Another Day In Paradise

Free

2008-09-09T08:38:00.004-04:00

Today will be my last post.

I have no more commitments to fulfill on this blog.

I'm kind of sad to let it go, but God has really released me.

I feel totally at peace with my decision. I know it's because of Jesus.

So, that being said, I will leave you with a few songs about the freedom we have in Jesus. I will not be deleting this blog page. It will be here to serve as a witness to the greatness and AWESOMENESS that is Jesus Christ.

My prayer is that this blog has been a testimony to the Powerful, Awesome, One and Only, Jesus Christ, the SAVIOR OF THE WORLD. THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE, no one comes to the Father (God), except through Him.....John 14:6

The Real Me

2008-09-08T09:45:00.002-04:00

... "The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7

I love this song. I feel like it describes what I want to say......

mJESUSe

2008-09-07T16:58:00.005-04:00

I'm such a people pleaser that this is really hard for me. I crying as I'm typing this. This is about as raw as it gets.

This will be my last week blogging.

I love the sisterhood of friends I have made. Some I hope will stay my friends even though I've made this decision.

I can't believe I'm crying. This seems so silly. This has become a huge part of my life. So much so, that I believe I must give it up.

I want to love Jesus more than anything else.

I don't.

I love blogging more.

I love food more. (I'm not giving that up, completely:)

I love TV more. (I've already given up a lot of that.)

I don't say this to brag or to dump or to say what's right for anyone else.

I just know this is right for me.

At church today, my husband preached a sermon that rocked my world. It made me realize just how insignificant this temporary life is in light of how MIGHTY and BIG and ETERNAL God is.

Some of ya'll probably didn't see this coming. Some of ya'll probably couldn't care less. Some of ya'll may try to talk me out of it.

I've heard the reasons for keeping a blog.

You can use your blog to witness (that's great, but word of mouth and living out loud is more effective)
You can affirm and encourage other believers (I can do that over the phone and by email, too)
You're funny and I enjoy hearing about your kids (give me your email and I will keep you updated)

I want to reiterate, I'm not saying that every Christian needs to stop blogging because it is SINFUL. I'm saying that it's become something that's more important than Christ to me. And, as far as I'm concerned, I have an idol on my hands.

God has called me to something higher. I wanted to serve the Lord with everything I have. Everything I am. Everything I'm not. Everything I hope to be.

I may make some of you mad. I may make some of you feel bad. That's not what this is about. This is about me and Jesus. He is and always will be on THE THRONE, but I have taken Him off the throne of my heart.

My kids have taken a backseat to blogging at times. I was talking to someone, the other night, who has become a dear friend to me in the past few months. She was telling me about this mom that had become obsessed with a certain celebrity and was checking his website and surfing the web all day and neglecting her kids--only getting up to give them food and then going right back to her obsession. That could so easily have been me. I woke up the morning after talking to her thinking to myself, "Melissa, you are that woman!" (I'm not that bad, but the potential is definitely there.) My kids and my sweet, committed loving husband are infinitely more important than my blog. They are the reason I have stuff to blog about.

So, with that said, I've probably got some of you reading this saying, "oooh she must be in one those cults that asks you to close off the outside world." I would say to those, I'm a Christ following, God-fearing, committed mother and wife who has realized, for me, what needs to change in my life. My priorities are out of whack and I'm putting them back where they belong.

If I don't receive a single comment on this post, that's okay.

To God be the glory, forever and ever, AMEN. "Christ in [me], the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27).

Help Me Choose

2008-09-05T07:44:00.003-04:00

We are getting ready to start a new Ladies Bible Study at church and I would love your input. We just finished "To Live Is Christ" By Beth Moore and I am really eager to do another one of her studies. I brought home 2 different studies to preview and I'm having trouble deciding which one to pick. I need your help. Have you been through either of these studies? Even if you haven't, have you heard anything about them? I'm leaning towards one, but something you say could very well change that. I'm sure we will eventually go through both.

The first study in on the book of Daniel: Lives of Integrity, Words of Prophecy

The second study on called Stepping Up: A Journey Through the Psalms of Ascent

I'm really looking forward to what you have to say! I appreciate your help.

2008-09-03T10:14:00.006-04:00

Must have one of these.......Is this thing awesome or what? It does everything. Scrapbooking, vinyl lettering, school projects, etc......

SITS is having a contest and they are giving one of these away. How cool is that? What better time to join the awesome commenting, blog support network? It's such an awesome way to meet cool people like these:

Shelley at I'm Changing My Name to Ouisa

Lula at Lulaville

Caroline at Pocket Change

Heather at Mindless Junque

Tiffany at The R Family Diaries

Debbie at This Is The Life

Heather at This Is The Day

Kori at Between A Whisper and A Roar

Susan at Fordy Days and Nights

All amazing bloggers!!!!!! Go visit SITS and then go check these women out. There are many more and I do not mean to exlude anyone(See my blog bus). I just grabbed a few that I visit frequently.

Beach Run

2008-09-03T05:00:00.000-04:00

Labor Day was spent doing nothing but relaxing. We slept in. We didn't eat breakfast until 10 a.m. We let the kids nap and loaf around. Then we went to the beach. I. love. St. Augustine Beach. I was never much of a beachgoer as a teen. I lived a mile away from it, but never cared to go. This beach is different. It's flat. You can drive on it. It's huge!!!!! The water is like 1/2 a mile from where you park. Okay. I'm exagerrating, but it's far enough. There's plenty of room for the kids to just do......whatever they want. Which means.....I can do whatever I want. Love me some St. Auggie Beach. Here are some videos of the kids from Monday. That's all I got today!

Let's Talk About Men

2008-09-02T05:00:00.002-04:00

I don't think I appreciate my hubby enough. There. I said it. I want to give a shout out to my man.

Come on, ladies. You know we spend plenty of time griping to one another about the things they do that drive us to blog. I just thought it would be nice to brag on our guys for a change. Are you with me? If not, I hope you will reconsider.

My husband is Mr. Handyman. He has, almost, single-handedly renovated our home. He continues to work on it, even after 3 years of improvements. He is at Lowe's (as I type) getting supplies to add additional storage to our bedroom. We sooooooo need it. I am so thankful that my hubby takes the time to take care of us.

He is so smart and can be romantic, on occasion. For our 10th anniversary, since $$$ was tight, we decided to fore go gifts for one another. We did take a little trip to a time-share. It was awesome. Even though we didn't buy gifts, he took the time to make little coupons and he put them in a tin jar (because tin is the 10 year anniversary metal??? It is. He verified). There are various coupons that I can redeem whenever I want, such as: Saturday morning sleep-in; put kids to bed; make supper; vacuum; girl's night out; and others.

What do you love most about your man? Don't be shy. This is the time to brag. Oh, and let him know what it is that you think is soooo great. I guarantee it will make his day.

Destined To Be Holy ~ Oswald Chambers

2008-09-01T08:24:00.002-04:00

This devotion was taken from My Utmost For His Highest By Oswald Chambers

I am continually brought back to this message. There's obviously some truth to it, if that's the case. My flesh continues to deny it's validity, but my spirit testifies to me over and over and over again that I need to pursue holiness above everything else. The conviction that results is sometimes painful, but soooooooooooooo necessary. Just a little thought from me....read on.

Oswald Chambers:

. . it is written, ’Be holy, for I am holy’ —1 Peter 1:16

We must continually remind ourselves of the purpose of life. We are not destined to happiness, nor to health, but to holiness. Today we have far too many desires and interests, and our lives are being consumed and wasted by them. Many of them may be right, noble, and good, and may later be fulfilled, but in the meantime God must cause their importance to us to decrease. The only thing that truly matters is whether a person will accept the God who will make him holy. At all costs, a person must have the right relationship with God.

Do I believe I need to be holy? Do I believe that God can come into me and make me holy? If through your preaching you convince me that I am unholy, I then resent your preaching. The preaching of the gospel awakens an intense resentment because it is designed to reveal my unholiness, but it also awakens an intense yearning and desire within me. God has only one intended destiny for mankind— holiness. His only goal is to produce saints. God is not some eternal blessing-machine for people to use, and He did not come to save us out of pity— He came to save us because He created us to be holy. Atonement through the Cross of Christ means that God can put me back into perfect oneness with Himself through the death of Jesus Christ, without a trace of anything coming between us any longer.

Never tolerate, because of sympathy for yourself or for others, any practice that is not in keeping with a holy God. Holiness means absolute purity of your walk before God, the words coming from your mouth, and every thought in your mind— placing every detail of your life under the scrutiny of God Himself. Holiness is not simply what God gives me, but what God has given me that is being exhibited in my life.

Monday Movie Moment

2008-09-01T05:00:00.002-04:00

Okay, I have a lot to blog about this week, but I have been slack in some of my other duties (Lula can attest). Laundry is piling up and children are missing mommy time. It's Labor Day and we are headed to the beach, so the laundry part will have to wait. I just don't have time right now to sit and pour my heart out about maxi-pads, singing bird clocks, and Edward (oh Edward). That will have to wait until my kids are tightly tucked into bed. I'm trying to give you a small, very ambiguous preview of what's to come this week.

Until then, I want to share a short montage of one of my all time favorite tragedies. No, it's not Romeo and Juliet. It's not Edward and Bella (I'm not done with this one and I don't want to know if it's a tragedy, so don't spoil it). It's Tristan and ............the women he loved in one of the best movies Brad Pitt (who I really don't think is all that) has ever done. I have to watch this movie at least once or twice a year. It moves me. I picked this featurette because it was short. Just Netflix it if you haven't had the pleasure. You won't be sorry.......

Emmy Doodle's Exclamations

2008-08-31T14:42:00.002-04:00

At the breakfast table, almost every day, one of our children asks if we are going to church today. Our road to the church is a dirt road and it got washed out last week because of all the rain. We had to cancel church last Wednesday night since no one could drive on it. Well, this morning, Lauren asked, "Are we going to church today?"
Emmy quickly answers, "NO! We can't. Someone pooped at church."

Thanks for the warning, Emmers. DO NOT GO IN THERE!

BTW, we had church this morning. Very small crowd, though. Apparantly the rumor about the poop got out.

And The Guest Blogger is.......

2008-08-29T05:00:00.001-04:00

Shelley from I'm Changing My Name To Ouisa is my guest blogger today. She is a very dear friend to me (I'm on the phone with her as I'm typing, Hi Shell!).

This woman has the most infectious laugh I have ever heard in my life. She is a former member of the church where my husband pastors. She and her family just moved away from the church in a cow pasture (that's what we call it; and, I know, the blog is really outdated!) to live in a cow pasture. How's that for cruel irony? She can now tell you everything you never wanted to know about tractors, hay and cutting cows. Ask her about Sweetums (did I get that right?).

This is one of the most hilarious posts I have ever read from Shell. She is always funny, but this one hit close to home since we had a similar experience that I'll blog about next week. Enjoy the read and love her in comments......she will love you back, I promise.......

New Car Smell :) (My Title, since Michelle rarely titles)

Yesterday, I forgot the cardinal rule of being a mother of three.......Never trust them....don't turn your back on them.Okay, I used to drive a really nice vehicle. A beautiful Chevrolet S-10 pickup. The most beautiful shade of blue you could hope for. I kept that baby squeaky clean. No trash in the floor, no dust on the dashboard. Man, it was smokin'.Fast forward fourteen years and three kids later. It is just something that I have had to let go. A messy, nasty ride. The grocery getter. If I had a rocking chair tied to the top, I could win the best Redneck ride ever. So, yesterday, I lost it. I opened the back door of my mini=van and trash spilled out onto the ground.

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!! I couldn't stand it one more minute. I grabbed my 12 (excuse me, almost 13 year old) son and headed down to the friendly neighborhood car wash and vacuum place. Then spent a good twenty minutes sweating and fussing about all the twelve pounds of dried up french fries I found between the back seat the and wall of the car. YUCK...... I could have filled a recycle box with all the trash that came out of that back area. Stink? Oh, don't even get me started. I found a half eaten box of chicken nuggets in the bottom of the overflowing trash can. Apparently, they had gotten wet at some point and we were definitely trying to win a science award for growing cultures in the garbage.So, I'm all proud of this nice, clean van. I could just cry it looked so good. And then it happened, I think it was the heat that did it..........my son says, "Mom, look here, it's one of them fragrance machines". And because I was gagging over the smell of those rotten chicken nuggets, I said to myself, "Self, I bet the car would smell soooooooooo good. Ooooh, they have a baby powder scented spray. Who doesn't love baby powder???? I'm no communist, I love the smell of a freshly diapered infant and the smell of their heads, is just wonderful. But I digress, I dug four of my hard earned quarters out of my pocket and ching, ching, ching, ching, in they went. And this nozzle from H -E- double hockey sticks starts spraying this fragrance.Now the instructions are 4 quarters for 40 seconds of spray. AND that you should spray under the back of the front seats of the vehicle. I was ready to stop spraying at 3 seconds. But, in these hard economic times, I really couldn't justify wasting 37 seconds of sprayed fragrance, could I?

The smell was sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo loud. We had to drive with the windows down. When I got out at home, my head was throbbing...It was a mistake and I was so sorry. BUT, not as sorry as I was today. Yikesarama. That is some strong stuff.

Okay, I am chuckling as I read this because when my 6 year old daughter got in the car today, she wrinkled her pretty little nose and said, "Mom, did you spray bug spray in here or did you just toot?"

Don't trust them.......and never turn your back on them.

You Asked For It...

2008-08-28T05:00:00.006-04:00

Actually, I asked you, to ask me, but technically......well anywho....here are the answers to your somewhat probing questions......

Hot Tub Lizzy (My Secret Agent Friend....:) asks:

What's your biggest pet peeve about being a pastor's wife?

I think one of the biggest pet peeves is the unrealistic expectations from people. My kids are unruly just like yours. My husband and I argue, just like everyone else. The Holy Bible doesn't sit as a center piece on our coffee table. We don't even have a coffee table.

We have been very blessed with our church family. They accept us just the way we are. Flaws and all.

Living in a glass fish bowl does get wearing, but it keeps us aware that, at any time, someone should be able to walk into our home and not find anything that would make them question our sincerity as believers in Christ. Jesus sees it all anyway.

Do you prefer hot drinks or cold?

I love me some hot java, but really ice is a must in pretty much everything else. Even milk.

Silver or Gold?

Both. Mostly gold. I may start selling off the stuff I don't wear anymore, though. Do you know how much gold is going for these days? Whooo. My mom took some old gold jewerly to a gold exchange and got $700!!!

Do you like plaid?

Girl, if you were to open up my closet right now, it would be like looking at one of those optical illusions. Plaid is so FETCH!

Yes....yes. I like plaid.

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My kin sister by way of a redheaded child, Caroline, was very curious:

* Please explain how it is that mothers taking care of children who are pooping and vomiting their guts out never get sick?

I wasn't so fortunate. I puked my guts out last night. I had this question answered yesterday in a totally different way, but I guess I counted my chunks before they hurled.

