay, he wasn't exactly in the smiling mood....do you see what's parked behind us? Do you see that guy walking up to the side of the car? Yep. And for the record, it was Jay this time, NOT ME!! And on the way to church! (I believe that makes it special.) And some friends passed us on their way to church. (I believe that makes it more special.)

Check out Dave's outfit, what a stud. Don't blow up the picture and look at his hair, he might be gettin' a bit crazy with the gel, I'm no longer allowed to fuss at him and his hair. Ugh.

Happy week everybody, enjoy!

Baby Dave

2010-02-07T21:59:00.019-05:00

Here it is, the post. THE post. The post that will make me cry. Do you see the sacrifice I make for you guys. Feel the love.

See these two. Father and Baby Son. These two, they melt my heart.

Here they are again. Two peas in a pod, these two. Very annoying.

They are right now in California for 8 days, EIGHT DAYS PEOPLE! Seriously, a Mama Bear should not be separated from her cub for 8 days. It's just not good.

Good for me I have this guy,

he's my boy, my hero, my heart and very much loves his Mama. He's good for my sad times. And ladies, watch out, cuz he's gonna be the most wonderful husband and father some day. Not now, cuz, ew, he's only 14. But in about 10 years, come talk to me, we'll see if you measure up.

Okay, sorry, back to Baby Dave.....

My baby, 2 days old. Precious, and for some reason a little red.

Big brother meeting him for the first time, love the grimace face, Dave still makes that face whenever I make them hug each other. Aw, the brotherly love.

Oh, my heart overfloweth. I can still smell him, baby powder and those cheeks. So very tasty.

Oh how I love these guys.

Always lovin' the playtime with Dad. (lovin' that stache, Sweetie!)

Be still my heart.

Dave and Buzz, his little buddy that he carried EVERYWHERE and slowly ate him. We were thinking the kid might need help, but gratefully none of his other toys got eaten. But it does explain a sort of vitamin deficiency.

On Uncle Mike & Aunt Vicki's boat. Love those lips.

He's always had a bit of some 'Papa head hair', and very proud of it.

Aw, look, he loves his mama too.
(Notice, I totally cut out the rest of the family to make it look like it's just the two of us. See Sweetie tryin' to hone in on our picture. Whatever.)

His first time to Disneyland. He was almost 3. I love him in his sweats, so cuddly. Oh, that face, that dimple! Come here, let me kiss you!

Baby Love, come home quickly, I miss you. You're 12 now, can I still call you Baby Love?

Oh, I almost forgot....

Yee-Haw, a double whammy! Aw, the joys of being boys and living in the country!

It's good to be me.

A Snow Day

2010-01-31T18:43:00.010-05:00

We interrupt the prevously scheduled programming of Baby Dave Pictures to bring you shots of our fun times with the snow.

The birthday boy got snow for his birthday. I'm thinking it was a great present, and it was free. Here he is playing out front with the neighbor boys.

My Sweetie looks good in the snow, he was recording the fun for posterity.

Sweetie tried to get the four-wheeler out and take it for a ride, it stalled in the street right in front of the house, here's he and Calvin trying to get it started. Such men I have.

Calvin taking all the kiddos on four-wheeler rides. Great fun in the snow & sleet.

Sweetie rode it to work to get some work done, he called me when he got there and told me how beautiful it was. Dan came and got the kids to take them sledding and dropped me off at the office so Sweetie and I could have a 'romantic' four wheeler ride home. Yeah, not so romantic, seriously thought I was going to die. Longest 15 minutes of my life. Sleet in the face, freezing temperatures in the face, not so much romantic.

Even the froggies were chilly. This was a few hours later, after some snow had melted...when we first woke up you could only see their eyeballs. They are so cute.

This morning was simply gorgeous.

The back deck, anyone for a grillin'?

Our home looks pretty in the snow, oh so pretty.

Happy Birthday, Baby!

2010-01-29T20:57:00.006-05:00

My Birthday Baby.

So 12 years ago tonight, I was in the labor room trying to have a baby. Sweetie was hungry and went and got Kentucky Fried Chicken for him, my mama, his mama & his sister. I got ice chips, they were so yummy.

I think we watched Friends. And maybe some game show. Why don't I remember what was on television???

The anesthesiologist came in and gave me the wonder drug in my back and I fell in love with him. I told him not to go far, just in case I needed some more.

I think I slept, I don't really remember. Sweetie rubbed my back, Mama rubbed my feet, Mom-in-Law read a book, and Sister-in-Law video taped me, something that I will regret later as they used it to tease me...whatever!

At some point, a heart beat went too low or couldn't be found or something, all I know is I was flipped over to all fours, gave the women a show they'll never forget and everyone was rushing around. Ugh, such drama.

At about 5:30 the next morning I got to start pushing, this was HUGE! The sun was coming through the blinds and I got to push. This is when the 'sweet' nurse was telling me that I was doing fine...then my 'not so sweet' Sister-in-Law told me I was NOT doing a good job, told me to grab my knees and push like 'you know what'. Well it worked and out popped a Dave. Nice.

Next thing I know, he's blue, not breathing, the cord isn't cut all the way, grab baby & go, deal with me and then realize baby still not breathing. Sister-in-Law yelled at nurses to look at Dave and all mayhem broke out again. Of course, I'm delirious at this point and Sweetie is trying to soothe me all the while, not knowing what is going on with his son. Once all was done and fine I had baby and Sweetie had to go out to the hall to fall apart. The poor guy was my rock during the whole night, but once he saw that all was going to be fine he fell apart. Love that man.

Dave was 9 pounds, the big chunkster. Tried to bring some of my insides with him when he came out. Sweet boy. He had lots of hair (a bit scary) and big bright eyes.

And this is where I would have a picture of him while we were in the hospital. He was precious, still is. Take my word for it, he was a looker, still is.

There aren't any photos because it's after 9pm now and it's cold in the attic where the photos are and I'm on the couch and don't wanna scan photos right now. But just wait for it, tomorrow will be a real winner of a post, but be warned there may be some buns...just maybe.

All bundled and ready for our day of birthday fun...

Birthday boys' mama, he's one blessed boy.

Dave & Bryan, excited about what Calvin got his brother. They are such buds. Mr. Johnny pants couldn't come, what with the whole maybe bein' snowed in for the weekend thing.

This is my baby, he's weird, I think I'll keep him.

Scanning and Crying

2010-01-27T21:42:00.002-05:00

look at that face, this was him taking his first steps. what a smile.

you know i had to post this, i mean, come on, love them buns.

yep, caught him red handed...he's was always the cookie bandit and still is.

ridin' the ferry across the San Diego bay to Coronado Island, one of our favorite things to do.

mama holdin' her boy, little davey was growin' in my tummy there.

that smile again, what a face! that was/is his red blankie, it is now nothing but one little red knot, but he's still got it!

sweetie was great at reading to the boys, love those zip up sleepers, he won't wear them anymore, don't understand why.

helpin' dad build the fireplace, the overalls, the boots, the plaid work shirt, the comb-over. ah, be still my heart.

he was a lover of the pooh bear. that precious face.

that's all i could handle tonight, i'm sure now that i've mastered the scan machine, there will be more photos from the past to come. this was just some from a little misc. album i could find in the dark attic...wait till i find the baby books, the wedding album, oh my, try to contain the excitement.

Happy Birthday, My Boy!

2010-01-26T19:16:00.007-05:00

Today my boy is 14.

Fourteen years ago, I was laying in a hospital, recovering from a c-section, delirious half out of my mind, and Sweetie was hogging the baby. He was absolutely handsome with his little hairdo, the nurses gave him a comb-over and I fell in love.

(I really need to learn how to scan pictures, because this is where I would insert my favorite picture, the first taken of Sweetie holding his son, precious.)

We started the day off today with letting him sleep in. By the time we cracked open his door his little eyes were already smiling. We (Sweetie, Dave & Me) started right in to our song and dance....never mind that I was sitting on top of him while singing and dancing (the poor guy).

He got moved to the couch with the remote. While I made the waffles and coffee he channel surfed till he found some good cartoons. The boy got coffee, waffles with berries, syrup & peanut butter (no, not all on one waffle; that would be three different waffles).

Oh, I almost forgot the lovely birthday crown that I made for him, and in trying to make it not look so much like a tiara, it instead looked more like something that he'd wear to ward off alien invasion or pick up on some sort of radio signal. He's blessed to be in this family.

We made him go to his writing class, well, because we're mean and because the boy needs to learn some writing skills.

After class & after stealing Dad from work, our first stop was the Barnes & Noble, the boy loves his bookstores, and we let him have his fill. I did my normal of picking a stack of books and plunkin' down in the kids department while the Dave looked around...Calvin later found me by my laughter...I was reading 'Skinny @#$%#', that book is SO WRONG, but hilarious. Sweetie did his normal thing of making phone calls & wandering around the store asking when we would leave. He's a funny guy. Calvin did his normal of finding 19 books and trying to decide which ones to get. We told him the book on Quantum Physics was maybe over shooting. He's a funny kid, er, I mean teenager.

Once we finally left the bookstore, he picked Panera Bread for some lunch. Yummo!

With our full bellies we walked down to Best Buy and let him wander around and pick out what he wanted as a present. He got a new camera and Dave got him his video game he was wanting. He's a happy-happy boy, er, I mean teenager.

He was finally tired so we headed home. A lazy evening of playing his new game, learning about his new camera and watching movies.

I made his favorite meal for dinner, steak, mushrooms & asparagus. Triple yummo! And right now, we're gettin' ready to head out to Goodberry's for some birthday frozen custard.

Now for some fun photos from this past week...

Sweetie and me out one afternoon for a little date, coffee and groceries at the Super Target. Good times. Love my Sweetie.

Dave was dancin' the other night, you'd be better off seeing the video, but again, I'm a little challenged in that area, so you get a picture. Dave has some mean dancin' moves. Did I ever tell you about him takin' over a wedding reception dance floor, he was 7.

Calvin had his best buds over last weekend, we took them out to dinner, let them stay up all night watching guy flicks and sleep-in in the morning. These are some great friends.

Dave being Dave and sittin' on his Mama.

My guys in the Barnes & Noble, Calvin's a little excited.

Happy Birthday, my son. You are so very precious to me and make me very proud of who God is making you to be. I love you.

Thankful in Pictures

2010-01-21T10:37:00.015-05:00

1. Coffee in the morning, measure the beans out, grind, perk, concoct, sip, eyes roll back in head with the glee.

Oh, this isn't a picture of coffee, it's Sweetie, in his lovely morning outfit. He cracks me up. I looked even worse when I took this picture, but I'm not about to post a picture of myself on here. It's not near as much fun!

2. What God is taking me through right now, loving the wisdom that I'm gleaning from this book right now.

3. Super Dave at the kitchen table, reminds me of Grover (from Sesame Street), dressed up as Super Grover in some book I used to read the boys.

