My Thoughts Exactly

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2011-07-05T20:58:00.001-04:00

1....2.....3....

On your mark...

2011-03-09T14:46:00.001-05:00

It's been an extra long time since I last posted here. You'd think that I'd have a killer story or reason for my absence. If I think about it long enough I could probably come up with something. However the simple truth is that I've been sucking up life. Taking it in. Embracing it and holding on for dear life.

Sounds exciting, huh? Sounds like I've been on a wild ride, but honestly it's been very quiet 'round these parts. I have literally turned inward and have sucked up life like a vacuum. That's not always a good thing. Without outlets we grow fat. That's what I've done. (In more ways than just the obvious. ;)

There are some very legitimate reasons I've been so quiet and I'm still not quite ready to openly share those. Yet. But the more disturbing reason (to me) is that it's become all-too easy to *hide* from all the stuff of life. Relationships. Problems. Busyness.

In stepping back a bit I found myself stepping waaay back. Too far I think. But I think only time will tell as to how far was enough. Until then I take each day as it comes.

I feel a stirring; a coming catapult that will send me out of this exhaustive internal space I've created. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared. I'd also be lying if I said I wasn't excited. A healthy combination of the two is important. I feel God saying to me the same thing He said to the church in Sardis...

“Up on your feet! Take a deep breath! Maybe there’s life in you yet. But I wouldn’t know it by looking at your busywork; nothing of God’s work has been completed. Your condition is desperate. Think of the gift you once had in your hands, the Message you heard with your ears—grasp it again and turn back to God. If you pull the covers back over your head and sleep on, oblivious to God, I’ll return when you least expect it, break into your life like a thief in the night." Revelation 3:2-3

I want to be awake and ready when He says "GO!"

Don't you?

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A list of all things random

2011-01-28T20:37:00.000-05:00

1. Despicable Me is so precious.

2. This made me weep and seriously wonder if adoption will be part of our journey as a family. http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/2011/01/show-us-your-life-tell-us-your-adoption.html
(I have no idea if that link will work since I'm posting from my phone. If it doesn't, take the time to copy and paste and get the Kleenex.)

3. MomSpit is awesome!!!! http://www.momspit.com/

4. The number of new Facebook users in Egypt in the last 12 days is unbelievable. Something like millions and millions. PRAY for the great nation off Egypt. May God's name be made famous through these tumultuous days.

5. Once again the Apple tv has failed us. Boo Apple! For all the amazing products you've given the world (can I get an amen for the iPad, iPhone 4, and iTunes nation?!) you really screwed this one up! Number 4 Apple tv is headed back to the store. Boo.

6. I really can't end on such a sour note so instead I'll end with this...

7. Being forced to watch the Mecum Auto Auction is not as awful and torturous as it may sound. However, I believe it will soon be both awful torturous. But in this singular moment...I'm good.

8. Did that one sound sour too?

9. Sorry.

10. That's all I've got.

You're welcome.

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I'm the hamster living in the Valley of Indecision

2011-01-25T21:03:00.000-05:00

I need to make some decisions soon about a few different things and I can't for the life of me make up my mind. It's nothing life-altering or anything but I keep going back and forth weighing out all my options.

You know those hamsters that run in the wheels? They run and run but never actually get anywhere. That's how I feel. I'm running circles without making any progress.

The thing about these decisions is that I feel like I know what I SHOULD do because it's expected of me but doing that isn't what I really want to do. But do I NOT want to do it because I just don't FEEL like it or is it because I'm not supposed to???

I'm finally at a place in my life where I'm ready to carve away all the fluff. I want to get rid of all the stuff that may be good to do and even beneficial to me (and others) but is keeping me from being available to do the things that are life-changers. the good, God-appointed stuff. That's the stuff that excites me.

So I ask myself these questions in regards to everything I do lately...

Why am I doing this?

What is the purpose of this?

Is this the best use of my time?

Is it a perfect God-fit or am I forcing it?

Have I waited on God or am I telling Him what to do?

Am I taking away someone else's opportunity to be used by God?

Can I accomplish this in a more efficient way?

These questions help me to wade through all the good intentions I have. They help to make sense of events and commitments. They give purpose to what I do which in turn brings purpose to my life.

