YUCK!!!!

It's 8:57 AM and I'm already a feel-sorry-for-myself- pity-party kind of day.....

Makes for a bad start of the day and the weekend......


I know that God wants me to be joyful and just STOP IT! but I'm struggling this morning...

New Layout/ Template

So, I'm really wanting to switch things up on this here blog. I love my template that created but I am just feeling that it is time for something new.....



So, here is my question. I know many, many of you out there have the most precious blogs I've ever seen. Tell me who did it for you. Or, if you did it yourself, let me know if it would be easy for me to do----Remember, I'm not very 'techy' so it would have to be very, VERY easy. I don't really know if I want to just add a different background or not, because I'm not positive I want to lose my header girl.....and I really like my font. Now you see how technologically challenged that I really am.



Also, if you don't mind go check out my other blog.....I did manage to get a new look on it. Go to http://www.3girlsdesignsbowsaccessories.blogspot.com/ and let me know what you think.

Thanks everyone!

He is NOT your Saviour!!!!

As I sit here thinking about this post, there are so many thoughts running around in my head.

Last week on JMom's blog, I read her eloquent letter to our new president. I thought her letter was well written and very well thought out. I saw where she linked to a website where I could post my own letter to the president. I decided that I didn't want to write a letter. Quite frankly, having just seen the inauguration, I had had my fill of the new "rock star" prez. craze. Not to mention that I didn't want to get into how I didn't vote for him and how I wonder if people took the time to factor in their beliefs -- or what the bible says -- at all before casting their votes. And that really disturbs me so I just decided to let it go.....

As the week continued, though, I began to see how serious this craze seems to be. On Saturday morning I sat listening to the news and heard the new anchor say how everyone had such hope for the future and how everyone was still living on top of the cloud of Obama's election and inauguration.

And my first thought was "OBAMA IS NOT YOUR SAVIOUR!"

He doesn't bring us hope.....Jesus gives us hope. He isn't going to save the world. He is human, he will let everyone down. He can't help it.

I just find it so sad that people are hanging their hopes on this man. I do get the historical significance of this election. I also realize that most of America was tired of our previous administration. But it is also dangerous to hang your hopes on a human being who will inevitable disappoint. I understand that the economy is really bad but lets all just face the facts that the economy is so bad because of the GREED of Americans. Furthermore, the downfall of the economy did not start 8 years ago when Bush was elected, and it isn't magically going to be fixed because Obama was elected.

I also believe that God is sovereign and that HE is in charge. I know that HE expects me to pray for those in leadership. Therefore, I will respect the person who holds the office of president and I will pray for him and his administration. I will pray that they will all turn to God for guidance because he did send us a savior. Jesus came 2000 years ago to save us all. Count on Him not human beings. Jesus is your saviour....Obama is not.

I feel much better now that this is all out there. Have a great Tuesday.

MPM - Jan 26,2009

This week, like all other weeks recently, is slammed packed full of evening things....mostly at church. And, ironically, mostly not my things.....mostly just my husbands stuff-- but that does affect our time for family suppers. Not to mention our dance schedule. So, I will be making things that are pretty quick to make, while still trying to keep it healthy.....

Here it is.

Monday- Grilled Salmon, green beans, mashed potatoes

Tuesday - Tortellini soup (I got this recipe here.)

Wednesday - Gathering Meal at church

Thursday - Chicken Stroganoff in crockpot

Friday - out to eat

Saturday - Steaks on the grill with sweet potatoes.

That's the plan. ya'll have good Monday. I gotta go to the grocery store and get what I need for this menu. I do plan to stick to 'low fat' as much as possible. After typing this out, this menu doesn't seem too healthy.....I'm working on it! I really am. Go to Laura's for more menu's.

Super Hero's

Yesterday, when I picked M up from school, I asked (as I always do) "What did you do today?"

M began to tell me that she played with Cody at recess. Usually M plays with a couple of girls so I was intrigued that she was playing with the boys.....I asked "What did you play?"

M: "We had powers. We were mean to the bad ones and nice to the good ones."

Me: "Really?"

M: "And we had special names. Color names."

Me: "What was your name?"

M: "I was "pink" because I am wearing so much pink today. Cody was "blue" and Whitney was "purple. And we had special powers that we shot out of our hands."

Me: "What was your power?"

M: " I shot out spicy, spicy pink cupcakes that made people throw up."

She would make quite a super hero!

Speaking of super hero's, I walked into the living room yesterday after supper and found B lovingly stroking Daddy's goatee. I grabbed the camera. I LOVE this picture. I think this little boy has found one of his own!