4. Rose scent. My favorite Grandmother used to use some sort of lotion called 'Rose Milk' in a tall pink bottle. I used to love that stuff, the smell, the feel of it, my grandmother's wrinkly hands. I've always loved the rose smell, so I picked this up not too long ago. Simply divine!

5. What I'm reading for fun these days. Those Farm Chicks, are too much fun. Go check out her website and blog.

6. Being part of the meal swap, too much fun meals, and easy nights of not having to prep anything. This was the braided pizza we got (while it was thawing), homemade dough. Oh yeah, baby, scrumptious.

7. Meyer's cleaning products. I love, LOVE this stuff. I use the geranium scent, because I used to have geraniums all over my yard in California, and because they remind me of my grandmother, and because it just smells really good. (can you tell, I'm all about the nose?)

8. This cat. Ever since I had to take her to the vet to get something fixed, she and I have bonded. Of course it doesn't hurt that she's NOT THE ONE that peed in the house, THAT CAT has been banished to the outside. BAD KITTY!

9. This boy, even though he's been single handily responsible for improving my prayer life lately, he's a treasure that I love immensely.

10. Poultry. This one is for Julie. After hangin' out at our house the other day so her husband could watch the football game, I think she was traumatized by all my roosters. She called them poultry. Crackin' me up.

hey look, a chicken in the kitchen...

hey, another one in the living room...

check it out, a chicken in the dining room...

Poultry, it's what's for dinner.

Procrastination

2010-01-19T20:37:00.007-05:00

People say I'm organized. And Sweetie just laughs. Probably because he knows me best. He knows what lurks in my closets and in my drawers and well, he sees this...

This would be my filing basket. I think I've neglected it for four months. It's become so overwhelming that I just keep putting it off. Can anyone relate?

But today, I could no longer deny it's presence. My accountant called and needed last quarters stuff, well, it's buried somewhere in there. I promised that I'd drop it off tomorrow...so now there is no turning back.

First I sorted it into manageable piles.

Then I sorted it into drawer piles.

All this, needs to go in here. Ugh.

The sad part is in another week, I'll start boxing up all of last years stuff and closing out the year. All this work, just to put it back into a box. It doesn't seem right, it doesn't seem fair.

Piles, I'm a fan of the pile. But I'm also a fan of getting them taken care of. Who knows what could be lurking in those piles. Like today, I found .32 cents, a very hard milk dud, and proof that we spend WAY too much time at the doctors. (and no, I did NOT eat the milk dud)

It's bedtime now, my filing is done, the basket is empty, my drawers are organized, my back is killing me, but I feel lighter. As if I just lost 10 pounds. And I did, 10 pounds of baggage piled up in the corner, weighing me down every time I walked past it.

So I hope you find your pile and take care of it. You'll be every so thankful.

We Have An Announcement!

2010-01-18T18:33:00.007-05:00

No, I'm not pregnant. (Watch my mom stop reading right here)

But we did get a new member of our family. Ever since losing my puppy Daisy last spring, I've felt such a void in my life. I still needed something precious and soft and snuggly and mine. I wanted a new pet. A doggie that would be mine and adorable and sweet.

Right about now, my sister has stopped reading. Apparently my past experiences with pets have proved to make me unfit to be a caregiver. Whatever. I'm an adult and can get a pet if I want to...I dare you to call PETA.

Say hello to...D.O.G.

Isn't she cute???

I know, she's precious. Look how soft she is.

See how well she sits...and stays. She's so well behaved.

She already sleeps through the night and is completely house broken. She is the perfect puppy.

You see, my Grandparents had a similar dog in their house. Grandma loved stuffed animals, soft, squishy ones. And this one was precious to her, she named it D.O.G. After my grandparents passed away I think D.O.G. went to live with my Uncle & Aunt...in Washington...I think.

So this is my D.O.G. I fell in love with her around Christmastime when I was shopping and knew that she needed just the right home. The other day when Sweetie and I were in the pet isle at Super-Target, there she was again, just staring at me with her puppy-dog eyes, sure she was on the shelf with her brothers and sisters and cousins, but it was her eyes that got me. Then her sweet paws and cuddly fur. Precious.

Our family is now complete.

Ugh

2010-01-16T21:34:00.003-05:00

I know I've been MIA lately. I do apologize. I have had no time. My life is consisting of homeschooling and more homeschooling. It's good for the boys, but bad for my social life.

But also, I'm at a total loss as to what to blog about. Everything I come up with seems so completely lame. And I've already shown you pictures of my bathroom, so I can't do anymore lame posts.

So it's up to you guys, what do you wanna hear about? Me wanting to change my hair color back to blonde? Me wanting to lose weight and wanting to post before pics of me in a bathing suit? A picture of my insanely organized linen closet and laundry closet? Pictures of the boys while they are schooling? More embarrassing pictures of Sweetie?

I know my blog has been lacking in the excitement arena, so please come forth and speak.

2010-01-04T07:46:00.001-05:00

"Find rest, O my soul in God alone;

my hope comes from Him.

He alone is my rock and my salvation;

he is my fortress, I will not be shaken."

Psalm 62:5-6

Good Night & Good Morning

2010-01-02T09:10:00.004-05:00

Nightfall

Daybreak

Happy New Year and a Tour

2010-01-01T09:20:00.019-05:00

The boys helped me take Christmas down on Wednesday. I love taking Christmas down and cleaning the house, everything just feels so much cleaner and simplistic and easy and fresh and ahhhhhhh!

I love this house, I love the style of it, I love, LOVE the light, so much light.

A wall in the kitchen, yes, the flowered wallpaper, I know. But it's kinda grown on us and now I find it endearing.

Our old TV cabinet that WAS an armoire, but Theresa came up with this GENIUS idea to use it here as a snack cabinet, perfect. Snacks, baggies, wraps. Tea drawer. Vitamin and health food drawer. Genius, Theresa, genius! The lower part of the walls in the kitchen used to be blue, I wasn't rockin' on the blue thing, so we got it painted to match the rest of the house. Better.

This is the downstairs bath, the 1/2 bath. I still don't really like the look of it, but I'm gonna have to just deal with it for awhile. It used to be covered floor to ceiling with THIS....

oh yeah, lovely. A friend of mine said it reminded her of something she smoked in high school. hahahahahah! Jay thought it looked like Christmas wrapping paper. Winston would've rather slept in the cold garage than in this warm room, we think it was the wallpaper, kinda freaked him out, he'd whine and cry until we'd let him out, poor little guy. But, then again, he's always kinda been a bit of a princess.

This is our 'fancy' dining room. I love this room. Probably cuz I've always wanted a 'fancy' dining room, but maybe more cuz my parents did this room. Mama helped me decorate and Daddy hung stuff for us. It reminds me of them everytime I'm in here. That was a fun day, thanks Mama & Daddy, I love you.

My Grandmother's china hutch. Precious.

My shelf. My parents gave me that shelf A LONG TIME AGO. It was first stained dark green, with fancy tea cups on it. Then when I realized I had boys in the house, it got painted this color and used for more sturdy things. Boys + Fancy Tea Cups = Uptight Mommy

The front door, my sister put that table there and it's stayed. Just love how it looks.

The fireplace that kicks butt, that we SO enjoy cuz we can finally watch TV and look at the fire at the same time. So cozy.

My favortie chair and ottoman, I know, I'm such a girlie girl.

The best place to lay down and watch a movie. Sweetie and I fight over the corner spot.

This is our favorite room, the sun room. OH. MY. GOODNESS.

Waking up before the rest of the family. Sitting in my pink chair. Drinking my tea. Reading and praying. Eventually, Sweetie joins me here with his coffee, we play footsies over the ottoman while chatting about what the day might hold. Then Dave will come down and snuggle. Finally Calvin stumbles in, tries to lay across them and go back to sleep. Preciousness.

This is my Just Keepin' in Real pic. Sweetie found a new noise this week. I'm thinking by the face you can tell what it is. Having two Jr. High boys in the house, my husband has digressed. Good times.

Happy New Year everyone, may you have a Happy, Loving, Healthy, Growing, Fabulouso NEW YEAR!!!!! Much love to you.

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!

2009-12-25T16:05:00.007-05:00

We got some snow last weekend. Not very much, but it was still beautiful.

The next day we took a family drive up north to find enough of that snow to have some fun.

My guys, so handsome.

The lake was totally freezing, and Calvin thought it would be fun to throw his brother in. Such love.

Me and my Sweetie. And Calvin tryin' to kill us.

One Fine Day

2009-12-16T20:24:00.003-05:00

After being sick off and on again for about a week, it was SO nice to wake up this morning, feeling MUCH better.

After a lazy morning laughing with Sweetie in bed, then a warm cup of java from my favorite Christmas mug. I sat in the sunroom with my laptop while Dave sat on the sofa with me using HIS laptop. That's right, as if we weren't obnoxious enough with three laptops, Sweetie's mom sent a laptop with him on his last trip to give to the Davester. It needed some serious tweakin', but Dave is one happy little computer nerd now, just like the rest of us.

After making the family breakfast and sending Sweetie off to work, the boys and I scrambled to get ready and out the door in time for Science class. I dropped the boys off and sped (er, I mean, drove the slow speed limit) to the mall to get finished up with my Christmas shopping. I love being at the mall during Christmas season during the middle of the week, right when it opens, when no one else is there. So festive and happy.

I was only 20 minutes late picking up the boys, but I did finally settle on the perfect gift to get my mom, and that WAS the most important task for the day. We just had a couple of stops to finish for my Dad's present, then a trip to the library.

We made a run through McDonald's only to find them OUT OF DIET COKE!!!! 'Excuse me??? Isn't that un-American?' I asked the lady through the drive-thru speaker. She didn't think I was very funny. So we got our cheeseburgers and drove to Sonic where they DID have diet coke. Very American, that Sonic place.

After dropping the boys at home to finish their schoolwork. I got to go play organization with Theresa. After about 30 minutes of organizing, we decided what we really needed was a trip to town to go shopping. That's how I know I should not take this up as my future employment, I always end up shopping.

Fast forward to a yummy crock pot dinner with the family in the 'fancy dining room', and Sweetie announcing that he was taking us to Goodberry's after dinner. He's the best! First we had to stop by the Albright's to pick up Sweetie's truck, only to find a dead deer in the back of it, gross. We decided NOT to take the truck just then, what with all the blood dripping out of the back. Nice. We were then off to take the boys to Target to shop for Christmas presents for one-another.

It was one of those perfect days, of way too much fun stuff, that feels even more fun because you've been feeling sick for a few days and finally feelin' better.

Hope y'all are enjoying this Joyous Season.

Merry Christmas!!!!