I still feel like a hamster, though, and it's really starting to drive me nuts. Just with these few decisions. I'm in a bit of a catch-22 with this way of thinking. I hate letting people down and no matter what I decide I'm afraid I'll disappoint someone.

Ugh! Someone please get me off this wheel!!!

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It's hard getting back in the saddle.

2011-01-24T14:25:00.001-05:00

I have alot to say. I think these really great thoughts and say to myself, "Self! You are a genius! What a great topic for a post." Then I proceed to tweet the idea in 140 characters or less because it really is that
good. Unfortunately the need to expound beyond 140 characters dissipates immediately and days, weeks, eventually months go by without blog posts.

I reasoned that no one actually read this blog anyway so who cares. Well, I guess I care. I like to write. I like to make myself laugh. I like to capture these fleeting thoughts and moments for my future self to laugh at. It makes me happy.

When I stated blogging FIVE AND A HALF YEARS AGO all I wrote about was my girl and house life. There were some years in there where I tried to be the next Pioneer Woman with my blog. I tried making money off it. I even tried writing specialized blogs. I did the mommy-tip-giver blog, the book-reviewer blog, the women's ministry blog, etc. Those all drove me nuts. The only thing that I truly loved was when I wrote from my heart with no audience in mind. Those were the therapeutic posts. Those are my favorite posts. Those are the posts I want to get back to writing.

Now if I can just stop tweeting every stinkin' awesome idea that pops in my head. I might actually have some blog posts.

We're full of trashy love today!

2011-01-12T13:43:00.001-05:00

My boy is obsessed with the trash truck*. For Christmas he asked for a "big trash truck". That's all he wanted. I happened to find a remote controlled trash truck at Marshalls one day. You'd think we gave the boy a truck made of gold the way he loves that thing.

He also LOVES to match. Anything. Everything. "Match, Mommy, match!" He will go to great lengths to match colors, trucks, toys, people, etc. Precious is what it is.

So, imagine his great delight when he heard the trash truck today while on our way to naptime. He probably peed a little in all the excitement of matching his trash truck to the real thing.

The joy was just plain oozing from his pores. Then, imagine the further delight accompanied by squeals of happiness when, not one, but TWO more trash trucks go by, bringing the grand total to four trash trucks. (Three real. One remote controlled.)

Oh, but I'm not done. We continued the trash truck celebrations when climbing into bed he found yet another trash truck. This one being a "baby trash truck" due to it's small size.

Now he's dozing in bed hugging his trash trucks and listening to the sounds of the trash trucks as they finish collecting the trash in our neighborhood.

:::

*I do apologize for the excessive use of the words "trash trucks" in the post. This certainly is an apology I never imagined myself needing to write. But yet, here I am. Such is life with a little boy I guess.

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A post to keep the earth spinning safely.

2011-01-10T13:17:00.001-05:00

I am in bed. It's 12:54 in the pm and yes I am still in my pjs too. I got run over by whatever my kids had yesterday. It's bad enough to force The Music Man to work from home today. He's pulling a double. Full time work and full time daddy. Not to mention full time nurse to me.

This isn't exactly what I had in mind to start my week. In fact I had planned to post about the Awake21 fast my church is doing starting today. We're just one of hundreds of churches around the world joining together for a time of fasting and prayer. But seeing as I can barely lift my head off this pillow, you'll have to settle for this short list of random (drug-induced?) nonsense. So without further ado...

1. Last night The Girl and I watched some skating and gymnastics extravaganza on NBC. Did you see it? It left me feeling surprisingly unfulfilled. In fact I would even go so far as to say I was a tad bit annoyed by the whole thing.
Main two reasons:
1. Lonestar outlasted their 15 minutes of fame by about 10 years or so. I felt bad for them. Middle age guys trying to hold on to some sort of coolness instead of embracing the double chin, balding head, and the beer belly that is so obviously theirs.
2. Gymnasts are not meant to do group numbers. Ever. Yet there they were: group number after dancing group number. The whole thing was uncomfortable and just plain awkward.

2. There is not a book written by Tracie Peterson that I don't love. That woman knows how to write a story.

3. My parents lost a close friend of theirs yesterday morning. She had been diagnosed recently with stage 4 liver cancer. It wasn't easy. Death never is. But this was especially hard because it happened so fast.