Family Pictures

About a month ago, we had family pictures made. I was worried that we didn't get any good shots, let's be real ---I have 4 children, one of whom was 3 months old. Chances of getting a good shot of all of us, not so good.

BUT - Nikki did a fabulous job. Nikki lives in the Atlanta area and she does beautiful pictures. Here are a few of my favorites.......

me and the hubs...

One of my favorites of B....I love this one of the girls jumping.....

and finally, one of the whole family.

Nikki does wedding and family photographer so if you need a photographer, go here and get in touch with her. Go to her blog now and you can see more of her work.....Now, I gotta go decide how to get all the pictures I want printed out. There are so many I love.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Weekend Away/Snow Day

Have you been wondering where I am? For the two of you who care-- this is what has been happening with us.

The kids and I are left on Saturday morning to visit with friends in Belmont. We stayed with friends and attended the church hubs served when we lived there. It was really nice to see everyone and have them meet B. Especially since these are the people who saw the birth of all my girls. We stayed with some friends from that church. Here are a couple of pictures from out weekend.

We always have fun with this family!! On Monday we visited with more friends there and then saw the weather report and started to rush home. We were literally in the car when K called and said not to try it because it was already getting bad at home. He said I should plan on waiting til Wednesday because it wouldn't warm up til then..... So, we unpacked the car and stayed Monday night.....We woke up Tuesday morning to....absolutely NOTHING!!!!

So, we were able to drive home on Tues as originally planned.

I arrived home to find that the same thing had happened here and there was very little snow. I did hear that we would be on a two hour delay for school on Wednesday because of the back roads.....At about 7AM on Wednesday I got a call saying school was cancelled due to inclement weather....WHAT?!!? Here is a shot of how much snow we had at my house..... why in the world are we having a snow day I wondered.....

Then I looked out my window and saw this....beautiful isn't it? Maybe people live up there so that is the reason for the snow day.? Maybe.
And my driveway still looks like this......yep it is slippery.

So, I was hanging out with my kids yesterday. We had a couple of friends over for a bit and then of course had church last night.....

And just because I can't believe it -- just look at B.....he is getting so big. he will be 5 months old in 5 days.....

Have a good Thursday everyone!

Questions and Answers -2009

To help my forgetful self better remember my children at this age, I asked the girls some questions last week to start off 2009. I got this idea from one of you but I couldn't remember who -- so, if it is you - let me know. I'll totally give you props.


I also couldn't remember the questions asked, not all of them anyway. So, I used some that I remembered and added my own.

For posterity, here goes. (My comments in parenthesis)





A's Answers (7 years old):
Favorite color: Red
Favorite Restaurant: Ryan's (they love to make their own salads)
Favorite Thing To Do: Spend time with Mommy
Favorite Book: Junie B. Jones (she can read these to herself)
Favorite Song: Mary Had A Little Lamb
Favorite Person: Amelia
Favorite Food: Pizza
Favorite animal: tigers
Favorite thing about school: learning
Favorite thing about God: He made us.

Who are your friends? Caden, Abrionna, my sisters
What are you good at? Reading
What is important to you? my family
What are you afraid of? bears
How do you show your family you love them? be nice to them
What do you want to be when you grow up and why? A Zookeeper because I like animals
What are you thankful for? My American Doll
What do you like best about....

Daddy? He's my daddy and he preaches and he tells me lots of things.
Mommy? That you love me.
M? She's my middle sister
L? She's the littlest sister
B? He's my baby brother
Yourself? I have sisters and I always have fun

What is one thing you'd like to do better this year? Listen better



M's answers (5 years old):

Favorite color: all the colors
Favorite Restaurant: Sonic
Favorite thing to do: have fun
Favorite book: Eloise
Favorite song: The Tutti Ta
Favorite person: Natalie
Favorite food: pizza
Favorite animal: doggies and horses
Favorite thing about school: having friends
Favorite thing about God: He made us and he loves us
Who are your friends? Natalie and Whitney
What are you good at? swimming
What is important to you? Jesus- that he loves us
What are you afraid of? bad animals
How do you show your family you love them? by being good
What do you want to be when you grow up and why? A Chef because they make food
What are you thankful for? Christmas
What do you like best about....

Daddy? That we wrestle with him
Mommy? That sometimes I go shopping with you
A? She is my big sister and she helps me
L? She lets me do stuff that's hers.
B? That he's my brother
Yourself: I'm a daughter

What is one thing you want to do better this year? Be nice.




