No rambling this time

Dressed up in her Iraq clothes...

Playing cheerleaders in the front yard...

Just pretty...

Ouch!

Crazy hair day at school Friday-

Dressed as girl from PureNRG

Love them....

God is so good

My bible study class was SO GOOD this morning!!! It wasn't so much the class as it was the prayer at the end. This lady came in and she prayed at the end of class-she is not a member of our class, she is blind and I think someone in the class was driving her home or something. I have seen this lady before and always noticed the joy on her face. When she started praying, it was so awesome. She was so spirit-filled that I felt it all over the room. We prayed and sung and praised God together and it was so good. I got something there this morning that I never expected to get there no matter how much I usually enjoy it. This was not my usual experience there but I needed it! I have been in the best mood ever since!!

Tonight the PTSO is having Family Night at E and K's school. I am going early to help set up and then do whatever they need me to do during. I hope my good mood can last the rest of the day because I may need it later! :)

I have a cold and have been feeling bad, but at least it is nothing worse! I will have to take more cold medicine soon so I won't start feeling bad tonight.

And an update-- my stitches came out just fine and didn't even hurt. But it is still not healed and I don't like that. There is one part that is still gross and kind of opened back up. It looks like a small hole but it may only scar like a bad chicken pox scar--if it ever heals!! It scabs and looks better when I leave it uncovered but then when I have to cover it back up (any time I wear pants I need to cover it with a band aid) it gets gross looking again. I promise no more pictures but I am telling you again---WEAR SUNSCREEN!

Well I was in such a happy mood, I was indulging myself with the computer but now I need to go get some things done before the kids get home and we have to leave again!

Bloggers Care: Operation Christmas Child

*I am participating in a blog carnival about Operation Christmas Child where we tell our story about OCC. Since I do this every year and am so passionate about it, I have to get in on the carnival!*

Yesterday at church I reminded everyone that it is time for Operation Christmas Child again. Next week I am supposed to show the video and give my “pitch” for it. There are already several people interested in it. I cannot wait to see how many boxes we get. One portion of the video I am going to show tells one girl’s story, how she was saved and her life changed because of the shoebox that she received. I love to see that. I would love to collect a lot of boxes, but that video shows how each single one matters.

I have tried to explain here before how much this ministry means to me. I wish I could do more than I have. Four years ago I first learned about it, and God told me very clearly that he wanted me to get involved with this ministry. That year we took in 275 boxes and the next year, 402. I certainly did not do that myself, I got three other churches and our girl scout troop involved. One of those three churches was my MIL’s church and they have done an amazing job with it, last year they did 507 boxes themselves. Our church collected 27 last year and I know we can get more this year.

I always tell people that I know there are a lot of charities out there and a lot of people who need help. But this is not just a charity, it is an amazing way to spread the Gospel to countries that sometimes don't even allow missionaries into their countries. The stories that come from these boxes are amazing. God is using OCC to reach so many people. Jesus said "you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to all the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8) I have no plans to go to the "ends of the earth" anytime soon. But I know my shoebox will!

If you are interested you can click on the link to their website to learn more, or just ask me! Click on my OCC category to see my previous posts about it. Please do something to get involved, even if it just praying.

Collection week this year is November 16-23.

Sunday Morning

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Proverbs 9:10

My day.....

I hate being busy. I like lazy slow days. Today I...

got up at 5:50. Coffee with pumpkin spice creamer. Kids awake, breakfast, make lunches, put one kid on bus, drive 2 kids to school.

Changed my sheets (never made it to the kids' rooms), cleaned the kitchen, balanced checkbook, paid some bills, made some phone calls, made taco salad for church ladies meeting, went to pick up 2 kids at 1:00. Took E to a Dr's appt, turned down swine flu mist (stressful decision), took E and K to get haircuts, went to drugstore, went to PTSO meeting, drove to ladies meeting at church, forgot to stop back and drugstore to pick up prescription, listened to a great woman speak at church, visited with a friend, met someone from Logan County, ate too much taco salad, drove back home, got home at 10pm, put kids in bed (that took about 40 minutes). Did a load of laundry, set up everything to make muffins for bible study in the morning.