* What is your favorite restaurant and your favorite thing to while dining there?

My favorite restaurant would have to be anything Mexican! Chicken Enchiladas with refried beans and rice. Extra sour cream!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Q-Doba is definitely in the top 5.
Great Question, Caroline!

* If the Vice President died, who would be left to be President?

That would be, Who is the Speaker of the House, Alex. A bleak outlook in Nancy Pelossi. Yuck!

* If I were to vote for neither of the presidential candidates, would Huckabee win?

Oh, I so wish so, my dear. We can live in that dream together, 'kay?

* What IS the hardest part of living the life in ministry?

Finding workers. It's hard to do everything yourself and that's not the way God designed it to be. I can't just say, "Honey, I don't feel like going to church today. Let's just sleep in." I wish all believers had that same sense of responsibility.

* How many fingers am I holding up?

Thanks for the sign language, Caroline. I love you, too.

* If you drink coffee, do you add the cream and sugar first before pouring the coffee or after pouring?

Sugar before.

Cream after.

No doubt, the only right way.

My coffee can't be too dark(too strong) or too light(too weak), it must be just right. The only way to ensure perfect color is to add milk until it looks like a camel's coat.

Sugar gets added before, because that never changes. 3 spoonfuls. Yes, I'm begging to go into some sort of diabetic coma, but it's a survival technique. Come live a day in Paradise and then see if you're still gasping in shock and shagrin. It's the only way I can type 154 words per minute. (I'm totally lying about that last remark, but my justification for how much sugar I use just doesn't really hold much water.)

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My dear friend, who doesn't laugh ever (today's opposite day :), Shelley a.k.a. Gigglebox asks:

Why is the sky called blue?
God said so.

Do you see green the same way I do?

I was always told green is the true color of love :) or was that "lust"? Is that the way you see it? Nerd.

Why? To maintain my Proverbs 31 status, I must abstain from answering.....:D

What is up with all the word verifications I have to do just to leave a comment?

It's to keep all those yucky people from trying to leave me yucky comments, like "You wanna join my blog cult? Click here."

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Angie, my favorite clown from the Circus asks:

What's your favorite childhood memory?

That would have to be the Girls' trip to Georgia with my mom and my sis when I gave a foot concert on the dashboard singing the Dirty Dancing Soundtrack. (Another post entirely) My toes are very talented.

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Ronnica, a woman on a mission (seriously, check this girl out):

What's the biggest blessing you or your family has received from your congregation?

I don't think I could pin it down to one. We have been very blessed by our church family. Pastor Appreciation is a big deal is this church. They make us feel very loved. They also celebrate our Anniversary with the church every year.

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My wacky childhood friend, Karen, is killin' me with this question:

How come it was OK for Mrs.Majors to sit at her desk and eat fried chicken and mashed potatos all day long (all the while licking her fingers), but if we were caught chewing gum, we got detention??......

All I can say is.......do you see any resemblance??? Just darken the hair and add mashed potatoes and Voila! Mrs. Majors. "Chill'ren, spit that gum out befo I send yo butt down to Mr. Robinson's office."

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My new friend, Kori, was quite curious. Please click her name and go see her beautiful family. She has been such a blessing to me.

Favorite color?

Earth Tones (does that count?)

Favorite vacation spot?

Tallahassee( I know that sounds silly, but I love that town. More because of who lives there. My BFF)

Favorite Bible Verse?

Galatians 5:1 "It is for freedom Christ has set up free. Stand firm then, and do not be burdened any longer by a yoke of slavery."

Favorite candy?

Hershey bar with almonds

pencils or pens?

Black Ink Pens

favorite smell?

Roses

gum or mints?

Just wanna give a little shout out for Extra Berry Pearadise

ketchup or mustard?

Both

pepsi or coke?

Wild Cherry Pepsi

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Anissa, my little bumble bee with the cutest, dimpliest child I've ever seen asks:

Why do the stars twinkle?

To quote Pumba from the Lion King "I always thought they were balls of gas burning millions of miles away." Timon: "Pumba, everything with you is gas."

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Lula. How does one describe in words??? My Twin. Peak....read on....:

If you could go back to any moment in history, where would you go?

To the time my grandfathers were alive.

Why? I never knew either of them.

What fictional character would you spend an evening of passion with, if God allowed it?
(You so know my answer to this one!)

A fictional version of my hubby. :) I know. I'm no fun.

Why don't others understand that Twin Peaks was a truly awesome show?

Lula, this is a question that has plagued me for ~~centuries~~ years (I'm really not a vampire). I can hear the music playing in my head as I type and I'm shivering.

If you could be a guest on any television talk show, whose couch would you sit on?

Okay, I know I will receive some flack for this, but Ellen. I totally love her show. Not so much recently, but just to dance across the coffee table.....

Do pastors live in glass houses? ('Cause small town doctors certainly do!)

Oh yes. Quick story. When Eric and I were single and in ministry we used to eat supper sitting at the couch. Very informal. We would watch TV and we would prop our plates on the arms of the couch. To do this, we had to sit on opposite ends of the couch. We had a big picture window, which the couch was right up against. One night at church, one of the girls from our youth group came up to me and asked me if Eric and I had a fight. I told her no. "Why do you ask?" She informed me that when she drove by our house the day before, she saw us sitting on seperate ends of the couch and she thought we weren't speaking to one another. Glass house? Oh yeah.

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Hi Staci Here, i surfed over from the Hot Tubb...

Okay have you read "The Shack"?

No, I haven't. But I'm intrigued.

If not have you heard of it?

Not until now.

If you have heard of it do you plan on reading it?

I would like to find out more about it. I will be researching it. That's for sure.

And if you have heard of it what do you think of the conterversy surrounding the book?

Yikes. I just read some of it and I don't like the sounds of it. I will have to do some more research. I just read a little of one article so it will take me more time. Sounds like a future post, hey?

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Adelaine, who must be totally stressed trying to rake her leaves (click to see what I mean) asks:

Who in your family has Celiac Disease?

This is still a mystery. I have done some research on both sides and haven't found anyone else with it. I know they say it's hereditary, but I may never know.....

Was your husband called to the ministry before or after you were married? And what were your feelings about his calling?

Before.

I've been on board 100% the entire time. I consider myself his co-laborer in our ministry.

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Dee Dee, my BFF's mom and my spiritual guru (jk, but seriously, my mentor!!! I love you, Sara):

I'd like to hear the answer to the question about Ms. Majors. And didn't she threaten to "cut your butt off"?

I think she goes down as the worst teacher in history for that one. And I believe the term she used was "Yo butt!" (I can hear you laughing Sara, and I'm laughing because of it.)

And did she ever teach you anything besides BAD MANNERS?

She taught me how to suck on my teeth after eating corn on the cob. It's very bad manners to have food stuck in your teeth, Sara.

2nd - What did you and Robin used to do that I never knew?

You dropped us off at a high school soccer game and we walked over the Glades Road bridge and went to a Chinese restaurant. We walked back to the game and you picked us up. (Our escapades always involved food. Nothing's changed.)

3rd - I'm with the blogger that wants to know WHY DO I HAVE TO TYPE WORD VERIFICATIONS just to comment on your blog when I have known you since you were in the 3rd grade?

How can I really know it's you.........hmmmmmmmmm?

Bunny Hugger

2008-08-27T12:25:00.006-04:00

Most of you don't know my husband from anyone, but a bunny hugger he is not. He can hunt deer with the best of 'em. He must be getting soft in his old age. He runs in the morning and made a furry discovery on his travels today. I took the kids to school this morning and went grocery shopping. I arrived home to find this on top of my REFRIGERATOR!

Can I just tell you how disturbing this is on so many levels? Notice the purple bin that was formerly used for toys and now has the carcass of a bunny. On top of the refrigerator. Where I am going to unload our food. That we eat. Anyone coming for dinner tonight?

***Update on the bunny for the inquiring minds. The bunny has perished. My husband, in his best efforts, tried to rescue Thumper (that's what we'll call him). He fed it water through a syringe in an attempt to hydrate the little guy, but to no avail. He now rests in peace in our backyard. Thank you for your concern and no, my husband did not just put a dead bunny on top of our refrigerator. He thought it may have a chance to survive. He was well intentioned.

Keep 'em Comin'

2008-08-26T07:43:00.003-04:00

I am going to wait a few days to post the answers. Keep the questions coming. I finally got the bug last night. I had a pretty mild case, thank you Jesus. Emmy started puking again this morning. Michael and Lauren did make it to school today, thank you Jesus.

I'm hope the thing with Emmy is just a fluke. I feel so bad for her. Phenergan is our friend.

Karen, I'm going to have to sit on that question for a while. I thought therapy had helped until you dredge up that Madea-on-crack teacher. Piece be steel.....

My guest blogger day will be coming soon, too.

Check back for the answers on Thursday....until then....

Ask The Pastor.........'s Wife

2008-08-25T09:28:00.006-04:00

Okay, I once again am jumping on a bandwagon. The Q & A bandwagon. I would like to entertain your questions. Here's how this works.

Leave a comment on this post. Ask me anything you'd like. I will let you know if it's something I'm not able or willing to answer.

Keep in mind. I'm a pastor's wife. There are some things I'm not able to discuss to protect the privacy and anonymity of our church family. I doubt your questions will even go there, but the disclaimer is necessary, nonetheless.

Your questions can be theological, but I am not the one who went to Seminary. If you have a question for my hubby, I would be glad to include those, too.

I will take anything from "What's your favorite food?" to "What's the hardest part about life in ministry?"

So, ask away. Don't leave me hangin'......

***Update on the family. Michael started the bug, last evening. I'm praying that this is the end of it. He does not have it as serious as Emmy. He didn't even wake me up when he threw up last night. He kept the trash can by his bed and took care of bid'niss. What a big boy he is turning out to be. Thank you so much for all of your prayers and well wishes. I can't tell you how much it means. I love you, my bloggy family.

Family Wellness (or lack thereof) Update

2008-08-24T12:40:00.008-04:00

****Attention Kori, this is another puke post. Read with caution....:)

I had no idea what I was in for this weekend. I have never, in my life, dealt with so much puke!

Lauren and Eric started to feel better yesterday. They just kind of laid around the house all day. The TV never went off. I caught up on New Moon and did laundry and dishes. I'm totally sleep deprived and it's actually working to my home's advantage.

Enter Emily. Saturday evening, around 10 p.m. or so, she comes out of her room complaining of a tummy ache. I really kind of dismissed her because she copies whatever her big sis is doing and she will use any excuse in the book to get out of bed. I asked her where it hurt. She pointed at her upper chest. Case closed. The faker.

Boy was I wrong. The clock struck midnight and Emily quickly made the girl from the Exorcist look like Holly Hobby. She puked every five minutes for the next hour and a half. Dry heaves.

She started to pace herself a little and slowed down to every 45 minutes until 7 a.m. when I finally buckled and yes, went back to the ER.

George Clooney, where were you? I really needed to see you this morning.

She was dehydrated and couldn't keep anything down. Sound familiar. Thanks for stating the obvious, Melissa.

It's viral. Which translates, CONTAGIOUS.

There isn't enough Lysol in the world to keep this house from catching this really nasty, big, fat, cockroach like bug.

The doctor (who looked nothing like Dr. Carter or Dr. Kovach) gave her a shot of Phenergan and that stopped the vomiting......temporarily.

Sing it if you know it:

"Emmy had a shot in her leg of Phenergan,

but puke kept running down her chinnagin,

up went the suppository in her hiney-kin,

Poor little Emily, Phenergan, begin again."

That was my sorry attempt at a remake of a nursery rhyme.

Thank goodness Lauren Nightingale lives in our home. She gladly brought Emily her Gatorade in a basket to her room and stroked her hair off her face. She has the gift of compassion and mercy just oozing out of her. I love her for that. Affirm. Affirm. Affirm.

So, is it just a matter of time? Will Michael and mommy escape the crud? Will we soon be shoving anti-vomit suppositories into our exit only areas? (Sorry, I'm being crude) Stay tuned. I'm sure you all are just dying to see how this one wraps up.

The Pathway to Rome~By Beth Moore

2008-08-24T05:00:00.001-04:00

The following bible study is taken from "To Live Is Christ" By Beth Moore:

Romans 6:1-23

We are Slaves to Righteousness:

By reminding ourselves we are DEAD to sin (v. 11). ***Sin has no hold on you except that which you give it permission to have.
By deliberately resisting the reign of sin (v. 12).
By deliberately offering ourselves to God (v. 13; 12:1) ***Refuse Satan the right to have authority over you.
By knowing our rights as those united with Christ (v. 14; Gal. 5:1). ***It is our right in Christ to be FREE!
By not misapplying the doctrine of GRACE (v. 15). ***Salvation is a gift. Holiness is a pursuit.
By realizing no substitute exists for whole-hearted obedience in our quest to be free from slavery to sin (v. 17). ***This one spoke directly to me!!!
By facing the weakness of our natural selves (v. 19).
By acknowledging the ever-increasing nature of wickedness (v. 19).
By never forgetting the powerless feeling of being out of control (v. 20). (Moms, can I get a HOLLA or Hallelujer?)
By counting the cost of slavery to sin (v. 21).
By recognizing the benefit of slavery to God (v. 22; Micah 7:8, 18-19).

***Do the right thing, until your heart feels the right thing.

This was taken from a video session in the bible study I'm currently going through. I felt sick to my stomach while I was watching it because I knew God was dealing directly with me. I want to share this with you in the hopes that God will deal with you where you need dealing. If we are in Christ, we always need a little dealing with.

They Call Me The Poop Checker/Vomit Catcher

2008-08-23T05:01:00.001-04:00

Yep. You read that right. That's what I have been doing for the past 24 hours. Checking for poop and catching vomit with my bare hands. Talents like this run deep.

Lauren started out Wednesday with a bang. She came home from school not feeling well. She kept telling me she felt like throwing up, but it was just false alarms. Until.....we were in the car and I neglected to bring a bucket. Glorious uprising! Hellerrrr? (Madea-ese again) Why is it, mom's always try to catch the chunks as they are hurling outward? Do we really think we are accomplishing anything, but getting spewage all over us as well as everything else?

Well, by morning, we thought everything was better. Just a one time deal. Negatory, Junior Pig Pen. Thursday night, same thing. Friday morning I'm awakened by the retching coming from our bathroom. Hubby is hugging the bowl and pretty much indicating I'm in for a very long Friday.

Lauren then gets up and informs me she had an accident in her bed. I'm thinking, "Awww, you wet your bed." No such luck. Think other end. Are you starting to get the title of this post?

A bath, some Clorox Clean-up, and a load of laundry later, hubby starts yelping from the bedroom. I can't quite make out what he is trying to say in between pukes, but he starts clutching his stomach and writhing in pain.

Google Search: Symptoms of Appendicitis

Vomiting, Diarrhea, and pain in middle to right side of abdomen. Check. Check. Check.