L's answers ( 4 years old):

Favorite color: pink and blue
Favorite Restaurant: Sonic
Favorite thing to do: Go to dance (class)
Favorite book: Sleeping Beauty
Favorite song: The ABC's
Favorite person: Ms. Eryn (her preschool teacher)
Favorite food: salmon
Favorite animal: reindeers
Favorite thing about school: coloring
Favorite thing about God: That God is in our hearts.

Who are your friends? Lucy, Zane, Patrick, Taylor and hmmmm.....Caden and Jackson
What are you good at? school
What is important to you? not kick and not hit
What are you afraid of? bears and tigers
How do you show your family you love them? This much (spread arms as wide as she could)
What do you want to be when you grow up and why? A painter and a mommy because you have to be something when you grow up.
What do you like best about:

Daddy? To hug him
Mommy?To hug her
A? To kiss her
M?to kiss her
B? To hug and hiss him
Yourself? my mouth (guess that's fitting for all the kissing she's doing)

What do you want to do different this year? Not kick and hit.





Have a great weekend!

Just A Rhetorical Question....

....because I'm not sure it has an answer. However, if you know the answer- by all means, fill me in!

Here it is: WHY do my children always start vomiting at 2 AM, in their beds? That is the absolute worst sound to wake up to! Why Can't viruses come on at say--7AM when we are all awake and said child could maybe even make it to the bathroom before throwing up?

Why?

Tooth Fairies

I know what your thinking. "Tooth Fairies? Isn't there just one tooth fairy?" Well, I've recently been informed that there is, in fact, more than one tooth fairy.

This past Saturday A informed me of this nugget of information. Her teacher at school had told her that when the tooth fairy comes to her house, they always leave a glass of water sitting by the bed. That way when the fairy comes to take the tooth and leave the money, maybe his/her wing will get in the water. If said wing gets in the water, the water turns the color of the fairy's wings. And that her teacher had had a blue fairy, a white fairy, and a pink fairy....

I nodded and smiled thinking that A would forget about it by the time she lost another tooth.

That is until I was awakened the next morning to these words. "Mom, I pulled my tooth."

So, on Sunday night when she went to bed and I was tucking her in, I glance over and notice a glass of water by the bed. I inquired about it and was informed it was for the fairy.

Not only did I have to go scrounge up a dollar somewhere (I never have cash when we lose a tooth-- oh, who am I kidding? I just never have cash), now I had to figure out how to make the water a certain color. For those of you who actually bake and might have a reason to use food coloring-- it might not be hard for you to figure out. I, however, like to COOK -- not bake......measure is not in my vocabulary.

I was able to find some food coloring and a dollar. So, we had a red fairy visit our house on Sunday night.

I have to admit that I didn't know how to get out of adding this to the "Tooth Fairy myth". What was I going to say? We only have ONE tooth fairy at our house and her wings are clear?

So, I'm wondering -- has any one else felt like this? Has your child brought home someone else's customs that you just want to say no to, but you feel like you can't?

Have a fabulous Wednesday everybody.

L's 4th Birthday

L turned 4 yesterday. We had a family birthday party this past Saturday. We were happy to have Grammy and Granddaddy here with us. And L got to invite a friend - and she chose her preschool teacher and her kids. She was excited they were coming to play.

My mom got me an awesome cupcake holder for my birthday and I had talked to L and we had decided that she would have cupcakes for her birthday. I had visions of a beautiful table with my cupcake tower in the center.....but, it wasn't to be. When we went to order the cupcakes at Wal*mart, she fell in love with a cake. A princess cake. Seriously, I don't know how many more princess cakes I can take. But, she loved it so much.....if we keep on, we will have been through every princess cake that they offer.

This particular cake had Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Belle.

Here are a few shots of the kids enjoying their cake and ice cream.

And here is a shot of Grammy and B watching all the festivities.

L got a sleeping beauty guitar from Santa. So when Grammy asked what she wanted for her birthday, she didn't hesitate in saying she wanted a microphone and a microphone stand. Apparently she has aspirations to be a rock star. She got just want she was hoping for.She also got a new barbie from her friends. We got her Disney Sing It for our Wii and that has been so much fun watching she and her sisters sing along with it. She also received a different princess game for the Wii , which everyone is enjoying. Who can resist making your own princess look just like you to go on the adventure.....Not anyone I know. =)

Yesterday, Pa Pa and Na Na sent her some balloons. She has been playing with them ever since. She also enjoyed getting to take cupcakes to Preschool for her birthday. She thought that was grand.

In honor of L's 4th birthday -- here are 4 things you should know about her.

*L loves to color, draw and write. She will get very quiet and I can find her in her room coloring usually. She also likes to write out letters that she can make and ask me what it spells.

*L has very good fine motor skills thus, why she can color in the lines better than her sisters.