2009-12-15T14:19:00.004-05:00

from Sweetie, Dena, Calvin, Dave & Rudolph

Sunday Thankfulness

2009-12-13T21:37:00.002-05:00

1. That my Sweetie is home, safe & sound.

2. Waking up to a cold & drizzly morning.

3. Getting to live in such a beautiful home, that is warm and cozy.

4. Sweetie's leadership in our family, he was missed this week.

5. Belonging to such a precious family of God.

6. Wonderful teaching today in Sunday School.

7. Visiting with friends during lunch.

8. A perfect naptime, with sounds of my boys watching the football game downstairs.

9. Nice neighbors that didn't shoot our dog when he came into their yard.

10. Hot cocoa and a Christmas movie.

A Christmas Meme

2009-12-11T10:42:00.009-05:00

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
All year long I use bags and tissue paper, and sometimes paper towels. But Christmas is all about the boxes and what I can disguise in that box. Too much fun, with ribbon that I don't have to 'curl' but can just tie in a bow. And don't really like tags, so I just use sharpie markers and write on the paper.

2. Real or Fake Tree?
Real, but worry too much about the thing combusting in the middle of the night, so I hardly turn the lights on. I ask each year, 'fake or real?' and get out-voted by my guys, all three of them.

3. When do you put up the tree?
Because we get a real tree, it's normally around the first week of December, so it doesn't get too dried out.

4. When do you take the tree down?
Normally I'm aching to take it down on the day after Christmas but again, I'm out-voted and we take it down on New Year's Day.

5. Do you like eggnog?
Sadly, yes, not from scratch, but from the little carton and I prefer the 'light' and not with alcohol and after a couple days I toss the rest, WAY too many calories!
Plus, Calvin always kinda ruins it for me cuz he likes to recount the story of when he drank too much and chucked it up later that night. Good memories.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
Our stereo, my sister and I got a stereo for Christmas and our parents sent us on a hunt for it, with little notes sending us everywhere, it was finally in the scary shed in the back yard. Too much fun.

7. Do you have a nativity scene?
Yes, two. One that my mama got me before I was even married, that is small and rustic and wooden and has lived through Thing One and Thing Two and countless friends' children, there are only two wisemen left to worship Jesus and only a couple of sheep, but still, it's cute. And then my mama got me the Willow Tree set, getting me a part of it every year. It's complete now, and I think she misses how easy it was to buy for me back then.

8. Hardest person to buy for?
My brother in law. The dude has everything cool, and has great taste. Though he's thrilled to get the year subscription to Redbook and Ladies Home Journal, did I just say that out loud? oops, it was suppose to be a secret.

9. Easiest person to buy for?
I'd say my boys, but I have to put forth a lot of effort in buying for them, a LOT of effort in HOLDING BACK so that I don't over spend on them. Easiest and mostest-funnest person to buy for is my sister.

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever got?
One year Sweetie got me new towels for our bathroom. We were poor and we needed them and I was thankful, but secretly, really REALLY sad. :o(

11. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Um, snail-mail. I love a good Christmas card.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
oh-my-goodness...sooooo many to choose from......the cute newer version of Miracle on 34th Street has to be on the TV on Thanksgiving Day. I have to sit through White Christmas at some point. It's a Wonderful Life, still makes me cry and want to sit up and shout for joy. Any and all of the frivolous romantic Christmas movies that are on TV during the season.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
Should I have started that already? Dang it!

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
Can you say 'guilt'?, I've got the good old 'guilt' thing going really bad. I could NEVER do that!

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Fudge & Eggnog, don't know why my pants are tighter. Geesh!

16. Colored or clear lights on the tree?
Clear, but I do love those nostalgic colored lights. They make me all warm and fuzzy inside.

17. Favorite Christmas song?
'O Little Town of Bethlehem' and 'Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer', come on you know you love that one!

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
I love to be home, but I do miss our families and all that tradition. Christmas Eve party-hardy with Sweetie's family into the night. Then waking up Christmas Day at my parents house with my family. So much fun and so much love.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
On Dasher, On Dancer, On Prancer and Vixon, On Comet, On Cupid, On Donner and Blitzen, oh and that red nosed guy... Rudolph (I couldn't, I totally stole this from Crayola Lady)

20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
Used to be this really scary lookin' angel that freaked Sweetie out, now it's a plain light up star that I got at K-Mart years ago.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
One package Christmas Eve (always jammies) and the rest on Christmas morning, starting with the stockings.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year?
Crowds, gettin' the 'I Wants!', and grumpy-bah-hum-buggers.

23. What do you enjoy most about Christmas?
The excitement in my children, they are still so cute.

24. How did you find out about Santa?
Find out what about Santa?

Baking Christmas Cookies 101

2009-12-05T12:16:00.011-05:00

Every year, Sweetie asks me to bake a bunch of cookies to give to our customers. It's something that the previous owner of our company did and, well, I guess it's tradition.

So yesterday I braved the Walmart and got all the basics. And today, I woke up early, pulled on my big stretchy black sweat pants, added a red top, slipped on my Easy Spirit tennies and donned my Christmas apron. It's all about the outfit.

It helps that it's totally freezin' outside and rainy. I started the oven to heatin' and turned on the stereo for some Bing, Frank, and Martin to serenade me some Christmas tunes.

I hadd 2 cups of coffee to get me through the first two batches, then I move onto the hard stuff, a glass of milk. I always start to feel sick at about the half-way point and start intensely drowning myself in water. My theory is that if you drink a bunch of water while you're eating...er...I mean samplin' cookies, then the calories won't stick to your butt. Don't look at my butt as an example, I'm not the best test case scenario.

Recipes stacked up, ready to choose and follow. Some new, some old.

You'll need all your baking tubs out with the basics within easy reach.

You'll HAVE to have one of these babies, this one was my grandmother's....it's wanting to quit on me, but I won't let it. Just this morning I had Calvin take it out to the garage and make some tweeks on it, it's working perfectly now, thank you very much.

You'll want to fill your sink with hot sudsy water. Makes for easy clean up.

Make your stations; one for cookie sheet loading.

And one for cookie sheet cooling.

You'll need plenty of taste testers, I just happen to have three willing victims, that are brutally honest. Sorry I have no pictures of them, as they were sneaky about their testing and I couldn't catch them until all that was left was crumbs on their chins.

And then you'll have to have a Sweetie that loves you to bring you some good food for lunch, so you won't just eat sweets all day.

Somewhere between the 7th and 8th batch, you'll need to go collapse in bed for awhile and hold some smelling salts over your nose. That's me today, sometime before lunch everything kinda went south and I ended up in bed for the remainder of the day. Nice.

But in the end, it will all be worth it. I don't make anything too difficult or fancy, just scrumptious. I'll have to work hard this year so there will be something left for Santa and his reindeer, last year he got stale wheat thins and some very questionable egg nog. Ugh, don't even say 'egg nog' right now, my gut can't take it.

Here, Let Me Take Your Coat

2009-11-25T17:13:00.015-05:00

Welcome,

come on in.

Here, let me take your coat.

I'll put on a pot of water to boil in the kettle and we can sit ourselves down for a chat over some tea.

Go pick yourself out a tea bag while I grab the mugs.

I think I'll have a chai tea with a splash of milk.

Please, find yourself a comfy chair and put your feet up.

"Boy it sure is chilly out there.

I hope the weather holds for tomorrow.

I do love a cold Thanksgiving Day, perfect crisp air to have the turkey roasting in the oven and play a good game of football in the backyard."

Speaking of football in the backyard, my guys just came in from a romping game and this is my baby. Big Lug gave him a knee to the nose. Nice. (Big Lug = Calvin)

Well, time to get dinner in the oven. Thanks so much for stopping by, do come again, anytime.

Welcome to Our Home

2009-11-24T13:30:00.011-05:00

Yes, we got the country house. I mean how could we resist. The boys fell in love with the yard, all three of them. And I fell in love with the front porch and sunroom.

Many helped us move in. My sister flew in that night and the remainder of her visit was spent having fun unpacking and getting things done.

Then my parents flew in for more helpful days and fun.

It is slowly becoming home.

God has been good to us. And we could not have done this without the love of faithful friends and wonderful family. We love you guys!

I'm Busy Right Now, Please Leave a Message After the Beep

2009-11-22T16:49:00.002-05:00

I can't blog right now, I'm too busy organizing the hall closet. Must run to staples and get more label tape.

Will be back this week, I promise. With pictures. Try to control your excitement.

Neighbors

2009-11-06T20:34:00.006-05:00

So we recently moved. We now live in a neighborhood. We were a little nervous about living in a neighborhood.

On our second day we were driving out of the driveway when three ladies walked up and wanted to meet us. They brought us goodies and a map. A map that had all the houses around us with the neighbors names and their phone numbers. Precious.

Two days after that we got another package on the porch, goodies and a homemade card with a welcoming message from another neighbor and their phone number as well.

We think we're gonna like this neighborhood thing.

Then two days ago, a neighbor got a little overly friendly by taking up camp on our front porch. This is getting a little ridiculous.

Would you like another picture? Here you go.

There is something seriously wrong with this. If I wasn't so dog-gone tired, I'd demand that we move.

But at least he decorated for Christmas.

One Last Time

2009-11-04T20:18:00.003-05:00

As we locked the door today one last time, I had the boys sit on the steps so I could take one last picture of them on these steps. These precious steps.

On the Third Day of Birthday He Got a Little Smackdown

2009-11-03T22:07:00.003-05:00

Since I can't think of anything clever to write on this third day of Sweetie's birthday I'll share with you one of Sweetie's very loving birthday greetings. Our small group at church is all about the love. This is from Julie, for those that know her, yes it was after 10pm.

so the johnson's totally forgot you were all in your newly aquired olderness today and did not say how we are thankful to have such elderly wisdom among our little group, nor how ashamed we are for not buying you one of those canes with a bicycle horn and rear view mirror, and we forgot to buy you some depends and centrum silver vitamins too. sorry you would have felt so loved:) well, we love you oldlie but goldie and if you break any hips we will come visit you:)
here's an old joke in honor of your great age, we truly are amazed you've even made it this far! :)
with timeless love,
the johnson's

‘Sixty is the worst age to be,’ said the 60-year-old man. ‘You always
feel like you have to pee and most of the time you stand there and nothing comes out.’
‘Ah, that’s nothin,’ said the 70-year-old. ‘When you’re seventy, you don’t have a bowel movement any more. You take laxatives, eat bran, sit on the toilet all day and nothin’ comes out!’
‘Actually,’ said the 80-year -old, ‘Eighty is the worst age of all.’
‘Do you have trouble peeing, too?’ asked the 60-year old.
‘No, I pee every morning at 6:00. I pee like a racehorse on a flat rock; no problem at all.’
‘So, do you have a problem with your bowel movement?’
‘No, I have one every morning at 6:30.’
Exasperated, the 60-year-old said, ‘You pee every morning at 6:00 and crap every morning at 6:30. So what’s so bad about being 80?’
‘I don’t wake up until 7:00.’