4 My niece will be six in another couple weeks. I want to make her something but I'm not sure what yet. Any suggestions?

5. I really don't have anything left to say, but it's impossible for me to leave a list at just four things. I'm afraid the earth would fall off it's axis if I did, and no one would be happy about that.

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The post in which I take flattery to the next step: Imitation...

2011-01-07T17:23:00.000-05:00

(...not to be confused with intimidation, which would take this post in an entirely different direction. One in which I'm not willing to go.)

I am long time reader of the awesome Big Mama! She makes me laugh. Oh does she make me laugh. In fact let me go out on a ledge and say that she's in my top five favorite blogs to read. I read every. Single. Post. (Other contenders for top five include Boo Mama, Dooce, and this should go without saying, Ree. I realize that this only makes a top four but that's an even number and I have a thing against even numbers. Besides I like keeping a spot open. It allows me the freedom to rotate in my favorite blogs du jour.)

Anyway...back to Big Mama. Every Friday she does a fashion post. (See for example: today's edition.) I'm usually with her on every suggestion and recommendation. She has introduced me to some really great stores I had yet to hear about (Naartje, Boden, Free People, etc.) and we share a love affair with Anthropologie.

I'm not trying to horn in on her Fashion Friday thing, but she has inspired me over the years. I love fashion, accessories, shoes, and handbags. Anyone who has known me for any length of time should know that. So I thought I'd try a Fashion Friday post for myself. I'm not saying that this will happen every week or anything...but for today, let's see what will happen...

:::

I think for me the best place to start is with the things that I am currently loving. A list...in no particular order...

1. The Drop Cable Open Cardigan

I love this sweater. Although, now that I'm looking at it on the model, I realize that mine is too big and I like the charcoal one better. BUT, I do love this sweater. It's soft, warm, cozy, and goes with everything!

2. Skinny Jeans from NY and Company

These jeans are fantastic! And sweet mother of Abraham Lincoln! Did you see the price right now??? I picked up a slightly lighter wash of these earlier this fall for what I thought was a steal then (apparently not!). They were my first attempt at a skinny jean because I'm a curvy girl and any time a tapered leg is put on a curvy girl, bad things can happen. I believe that these jeans are the exception. They enhance the curvy, in a good way, mind you.

3. The Machie Gray Suede Boots

These boots...Mmm...these boots... They are amazing! So comfortable and so cute with the above skinnies and sweater.

:::

So there you have it. The short list of what I am currently in love with. These three pieces are in a constant rotation. Really you can't go wrong with any combination of the above. In fact...this post has inspired me to wear these pieces all together today.

I do apologize for the nature of this photo...I was in the bathroom at church and this was the only way to show you that I was in fact wearing the boots recommended above. I was also about to fall over.

Please note the super duper cute scarf (this link isn't to my scarf, but I got mine a while ago and this was the closest one like it) and phone case (a Christmas gift from my kiddos). Both should have their very own Fashion Friday post. Someday...

Ballet is very deep and philosophical.

2011-01-06T17:53:00.000-05:00

As I type this I am sitting in the waiting room of The Girl's ballet class. Girlfriend's in her fourth year of dance lessons. Once a week for an hour on Thursday nights we come to the studio. She dances. I watch.

This year my little prodigy is in a class with 8-9yo girls. She's six, by the way. (Yes, I am proud. Why do you ask?) Most weeks she leaves class telling me that her legs hurt. I tell her its because she in a no-joke class. (And just between you and me, Miss Heather pulls more out of that girl than I could ever dream to.) They spend the first 35 minutes at the barre and the last 25 minutes learning their recital routine. And girlfriends werk! Hard.

But...the Girl. She. Loves. It. It's far and above her most favorite hour of the week. It doesn't matter how sick she may be, how tired she is, or how dazzling a conflicting activity may seem...she does not miss a class. Ev. Er.

I love that she is so passionate about dance. She lives and breathes dance. She moves about life under the mantra of "why walk when you can dance?"

Most weeks as I watch my tall-for-her-age girl as the older girls tower around her, I can't help but think about my own passions in life. Do I have any? What are they? What am I investing into them? Are they pleasing to my Lord?

Those are the things I think about when I watch my girl. That and I cry. She's just so big. She's six now, you know. Just yesterday I watched her dance across my belly(from the inside of course). And now she dances across a pine floor in a local dance studio. How can it be?!