Inner dialogue. "I have 3 children, 2 of which are still sleeping, 1 of which is pooing, and a husband with a possible appendectomy in his future......How does one go to the emergency room with all of the aforementioned?"

I called a few people I knew to see if they would put themselves at risk and venture into our little sick bay, so I could take my husband to the ER. First house, no answer. Second house, mom and dad are gone and 18 year old is home without a car to get to me. Not to mention, her road is flooded!

Beep. Beep. Beep. "Hellerrrr, 911? I think I need an ambulance to come get my husband. He can't walk or hold his head up and I think his appendix are about to burst."

Ambulance is on the way. Eric is mumbling something about ".....that's too expensive." Second house call has called back and says she is on her way. There is some relief in sight....

This all took place before 9:30 a.m. We arrived at the ER and they performed all kinds of tests. They ruled out appendicitis. They ruled out kidney stones. He was severely dehydrated for inability to keep anything down.

We got out of the hospital about 1 p.m.

I called our babysitter to check in on Lauren.

She threw up and poopied again.

So, when I got home, I dropped Eric off and turned right around and took Lauren to her Pediatrician. It's Friday. You know what that means, moms? If I don't take her in today, she'll be worse by tomorrow and I'll wish I had taken her in......been there? She was also severely dehydrated.

For some reason, when my family gets sick, they can't keep anything down. Fluids, meds, nuttin'. So the result, dehydration.

The crisis has been averted for the moment. I'm thankful it wasn't more serious.

Diagnosis? Viral Gastroenteritis. All that for the stomach flu.

Pipe Cleaners, Pasta Trains and Pelting Rain

2008-08-22T05:00:00.009-04:00

Thank you Parents magazine for coming in time! I got my magazine chock full of ideas to help me keep the kids occupied while the rain came down and the floods came up. They really had a lot of good ideas this month.

First, we made pasta trains......aren't these adorable? I wanted to make sure I got photos before they were destroyed. That's why there is still glue showing....

Next, I just handed a bunch of pipe cleaners to the kids and let them do with them what they did. Here are the results:

Not quite sure what Lauren was going for, but she made a bunch of them!

Michael made glasses. Genius isn't he?

There were quite a few more great ideas, but this was a "Memo To Mommy" that I thought was some very helpful advice. Credit goes to Parents Magazine for this one (paranthetical input, mine):

Memo To Mommy

You have a lot of lessons to teach your little one, but he/she has a few words of wisdom for you too.

Stop freaking out about the mess! There's always time to clean--but how often do we get to make mud pies? (yeah, but who has to clean the crevices where the mud likes to get? Me that's who....)

Love me, even when I'm naughty. I'll only be this age once. (Oh Emily, they must know you.)

Be patient, I do everything for a reason, but I don't know enough words yet to give you an explanation. (Even when I overload the toilet with toilet paper! There's got to be a logical reason for that!)

Let me do it. I know you can do it faster and better, but sometimes experience is the best teacher. (Okay, here's where I need big help. Cracking eggs is not something I'm ready to allow.)

Don't expect too much of me. I want to do what you ask and make you happy, but I'm still little. (What can I say to this? They give me those eyes and I melt.)

Don't try to reason with me when I'm having a tantrum. Trust me--I can't hear you over my screaming. (Well then, how come when I threaten bodily harm, you quiet down?)

Don't keep asking me if I've been good. I'm not even sure what that means, but if I was bad I'd never admit it! (Bullseye!)

Don't let me think that you're perfect. I feel a lot better knowing I'm not the only one who makes mistakes sometimes. (A perfect mom wouldn't let her kids smack her booty)

Set limits. I can't actually eat a whole box of cookies--I just want to see if I'd get away with it. (Mommy is the only one allowed to eat the whole box. Do as I say, not as I do.....)

Keep your promises. It's all about trust. When I'm a teenager, you'll understand why it's so important. (Even the kind of promises like, "I promise I'll make you lunch in a few minutes." Blog. Blog. Blog....."Mom, you promised. It's been a few minutes." Type. Type. ""Honey, you can't tell time. You don't know how long I meant by a few minutes.")

Lauren's Lyrics....

2008-08-21T13:41:00.002-04:00

Rain, Rain, go away.

Come again another day.

Little Lauren wants to pet the kittens.

So please rain go away.

You Had To Know....

2008-08-21T05:00:00.012-04:00

...I was going to post some first day of school pics. Faye could not keep us away from the first day. No way. I couldn't pass up that opportunity to be poetic.

So, we got 2 of our 3 children off to school yesterday. Now they're home today. How does that work? It's not funny. I know you're probably "tee-hee"ing on the other side of the screen at my tease of a break from the madness that makes my life blogworthy.

One day of school and BAM! We're all together again.

They cancelled school because of this "rain" that they think will develop into a "severe" thunderstorm. I hope I'm not being too carefree about what this tropical thing will do, but I get a little ancy when I get all geared up for having some "me and Emmy" time and well, some "just me" time, and then......lock down.

Okay, enough whining. My kids had a great first day of school.

Lauren was so cute as she hung up her backpack and sat in her seat. Her teacher had a story book at every seat and Lauren's favorite book, The 3 Little Pigs was at her's. Eric started reading it to her and she was just fine for us to be on our way. It was such a sweet good-bye. No crying. A little puking later in the day, but we just think her lunchable disagreed with her. She's fine now.

Michael has become old-hat at this now. He started 2nd grade and went right in and seem to do very well. He said his teacher is very nice and she does seem to be very well organized (my observation).

I love that it is a Christian school where they will be taught God's word everyday and prayer is an integral part of everything they do.

I can't wait to see what this year will bring!

Lauren with her teacher, Mrs. Johnson

Lauren giving daddy good-bye kisses

Emmy, Me (oh my gosh, I have bedhead, okay? I'm over it.) and Lauren

Aren't these just the most precious chillens you have ever seen. Bertiful! Hallelujer! (That's Madea-ese, in case you didn't know)

If you don't know Madea and her family, you must be introduced.

Lunacy

2008-08-20T05:14:00.005-04:00

I must have looked like a raving lunatic yesterday.

What was I thinking? Obviously, I wasn't.

Quite to my surprise, the library called in the afternoon. "Ma'am, New Moon has arrived and we will hold it for 3 days." I thanked them, hung up and squealed with unnecessary glee. After all, it's just a book. :)

So, I pack all the kids into the van and decide to head on over to the library to pick up the latest in my obsessions that is Twilight.

"Mom, can you check out a Magic Tree House book for me?" says Michael.

"Mom, a horsey book for me?" Lauren adds.

"I want one, too!" Emily says with a little bit of attitude, like I wasn't going to get her anything.

"No, you can't have a horsey book! That's my favorite," pipes up Lauren.

You can see where this is going.

Does this incessant arguing over trivial things ever stop?

I get some very random books quickly and go up to the checkout table. The librarian says, "Can I help you?"

I wanted to say, "Don't you recognize me? I was just here yesterday to request a copy of New Moon?"

What I did say was, "Yes, I believe you have a copy of New Moon behind the counter here for me."

"Oh yes, these books are very popular with the young crowd," she says, very nicely.

I wanted to say, "Uh huh, just scan it, lady. It's for me, okay. Yes, I have these 3 children and yes, I'm probably old enough to parent some of Twilight's readers, but lay off. It's therapeutic after dealing with these 3 all day."

What I did say was, "I know, it's crazy how good these books are! You should read them."

So, after leaving the library, I hadn't had quite enough drama, so I decided to head on over to the grocery store. I figured, with Faye on her way, I may want to stock up on some canned goods and such. Still praying, all the while, that the first day of school will NOT be cancelled due to weather. So far, so good.

I don't know about you, but for some reason when I hit the grocer with all 3 of my children, it's go time. My kids start whining about every. little. thing. This one has to go potty. That one wants to stop at the bakery for the free cookie that has staining sprinkles. One doesn't want to sit in the germ infested cart shaped like a race car that is rather difficult to steer.

So, like a good mom, I address the issues according to urgency. To the potty first. By the time we get back there (why this grocery store has placed the bathroom all the way at the back is beyond my comprehension), my 4 year old has about driven me mad with her whining about the cookie. So, I, no so gently, removed her from the cart that she didn't want to sit in in the first place, and take her kicking and screaming into the bathroom along with the child,who actually had to potty and the other child, who was actually being fairly well behaved at this point. You would have thought I was performing Chinese water torture on this child. I think she just needed a nap. The irrationality level at this point was so high, I don't know what else it could have been.

By the time I left the bathroom, I was ready to nix the trip through the store. I'm sure my hair said it all. Sloppy, tousled mess. It's times like this, I'm praying I don't see anyone from my church because I definitely don't feel altogether chipper or ready to discuss Sunday's sermon. Nevertheless, my son, bless his heart, asks me if he can pass out gospel tracts. I'm serious. He loves to tell people about Jesus. Isn't it just like the Lord to put that silver lining on a very ominous dark thunder cloud?
So, what Christian mother could say no to that? Of course, I let him. As long as he didn't leave the aisle we were on at the time.

A few aisles over, a man stops me, to tell me that he thinks it's great that I am teaching my children to do this. However, he then starts into a dissertation about why what I believe is in error and what the real meaning of the bible is.....Do I need to elaborate? Let's put it this way. I would usually only meet someone like this if I was at home talking to them through my door because they always come over when I'm still in my PJ's sans bra. You get my point? He starts in on me with this discussion and meanwhile I'm grabbing one child by the shirt, ssshhing another child and pursing my lips at another. I finally looked at him and said, "Sir, I'm not trying to be rude, but you can see I have 3 children here. This is really neither the time nor the place to discuss this. I'm very grounded in God's Word and I know what I believe. I need to get back to shopping. Be blessed." Well, wouldn't you know it, he didn't get the hint. He tracks me down again a couple of aisles over! Needless to say, I was firm, but pleasant.

I finally made it out of the store alive with all three children still intact. I threatened to pull the car over and other empty rants. I'm thinking of installing one of those automatic privacy windows, like they have in limousines. It would just be safer for everyone.

Good Night Twilight

2008-08-19T05:00:00.001-04:00

I have finished a quarter of the ever popular Twilight series.

I must say, there aren't very many books that can hold my attention for very long. I won't usually read very long before I get distracted by other goings on around me.

This book was different. I started it last Monday evening and I finished it early this morning (Monday August 18th)....about 1 a.m. or so.... That's fast for me.

I have never read an entire book in one day.

I don't think I ever will.

I'm really not a bookworm.

I'm more of a booksnacker.

I take a bite.

Put it down.

Graze a little more.

Put it down.

Forget that I'm reading it.

Then I have to start over because I can't just pick back up where I left off.

I usually never start over, though. I don't want to reread everything. So, most of the books I've "read" never get "read".

Twilight was different.

Maybe I'm different.

My kids are getting older. I'm able to steal a few moments here and there. I can actually go to the bathroom and leave my kids unattended for a few minutes.

I did read more before I had children.

I was able to.

No distractions.

No diapers.

No "awnge" juice theivery or booty calls.

No messes, unless I made them.

Maybe that's what I love about this book. It takes me back to that feeling of new love. Before it gets complicated with life.

Don't get me wrong, Bella and Edward have complicated down to a tee.

But it's different.

Different than my complicated.

I can escape into someone else's drama that is polar opposite of mine.

That's it. That's what I love about this book. Thank you Stephanie Meyer. Thank you for not once mentioning my complicated life in your story of true love. Thank you for straying as far away as possible from the life that is mine. That's what will keep me coming back for more.

Emmy Doodle's Exclamations...

2008-08-18T05:00:00.002-04:00

I have just been so tickled over the past few days at some of the silly word chatter of my 3 year old. I just want to document this before I forget it......

Lauren says, "Mom, tell Emily to leave me alone!"
Emily says, "But mom, I just want to smell her!"
Me, "Lauren, just let her smell you and then she will leave you alone."
Lauren had just taken a bath and smelled really sweet....
Emmy sniffs and says,"MMMM, she's smells good."

Saturday morning I fix breakfast for Emmy and myself. I was, fortunately, the last person up. My hubby let me sleep in, bless his soul. I fixed myself and Emmy a glass of OJ and set them on the table. I walked back into the kitchen and got my bowl of cereal to bring to the table. By the time I got back out to the dining room, Emmy had finished her glass of OJ and dumped my entire glass into her glass and was drinking it! I looked at her with frustration and she innocently looked up and said, "Can I have your awnge juice, mommy?"

The other day Michael had a friend over to play and Emmy had to go potty. She comes running out into the living room, naked from the waist down! I said, "Emmy, you can't come running out here without clothes on. We have company." She proceeds to ask me, "Why, because he will see my booty?"

On Thursday, Emmy locked herself in her room and then had to go pee. I didn't get to her in time, so I had a mess to clean up. I was just so thrilled to have to clean up pee, again! Emmy comes up behind me while I'm down on my hands and knees and pats me on the behind...and then giggles. "That's your booty mom. Hee hee."

Once of these days, Emmy, bam, right to the moon!

FIVE PRACTICAL STEPS TO A POWERFUL DAILY PRAYER LIFE

2008-08-17T05:00:00.005-04:00

(Excerpt from book, “Returning To Holiness”, by Dr. Gregory R. Frizzell)

1. Make an absolute commitment to consistently spend significant time alone with God in uninterrupted prayer.
Give God significant time on a daily basis.
2-3 minute devotions are by no means the pattern of Jesus
You must reject the modern idea that you can develop a deep prayer life “on the run.”
30 minutes to an hour is a good suggestion for a vibrant daily prayer life
Remember, the only way we learn to pray is to “show up for practice”
If you spend significant time alone with Jesus, He will utterly change your life!
1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing.”
Though we must be very committed to prayer, we should never approach it as a legalistic bondage

2. Approach your prayer time as a relationship with God rather than a ritual.
· True prayer is a relationship!
· It is a love relationship with YOUR GOD!
· Many are so busy serving God that we neglect time alone with Him.
· When you approach prayer as a relationship, you will also learn to hear God’s voice on a daily basis.
· True prayer begins with listening to God.
· As you learn to listen, you are then sure what you are asking is God’s will.
· Learning to hear God is the greatest secret of answered prayer! (1 John 5:14-15)

3. Make a commitment to a balanced prayer life by regularly practicing the four different types of prayer.
· A.C.T.S. (Affirmation or Praise, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication or Intercession for others)
· It is essential that our prayer life be far more than a list of “needs and wants.”
· We must experience daily cleansing or we cannot maintain the power of the Holy Spirit.
· It is impossible to regularly experience all the types of prayer in only a 2-3 minute devotion.

4. In your daily petitions, focus more on issues of personal character and holiness than on temporal needs.
· God’s great priority is to conform you to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29)
· Make the 9 fruit of the Holy Spirit your daily personal prayer petition (Galatians 5:22)
· As you daily ask God to fill you with each fruit, also ask Him to show you how you don’t reflect that characteristic.
· The beatitudes also provide excellent personal petitions (Matthew 5).
· If you claim such prayers for your own heart, God will revolutionize your life!