Then I got on the computer and am staying up way too late. I need to sleep. I love sleep, I really really do.

And I think I hit a record today, I had 12 visits to this blog today. I haven't gotten that many unless it was through the Christmas Tour of Homes. And my California visitor did not even stop by. Would you like to tell me who you are in California???

Okay I am going to bed and I mean it!!!!

Monday's List

The weather in my neck of the woods: Perfect. Sunny almost 80 degrees I think.

I am thinking: that I am so tired and I do not want to make dinner. Do I have to since Luke is out of town? Do the kids really need to eat dinner?

I am thankful: that K’s dentist appointment is over. It was an absolute nightmare. Even with narcotics and nitrous oxide, I still had to help hold her down. She had 4 fillings today (and some sealants too).

From the kitchen: Nothing if I can help it. Bologna sandwiches? Maybe mac and cheese??

I am wearing: jeans and a blue t shirt.

I am reading: my bible study.

I am hearing: E’s video game in his room and K whining.

One of my favorite things: I don’t know. Right now my bedtime sounds really really good…

A few plans for the rest of the week: E and K out early tomorrow, conferences and early out Wed too, bible study make up at teacher’s house Wednesday, ladies meeting at church Tuesday night, eyebrow wax Thursday, getting my stitches out Friday. Just got an email saying at PTSO meeting tomorrow at 5:30 -before ladies meeting so I don’t know if I will make that…

On my To Do List for today: I got up at 5, drove an hour to K’s dentist appointment, got home at 2:30. Tried to get her to take a nap with me but listened to her whine instead. Vacuumed living room. Have done nothing else. Need to help B with her homework.

Lesson learned the past few days: That it is no wonder pediatric dentists charge so much money, they earn it. And I hate being busy.

On my Prayer List: Luke while he is gone for 2 weeks. That travel arrangements for Baida work out. Family and friends as always.

Good Sunday Morning

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

1Peter 2:1-3

My first movie review

Where the Wild Things Are is one of our favorite kids' books. E has always loved it. I love reading it. I love saying "they roared their terrible roars and gnashed their terrible teeth and rolled their terrible eyes and showed their terrible claws" (I always make my hands into claws at that part) and "let the wild rumpus start!". I just enjoy reading that book out loud.

So today we took the kids to see the movie. I absolutely cannot recommend it though. The kids thought it was weird. Luke thought it was so deep it could make your head hurt. I thought it was so emotionally complicated a kid could never understand it--not just kids either!! I did love the wild things though, I thought they were perfect. I love how they looked and moved and talked, and how perfectly they matched the book.

The kids did laugh a lot (even the younger kids in the theater did) so it wasn't terrible or anything like that. They enjoyed the wild things Max did and all of the action.

As usual though, I have to say--the book is MUCH better!!

Public Service Announcement

Okay I am going to be gross. I am going to show you my stitches on my big fat leg. The big fat part is grosser than the stitches.

So, if you do not want something that is about the size of a freckle to turn into this, then please WEAR SUNSCREEN. PUT SUNSCREEN ON YOUR CHILDREN.



It is yucky and I am a baby so I am telling you it hurts!! It has hurt worse the last couple of days than it did before. I guess it is healing and all that but I DON'T LIKE IT! All I can say is thank the Lord that I have not had injuries in my life. These stitches and the ones to match on my shoulder are all I have ever had. I don't like stitches and I don't like scars. So if you agree, put on your sunscreen, okay??

This was basal cell carcinoma before it became ugly stitches. Luckily they got it all and it was not something worse.

The worst part to me is the dented place in my leg where they had to pull the FAT together and stitch it. So does that mean my leg will always have this dent in it? That is the worst part, that if I lose some weight and tone up my legs I am sure it will look much better. So now I really need to work out.....

I am only a month behind...

I know, I know... Today is October 15. Her birthday was September 15. The pictures just were not that good. And I am slow. And lazy.

The cake had an earthquake. I do not know what happened.

She thought it looked pretty tasty anyway...