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God must love football.

2011-01-05T14:30:00.001-05:00

Much to the dismay of my husband, I am not a football fan or watcher or carer-er. I CAN watch it, but all I see is a bunch of men running around falling on each other. So image my surprise when God chose to speak to me through a football game! (I guess if he can use a donkey, he can use a football game.)

Last night was the Sugar Bowl. The Ohio State was playing Arkansas. I even wore my jersey all day (I promise I didn't leave the house.) in honor of what I think was a big game. I knew it was big for my husband which is really all that matters.

The game went on and on and on. My man kept falling asleep during commercials so I did what any faithful watchman would do...I gave him updates every time they flashed the score.

I was busy on the Twitter and the Facebook when I happened to glance over at the tv. I watched what I think was a receiver of some sort (he RECEIVED the ball) go to catch a pass only to drop it when he took his eyes off the ball to look at the safety barreling down on him. (I know it was a safety because that's what the announcer guy called him. Don't ask me what a safety does although I would venture a guess it doesn't have anything to do with wearing a seatbelt.)

The replay played over and over from every angle to observe this guy reach up to catch a perfect throw, look down at the guy coming in to take him out, that ruining his concentration, and finally dropping (would the word fumbling fit here?) the ball.

As I watched I heard the Lord say to me...If you keep your eyes on the ball and not on your opposition you'll catch the ball.

The guy last night HAD the ball. At the last moment he took his eyes off of it. He lost his focus. It shifted from catching that ball (his sole purpose for being on the field) to the safety headed straight for him- his circumstances. In that millisecond he chose to look away from his purpose and ended up fumbling the ball.

How many times do we lose focus at the last second when we need it most? It happens all the time, right?

The cool thing about the game last night is that it went on. That receiver kept playing. The coach kept coaching. The fans kept cheering. It's the same in life. Life goes on. Our Coach keeps coaching and fans keep cheering. We pick up the ball and we keep going.

Don't let your opposition and circumstances distract you from your purpose at hand. Keep your eyes on the ball. (I can't believe I just said that.) and if you do lose focus, fumble, and fall flat on your face...get up. Dust yourself off and get back in the game!

:::

By the way, The Ohio State went on to beat Arkansas some big number to some somewhat smaller number. (A statistician I am not.) My husband slept through the rest of the game and I just used my first (and probably last) sports illustration.

:::

I suddenly feel the need to watch Facing the Giants, Rudy, Blindside, and a Friday Night Lights marathon.

You're welcome.

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Let's see what comes out...

2011-01-04T19:40:00.001-05:00

It's been so long since I regularly posted anything on here that I'm completely out of the game. So to speak. I think I know some of why I've been MIA and basically God's been doing a bit of hiding me in Himself. But now He's beginning to gently nudge me back into life. This blog is part of it somehow, I think. (How's that for clear?)

The past 16 months or so have been an intensive crash course for me. In what, I'm just beginning to see. Believe it or not, this blog has been around for going on six years. It began as a family scrapbook of sorts. It became more of a dumping ground of my randomness at times and toward the end (before my hiatus) it was a hassle and not at all fun or cathartic for me anymore.

It's almost as if God has pulled me back into Him so far so as to erase who I used to be. When he lets go after this much tension and heart-rendering, what's left is (I hope) a better version of myself. Full of Him to overflowing like never before. Confident in who He is and what that means for me. Sure of my standing in Him and in the world. Filed with vision, passion, and drive. Ambition to see the dream birthed and endurance to see it through.

I am not always "there" yet, but I also won't sell myself short any longer. I won't allow myself to be satisfied with just wanting to want to be obedient. (Although I do believe that is the first baby step and a vital one at that.) We are all just one small part of the great big Kingdom of God. He doesn't need us to accomplish His purposes. He is the great I AM after all, but He most certainly WANTS us to be a part of His plans.

I hope to go into some of the why's and how's and whathaveyou's of where I've been and what I've been doing in the weeks and months to come. It's been a roller coaster ride and I won't kid you, most of the ride has been rough, but only because I have made it harder than it needed to be. I've been wanting to begin posting again, but as I said in the beginning...I'm a bit rusty. So I decided to just start writing and see what comes out. (There's your deep and philosophical explanation for the title.)