5. In your daily intercession, focus more on issues of evangelism and missions than on temporal concerns.
· It is tragic that so much intercession is mainly focused on health and other temporal issues.
· God’s great priorities are the evangelization of the world and sweeping revival in the church (Matthew 28:18).
· God does incredible things when we focus our intercession on lost people, missions and revival!
· You may be wondering, “How can I focus my intercession on God’s great priorities?” Listed below are 5 powerful strategies.
1. Develop a prayer list of lost people and intercede for them daily.
2. Develop a prayer list of the key leaders and ministry strategies of your church. Pray for them regularly.
3. Compile a prayer list of key spiritual and government leaders. Pray for them regularly.
4. Regularly pray for vital mission strategies of your association, state and denomination. (You can get daily or weekly updates from your state and national denomination.)
5. Daily intercede for revival and spiritual awakening in your city and nation.

*Please do not feel that a powerful prayer life is out of your reach. If you are willing, God will revolutionize your praying and thus your walk with Him.

*Don’t let anything keep you from walking in full cleansing and dynamic prayer. No matter how weak you have been, you can become a powerful, biblical intercessor. If God is for you, who can be against you? (Romans 8:31)

By Request...

2008-08-16T17:22:00.006-04:00

Okay, so by your request, I'm post some more of our vacation pics. I have spent a good portion of this day doing nothing but reading Twilight. It's captivated me, slightly. I also spent my morning working on my Sunday School Lesson for church tomorrow. I am actually posting a portion of it in the morning. It was a really gooooood lesson. I am trying to keep to my promise to post a bible study of sorts once a week. Tomorrows is rather lengthy, but was very helpful for me.

So, without further ado......

Michael on the "Reel Bandit" with his Pipaw

Michael's first snorkeling trip to Sombrero Light

Grandma and the girl on their way to the boat dock

Emmy-Doodle

Safety First! These bathing suits work well for the girls!

Daddy and his Lala!

Stay tuned.....more to come......

Dear Mom,

2008-08-16T05:00:00.002-04:00

***Just a little note of update. I wrote this very soon after this instance occured and I was still mad. I want you to know that I don't see this woman any different that I sometimes see myself. I ask myself the question almost daily, "What kind of mother am I?" This is not meant to be some self-righteous rant. Like I said, I may not curse directly at my children, but I have certainly muttered some colorful remarks to myself in the midst of a frustrating moment. Please read this objectively and try to understand that this is not me casting judgement, it's merely venting about a rather unpleasant experience.***

(Beginning of original post)
Not my mom. A mom. You know who you are. I'm kind of sad that the little boy who was with you has to call you mom. The way you treated him was totally out of line. I don't know that I have ever witnessed such a public display of humiliation before. How old was he? Nine. He couldn't have been more than ten. He was just asking you a question and then you open your dirty, nasty mouth and start spewing profanities at him, right in the middle of W@l-M@rt. Don't you think that was a little uncalled for? I know the look on my face probably told you that. I know we all get a little frustrated with our kids now and then. But saying, "I know what the h#ll you want, I don't need you to "f"ing tell me" is totally out of line. I'm just glad my kids weren't present, because then I may have had to butt in and open my big fat mouth and have you probably try to hurt me. I guess I should mind my own business, but you made this everyone's business with how loud you "diarrhea-ed" your yapper. I would have liked to think this was an isolated incident, but then you go and do it again. "What the "f" do you think I'm doing here? We're buying you your f#%!ing school clothes." What is it that makes you treat a child this way? Had you been drinking? Is this a normal thing? Was it expressly to embarrass and humiliate him in front of at least 5 others within earshot? His look said it all. This was normal to him. He seemed very used to hearing this. It didn't really appear to phase him externally. Internally, I'm sure you have to know, it is damaging beyond what you can possibly see. I have to then ask myself, what were you treated like as a child? Is that how someone talked to you? It's hard to be a parent. This I know full well. But I can't make excuses for you here. We all have a choice what comes out of our mouths. There are days when I absolutely, without a doubt, want to pull out all of my hair (Have you seen my hair? There's a lot of it.) and bang my head against a wall. My kids drive me nutso at least once a day. I am sometimes even tempted to swear. Sometimes, I even do, when they are not around. I have said the "sh" word in front of them, as my son likes to call it. "Sh"ut up. "OOOOhhhh, mom, you said the "sh" word!"
What is my point here? I guess it just cut me really deep when I saw this child who has no control over who his mom is, being verbally assaulted by someone who just needs to learn when to practice a little self-control. We all make mistakes. We all lose our cool. But the bad thing about words is, once they're out there you can't take them back.
"All parents damage their children. It cannot be helped. Youth, like pristine glass, absorb the prints of it's handlers. Some parents smudge, others crack, a few shatter childhoods completely into jagged little pieces, beyond repair."~Mitch Albom, The Five People You Meet In Heaven.

The Answer.....

2008-08-15T22:01:00.003-04:00

Well, a lot of you guessed the right answer.

Emily called out to me from the bathroom this afternoon. "Mom, come here!"

She had done her duty and needed to be wiped. As I am walking down the hall to the her, I see Lauren's and Michael's toothbrushes (not hers, mind you) on the floor at her feet.....

So, I said, "Emily, why are these on the floor?"

To which she innocently replies, "I don't know."

I proceeded to pick them up and they were soaking wet. "Emily, did you put these in the toilet?" I asked.

Eyes now on the floor, Emily says, "Yeeeess."

I am now visibly upset and I say, "Emily, you put their toothbrushes in the toilet?"

Then her answer changes to, "Noooo?"

One of these days all these little stories will make me chuckle and giggle and miss her being this age....for now all they do is help me have tons to blog about. Therapy. Good. Therapy.

Can You Guess What's Wrong?

2008-08-15T15:29:00.003-04:00

What's wrong with this picture? I would like you to be creative and keep in mind I have a child that is devious and destructive on so many levels, it frightens the caca out of me.

That is my only hint. Good luck and stay tuned......

My Bald-Headed Hottie

2008-08-15T05:00:00.002-04:00

Isn't he so cute? Admire ladies, but from a distance. He's taken. I know what your saying right now.......How did she get so lucky? No luck. Just ask God. It was all His idea.

In all seriousness, this pic was taken on our recent LOBSTER trip to The Florida Keys. We had a really great time and the boys (a.k.a. The Bug Squad) came back with 72 tails. It sounds impressive. I know. We've had years where they have come back with over 100! Things have changed. Everyone's feeling the hit of the economy. Lobsters don't go out as much. They stay home and enjoy family time. They found the real meaning of life. It's really kind of cute. But come on! It's expensive to go down year after year and come back with less and less every time. Throw us a ~~bone~~ tail here. All we ask for is, at least, enough of you (lobsters) to make the trip worth the outlay of fundage. I know what the readers are saying, "It's quality time and the thrill of the chase." This has been going on now for more than 20 years. I think the time has been of great quality. Now it's just business. Let's get to the ~~bread~~ bugs and butta. Know what I'm sayin'?

The kids had a blast. Michael got to snorkel for the first time. The water was absolutely gorgeous. The weather held up really well.

We swam, we got sun, and we sweat(ed?). It was stinking hot. I know it's summer and August, so, you can imagine how great our A/C felt when we retired for the day.

I have so many pics, it will take me several posts to show all of them. Probably not going to happen. Does anybody really care? If you do, email me....and I will gladly send you some.

The Tooth Fairy Lives In Florida

2008-08-14T11:24:00.006-04:00

This is a little shout out for a sweet little girl who is minus a tooth today! My kids decided to dedicate this post to Miss Libbey (Lula's eldest) who lives in our computer. They really think that, except Michael. He's a realist....

So, Libbey, this is for you from the Florida Tooth Fairy Association (FTFA)......(Sorry we spelled your name wrong in the photo!)

I'm Pretty Unspectacular

2008-08-14T05:00:00.002-04:00

I received this little number from a new bloggy buddy and I am faithful to publish since she tagged me......thanks simply anonyMOM!

First you post the rules:

1. Link the person who tagged you.

2. Mention the rules on your blog.

3. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks you possess.

4. Tag 6 following bloggers by linking them.

5. Leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger’s blogs letting them know they’ve been tagged.

I, of course, think my life is kind of spectacular, hence my blog....:) However, not everything about me is hugely special. Here are some of the very mundane things you probably don't know about me.

I go through a 15 pack of Extra Berry Pearadise gum in about 2 days.

I always fall asleep on my left side wrapped completely around my goose-down body pillow.

I call my husband "Schmoopie".

I love Mexican food. I love it so much, I probably smell like enchiladas.

I detest the sound of dripping water or water being wrung out. It literally sends chills through me.

I'm obsessed with looking for blackheads! My husband doesn't like to walk around shirtless because he knows I'm probably on the hunt.

Okay, so there you have it. Six rather random, somewhat gross (re: #6), unspectacular things about moi. I am tagging some of you......here goes.....

Supplies And Demand

2008-08-13T09:36:00.003-04:00

School is almost back in session and I can't tell you how many trips I have taken to WM, Target, and Big K. I keep thinking I have everything and then.......Oh, they said 2 boxes of Kleenex or they wanted a 24 pack of Crayola crayons for $1.97 as opposed to the 8 pack I was able to buy for 15 cents. This is getting a little out of control. My son's 2nd grade school supply list was longer than my normal grocery list for a family of five (embellishment permitted to prove my point)! Not to mention uniforms, 2 new backpacks, shoes, and other non-essentials(in my humble, yet highly accurate opinion). And what is up with having to buy brand name everything? Let me show this list:

2 packs of #2 pencils
1 (2) pack of pink erasers
2 packs of wide ruled paper
3 single subject spiral notebooks
1 pack of 24 ct. Crayola crayons
1 pack of 12 count Crayola washable markers (fine line)
1 (3) pack glue sticks
1 bottle washable glue
3 (2) pocket folders
1 (2 in.) 3 ring binders
1 pack dividers
Water color paint and brush set
1 ruler (metric & inch)
1 pencil box
Fiskar (sharp) scissors
1 gallon size Ziploc bags
2 boxes of Kleenex Tissues
1 bottle hand sanitizer
2 containers of Clorox or Lysol wipes
2 containers of baby wipes
1 Lysol spray
Backpack

This may not seem like a big deal to some of you, but I'm ~~cheap~~ a penny pincher. I don't usually buy namebrand anything except Yellow Box Flip Flops and Vera Bradley. I understand there is a quality issue here, and I know that's probably why the teacher wants name brand crayons instead of those cheapy dollar store kind that break if you breath too hard. But come on. Does it have to be Clorox, Kleenex, and Ziploc? Why can it not be Great Value, Red Dot and Blue Light Special? Is there really THAT much of a difference? Maybe I'm being petty over a few cents, but in the days of $4 gasoline, I do what I can to ~~save money for Vera~~ make ends meet.

Bandwagon

2008-08-12T10:17:00.003-04:00

Okay, I'm such a wannabe. I don't think original ideas exist. It's all a matter of timing. We may look original to those around us, but there is always somebody before us who paves the way. Hence, my newest bandwagon jump.........Twilight. I am only about 75 pages into this delicious tale of love and apples and ummm rain....but I must say.......Edward is a babe.

Like I needed another addiction. Thanks Lula, Heather and other contributors to my sickness. See, it's always someone else's fault. So, when I'm totally locking myself in the bathroom to try and get my fix, pray for me....:)

10,000!!!!!!

2008-08-05T09:00:00.002-04:00

I broke 10,000 Visitors!!! I'm so excited. Probably more than I should be. We are actually leaving today to head down to the Keys. We left home on Sunday, but we are leaving today from Eric's parents. I'm excited and overwhelmed with how much we have to get ready. I really need to get up off of this computer and go help, so I'll see ya'll in a few days. Party at my house when we get back! Get your plane tickets now! Buh bye!

Bug Squad....

2008-08-03T16:22:00.002-04:00

We are off to the Keys for Lobster Season! Okay, we are only going for a week. My hubby calls his team of lobster divers (him, his dad, and our BIL) The Bug Squad.
I won't be blogging while we're gone, so I'll see you when I get back.....!!!!!

Close Call

2008-08-01T05:00:00.005-04:00

I'm sure most of my readers know about a little "incident" that 0ccured in Emmy and Lala's bedroom.

It almost happened again. This is why I need to blog and watch TV a little less....

I know what you're going to say.......let me guess, "Did you not learn your lesson, Melissa?" or was it this, "Why do you still have lipstick where she can get to it?" Lay off! Okay??? I still need to put my "face" on. You think I should lock and key it?

Oh, she's crafty, this one. Sidenote: See the contour of her lips? She actually impressed me with her precision. Refocus: Yes, she's devious. She was supposed to be napping. I was watching a movie with Lala when I heard my bedroom door. She has done reconnaissance (yeah, baby, I didn't even need spellcheck for that one!). She knew just what she was after. It was her plan all along. Don't think so? Wise and cunning this one is she (Yoda). She will go far in life. She's ambitious, motivated and she scares the hooha out of me! Have you seen the butler from "Mr. Deeds"? He moves like a ninja and then next thing you know, he's right behind you.

Well, she cleverly sneaks, always looking over her shoulder and pulls a little "mission impossible" stunt.

What are your predictions for Emmy's future? What is her lot in life? Let me hear you......

Whatever Things.....

2008-07-31T11:23:00.005-04:00

Okay, so by request, I am posting a small bible study on my blog once or twice a week. God has been laying this on my heart for quite a while. At the beginning of this year, our ladies bible study went through "Conversation Peace" By Mary Kassian. What an excellent study! I wish I could say I've completely tamed my tongue, but that would be a stretch! It's a daily battle. One thing that has really affected my choices was something from this study. It's called the P-48 Test. To quote Mary "P-48 is based on Philippians 4:8. It tests the goodness of thoughts, beliefs, and words, so we can judge if they ought to be planted in our hearts. With P-48, we determine whether the seeds are:

Pure Are my motives pure? Are my thoughts/words holy?

Right Is this proper and appropriate?

Excellent Is it of the highest quality? Is is the best or just adequate?

Praisworthy Am I proud of the way I am speaking?

Lovely Does it mirror the beauty and gentleness of Jesus?

Admirable Is it worthy of being respected and admired?

Noble Does it demonstrate my position as a child of the KING?

True Does is agree with the Bible's evaluation of the situation?

After being shaken through this filter, the words that remain are seeds we want to

P.R.E.-P.L.A.N.T."

This is the litmus test for my life. I want to evaluate everything I do based on Philippians 4:8. Can you see why? What a great way to know the will of God in every situation! That's my challenge to you today. I love you, my sisters and brothers in Jesus. I pray this is a challenge to your spiritual walk and will encourage you to draw nearer to your Savior.

God's Good, Pleasing and Perfect Will.....

2008-07-30T09:31:00.005-04:00

Alright, I'm done talking about the stupid coons after this post. I will keep you updated if anything changes.