Classic. Julie you are like a bright shining star that makes us all happy.

To Sushi or Not to Sushi

2009-11-02T21:24:00.002-05:00

NOT to Sushi.

It's day two of Sweetie's birthday. I took him to dinner and he chose Sushi. I should not have let him choose.

He's been a couple of times and has told me how good it is and that he just KNOWS I'll love it.

We go. First, he can't remember what he and Jason normally order. Great. So then we try to choose on our own. Mistake. Everything seems to have eel in it. I don't think I like eel. I don't think God intended us to eat eel.

I have to give them credit though, the stuff is beautiful. I wanted to like it. I really did. But the near hurling that followed putting it in my mouth was just too much.

At one point I'm trying to dissect it and eat SOMETHING that I recognize, then I can't pick the dang thing up with my stupid chopstick. This is one of THOSE places that doesn't even give you a fork and then the three ladies were just standing to the side as if mocking me and my lame attempt at chop-sticking.

When I finally stab the thing and plop it into my mouth - I then feign my delight, and fought the urge to spew....I vowed I would never, NEVER eat such morsels again.

I basically ate my edemame, ginger salad and then Sweetie took me to the Dunkin' Donuts for dessert. Ahhhh, a balanced meal.

Sweetie the Birthday Boy

2009-11-01T20:40:00.002-05:00

This is Sweetie.

Today is his birthday.

He got breakfast in bed with his laptop and his coffee.

We went to church and worshipped.

We came home where he perched himself on the couch all afternoon watching the football game. He ate tacos and drank soda and had his brownie sundae and had snacks and got to burp and scratch without me rolling my eyes.

Then we went to church again.

Then we came home again, where the cat curled up in his lap and fell asleep.

He declared it a perfectly great, very good, fantastic day.

Good Morning

2009-10-20T08:01:00.017-04:00

I will miss this yard.

Yesterday as I was climbing the driveway to go on my walk, the leaves were falling off the trees and onto my head. How sweet is that?

The outside smells like camping. You know that great morning air, that is so fragrant of trees and dirt and grass and nature? I love that smell. And my house has that in abundance. You can't bottle that smell. Sorry, Yankee Candle, you just don't got it.

I finally went on a walk yesterday morning. I don't even wanna look at my calendar and calculate how long it's been since I'd walked my street. I got all teary-eyed. I have five more days to walk this sweet street.

I love the neighborhood dog that just stands up and greets, she's too old to do much else. I love the donkey's braying in the morning.

I love the old guy that is constantly workin' in his yard.

I love the stupid guinea birds that saunter across the road just as you're trying to drive by. I love the little old ladies that walk EVERY morning. They put me to shame.

I love seeing the flowers on the graves at the church cemetary. I love that all the cars that pass wave at me. I love that the lady is STILL trying to walk and train her big dog and still won't say anything to me but a very meak 'hi'.

I love walking by the Albrights and seeing their sweet homestead and chickens and horsey, and knowing that I could totally walk in there and get myself a glass of water or steal a cup of coffee if I wanted to. I haven't done that as much as I should have. I will regret that.

I will miss how the road bends and curves and the different sunlight and shade that comes along the way.

And I will miss how sweet my house looks as I turn to come home, the smell of the trees overhead as I walk down the driveway. And those leaves falling on my head.

My Sickies

2009-10-12T10:45:00.004-04:00

Thing One gave his illness to Thing Two

I'm thinkin' Dave is the picture of good health. yes?

He's just happy he now has a buddy in his misery.

Poor Calvin

2009-10-11T10:48:00.005-04:00

So Calvin needs braces. We've known for years, but we had to wait for his 12 year old molars to come in. About a month ago we went for our yearly check and found that it was time. He's so excited. NOT!

This is Calvin before....I'm thinking braces aren't going to help his problem.

This is Calvin after. He's in Jr. High, shocker, I know.

And now, he's got the flu. Fever, sore throat and generally feeling all achy. Can you say Swine Flu?

This is NOT his favorite week. Except that he has sole possession of the TV remote and a Mama that is making him anything he wants to eat. Lovely times.

House Hunters

2009-10-06T13:50:00.005-04:00

My favorite TV show is on HGTV. House Hunters. So I thought we could play a game. Here are the three houses that we're currently trying to decide between. You choose your favorite.

The Country House

-2400 square feet
-3 bedroom + bonus room
-2 1/2 bath
-sunroom
-1 acre lot
-great neighborhood & outdoor living space
-country setting

The Country Club House

-2399 square feet
-3 bedrooms + bonus room
-2 1/2 bathrooms
-great neighborhood, golfing, pool, park, shopping
-small lot

The In Town House

-2500 square feet
-4 bedrooms + office room
-2 1/2 bathrooms
-close to everything
-houses are right on top of each other
-small lot

Fall Enjoyment

2009-10-06T09:17:00.010-04:00

Just some things that are bringing me some enjoyment lately...

1. I saw this little treasure in the Walmart the other day. Sprayed it and flew back to when I was a little girl. This was a scent I always wore....it was only $9.00, I could not resist!

2. My fall shoes. They are comfort for my back and feet. And look even cuter with my flowered socks.

3. The praise music CD that Calvin picked out for my stereo this week. He plays it while he's doing the morning dishes, brings such joy to our happy home. Love that big guy.

(calvin before his football game, what a stud!)

4. Going to the library. It is my boy's favorite thing to do right now. I love seeing what books they find. They each have their own card and check out their own books.

5. My fall stuff is packed up and in the bottom of the storage unit. I absolutely love this little 'Autumn' book, but mine is packed away. I found a copy at the Library yesterday.

6. While my boys are at writing class, I'm curled up on a sofa in the local coffee shop, enjoying a pumpkin spice latte, Christian tunes comin' over the stereo, free wi-fi and my favorite book. It's chilly outside. It doesn't get any better than this.

7. Work. So very thankful that Sweetie has work, and that our guys in CA have some work finally as well.

(sweetie at the football game)

8. We get to go to the Hurricanes Hockey game tonight. (Thanks Jason, you're the best!) We haven't been to a hockey game since before the boys were born. I've always wanted to take them, I just know they will appreciate the fights (I mean the game)!

9. Cultivating new friendships. My fellow sisters in Christ.

10. Cozy mornings. Dave comes down and snuggles in Sweetie's chair with him while they go over the latest sports scores. Then he comes into my bed and reads with me. Love that little guy.

(dave gettin' ready to steal second)

Thankful Thursday

2009-10-01T08:30:00.002-04:00

1. The cold weather.

2. No more showings on the house. Definition: no more keeping it constantly picked up and clean.

3. Starting school again with the boys.

4. Pretty good rentals in the area.

5. The hardwoods were too cold to walk on barefoot this morning. A sure sign that fall is here.

6. That it looks like our house will sell and be closed in one month. Such an answer to prayer.

7. The Dr. had to change my thyroid meds and now I'm not hungry all the time. Yipee!

8. A pretty empty weekend is coming up, we need some down time.

9. Shopping for houses is pretty much 'Ultimate Fun' for this shopaholic.

10. Feeling relaxed today. Very thankful for the calmness that God gives me in crazy times.

JOY

2009-09-26T09:00:00.004-04:00

So a new friend has got me thinking more about joy.

Joy.

In all things, Joy.

And when I see that word 'JOY'... I think of where it comes from.

It DOES NOT come from my Sweetie,

it DOES NOT come from my boys,

it DOES NOT come from my morning cup of coffee.

It comes from HIM, from His Word ... and no where else.

I may get side tracked thinking these things bring me such joy, but really I know that

I'm joyful in them because of HIM.

If it weren't for the presence of the Holy Spirit in my heart, I would not be able to find JOY in anything.

And can I get an Amen?!

I've shared it before and I'm going to share it again, it has been my life clinging to and the cause of great rejoicing verse as of late...

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is His faithfullness." Lamentations 3:22-23

Praying that all my loved ones; friends & family are finding that JOY today and always.

(and to Cheryl, I've SO enjoyed getting to know you better. thanks for being a blessing.)

Welcome Fall, and Other Changes

2009-09-22T08:20:00.010-04:00

Today is the first day of Fall. I love Fall. I love the cooler weather. I love the coziness. I love the changing colors. I never liked Fall until I moved to the east coast. Because where I'm from, they don't get Fall. They get heat, and fires, and dryness, and wind and HEAT!

It's official people. Our house is on the market. Anyone wanna buy it??? How will I ever live without this view??? Since the day we moved in, I have been thankful for the opportunity to live in such surroundings and have felt so spoiled and almost like we were cheating by living in such beautimous scenery.

The Realtors came and told us what to move out and around. We had to get rid of the chair that goes with the furniture. (No, we didn't get 'rid' of Sweetie's chair, we just put it in storage, he can still go and visit it and sit in it whenever he wants to). Dave arranged this furniture. I was at a loss. I was on the brink of a clean-out melt down. Till the Davester came down and had this brilliant idea. And it works. And everyone loves it. And Dave is my hero.

The school corner had to go. The boys were thrilled. They tried to box it up and load it on the truck to go to the storage unit. Yeah. Nope. It just got moved. They are happy-happy boys.

Oh, and it is no longer the school 'corner', but the school 'wall'. I'm clever, I know.

And the guest room is now guest friendly. Just in time for a visit from my Sister in October and my parents in November. Wee-hoo. (By the way, don't think I haven't noticed that none of Sweetie's family has ever come to visit us in the three years since we moved here, not that we're bitter or anything, I'm just stating a fact. Not that our feelings are hurt or anything, we are much stronger than that, really. We totally feel loved, sure.)

Oh, and I got my hair chopped. My sweet hairdresser/friend Kathleen, is on maternity leave. Ugh. It doesn't look too bad right after I fix it in the morning, but by midday, it's a disaster. The other night I was on Skype with my sister and she was horrified. I was trying to make it look better by using office supplies to put it back. Paperclips work best for putting weird stray long bangs back into place, just in case you were wondering.

Sweetie and Calvin have been gone for a week. They come home tonight. And it's about pickin' time.

This is what Dave does in the morning. It's very sad. The boy needs his Dad.

I'm off to enjoy this first day of Fall by cleaning all three of our toilets, because that's what I have to do everyday on some off chance that a potential buyer wants to see them. Lovely.

Apple Pie A-La-Mode

2009-09-14T21:46:00.006-04:00

I made an apple pie today. And Dave helped.

Our finished masterpiece. Not overly pretty, but oh so very tasty.

Oh, and I broke my rolling pin in the process. It kinda made me sad. It was a wedding present, I think. 18 years of making pies, what to do now?