So now what...how do I bring this post in for a landing??? Well, I'll not make any promises of regularly schedule future posts or tease you with witty repartè, that much I can guarantee. One thing I have learned is that I am far too self-focused. We all are, I think. So instead of going on about MY journey, and what I HAVE been doing, I'm going to cheer YOU on. Something that is not done nearly enough.

I promise you that God is madly and deeply in love with YOU. He wants for nothing but yet He longs for you; for relationship--intimate relationship with you.

There is a place for you in this world. There is someone out there waiting for you to stand up and start living your life to it's God-given fullest. We need you and can't do this crazy thing on our own. YOU are important.

:::

(See. Isn't that a nice way to end?)

(So is this...

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Hiatus

2010-09-12T20:27:00.001-04:00

You might have noticed that I've taken a bit or a hiatus for the past 2-ish months. It was a much needed break. Not that my blogging schedule has ever been heavy. Its just that there was SO much other stuff going on that blogging wasn't even on my list of priorities.

School was the main thing that's occupied my time, thoughts, days, DREAMS! During the last few days of vacation I began to order books so they'd be waiting for me when I got home. And what do you know! For a good week after we got home I got boxes of books every day. Talk about a high!

Once I had the books in hand I went nuts organizing our year and curriculum. Honestly I haven't stopped. I'll be sharing more about our curriculum in later posts as it's a work in progress. Actually, it's a living breathing thing that grows and moves and changes daily. Sometimes hourly. Ok it can be moment by moment some days.

I am now feeling a bit or the craziness begin to subside. We're in our fourth week already. We've firmly established school into our routine again and I {{{think}}} that we've discovered a routine that will work for us.

So for now I just wanted to check back in. Here's are pics from my phone of my babes...

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Inbox surprises from The Music Man

2010-08-05T11:49:00.000-04:00

I may have said it once or twice that my man likes to email me links and pictures of things he thinks I need to know about. Often they're silly, sometimes they're helpful, but today it's just sweet.

His link sent me here.

Go see why this picture is so sweet...

(Other than the obvious cuteness of a little girl kissing an old guy.)

Now what???

2010-08-02T14:35:00.001-04:00

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As good as it gets...

2010-08-02T13:18:00.000-04:00

This is my version of getting dressed today...

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A random list from my vacation thus far...

2010-07-21T08:43:00.000-04:00

1. My husband's family has no chance. I have fully and completely taken them as my own. I love them to pieces.

2. Pastor Mike was the guy who called out my man 14 years ago. Four days later, at a Black Crows concert the Music Man surrendered his life to Christ. He's never looked back. Finally I got to meet Pastor Mike. And it thrilled my heart to do so.

3. Where do I begin with #3? It really deserves a post in and of itself. Actually, I could write an entire book about #3, but then that would turn into a 4-book series that would eventually be bought by a production studio to be made into a movie which would then be turned into a tv show which would run for 10 seasons before going into syndication for the rest of time. Of course there'd be the spinoffs and reruns and reunions. It would be crazy. So I'll just keep #3 as simple as I can for this post.

Through the magic that is Facebook, I have my BFF from junior high securely back in my life. Our friendship was fast and furious but cut waaaaay too short. NOW!!! It's like nothing ever changed except now we're married with kids and mortgages and all sorts of adult things. The best part of all of this is that we've spent just about every day with her and her husband because the live 20 minutes away from my inlaws!!!!! And have been here for 4 years. I never knew!

But that's not even the best part.

Ready???

In a few very short weeks she will live only 45 minutes from me AT HOME!!!!!!! We've already begun planning the weekly lunch dates and play dates and shopping trips and daycations into the City.

I feel like I've been given the most precious gift. A second chance at a friendship I always knew got cut short. Maybe we just weren't ready for each other when we were 12. Twenty years later we ARE. SO. READY.

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My Bay-Bay!

2010-07-09T10:29:00.000-04:00

He has refused to wear a bib since forever ago, but for some reason today was the day he decided to wear one. At least he chose a good one.

He hasn't taken a pacifier since he got the ol' snipity-snip on his little man parts when he was a few hours old. I mean to say that he has never taken a pacifier or even a bottle for that matter. And what I mean by never is actually... NEH. EH. VER. ER. But again, there must have been something in the yogurt or pediasure this morning because look at this...

My Bay-Bay!