Raccoons are smart little devils. Tuesday morning, the hubby went out to check the traps and found a chicken inside one of them. All the eggs were gone. Then, to his surprise, he turned a corner and found an "R.J." in one of the traps. Unfortunately, hubby was outwitted by the masked bandit. When Eric went to pick up the cage, the weight of the coon shifted and he escaped the cage! He took off.

So, to answer your questions? Got any yet? No, but we've trapped 3 of our own chickens!

On to more important issues. I have been studying the life and ministry of the apostle Paul in our ladies bible study. It's been a very good and quite challenging. Have you ever done an in-depth bible study? If you haven't, I strongly recommend it. God has been challenging me for quite some time with something I just don't want to let go of.

You see, I struggle with allowing certain things to creep in and compete with my relationship with Jesus. Blogging has become one of them. If you were to read back on some of my earlier posts, you would see this isn't the first time I've dealt with this. There are so many things that I allow in that, very easily, become my favorite things. TV has been that. Eating has been that. I guess I have, what you would call, an addictive personality. Does this mean I'm going to cease blogging. No. However, I may be backing away for a while. Until I can get my priorities in order. I love the sisterhood I have developed with so many of you. The question I must ask myself is "Do I love Jesus that much?" Do I get as excited about opening His word as I do when I check my email and have 10 new messages from comments on my blog? I received a very random email from my Internet Service Provider the other day soliciting me for some new product and the title of the email was, "It's all about you, Melissa". Who knew God would speak to me through AT&T's marketing department?

It's not all about me. It's all about Him. I don't want it to be all about me. Don't get me wrong. I love the recognition I have received from all of you. I relish the comments about how funny I am. Keep stroking my ego. Like I need it!!! That's just it. I must decrease, He must increase. It's nobody's fault but mine. I am just making the decision to pull the reigns back a little. If I lose readers, oh well. I wasn't put here to serve anyone but my Heavenly Father. I hope I don't hurt anyone's feelings by saying that. I care. I really do. But, if by visiting Another Day In Paradise, you get a chuckle and nothing more, I have really done my Savior a tremendous disservice. Beth Moore recorded the video session for our bible study about 10 years ago. She doesn't know this yet, but session 9 that we viewed last night, was a message recorded especially for me. God knew before He laid the foundations of the earth that it was exactly what I needed to hear at that very moment. I sat and watched with a nauseated feeling in my stomach. I knew when I got home last night, I would have some very critical decisions to make. I must choose Jesus. My readers who are believers, I know, will understand. I don't even know if my words are making sense right at this moment. I'm just giving you a piece of my heart. If you don't return, I will understand. I just hope that my testimony will not be that I am a witty blogger with crazy, awnry kids. I want to be a "living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.....not [conforming] any longer to the patterns of this world, but being transformed by the renewing of [my] mind..." (Romans 12:1-2).

Caught, Black-Handed

2008-07-29T14:38:00.002-04:00

Okay, they weren't really caught, but a childhood friend of mine, who I keep in touch with through beloved blogging has joined the effort to bring these coons to justice. Karen has a developing story for us.........Karen? (that's your cue to click the link)

2008-07-29T01:10:00.003-04:00

Okay, I'm a little behind, but SITS is holding one final contest this summer and they are giving away a killer (and I'm not being funny regarding my previous post.) PRIZE!!!

Apple 4G iPod Nano in Silver

Click this link

and here's your chance. I'm going to win, so I don't really want you to click here, but SITS says I have to if I want an extra entry, so I'm trying to follow the rules. Am I disqualified for being a bad sport?

Raccoons Are Chicken Terrorists

2008-07-28T22:10:00.008-04:00

I don't know how long they have been plotting and planning their attack, but last night was a slaughter. Many of you know, and now thanks to SITS, many of you will learn that we have chickens. We, this spring, just got 25 new chicks. We had 8 or so, and that brought the grand total to thirty-three. My son is at the age where he can do little chores around our pathetic, little 1-acre farm. He feeds them and checks for eggs from the grown hens. It's been good for him. We bought a few Bantam D'Uccles for him to show at the fair next year for 4-H. We thought it would be neat for him to win a blue ribbon--for which he would have been a shoe-in with these hunnies......:)

Well, last night changed all that. The hubby went out to feed the chickens this morning and discovered a grisly scene. Eight of our chickens had been brutally attacked and savagely killed! A taliban of 'coons ravaged our coop. There were feathers and such everywhere--my source informed me. I, of course, did not survey the damage for fear of upchuckage.

So, this evening, off to Lowe's we went to buy reinforcements. We are making a shelter with a hinged door for the poultry. We've set up 'coon traps with eggs planted conveniently inside to lure the boogers. It's go time! Please don't get all "Over The Hedge"/ "raccoons are cute" on me. They are the enemy and they hit the wrong house. You mess with our cluckers, you're gonna fry! Booyah!

No Cats Were Harmed...

2008-07-28T12:52:00.004-04:00

...in the making of the video below. Tigger is alive and well and living comfortably with his sister, Betsy and the O's in Tallahassee. I just wanted to disclose that in case someone was thinking of reporting me to the ASPCA or PETA. Tigger is living the life he always dreamed.....away from Emmy.

Cats Are On My Naughty List...

2008-07-27T08:01:00.004-04:00

Our cat, Stanley the manly kitty, is currently in big trouble with his mommy.....that would be me, his adopted mommy. If he wasn't such an adorable, fat puff-ball, he would have been banished years ago. The problem, you ask? Here's the short list:

He is soooo annoying in the morning. Kneading my neck to wake me up. Laying on my face to try and smother me....with love. I'm a loving person only after my caffeine injection.
I despise being awaken, in the middle of the night, by the sound of retching. I know, he's a fur ball in and of himself, but nothing puts me in a sour mood faster than slipping in cat puke in the dark. He needs to take more "Eych, Cat Hairball Remedy."

Why do cats and children put things in their mouths that are not food. That's probably the reason for Stanley puking as much as he does. He will eat Q-Tips, ribbon from presents, and his most recent favorite.....our computer chair! He sneaks out at night and has been steadily gnawing at the arms. The worst part about it? My SIL and BIL just gave us this chair because the stupid feline ate the arms off the last one!

Finally, my youngest is rather hard on kitties. But if Stanley doesn't shape up, I'm gonna sick her on him!

Mommy, I Gotta Go!

2008-07-26T22:21:00.005-04:00

Why is it that every time we go to a new place my 3 year old feels she must bless the bathroom. It's like an animal marking it's territory. She could have just peed 5 minutes ago, but if we are somewhere new, she must go. I know what you're going to say. "Melissa, she's only 3. Her bladder is so tiny...poor thing." Okay, I know this. She just picks the MOST inopportune times to feel the need. I, for some reason, have really bad luck with trips to the bathroom. We were shopping tonight at a nationwide discount retailer with a grocery side and a retail side who's name shall remain anonymous, but starts with WAL. You get my drift. My question to the powers-that-be of such a shopping empire is this. Why, why, why does it seem that the bathroom is ALWAYS closed for cleaning when I have to take 2 or more children to use the potty? What is it that is being cleaned? I never feel overly sanitary after I have completed my mission. And, why does the whole stinking place have to shut down? Why aren't there family restrooms at the front of the store? Duh, you sell underoos! Which says to me you are pro-potty training. You have a baby registry (which I'm not impressed with), diapers(which are getting a little costly, I might add), and a whole section dedicated to the materialistic desires of all the children of the world. Why can you not have more than one restroom available at the front of the store? NOOOOOOOOO, I must stomp all the way to the layaway department at the very back of the store with a child who may not make it there dry! Thanks, ___-mart. I appreciate your consideration for the people who are keeping you in business! My brother calls you the small town killer. I call you a potty-training murderer!!! Is that too harsh? Ask her......

Dear SITS,

2008-07-25T16:16:00.006-04:00

First of all, Iwould like to thank SITS for featuring me today. I would also like give some advice for future featured bloggers.

#1. If you are a parent, be prepared that every and any emergency will come up on your special day. The kids will be climbing all over you while you read and type. It's okay. Just go with it. Shake them off if you have too. It's only one day.

#2. If your 3 year old comes up to you while you're trying to read comment #88, which may or may not be Expectantly Waiting (she really was #88 to comment :), and asks for a snack, it's too late. You should have planned all the meals in advance and hired a sitter to tend to the kiddies. If you're computer is not mobile, this may not make much of a difference, as in my case.

Oh well, next feature-day. We do get more than one right?

#3. Make sure you have the Shania Twain, Come On Over, album playing in the background while you check your many comments.......Why, you ask? Because you're SAUCY! That's why!
(Sing it, "I'm goin' out tonight, I'm feelin' alright, gonna let it all hang out....Wanna make some
noise, really raise my voice, man, I wanna scream and shout.................AAAAhhhhhh")

#4. Try, try, try to make sure your kids do this for, at least, 2 hours.

For those of you who have already been featured, please feel free to leave any other tips. You may also want to stop by Mama's Losin It and read her little post about your day of glory. It's good for a gut workout!

I still have a few hours to relish the feeling of fame. I pray I will gain a few more readers. I hope I didn't scare anyone off from parenting. Everyday is an adventure!

I would like to share a few of my favorite comments from today. I'm not playing favorites, well I guess I am, but not to be mean. There were just a few that really made me chuckle and I thought you might enjoy them.....Here goes....

Heather said: "I wonder how tasty those markers were? I mean, I'd get it if they were the scented ones... :)Those Color Wonder markers are the only Implements of Destruction - erm, I mean art supplies - that I allow my kiddo to bring upstairs to her room. All the rest of her art stuff must stay downstairs. At least, that's the rule, I won't comment on whether it is followed or not.......................Cheers!"
Marla said: "i think this is why we have kids... so we can forgive our parents for grounding us... embarrassing us in front of our friends...using spit to clean our faces...making us wear ridiculous clothes etc..." -Re: Destructo Strikes Again

Caroline said: "Yay Yay Yay it's your big SITS day! I'm so happy for you. Your blog is so fun and the best thing is its real life stuff. Now, instead of saying the walls have ears, you can say the walls have LIPS!!!"-Re: While Daddy Napped

Debbie said: "Yowza...those are the times I say, God lent me these children, God lent me these children, I love my job, I love my job...Now go to your room before Mommy asks for a raise!" -Re: Watch Out, She Bites!

All in all, it's been an awesome day.

***On a more serious note, please pray for Melissa Lee at Stretch Marks. She got some bad news today and I know she is hurting. I'm sure all the moms out there are hurting for her. Please take a moment to visit her blog and give her a word of encouragement.

July 25, 2008 Edition of SITS

2008-07-25T00:01:00.001-04:00

Good morning and welcome to Friday's Edition of SITS. Grab a cup of coffee, sit down, and enjoy your stay...I consider it such a blessing to have each one of you here.

Some Of God's Greatest Gifts....

2008-07-24T11:32:00.004-04:00

....are answered prayers. Don't get me wrong. I like Garth's music, but there are no such things as unanswered prayers. God may say yes. He may say no. Or He may say not yet. But He always answers. For example, a few days ago, I shared with you that our refrigerator was dead. It turns out it was the compressor and the evaporator. This FRIGIDAIRE was only made in June of 2005! I had a "bun in the oven" who will only be three in September. You do the math. We have had a repairman out to the house several times within the past 2.9 years since we have owned this stupid piece of metal (that I'm very thankful for :). So, at this last visit with "D", the repair guy, he informed us that to fix our fridge it would cost $498.74...approximately:). Add that to the amount we have lost in groceries, plus the $50 we paid him to tell us this great news (sarcasm intended), you're looking at roughly between 750-800 buckaroos! So, myself, my hubby, and our family minus one went shopping for a fridge the other night. We found one to our liking, but the price tag made us both run for the bathroom with a case of nerves. We've prayed about it and asked God to help us make the right decision, but at the end of the night we decided to wait. The saleslady put the fridge on hold for us, until today, so we could decided how to pay for it.

Enter my hubby. This morning I opened my eyes to find him watching me sleep (another Garth Brooks song....). When he knew I was awake the first thing he said was......."I have good news." I'm thinking, he's going to rub it in that he's lost another 5 lbs. He's down about forty. Anywho,

he says, "I was doing some shopping around for an extended warranty on our new fridge and discovered something. In our owner's manual, in the fine print, it says that the compressor and evaporator have an extended manufacturer's warranty from the 2nd-5th year. We don't have to buy a new fridge!" Hallelujah, thank you Jesus! That was a great way to wake up and, might I add, my man was looking pretty good at that moment. So, we are not getting a new refrigerator. I have to admit, I was actually kind of excited about the LG that was to be our new appliance, but that will have to wait a little while longer.

How has God provided for you? I know you have a testimony.....I would love to hear.

These Are Your Next American Idols

2008-07-23T12:46:00.003-04:00

Dear Michael,

We miss you. Lala and Emmy are going a little bit crazy without you here to guide them. Bedtime just isn't the same without your prayers :) being included in our family time. I know you're NOT HOMESICK yet, which is just, well, it's........(sigh, sniffle) fine with me, I guess. The house just has a very incomplete feel without you here. Please don't forget us. We haven't forgotten you! We can't wait to see you in about 1 week, 5 days, 2 hours, 17 minutes, and 12 seconds.........

Love,

Mommy

Totally Forgot To Mention......

2008-07-23T00:07:00.002-04:00

......This is a continuation from the last post.....

We have hard water. We have put more money than I care to think about into a new well, a water treatment system (that doesn't work and we can't get our $$ back), and this house!!!! Anywho, our dishwasher has gotten stained in a pretty bad, ugly way. My mother-in-law told me to try..........Lemi-Shine......(I know it's sounds like an info-mercial). I wish I had taken a pic of my dishwasher prior to using this little miracle in a plastic bottle. I got up the morning after using this stuff and "I kid you not", my dishwasher was just like new!!! You, too, can have a clean looking dishwasher if you have hard water! Okay, that ends my list for now.....(don't you just love.............? It's like coffee, addictive........................................................................................................................................................)

Oh, How I Love Thee...

2008-07-22T11:32:00.008-04:00

......Okay, that's where I'll start. I dont' know what it is about .....that I love so much, but I just do.....I think I am going to become know as the ......girl....I can't seem to leave a comment, type a post, or send an email without including.......Are ya pickin' up what I'm layin' down here?.......

I just figured I'd open with that little tidbit.

I love a lot of things. Here are a few FYI:

Oh, how I love my........

Electric Skillet. Do you have one of these monstrosities? It's big, it's bulky, but I go through on about every 18 months or so. I use it like a mad woman. It's great for frying eggs, makin' lots of pancakes, whippin' up stir fry, or grillin' cheese. It's a must have. I never use a frying pan on the stovetop--unless I wanna open up a can of "Madea" on someone.

Another love in my life is.......

Wallflowers. There's nothing like walking into my house and smelling Japanese Cherry Blossom. These are wonderful for creating the "illusion" that my home is actually clean.