Thankful Thursday

2009-09-10T19:35:00.004-04:00

1. A good night's sleep.

2. Coffee this morning while watching some HGTV with Dave curled up at my side.

3. Homeschoolin' and how it totally works for us.

4. My diet coke from McDonald's, nobody makes it like them. Is it the straw? The ice? The cup? Maybe the smell of french fries coming from the drive-up window.

5. Five completely cleaned out and clutter-free areas of the house: master bath, master bedroom, pantry, kitchen, dining room.

6. Cooking homecooked meals for my family.

7. Sweetie, I've said it before, and I'll say it again. That man is perfect for me.

8. The wrestling match I had with both boys this morning before chores. Score: Mom - 1, Calvin - 2, Dave - 0.

9. Going to the Library. So much fun, I'm learning the art of checking out different kids of books. So has Calvin. Check out his stack...

10. The ability to do a job that saves us money and also keeps me busy and keeps me in the know of our finances.

11. Paying bills when there is money in the bank. So much fun printing out all those checks. This business stuff isn't for whimps.

12. The bath I'll be taking tonight. Ahhhhhhhh.

Fireworks and a Life with Boys

2009-09-09T21:37:00.014-04:00

The question for today is, what happens when fireworks go through the dryer???

Let me back up a little.

We went to Tennessee this past weekend to visit some friends. Uncle Jeff & Aunt Kristy. They spoil my boys plenty. Donuts, oreos, cocoa crispies, fruity pebbles, sodas, swimmin' in the lake, movies on the big screen, video game marathon, basketball championships, and fireworks, lots of fireworks.

Aunt Kristy makes it her purpose in life to make my boys into pyromaniacs. She' insists on driving out to 'fireworks county' to buy my boys some sparkly loud things, every year. She won't let me buy them, she insists on buying them. Fine, waste your money on things that just go boom and will be gone in less that 3 seconds. I don't care.

This is Granny, she sells the fireworks. She's a hoot. This isn't our first time meeting her, but for some reason I just had to get her picture.

My boys are happy here. Happy happy boys.

Here are some more pictures of our time in Tennessee. We had ourselves a good 'ole time, as always. Lots of fun, lots of laughter, lots of food that wasn't good for us at all.

Dave and Nathan have this special kind of relationship. We can't explain it, they are just a couple of cutie-patootie's in a pea-pod.

We took our annual 17 mile bike ride down the Virginia Creeper Trail. So much fun. Sweetie and the Davester rode ahead and were trying to beat the pack, but then they got hungry and had to stop and wait for our pack horse, that would be Jeff.

He was in charge of the food. This man is serious about his food, it was in good hands.

My Calvin, he's a goober, he might be in Jr. High. It shows.

These are our bestest friends. We've been buds for, gosh, long time.

I have 14 pictures that Sweetie took of them, while he was waiting for them to stop bickering and all smile at the camera, they are too funny.

We stopped along the bike path and ate our picnic lunch. I love this photo, it shows us all laughing, that's what we do. But in this particular photo, we were down to the last brownie and Aunt Kristy told everyone to give it to Calvin, but he was being too nice and asking everyone who wanted it, then Sweetie just grabbed it and shoved it in his own mouth. He is THAT kind of nice Dad. I love him.

Our family portrait, we think we might use this one for the Christmas card. There's that goober again. He's homeschooled.

While trying to eat our sandwiches, we caught Calvin trying to throw Dave into the river. Nice brothers.

The bike ride normally takes us 4 hours, we did it in 2. We were hauling down that path.

The whole trip was total fun. Lookin' forward to the next one. Oh and about those firecrackers in the dryer....

Nothin' happened. But that didn't stop me from callin' Dave and telling him that he blew up the dryer and his pants. Poor kid. But this is what I found when I opened the dryer tonight, lovely, just what every mother wants at the end of a long day, sawdust in her laundry. Nice.

Here Comes the Bride

2009-09-04T23:34:00.003-04:00

So the boys were cleaning out the attic for me the other day and they found something. It's been boxed up for 18 years, they begged me to open it and show them. Then they talked me into modeling it.

Since I don't have daughters, I mentioned that I should probably get rid of it or try to sell it on Ebay. But it made them SO sad, we re-boxed it and sealed it and will keep it. It made me so happy that they found the importance in it.

Sorry for the possessed eyeballs, my photo fixer thing isn't working right now. And we won't talk about why it's all bulging on the sides. We won't talk about that it wouldn't even zip up an inch in the back. We won't talk about the fact that it was a size 4. We won't talk about what size I am now. Thanks for not talking about it. Let's just say that I looked WAY cuter on my wedding day!

Carolina Mudcats!

2009-09-04T08:22:00.006-04:00

So we no longer live by the Padres Petco Stadium, but we do have these guys! Wee-hoo, baseball!

Our church got a bunch of free tickets because they get group tickets throughout the season, so we snatched up 4 tickets and had ourselves a blast.

We left before the game was done, just cuz' Sweetie was super-duper tired. But then I gave him wrong directions when we left and we went WAY out the wrong way. It took us an hour longer to get home. Sweetie was a happy, happy man! Don't worry, he still loves me, we ended up laughing about it for most of the way home. Good times!

All Things New

2009-09-03T08:24:00.003-04:00

I know I'm blogging at the wrong time, I normally blog at night, once a day. But I was just moved to tears when the Lord showed me this verse this morning. I had to share, in light of last nights 'venting post'.

"Because of the Lord's great love
we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail,
they are new every morning;
great in His faithfulness."
Lamentations 3:22-23

Stuff

2009-09-02T21:36:00.003-04:00

So I have this book that is called 'Does this Clutter make my Butt look Big?' The title alone, made me buy it. I haven't even read it, it just sits on the shelf along with the other 17 books I have on 'simplifying your life'. Sweetie just laughs at me.

Sweetie - 'How about simplifying by getting rid of some of those simplifying books.'
Me - (I just roll my eyes at him.)
Sweetie - 'Why do you have a statue of a sheep that says 'Simplify' on it?'
Me - (Again with the eye rolling.)
Sweetie - 'Do we really need that sign that says 'Simplify'?
Me - (Okay, now he's just getting on my nerves.)

Today I started clearing away some clutter in the upstairs boy rooms. I was in a great mood, finally over my cold, well rested, hyped up on my diet coke and ready to conquer. 10 minutes into it, I'm seething and yelling. Seriously, what is it with boys and all their 'treasures'. I've boxed up everthing and the pile of boxes looks big enough to fill a 1500 square foot house all on its own. I'm wondering who I can hire to light a fire under it.

We have this wonderful couple in our church. He teaches our ABF class on Sunday mornings. They are missionaries, or used to be, in Africa, I think, somewhere. There they were working for the Lord when they found out that they needed to leave IMMEDIATELY because some bad guys were coming to kill them. (He tells the story WAY better than I do.) Well, they left their home with all their things and just took their kids and the clothes on their backs. The bad guys came and burned everything. They had NOTHING left. But wait, that's not true, they had the good stuff left. Themselves, their children, their God. Everything else was just fluff. Wasn't it? Sure there was sadness over the pictures. Sadness over heirlooms. Sadness over memories. Sadness over the things that bring us comfort and make us feel like we're at home. But when it really came down to it, after the dust (or ashes) had settled, they were actually thankful. Thankful.

Tim shared that story with us months ago. It still haunts me. Probably because on my own journey here to recovery from being such a shop-a-holic, I yearn to get to the days when all the stuff does not matter to me. Or at least, it doesn't have such control in my life. You know the saying, "Your stuff owns YOU, YOU don't own your stuff." That's me right now.

I'm sitting in my living room, looking at boxes all around me, I feel completely overwhelmed. How will I ever get this done? How will I paint the walls, when I'm such a horrible painter? What if it's not enough? What if the house still doesn't sell? Why do we have so much stuff? Ugh. Overwhelmed.

I'm determined to do it. To get it all done. I will not burden Sweetie with this. He is working so many hours, trying to keep two companies going, he doesn't need a wife that is not 'gettin' it done' at home. With God's strength I can do this and I will. One step at a time, one box at a time, one day at a time.

Maybe in the course of all this, God will cure me of my everlasting love affair with 'stuff'.

I'm off to find my matches.

Kitties

2009-09-01T22:15:00.004-04:00

We have two kitties now. Mr. Darcy whom I've introduced you to before. The sweet snuggler of a kitty that we love.

Now we also have Shirley. Adopted from some friends that couldn't keep her any longer. She's not so much a snuggler of a kitty.

The first night we had her she slept under our bed growling and hissing at us all night long. Lovely. I'm very thankful for my ear plugs.

She has simmered down quite a bit since that first night, but she still is pretty temperamental. Typical female. Winston or Darcy walk by, and she hisses at them, they just stare at her. She has no idea she's about a hiss away from being drop kicked off the back deck. Not really. Well maybe.

This is Mr. Darcy tonight, snugglin' with my sickie.

Isn't he sweet? He's never growled a day in his life, okay, well maybe when Winston tried to kiss him. Not the cat's fault, I'm thinkin'.

This is Shirley. I decided to leave the possessed eyes there for effect. Don't let her sweet face fool you. She'll scratch your eyes out if you give her the chance.

Right this minute, Calvin is trying to corral her into the laundry room for the night. She has so far clawed both his arms, hissed at him, jumped three feet off the floor at him (which by the way made him scream like a girl), growled at the dog and she is still perched under the entertainment cabinet, glaring at us. She's a joy.

My Son, the Techno Geek

2009-08-31T21:17:00.004-04:00

First it was Superman, then it was Indiana Jones, now it's Popular Science. I'm not complaining, I'm just saying.

This is the boys finding all the loot that I throw into the office closet, anything that has a cord and doesn't have a home or isn't plugged into something, goes into this abyss. Jay would have a zillion cords all over his desk or the floor if I let him. So I put them here, until he needs them. Which he never does. Go figure.

But this is my teenager's Nirvana. You'd think that I'd just given him a hundred bucks to blow at Radio Shack or something. He had his little brother pulling things out and then he'd say what it was and plug it in. I was just sitting there dumbfounded. I mean, how did he learn all this? I was getting ready to place it on ebay for free, how was I suppose to know it was a jackpot for geeky boys?

Then today, we sold the futon, we don't really need it and it takes up space and we don't wanna move it. So the dunderheads (don't get me started on them) that bought it, came and just looked at it and wondered if it would fit into their 4runner. By now, I really don't care and I'm standing there in a cold infested fog. Calvin, being the stud that he is, explains that they could take it apart and fit it that way. Then he goes to the tool chest, gets the tools and proceeds to take the thing apart for them. While the guy is slowing trying to help, Calvin then hoists the mattress over his shoulder and carries the thing and puts it in the back of the truck. After they got all the pieces into the truck, they then realize that the back door won't close and that they really shouldn't drive down the highway with the back open, the thing might slide out. Yep, pretty much. Calvin finds them the bungee cords and shows them how to tie the thing down.