And she loved her presents. This one was new earrings. I love these faces...

This one was MaMaw P's present.

And here she saw from one corner that this was some dollhouse furniture she wanted.

This was not really something she wanted. But she needs it because the old one is too small. Of course the training wheels did not fit this bike so it still sitting in the garage, unridden a month later...

All in all, it was a very good birthday, even though you all missed it and the pictures were bad. She had a good day.

Because it's easy...

The weather in my neck of the woods:
Foggy, rain, 66 degrees. Weather man says about 75 today.

I am thinking: that I stayed up too late last night and I would LOVE to sneak a nap in after the kids leave--do I dare??

I am thankful: that we had a great weekend--Luke was off work Friday but the kids had school so we went to the movies for a daytime date, pumpkin patch Saturday, church Sunday, and outlet shopping yesterday (after K had a dentist appointment near Austin).

From the kitchen: Nothing. It is too early to think about anything except making the lunches.

I am wearing: pajama pants and sweatshirt.

I am reading: my bible study.

I am hearing: Wholly Yours by David Crowder Band on my ipod. In about 10 minutes I will be listening to K whine about getting up.

One of my favorite things: having a good family weekend. And sleep…I need more of it.

A few plans for the rest of the week: skipping my bible study today and cleaning house, dentist for me tomorrow, hoping to meet my friend Kris for late lunch Thursday.

On my To Do List for today:
Change sheets, do laundry, clean bathrooms, mops floors, vacuum floors, take a nap…

Lesson learned the past few days:
That even though you have dental insurance, pediatric dentists are extremely expensive.

On my Prayer List:
A friend with a job interview this week. That travel arrangements for a couple of people work out perfectly to accomplish God’s will. Family and friends as always.

Verse today: Ephesians 5:8-10 Live as children of the light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, rightness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.

Now off to wake up E and K. Have a good day everyone!

Sunday

Teach me your way, O Lord,
and I will walk in your truth;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.

I will praise you, O Lord my God,
with all my heart;
I will glorify your name forever.

Psalm 86:11-12

It's really fall!

Today we went to visit a pumpkin patch. It was a great cool day that actually felt like fall here. We were not the only people to think today was a good day for a visit to the patch. I could not believe how busy this place was!

It was a very nice place. They had a lot of activities for kids to do. There was face painting, pumpkin painting, horse rides, hay rides, and scarecrow making. We did not do any of those things. We still had a great time though.

This place is also a strawberry farm. We sampled the strawberry popsicles. I also had grilled corn and coleslaw.

We did take a short hayride to the other fields where they had flower picking (zinnias maybe??) and the corn maze.

I think we spent at lease 1 1/2 hours in the maze, maybe longer. We wanted to quit but we kept going--the maze is in the shape of Texas and you had to find like 7 or 8 spots that were in the location of Texas lakes. If you find them all and punch your card for each one, you get a free drink when you come out. It took forever but we finally got those free cans of coke!!!

I was exhausted when we finished but we really had fun. It was a little muddy in spots and our shoes smell like cow poop (there were no cows so how does that happen??), but it was a great day. On our drive back home we had mexican food for dinner.

We did not even buy any pumpkins, but we still had a very nice fall day. I miss the leaves back home and the cool weather but this was nice. I am very glad my friend Shelley told me about this place--I hope she gets a chance to enjoy it soon!

A new pet??

Luke found this in our yard. He says it is a tarantula.

E wants to keep it as a pet. Luke even found him a box to put it in.

No way are we keeping this thing!

They plan to try to feed it a cricket tonight. I hope he enjoys it because it is going to be his last meal. If he does not escape from this box, he is going to be smashed very soon.

I know I am just mean. But I really hate spiders...

Here I go again

Okay, I am going to post more often I promise. I am starting off with the Monday list. I know, I am incredibly boring. I have been so tired, and a little sick. I am not sick now so I have to get back on track. I will post often if I have to make stuff up...well not lies or anything but that is what this blog is most of the time--me rambling on about life. Just don't abandon me okay?

The weather in my neck of the woods:
Foggy, misty rain, about 60 degrees. Weather man says about 77 today.