This is a recommended staple for your home: Jumpsmart. My children have gotten so much use out of this. It's a great way to burn some fat while getting fat. I have strategically placed this little wonder right in front of the TV. Instead of couch potatoes, I'm raising hop potatoes! Sometimes, I don't know where I get this stuff. My head is a vast ocean of great one liners. And humble puddles.

My final obsession today is......

Aquage Working Spray. Oh, Oh, Oh it's magic! This fabulous stuff not only smells good, it's A-MAZING in it's ability to hold hairs in place. I don't leave home without it!

Okay, this isn't Oprah. People are not going to come walking up the sidewalks of your homes with these items wrapped in big red bows. I did not receive any kind of royalties for sharing the love. Although, I'm sure that would MORE than pay for a new refrigerator for our family:)??? Just wishin' and hopin' and dreamin' and prayin'.....doot da doot da doot doot....

What are some of your favorites? I'd love to hear......

Who Said Refrigerators Aren't A Necessity?

2008-07-21T15:42:00.005-04:00

They are if you've just purchased $100+ worth of groceries, most of which need to be kept cool. Our fridge is on the fritz......again. We bought this thing 3 years ago and we have had a serviceman out to fix it more than 4 times already. The problem this time is that it's not under warranty.

Saturday morning, I sat down to eat my yummy, gluten-free Rice Chex. To my dismay, the milk that accompanied my cereal had a rather warm feel to it at first bite. I said to my hubby, "I think our fridge it out again." To this he replied,"Oh no. I'm sure it's just because it didn't seal properly last night, from being overloaded with groceries. Give it a few minutes and I'm sure it will be fine." Tick, tock........an hour later, still no improvement. So, the 5 lb. bag of chicken, and the big pot of black beans, the homemade chicken noodle soup (made with rice noodles, I might add), my yummy Breakstone's Cottage Cheese, the best cheese in the world from Bud's Grocery(local mom and pop establishment), a gallon of milk, a gallon of OJ....okay you get the point. There were also some things that probably needed to be thrown away weeks ago. You can imagine how great that smelled! Did I mention how much I love to throw away perfectly good condiments that need to remain cool? This is now the third time we have had to throw away a good portion of our refrigerator's inhabitants since owning a Frigidaire (don't think I won't name drop). I don't know what we are going to do at this point. We went to Lowe's yesterday to shop around and get an idea of how much a new fridge would cost in comparison to a repair. Just to have a repairmen come out to the house it's going to cost $50. That's before they even walk over the threshold. If you figure that on top of how much we have lost in groceries over the last year and a half......we're already pushing $200. Now add a repair to that.....Can you see our dilemma?

I've prayed about it and I know it's in the Lord's hands. The title of this post was meant to be sarcastic. Can you tell? There are so many people in the world who don't even have food to eat much less have a fridge in which to put food. Sometimes we become so dependent on things that we really believe we need. Like A/C. Do I need to mention my sweat post yet again? I love me some cold air....mmm mmm mmm. It's not a need, but it's a blessing that I take for granted.

I am reading a book on missions entitled "Revolution In World Missions"(which by clicking this link you can have a copy sent to you for free. It will change your life!) that has really opened my eyes to a lot of things I like to ignore. I'm comfortable. My belly's full. My TV is on and supper will be ready soon. The man who wrote this book, K.P. Yohannon, didn't own a pair of shoes until he was 17 years old! It's amazing what we as Americans get used to. I don't want to get too comfortable. Who knows how long it will last?

Okay, I know that was a bunny trail from my original intent in writing this, but where the Spirit leads, I will follow........toodles!

Random Hilarity

2008-07-19T17:43:00.004-04:00

My 4 1/2 year old gets in the van after, yes, her 3rd Vacation Bible School and informs us that a little boy in her class was so mean to her. This is recap of that encounter:

Lala: "There was a boy in my class that said something very mean to me!"

Me: "Oh really? What did he say, hunny?"

Lala: "He said I was HOT!"

Me and Daddy: (snickering)

Daddy: "Yeah, that was mean. You better stay far away from

him!"

What Would You Do?

2008-07-18T11:32:00.006-04:00

This is a cry for help of sorts. I'm looking for any and all comments on what to do with my children to make their day productive. I am a little on the lazy, uncreative side......so nothing that requires sweat or sun. I know, I know, I'm asking for suggestions and I shouldn't be picky, but I truly hate to sweat.

I'm going to confess something that I'm a little embarrassed to admit. My kids spend a lot of time watching TV and just hanging around the house. Now, don't go calling Oprah or Dr. Phil on me. I've heard all the warnings about entertainment induced ADHD and obesity. I know this. This is why I'm calling on you for help. I need suggestions to assist me in engaging my children in meaningful, fun, quality, indoor activities. I will show you why.....you see (above)my backyard is full of dirt at present time. These fabulous logging trucks(to your left) whiz passed my front yard at about 60 mph! Can you say DANGER, DANGER, DANGER! Indoors is the safer place to be.

So, in conclusion, please leave some comments if you have any helpful hints to give a hand to a sister in need.

The Toddler Zone...

2008-07-17T09:40:00.007-04:00

We have little aliens that came to visit us from a far off place. Their leader is a cat named Mixie. Pink is their signature color. Their language has a whiny tone and is sometimes laced with hints of grunting. They love to eat cheese and bananas. They treat these foods as though they were delicacies. I still have much to learn about the aliens. Others who have had contact with these strange creatures have told me I will never know everything.

Just when you think you have them figured out they leave.

Something's Missing....

2008-07-16T10:52:00.004-04:00

When we got home from camp last Friday, little did I know my eldest child was already forming a plan in his head about staying with my in-laws.....for another couple of weeks. He asked me while we were swimming in the pool, "Mom, I don't want to go back to Palatka yet." I will admit to having the thought, "One less child at home......hhhhmmmm?" But I told Michael, "I will need to discuss this with your grandparents and your father before I say yes."

We went over the pros and cons and in the end, decided it would be good for him to stay. After all, we will be back down soon enough.

Now that we are home......I'm having a rough time with it. I talked to Michael yesterday and the first thing he says to me is, "Mom, I'm not homesick yet." I'm thinking, "Great....here I am feeling like I'm mourning the loss of my firstborn and he's not even thinking he misses me." Reminds me of someone else I know......me. I was always up for new adventures as a child. Cruel irony is being played out right now. Michael and I are so much alike, it's scary. He is king of drama, which I NEVER was.....my mom would beg to differ. Red hair, freckles, fair skin......the force is strong in that one. He is my son. My only son. He's my bud. I miss him. Our family is incomplete without him here. The dynamic in our house has changed and I'm not happy about it. I am glad that he is not bored there like he is here. Not much to do around these parts. At least he can swim and play with his boy cousin at Grandma's. I'm a so proud of Michael. On Sunday, he invited the neighbor boy to church and he came! That's my little evangelist!

I'm counting the days until I can see him again.

It's Not What You Think....

2008-07-15T10:08:00.004-04:00

Anything for the kids, you know what I'm sayin'? Okay, so our theme at camp last week was "Restless" and we used the scripture from Isaiah 62:6-7 that talks about the "watchmen on the walls". So for our 11th and 12th grade students, we chose a Police Academy theme. So, of course.....mug shots were a must. I wouldn't show such an unflattering pic of myself if there wasn't a true spiritual meaning behind it. Don't I look like Ms. Hilton? The police academy motto is "The more you sweat when you train, the less you bleed on the street." All kinds of spiritual application there!

We had such an incredible week. It was definitely not what I expected! I really expected to be uplifted and personally challenged at camp, but it turns out, God used me to uplift and challenge others. I had several chances this week to work with students who had been through more in their sixteen years than I have in my thirty-three. I now understand why God allowed me to go through some of my difficulties in life, however. I like to call it fellowship of sharing in sufferings. Not that I have suffered greatly in my time here on earth, but I have hurt deeply and been healed with even greater depth. Only God has that kind of power. Madison Street Baptist Church brought about 75 students with them to camp and on Monday, the first night, got a phone call that a 12th grade student and his mother had been killed that afternoon in a terrible car accident. Like I said earlier, God did not do what I expected. Fortunately, Ben and his mom, Lisa, were both saved before exiting this life. What a testimony they left behind. An even greater testimony was that of the husband and father, Don. This man talked to the students at camp over speaker phone and basically quoted Job, "The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord." Strength like that can only come from God.

We really have no idea just how short this life really is for us. For example, take 1000 years and cut it in half. Did you come up with 500? I hope so. Okay, now cut that in half. 250? And again...1/2 that. 125??? Did you know we are still not even at the normal life expectancy of any person living and breathing today? Crazy, huh? Our life here is but a vapor in comparison to eternity. Where are you going to spend forever and ever? It's one of two places. Heaven or hell. There is no in between. Because of our sin, which we chose, we are separated from God by death. We cannot be in fellowship with Him because of our disobedience. So, God sent Jesus to come and live a perfect life on earth and take our punishment in death on the cross. It wasn't the crucifixion that killed Him, it was taking our sin's punishment that sent Him to the grave. However, to conquer death Christ rose again. At that point, death had been swallowed up in VICTORY! The choice is ours, though. Do we die in our sin or accept Christ's death for our sin? Please don't make His death for your sin a waste.

Nostalgia

2008-07-14T13:39:00.004-04:00

Okay, this is very random, but do you ever get nostalgic for your past? Last week, I had a hoss (80's word) time with a wicked (90's word) friend at camp. We mulled over some good ole tunes from the 80's and 90's and then I went to Lulaville this morning and lo and behold.......she's posting about random oldies. Boy was I taken back to a much "simpler" time in life. Remember "More Than Words" by Extreme? Yowsa!

Okay, the lyrics hint at something a little more risque than I had originally thought, but those boys could harmonize like nobody's bid'niss!

And what about "To Be With You" By Mr. Big? Okay, just makes me miss my big hair and double socks. Remember those? I used to buy a bigger Ked's size just to accomodate!

We took a long stroll down memory lane and thanks to her I-Pod, I was able to hear one of my favorites........

Okay, and I had a major crush on this guy and I used to sing this one in my mirror with my hairbrush as my microphone.

Oh, and yes, Billy Joel must not be excluded! This one is for my junior year crush....I was so deep and he didn't even know it!!!! Oh well, he missed out and my hubby won the prize. I love you, babe!

I'm still sappy, just not the melodramatic I was at sixteen. What are some of your teen favorites??? New Kids didn't make it on here, but they were always good to me....

2008-07-12T12:33:00.000-04:00

Just Let Me Unpack.....

2008-07-12T09:56:00.002-04:00

Okay, we're back. We will be coming home tonight, but I just need some time to unpack and decompress. I made a commitment that I would not blog while I was away at camp and I stuck to it. Praise be to God. We had a great week. We saw many come to know Christ. It was incredible. (Taking deep breath)...
I've been away from my children for an entire week and need to spend some time just being mom. I will get back to blogging soon. For now, I am going to go jump in the pool with my Michael, my Lala, and my Emmy. Toodles........

Off To Camp

2008-07-05T23:49:00.003-04:00

Well, I don't know if I will be able to blog at camp this next week. I will definitely try. Check back, just in case. I definitely don't want to lose my "great following":)......
Okay, well, miss me. Pray for our students lives to be changed this next week. I am praying for my life to be changed this next week. I need to be refreshed and revived.
It's off to Super Summer.

By the way, check out this website that was given to me by a commentor, on my Prosperity Gospel Post. Justin Peters has some interesting things to say.....

Happy Birthday, Bro!

2008-07-05T08:39:00.004-04:00

I gots to give a shout out to my only brother, Rob. Okay, so when we were little we hated each other in a loving way. He loved to get my goat by trying to the control the television with He-Man cartoons and making farting noises while singing some obnoxious song entitled "Farty-Pants". He called my younger sister "Duker" just to annoy. I never thought I would see the day when I could actually say that I adore my younger-by-5-years brother. Today is his 28th birthday and he, along with my sister and her precious family are enjoying the 4th of July weekend with my parents in the mountains of North Carolina. I'm not...jealous.........not. in. the. least. (clearing my throat and choking back tears......). Alright, so maybe I am...a little.
My parents bought a home in Murphy last summer and are planning to retire at the end of this year and move there permanently. We are planning a trip for Thanksgiving. I can't wait! I love the mountains and I love my family. Okay, so I have some memories of my brother that make "Stillwell-Angel" from "A League Of Their Own" look like a mild-mannered boy. Yes, my brother and I fought and argued just like most. But I love my bro and I'm proud to call him mine. Happy Birthday, Hobart! You're awesome.......but you already knew that!

Dependent Independence

2008-07-04T10:17:00.002-04:00

Today is the 4th of July. I'm more thankful than I can type to be living in a country where my family can read the Bible and carry it out in public without being arrested. I'm forever grateful for my freedom to share Jesus with the cashier at Publix. Did you know we can have a church service that lifts up the name of our Savior down at the waterfront on any given day? These are a few of the things that come to my mind when I think of Independence Day. I could go on and on, but I will keep this short and to the point. Our liberty depends on someone else's sacrifice. Our Independence is dependent on our soldiers' willingness to keep fighting. Please remember, as you watch the fireworks this evening, the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air. Someone died in that fire for your freedom. America Bless God

I Wuv My Brudda.....

2008-07-03T18:54:00.003-04:00

Some girls can wear anything and look cute.........

Emmy is wearing a 2006 version of Batman Underoos made by Fruit of the Loom. These original cotton delicates were earlier worn by older brother, Michael. This will be Emmy's final catwalk in boy's underwear. She has decided to pursue a career in singing Jesus Loves Me and other Christian favorites. She will be unavailable for autographs due to an early bedtime. Thank you for coming.

Lord Of The Fly Swatters

2008-07-02T15:40:00.005-04:00

Which do you prefer? I thought I was more of a zapper than a swatter, but it's maddening to try to actually get the fly with that thing! It is such a rush, however, to watch the spark that occurs when the annoying pest meets its doom. If I really want the fly dead quickly, I think I will swat the conventional way. If I'm feeling sadistic and need to blow off some much needed steam from my day with 4 children.........I'll get 'er done as "The Executioner".

Dear Jesus,

2008-07-01T22:23:00.003-04:00

Tonight's family prayer time (prior to bedtime):

Emily (age 2 1/2): "Dear Jesus, skank you for 'dis day and skank you for 'dis food, Amen."

Lauren (age 4): "Thank you for this day and be with our missionaries, Amen."

Michael (age 7): "Father God in heaven, thank you for this day. Be with our soldiers who are fighting to defeat Rocko Mama (Barack Obama)...(Chuckle from mom and dad ensues)....'stop laughing' (says Michael)....and help them to come home safe, Amen." :)

Celiac Anyone?