I'm still standing there in a daze. Now because I realize that my boy is growing up. He's only 13, but I realize that these people don't know that, they probably think he's more like 16. I won't tell him that, it would just be wrong for him to be thinkin' of himself as older than he is. But I'm pretty proud of him and pretty proud of his Dad for teaching him such things. All this time, we thought he wasn't paying attention, we were wrong, sort of, he pays attention, but only to the good stuff...like how to use a USB cord, allen wrench and bungee cords. I'm thinking he's pretty much ready for engineering school. Only if he can get his teacher to pass him in Math.

Being Moved

2009-08-29T22:49:00.004-04:00

I'm sorry I've been away for awhile. God has been doing some serious work in me and I've been really struggling with this blog. My pride and selfish spirit was backing this blog and I was finally convicted of it. Especially when Sweetie and I find ourselves upon hard times and there really isn't any room for pride and selfishness when you're struggling.

I'll try to keep this short as I know that those long wordy bloggity posts can get boring.

Our country is in a recession. duh. The state of California is really feeling the hurt of that recession in a big-big way. We have a house and a company in California. Work slowing down to such a minimum and us trying to carry it through left us in a mess of debt. Then work slowing down to be almost non-existent has made dealing with those bills troublesome. Our house in CA won't sell, we are probably too upside down in it anyways and can't get anymore $$ out of it to pay anything off, so it doesn't really help us to lower the cost of it, plus it just feels like we're giving it away and not being good stewards with it. We found out that we have a chunk of equity in our home here in NC so we are going to try to put it on the market. Our company here is doing good and we are so very thankful for the Lord's provision. He is ever faithful and good, and has proved as much to us through the years.

I have also been faced with the realization that I am closer to God when we are struggling. I know this is not news to anyone, it is a common thread in many people's lives. But I don't like that. I want to feel this heart melting peacefulness when I rest in HIS arms all the time. There is truly no better place to be, ever.

We have slowed down our watching of movies, even though we have the clear play machine that takes the 'bad' out for the kids...we realized that we're still maybe allowing too much negative and right now we need some positive. So last night we watched 'Facing the Giants'. I won't even apologize for it, it is by far my most favorite movie EVER. The lessons taught in that movie move me every time I watch it. By the end I'm in tears and I am always seeing something else that I can learn from it. It reminds me of the crucial importance of Godliness in our lives and not letting 'everything else' get in the way. It reminds me of the preciousness of simple things, things that God provides and nothing more.

So I've decided to start blogging again. I want to apologize for maybe trying to appear like I had it all together or that my life was so 'idealistic' or perfect. It is far from the truth. Hopefully I didn't come across that way at all. But I know that my heart was not in the right place and I'm sorry for that.

We find ourselves in not unfamiliar territory, we have been without before and we've been in riches, and now we find ourselves in the land of 'without' again. It's hard to go backwards. I've seen others go through it and have known that it would be hard on anyone. I find myself with mixed emotions, sometimes I'm crying because of the weight of it all, other times I'm rejoicing for what I can see now, that I wasn't seeing before. I am thankful.

Not too long ago I prayed that God would break down the walls that I had up, that he would just break my heart that I might see Him more. He is doing that and I have found such joy, I cannot even tell you.

At the beginning of my blogging break I had been reading all sorts of blogs and some in particular that talked about 'having a blog purpose'. I am like other bloggers where I live my days seeing all sorts of funny stories that if I had the time to run right to the computer I could blog all day. But I wanted to have more of a purpose and didn't know what that looked like. I finally decided to pray about it. And I had lots of days looking at the screen with absolutely no coherent thought to put down. And then tonight, it came, along with a fresh rush of tears.

I will still blog for my family that loves to know what we've been up to. I will still blog embarrassing things about my family and me. I will still show you obnoxious pictures of my house and all things organizational. But hopefully my heart will be in the right place and I will share more of our 'reality' journey here as well.

So I leave you tonight with a thankful list from today...

1. Sleeping in till 9am, the whole family.

2. Snuggling and talking with Sweetie this morning in bed.

3. Making breakfast for my guys while we all sat in the kitchen talking.

4. The quality conversations that we are having lately.

5. That first sip of coffee. Oh my goodness, it's so incredibly yummy. I have to sit down just to enjoy it more.

6. My well toasted english muffin, butter & blackberry fruit spread for breakfast.

7. My hour long chat with my Mama, while laying on the cozy sofa.

8. My Sweetie, who is the mostest-bestest husband ever in the whole entire land. That man is so much fun.

9. The Jr.High humor that goes on between my boys. Cracks me up, though I don't ever want them to do that in front of my Grandmother!

10. Getting lost on the way to the hospital (to visit friends that just had a baby) but then finding moving boxes, lots and LOTS of free moving boxes. If I had bungee cords I would have totally been able to take them all and strap them on the top of the car. It's amazing how many boxes my little Camry can hold.

11. Learning my way around Chapel Hill and UNC hospital.

12. Getting to hold sweet baby Charlie, he's such a cutie.

13. Making a yummy dinner including a chocolate cake for dinner, and watching the little league playoffs on TV.

14. Sweetie getting to watch his first Charger game on TV, while eating his cake and drinking his coffee. He is a happy-happy man.

Thanks for reading. Big love and hugs to all of you.

Monday's Musings

2009-08-10T19:38:00.003-04:00

I'm at a complete loss.

The well of funny stories has run dry.

Sweetie thinks I need to take up some sort of hobby and blog about it.

It's something that we've been playin' around with for weeks now. And this weekend, I finally decided yes, I would.

I was even going to let y'all come up with good ideas for me and comment about them and then I'd choose one. Or maybe not.

But then this morning happened. The first day of school. Half of my day was spent getting their lessons ready for the day and getting them going on them.

The second half of the day was spent doing my weekly errands.

Tomorrow I will spend a good chunk of the day again, grading today's work and getting that day's lessons ready for the boys. I will drive my Chocolate Teddy Graham butt to the gym to work out. Then I will need to work in the office.

Yep, those are my hobbies; homeschoolin' and office work. Oh the fun.

A friend just asked me the other day what my hobby was and I replied, 'Jay & the boys'. Yeah, they're my hobby. Kinda sad isn't it?? I realize that it is a privilege to get to do what I do, and I do love it and am very thankful for the opportunity. But I find I do have some free time and would like to be productive.

A couple of months ago, my Dad was telling me that I probably needed to come up with a hobby or job, something that will take up some of my heart space, so that as the boys get older and more independent I don't get lonely and sad. Sweetie totally agreed with him. Whatever!

I was thinking that Sweetie wanted me to get a job to try to help with finances, but really he just wants me to have something that is mine that really brings me joy and a purpose.

Well enter in recently taking over the bookkeeping for our business again and school starting up today. Yippee, I have purpose again.

One of the ideas Sweetie had for me was to start an organizing business. Since I absolutely love doing it and have pretty much run out of chances to do it in our own home, I should go forth and help others. I love the idea, I just don't see myself as 'qualified'. Shouldn't I have some sort of certificate that says I'm a 'Real Life Organizer'? (Thought: I could probably print one up off the internet, yes?)

Anyhoo, that's what has been in my brain lately. To hobby or not to hobby. Let me know your thoughts.

This Week In Pictures

2009-08-07T19:27:00.009-04:00

Sorry I've been away this week. Been a little busy, it's our last week before starting school and we've been enjoying ourselves.

Saturday coffee on the deck. Sweetie woke me up early and wanted to have coffee out on the deck. Then we got interrupted by this cute little guy. How could we resist?

Calvin's been working really hard at his football practices. He had a 3 hour long practice on Saturday, was hot and tired when he got home. Tall glass of sweet tea, fresh melon, yummy sandwich, goldfish crackers and the comics...he was a happy, happy boy.

Some friends took us to a Durham Bulls game, we hadn't been yet, such fun. This is Dave watchin' the game.

Someone please tell Calvin he's looking the wrong way.

Me and my guys, on our way to a friends house.

Even when Calvin is gone, the cat will find a soft place to rest. Sweet little Dave belly, though a little sunburned, he's a sweet spot.

Hope y'all had a good week.

Tour of The Office and a Little of the Boys

2009-07-31T19:32:00.011-04:00

Today I'll show you my office. It's nothing too big and exciting. Since we own our own business and we run it from our home, we needed a dedicated space for office-ing. This room is perfect.

My desk. Isn't it cute? I've had to do a lot of changing here lately, I've taken back over doing all the books. Can't be quite as cutesy anymore.

My Mom-in-Law got me this little sign years ago, but it has hung over my desk ever since we took over this business, it reminds me everyday that it's not me it's HIM that is in control.

This is my 'Special Things' shelf. A favorite picture of my guys in front of the White House. My little 'Chewy' figurine from the boys. A sweet little red bird from my Mama. A cute vase from my sister that I use as a reed diffuser. A small wreath. A cross from some friends that are missionaries in Mexico. A friendship ornament from Sara. And the little school bus, we won't go there. Let's just say it's a private joke in my family, and my Mama thought it'd be cute to put it in my stocking last year. She's very thoughtful, that one.

I'd show you Jay's side but it's just the same desk only it's completely covered by papers. I'd straighten it for you, but then it would totally mess up his system. After 18 years of marriage I know one way I can love him is to leave his desk alone.

**************************************************

Thing One & Thing Two at lunch today. Precious.

Nice.

Oh, so handsome.

Thankful Thursday

2009-07-30T18:50:00.003-04:00

1. The storm outside my window.

2. A quiet house.

3. Piano music on the stereo.

4. Banana bread in the oven.

5. My God that forgives and makes all things new.

6. Laughing with my boys today.

7. A Sweetie that loves me so much.

8. Black Walnut ice cream.

9. Summer vacation.

10. Curling up on the couch with a good book.

Hoping you're thankful today.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-07-29T22:10:00.004-04:00

Like I could really be wordless.

These are just random shots of the boys today.

Calvin was helping Dave download his pictures off his camera, then they played on Cavin's laptop together for awhile. Ah, brothers.

Eating their chili dogs watching 'The Sandlot'. Ah, boyness.

What We've Been Up To Lately in Reverse

2009-07-28T20:59:00.004-04:00

TUESDAY: Dave went to work with Dad today, so me and the Calv got to hang out. He's a great kid and I love just hanging with him. He's also pretty funny. We took a bunch of last year's curriculum to the Homeschool Store to sell it on consignment. I might make $150 off of it. Not bad. Sweetie tried to tell me that he made Dave climb into an attic today. It was 130 degrees. He got in trouble for that one. But he got into EVEN MORE trouble for not taking a picture of the Davester with his tool belt on. What a cutie-patootie.