* L loves to sing. She often sings through her day as she goes along.

*L loves her big sisters fiercely. And by fiercely, I mean she loves them so much that she hugs them a lot and hits them a lot.

There are so many wonderful things about her. Her personality is growing and coming out so much these days. It is so much fun to watch her grow.

Happy Birthday, L. I love you!!!

MPM- Jan 12,2009

In keeping with my "Healthier Family" in 2009, here is my menu for this week. I've searched and scoured and found some recipes. I have to admit it is rather hard to find recipes when my hubs is so picky....I can't just fix veggies because he doesn't like many of them. How does one get her children to eat veggies that her hubby won't eat? That is a pickle.

Monday - Chili Beans & Rice (not sure how this will go over.....it is sans meat. Hubs thinks meat is a necessary part of every meal.)

Tuesday - Apricot Chicken Salad (from Jan. 2009 issue of Southern Living)

Wednesday - Gathering Meal at church

Thursday - Red Pepper Shrimp Pasta (whole wheat pasta- we will see how that goes over, too)

Friday - out to eat or leftovers

Saturday - the kids and I are headed to Belmont to visit some friends. Hubs will fend for himself or eat leftovers until we get back.

I am in dire need of healthy, cost effective ......not too fancy....recipes. Got any you'd like to share? Go on over to Laura's for more Menu Plan Monday. Now, I'm off to get my hair cut.

Dancing With Daddy

While we were in Georgia last week, I went shopping. I think I mentioned that . One of my favorite places to shop is called The Sandbox. It is a children's boutique in Chattanooga.

I was able to get each of the girls a dress for 75% off!!!! They were excited about them and wanted to try them on. While they were modeling their dresses for us, they decided to twirl for us. Which turned into dancing for us - which turned into dancing with Daddy. I ran up and got my camera....

I thought I would share some of the pictures I took.

I literally took TONS of pictures. I doubt I will be able to print them all out. But, the sight of my hubs dancing with our girls is precious to me!!!
Hope ya'll have a great Thursday. The RSV bug has now claimed my husband and I.....I now have a nasty cold. So, if I don't talk to you all until next week you know why.

A Gracious Plenty

I mentioned before that my oldest daughter, A, got a bracelet for Christmas. Santa got it from a great online shop called A Gracious Plenty.

Michelle, who owns A Gracious Plenty is a stay at home mom who runs this business from her home. And she went out of her way for us at Christmas. See, I was a little late in ordering the bracelet for Santa but she went ahead and made a bracelet for us anyway. Then, it got lost in the mail. I was so upset!

And if you'll allow a little aside here --- I have a question for the company who picked my package up and then promptly lost it. I will refrain from saying the name of the company (but it starts with Fed and ends with Ex). How is it that you pick it up and have the package listed IN your system that it is the seller's responsibility to find the package? I just don't understand that. You had it listed as being picked up and in your custody and yet, you have no responsibility for what happened to it? How is that exactly?

Thanks for letting me vent there for a second.....back to the story....

Since that company claimed no responsibility, they said to call the seller. So, Michelle saved the day --NOT to mention my 7 year old's Christmas. She engraved another bracelet that day and send it overnight to us.

I think it is a rare thing that someone will go beyond the call of duty and go out of the way for someone else especially at noon on Dec. 23rd.....I know that she was ready to devote time to her family. I cannot thank you enough, Michelle, for coming to our rescue. You saved A's Christmas --especially considering this was 1 of only 3 gifts she would get for Christmas. And she loves her new bracelet.

You are a blessing and I will be back to buy from you again when I need more jewelry.

Ya'll go check out her site. She has beautiful jewelry-- I am sure you can find just the right thing for yourself for Valentine's Day or for that special girl of yours. And if jewelry isn't your thing, she has tons of other personalized things. Go check it out! Be sure and tell her I sent ya!

Have a great Tuesday, everyone. I'm off to work out on my new Wii Fit.

MPM

This week is going to be very busy with LOTS of meetings so our menu is rather boring. I am committed to making sure my family eats a little more healthy this year so I hope to reflect that in future menu's. I plan to get lots of recipe's from Kim. She always has healthy recipes.

But for now, here is this weeks menu.

Monday- Supper meeting at a church member's house

Tuesday - I have two meetings and and K has one at church so this will be an eat out night.....

fast takeout = not so healthy.....