2008-06-30T14:09:00.004-04:00

Okay, I haven't been ready to blog about this for a while because I just don't feel like dealing with it anymore, but it's a reality in my life and something I have to come to grips with. A few months ago, I started having stomach pains and potty issues. At first, I thought it was indigestion and took some tums. Big mistake! My stomach felt like it was going to erupt. After several visits to the doctor and no answers, I got in touch with a friend from Sioux Falls and discovered that she had a wheat allergy that was causing her some of the same problems. So, I thought, what the heck, I'm going to try to cut out wheat and see what happens. The first day I didn't eat wheat was the first day in almost 3 weeks that I didn't have stomach problems. There is a disease called Celiac Sprue that I started researching and the next week I met with a GI specialist. I completely cut gluten from my diet and the problems started going away. It's been a learning process and there are hidden things that contain gluten that I have discovered the hard way. I went for an upper endoscopy which came back inconclusive for Celiac, but I was informed by the National Foundation For Celiac Awareness that once you have removed gluten from your diet, your intestines repair themselves within 3 days. It would actually take 6-8 weeks of eating gluten for me to test positive for the disease. Guess what I'm not doing. The only treatment for Celiac Sprue Disease is a gluten free diet and I suppose that's my solution. No more fried chicken, PB& J, or spaghetti :(...... I have learned to read every label, which is a good thing! Do you know how much crap we put in our body? What is mono sodium glutamate anyway?
Any thoughts?

Are You This Woman?

2008-06-27T10:36:00.004-04:00

What kind of crazy, begging-for-a-mental-breakdown woman takes 4 children (ages 7, 4,2, and 1) to a free movie at the local cinema? Well me, of course. A friend of mine mentioned that, during the summer, our movie theater shows movies that have already been released on DVD on the big screen and it's free! Nice idea. I decided to brave the unknown with her, her 5 boys, and my 3, plus the 1 year old boy I watch during the week. Luckily, the latter decided to nap for the movie, but then at the most inopportune moment my 7 year old says, "Mommy, I have to go the bathroom." Well, my 4 year old overheard this and decided she had to go, too. And then, you guessed it.....my 2 year old felt the urge. Okay, still with me? I inch my way out of the row, in the dark, with 4 children, one asleep on my shoulder and head for the lavatory. The woman that enter just before me was taking in one child and decided that she needed to use the family stall! The nerve of some people. Have you ever tried to fit 5 people into one of those dirty, nasty, smelly little water closets? Well, I didn't even attempt it. But, my 4 year old couldn't wait any longer to let loose, so right there with the door wide open, she disrobes and sits down on the potty. Have you ever tried to wipe one child while another is sleeping on your shoulder? Meanwhile, said rude lady who chose to take MY big, roomy stall is trying to get out and bumping into me while I'm standing in front of my four year old, trying to block her from the rest of the people who are waiting in line to use the bathroom. Clear as mud, right. So I kindly back up and proceed to head into the family stall with my brood. Did I mention I'm sweating? Refer to post entitled "Who Created Hot?". We all get pottied and washed up and head back into the theater. As we are walking down the hallway my 2 year old decides to snack on some recently dropped popcorn from the floor! Luckily, I intervened before it made entry. Eventually, we found our way back to the movie and the rest of our trip was pretty uneventful. I always wonder, am I the only mother stupid enough to attempt such feats? I hate stress. I hate sweat. But somehow, someway I always seem to end up on the receiving end of both! Totally, self-inflicted!

All in all, totally worth it for the FREE movie :) !

Jump! Jump!

2008-06-25T14:00:00.004-04:00

The bouncehouse 'll make ya jump, jump! Okay, tell me this wouldn't be the most awesome thing to have in your backyard. Currently our backyard isn't the funnest(is that a word???) place to be. We are in the process of putting in sod and have no grass. It's perty blah! My kids would love to play in something besides the dirt. Look at these faces!

Would you like a chance to win? Here's how:

1) Stop by SITS and leave a comment on the Six Weeks of Summer post.

2) If you are not a part of SITS, take The button to your blog and roll call at the SITS blog and mention my blog in your comment.

3) It's that easy! I can't wait to have you over for a bounce!!!

Prosperity Gospel

2008-06-25T00:11:00.002-04:00

I was introduced to this video several months back and was struck by the message. It's truth. Christian, guard your heart. There are so many quacky, false teachers out there today that talk a "positive" talk, but it's a deceptive message.

Who Created Hot?

2008-06-24T12:57:00.003-04:00

I know the word "hot" has soooooo many meanings. Hot describes a burner on the stove, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, and a good bowl of clam chowder. I'm "cool" with that, but the definition of hot that I HATE is summer! I don't despise this time of year because my chittlins are home from school. I don't abhor the season for it's BBQ's, fireworks, or pool pastimes. It really just boils down to one teensy thing.........sweat. I sweat like a cool glass of lemonade on the deck at noon. I don't even have to be in the elements to sweat. In the comfort of my home, entertaining company at my dining room table, I glisten! Not fair! I know it's a necessary evil, but why is it that some people perspire more than others. Even with "Sure", I will not raise my hand. Not only is there moisture rolling down my back, face, and buttocks, but my pits start to stink before we sing the first line of "When We All Get To Heaven" at church on Sunday! I have tried prescription strength Secret at $8 something a pop. I have tried alcohol (rubbing, not drinking :) with a cotton ball. Who knew that having babies would do me so wrong? After #3, something strange happened to my body. Chemistry came back to haunt me. Why me, Lord? Girls are made of sugar and spice and everything nice. Moms are made of sweat and scrunchies, and when depressed get the munchies. Okay, that took me a while.

I just wanna know, what changed in your body post children? Let's hear it girls........don't leave me hangin'......

Do You Know This Piggy?

2008-06-22T13:18:00.007-04:00

Okay, since I have been a part of the amazingly awesome sisterhood of bloggers known as SITS, I have found some very random posts on others blogs. I don't usually write random posts. I am more of a "this is what happened today" kind of blogger. However, my best friend and I were together this past week and we started comparing feet. I have "man" feet. Not the dainty, Cindy Crawford-ish, pretty, painted feet. And...not only that, my left "wee wee wee, all the way home" piggy was not checked by quality control. It's the wrong size. I call it my kickstand. Oh yes, it does hold me up when I'm leaning a little. Oh yes, it does punish me when I turn a corner too quickly. Oh yes, it has been an almost "has been" on several occasions. It gets in the way a lot! It has caused me to speak french (that's for you Lula :)) numerous times. I could have joined the circus. It's kind of freakish. Can any of you relate? It's a great conversation starter at the pool. It's unique and I have never met anyone like me before. In all my 33 years, I've never met another soul with my "deformity". Please holla if I'm not alone. SITS girls.......can I get a witness??????

"I Do" Love My Life!

2008-06-13T15:01:00.007-04:00

Phone calls before 8 a.m. are never good news.....This morning was no exception. I won't go into details, but my husband is a pastor and had 3 disturbing phone calls before my feet hit the floor this a.m. I really do love my life and I wouldn't trade it for someone else's, unless they were debt-free, with a house that needs no improving, and children that look like mine, but behave like the ones in old movies that say, "Yes, Fatha, Yes Mum."

But really, being a pastor's wife isn't all that bad. Some days, I don't really know what the true definition is, but I just keep trying to surrender to Christ. I fail, most days. I mean, come on, I have 3 children under the age of seven. I'm lucky to get a bra fastened before lunch! Who knew, in 1998, when I said, "I Do," what I was saying I do to!

Today it was saying "I do" to my 2 daughters who were fighting madly over our single solitary pink marker! "I do mean it when I say neither of you can have it if you're going to fight over it!"

I do love my life. It's a challenging, but very rewarding life. I just have one request. Please don't look at me any different than any other mom. I know that my kids are "supposed" to be the kids that don't talk back and can spout off all kinds of bible verses upon request, but that's not real life. That's an expectation. I struggle with the same frustrations as other moms. How do I deal with it? Not so well, sometimes. I get ticked off and sometimes I even spew words that I can't say at church. I love Jesus and I know He has saved me. The only thing that seperates us is what our husbands do for a living. God has been so good to us, but sometimes I feel pastors and their wives are cast in a very rose-colored light that just doesn't give a realistic view. Like I have said, I wouldn't want to be any where else, but in the center of God's will. That being said, if I can be any more candid, I just want people to see me for me. I'm not perfect nor is my husband. He is a teacher of the word and will be held accountable by God for that, but besides that, he and I are sinners saved by grace.

I hope my rambling didn't come across as "Oh, poor me," but instead as an open view into the life of a pastor's family......

I just love real people.....it's a little long, but worth the watch:

Can't Keep Silent

2008-06-11T10:08:00.004-04:00

I am so excited about our Vacation Bible School! We are starting "Wave 3" on "Outrigger Island" tonight. Last night we had 4 children make decisions to follow Jesus! That's what this is all about! I am leading music, as I have for the past 3 years, and I absolutely love it! I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. I have an opportunity to share the gospel with 70+ students every night! I only pray the number of salvations increases as the week goes on! God is so awesome and I consider it an very undeserved privelege to serve Him!!!

Patches, The Miracle Kitty

2008-06-09T13:41:00.004-04:00

I know they say cats have nine lives, and I think Patches has lived through at least seven already. Allow me to explain. As many of you know, our outside kitty, Joey, had 4 kittens about 2 months ago. They have been romping around our yard and getting a tad bit rebellious. Yesterday, I did a head count and saw that all 4 kittens were up on the deck. I always like to make sure they are accounted for before I back my van out. Apparently, my hubby forgot to do the same because mid-afternoon came and Patches could be heard meowing underneath Eric's truck..........at church.........3 miles from our house! Can you say Survivor? Well, we brought the little puffball home and pampered her for a while in the A/C. So, today I made sure to check underneath my van before leaving to go back to church......VBS starts tonight. In the midst of hanging a much needed backdrop for the sanctuary, a student named Kyle came in and informed me that while mowing the lawn, his dad found our kitten along the road to the church!!! How she has now survived two 50mph, 3 mile trips, only the Lord knows!

SuperKitty!!! Look at that face!

A Day At The Spa

2008-06-05T22:35:00.004-04:00

Okay, it wasn't me getting the facial. It was my blog. Don't you love my new background? Every so often, I get the fever for the flavor and spend an entire day neglecting my kids so I can get everything on my page just perfect. It's a sickness. Really. SITS hasn't encouraged wellness, either. I now not only spend hours primping my page, but spend equal, if not more amounts of time on other blogs. I do not recommend this to moms who actually want to have children who behave. Do I have a magnet in my buttocks? The chair at my PC sucks me in! Tomorrow will be a better day, I tell myself. I will only spend time blogging while my kids nap......or maybe also when they watch their favorite shows......I hate being bothered with things like, "Mommy, can you wipe my bottom?" I reply, "I know you're only 2 and can't reach the roll of TP, and your legs are getting tingly, but just a sec........." (Not really.....:))
Intervention! There is probably already some sort of new age, meditative, self-help group out there for those who need it......I'll let you know. I'm not ready to admit I have a problem.....

Happy Birthday, Baby...

2008-06-04T08:07:00.010-04:00

Yesterday, my hubby celebrated 36 years as an inhabitant of planet Earth. He has been on a health kick since January and has lost 40 pounds! He is doing very well! He runs 6-8 miles a day and has started weight training. He looks hot, but now he has a chubby wife. What to do. I should be skinny by now. I started this blog a year ago with the intention of it being an accountability to weight loss. I'm still a fat blogger and I think I may weigh more now than I did this time last year! I do have quite a bit of money saved, though. I have been putting away $5 every week for a year on "Weigh Wednesday". Okay, this post was supposed to be about Eric and, in Melissa-fashion, I have made it all about me. Well, back to him......yesterday, we started the morning with opening presents. He got 2 new pairs of slacks, since his 36's are FALLING OFF. I also got him a plug in from Bath and Body Works that smells like coconut for his office. He has been searching for one for quite some time. Then, last night, we had hamburgers on the grill. My trophy husband has been craving a huge burger since he started his "lifestyle change". I think this baby weighs more than he has lost! Not really, but I don't think there is a cardiologist out there who would put this on a list of heart healthy fare. He enjoyed it thoroughly! Our kids act like they hate each other, but look at them! This picture would fool anyone into thinking otherwise. Even though they make me crazy, they also make me smile! I love my family! God is good!

New Blogging Sisterhood....

2008-06-03T14:13:00.002-04:00

Check my sidebar for SITS....It's a new blog that had just started that unites blogging women all over the country.....world....errrr.......everywhere! I'm excited, as I have enjoyed reading some new blogs lately. We're all different, but the same. I can't wait to get to know some new girlfriends!

Summer Is Here, Almost...

2008-05-30T08:05:00.003-04:00

Well, I gave in a bought a pool on Memorial Day. There's still just enough of a chill in the air to not stay in the pool very long. On Tuesday, it wasn't the cold weather that made me remove the kids, it was one of the kittens. Emily, my darling, sweet, loving, ne'er do wrong, final child, decided that Rocky needed to be baptized. That ended our splish splash session rather abrubtly. I didn't get a photo of it for reasons that cannot be disclosed. :) However, here are some other precious photos of the little kits.....

2008-05-27T08:05:00.002-04:00

I must say, I don't have much time these days to check out different blogs, but this one is worth the read. Especially if you are a woman or are married to one! It's an LOL post.....

Lulaville

While Daddy Napped.......

2008-05-14T22:27:00.007-04:00

The Culprits: Lauren and Emily

The Victim: Unsuspecting Daddy (who was napping on the couch!)

The Crime: Kissing Walls

Okay, the pictures will tell the story, but basically, I left to pick Michael up from school and the girls stayed behind with daddy, who was VERY (his words) tired. I thought I had gotten rid of all my extra Mary Kay makeup, but apparently I forgot something. I told the girls before I left, "Go play princesses in your room." They took me very literally. Every princess needs lipstick and a prince to kiss. Unfortunately for my walls, the girls didn't ask daddy to pretend to be the prince. They didn't want to disturb him. He was napping after all. So, several of the walls in their bedroom got kissed with a nice shade called "Sweet Maple". It's a long lasting lip polish. Thank you Mary Kay.... I laughed so hard, I almost wet my britches! Eric didn't think it was near as funny! Hmmmmm, role reversal???? Walked, no napped, in my shoes for an afternoon!

More Kitten Pics

2008-05-13T13:05:00.003-04:00

No More Littering

2008-05-09T09:46:00.003-04:00

Okay, our poor outside kitty has had enough. She delivered her 3rd litter of kittens a few weeks ago. We are going to get her fixed as soon as she is done nursing this batch. They are so cute. She had four this time. That's the most she has ever had. The kids have enjoyed playing with them since Joey(the mama) moved them up to deck. Emmy is like a bull in a china shop! She doesn't hold them properly, so we have to keep her away from them. The kids have named them. We have Rose(light orange), Tiger (darker orange), Batman (gray striped), and Patches (the calico). We are reserving the Calico kitten, but the rest are up for grabs. If anyone would like to adopt a cute fuzzy little ball of energy, let me know!