*sigh*

I love him so!

Birthday Dinner of Champions: Fried Bananas topped with Rice and Sausage

2010-07-08T08:37:00.001-04:00

The other night I had a dream about my brother. It was bizarre. To say the least.

You see it's been THREE YEARS since I've seen my brother. ***GASP!!!*** How can that be!?!?! It truly is a tragedy. Life has made if difficult for both of our families to get together. We live a thousand miles apart. Literally. And both he and my husband have demanding jobs that don't allow for a whole lot of vacation time. The times that we do get we all spend it visiting parental units. Siblings get pushed to the back burner. It is what it is.

BUUUUUUUTTTTTTT!!! In just a few very short, and fast approaching weeks, we are road-tripping it to see my awesome bro and fabulous sister-in-love and amazing niece and nephews.

CAN.

NOT.

WAIT.

I'm not the only one either. I got this cute text from my SIL...

My baby girl cannot wait to hang out with her Uncle Josh! She even put it on our Summer To-Do List along with hug cousins!

Anyhoo...there's excitement a-plenty coursing through our homes! And what better way to say...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE GUY!!!!

...than a post devoted to how much we miss him, love him, and are so excited to see him? I can't think of any.

Unless perhaps this is better...

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

WIWW

2010-07-07T12:50:00.000-04:00

Is it me, or do your days seem to all run together after a while? I had the hardest time trying to remember which outfit wen with which day and what I did that day. After about five minutes of this struggle, it dawned on me that iPhoto has this handy dandy little date thing attached to each picture. Wow. Wish I would have thought about that before I hurt my brain for five minutes.

So without further ado...

Thursday, we did something so special that I can't even remember what it was. I do remember that the weather was GORGEOUS and I had the windows open all day.

Sweater: TJ Maxx $14.99

Tank: Old Navy $7

Cheap Flower: ??? $??? (Someone please teach me how to make those really cool fabric flowers!)

Jeans: Target $20

Linen Sandals: Target $12

Bracelets: Glossy Bands from The Girl $Priceless (until it breaks)

Friday was again beautiful!

Top: Old Navy $10

Jeans (again!): Target

Flippies: Ebay $14

Saturday was a big day! (Props go to the Music Man for this shot.) It was Awesome Girls' Day. We spent the entire day shopping! Blissful!

Tank: The Walmarts $5 (Cute little Miley Cyrus thing. Did you know her dad is the achey breaky heart dude!? I just found that out a few months ago. Also...she and Hannah Montana are one in the same. Whodathunkit?)

Jeans (AGAIN! Why mess with a good thing?): Target

Flippies: Gap $20

Sunday was the Fourth of July as you can clearly see by my uber patriotic ensemble!

Dress: Kohls $33 (and apparently this dress is so popular that it's not even on their website for me to link to. I promise that I just got it on Saturday. Your Kohls might still have some.)

Sandals: TJ Maxx $40

(Trust me when I say that my babes were head to toe red, white, and blue stars and stripes!)

Monday. Ah, Monday. Our floating holiday. I spent the day in my swim suit and cover up. I'm sorry, but the internet does NOT need to have a picture of me in my swim suit on it. If you're really DYING to see it then you can go here and see a video of my kids that I may or may not be in.)

Tuesday was hotter than the sun, so we went no where and did nothing.

Green Tank: The Walmarts $7

Shorts: Peebles (or as The Girl calls it-Pebbles) $17

Flippies: DSW $19

:::

On another fashion related note...I need help. Big help! I bought something last week at the neighborhood Goodwill that can only be described as a muu-muu. I loved that fabric and knew that something lovely could be made from the hideous thing. I just don't know what. Or how to do it. Or anything. Any ideas???

:::

I'm linked up here.

And this is what I found in my inbox...

2010-07-06T15:09:00.002-04:00

As my long-time readers may remember, The Music Man sends me links from time to time. Sometimes they are "informative" and other times they're "silly". I never know what I'm going to get when I see an email from him with the subject line that says..."I thought of you when I saw this..."

This morning I got one of these emails. This is the link I saw...

http://gizmodo.com/5580276/professional-fashion-shootwith-an-iphone-3gs

And this is what's at the end of that link...

The iPhone Fashion Shoot - Lee Morris Shoots With The 3GS from FStoppers on Vimeo.