MONDAY: Had big plans that day, but got none of them done. Was woken up by a VERY obnoxious friend wanting to go on a walk. It was already 84 degrees outside plus humidity, she'd had her coffee and inhaler so she was all perky and a nuisance. I made her walk up all my hills. Then the boys and I spent the day trying to organize and make sense out of our new curriculum. I LOVE this time of year, it's an organizers' heaven! Sweetie and I went on a date to The Walmart, we really know how to party.

SUNDAY: Calvin and I both got up at the same time but he took longer to get ready than I did, we teased him for it all the way to church. It takes us 15 minutes to get to church. He feels well loved. Went to church and cried through most of it, God is doing some work in me and breaking down some walls. We went to lunch with a bunch of people from church to the Mellow Mushroom, OH MY GOODNESS THAT IS SOME SERIOUSLY GOOD FOOD!!! Laughing and getting to know some new ladies. I went to a baby shower and got to hold a sweet 6 week old preciousness THE WHOLE TIME. I was a total baby hog, and didn't even care. She was the sweetest little thing. The guys went bowling while I was gone. Sweetie and I went on a long drive, in the pouring down rain, eating our Chicken Biscuits and looking at neighborhoods, we discovered some new ones.

SATURDAY: Woke up to little boys upstairs laughing. Made pancakes, real ones with nothing healthy in them, except that they were completely from scratch. They were yummers. Had to make 4 batches to feed all the boys at my house. Made the mostest yummiest layered mexican dip for a wedding reception. Went to our first wedding since moving here. It was a milestone for me, don't know why. Helped out in the kitchen during the reception and had a lot of fun with the ladies. Got mad at Sweetie while I was there. Sweetie doesn't want me to go to anymore weddings, seems I get a little sensitive at them. Went home and stayed in a stupor of bitterness for the rest of the evening. Finally went to bed and let the rest of the family have some relief from my lovely 'tude.

FRIDAY: Ran lots of errands. Don't even remember what all we did that day. Boys had their last night at Power Camp, Sweetie and I went and watched the closing ceremonies. Davester was on the big video screen doing some gangster hand motions, nothing dirty (of course), I'm a little scared. Stole Theresa's kids and her minivan. Had a run-in with the Domino's Pizza people AGAIN! Had two extra boys sleepin' upstairs for the night, was VERY thankful for my hot pink ear plugs.

Whew! Lots of activity, lots of lovin', lots of friends, one bad attitude and a whole lotta laughter.

Tour of the Boys Quarters

2009-07-24T09:30:00.019-04:00

The great thing about this house is that the whole upstairs is for the boys. Two rooms and a bathroom. Perfect. All they need is a fridge and they tell me I'd never see them. Lovely.

Let's go up...

aren't they cute?

The place where all the famiy photos go. It's like our little shrine to our family. Sometimes we light candles.

The Davester's room. He's all about sports. He told me where he wanted his furniture and what stuff he wanted up, I helped get it arranged so it looks sorta nice. Isn't he cute?

Dave at his desk. We found this desk and hutch at the used furniture store here, such a treasure for a little guy. That's his futon behind him, for when his buds come to stay over.

Dave's reading corner, though he never sits in that chair to read, he thinks it looks like he could. How cute is he?

Sometimes Winston likes to come up and see what kind of scraps the boys have left for him, and he might get a snuggle on the bed.

Their bathroom, AFTER I cleaned it. Your welcome.

Where they SOMETIMES hang their towels. But it gets better...wait for it.

oh where to start. First the obvious. The towel hook. As you can see by the lovely white circle in the blue paint, we USED to have a towel bar hanging here. But Dave the Monkey thought it would be fun to try pull-ups on it, so it no longer resides here. I sent Sweetie to Home Depot to get new towel hooks to mount right over the ugly white spots...he came back with these, lovely orange things. But then he had Dave demonstrate for me....Dave can hang off these things and they stay in the wall...very helpful. Second, the name tags. Yes, I have a germophobe in my house, I won't tell you who, but it might be Calvin. He had scotch taped signs over each towel...I thought it was a good time to break out the label maker. Much better.

Big C in his room. So handsome.

We helped some friends move and Calvin weezled this stereo out of them. That boy has some serious weezle skills. I'm sure Sara remembers having to frisk him everytime he left her house, for any 'lost toys' that might have found their way into his pockets. He was three at the time. And four. And five. You get the picture.

Calvin at his desk. My sweet grandpa made this desk. It was always in their house. I remember sitting and playing at this desk when I was little. When Grandma passed away, I got the desk. It's precious. The sound the drawers make when they get pulled out, wood scraping wood. I never want that fixed, it will always remind me of my Grandpa. Calvin loved his Great Grandpa and has a sweet respect for this desk, he's very good to it.

Calvin's lego table. This boy has some SERIOUS lego abilities, and I'm not allowed to move a single piece. Once I tried to dust it, not a pretty day, let me tell you. It's beautiful isn't it? Somewhere in there is a dog peeing on a fire hydrant. That's my favorite part.

Calvin's bed, with his hats on the headboard, kitty getting settled for his daily nap, and this...

Yep, that would be John Wayne and Jesus. Not quite sure what to think of this. But he bought himself that Jesus plaque when he was like 5 at a garage sale. Isn't that cute??? And he loves himself some John Wayne movies.

This is maybe my favorite part of his room. He sleeps with a Bible under his pillow every night. Really. When I change the sheets I have to put it right back. He's been doing it for like a year or more. He got some sweet advice from my friend Theresa, it has something to do with 'holding every thought captive'. Precious and priceless.

Those are the boys quarters. Hope you enjoyed the tour. Next up, the sauna and office. Oh, the excitement.

About Yesterday's Video

2009-07-24T09:25:00.002-04:00

What is it about a man passionately playing the piano that makes me swoon. Sweetie needs to learn the piano, seriously.

A couple of weeks ago we hosted a couple of college guys from a singing group here at the house. After dinner me and the boys were cleaning the kitchen and Kurt & Caleb went in and found the piano. They were playing and singing. I stopped right in the middle of the kitchen floor, with bowl in my hand, soap dripping from my wrist and my eyes welled up. The boys were just staring and laughing at me, I told them to shoosh, I was having a 'moment'. Afterwards, I told my boys that they were now OUT and these guys were moving in.

My poor boys, they needed extra hugs that night. And they need more piano lessons, for sure.

Lovin' this Love Story

2009-07-23T10:33:00.007-04:00

Enjoy!

What We've Been Up To Lately

2009-07-23T08:25:00.007-04:00

We are officially on summer break. This week, Sweetie decided he was going to allow Calvin to sleep as LATE as he wants. Say hello to 9:30am. But then he just comes down the stairs and does this. Isn't he cute? Sorry, handsome. I love how the kitty curls up on him and has his paw on his arm. So sweet.

I really don't mind him sleeping all the time. Because when he's awake he does this. He's a bit scary.

We got some rain this week.

Lots of rain. We really needed it. The lake especially was very thirsty.

There was a big, and I mean BIG, baby shower at my house this weekend for sweet Kathleen. I just had to show you the hydrangea's that were brought for the centerpiece. Gorgeous. And they got left at my house for me to enjoy, what a treat. And yes, I FINALLY used my grandmother's crocheted tablecloth, beautiful.

Hairy Pictures

2009-07-16T21:04:00.006-04:00

I don't know who really won. Consider all yourselves winners or weiners, which ever best fits you. I'll let you decide.

This is what I look like now. Of course it looked cuter when Kathleen got done with it, but then I sat poolside for 3 hours in the melting southern heat. I wanted my picure taken with Jay but Dave could not take a 'non-blurry' photo to save his life, perhaps he did one too many belly flops in the pool tonight. So Sweetie took this picture of Dave and me. Calvin was very busy upstairs trying to fake like he was sleeping.

I'm really happy with the hair and had fun getting all the feedback. Thanks for taking the time.

This is what we're doing this week. I got all the pictures that have been just thrown in boxes for the last 13 years and we sorted them all by year yesterday.

Then today, while I cleaned house the boys sat at tables in their rooms and put together scrap/photo books for us. They would grab a box and a new album and put it together. Then they'd bring them to me to check it and then I'd pay them. Quite the summer job for a couple of rap-scallions. The trick is to not be TOO picky about what order the pictures are in.

I took this picture yesterday morning, Jay was reading the jokes to us from the Reader's Digest magazine. But I just loved it that Dave was wearing his quilters as a cape, don't tell any of his friends I told you, he'd be mad at me.

I realize that I haven't gotten any good pictures of Calvin lately. Well that's because he's been constantly gone to some sort of camp or he's sleeping. But just so you know, he had a totally radilicioius time at youth camp last week. A total mountain top experience, and those that have been to church youth camp know what I'm talking about. He's thankful to be home, sleeping in his own bed, picking on his brother, eating my food, snuggling with his cat, laying on the couch and not having to do any school. It's good to have the big lug back home, I didn't like how much he was gone this summer, didnt' like it at all.

Pick a Do

2009-07-14T17:26:00.016-04:00

NUMBER 1

For those that don't remember, this is what I look like right now. Oh, look at sweet Daisy Girl. I want her hair.

So here's your chance. Vote on your favorite, I go in Thursday afternoon so you'll have till then. I had a hard time getting the colors to work and look right, so yes, you can vote on color of hair and the cut. And yes, I'm aware that I picked a couple that pretty much looks like my hair now. Whatever, just go with it.

NUMBER 2

This is what I had to start with. My bed head. Lovely.

NUMBER 3

Okay, not really, but I did have this exact hairdo when Dave was about 2 I think. I called it my Meg Ryan do.

NUMBER 4

This was one of Jay's picks, but then he said I really shouldn't go short (I think he's speaking of 22 years of experience of me having long hair and then getting it all wacked off and crying for weeks about it, how vain am I?)

NUMBER 5

This was Dave's favorite and one of Jay's favorites. Yes, I'm aware that it's just a shorter version of what I have now. Dave doesn't do well when his mama changes.

NUMBER 6

This was Calvin's pick. I'm not all that excited about this one, don't know why.

NUMBER 7

I seriously went into this thinking I was going to get this. But after seeing it on my face I don't think it's the most flattering. What do you think?

NUMBER 8

I keep going back to this one. I think it's my favorite.

NUMBER 9

I really wish I looked like this.

NUMBER 10

And this was Jay's favorite. Yep, it's what I've already got. Whatever. Maybe I should just cancel my hair appointment and go get my toes painted instead. Sorry Kathleen.

NUMBER 11

Then again maybe I'll just go with this one and make them all go crazy. I thought this was way fun. A 'Faith Hill' cut. But all three of the guys were rolling their eyes on this one and thought it was a joke. I think I had this one too at some point in my past. I still think it's super fun and cute.

Go forth, comment and vote.

The Latest & Some Thankfulness

2009-07-13T20:15:00.002-04:00

We were really busy last week, but had a good week. Jay has been working really long hours trying to drum up some more work for both companies. Calvin was away at youth camp. Dave had runner's camp every morning. And he and I were trying to do a bunch of service type projects.