"Plain" Old Good Friends

2008-05-06T13:03:00.002-04:00

Well, I hope Susan doesn't get offended by the term Plain. It simply implies where she is from! I had the opportunity to spend time with a really great friend from South Dakota yesterday. Susan and I both worked in cosmetics with Mary Kay and got to know each other very well during our time living in SD. She became a very close friend and about a week ago, she contacted me and told me she would be in the area. I was so excited to be able to get together with her. We picked up right where we left off. It's so fun to reunite with old friends. Thanks, Sus. I had an incredible, "super-exciting", fabulous visit (that's a Mary Kay inside joke)! Love ya!

A Pirate's Life

2008-04-29T11:49:00.005-04:00

We had a great time on Saturday. We celebrate Michael's 7th birthday. We did a pirate party theme. Boy, it's easy to get carried away with this one! I had so much fun planning everything. We dressed all the guests in pirate gear and tattoos when they arrived. They put Michael's gifts in a treasure chest that we made. We played several fun games. Even the food went along with our whole pirate theme. We had Peasant Fingers (pigs in a blanket), Crunch Cod Fish (goldfish), and Shark's Blood Punch (Hawaiian Punch/Sprite). My sister-in-law even found an awesome treasure chest pinata. At the end of the party we had a treasure hunt and the kids put a map together out of puzzle pieces that we cut and searched for the lost treasure. When they found it, all of the party favors were inside. Michael said he couldn't come up with just one thing that was his favorite part. He said the whole party was AWESOME! I guess we're onto something. Thanks for the encouragement, Robin. You really are my best friend! Love you.

We're Home

2008-04-14T10:13:00.006-04:00

We are home from our very long, but very enjoyable vacation. It seems like we have been gone for a year. Why is it that a week at home goes by like nothing? A week away goes by fast, too, but when you return home it seems as though
you've missed something.....

Eric and I had a wonderful time in St. Augustine. I would recommend a stay at the World Golf Village to anyone! It was worth the time spent listening to the spiel (sp?). Bluegreen Resorts, where we stayed, is a Time-Share of sorts. It doesn't work exactly the same as other time shares, which is a good thing. I think when Eric and I are in better shape, financially, we will probably consider investing in Bluegreen.

We ate at some great restaurants. Italian, Seafood, Mexican......all were excellent. If you are ever in St. Augustine, I would strongly recommend O.C. White's on the intercoastal. It is one of the best seafood places I have ever been to. The Crabby Mahi is incredible!

On Friday, we toured St. Augustine on the Old Town Trolley. It was well worth the money, if you want to see the town. We ate at a great Mexican place for lunch. I love Mexican food. It's probably my favorite thing to eat. We ate on the deck and got to see dolphins swimming in the inter coastal.
It was really neat!

The kids also enjoyed themselves at Grandma's and Pipa's. They had a blast playing in the pool and spending time with Brandon (our nephew). Brandon turned 3 on the 4th and we started our trip by attending his party. Then on Sunday afternoon we went to my cousin's home to celebrate my grandmother's 90th birthday. It was great to see everyone. We don't get together very often, so it was very nice to be able to go.

All in all, it was a great week. Eric and I actually sang Karaoke at the resort. I never thought I would get him to do that, but he really enjoyed it. We met some really neat people, too.

Well, back to reality. My house is a disaster and I'm hosting a Princess House party this evening. I better get off my duff and get to cleaning!!!

Off to Golf

2008-04-05T08:31:00.004-04:00

Not really. Eric and I don't golf! Yuck.....:) (That one's for Jase!)

Actually, Eric and I are going to stay at the World Golf Village for a few days. We are celebrating our belated 10 year anniversary. It will actually be 10 years and 1 month from the date we set sail on our honeymoon cruise. That's an anniversary of sorts.... This will be the first time Eric and I have been away together on a romantic adventure since our honeymoon. I'm really looking forward to it. Our kids are staying with Grandma and Pipa for spring break. My nephew, Brandon (see "I'm So Blogging About This") turned 3 yesterday. He is having a birthday party today and hopefully we will get there before it's over. Our kids are already there, but Eric and I had to stay behind for a funeral for a 17 year old student who was in my Sunday School Class. Please pray for the Nunley family as they grieve for their son and brother.

Bloggers, please pick up the slack while I'm gone! Ya'll are gettin' lazy! :)

Chuckle, Chuckle

2008-03-29T22:52:00.005-04:00

Okay, I just got an email from a friend in SD telling me she came to my blog to browse and she came across a post from Christmas. Remember "Rockin Around The Christmas Tree"? Take a look back and read the comments from that post. I got quite a chuckle reminiscing. I just love having this blog. It's so fun to journal the happenings of life. I don't often go back and read old posts, but I did enjoy it today.
Also, just listening to XM on DirecTV and heard a song by Denver and The Mile High Orchestra and was so excited to hear a Christian big band sound! Really neat!
BTW, listening to XM is my alternative to TV......they have a great Christian station called The Message! Channel 826 for those of you with DirecTV. Check it out.
Now go to bed and get up in time for church tomorrow. Lorna, don't be late!!!! I love you!

1 Corinthians 10:23

2008-03-26T07:25:00.002-04:00

"Everything is permissible"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is constructive.

Okay, so I fell of the wagon last night. I decided to watch Dancing with the Stars. That was fine, but after that I started channel surfing. Was I convicted? Yes, but I just ignored it. I turned on one of my favorite shows, The Office, and heard a one liner that was supposed to be funny. I was very bothered by it and turned off the TV and went to bed. I just asked God to give me strength and longing for Him more than the "tele". This morning I read "My Utmost For His Highest". We also read the children's version of "My Utmost" as a devotion for the whole family. There is an illustration and a short paraphrase. The picture was of a person watching TV! Why are we so amazed when God gives us those In-Your-Face, very clear lessons? I stand in awe every time!

I discovered something as I read Mr. Chambers this morning. TV is wrong for me. It may not be wrong for you, but it's wrong for me. See, I always try to justify my sin by comparing myself to others. I can't do that. God has a reason for laying this issue so heavily on my heart. Purity is a process. I'm a lifer....

Things Of The World

2008-03-18T09:19:00.003-04:00

The Lord has been really dealing with me lately concerning the things I allow into my life. I have started asking myself the question, "Is what I'm doing drawing me closer to Jesus, or is it pulling me further away from Jesus?" What we do and choose in our lives will have one affect or the other. Everything can be done to glorify our Father in heaven. It's a matter of choice on our part. I have recently attempted to give up watching TV at night. This has been a bad habit of mine for quite some time. I've gone back and forth. Sometimes, especially after "life changing" experiences such as Camp and revival, I will commit to stop indulging in TV watching. However, slowly, but surely, the temptation seizes me and I renig. God has revealed something to me in recent days. Satan will use anything in his power to make us totally ineffective for God. He can decieve us with things that seem "good and harmless". Anything that will detract us from WHOLLY serving Christ is within his reach. Choosing Christ is always the BEST choice. Everything else pales by comparison.

I have started praying, daily, for God to give me a passion for 4 things:

Jesus

God's Holy Word

Prayer

Lost Souls

Hear what I'm saying. I'm praying for these things because I don't have them. I have allowed myself to be "duped" into thinking it's okay to let things of the world in. It's not okay. Does this seem radical? Probably. I hate to sound cliche, but WWJD? "He must increase, but I must decrease", right? (John 3:30)

10 Years Goes By Quickly

2008-03-06T13:17:00.005-05:00

Tomorrow, Eric and I will celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary. If you would have told me at our wedding that at 10 years we would have 3 children and be in full time ministry, I would have say, "Say what?" I always wanted children, but I never could see myself with them. Of course, now that I have Michael, Lauren and Emily, I wouldn't trade them for anything.

Eric and I have definitely had our share of ups and downs, but Christ has been our constant through it all. We celebrated our first anniversary in snowy South Dakota. That's seems like it was so long ago, but just yesterday at the same time. I have told our students that before they know it, they will be married and have babies. They don't believe me. Cherish your time while you're young. It goes by so fast! I have enjoyed reconnecting with lots of old friends today on Facebook and a lot of our students that we ministered to are married now and are having children. Wow! It really blows me away.

I love you, Eric. Our wedding invitation said, "Desiring God's will for their lives, and believing that includes each other....." I still believe it!

I'm so blogging about this...

2008-02-29T18:03:00.004-05:00

Robin inspired me to blog about something that I have been meaning to blog about for quite some time. About a month or so ago, my sister-in-law called me to let me know that my nephew had said my name. Over the voicemail it sounded like he was saying "Hi, Aunt Tissa." I thought, "Oh, that's cute." Well, a couple of weeks later we came down for a visit and I find out that it's not "Tissa", it's "Pissa". My nephew adoringly refers to me as "Aunt Pissa". He call Eric, "Uncle Eggert". Brandon will be 3 in April. Just had to blog about that. Thought it was cute.......

Here we go again...

2008-02-26T22:21:00.002-05:00

I am so excited. I found the prettiest yarn today. It's a varigated (sp?) yarn. I love this type because I don't have to tie off when I want to change colors. I'm looking really forward to seeing the finished product. Pink and brown go so well together. I'm also working on another one for yours truly. It's blue and brown (Like my Vera bag!)

My friends need to stop having babies for a while. I need a break!

Finished!

2008-02-23T22:54:00.003-05:00

Well, I was somewhat productive today and finished the blanket I've been working on. I actually completed it before the baby was born. That's a first! I don't know if she is having a boy or a girl so I chose these colors. I think they can go either way. What do you think? I just found out another friend is pregnant and having a girl, so I guess the blanket making will continue. I really enjoy it. I just want to learn a new pattern. I get bored making the same thing. I'm on the hunt for something very specific. Lauren had a blanket that was a very loose crochet. It almost resembled a very oversized scarf. I have found on pattern that is close, but I can't quiet figure it out. I'm not a good interpretor of crochet patterns. If you know of any good ones, let me know.

Strep Strikes Again

2008-02-22T18:51:00.003-05:00

Lauren has strep. We just can't seem to get rid of this virus. She just had it in January, right after me. I just hope no one else gets sick again. She woke up at 5 a.m. today crying and running a fever. Thank goodness for penicillin. We are blessed to have such a wonderful drug.

I am looking forward to this summer so much. Eric and I went to a planning meeting, yesterday, for Super Summer. We had such a wonderful experience last summer and I am looking forward to being on staff again! Our theme is "Restless" and our scripture is from Isaiah 62:6-7, which talks about the watchmen on the walls. We are going to challenge our students to really define themselves. Are you a slave to the King of Kings or the king of this world? Choose, today, who you will serve. We cannot serve two masters. I am praying for an eye-opening summer!

Who do you serve?

A New Do

2008-02-15T15:36:00.003-05:00

I have been trying so hard to find the right style for my hair. I haven't been happy the last few times I have gotten it cut. I went to a new salon today and I will definitely be going back! This style was so easy to fix. I love it. I don't know if short hair suits me as well as long hair (my husband likes long hair better), but I am just smitten as a kitten. Let me know what you think.

Happy Valentine's Day

2008-02-14T21:51:00.002-05:00

I had a great day. Eric came home and got the girls and went to pick Michael up from school. He told me to get ready because he was taking me out. He arranged for a sitter and we decided to stay in Palatka for our date (my idea). Gotta save money where we can. First, we went out to eat at a Chinese Buffet (yum, crab legs). My choice since our movie started 45 minutes later. He was going to take me to see Fool's Gold because he knows I love Matthew. How sacrificial....:) Well, that movie wasn't playing in town and we had a free pass to our local theater, so we saw "Welcome Home, Roscoe Jenkins." It was a mildly entertaining movie. I could've done without the crude, sexual humor and language. Why do they do that? It still would've been a great movie without all that. The father/son relationship was the most touching part about the whole thing. We should've seen "The Spiderwick Chronicles". I felt like laughing tonight. All in all, it was a very nice evening. We always have great talks when we are out alone. We can actually hear ourselves think! How was your V-Day?

Winter Jam

2008-02-11T10:52:00.000-05:00

On Friday, I went to the first concert I have been to in a long time. It was really awesome. My ears are still ringing. That part I could do without.

Winter Jam is a collection of different Christian bands who tour together and spread the message of hope in Jesus. Newsong, Barlow Girl, Group 1 Crew, Skillet, and Mercy Me were the main groups. It was general admission so we got there early enough to get really good seats. There were about 8,000 people there and over 1,100 first time decisions to follow Christ.

Mercy Me was definitely my favorite! They are probably best known for their song, "I Can Only Imagine". I'm so glad I went, but I can tell I'm not as tolerant as I used to be. I wanted to say "Turn down that music!" I don't think anyone would have heard me. I also can't jump up and down like the students can. Three kids have done a number on my bladder control. Overall it was a wonderful night.

Totally Random Stats About Me

2008-02-05T10:15:00.000-05:00

Born: Boynton Beach, FL
Grew up: Boca Raton
Coldest Place I've lived: South Dakota
Favorite Food: Anything Mexican
Hated Food: Corned Beef, barf......
Favorite TV Show: The Office
Dreaded Household Chore: Cleaning the litter box
3 Goals for 2008: Lose Weight, Organize my house, Save $$$
Prayer Request: Salvation of lost family
Favorite Animal: Don't really have a favorite. I love dogs, but don't want my own. I love cats, but hate cleaning the litter box. I love birds, but hate the noise and mess......I guess, I like the idea of animals.
Something rare about me: I'm am still best friends with my childhood best friend.
Favorite Movie of All Time: Parenthood
Did I see myself where I am now, 10 years ago?: NOWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Favorite Job: BankFirst(I had my own little desk that I decorated so cute, I did data entry and I was able to listen to my CD player with headphones. I listened to books on CD while I worked. It was awesome! I miss that job.
Least Favorite Job: Beany's Take out ( I had to wash dishes and cut vegetables. I got fired after a week because I got sick.)
I wish: I lived closer to my loved ones.
If I had $1 million dollars I would: give 20% back to God; pay off all my debt; save for my kids' college education; fence in my yard; eat at Ruth's Chris........

Destructo Strikes Again!

2008-01-29T10:24:00.000-05:00

I'm only blogging right now because Eric thinks it will be therapeutic.

While organizing the clothes in drawers that Emily "Destructo" Botley likes to empty, I set the girls down at the table to color with Crayola "No Mess" Markers. I just bought them yesterday because Emily has colored on our table, the walls, and herself. So, I said to myself, "Self, at least this way, if she colors on something besides her paper, you won't have to break out your 'Mr. Clean Magic Eraser' that you bought to take the pencil and crayon off of the wall that Emily scribbled a couple of months ago." (Pauses to take a breath and sigh)

So, while in the bedroom, I heard Bradley(the little boy I watch during the week) crying for me to put him down for a nap. I came out and laid him down in Michael's room and walked into the dining room to discover the brand new markers on the table with the tips bitten off of them.......!

It gets kind of fuzzy after that because the room started spinning and turning red! I've heard stories from my mother of my brother being a bit of a "Destructo", but I always just laughed and thought, "I won't let that happen with my kids." So, how do I eat crow? Today, I'd like it fried with lots of ranch dressing and a piece of humble cheesecake to chase it down!