:::

How does he know me so well?

What I Wore Wednesday...on Thursday

2010-07-01T14:06:00.000-04:00

I'm not the kind of person to jump in with both feet without first testing the waters a bit with my toes. Once my toes are damp I like to go back to my towel and check the world wide web for what others are saying about the water and if there's a better deal out there on water. Then I sit and watch the water for a while. THEN I'll ease in. Or get distracted with something else shiny.

Ooo...it's pretty!

That's kinda what I did with this here post. I came across the Pleated Poppy a while back and instantly fell in love. My favorite posts were the "what I wear Wednesday" ones, because, let's face it, I'm nosy and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE clothes, shoes and accessories.

It's an obsession really.

I thought, Self! You jump right into that water. It's the pool-o-joy you've been waiting for! So the very next day I took a picture of what I wore. Just about every day since then I have taken a picture of what I wore. Today-Thursday, July 1st- a mere three weeks after I started documenting my clothing choices each day-I've decided it's time to post.

So here's what I wore last week. (I bet you thought I was going to show you all three weeks worth of pictures. Ha! I've decided to keep those early shots for days/weeks in the future when I'm too lazy to take a picture of that day. We all know that will happen. It's only a matter of time. So come this December, when you see me in flip flops and a tank top you'll know what I wore two weeks ago.)

Wednesday-My 9th Anniversary!-The Music Man had to work

ALL DAY so it was just me and the kids.

White Tank - H&M $5

Black Tank - The Walmarts $3

Skirt - Target $13

Sandals - Rugged Warehouse - $5

Thursday - This was the best I got!

Green Tank - Target $12

Bermudas - Banana Republic $35

Gold Flippies - TJ Maxx $15

Little Girl - My Womb $Priceless

I don't know what happened to Friday.

We took the kids to see Toy Story 3.

Oh Lord, remind me to never take my son to

another movie until he doesn't need a nap!

I can't find Saturday either.

We stayed around the house so that we could

RECOVER from the trauma of Friday.

I wore my old yoga capris from Express circa 1997 and a tshirt.

Trust me when I say, you aren't missing anything by not seeing that in all it's glory!

Sunday was church.

Shirt - H&M $7

Black Linen Pants - Gap circa 2003 $???

Various necklaces and bracelets - Who Knows $???

I like Sunday's hair better on Monday, don't you?

Black Tank - Old Navy forever ago $5???

Skirt - H&M $10

Flippies - Gap $20

Tuesday.

Black Tank - The Walmarts $5

(That Miley Cyrus has some cute little things.)

Skirt - H&M $10

Gladiators - BCF $20

Necklace - Some shop at the beach $17

Little Boy - My Womb $Priceless or $Best Offer depending on the day

Well there you have it. My week in apparel. It was a loverly week despite it's struggles day-to-day. I'm going to apologize right now for my lack of photography skillz and the random placement of my full-length ghetto mirror. Three weeks ago when I began documenting my clothes I was using our nice Rebel, but then The Music Man needed it for something and I never took it back upstairs with me. So these shots are all from my phone. I kept moving the mirror (that fell off my wall) to find the best light to get the ~~best~~, ~~a good~~, let's be real and say that I was just trying to get a shot in which I didn't look like a) a 400lb giant, and b) my face wasn't in a bazillion shadows.

Hopefully I can get these issues figured out for the future.

It's a work in progress.

I'm a work in progress.

But then you already knew that, didn't you?

The Narrow Path

2010-06-15T20:54:00.002-04:00

So I used to have a whole blog dedicated to book reviews. I loved it. But for some insane reason I deleted one day after not posting for a while thinking I was doing myself a favor by cleaning out my blogger dashboard.

Um, no.

I have regretted that decision more times than you could possible ever imagine. I plan to one day start another blog dedicated solely to my great love for books. Until then, you'll have to suffer through my musings and reviews here.

Think of it this way: you might actually find a good book or two to read.

:::

I'm generally not one for Amish or Mennonite books. I read a few as a kid, but not since. They've just never appealed to me much, but since making those Monster cookies and climbing up into my family tree I couldn't resist this today when I saw it at the library. The cover looked too cute (and you really should know that I DO judge a book by its cover), and the blurb on the back cover was completely charming.