I am thinking: that I am going to get a lot done today--and I mean it!

I am thankful: that I feel better and Luke seems better this morning.

From the kitchen: Nothing yet. Made bread at 10pm last night. Need to make cookies today.

I am wearing: pajamas, going to walk on treadmill in a few minutes though before I get dressed.

I am reading: my bible study.

I am hearing: the washing machine and silence.

One of my favorite things: weather that makes me think it is fall…but enough with the rain already!!

A few plans for the rest of the week: conference with B’s teachers, all kids dentist appointments, getting my basal cell cut out, maybe a family night at school, hopefully make it to church Thursday...

On my To Do List for today:
Change sheets, wash all kids bedding, wash towels, clean bathrooms, mops floors, vacuum floors, dust, make cookies, find something for dinner…

Lesson learned the past few days:
That I am just getting old. All my blood work and testing was fine. I am just tired because I am 40.

On my Prayer List:
My BIL (and his family) going through death of his grandpa. My friend Shelley.

Verse today: Psalm 91:14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. "

Recipe: the best rolls ever--my family named them angel bread and think I am the best cook ever for making these! They are like something from a restaurant (thank you Betty Crocker).

Rolls from the bread machine

1 cup water
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
1 egg
3 1/4 cups bread flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons bread machine or active dry yeast
butter or margarine, melted, if desired

1. Measure carefully, placing all ingredients except melted butter in bread machine pan in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select Dough/Manual cycle. Do not use delay cycle.
2. Remove dough from pan, using lightly floured hands. Cover and let rest 10 minutes on lightly floured surface.
3. Grease large cookie sheet. Divide dough into 15 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a ball. Place 2 inches apart on cookie sheet. Cover and let rise in warm place 30 to 40 minutes or until double. (Dough is ready if indentation remains when touched.)
4. Heat oven to 375°F. Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Brush tops with melted butter. Serve warm, or cool on wire rack.

Brave kids

I never showed you what my kids did last Saturday.

I was too lazy to upload the pictures. So now I am a week late, but here they are.

There was a rally at the local airport for kids to get interested in flying.

I am talking about little planes. Four seaters.

And how do you get kids interested? By showing them around the planes...

And putting them in the planes...

And taking them up for a free 15-20 minute flight. Kids only. No parents. My kids are in there. E and K were in this plane. B was in another. They both were in the air at the same time while I stayed on the ground.

Yeah, I was a nervous wreck. Only daddies let you do that kind of stuff. He kept telling me to "stop being such a mommy!". Sure, no problem. Not even when I'm dead will I quit being a mommy....

They loved it. They talked about how little everything looked and how cool it all was. They got certificates from the pilots when it was over.

They loved it. They are way braver and more adventurous than their mother.

I am a bad blogger

Well here I am not blogging again. I am sick and just sitting here doing nothing so I am going to do the list again. Maybe someday I will get the pictures I need on here. Sorry to those of you who come and check on me every day and find nothing. I hate when people don’t update their blogs… :)

The weather in my neck of the woods:
It rained earlier. It is hot, 80s I think.

I am thinking: that I feel like crap.

I am thankful: that I don’t feel worse yet. Have a low fever right now and chest congestion.

From the kitchen: Pot of pinto beans going. Trying to get up energy to go make cornbread..

I am wearing: yoga pants and big t shirt. I have not even showered today. Yuck.

I am reading: my bible study and Intimate Issues.

I am hearing: Spongebob and the air conditioner.

One of my favorite things: being healthy.

A few plans for the rest of the week: supposed to get a haircut tomorrow but I may not make it. Missing church tonight too.

On my To Do List for today:
Lay on couch. Sit in chair. Complain. Take a nap. Pray this is not the flu. Be glad I never get sick because I am a baby about it... I accomplished them all!

Lesson learned the past few days:
That K still needs more sleep. I have no patience. And I should have worn sunscreen when I was younger--my biopsy came back with basal cell on my leg (going next week for an “excision”).

On my Prayer List:
Family and Friends as always, especially my brother and my friend Kris right now.