Wednesday- Gathering Meal at church

Thursday - Chicken Pecan Salad Sandwiches, fruit

Friday- Grilled Salmon, Cheesy Cauliflower, Green Beans/Collard Greens

S out with family -celebrating L's 4th birthday

Between healthier meals, portion control (which is my real struggle) and the new Wii Fit, I plan to make 2009 the year I got in shape.....=)

Go on over to Laura's place for more MPM ! And now, I've got laundry to do and I have to take B back to the dr. today.....back to the real world.....bye bye Christmas Vacation.

Christmas part 3

This is the last Christmas post - I promise. We came home from Greensboro on Saturday. I noticed that B was coughing again, and was beginning to sound really croupy so Sunday morning I went to early service and called the doctor. She called us in some meds because my other option was going to the ER.....and since we were to leave for Georgia that afternoon, I didn't want to sit in the ER.

We did go to Georgia to celebrate Christmas with my Mom's family on Sunday. Here are some pictures of our time there.

These first few are just some pictures of the madness that ensued once we started opening presents. It's a free for all!

In my Mom's family, we adult children and spouses draw names. One of the names K and I got was my youngest step-sister, L's name. I got her a travel jewelry roll-up case. I think she liked it!

My sister and her husband got K's name. They got him a scarf and a toboggan.....I KNOW he likes them! Thanks, Ginger!


The girls got new baby dolls, accessories for their American Dolls, adorable purses from Uncle H and his girlfriend S among other things.
The next day, we drove to Chattanooga and ate lunch at Krystal. We don't have Krystal's in North Carolina and I cannot tell you how much I miss it. Every time we go to Georgia, I must eat there at least once. This time - I ate there twice. Yes - I think I put on 10 lbs over the holidays!

That night we celebrated Christmas with my Dad and his girlfriend, who we call Na Na. Pronounced with a long A sound. They got the girls makeup kits!

Here is my sister helping M with hers.

And Pa Pa helping L.

A's actual response was "WWWOOOOWWW!!!"

Here is Na Na with B.

On Tuesday, K went golfing with my Dad. So, Mom, Ginger, the kids and I visited with my grandparents. And just had a day of hanging out.
On Wednesday, my Mom and I (and poor sick B) went shopping. I got some Christmas money ad got myself a couple of new things. A couple of turtlenecks from The G*ap. And a beautiful purple sweater from B*ana*na Re*pub*lic. And many, many things for the kids. Well - not that many but I hardly ever get to just shop and buy what I want so I frelt like it was many, many and I really did get great deals. For instance, I got L an dress from G*ap Kids for $7.99. And B four different outfits ( tops and bottoms) for $8.99 each from Gym*boree.....See-- GOOD DEALS!!

Then we headed home on New Years Day.
I hope that ya'lls Christmases were all as blessed as ours was and a with a whole lot less sickness!

Christmas Part Deux

Did you all think that I got lost around here? Nope. Just the craziness of Christmas continued on and on and we just returned home on the evening of the first.....

On top of that- I have one very sick little boy. He has RSV. We spent most of yesterday (really - 3 hours!) at the doctor's office. Yuck. So, I'm spending lots of time watching him breathe and learning to give breathing treatments.....None of my girls ever had this.

Now, for posterity-- I'd like to share the rest of our Christmas with you.

On Christmas Day, we headed out to a little place outside of Greensboro, NC to visit K's dad and family. We had loads of fun opening presents there. The girls got rollerskates! They are really excited about them. There was also a a big gift for all 4 of the kids and that was a Thomas the Train table with lots of trains.....I'm not sure where it is going but we will find a place for it!

Aunt T gave all three girls something Barbie. A got a 35mm camera, M got these great walkie talkies and L got a cash register. She spent the next few days asking everyone to be the "checker girl/boy". That is after she was feeling better again. Yes, I had girl #2 come down with the stomach bug that M had right before Christmas. So far, we've not passed that particular bug on to anyone else...

K DID get his Wii -- and we played lots of games on it and me, I got a beautiful new laptop! Just what I was wanting!!!

This is me when I opened my gift. I was so surprised! I really thought that if K didn't get me a laptop for my birthday/Christmas that I wouldn't get it. And since my camera broke and I got a new one for my birthday....and then I got the Wii Fit for Christmas from him, I really thought the laptop wasn't coming this year.
Here is another picture I wanted to share. A with all her pads on so she can go rollerskating! So cute!

And lastly, I wanted to share this picture. This is my hubby's 92 year old grandmother and B. I just love this picture!

We stayed and visited with Granddaddy and Nana Lee Anne until Saturday afternoon. We then headed back to our home so that K could preach on Sunday.

On Saturday evening, (yes a week ago) B started coughing --more like barking. Yep - he's been sick for a whole week now....

We left Sunday afternoon for Georgia to see my family. I will share that in the next post.

Have a great Saturday ya'll!