Can two people from different worlds find love somewhere in the middle? Miranda feels like she's been transported back to the Little House on the Prairie. Ted's head spins when Miranda reads her Bible on her red cell phone. Yet Miranda Klassen and Ted Wiebe must find a way to make peace in order to meet their common goal of opening the doors of Ted;s old Order Mennonite church and community. Will the also find love in the process?

Gail Sattler weaves a delightful little tale of opposites attract in The Narrow Path. What it lacks in depth and literary savvy, it makes up in endearing and sweet characters. It's a great afternoon read for a lazy summer day. It will make you laugh, maybe cry, but will definitely entertain. I would most definitely read more from this seasoned writer. You can read more about this book and even preview the first chapter here.

I would give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
Rent it from your local library today!

An Ode...

2010-06-11T15:37:00.000-04:00

What I love about this man...

1. He has a splitting headache. He proclaimed it to be "the worst headache short of a migraine" that he's ever had, yet he's escorting me to Costco. (NO ONE, I repeat no one should ever have to go to Costco alone. On a Friday. With two small children. Cranky children. Ever.)

2. He's on the phone with AT&T trying to get me eligible to upgrade to the new iPhone. (Coming soon to Apple lovers everywhere. Yay!). This is the 349,877th time he's called them in the pas few weeks. He's a magician when it comes to getting service providers to do what he wants. (Hello free HBO, Sunday Ticket, iPhone, and Omaha Steaks!)

3. He wearing his South Africa FIFA tshirt he scored at the airport in Johannesburg back in January. He is a die-hard football (of the American variety) fan and has never cared for soccer. Says he doesn't understand it and has no need for it in his sports-lovin'-life. But for some reason he has totally gotten into the World Cup festivities, which blesses this soccer-lovin'-girl. Next step: signing the Boy up for soccer insead of t-ball. (A girl can dream, right?)

4. Did I mention he's getting me a new iPhone? I happened to mention in passing that it would be cool to do the facetimr thingy if we both had the new phone and BAM!!! Mamacita's gettin' a new phone. (We hope!)

5. In conclusion, he is the ultimate provider and protecter. I am completely confident in his ability to care for this family. Lately, he's been under mass amounts of stress and frustrations and while we have struggled during these times, he has remained completely dedicated to working things out to the best of his ability and for the greatest benefit to our family.

He is simply the most amazing man God has ever made. I am blessed beyond measure just to share his name.

Love you, Babe.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Give up the funk!

2010-06-08T16:18:00.001-04:00

So last night my husband informed me that I'm in a funk.

{{{annnnd cue Parliament}}}

In order to get out of the so-called funk I'm apparently in, I decided to try these little beauties from a pretty cool life.

This is how mine turned out...

(Sorry about my complete inability to take a nice picture.)

Hey Music Man! Still think I'm in a funk?

I tore the roof off, Baby!

MONSTER Revelations and other nonsense

2010-05-27T11:17:00.001-04:00

I made a HUUUUGE batch of cookies the other day. (And by huge batch I mean I used a dozen eggs, 18 cups of oats and 4 cups of sugars!) We have a bake sale this Sunday at church to raise some money for the Worship Dept. So I'm making MONSTER cookies. And let me tell you! They ARE MONSTERS! Easily as big as the Boy Wonder's head.

This is just half of the batch and the smallest cookie up there is still 5 inches in diameter! Those Amish sure know how to double, triple, quadruple a recipe!

Here's the funny thing...when I tasted them, I was instantly transported back in time to Valentine's Days as a kid. That's when my grandparents would send each of us kids a monster cookie of our own. VERY special memory for me. These cookies have such deep roots in my heart.

See, my grandpa who made these with my grandma every year passed away a few years back and now my other grandpa is really struggling with his health. I don't know how long he'll be with us. Loosing them is like loosing a piece of my heritage; so treasured are they to me! I know it's inevitable--death, but losing a whole generation is hard.

These cookies represent so much more than just sugar and calories to me. They're family. They're connection. They're my past and they'll be my future. They're everything that's good in life and make all the hard stuff easier to handle.

So today, I will eat a MONSTER cookie in honor of my grandparents. And Sunday I will sell the rest of the giant buggers. I hope the legacy my grandparents left me with will raise much money to support the next generation of heritage-builders.

:::

What foods evoke strong emotions and memories for you?