We were blessed to have a sweet couple of college guys stay with us this weekend. Their music group from college was visiting our church this weekend. They were amazing and wonderful and it was such a blessing to have them in our home. If you ever get a chance to hear them, go forth and enjoy. Heartsong from Cedarville University.

I made a perfect blueberry pie, though my Daddy still didn't come to town to enjoy it. It was delicious and the crust was perfect. (that hardly ever happens anymore with my pies.)

The boys finally got to have a fun play date with their buds Grant & Brian yesterday and I made them 'breakfast' for dinner. Theresa stayed long and chatted with me and it made for a great ending to our weekend.

Today was doctor appointment day and made Sweetie and I feel completely old. But the good news is we will live to see another day! It was the boys first 'official' summer break day and they loved it.

Our Thankful List For Today:

1. The extra sleep we all got last night.

2. The chatter I had in the waiting room today, it's one of the things I love most about living here, doesn't matter where I am, if you're waiting with some other people, you're all talking and sharing your lives.

3. The Keurig coffee I had this morning in the waiting room, that stuff is straight from heaven above. Delish!

4. The huge rain storm we got today, I LOVE summer storms.

5. That we all got to hang out and be together today as a family.

6. David actually asked if he could make dinner tonight. He's a total keeper.

7. The Cedarville University Heartsong Live CD that I bought at church yesterday, blasting in my car, loved the worship time.

8. The video store had 'Madea Goes To Jail' DVD in, I can't wait to watch that movie, love me some Tyler Perry.

9. I'm getting my haircut this week and I'm so excited. Wait for it, tomorrow I'll be giving you choices to vote on. I want something different, so brace yourself.

10. Looking forward to a fun and relaxing week.

Hope y'all are feeling thankful and had yourselves a good weekend.

Happy 4th of July

2009-07-07T20:14:00.010-04:00

Good news, the price to repair my camera was the same as buying a new, next model up one. So I bought a new camera. It's hot pink. I'm thinking that might keep the boys from playing with it. One can only hope.

We started our celebration by going to see our town's fireworks. We were told by some very close friends (we won't mention any names, but it might have been the Havens) that you can see them great if you park in the Kohl's parking lot. Well, they are now fired from being our activities directors. We saw like three sparks over the tops of the trees, very sad for all the little children that were also waiting in the parking lot. And our friends, yeah, they didn't go there, they drove an hour to the 'nice' fireworks display. We are no longer talking to them. (Just kidding, we still love 'em to pieces).

The next day we met our dear friends, the Havens and went to our town's little parade. Such a fun time and we've made it our tradition (since it's the second time we've done it).

Turns out that the only patriotic clothes that Sweetie and Dave have are their Angels tshirts. But aren't they cute?

We took Winston this year, he did a great job. And hey, check out what Calvin is wearing. Yep, that would be your Army jacket, Uncle Jim. Just like what my Dad would have worn too. My Dad and Uncle Jim were both in Vietnam. (a few years ago my Uncle Jim sent a bunch of old dress up stuff that his boys used to love to play with, Calvin thought it'd be fun to wear it to the parade, it was a big hit.)

A picture of all the kids at the seminary. Half way through we met up with Michael & Stephanie and their girls. I didn't get a picture of their family, because I'm a loser and didn't think of it, so here's one taken back in February. Your welcome.

The parade finishes at the community house with some arts and crafts for the littler ones then we go to Subway for lunch.

That night we went back over to the Haven's house and had a yummy dinner and let off some fireworks in their driveway, tried to get pictures, but apparently my new camera ain't all that and I think I need to read the instruction manual. Lovely.

Their front porch was all decorated and looked gorgeous as usual.

It was a special and fun day. We are very thankful for such precious friends to share the day with.

She Was Such a Good Camera

2009-07-03T11:59:00.002-04:00

Sorry I haven't blogged lately. My little preciousnesses broke my camera and I don't know how to blog without there being lots of pictures. I was all ready to give you the next room in our tour of homes. The boys quarters, oh yeah, it was going to be that good. Plus, I was going to show you our sauna...that's right people we are THAT fancy and have our very own sauna. But nope, no pictures, so no blogging.

We're thinking the camera is finished. They broke it while I was in the shower, apparently they needed to be taking a video of themselves while they did their schoolwork and then because they are boys, they got into a 'play fight' and the camera lost. Thing One thought, what with him being all knowledgeable and stuff, he could fix the camera. And Thing Two thought those little springy things were a lot of fun to stretch as far as they could. Hence when I finally rescued said camera, she was sad and tweaked and all in pieces.

I'm taking her to the camera hospital today, but I'm thinking, what with today's health care, there really won't being any hope of saving her without having to sell something valuable. And even though Thing One and Thing Two are at fault I still can't bring myself to not totally love their preciousness, and the fact that Calvin thought that he could buy me a new camera with the $7 in his wallet. Yep, he needs more consumer math. But isn't he sweet?

So, I'll keep you updated as to the status of said camera, but really, so far, it's not looking too good.

Happy Mornings

2009-07-01T08:28:00.005-04:00

Visions of what happens in our house every morning.

Calvin having his morning cereal. The cat normally comes to the front door about this time for his breakfast. No, I don't normally let the kitty on the kitchen counter. Right after I took this picture I yelled and screamed at him to get down.

Every morning they check their baseball scores and banter back and forth about who has the lesser team. But this is always where Dave sits.

Dunder-Head Dena

2009-06-30T10:09:00.004-04:00

Again, I'm just here to make you feel better about yourself.

Not long ago, I joined facebook. I had no clue what I was doing or what it was all about. (that's my excuse)

Shortly there after I received a special message that someone had a crush on me. Well OF COURSE I clicked on it, dying to find out who my secret admirer was (had NO idea WHAT I was going to do with the information). Somehow, I ended up giving them my cell phone number (yes, I'm aware I need to take some 'safety on the internet' course)

Well, as you can guess, I really don't have a secret admirer, no one has a crush on me (surprise, surprise). But I'm now getting texts everyday that tell me nice little flirting tips and 'how to keep my boyfriend' tips. (very helpful, to this happily married mother of two)

So today Sweetie had to call Verizon to get some stuff taken care of on his phone. The nice helpful lady went over the whole account with him and noticed that there were some extra charges on my number. So he got me on the phone so she could walk me through taking it off. Turns out that $9.99 fee on my bill last month was not David having too much fun on my cell phone, it was those lovely flirting texts. So then I felt like a total gooober when I had to explain to this lady AND TO MY HUSBAND what it was and how it got there. Geesh!

So we got it all taken off, I will no longer get those helpful tips, and then Sweetie had her put a block on my phone so I can't 'accidentally' do it again. What am I 13? Apparently so.

The Master Suite

2009-06-26T19:40:00.021-04:00

Welcome to our Master Suite, this is where all the magic happens, and of course all the napping.

Sweetie got us this furniture for our 16th wedding anniversary. This is my dresser and quiet time corner, my sweet $25 chair that is so cozy for sitting and being quiet with the Lord.

On top of my dresser sits this favorite photo of the boys. Our first trip to Disneyland with them. They were 5 and 3 and they did so great, and it was so much fun to see the 'Happiest Place On Earth' through their eyes. A precious day with just the four of us. My perfume bottles sitting atop a cake plate, and a sweet little box from Sara to hold treasures.

This is the bookcase that holds all of my books. We found this years ago at an estate sale. Those are the doors going into the bathroom.

Our wedding photo, yes, my dress was very big. It was the early 90's people, it was very gorgeous at the time. Can you see the rather large bow on my backside? It was lovely.

Sweetie's side of the room with his dresser, see it's tall, I can't even see into those top drawers, who knows what secrets lurk in there.

My favorite picture of Jay, lookin' so handsome on our wedding day.

This is Sweetie's favorite photo of us, we were on a cruise for his 40th birthday.

My side of the room.

This photo was a gift I gave to Sweetie when we were just dating. It is entitled 'Sweethearts', which is what Jay always calls me. And the boy is giving the girl strawberries, which Jay often did when we were dating. This photo has always hung in our bedroom.

And this is my favorite wedding photo, they were all so posed but this one was purely us, him kissing my hand and me just loving it.

The master bathroom, this tub is such a blessing to have. And that's the 'water closet', not quite sure why they call it that, I certainly don't go in there for the water, though I do sometimes find the cat in there getting a drink.

This is Sweetie's side of the bathroom. His stuff is not normally all put away, I go through everyday and put it all back in the basket, and then he brings it all out and leaves it all over the counter. Sheesh, men!

And this is my side of the counter, I'd like to think that I don't have that much stuff on the counter, but I'm just way to high maintenance to not have a counter full of 'neccessities'.

And this is the funniest part of this room, doesn't every house have some quirky thing? This is ours. It's the robe hook on the back of the bathroom door, I don't really want to change it, I've grown accustomed to seeing it every morning, especially the green rhinestone eyeballs. Very charming.

Happy Birthday, Marcie!!!

2009-06-24T11:58:00.004-04:00

Today is my OLDER sister's birthday. She's 40 today. She'll try to tell you that she's actually the younger sister, but everyone knows the truth, she's old. I'm not, I'm still just 37.

This is her again, she wasn't always this cute, see below.

The cheesey grin, she might have been a ham. The lovely pants that I think my mother made. Nice.

There's that cheesey grin again, and I KNOW my mom made that nightgown. I totally remember that bouncy Mickey Mouse. Oh and there's her Mrs. Beasley doll, she loved that thing, and I was VERY jealous of it, I always wanted one.

See, she liked me, this is her greeting me when I came home from the hospital. She was the epitome of a great big sister.

Not quite a grin, more like an uncomfortable something in her pants, and the pants, wow, not quite sure what to say about those things, except it might explain some phobias we have of letting our Mom do our clothes shopping.

Yep, she's pretty much the cute one. And she knows it. Totally annoying.

Seriously Mama, did you not love us? Though I'm thinking that if I still had those pants I'd probably have a better golf game.

Marcie's the best older sister a girl could have.

She spoke for me for the first three years of my life, making sure I wasn't left out of having any dessert or anything. She never said anything mean to me, though she might've written it in her diary, not that I looked. Tried to teach me her mean dance moves, to no avail. Was always willing to give me her hand-me-downs. Put up with my obnoxious phone conversations with Sweetie when we were in High School. Let me drive before I had my license. And bawled like a baby when she got married because she was going to miss me. :o) I loved that one.

She's super-duper funny and silly and we always have fun together. She's a great Mom to my niece and the crazy Auntie that always tries to kiss my boys. Love you Marcie, thanks for being so wonderful, hope you're having a great day!

A Recent Opportunity

2009-06-24T11:49:00.004-04:00

It's not often my boys are clean, dressed decently and willing to pose.